News by Robert Chartuk
News by Robert Chartuk on South Shore Press
Zombie Home Hit List
Spurred by residents who've had enough of zombie homes in their neighborhood, Town of Brookhaven officials have been focused on getting owners to clean up their act.
Veterans Feted at Appreciation Breakfast
Suffolk residents who served in the military were honored at a special Veterans Appreciation Breakfast Saturday hosted by Assemblyman Joe DeStefano and attended by local officials and service organizations. The lawmaker, who hosts the event every year, was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his dedication to local veterans.
Early Homes of the Tri-Hamlet
Residents of the Tri-Hamlet Area share their neighborhoods with the estates of the town’s earliest settlers dating back to the American Revolution, including those of heroes such as William Floyd, Nathanial Woodhull, and William Tangier Smith. 
Dems Capitalize on Negative News to Oust Flood
Losing a state Assembly seat in 2022 which they had controlled for 30 years, the Democrats were itching to take it back. They succeeded with Port Jefferson Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay edging Ed Flood by 211 votes to oust the incumbent in the only upset of the 2024 state legislative races in Suffolk.
Drought Drives Water Demand to Record Levels
Drought conditions caused by a lack of rain on Long Island going back to September have driven the demand for relief from the Suffolk County Water Authority record levels.
Town to Raise Fines for Housing Code Violations
It was music to the ears of a community inundated with rental properties and absentee landlords: the Town of Brookhaven is raising fines for housing code violations.
Work Ethic Pays Off for Giglio as She's Returned to Albany for a Third Term
Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio's hard work on behalf of her constituents, starting with her service as a Riverhead Town Council member and continuing through a second term as a lawmaker, has paid off. She was reelected with nearly 65% of the vote.
Stick-to-It Senator Murray Reelected
Perseverance paid off again for Senator Dean Murray, who was reelected to a second term with 61.8% of the vote in a district where he has a long relationship with the voters.
DeStefano Headed Back to Albany for Fourth Term
Returning to Albany for a fourth term will be Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, a popular figure in his Central Brookhaven district. His success comes from his connection to the community after more than four decades as a volunteer firefighter and ambulance company member. He's also on the right side of the issues that affect Long Island, including fighting high taxes and inflation, opposing illegal immigration, eliminating cashless bail and standing up for law enforcement, and keeping men out of women's sports and girls' bathrooms.
Back to Status Quo for Suffolk's State Delegation
There's a one seat change in Suffolk's state legislative delegation with the Democrats taking back a position they lost two years ago in Northern Brookhaven.
It's Over: 2024 Election Is History
Knock and Drag operations are underway across Suffolk as the political parties work to GOTV.
Major Haydée Feliciano, Strategic Airlift Nurse
Achieving her dream of becoming a nurse, Haydée Feliciano enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to serve in Desert Storm with an Aeromedical Evacuation Unit that brought wounded soldiers home.
Chad Lennon: Legislator, Veterans Advocate
Legislator Chad Lennon didn't just run a 10k segment of the Suffolk County Marathon wearing military boots and displaying a large U.S. flag; he also carried a 22-pound weight to honor the number of fellow veterans who take their own lives daily in America.
New Library Parking Lot Nears Completion
Center Moriches library patrons will have 55 more places to park as construction of a new lot nears completion at the popular facility. The $650,000 project, just north of the existing field, was made possible through fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Library.
Edward Denton, Coast Guardsman
It was 1980 when Center Moriches resident Ed Denton decided to serve his country and join the U.S. Coast Guard. During four years of work on ships and helicopters, he saved lives and helped keep the nation safe.
Army Veteran Bill Biondi
Keeping the Army rolling during the Vietnam War was Army mechanic Bill Biondi of Mastic Beach. The Specialist 4th Class was drafted right out of high school in 1968 and went to work on tanks, jeeps, armored personnel carriers—anything in the motor pool that aided the war effort.
Amy Thomas, Woman of Distinction
Honored as a Woman of Distinction was Amy Thomas, a dedicated 26-year volunteer with South Country Ambulance, having joined in 1998 when she was just 18. She has since proven to be a devoted volunteer who gives her time freely and works to constantly advance her EMS education and career while serving her community. Amy has been a New York State EMT-B for 21 years while climbing through the ranks to become the department's chief of administration, a position she has held since 2010. This title makes her the third in command of the busiest EMS agency in the Town of Brookhaven and the seventh busiest EMS agency in Suffolk County.
Fire Fears Grow as Long Island Suffers Drought
With little rainfall in the last few weeks, Long Island has been facing moderate drought conditions, increasing the risk of brush fires and making farming more difficult.
Farm-to-Table Movement at North Meets South Fair
Enjoying a beautiful fall weekend, residents turned out for the North Meets South Fair at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank.
Daily Feed
Push on for Tier 6 Pension Reform
Fix Tier 6 is the rallying cry in Albany as Albany works through the legislative session.
Free Trees in the Town of Brookhaven
On Arbor Day (Friday, April 25), the Town of Brookhaven will hold its annual tree seedling, mulch, and compost giveaway in the South Parking Lot of Brookhaven Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Doctor sues New York homeowners' association for religious discrimination and harassment, seeks over $1 million in damages
A first responder and medical doctor is embroiled in a legal battle against his homeowners' association, alleging discrimination and harassment based on his religion.