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Brookhaven Town Board Approves Accessory Apartment Review Process
Brookhaven Town Board has given the green light to code amendments to simplify the Accessory Apartment application process. The changes are designed to streamline the issuance of licenses within the Building Division.
Serious Car Crash
A Ronkonkoma man is fighting for his life after a serious car crash in Smithtown.
Mazzarella Victory Lap at La Buena Vita
Legislator Jim Mazzarella took a victory lap for his November reelection during a special event last week at La Buena Vita in Moriches. Attended by officials, family, and friends, the gathering highlighted the community's enthusiasm for the popular Tri-Hamlet lawmaker.
Suffolk Democrats Choose 2024 Slate
Choosing their slate for the November election, Suffolk's Democrats left an unsettled question: Who will run against first-term Congressman Nick LaLota? The party is going to let voters decide in a June 25 primary.
Brookhaven Board's Salary Adjustment Sparks Community Discourse
Supervisor Daniel Panico revealed the decision as part of a broader fiscal strategy, which involved the dissolution of the planning board and accessory apartment review board. The move is projected to yield a net annual savings of approximately $30,000 for Brookhaven. However, the decision was not solely about financial reorganization. Panico articulated that he proposed raising town board salaries due to an expanded scope of responsibilities. The board will now undertake tasks traditionally handled by the planning board, including rigorous reviews of site plans for housing, commercial, and industrial projects. This encompasses considerations such as building heights, parking lots, signs, and lighting fixtures.
Smithtown Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo Addresses Key Town Issues
In a recent interview with Smithtown Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, several crucial topics were discussed, shedding light on the town's current priorities and challenges. Inzerillo provided insights into the town board's approach to maintaining stable taxes, addressing environmental concerns, and ensuring Smithtown residents' overall quality of life.
Project 2025 Looks to Build Conservative Workforce
Working under the assumption that Donald Trump will return to the White House, the 2025 Presidential Transition Project is recruiting and training the thousands of staffers he will need to change how business is done in Washington.
Seniors Beware of Contractor Scams With Warmer Weather Here
Now that warmer weather is right around the corner, senior citizens and the most vulnerable of Suffolk County must be on high alert for contractor and construction scams.
Wilderness Area Named for Otis Pike
The stunning Fire Island High Dune Wilderness Area just over the Smith Point Bridge in Shirley is named for Otis G. Pike, the Congressman who represented Suffolk from 1961 to 1979. Pike was a noted environmentalist whose legislation created the Fire Island National Seashore and the 1,381-acre park that carries his name.
Tierney Indicts Pair for Fires Set to Distract from Burglaries
A pair of Suffolk men arrested for setting fire to PSEG substations to distract law enforcement from their burglaries are under indictment by District Attorney Raymond Tierney. Frank Costa, 54, of Port Jefferson Station, and Jon Pucci, 29, of Middle Island, have been arrested for arson at three utility locations and nine commercial burglaries at businesses throughout Suffolk County. They also face weapons charges.
Glasses Raised for Manorville Water Project
Glasses of sparkling pine barrens water were raised in a toast Thursday to celebrate the completion of water mains to homes with contaminated wells in Manorville. Suffolk County Water Authority officials assembled on Primrose Path with local leaders, clean water advocates, and homeowners to herald the milestone.
Mazzarella to Headline Colonial Youth Event
"We're grateful that this community icon is headlining our main fundraising event," said Colonial Youth Board President Peter Costeloe. "We truly appreciate his support and all that he has done for our area."
MMS Library's Transparency Troubles Trigger Community Concerns
As the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library gears up for its annual budget vote and trustee election on April 2, criticisms mount over the limited time granted to the public for budget review, especially with the library already exceeding its original allocation by over $6 million. The decision to use paper ballots due to the presidential primary on the same day raises questions about the library's financial planning and management.
Capitol Riot Resentencing: Appeals Court Challenges Trial Judge's Sentence Range
In a groundbreaking development, a federal appeals court panel has ordered the resentencing of a Jan. 6 rioter, challenging the trial judge's decision on the grounds of a more extended sentence range. The panel of three judges took a firm stance, asserting that the individual's actions during the U.S. Capitol breach did not constitute a "substantial interference with the administration of justice." This decision potentially opens the door for a wave of other convicted rioters to seek resentencing on the same grounds.
Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Candidacy for 2024 Election
In a defining moment that echoes through the corridors of power, the Supreme Court has handed down a decisive ruling, reshaping the narrative around former President Donald Trump's eligibility for the 2024 election. This impactful victory, wrapped in constitutional intricacies, underscores Trump's lasting influence and establishes critical precedents that ripple through legal and political realms.
Congress' Short-Term Funding Extension: A Stopgap Solution Amidst Ongoing Dysfunction
In a display of perennial dysfunction, Congress has again resorted to a short-term funding extension to avert an imminent government shutdown. The Senate's 77-13 vote, following the House's 320-99 approval, paints a picture of reprieve rather than sustainable governance as the nation teeters on the brink of financial instability.
Protest Turns Tragic: U.S. Air Force Member Succumbs to Flames
In a heart-wrenching incident outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., a U.S. Air Force member, identified as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell from San Antonio, Texas, lost his life one day after setting himself on fire. The act, caught on a livestream, appeared to be a desperate protest against Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Supreme Showdown: High Court Defends Free Speech in Social Media Battle
In a fiery session last week, the Supreme Court delved into the constitutional implications of state-imposed limitations on content moderation by major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Texas Solicitor General Aaron Nielson passionately defended the Lone Star State's position, drawing striking parallels between social media platforms and the historical significance of telegraphs.
Laken's Law Aims to Fight Migrant Crime
A bill to fight migrant crime has been named "Laken's Law" by state legislators following the murder of a Georgia nursing student by an alleged illegal immigrant while she was out on a morning run.
Major Fraud Unearthed
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced a significant breakthrough in a major fraud case involving Cindy Tappe, the former Director of Finance and Administration for New York University's Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and Transformation of Schools (Metro Center). Tappe, 57, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating an approximately $3.5 million fraud over six years.
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Half Hollow Hills Fencing as Dominant as Ever
The Half Hollow Hills boys fencing team has clinched the League I Championship, further cementing its status as one of the premier programs on Long Island. With the title secured, the team has now captured its fourth consecutive league championship, continuing a stretch of dominance that has defined the program in recent seasons.
Sachem North Wins 1st League Title Since 2013
The Sachem North wrestling team has captured its first League II Championship in more than a decade, earning the program’s first league title since 2013. The milestone victory capped off a dominant regular season for the Arrows, who rose to every challenge placed in front of them throughout the winter.
Coach Healey Wins His Milestone 100th
William Floyd High School varsity bowling head coach James Healey recently reached a personal milestone by earning his 100th career victory in a 34-2 win over Bellport. During the match, senior Nicholas Powers rolled a game-high 255, while sophomore Gino Conforti added a strong 224, helping secure the landmark victory for both the coach and the program.