Week in Review: Seven stories from the week that was
1. Riverhead men charged after home invasion on Horton Avenue
Two Riverhead men were arrested after they stole a television during a break-in on Horton Avenue early Sunday and tried to flee police, Riverhead Town police said.
A Horton Avenue resident told police a man kicked down the door to his house about 4 a.m., waking the resident and his mother. The resident struggled with the burglar but was knocked down, giving the intruder time to take a television from the house and run, police said.
The robber and a cab driver left the scene in a Hampton Town Taxi, the resident told police.
Related Story: Bail lowered for Riverhead robbery suspect
Related Story: Driver in alleged home invasion shot up parking lot in ’05
2. Will downtown road be named for Bissett or Behr?
The unnamed road that runs along the Peconic Riverfront in downtown Riverhead may soon have a name.
But which name?
One proposal calls for the section of road from Peconic Avenue to McDermott Avenue be named after Heidi Behr, the 23-year-old Riverhead woman who died in a May 2005 accident while she was volunteering with the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance.
But another proposal calls for naming it after Jim Bissett, the late co-founder of the Long Island Aquarium and the adjacent Hyatt Hotel in downtown Riverhead.
Related Story: Downtown road can be named for both Bissett and Behr
3. ZBA OK’s Brendan House care facility on Sound Avenue
The vice president of New Beginnings Community Center of Medford had just gotten up to speak at Thursday’s Zoning Board of Appeals continuation of a hearing from two weeks ago, when ZBA chairman Fred McLaughlin told him to sit down.
Mr. McLaughlin then asked the audience, “Do we have anyone here in opposition to the Brendan House?”
When no one spoke, the ZBA then proceeded to vote on the resolution unanimously approving the proposed group home for people with traumatic brain injuries.
Related Story: ZBA takes up plans for New Beginnings Brendan House
4. Riverhead’s Maysonet signs with Philadelphia Eagles
Sorry Giants fans, Riverhead’s Miguel Maysonet has signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Soon after being passed up in the 2013 NFL Draft, the 2009 Riverhead High School graduate received a phone call from the Eagles, offering him a chance to make the team as an undrafted free agent. Stony Brook University announced Saturday night that Maysonet has inked a deal.
Should he make the team, Maysonet will become the fourth Riverhead High School graduate to sign with an NFL team and the second to play for the Eagles. Ted Wegert, Class of 1951, played two seasons with Philadelphia in 1956 and 1957.
Related Story: A look at Riverhead grads who made it to the NFL
Related Story: As NFL Draft unfolds, Maysonet takes it all in stride
5. Little League fields dedicated to fallen soldiers
Nearly 500 Little League ballplayers helped dedicate the ballfields in Calverton Saturday morning that are now named after two fallen soldiers from Wading River: Sgt. First Class Anthony Venetz and Sgt. Jonathan Keller.
It was a day to bring together families and honor two sons who gave their lives for America’s freedom. Georgia Gabrielsen began the dedication with a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America.”
Related Story: Fallen Wading River soldiers live on in bond formed by moms
Related Story: After 9/11, Jonathan Keller joined National Guard
Related Story: Stories of Anthony Venetz describe American hero
6. Riverhead school officials strongly deny electioneering
Riverhead school officials denied allegations this week of misusing the district’s electronic record-keeping software to influence voter turnout during budget votes.
According to Newsday, the state education department is investigating more than 60 Long Island school districts that use software from Bold Systems, a Bellport company that allegedly claims the product can be used to influence voter turnout during budget votes. According to the Newsday report, the company has said the software can “track voter turnout in real time, and gives districts the ability to generate call lists of key voting blocs.”
State election laws prohibit public entities, like school districts, from influencing voter turnout in this manner, although some school officials quoted in the Newsday report deny using the program in that way.
Riverhead Superintendent Nancy Carney stated Tuesday the district hasn’t used the software to influence budget votes and has not been notified that the district is under investigation.
Related Story: Riverhead school board adopts $117M budget
7. Riverhead barber evicted from Woolworth space
An East Main Street barber shop is being shut down after getting evicted from its space, law enforcement personnel said at the scene Tuesday morning.
A manager at the store declined to comment.
Store owner Charlie Green didn’t want to talk about the circumstances around the eviction, but said he was trying to take the move in stride.
“God has his way of moving things, making things move,” Mr. Green said. “Everything happens for a reason.”
Related Story: Supervisor sure Regal is coming — and barbershop will be OK
