Health & Environment

Agriculture
12/19/14 8:00am

Could $700K help bring ‘ag center’ to downtown Riverhead?

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12/19/2014 8:00 AM
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The Second Street firehouse was obtained by Riverhead Town in 2011 in a land swap with the Riverhead Fire District. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch file)

The Second Street firehouse was obtained by Riverhead Town in 2011 in a land swap with the Riverhead Fire District. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch file)

The sale of the Second Street firehouse has been in the headlines several times in the last couple of years.

Initially, it was expected that Suffolk Theater owner Bob Castaldi would purchase the building for $375,000. Then, after prolonged negotiations, the Town Board upped the price to $500,000 and unanimously loosened restrictions to allow additional uses for the property — prompting debate over whether or not other bidders should get a second bite at the apple. (more…)

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Health
12/14/14 7:00am

Health Column: Experience ‘the helper’s high’ during the holidays

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12/14/2014 7:00 AM
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You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get after finding someone the perfect gift, helping an older person cross the street or, say, rescuing a wide-eyed kitten from a tight spot?

It’s more than a warming of the heart — it’s your brain’s way of rewarding you for doing something good, said Stephen Post, director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University.  (more…)

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Environment
12/10/14 5:00pm

Endangered sea turtles left stranded after nor’easter, biologists warn

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12/10/2014 5:00 PM
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Daniella Ferina, Riverhead Foundation staff biologist, administering warmed IV fluids Wednesday morning to a sea turtle. (Credit: Riverhead Foundation)

Daniella Ferina, Riverhead Foundation staff biologist, administering warmed IV fluids Wednesday morning to a sea turtle. (Credit: Riverhead Foundation)

After rescuing two endangered sea turtles in just 24 hours, biologists with the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation are asking residents to keep an eye out for cold-stunned sea turtles following Tuesday’s nor’easter.

High tides along the north shore after 3 p.m today could leave turtles stranded on north facing beaches, exposing them to frigid water and air temperatures, according to the organization.

(more…)

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Environment
12/06/14 8:00am

Riverhead sewer discharge exceeded fecal limits 3X in November

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12/06/2014 8:00 AM
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Paul Squire file photo | When the Riverhead Sewer District is able to upgrade its facility off Riverside Drive, the water being currently treated at the plant would then be pumped through a new, high-tech filtration system before reaching Peconic Bay.

When the Riverhead Sewer District finishes its plant upgrade its facility off Riverside Drive, the water being currently treated at the plant would then be pumped through a new, high-tech filtration system before reaching Peconic Bay. (Credit: Paul Squire, file)

Mechanical failure led to Riverhead Town’s sewage treatment plant dumping  improperly treated sewage into the Peconic River on three different occasions last month, according to the Suffolk County health department.

Michael Reichel, the town’s sewer plant superintendent, confirmed Friday the plant exceeded the amount of fecal coliform bacteria it is permitted to discharge into the Peconic on Nov. 26, as well as two other days in November, Nov. 5 and Nov. 19.

The town has not been issued a violation “yet”, Mr. Reichel said.

Another incident occurred in August.

 

The state Department of Environmental Conservation issued a Notice of Violation to the town Thursday, saying the town had until Jan. 5 to respond with a corrective action plan, said Aphrodite Montalvo, a DEC spokeswoman.

The town could be fined up to $37,500 for each incident, Mr. Reichel said.

(more…)

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Environment
12/03/14 12:00pm

County approves $1 million Indian Island restoration plan

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12/03/2014 12:00 PM
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The area that will be restored at Indian Island County Park. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch, file)

The area that will be restored at Indian Island County Park. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch, file)

Suffolk County is moving forward with a million-dollar plan to restore seven acres of land at Indian Island County Park in Riverhead that once served as a dumping ground for the county’s dredging projects. The measure is expected to improve the surrounding ecosystem by re-opening proper tidal flow to the area.  (more…)

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