Local fire districts will host public hearings on their 2020 budgets Tuesday.
The districts raise tax money for fire department equipment and facilities, while the majority of the members of the fire departments are volunteers. The hearings are required before the budget can be approved. READ
A multi-vehicle crash in Wading River closed a portion of Sound Avenue near Hulse Landing Road Friday afternoon. READ
On a recent Saturday morning, Randy Hintze watched as the next round of pickleball matches began at Stotzky Park in the weekly Ladder League hosted by Riverhead Town’s recreation department. A retired Southampton Town police detective who lives in Wading River, Mr. Hintze, 63, had just completed an intense match during the first round of games. READ
A Queens man clinging to an overturned kayak in Long Island Sound drifted a mile and half off shore before being safely rescued Thursday afternoon with the assistance of a Suffolk Police helicopter, according to Wading River Fire Chief Kevin McQueeney. READ
An apparent lightning strike sparked an attic fire at a Wading River home Tuesday afternoon, according to Riverhead Town police. READ
Update (March 5, 2:10 p.m.): Firefighters quickly put out the fire at 29 Sylvan Drive in Wading River before it spread to the rest of the house.
According to Riverhead Town Fire Marshal Chief Craig Zitek, a tree trimmer was working when a branch fell on a wire, causing a “drop neutral,” a term for when the voltage fails to divide into electrical breaks, that sparked the fire at 29 Sylvan Drive. READ
The Suffolk County Police Arson squad is investigating a fire at a Wading River home that occurred late Friday night, according to Riverhead Town police. READ
Incumbents were unseated in fire commissioner races in Jamesport and Wading River Tuesday night, while Riverhead and Flanders saw quieter elections.
Jamesport voters elected newcomer Matthew Hattorff to a five-year term, ousting current board chairman Robert Sikora in a 127 to 77 vote.