County

The West Nile virus continues to show up in mosquitoes sampled by the Department of Health as two cases of the potentially fatal infection have been reported in Suffolk. Officials warn residents to limit exposure to the vectors that carry the disease and take precautions against mosquitoes if they must be in areas where they can be exposed. Read More.

In partnership with the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County has successfully purchased and preserved the historic Avery Homestead, a local treasure at risk of being lost to redevelopment. The announcement came earlier this week from County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne. Read More.

Antennas went up in Suffolk last week when three county sites showed up on a list from New York Mayor Eric Adams for the relocation of migrants from the city. Adams, who threw open the doors to the Big Apple with his Sanctuary City policy, is scrambling to find shelters for more than 100,000 immigrants who took him up on his offer. Appearing on the mayor’s list were Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in Brentwood, and the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center in Nissequogue River State Park. Read More.

We’ve all seen it: a neighbor’s automatic sprinklers running during a pouring rain; On an island that depends on an underground aquifer for its drinking water, wasting our limited supply on unnecessary irrigation is not a good practice. Read More.

A few area schools have room for improvement, according to a recent report card issued by the state Department of Education. The needs-improvement list, which names schools in 13 Long Island districts, had not been posted since COVID concerns spurred officials to lock students out of the classroom. Read More.

In recent days, residents of Suffolk County have witnessed an unprecedented deluge. With rainfall pouring down in torrents, the aftermath has become a cause for concern, particularly for those keen on enjoying the county's pristine beaches. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) has taken this matter gravely. Recognizing the situation's urgency, they've issued a revised advisory that touches on the heightened bacteria levels in several local beaches. Alarmingly, these levels now cross the thresholds of safety standards prescribed by the State of New York. Read More.

Former Suffolk Police Chief Jim Burke, a key figure in the corruption scandal that sent him to jail along with District Attorney Tom Spota and his deputy, Chris McPartland, has been busted again for allegedly offering a sex act, public lewdness, indecent exposure, and criminal solicitation. Read More.

They did not receive the welcome home of soldiers from previous wars, and many had difficulties transitioning back to civilian life. Now, 50 years after the start of the Vietnam conflict, veterans are getting the recognition they deserve. Read More.

“I was shocked at what I saw,” said former Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy when he was shown the pornographic material that was available to students in his local school. Read More.

Faced with contamination from "Forever Chemicals," residents in Manorville will soon be able to hook up to public water thanks to a 20,000-foot water main extension recently underway by the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA). The project is in response to a year's long effort by residents to get fresh drinking water to the area. Read More.