RiverheadLOCAL
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Award-winning independent local news website covering Riverhead New York and surrounding areas of eastern Long Island. #LocalNewsMatters
A winter storm warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Saturday for heavy snow, with 4-8 in. of accumulations in Riverhead and 2-5 in. across the twin forks.
Winter storm to bring heavy snow, accumulations of 4-8 inches Friday evening, early Saturday
A winter storm warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Saturday for heavy snow, with 4-8 in. of accumulations in Riverhead and 2-5 in. across the twin forks.
riverheadlocal.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
A winter storm warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Saturday for heavy snow, with 4-8 in. of accumulations in Riverhead and 2-5 in. across the twin forks.
Dr. Vishnudat Seodat admitted to falsifying diagnoses and taking kickbacks in a Medicare fraud conspiracy tied to unnecessary brain scans.
Riverhead doc sentenced in Medicare fraud scheme
Dr. Vishnudat Seodat was ordered to pay a fine of $50,000, forfeiture in the amount of $52,100 and $342,876 in restitution.
riverheadlocal.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Dr. Vishnudat Seodat admitted to falsifying diagnoses and taking kickbacks in a Medicare fraud conspiracy tied to unnecessary brain scans.
We should look closely. We should name things honestly. And we should remember that once land is lost in practice, no label can save it later. Guest column by Robert Gass
Opinion | A factory by any other name: Why what we call things matters
We should look closely. We should name things honestly. And we should remember that once land is lost in practice, no label can save it later. Guest column by Robert Gass…
riverheadlocal.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
We should look closely. We should name things honestly. And we should remember that once land is lost in practice, no label can save it later. Guest column by Robert Gass
What's the local real estate market doing as 2025 comes to a close? Stay up to date on the latest trends with the weekly report of local title transfers.
Latest real estate transfers
What’s the local real estate market doing as 2025 comes to a close? Stay up to date on the latest trends with the weekly report of local title transfers.
riverheadlocal.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:21 AM
What's the local real estate market doing as 2025 comes to a close? Stay up to date on the latest trends with the weekly report of local title transfers.
Riverhead Town's 2026 inauguration ceremony for newly elected officials will take place on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m., in the meeting room at Riverhead Town Hall.
Riverhead Town sets 2026 inauguration ceremony
Riverhead Town’s 2026 inauguration ceremony for newly elected officials will take place on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m., in the meeting room at Riverhead Town Hall.
riverheadlocal.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Riverhead Town's 2026 inauguration ceremony for newly elected officials will take place on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m., in the meeting room at Riverhead Town Hall.
Riverhead Police charged two people with selling alcohol to minors during an alcohol sales compliance check across town Monday.
Cops charge two with selling alcohol to minors
Riverhead Police charged two people with selling alcohol to minors during an alcohol sales compliance check across town Monday.
riverheadlocal.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Riverhead Police charged two people with selling alcohol to minors during an alcohol sales compliance check across town Monday.
Developer John Paci III says construction is progressing at 205 Osborn, with ground-floor anchor tenant Hanover Bank in place, as he asks the IDA to extend a sales tax exemption and push PILOT to 2026.
Osborn Avenue apartment building could begin leasing this spring, developer says
Developer John Paci III says construction is progressing at 205 Osborn, with ground-floor anchor tenant Hanover Bank in place, as he asks the IDA to extend a sales tax exemption and push PILOT to 2026.
riverheadlocal.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Developer John Paci III says construction is progressing at 205 Osborn, with ground-floor anchor tenant Hanover Bank in place, as he asks the IDA to extend a sales tax exemption and push PILOT to 2026.
‘Tis the season for giving — and locals across Riverhead have been doing their part in the spirit of the holiday season.
Locals come together to spread holiday cheer to neighbors in need
‘Tis the season for giving — and locals across Riverhead have been doing their part in the spirit of the holiday season.
riverheadlocal.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
‘Tis the season for giving — and locals across Riverhead have been doing their part in the spirit of the holiday season.
Firefighters battled strong winds to contain and extinguish a fire that destroyed a home on 20th Street in Wading River early Saturday morning.
Firefighters battle wind-driven fire
The fire on 20th Street in Wading River, driven by winds, destroyed a single-family home and two cars, and threatened the house next door.
riverheadlocal.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Firefighters battled strong winds to contain and extinguish a fire that destroyed a home on 20th Street in Wading River early Saturday morning.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act; sponsor Deborah Glick says harvesting will be phased out and banned by 2029.
Hochul signs Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, with full ban by 2029
Gov. Hochul signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, phasing out harvesting, with a full ban in 2029.
riverheadlocal.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act; sponsor Deborah Glick says harvesting will be phased out and banned by 2029.
Old Country Road is closed in both directions at Kroemer Avenue due to utility poles down in the roadway. Police urge . motorists to avoid the area while crews respond.
Traffic alert: Route 58 closed after high winds down utility poles
Old Country Road is closed in both directions at Kroemer Avenue due to utility poles down in the roadway. Police urge . motorists to avoid the area while crews respond.
riverheadlocal.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Old Country Road is closed in both directions at Kroemer Avenue due to utility poles down in the roadway. Police urge . motorists to avoid the area while crews respond.
The Planning Board set a Feb. 5 hearing on Summerwind Farms, weighed the Calverton Hamlet Center" plans, and approved two commercial site plans.
Hearing set on 16-lot subdivision in Aquebogue
Riverhead planners set a hearing on a 16-lot Aquebogue subdivision, discussed the Calverton Hamlet Center proposal and approved two commercial site plans.
riverheadlocal.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Planning Board set a Feb. 5 hearing on Summerwind Farms, weighed the Calverton Hamlet Center" plans, and approved two commercial site plans.
The owner of the Youngs Avenue farmland where compost materials were stockpiled pleaded guilty Tuesday to Riverhead code violations.
Owner of Youngs Avenue compost site pleads guilty to code violations, fined $5,630
The owner of the Youngs Avenue farmland where compost materials were stockpiled pleaded guilty Tuesday to Riverhead code violations.
riverheadlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The owner of the Youngs Avenue farmland where compost materials were stockpiled pleaded guilty Tuesday to Riverhead code violations.
Shaunice Faines of East End Disability Associates has been honored by the NYS Justice Center for ethical, person-centered disability services.
Riverhead care worker receives state Code of Conduct Award
Riverhead’s Shaunice Faines, assistant director at East End Disability Associates, received the NYS Justice Center’s 2025 Code of Conduct Award.
riverheadlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Shaunice Faines of East End Disability Associates has been honored by the NYS Justice Center for ethical, person-centered disability services.
The Town Board recognized sewer district employee Alex Kirsch, who was named employee of the fourth quarter of 2025 by the town's Labor-Management Committee.
Town Board meeting wrap: Dec. 16
The Town Board recognized sewer district employee Alex Kirsch, who was named employee of the fourth quarter of 2025 by the town’s Labor-Management Committee.
riverheadlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The Town Board recognized sewer district employee Alex Kirsch, who was named employee of the fourth quarter of 2025 by the town's Labor-Management Committee.
Riverhead approved a new CSEA agreement through 2029 with raises, stipends and benefit changes, as officials cited turnover.
Riverhead Town Board approves CSEA agreement for 2026–2029
The Riverhead Town Board approved a CSEA memorandum of agreement setting raises through 2029 and changing longevity and retiree buybacks.
riverheadlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Riverhead approved a new CSEA agreement through 2029 with raises, stipends and benefit changes, as officials cited turnover.
Comptroller audit cites late and inaccurate reports, weak controls and millions moved without required review in Riverhead schools, 2022–24.
Audit faults Riverhead schools’ financial oversight, 2022–24
Comptroller audit cites late, inaccurate reporting and weak controls in Riverhead schools, including $127M in bank transfers and $12.3M in large budget transfers lacking approval.
riverheadlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Comptroller audit cites late and inaccurate reports, weak controls and millions moved without required review in Riverhead schools, 2022–24.
Riverhead Town on Tuesday inked a contract of sale with The Jazz Loft, agreeing to sell the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall for $150,000.
Riverhead signs contract to sell the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall
Riverhead Town on Tuesday inked a contract of sale with The Jazz Loft, agreeing to sell the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall for $150,000.
riverheadlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Riverhead Town on Tuesday inked a contract of sale with The Jazz Loft, agreeing to sell the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall for $150,000.
Christmas will be brighter for kids at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, thanks to the efforts of local residents, spearheaded by Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski.
Spreading Christmas cheer to kids in need: local toy drives collect hundreds of toys
Christmas will be brighter for kids at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, thanks to the efforts of local residents, spearheaded by Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski.
riverheadlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Christmas will be brighter for kids at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School, thanks to the efforts of local residents, spearheaded by Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski.
Crime Stoppers seeks help ID’ing woman police say stole Legos from Barnes & Noble in Riverhead on Oct. 13.
Police seek help identifying suspect in Riverhead bookstore theft
Suffolk Crime Stoppers and Riverhead police released surveillance images of a woman accused of stealing Legos from Barnes & Noble on Oct. 13.
riverheadlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Crime Stoppers seeks help ID’ing woman police say stole Legos from Barnes & Noble in Riverhead on Oct. 13.
Ellen “Bunnii” Buglione, 32, was arrested in Riverhead on Saturday, Dec. 6, on Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony.
Aquebogue woman charged in felony theft from Greenport restaurant: Southold Police
Ellen “Bunnii” Buglione, 32, was arrested in Riverhead on Saturday, Dec. 6, on Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony.
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Ellen “Bunnii” Buglione, 32, was arrested in Riverhead on Saturday, Dec. 6, on Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony.
The Riverhead Police Department is requesting the public's help to locate Kennia Michelle Alvarez Diaz, 15, who left her home on Segal Avenue Saturday at 5 p.m and has not been seen since.
Riverhead police seek help finding missing teen
The Riverhead Police Department is requesting the public’s help to locate Kennia Michelle Alvarez Diaz, 15, who left her home on Segal Avenue Saturday at 5 p.m and has not been seen since.
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
The Riverhead Police Department is requesting the public's help to locate Kennia Michelle Alvarez Diaz, 15, who left her home on Segal Avenue Saturday at 5 p.m and has not been seen since.
RIDA Chair James Farley said Tracy Stark-James' retirement took effect last month. She held the post for nearly 15 years.
Tracy Stark-James retires as Riverhead IDA executive director
RIDA Chair James Farley said Tracy Stark-James’ retirement took effect last month. She held the post for nearly 15 years.
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
RIDA Chair James Farley said Tracy Stark-James' retirement took effect last month. She held the post for nearly 15 years.
Riverhead highway crews battled snow drifts all night to keep roads open, while town police officers and public safety dispatchers were going full tilt responding to calls from disabled motorists stuck in snow drifts or involved in minor accidents.
Icy roads, drifting snow make for hectic night for Riverhead highway and police departments
Riverhead highway crews battled snow drifts all night to keep roads open, while town police officers and public safety dispatchers were going full tilt responding to calls from disabled motorists…
riverheadlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Riverhead highway crews battled snow drifts all night to keep roads open, while town police officers and public safety dispatchers were going full tilt responding to calls from disabled motorists stuck in snow drifts or involved in minor accidents.
The Riverhead Central School District will have a two-hour delayed opening Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned motorists of black ice overnight and during morning commute.
Riverhead schools will have 2-hour delay Monday, as NWS warns about black ice during morning commute
The Riverhead Central School District will have a two-hour delayed opening Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned motorists of black ice overnight and during morning commute.
riverheadlocal.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The Riverhead Central School District will have a two-hour delayed opening Monday morning. The National Weather Service warned motorists of black ice overnight and during morning commute.