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Environmental Protection

News
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park
Massive, Parasite-Carrying Snail Found In New York Park Although a large, squirrel-sized snail found in a New York park may have looked harmless, it posed enough of a danger to people and the environment that its discovery prompted a police response.  The invasive giant African land snail was discovered within Brooklyn's Prospect Park in early May following a report from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  After it was seen in the park, it was surrendered to the City Parks department in a box, officials said, promoting a response from …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Car Pulled From Waters Of Marina On Long Island Car Pulled From Waters Of Marina On Long Island
Car Pulled From Waters Of Islip Marina Firefighters, a dive team, and tactical rescue workers were on standby after a car ended up submerged in the water of a Long Island marina. It happened on Saturday, July 13 in Islip, according to the Islip Fire Department. At approximately 5:20 a.m., the department was notified that there was a car in the waters of Islip Marina, located at the end of Maple Street off Bayview Ave. The department responded, calling a nearby dive team in the event that passengers were still in the car. Once on the scene, the department said it confirmed that nobody was in the vehicle, canceling the nearb…

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by Sophie Grieser
News
Illegal Dumpers Seen Flipping Off Witness At Long Island Wetlands Get Fitting Punishment Illegal Dumpers Seen Flipping Off Witness At Long Island Wetlands Get Fitting Punishment
Illegal Dumpers Seen Flipping Off Witness At Long Island Wetlands Get Fitting Punishment A Long Island couple will avoid jail time in lieu of a more creative punishment after they were busted dumping their junk in protected wetlands. Husband and wife Fabio and Judith Monasterolo, both of Holbrook, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Oct. 16, for illegally dumping cinder blocks and concrete near tidal wetlands in Brookhaven. According to prosecutors, Mr. and Mrs. Monasterolo, ages 51 and 55, respectively, were photographed dumping items from their pickup truck into the wetlands near Jefferson Drive and Grove Road in Mastic Beach in April 2023.…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing) Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing)
Republican Marc Molinaro On Track To Win In NY’s 19th District (Developing) This story has been updated. Republicans appeared poised to win in New York’s 19th Congressional District, with Marc Molinaro seemingly on track to defeat Democrat Josh Riley early Wednesday, Nov. 9.  Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, was leading Riley by 2.2 percentage points, 51 to 49 percent, as of early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, with more than 95 percent of the votes in. The 19th Congressional District includes the counties of Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster, as well as portions of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery, and Rensselaer counties. …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul
Legislation Banning Smoking At NY State Parks, Beaches Signed Into Law By Hochul New Yorkers can no longer light up at state parks and beaches. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Friday, July 15, that prohibits smoking in all state-owned beaches, boardwalks, marinas, playgrounds, recreation centers, and group camps. Those who violate the law could be fined $50. "Smoking is a dangerous habit that affects not only the smoker but everyone around them, including families and children enjoying our state's great public places," Hochul said in a statement. "I'm proud to sign this legislation that will protect New Yorker's health and help reduce litter in public parks and …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
NY Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1: Here's What To Know NY Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1: Here's What To Know
NY Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1: Here's What To Know New York State's ban on single-use Styrofoam food and beverage containers and packing peanuts will soon take effect. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservatism, the ban on packing peanuts and food and beverage containers made of polystyrene foam, often known by the brand name Styrofoam, will go into effect on Saturday, Jan. 1. The goal of the ban is to help protect the environment, as foam packaging is a major contributor to environmental litter, harming waterways, wildlife and more. Officials said under the new ban, no food service provider or store covered in the lis…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water
SUNY New Paltz Closed Through Week's End Due To Reports Of Tainted Water All classes have been canceled through the end of the week at SUNY New Paltz due to reported tainted water. College officials at the campus in Ulster County said they made the decision on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to close out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students after being notified by a precautionary advisory issued by the Village of New Paltz. They said the closure will last until at least Saturday, Feb. 15. The first water notice was issued on Monday, Feb. 10, after residents complained of an "odor" and "taste" problems coming from the water supply. During an inspection, a “s…

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY
Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY Have your reusable grocery bags ready? With a new store set to open in the area over the summer, Wegmans announced that the company is planning to phase out single-use plastic grocery bags in all its New York stores as of Monday, Jan .27. The grocery store giant announced on Monday, Jan. 6, that ahead of a planned statewide ban on single-use bags that takes effect in March, they will begin encouraging customers to use reusable bags. Related story: Wegmans Sets Official Opening Day For Harrison Location Paper bags will still be available for a five-cent fee, with sales being donated…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York
Move To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bottle Toiletries Gains Steam In New York Tiny plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash in hotels may soon be a thing of the past in New York as lawmakers continue efforts to reduce plastic waste statewide. Long Island Sen. Todd Kaminsky announced a proposal this week that would prohibit hotels from providing patrons with single-use plastic toiletries. Instead, guests may see wall-mounted dispensers, multi-use bottles or non-plastic containers used. It is estimated that hotels in New York City alone dispose of more than 25 million mini-plastic bottles each year. Some hotel chains have already taken measures to elimin…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
These Long Island Beaches Are Tops In Clean Water Quality These Long Island Beaches Are Tops In Clean Water Quality
These Long Island Beaches Are Tops In Clean Water Quality Seven beaches on Long Island rank among the cleanest beaches in New York, according to a study of water quality for the past three years.  All of the best-ranked beaches, all in Suffolk County, received the highest average grades during wet and dry weather conditions from 2016 through 2018, according to this report by Save the Sound. The best beaches include: Hobart Beach (Sand City) Inlet and Hobart Beach Bay, both in Northport; Port Jefferson Beaches, both West and East, in Brookhaven; Iron Pier Beach and Mattituck Breakwater Beach, both in Riverhead; and Belle Terre Beach in Brookha…

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by Daily Voice
Schools
108-Year-Old Elementary School In Hempstead Set To Be Demolished 108-Year-Old Elementary School In Hempstead Set To Be Demolished
108-Year-Old Elementary School In Hempstead Set To Be Demolished A school building on Long Island that has stood for more than 100 years will soon be a memory. The Hempstead Union Free School District has begun efforts to demolish and replace Rhodes Elementary School on Washington Street. The project began on April 29 with the removal of trees, and all preliminary testing has already been completed in the building and on the campus. The building shuttered its doors in 2004 and has stood since 1911. A new school building is scheduled to be put in its place and operational when the 2021 academic year kicks off as enrollment continues to rise. The district …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Video: Joined By Billy Joel, Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Offshore Drilling In NY Waters Video: Joined By Billy Joel, Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Offshore Drilling In NY Waters
Video: Joined By Billy Joel, Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Offshore Drilling In NY Waters Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by Billy Joel, signed legislation to ban offshore drilling in New York State waters. The festivities were held in Wantagh on Monday, April 29. The legislation (S.2316 (Kaminsky)/A.2572 (Englebright) will bar the state from granting permits for drilling, or oil or gas exploration in offshore areas controlled by the state.  The ban will protect New York State waters and coasts by making it more difficult for oil and gas drilling to occur close to coastal New York, even in waters controlled by the federal government.  In addition, the legislation p…

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by Donna Christopher