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Lifestyle
These Long Island Locales Among 'Most Charming Small Towns' Near NYC These Long Island Locales Among 'Most Charming Small Towns' Near NYC
These Long Island Locales Among 'Most Charming Small Towns' Near NYC As New York turns the calendar to fall and many begin flocking away from the city and into the suburbs, a pair of Long Island locales have been named among the state’s “most charming” small towns. Purewow.com released a new report highlighting the top 16 small towns in New York that are all within a few hours from Manhattan and far less densely populated than the city as the country continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the new report, both Greenport (11th on the list), and Sag Harbor (15th) made the cut, with the website highlighting some of the draws of each town. …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Search Team Finds Missing Swimmer Dead In Long Island Pond Search Team Finds Missing Swimmer Dead In Long Island Pond
Search Team Finds Missing Swimmer Dead In Long Island Pond The body of a man who went missing while swimming in a Long Island pond has been recovered by search teams. The swimmer, identified as Vidal Martinez-Romero, age 48, of Brooklyn, was reported missing around 7:50 p.m., Saturday, July 17, when the Southampton Town Police received a report of a man that appeared to be in distress while swimming in Big Fresh Pond in the vicinity of Elliston Park. The caller reported that the man went under the water and did not resurface, said Sgt. Michael Walsh.  Police responded as well as members of the Bay Constables, Southampton T…

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by Kathy Reakes
Real Estate
Waterfront Long Island Home Where Noted Author Wrote Last Novel Lists At $18M, Report Says Waterfront Long Island Home Where Noted Author Wrote Last Novel Lists At $18M, Report Says
Waterfront Long Island Home Where Noted Author Wrote Last Novel Lists At $18M, Report Says Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck’s Long Island estate, where he notably penned his final novel, “The Winter of Discontent,” has hit the market for nearly $18 million. Steinbeck’s waterfront home in the Hamptons has been listed for $17.9 million, which would be the first time the property was put up for sale in more than six decades. The 1.8-acre property includes nearly 600 feet of private waterfront and a 60-foot pier with views of Morris Cove and Upper Sag Harbor Cove. It is being sold through a private trust that was established by Steinbeck’s late wife Elaine. “The year was 1…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
High-End Jewelry Thief Nabbed On Long Island, Police Say High-End Jewelry Thief Nabbed On Long Island, Police Say
High-End Jewelry Thief Nabbed On Long Island, Police Say A Long Island man has been arrested for allegedly ripping off more than $100,000 in jewelry from homes where he worked. Town of East Hampton Police detectives announce the arrest of an East Quogue man on Wednesday, Jan. 13, in connection with multiple thefts of high-end jewelry from homes while he worked as an HVAC technician, said Capt. Chris Anderson. Christopher G. Fitzgerald, 39, stole in excess of $100,000 in jewelry from five different homeowners where he had worked in East Hampton between April and December 2020. Anderson said. Many of the stolen pieces were sold at a fraction of th…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Man, Woman Charged After Victim Found Dead Inside Vehicle On Long Island Man, Woman Charged After Victim Found Dead Inside Vehicle On Long Island
Man, Woman Charged After Victim Found Dead Inside Vehicle On Long Island A man and woman have both been charged with murder after a man was found dead in a vehicle on Long Island man last month. Suffolk County Police announced the arrests on Thursday morning, Dec. 10. Officers in Riverhead responded to a 911 call of an abandoned vehicle on the side of Roanoke Avenue, south of Green Tree Drive, at approximately 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.11. The Riverhead Police Department officers then discovered the body of Marco Grisales, 39, of Sag Habor, in the vehicle, Suffolk County Police said. Homicide Squad detectives responded to the scene and determined that…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Former Long Island Radio Station Manager Admits To Defrauding Company Of Thousands Former Long Island Radio Station Manager Admits To Defrauding Company Of Thousands
Former Long Island Radio Station Manager Admits To Defrauding Company Of Thousands The former general manager of a Long Island radio station has admitted to making hundreds of thousands of dollars of personal charges on the business account. Stephanie Bitis, of Sag Harbor, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 16, in federal court to felony access device fraud, according to court documents. Bitis’ crime carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and forfeiture of any proceeds from her crime. The longtime resident and community activist served as Vice President/General Manager of LIRB from 2015 to 2017. She had previously worked at&nbs…

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by Kathy Reakes
Real Estate
Westchester Native Matt Lauer Puts Mansion On Market For $43.99M, Report Says Westchester Native Matt Lauer Puts Mansion On Market For $43.99M, Report Says
Westchester Native Matt Lauer Puts Mansion On Market For $43.99M, Report Says Have a spare $44 million laying around? If so, you could be the latest to live in Matt Lauer’s Hamptons mansion. The former NBC "TODAY" show anchor, who was ousted following a sexual misconduct investigation into his alleged actions, listed “Strongheart Manor,” which he used to frequent with ex-wife Annette Roque, for $43.99 million. He attempted to sell the home last summer for a similar price. Lauer purchased the 6.3-acre North Haven property from actor Richard Gere for $36.5 million more than four years ago, where it sits on Actors Colony Road north of Sag Harbor and across the Peconic …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island School Districts Announce Closures, Schedule Adjustments COVID-19: Long Island School Districts Announce Closures, Schedule Adjustments
Covid-19: Long Island School Districts Announce Closures, Schedule Adjustments The following are schedule adjustments for school districts and schools due to the outbreak of the novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Friends Academy: Campus will remain closed through Friday, March 13; virtual school opens Wednesday, March 11. Plainview Old Bethpage Central School District: Schools remain closed through Thursday, March 12 after a staff member contracted COVID-19.  The Portledge School, Locust Valley: Closed. Online instruction will begin Friday, March 13. Sag Harbor Union Free School District: Closed Thursday, March 12 through Sunday, March 22. Th…

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by Daily Voice
Lifestyle
Waterfront Park Named For Famed 'Grapes Of Wrath' Author Coming To Sag Harbor Waterfront Park Named For Famed 'Grapes Of Wrath' Author Coming To Sag Harbor
Waterfront Park Named For Famed 'Grapes Of Wrath' Author Coming To Sag Harbor Work will soon start on a new waterfront park in Sag Harbor named for a famous author and resident. At a ceremony to be held on Friday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m., the Town of Southampton will formally transfer management of operation of Steinbeck Waterfront Park to Sag Harbor Village.  The park will honor "Grapes of Wrath" author John Steinbeck who lived in Sag Harbor for the last 16 years of his life,  where he was instrumental in the creation of the windmill on Long Wharf and the annual HarborFest, which takes place in the fall, officials said in a town and village joint pres…

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by Donna Christopher
News
High Bacteria Levels Lead To Closures Of 50-Plus Long Island Beaches High Bacteria Levels Lead To Closures Of 50-Plus Long Island Beaches
High Bacteria Levels Lead To Closures Of 50-Plus Long Island Beaches Heavy rainfall in the region has forced the Suffolk County Health Department to close more than 50 Long Island beaches due to excessive bacteria levels. The Suffolk County Department of Health issued an advisory against bathing at 57 beaches due to the “potential that the presence of bacteria at levels that exceed New York State standards will impact these areas.” According to health officials, the beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds and adjacent tributaries, and because of their location in an…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ex-Real Estate Mogul ID'd As Hamptons Driver High On Drugs In Crash Injuring Mom, Child Ex-Real Estate Mogul ID'd As Hamptons Driver High On Drugs In Crash Injuring Mom, Child
Ex-Real Estate Mogul ID'd As Hamptons Driver High On Drugs In Crash Injuring Mom, Child The man allegedly high on drugs who crashed into a vehicle, injuring a 31-year-old woman and her 3-year-old son, has been identified as a former power real estate broker. Police responded to the crash around 11:23 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, at the intersection of Newlight Lane on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, said Southampton Town Police Sgt. M.P. Joyce. According to police, Erica Beremeo Palacios, 31, was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima north on Newlight Lane she entered the intersection and collided with an eastbound 2019 Ford F150. The F150 was being driven by the former broker,…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Driver High On Drugs Injures Mom, 3-Year-Old In Crash, Southampton Police Say Driver High On Drugs Injures Mom, 3-Year-Old In Crash, Southampton Police Say
Driver High On Drugs Injures Mom, 3-Year-Old In Crash, Southampton Police Say Click here for an updated story: Ex-Real Estate Mogul ID'd As Hamptons Driver High On Drugs In Crash Injuring Mom, Child A 31-year-old woman and her 3-year-old son were airlifted to an area hospital after being hit by a driver allegedly high on drugs on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, said Southampton Town Police. Police responded to the crash around 11:23 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, at the intersection of Newlight Lane in Bridgehampton, said Sgt. M.P. Joyce. According to police, Erica Beremeo Palacios, 31, was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima north on Newlight Lane she entered the int…

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by Kathy Reakes