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Community News
SNAP recipients may reapply as new work-rule period begins
New York begins a new three-year tracking period for SNAP work requirements Oct. 1, allowing some people who lost benefits under the prior period to reapply.
Government
Controversy over board member’s Facebook post spurs Riverhead clerk to reconsider correspondence policy
Town Clerk James Wooten says he may revise — or end — his practice of publishing residents’ correspondence with Town Board agendas after declining to publish two letters criticizing Council Member Joann Waski’s Facebook post about 9/11 survivor Kevin Shea. Shea has since filed an ethics complaint against Waski.
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Community News
Nor’easter doesn’t stop North Fork Breast Health Coalition’s 28th Annual 5K
Despite rainy, windy weather from a lingering nor'easter, a good crowd turned out Sunday for the North Fork Breast Health Coalition's 28th annual 5K walk at Tanger Outlets in Riverhead.
Business
No public turnout at Riverhead IDA hearing on $35M Town Square hotel tax breaks
No members of the public attended Monday’s Riverhead IDA hearing on tax breaks for the proposed $35 million Town Square hotel. The agency will accept comments through Oct. 5, amid notice and disclosure gaps.
Business
Riverhead begins storm cleanup as local growers assess crop damage, economic losses
Riverhead escaped major structural damage from the weekend nor’easter, but the storm left beach erosion and debris, damaged some crops and cost local farms a crucial fall weekend of sales.
Real Estate
Riverhead real estate transfers reported Sept. 25, 2026
Transfers of real estate in the Town of Riverhead and selected hamlets in the Town of Southampton reported for RiverheadLOCAL by Suffolk Vision title service on Sept. 25, 2026.
Weather
Nor’easter topples trees, downs power lines and floods coastline
Coastal flood and high wind warnings remain in effect Sunday, as a slow-moving storm lingers near the coast, bringing gusting winds, heavy rain and widespread power outages across the region.
Weather
Weekend nor’easter batters local area as storm approaches Long Island
A slow-moving nor'easter has begun battering the Riverhead area with strong, gusty winds and rain, bringing down limbs and power lines, toppling some trees and flooding roads, yards and parking lots across town.
Government
NY PLAYS $2.4 million grant completes funding for downtown playground
An adaptive children's playground on downtown Riverhead's Peconic River waterfront can now be built as designed, after a state grant of nearly $2.4 million completed its funding, town officials said.
Government
Halpin proposes $121 million tentative 2027 budget; tax levy stays under cap
Supervisor Jerry Halpin's tentative 2027 budget proposes $120.96 million in spending across Riverhead Town's operating funds, with a townwide tax levy increase of $1.7 million, or 2.79%.
Government
Riverhead audit flags failures in processing $3.57 million federal water grant
Auditors found accounting and oversight failures involving Riverhead’s $3.575 million EPA grant to extend public water to 64 Manorville homes.
Government
Audit: Riverhead’s general fund balance grows to $33.3 million as revenue outpaces spending
Fueled largely by property taxes, Riverhead added nearly $4.9 million to its general fund balance in 2025, giving officials a larger financial cushion as they prepare the next budget.
School board members say town politicized negotiations over SRO program
Five Riverhead school board members accused town officials Wednesday of making false statements and politicizing negotiations over funding two school resource officers assigned to the high school and middle school.
New York moves to end Regents exams as graduation gatekeeper beginning...
Beginning in 2028, New York students will no longer have to pass Regents exams to earn a high school diploma, under a change approved Monday by the State Board of Regents.
Riverhead’s top business official resigns four months after hiring
Colleen Card, hired as Riverhead's assistant superintendent for business in May, has been appointed school business administrator by the Sag Harbor Union Free School District, effective Nov. 1.
With first year behind him, Riverhead superintendent looks ahead as students...
As Riverhead students head back to school this week, Superintendent Bob Hagan says his second year begins with a deeper understanding of the district, its schools and the community.
Public meetings
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