RiverheadLOCAL

The omicron variant of the coronavirus, which has been labeled a variant of concern by the World Health Organization, is likely in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul said this morning. This comes as a Minnesota resident who tested positive for the variant had attended a convention in New York City.

The developer proposing a five-story mixed-use building on the corner of Osborn Avenue and Court Street is asking the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency for a 10-year real property tax abatement, as well as mortgage tax and sales/use tax exemptions in connection with its $19.6 million project.

The planning board is taking additional comment tomorrow night on the impacts of a proposed concrete-crushing and solid waste facility on Middle Road that has already run afoul of town code and state DEC regulations.

A Flanders man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 37-year-old Moriches man outside his home early Friday morning, Suffolk County Police said.

Supervisor Yvette Aguiar has refunded over $15,000 in campaign contributions that exceeded the legal contribution limit for her office, according to the final campaign disclosure report filed by her campaign committee with the State Board of Elections yesterday.

The Riverhead Central School District will hire a business official to act as assistant superintendent for finance and operations, after longtime district administrator Sam Schneider was demoted and administratively reassigned pending an investigation into unspecified allegations from an employee.

Downtown Riverhead’s “Holiday Hop” pub crawl will take place at several Riverhead restaurants and craft beverage locations on Friday.

The Riverhead Police Detective Division with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force have arrested a second person in connection with an Oct. 4 shooting incident on Sound Avenue In Calverton.

Much remains unknown about omicron, the World Health Organization said in a statement yesterday. While research is being done, WHO urges people to wear masks, maintain social distance, avoid crowded spaces and get vaccinated.

Temple Israel of Riverhead held a community menorah lighting ceremony last night to mark the beginning of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.