RiverheadLOCAL covers the communities in the Town of Riverhead, New York and surrounding areas located on the East End of Long Island approximately 64 miles east of New York City.
This website was launched in January 2010 by Peter Blasl and Denise Civiletti, a husband and wife team of award-winning journalists who saw the need for authentically local online news in the Riverhead community.
RiverheadLOCAL’s mission is to provide accurate, timely local news for the community, to keep citizens informed about important issues, to tell the stories of the people who live and work here, and to give locally owned businesses the opportunity to reach a very targeted audience of local residents and tourists alike.
We work for you, our readers and neighbors. We welcome questions, criticism, and feedback about our coverage. When we fall short, we correct the record. When you have information that needs attention, we listen. This relationship, built on honesty and mutual respect, is at the heart of local journalism.
For more information on our editorial values and policies, see Our Values.
Professional affiliations
RiverheadLOCAL is a member of LION (Local Independent Online News Publishers) and the New York Press Association. Editor and co-publisher Denise Civiletti was a member of the founding board of directors of LION and is currently a member of the board of directors of the New York Press Association. She is a past vice president of the board of directors of the Press Club of Long Island, a chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Recognition and awards
The RiverheadLOCAL team has earned recognition in regional and statewide journalism contests, including awards for investigative reporting, coverage of local government, coverage of crime/police and courts, coverage of education, editorials, best news story, community news story, best column, best humor column, cub reporter of the year and writer of the year. The website has earned awards for design and social media.
RiverheadLOCAL has been honored with a “Spirit of Riverhead” award from the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce.
RiverheadLOCAL’s core team
Denise Civiletti and Katie Morosky – co-publishers
Peter Blasl, Jill Lewis – advertising sales
Denise Civiletti – editor, reporter
Courtney Blasl – art director
Amy Davidson – business manager
