Alek Lewis
Alek Lewis is a lifelong Riverhead resident. He joined RiverheadLOCAL in May 2021 after graduating from Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism. Previously, he served as news editor of Stony Brook’s student newspaper, The Statesman, and was a member of the campus’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Send news tips and email him at alek@riverheadlocal.com
Government
PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Day set aside to remember Riverhead Medal of Honor recipient
The second Friday in the month of October will forever be remembered as PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Day, in honor of Riverhead Town's only Medal of Honor recipient, who sacrificed his own life to save wounded soldiers in the Vietnamese jungle in January 1969.
Government
Update: Town Board designates TOD master developers ‘qualified and eligible’
The Riverhead Town Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to designate joint master developers of the Railroad Avenue transit-oriented development project, RXR and Georgica Green Ventures, a qualified and eligible sponsor under the State Urban Renewal Law.
Government
Aguiar proposes 3.3% tax hike, piercing cap, to fund $3 million town-wide spending increase in 2023
Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar is proposing a nearly $3 million spending increase, or 4.9%, in the three town-wide funds in 2023, requiring the town to pierce the 2% tax levy cap imposed by state law.
Government
Town Board likely to decide next week on hiring firm to finish comprehensive plan update
The Riverhead Town Board is expected to choose the firm that will finish the update to the comprehensive plan as soon as next week. The Town Board heard from its two finalists, H2M and BFJ, during a work session on Thursday
Government
Developers planning Railroad Ave. revitalization project make their case for being ‘qualified and eligible’
The joint master developers of the long anticipated revitalization project near the blighted Long Island Rail Road station area in Riverhead presented their financial and development qualifications last night in pursuit of an agreement to develop two multimillion dollar mixed-use buildings on municipal properties.
Business
Developer of proposed propane facility on Kroemer Ave withdraws IDA application after failure to capture enhanced benefits
The developer of a proposed wholesale propane facility and industrial office building on Kroemer Avenue has withdrawn its Riverhead Industrial Development Agency application for financial assistance and will likely downsize its project, after the IDA previously declined to grant the developer’s requested 10-year, 100% enhanced real property tax abatement.
News
New Riverhead firefighters face training course simulating different obstacles — all blindfolded
Newer members of the Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department faced a training course meant to simulate the different obstacles they’d come across during a rescue inside a burning building.
Business
Research and extension center in Baiting Hollow has been helping L.I. growers for 100 years
The Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center in Baiting Hollow, founded in 1922, provides a crucial service to the region's growers. Yesterday the center celebrated its centennial with a gala at its sprawling 68-acre campus on Sound Avenue, attended by the president of Cornell University.
Breaking News
Two men plead guilty to June burglary at Elton Street building illegally occupied by gun dealer
Two men who allegedly stole guns, ammunition, apparel and accessories in June from a vacant commercial building at 680 Elton Street being illegally occupied by a firearms dealer pleaded guilty this month to burglary charges.
Government
Planning Riverhead’s future: Town Board, hoping to reboot comp plan update, calls two consulting firms for second meeting next week
The appointment of a new planning firm to take on Riverhead's long-stalled comprehensive plan project could come as soon as the next town board meeting, officials said, if board members reach a consensus after interviewing two "finalists" at next week's work session.
