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
Community News
Proposed agreement for ice rink at Calverton town park not yet ready for prime time, officials say
The Riverhead Town Board will likely move to table a resolution on today's agenda that would authorize an agreement with Peconic Hockey Foundation to bring an NHL-sized ice rink to Veterans Memorial Park in Calverton.
Board of Education
Riverhead NJROTC program starts school year without certified instructors, as district seeks to fill two vacancies following resignations
The program will continue with two temporary replacements working under the NJROTC area manager, a U.S. Navy spokesperson said. Riverhead's vacancies are among more than 200 current openings across the country.
Government
Riverhead to set public hearing on draft code to regulate marijuana businesses in town
A public hearing on a proposed code to regulate retail marijuana shops and lounges in Riverhead is slated for Oct. 18, according to Councilman Ken Rothwell, who has led an ad-hoc committee to steer development of the code.
Riverhead High School
High school seniors express frustration at last-minute scheduling conflicts, call for changes to scheduling system
"It feels as if I'm being punished for wanting to excel and take a rigorous course load my senior year." Two rising seniors at Riverhead High School expressed their frustration to the Board of Education about last-minute class scheduling conflicts, which they only learned about a week before school begins and that they say will impact their college application prospects.
Government
Riverhead school district rejects agreement with town for collection of $2.9 million from LIPA, for fear it will involve district in...
The Riverhead Central School District has rejected a proposed agreement from Riverhead Town in an effort to collect approximately $2.9 million in payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) owed the school district for Long Island Power Authority properties for the 2021-2022 tax year.
Business
Applications for first recreational marijuana dispensary licenses now being accepted; Long Island set to receive 20 licenses
The state is now accepting applications for adult-use dispensary licenses. Twenty will be issued for locations on Long Island. Riverhead is one of four L.I. towns that chose not to opt-out of marijuana sales. A local code to regulate dispensaries and lounges is still in the works.
Crime
Riverhead Police report 61 arrests in July
A rundown of incidents and arrests reported by the Riverhead Town Police Department in the month of July 2022.
Government
Cranberry Street, a common path for students walking to school, finally gets a sidewalk — along with new drainage and pavement
The Riverhead Highway Department has paved Cranberry Street and installed a sidewalk on the north side of the street, a common path for students walking to Riverhead schools.
Community News
Town officials and residents celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with ceremony
Riverhead Town officials and Ukrainian residents gathered on the lawn of Town Hall this afternoon to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day, as the fight to keep the country's independence continues to rage in Eastern Europe.
Government
New four-story building near downtown riverfront to have public hearing
The Zenith Building would have nine market-rate rental apartments above two ground-floor commercial spaces totaling more than 2,100-square-feet.
