RiverheadLOCAL

One student living on campus but taking online classes has been confirmed positive at Stony Brook, according to a university statement. SUNY Oneonta had in-person classes suspended for two weeks after a cluster of 105 cases there followed reports of large parties. Full story.

From the Anti-Mask League during the 1918 flu pandemic to today's anti-maskers, Americans have resisted face coverings. Greg Blass explores the subject and concludes wearing a mask is one of our best defenses in the current pandemic individually and as a community. Full story.

With infection rates at their lowest since the pandemic hit New York this spring, the governor urged New Yorkers not to become complacent and to brace for difficult times ahead. Full story.

Commercial gyms and indoor classes in Suffolk will be allowed to reopen on Monday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced today. He outlined the procedures gym operators must follow for reopening. Full story.

Elementary school teacher Georgette Keller discusses her personal experience with COVID-19 and the anger she initially felt when a school board member called the virus "made-up." She urges the community, especially those in leadership positions, to respect and trust each other — and follow the science. Full story.

Planet Fitness will open its new location on Route 58 "in the coming weeks," a company spokesperson said this morning. The gym is moving from Kroemer Avenue to larger quarters in the newly subdivided former Sports Authority store. Photo: Denise Civiletti Full story.

Gyms in New York State could begin reopening as soon as next week after more than five months of closure. Full story.

Reminisce with us as we take a look back at annual events that take place in Riverhead. Enjoy these photos we took at past community events. Most were taken in 2019, with a few from a year or two before. Full story.

The coronavirus pandemic shut down the Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue for three months. Its owners are beginning to ramp up production again, hoping the restaurants that are its core market will make a comeback. Full story.

Bowling alleys can reopen Monday, and guidance for the reopening of gyms will be released next week, Cuomo says. Full story.

Tropical Storm Isaias dominated the news this week, along with PSEG Long Island's struggle to repair and restore its system. Full story.

In the age of COVID, Zoom, FaceTime and Skype connect us with family, friends, work and the community at large. Full story.

School districts will officially be allowed to reopen for in-person instruction this fall, so long as their region's infection rate remains low and their reopening plans are approved by the state. Full story.

A staff member at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp has tested positive for COVID-19, the camp announced yesterday. Full story.

If your life has gotten too complicated, simplify it as best you can. Maybe raise some chickens. They like watermelon, curly hair and they’ll make you smile. Full story.

Enjoy a safe, socially-distanced family outing with 15-minute intervals between parties for a fun, worry-free environment. Full story.

Riverhead unveiled an extensive plan for reopening school to some in-person instruction, with staggered schedules, strict mask requirements and daily temperature checks among the changes the district is planning to bring students back to school safely this fall. Full story.

With all in-person bowhunter education courses canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DEC is offering hunters an online course to meet the education requirement for licensing. Full story.

Splish Splash water park won't reopen for the rest of the summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story.

After being told a COVID-related hiring freeze prevented him from filling vacant truck driver jobs because the positions were "non-essential," Highway Superintendent George Woodson warned the town board his current staffing level can't handle the department's snow-plowing duties next winter — and would cause long delays in clearing the roads. Full story.

New York has extended its special health insurance enrollment period an additional 30 days, through August 15. Full story.

Riverhead is planning to implement a “hybrid model” combining in-person and remote learning, for the return to school in September, since social distancing restrictions will make it impossible to have all children attend school every day, Interim Superintendent Christine Tona said at Tuesday night's school board meeting. Full story.

Schools find themselves planning for multiple potential scenarios in the new school year: students in classrooms, remote instruction or a new, hybrid model — with state guidelines still in flux. Full story.

The first 'Dine on 25' event drew visitors to downtown Riverhead for outdoor dining at restaurants along Main Street and the Peconic Riverfront. Full story.

A requirement that nursing homes must be free of COVID-19 infections for at least 28 days means that many facilities won't soon be opening doors to visitors. Full story.

Suffolk SPCA is hosting a free dog and cat food distribution Thursday at Stotzky Park, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until supplies last. Full story.

Suffolk's positive test rate climbed to 2.1% this week, with 102 new cases, the highest it's been in six weeks. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone urged everyone, especially people under 30 — who represented 42% of the new cases — to wear masks. Full story.

New York State will allow schools in regions with low infection rates to bring students back to the classroom this fall, with a number of restrictions. Full story.

While new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations hold steady in New York, officials are watching an 'alarming increase' in new cases and deaths nationwide, Gov. Cuomo said yesterday. Full story.

Looking back at the time "B.C." when life was simpler, I'm still processing everything that's happened since. My bottom line takeaway: This calamity has deepened our resolve to serve our core mission: reporting news that matters in a place that matters: our community, our hometown. Full story.

Indoor shopping malls can now reopen Friday in regions that have already entered Phase Four - including Long Island, which entered Phase 4 today. Full story.

Travelers from Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma are now required to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving in New York, bringing the total number of states in New York’s COVID-19 travel advisory to 19. Full story.

The report released Monday concludes that infections among nursing home staff and transmission of the virus from staff to residents played the predominant role in the spread of the virus and fatalities among nursing home residents — not hospital admissions. Full story.

The public is invited to attend tomorrow’s Riverhead school board meeting for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began in March. Full story.

Reopening progress on Long Island has not resulted in a spike in any of the indicators public health officials continue to closely monitor. The region’s coronavirus infection numbers continue to look good, with a .8% infection rate yesterday and is set to enter Phase Four Wednesday. Full story.