Here are some of this week’s top stories from RiverheadLOCAL. Be sure to visit our website for more coverage of news and events in the local community. For more coverage, visit RiverheadLOCAL.com.

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1. Tell Albany: This is no time to cut funding to prevent hunger in our communities.

Food banks and pantries document the rising needs of low-income households in reports they must file to obtain state funding. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $227 billion executive budget demonstrates that the administration either isn’t paying attention or doesn’t care. RiverheadLOCAL editorial

2. Densieski pushes Planning Board for interactive public forum on warehousing and logistics uses proposed in Calverton.

The idea is to have an interactive forum where residents can ask questions about the proposed new uses, which Riverhead Planning Board Vie Chairperson Ed Densieski points out were not studied in the town’s existing comprehensive plan.

3. Triple Five’s New Jersey mall slapped with $389 million lawsuit claiming construction loan default.

Construction loan creditors have sued a Triple Five affiliate to collect $389 million on a defaulted loan agreement. The debt was one piece of $1.7 billion in private construction financing for the American Dream mall in New Jersey.

4. Food banks alarmed by governor’s proposal to cut funding, as hunger and food insecurity remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

As inflation drives food costs up, and temporary SNAP benefits put in place during COVID end, more families are turning to local food pantries for help, but the governor's budget would slash a key assistance program by almost 40%.

5. Downtown Riverhead is getting a new coffee shop: Mugs on Main plans to be open by April.

Jeff Schaeffer and Kasandra Watkins, a certified coffee master, are opening Mugs on Main, where customers can relax with a fresh-brewed mug of custom-roasted coffee in a café atmosphere.

6. ‘Takkii Ramen’ Japanese noodle house plans fall opening in downtown Riverhead.

Takkii Ramen, a privately owned small chain with locations in Pennsylvania, Syosset and Smithtown, plans to open a new restaurant on West Main St., just west of Griffing Avenue this fall.

7. Riverhead students medal in three events during regional Science Olympiad competition.

Students from Riverhead High School won three medals last month competing in this year’s regional Science Olympiad tournament. 

8. Wrongful death lawsuit filed against town and landlord on behalf of Second Street fire victims.

The estates of two people who died in the 2021 Second Street house fire filed a lawsuit last week against Riverhead Town and the property owner, alleging that both parties’ “negligence” and “recklessness” in maintaining the safety of the property contributed to the victims’ deaths.

9. Legislator Al Krupski stepping aside to run for Southold Town supervisor.

County Legislator Al Krupski will not seek election to a sixth term of office this year and instead will run for Southold Town supervisor.

10. Riverhead Police charge homeless pair in knifepoint robbery on Griffing Avenue Thursday night.

The male victim reported being robbed at knifepoint by a man and a woman who forcibly removed his cell phone and money, police said.

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