Here are the top local stories in the second week of 2023. For more coverage, visit RiverheadLOCAL.com.

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1. Daniel Preston, an owner of company with stake in Calverton land deal with town, dies at 52.

Luminati Aerospace owner Daniel Preston, 52, died at his home in Little Falls, New York on Thursday, Jan. 12. Luminati is part owner of a join venture with Triple Five called Calverton Aviation & Technology, which is in a $40 million land deal with the Town of Riverhead.

2. Suffolk judge rules in favor of Oak Hills community in ‘private roads’ dispute with Riverhead Town.

In a decision filed yesterday, a State Supreme Court judge for Suffolk County ruled that roads in the Oak Hills community were made public highways by Town Board resolution in 2015, and that obligates the town highway superintendent to provide services due all public highways as required by State Highway Law.

3. Cops: Woman arrested after attacking Riverside gas station clerk during robbery.

A woman is facing a felony robbery charge and other charges after she slapped and kicked a clerk at a Peconic Avenue gas station in Riverside Friday morning, Southampton Town Police said in a press release Saturday.

4. The Town Board said no to a hearing on an important topic of major concern to hundreds of residents. Whose interests are being served?.

"I don't owe you an explanation," the supervisor barked in response to a constituent's question. The outsized influence of the development crowd and the diminished influence of ordinary citizens in Riverhead were on vivid display at the last Town Board meeting. How did it get this way and why? RiverheadLOCAL editorial.

5. Cops: Flanders man in critical condition after shooting on East Main Street near Town Hall Friday night; police search for two possible perpetrators.

A Flanders man is in critical condition after a shooting on East Main Street near Town Hall Friday night. Police search for two possible perpetrators, who fled the scene in an unknown direction.

6. This is Riverhead’s last chance to get it right.

Riverhead Town's natural resources and community character are being erased by unplanned development. It's time for our leaders to take action and implement sustainable development practices before it's too late. Opinion column by Bob DeLuca of Group for the East End.

7. Riverhead Town completes purchase of Second Street property from Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Riverhead Town today finalized the $20 million purchase of Peconic Bay Medical Center's Second Street campus, which includes three office buildings, an M&T Bank branch and a large parking field. Town Hall and other town offices will be consolidated at the site.

8. Suffolk County Water Authority receives $5 million from feds Calverton water extension.

The Suffolk County Water Authority will received $5 million of federal funding to bring public water extension to homes in Calverton within the Town of Brookhaven, some of which have drinking water wells contaminated by toxic chemicals.

9. Riverhead Police Department transitions to new crime reporting system.

The Riverhead Police Department is transitioning to a new system of reporting arrests, to become compliant with the National Incident-Based Reporting System. It will likely result in a rise in crime stats, because it will count all charges filed against every person arrested instead of just the top charge.

10. A moratorium on battery energy storage systems? Southold supervisor thinks it’s a smart idea.

Battery energy storage technology is still in its infancy, Southold Supervisor Scott Russell said yesterday. The town must undertake a thorough review, following the guidance of the N.Y. State Energy Research & Development Authority, before allowing the systems to be developed.

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