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

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1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Riverhead woman charged in fatal hit-and-run crash that killed man crossing Route 58 Dec. 30.

Riverhead Police charged Corrilyn Rose Meyer, 28, with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident that caused a death in connection with a crash that killed a 23-year-old Middle Island man on Rt 58 Dec. 30.

4. ‘It was a Riverhead save’: Brave firefighter who climbed through window of burning home to save trapped victim credits all first responders.

Lt. Justin Berry of the Riverhead Fire Department didn't hesitate to put himself in danger to save a resident trapped inside the burning home on Doris Avenue Friday, but in an interview today, he downplayed his own actions and credited the efforts of the entire team at the scene.

5. New omicron subvariant, most contagious yet, spreading rapidly in New York, as cases rise.

The most contagious COVID-19 variant yet is rapidly spreading in the U.S., especially in the Northeast. It is already responsible for more than 70% of new confirmed cases in NY, where case numbers have been climbing.

6. Town Board OKs raises for certain salaried employees, including some department heads, as contract negotiations with labor union continue.

Pay raises totaling just under $48,000 were approved by the Town Board Wednesday for 11 salaried town employees. The town's civilian labor union, whose contract expired Dec. 31, was not happy.

7. Riverhead IDA’s law firm, representing companies suing Triple Five affiliate, says company is ‘sham vehicle’ used by principals to dodge liability.

Riverhead IDA's own legal counsel in federal court filings accuses Triple Five principals, including two men involved in the Calverton land deal, of using a shell company with no assets and no records to dodge personal liability.

8. A split Town Board refuses to hold hearing on proposed industrial moratorium in Calverton.

A split Town Board on Wednesday declined to schedule a public hearing on a proposed moratorium on industrial development in Calverton, with a majority turning their backs on Calverton residents who have turned out in force to press the board to hit the brakes on development in the hamlet.

9. Riverhead swears in new police officer.

Officer Mark Weiss of Riverhead was sworn in Wednesday as the department’s newest full-time police officer.

10. Latest real estate transfers.

Transfers of real estate in the Town of Riverhead and selected hamlets in the Town of Southampton reported by The Real Estate Report Inc. during the month of December.

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