Denise Civiletti
Denise Civiletti, editor and copublisher of RiverheadLOCAL is a lawyer, journalist, news junkie and digital media maven.
To send Denise an email, click here.
Denise Civiletti
Riverhead settled a tax lawsuit last week, but officials wouldn’t disclose the terms
When the Town Board votes to approve a tax lawsuit settlement, taxpayers have the right to know what it will cost.
Denise Civiletti
Tularemia in Suffolk: My first-hand account of the rare disease known as ‘rabbit fever’
“Rabbit fever” sounds whimsical — cue the Elmer Fudd jokes — but it’s no laughing matter. Last year, it nearly killed my husband.
Denise Civiletti
Halpin was wrong to silence a critic at a public meeting
Riverhead Supervisor Jerry Halpin cut off a resident, silenced the audio feed and had her escorted out. Public officials must tolerate criticism.
Denise Civiletti
A parade and fireworks: no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July as a community
A parade is one of those things that brings the community together, an event that makes everyone smile, and reminds that us in many ways, Riverhead is still a small town.
Denise Civiletti
Let’s make public hearings less painful
Riverhead can make public hearings more useful, less contentious and more efficient by explaining them clearly before residents speak.
Denise Civiletti
Riverhead must not allow auto drifting on Scott’s Pointe track without in-depth environmental review
If Scott’s Pointe wants drifting on its track beside a man-made lake dug into the aquifer, Riverhead must require the scrutiny it waived last year.
Denise Civiletti
I saw the racist video. I knew exactly what it was. And I said nothing.
The racist video depicting the Obamas as apes was vile. But silence in the face of dehumanization carries its own moral weight.
Denise Civiletti
In Riverhead, the public record is disappearing in plain sight
Riverhead’s loss of meaningful Town Board minutes is not a minor change. It is a blow to open, accountable government — and to local history.
Denise Civiletti
A rechargeable battery caught fire in my kitchen. Here’s what I learned.
A rechargeable hand warmer caught fire while charging overnight, filling our house with smoke. We were lucky. Here’s the lesson I learned.
Denise Civiletti
A fresh face, a fast clock
Halpin is positivity in motion at Town Hall. But Election ’26 is already underway, and this supervisor term is a one-year sprint.
