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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.
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I saw the racist video. I knew exactly what it was. And I said nothing.

by Apr 1, 2026
The racist video depicting the Obamas as apes was vile. But silence in the face of dehumanization carries its own moral weight.

In Riverhead, the public record is disappearing in plain sight

by Mar 22, 2026
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.

A rechargeable battery caught fire in my kitchen. Here’s what I learned.

by Feb 2, 2026
A rechargeable hand warmer caught fire while charging overnight, filling our house with smoke. We were lucky. Here’s the lesson I learned.

A fresh face, a fast clock

by Jan 18, 2026
Halpin is positivity in motion at Town Hall. But Election ’26 is already underway, and this supervisor term is a one-year sprint.

Why we’re setting a comments policy on Facebook

by Jan 4, 2026
RiverheadLOCAL is setting clear social media comment rules in 2026. Debate is welcome; personal attacks and false or misleading information are not.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

by Dec 25, 2025
A Christmas message from Denise Civiletti and Peter Blasl.

An attitude of gratitude: a Thanksgiving reflection

by Nov 27, 2025
It’s a lot easier to be angry than grateful. The algorithms know, so rage bounds. Gratitude takes work. And it requires all of us to focus less on the material and more on the intangible.

In the wake of tragedy, grief, regret, and blame

by Nov 22, 2025
How quickly tragedy can change everything. And almost just as quickly, people rush to judge and assign blame.

When an election is this close, patience — and math — will decide the winner

by Nov 8, 2025
With just 21 votes separating Jerry Halpin and Tim Hubbard in the Riverhead supervisor’s race, the action moves to Suffolk’s Board of Elections. Here’s what happens next — and how I think it will likely shake out.
Pins that say vote

We endorse… you. Your vote is your voice.

by Nov 2, 2025
RiverheadLOCAL doesn't tell you who to vote for. We believe informed voters don’t need endorsements — just honest, in-depth reporting on the issues that matter.