WESTHAMPTON
Westhampton Beach Schools Investigates Teacher Misconduct Allegation
The Westhampton Beach School District is investigating an allegation against a Westhampton Beach Middle School staff member made by several students.
SOUTHAMPTON
Another Street Crimes Unit Arrestee Sues Southampton Town, Police
Southampton Town and its police department are facing another lawsuit from another arrestee whose conviction was vacated due to the Suffolk County district attorney's review of more than 100 arrests involving a police officer who was reportedly addicted to drugs while on the job.
The police officer, Eric Sickles, is on suspension, but his former supervisor, Lt. James Kiernan, who is also a defendant in the lawsuit, is working again after the Town Board settled disciplinary charges against him related to his oversight of the Street Crimes Unit.
The Street Crimes Unit, which conducted narcotics investigates, has since been disbanded.
RIVERHEAD
Environmentalist: Sandy Cars 'Destroyed' EPCAL Grasslands
Over three months after the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ordered Sandy-damaged cars off a portion of Enterprise Park at Calverton, the vehicles remain.
And environmentalists said the cars have "utterly destroyed" state-protected grasslands in the area.
According to Richard Amper, executive director of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, more than 30 acres in a state-designated special groundwater protection area and endangered species habitat have been “turned into a giant mud hole” at EPCAL.
EAST HAMPTON
Village Looks To Tighten Leash on Dogs on Beaches
The East Hampton Village Board made it clear at Thursday's meeting that it is leaning toward more restrictions when it comes to dogs on the beach.
Trustee Rick Lawler said he discussed some stricter ordinances regarding dogs on the beach with East Hampton Town Trustee Clerk Diane McNally to discuss the issue since the trustees also have jurisdiction on the beaches.
Possibilities include only allowing dogs on the beach east of Two Mile Hollow Beach and west of the westerly jetty on Georgica Beach. Another alternative is mandating that dogs be kept on a leash within 300 or 500 feet of the entrances. The current hours and times of year dogs are allowed on the beach would remain.
NORTH FORK
Missing Teen Ashley Murray Returns Home Safely
After 12 days, Ashley Murray, the missing teen who has had a community rallying for her return, has come home safely.
"Ashley walked into the police department on her own," her brother Jaime Cradehl said Friday afternoon. "I don't have anything other than that, but that's news enough. She's safe. Ashley came back."
According to Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, Ashley was escorted to Southold Town police headquarters with a friend at 3:15 p.m. on Friday and was said to be in good physical health and under the supervision of police personnel.