2025 at 12:30 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}He died after being hit in Manorville NY — A man died after being struck by a car in Manorville early Wednesday when he was struck by a northbound 2024 Porsche Regan was pronounced dead at the scene; the East Hampton man was not injured and the Porsche was impounded for a safety check Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Police investigate the site of a crash on Route 111 in Manorville Wednesday morning A 64-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a car while crossing the street in Manorville on Wednesday morning Police closed Route 111 shortly after and it was reopened at 10:25 a.m The 58-year-old driver of the Porsche was not injured and the vehicle was impounded for a safety check Detectives ask anyone with information on the crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752 Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday She previously worked as a reporter for Patch where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months Double D Bar Ranch in Manorville was charged with 112-counts of animal abuse on Thursday for allegedly failing to properly care for a broad variety of animals The ranch is accused of neglecting to provide adequate food, water, shelter and veterinary care for these animals, according to a news release from Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office a ‘sanctuary’ is not a sanctuary when it becomes a place of suffering,” said Mr “Our commitment to protecting animals is unwavering.” Double D Bar Ranch was founded by Richard and Gay Devoe more than 30 years ago with the intent of providing a sanctuary for abused and unwanted farm animals. After Ms. Devoe passed away in June 2024, Mr. Devoe launched a GoFundMe campaign a few months later urging the public to donate to the nonprofit organization he stated that he was “on the verge of losing” his house on the ranch and needed help “catching up on mortgage payments.” Mr Devoe has not yet responded to a request for comment The investigation began early last month when Suffolk County Police Department detectives alerted the district attorney’s Biological Environmental and Animal Safety Team — known as BEAST — about their daily visits to Double D Bar Ranch after receiving numerous complaints regarding the animals’ welfare on the property — concerns that were predominantly fueled by the “frigid sub-zero temperatures” during that time they claimed to witness hundreds of animals with improper shelter and no access to liquid water Some of the animals were allegedly found deceased and several animals had untreated medical conditions “When those who claim to provide care instead allow neglect and cruelty “This prosecution reflects our dedication to ensuring that no animal is left to suffer without food BEAST detectives then spent several weeks collaborating with various public and private partners to triage the animals which included “hundreds of hours” of these detectives working on the premises personally tending to the animals’ needs An appearance ticket was issued to the ranch owners on Feb and dozens of animals have since been removed from the property Remediation efforts at the ranch are ongoing In addition to the 112 charges issued by the district court BEAST prosecutors requested two court orders — both of which were granted — to require Double D Bar Ranch to not take in any more animals while the case is pending Law enforcement will also continue to monitor the welfare of the animals that remain at the ranch Several organizations, businesses and offices were involved in the investigation, including Humane Long Island, Mattituck Laurel Veterinary Hospital and Suffolk County Farm / Cornell Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Suffolk County DA’s Office and are rehabilitating them for placement at reputable sanctuaries who will give them the care that they desperately need,” said John Di Leonardo The next court date for Double D Bar Ranch is scheduled for Wednesday “We are grateful to our many partners who stepped in and stepped up for these animals,” Mr A kaleidoscope of spring colors — periwinkle foxglove Leon Maurice Creighton of Greenport Village died Monday With the birth of river otter pups at the Long Island Aquarium and possible sightings of otters at Marion Pond in.. Support us The cause of multiple brush fires on Saturday has been preliminarily ruled accidental Suffolk County Police said in a statement this afternoon Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives believe the cause is related to a fire that spread following an attempt to make s’mores at a home on North Cozine Road in Manorville It’s believed strong winds spurred additional fires from embers leading to the brush fires Open burns have been prohibited on Long Island in New York City and in six counties in the Hudson Valley regions due to the combination of dry conditions and strong winds which is the start of the annual statewide burn on residential brush burning that runs from March 16 through May 14 traditionally the time when fire spread risk is at its peak Hochul declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County on Saturday as a wildfire raged in the pine barrens in Westhampton The fire was the largest of four that ultimately burned some 400 acres in the pine barrens Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said at a press conference yesterday called by County Executive Ed Romaine at Gabreski airport in Westhampton Eighty volunteer fire departments and 10 EMS agencies responded to fire Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said The state deployed ground and air support to assist with fire suppression the governor said in a press release yesterday the New York National Guard had four helicopters performing water drops dropping 24,200 gallons of water on the fires Wading River and Manorville fire departments were among the departments that responded to stop the fire in Westhampton a task made difficult by shifting 35 mph winds that spread the flames About 25 firefighters from Riverhead Fire Department responded with the department’s two brush trucks “We had the head [of the fire] coming toward us on County Road 31.”  Renten commended the job done by the department’s assistant chiefs “Guys had to drag lines and go into the woods to protect structures from the fire,” Renten said At one point the fire spread underneath one of the brush trucks putting it at risk of being damaged by fire but the crew put it out and got the truck out Two firefighters from other departments were injured fighting the fire County Executive Ed Romaine said yesterday One suffered second-degree burns to his face and was transported by helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment at its burn center The other suffered a head injury and was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment “To the firefighters who put their lives at risk I cannot say thank you enough to those that served,” Romaine said “A lot of downed trees in this vicinity fed this fire and that’s when you saw the huge clouds of smoke that engulfed this entire area,” Romaine said The pine barrens have been hit hard by the Southern Pine Beetle an invasive pest that has killed large tracts of pine forest across Long Island in recent years The dead trees provide “fuel load” for brush fires that start.  But the fires themselves are a natural and essential feature of the pine barrens ecosystem which depends on fire to regenerate the forest The heat from the fire opens pine cones and allows seeds within them to disperse This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Sunrise Fire in Westhampton that burned for days and scorched 3,198 acres Numerous public officials attended yesterday’s press conference including State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and County Legislator Ann Welker Romaine said officials from across the area contacted him to offer support He had calls “from President Trump’s people from Mayor Adams and the county executive of Nassau It shows what we can do when we work together,” he said “Sometimes we forget that in times of crisis Americans can come together and address problems,” Romaine said LaLota said he’d received text messages and calls from his colleagues It was a tremendous effort by officials of all levels of government we appreciate our first responders for what they did,” LaLota said The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today. Get fresh local news straight to your inbox every day Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app is opening a second location this week in Manorville taking over the space formerly occupied by Hurricane Grill & Wings The new Westhampton Beach Brew & Grille is set to host a soft opening on Thursday fantastic brews to enjoy!” the brewery shared Tuesday night on Instagram The announcement immediately prompted questions from regulars who were concerned about the fate of the original Westhampton Beach location The brewery followed up Wednesday on Instagram: “Our Brewery in Westhampton Beach will still be open regular days and times—no changes to that This will be our second location… Cheers to more good vibes!” Founded in 2018 by longtime friends Brian Sckipp and John Salvaggio has become a staple on eastern Long Island community-driven vibe and popular beers like Jetty Four Lager and Hurricane IPA No official date has been set for the grand opening of the Manorville spot which is situated in the back of the plaza located at 496 County Road 111 Tap here to see what’s happening Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A pedestrian was struck and killed while attempting to cross a busy Long Island roadway The intersection of Route 111 and Chapman Boulevard in Manorville was crossing Route 111 when he was struck by a Porsche heading northbound Detectives asked anyone with information to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-8752 Additional details about Regan’s life were not immediately available. Loved ones are invited to share a statement, funeral details, and/or photos by emailing mmashburn@dailyvoice.com currently referenced in site plans as “Clancy’s Market,” will be considered by the Brookhaven Town Board during its planning board meeting Thursday afternoon at town hall The 3,293-square-foot eatery would feature indoor seating for 22 diners and outdoor seating for 26 A special permit is being sought for the outdoor dining area Update: Manorville restaurant gets green light from Brookhaven construction is expected to take about one year The restaurant would be built on the southeast corner of the Long Island Expressway Service Road and County Road 111 Town Supervisor Dan Panio noted that decades ago a Hess gas station was proposed for the same site The current proposal was submitted in November 2022 by David Kepner “We are looking forward to this potential new sit-down restaurant in Manorville,” Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig said on Facebook Thursday’s town board meeting kicks off at 3 p.m Top image: Artist rendering of a proposed restaurant for the southeast corner of the Long Island Expressway Service Road and County Road 111 in Manorville A boy was located hours after going missing from a Long Island school and sparking a police K-9 search Suffolk County Police responded to Dayton Avenue in Manorville for reports of a child who went missing from a nearby school at around 5:20 p.m The search area was near both Dayton Avenue Elementary and Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School Given the nature of the incident and the boy's age no further information would be made public Daily Voice has reached out to the Eastport-South Manor Central School District for comment Signs naming the Halsey Manor Road overpass in memory of NYPD Det Brian Simonsen were unveiled during dedication ceremonies today The Halsey Manor Road overpass on the Long Island Expressway was dedicated to fallen NYPD Det 2019 while responding to a reported armed robbery in the Queens precinct he spent his 19-year career protecting Simonsen’s mother Linda and his widow Leanne were joined by family members elected officials and a host of law enforcement officers from the New York City Suffolk County and local police departments as well as the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department for the unveiling of the signs proclaiming the overpass “NYPD Detective Brian P sponsored by Assembly Member Jodi Giglio and State Senator Anthony Palumbo was passed in the closing hours of the legislative session in June and signed by Gov between exits 70 and 71 on the eastbound highway a Jamesport native who lived with his wife in Calverton and commuted to work in the 102nd precinct in Queens.  A yellow sign on the overpass reads seeing that bridge with that sign as he made the long trek back from the city meant he was almost home.  “It was almost like the welcome-home bridge,” his widow Leanne Simonsen said in an interview on the day the governor signed the bill.  A crowd of more than 200 people turned out for this morning’s ceremony which took place in the eastbound lanes of the expressway just west of the overpass Among the dignitaries in attendance were the two state legislators who sponsored the bill naming the bridge in Simonsen’s honor Riverhead Town Council members Ken Rothwell The Riverhead Fire Department attended with a ladder truck to fly the U.S Two NYPD officers removed a black covering to unveil the freestanding memorial sign on the embankment while their law enforcement brethren saluted and other onlookers watched in solemn silence There have been numerous events locally and across the region honoring Simonsen whose life was tragically cut short by friendly fire when he and a parter both in plain clothes were first on scene responding to 911 calls reporting an armed robbery at a store in the precinct where they worked in the anti-crime squad then-NYPD Police Commissioner James O’Neill said at a press conference the night they were shot “Detective Simonsen exemplified the highest standards of courage and dedication,” Giglio said in a statement after the governor signed Giglio’s bill into law this summer “It was only fitting we honor his memory in a way that will be a lasting testament to his contributions to our community This memorial will not only honor Detective Simonsen’s lasting legacy but also inspire future generations to appreciate the dedication and sacrifices of all law enforcement officials.”  A suspect emerged from the back of the store The two officers fired at the suspect and retreated from the store Gorman was shot once in the leg and was hospitalized The Simonsen Foundation a nonprofit organization that honors the officer’s life and memory as well as through the sale of merchandise to fund scholarships for seniors graduating from Riverhead High School to purchase bulletproof vests for police K-9 dogs and to provide financial assistance to local families and businesses in need Brookhaven Town delivered good news on Thursday for Manorville residents hungry for a sit-down restaurant Manorville has long been eager for more dining options Other than Hurricane Grill & Wings and The Maples the area lacks traditional full-service restaurants referred to in site plans as “Clancy’s Market,” received approval from the Brookhaven Town Board during its planning meeting Thursday afternoon The eatery will be located on the southeast corner of the Long Island Expressway Service Road and County Road 111 The 3,293-square-foot restaurant will feature indoor seating for 22 diners and outdoor seating for 26 with a special permit granted for the outdoor dining area Construction is expected to take about one year The Pine Barrens Commission previously approved the project in June 2024 While the identity of the tenant remains unknown Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig noted during the public hearing that she has received numerous calls from residents excited about the arrival of a new sit-down restaurant in the area Top photo: Brookhaven Town Board has approved a restaurant in Manorville on the southeast corner of the Long Island Expressway Service Road and County Road 111 (Credit: Nicholas Esposito) Firefighters battling a smoky fire at Crossroads Body and Fender Works on Ryerson Avenue in Manorville on Monday Suffolk County firefighters battled a smoky fire that tore through a Manorville auto body shop Monday morning Manorville firefighters responded to Crossroads Body & Fender Works on Ryerson Avenue about 8:15 a.m and were confronted with heavy flames and smoke pouring from the building Manorville firefighters and members of several area departments battled the flames and smoke for about an hour before bringing it under control Suffolk County arson investigators were investigating the cause of the blaze Firefighters battled the flames and smoke at the body shop on Ryerson Avenue in Manorville for about an hour before bringing it under control Check back for updates on this developing story An early morning fire claimed the life of a resident in a Manorville adult community Tuesday Police have not released the identity of the victim but confirmed the victim had died in the blaze at a home on Village Circle North in Greenwood Village a 55-and-over retirement community just north of Sunrise Highway Police said the fire was reported in a 911 call at 6:36 a.m and said first responders arrived on scene to find the home "fully engulfed." Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman said the fire not only severely damaged one home but said heat from the blaze damaged two neighboring homes The community features what officials described as largely prefabricated homes on close tight lots in a densely populated development From breaking news to special features and documentaries the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy Arson investigators and the Suffolk Homicide Squad were on the scene as were responders from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office Police said the cause of the fire was deemed to be noncriminal Fire officials said firefighters from Manorville Eastport and Brookhaven National Lab battled the blaze and were able to bring the fire under control by 8:13 a.m but said he didn't know anyone who lived in the home "I heard the fire trucks about 6:30 a.m.," he said You don't see a lot of people out in general." 2025 at 1:16 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}At least 10 departments responded to the scene NY — One person died in a Manorville house fire Tuesday morning the fire broke out at a home on Village Circle North at about 6:35 a.m The Suffolk County Police Department's homicide squad and arson section detectives are investigating; a 911 call alerted officials to the fire The identity of the victim will be determined by an autopsy performed by personnel from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner; the person was alone inside the residence at the time of the fire and no one else was injured detectives believe the cause of the fire to be non-criminal in nature 10 fire and EMS departments were on the scene This work, Manorville resident promotes to Chief Master Sergeant in New York Air National Guard, by SrA Sarah McKernan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Animal cruelty police have charged a Manorville woman with animal cruelty for keeping her horse and two dogs in deplorable living conditions at her home detectives found her 3-year-old black and white female shepherd-type dog Pine and her 4-year-old brown male shepherd-type dog Cody confined to a small room with noxious air and an overwhelming stench of urine The floor inside the dogs’ room was covered in wet and dry urine and feces stains Food and water were not present for the dogs SPCA detectives received assistance at Seeman’s house on Friday from Suffolk County Police members of Brookhaven Town Code Enforcement Brookhaven Animal Control officers and the Suffolk District Attorney’s office’s B.E.A.S.T The animals were voluntarily surrendered with the help of 13 Hands Equine Rescue and Brookhaven Animal Control charged with several misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Nov Manorville’s Double D Bar Ranch is hoof-deep in trouble But the animal sanctuary is biting back — hard The “self-proclaimed animal sanctuary” has been arraigned on 112 charges of animal neglect Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced today The charges stem from allegations that the ranch failed to provide adequate food shelter and veterinary care to a broad range of animals a ‘sanctuary’ is not a sanctuary when it becomes a place of suffering,” the district attorney said in a press release “Our commitment to protecting animals is unwavering When those who claim to provide care instead allow neglect and cruelty Investigators with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Biological and Animal Safety Team (BEAST) began making near-daily visits to the ranch in early January after receiving numerous complaints about animal welfare Frigid winter temperatures heightened concerns with investigators allegedly finding animals without proper shelter or access to water Some animals were found dead or suffering from tumors; infections; emaciation; dental disease; matting; untreated wounds; lameness; respiratory infections; arthritis; swollen body parts; and overgrown hooves An attorney for the sanctuary labeled the allegations and the district attorney’s news release preposterous “This despicable press release by the DA’s office is indicative of the government overreach by prosecutors and law enforcement drunk with power It is shockingly arrogant and irresponsible,” Nora Constance Marino told Greater Long Island “It contains numerous statements that are not accurate and are purposely misleading.  The DA’s office is on an obvious witch hunt with the intent to poison the jury pool Marino went on to say that authorities are looking to put Double D Bar Ranch out of business which we flatly dispute and that have not been proven and the DA’s behavior raises serious ethical and constitutional concerns which will be explored,” Marino said “Double D has operated its sanctuary for 28 years and has been a trusted resource by many in the community to save and nurture unwanted and discarded animals “What the DA’s office is trying to do is truly outrageous They have removed dozens of animals from the Double D grounds the ranch was arraigned in front of District Court Judge Susan Berland The court barred the ranch from taking in additional animals and granted law enforcement continued oversight of those that remain The case is set to continue in court on Feb president and executive director of Humane Long Island told Greater Long Island that his animal rescue group in recent days has rescued dozens and dozens of animals — mostly ducks geese and other birds — from Double D Bar Ranch “Sanctuaries are expected to care for animals rescued from dire situations animals lived amongst piles of feces and corpses of their friends Di Leonardo said further that Double D Bar Ranch has allegedly been neglecting animals for more than a decade He cited an undercover video produced by PETA in 2008 that allegedly found deplorable conditions Di Leonardo noted the birds Humane Long Island rescued were underweight and suffering with prominent keel bones [the ranch’s] waters were frozen and it was evident they hadn’t been fed,” he said “Two of the turkeys struggled to walk and many of the roosters were suffering from frostbite on the heads and parasites burrowing into their legs A sheep was found struggling with her head caught in a hay dispenser and was observed limping with overgrown hooves.” Suffolk County Water Authority contractors who are installing mains that will carry clean drinking water to homes in a remote section of Manorville crossed into Riverhead Town from Brookhaven yesterday Four residents who were instrumental in the years-long fight for access to public water gathered midday on Wading River Manor Road and River Road to witness what was for them a momentous occasion Clare Bennett and Toni Pawlson live in the southwest corner of Riverhead Town comprising hundreds of acres of preserved woodlands Quiet country roads wind their way through the deep woods.  the surreal stillness and silence of the area would be intermittently fractured by the roaring engines of a supersonic F-14 fighter jet taking off from the nearby Naval Weapons Reserve Plant a facility leased to the Navy contractor Grumman Corporation which assembled and tested military aircraft and equipment there The ear-splitting noise of those military flights ended almost 30 years ago What the company left behind there includes contaminated soils and a toxic soup of chemical contaminants that polluted the groundwater below the site has been migrating south toward the Peconic River.  Homes with shallow private drinking water wells lie in the path of the plumes of contaminated groundwater flowing toward the river — part of a protected  estuary system designated as one of national significance that includes the river creeks and bays around which the villages that would later form the Town of Riverhead developed in the 18th century Sixty-four homes in that remote corner of the Town of Riverhead and another 28 homes to their east in Calverton draw their drinking water from wells polluted with a variety of contaminants which run the gamut from MTBE and arsenic to PFAS said he’s been asking for public water for nearly 30 years He worked for the Suffolk County Water Authority and had his well water tested shortly after moving into his home While he didn’t originally consider the well water to be a health hazard “I went through three water district superintendents I went through four town supervisors,” Martz said “We were told for 20 years that we will never see public water here.” Martz and his neighbors came to believe the contaminants in their drinking water actually did present a health hazard 22 people had or have cancer,” Pawson said “This is supposed to be the core of the pine barrens,” Bennett added “And here I am with some of the most contaminated water — in the pine barrens which are supposed to preserve the aquifer The State Department of Environmental Conservation installed carbon filtration systems in  Bennett’s and Pawson’s homes They still can’t use their well water from outdoor spigots That means no vegetable gardens and no swimming pool Other residents use bottled water for drinking and cooking but still must shower with their well water Though the homes in the area are in the Town of Riverhead they were not within the Riverhead Water District and nowhere near a Riverhead Water District main that could be tapped to bring public water to the area That meant a water district extension would be a very expensive undertaking and way beyond the ability of the small number of households — or the cash-strapped town —to carry the cost of.  The county water authority had a main much closer to the area in need and was willing to take the project on — but a turf war, of sorts, got in the way The Town of Riverhead did not want the county water authority which serves Brookhaven and other municipalities,  making an incursion into Riverhead.  “That was the big fight,” Martz said yesterday but we don’t want the water authority coming in here.” An extension crossing town lines to serve the Manorville homes could have implications for the future of the service to the former Grumman site which is now owned by the Town of Riverhead and its future industrial development a potentially lucrative source of business for the town water district — as well as for the county water authority.  Residents kept at it, holding rallies for clean water and attending many Town Board meetings to demand public water — never getting any satisfaction Then they met with the Suffolk County Water Authority.  “Then I think they got a little nervous,” McClinchy said “I think they started taking this seriously when they knew we had a meeting with the Suffolk County Water Authority ‘We better pay attention here,’” McClinchy said.   She said getting the outspoken clean water advocate Adrienne Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment interested in the cause made a big difference.  because I don’t know if we would have made all the right decisions along the way,” McClinchy said Once the county water authority stepped forward to say it could and would serve the Manorville homes the Town of Riverhead in February 2020 ordered the preparation of a map and plan for a Riverhead Water District extension to serve the area at a then-estimated cost of about $4.8 million Then the pandemic struck and in its aftermath the supply chain disruptions that would double the cost of the extension by the time the project was bid and work got underway more than four years later The town found itself scrambling to try to find enough grant money and low-interest or no-interest loans to fund the work all the while pressuring the Navy to come up with funding to correct problems believed to be caused by the Navy’s use of the site.  Testing by the Suffolk County health department in 2020 confirmed that roughly 15% of the homes in the area had PFOS and PFOA in their wells The Suffolk County Water Authority meanwhile moved forward with a water main extension to serve up to 78 homes with private wells in the Brookhaven portion of Manorville The water authority made grant and loan applications to the same government agencies that Riverhead was soliciting The water authority completed the extension in the Brookhaven portion of Manorville in February The water authority and the town reached an agreement in 2022 to work together on the Manorville extension in Riverhead The water authority would install the water main infrastructure and supply and meter the water to the homes Although the residents would be SCWA customers but the area would be part of the Riverhead Water District Even after the town and the water authority reached an agreement the funding still wasn’t there to undertake the work “The Town of Riverhead secured $3.6 million in funding from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that was sponsored by Senator Charles Schumer Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and former Representative Lee Zeldin a $3.8 million grant was awarded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Suffolk County agreed to provide $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the cost of installing private service lines at each of the homes SCWA’s Board approved a $2.4 million credit towards the project which fully funded the project and allowed residents to connect at no cost to them,” the water authority said in a press release last week should we just have gone to the Suffolk County Water Authority and bypassed Riverhead “I don’t know if that would have been a better plan and the puzzle pieces finally being set into place “When did we know it was actually going to happen pointing to the backhoes and construction crews working in the road the water authority broke ground on the new extension Residents went to the work site to watch the trench that will house the water main cross over the town line it shouldn’t be this hard,” Esposito said.  “Communities have a right to clean safe drinking water and this community had to fight for that right,” Esposito said I’m happy to be a part of the historic moment But it really is a struggle for communities to get the various levels of government to collaborate together,” she said.  we thought maybe it would be two years,” Esposito said A meeting she set up for the community with the county health department and Sen Chuck Schumer’s office was a turning point “I think once the health department got to hear directly from the community And they also know that if I’m involved We’re going to continue to advocate for this until success is achieved We don’t get into something and then walk away We follow it to its conclusion,” Esposito said embarked on a journey to get funding to get these homes hooked up,” she said This campaign had the makings of a TV movie,” she said.  McClinchy said another important benefit of public water mains in the roads — not to be underestimated — is access to water for firefighting There are lots of hydrants being installed Manorville was the scene of a major wildfire in April 2012 and firefighters’ efforts were hampered by the lack of water sources for battling the blaze Fire department tanker trucks had to drive nearly to Route 25 to be able to draw water from a hydrant Firefighters drew water from a resident’s inground swimming pool Planes called in from other parts of the state flew overhead to drop water on the burning scrub pine forest All 109 fire departments in Suffolk County responded to the scene.  It took two days to get the fire — then the seventh largest in New York State history — under control had scorched 1,100 acres in the pine barrens one commercial building and several vehicles — including fire department brush trucks but one firefighter sustained second-degree burns and was admitted to the burn unit at Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment.  Through the efforts of County Executive Ed Romaine the county funded and installed six fire suppression wells in the pine barrens to assist firefighters battling wildfires.  The pine barrens are a fire-dependent ecosystem and wildfires are always a risk Water mains and fire hydrants throughout the area will greatly aid firefighting efforts Water main installation and hookups of private homes is expected to be completed in November a Suffolk County Water Authority spokesperson said today Workers install new water lines in Manorville along Wading River Manor Road last month Soon after Ron Martz built his home on River Road in Manorville in 1993 tests of his private well water revealed high levels of iron Riverhead Town officials rejected his requests to connect to public water ‘You will never get public water here,' " Martz Thirty years later, Martz and his neighbors have cause for celebration as Suffolk County Water Authority contractors launch an $11 million project to bring treated water to 64 homes in Manorville in the Town of Riverhead. Earlier this year the authority connected 78 homes in Manorville Public water is managed by government entities and undergoes regular testing and treatment including by the Suffolk County Water Authority Private wells are managed by individual homeowners Manorville residents have been crusading for access to public water the Suffolk County Health Department surveyed Manorville and Calverton and found PFOS and PFOA Environmental Protection Agency has labeled as potentially carcinogenic Prior surveys have detected methyl tertiary butyl ether The area is about two miles from the former Grumman naval weapons reserve in Calverton where the Navy operated an aerospace facility Martz uses bottled water for drinking and cooking Work on the project began in August and is expected to finish in November according to the Suffolk County Water Authority Workers are drilling and digging trenches to install 20,000 feet of water main on David Terry Road SCWA chairman Charlie Lefkowitz said public water protects public health "These residents will soon no longer need to be concerned about dangerous levels of PFAS in their drinking water," Lefkowitz said In 2022, Riverhead Town agreed to work with the county water authority a total of 116 homes were given the option to switch from private to public wells Riverhead secured more than $7 million in grant funding for its side of the project a "feat" town officials said required bipartisan support at every level "No one that worked on these grants — us the EPA — was responsible for the contamination," said Dawn Thomas Riverhead’s Community Development director "We all partnered to make sure that everyone could get access to clean drinking water." Riverhead Water District Superintendent Frank Mancini said he’s now focusing on other parts of town where wells may be contaminated The town may use $2 million in Community Preservation Funds for those projects was "downright discouraging." But she urged neighbors to remain optimistic "It ensures the health and safety of not just the families who live here now but the families who might live here years down the road," she said "It’s an investment that’s really going to affect generations to come." McClinchy also worked with Adrienne Esposito Esposito said in a statement that she’s relieved to see the work begin "I am thrilled for the residents and I hope they have much less stress and concern with each pot of coffee they brew and each pitcher of iced tea they serve," she said Residents on the Riverhead side of Manorville whose wells are contaminated with the emerging contaminant PFAS will soon have access to public water after the Suffolk County Water Authority broke ground last week on a project to connect 64 homes to the public water system Pictured Above: Work began on the project on Aug “This project will finally bring clean water to the good people of Manorville,” said Riverhead Town Supervisor at the Aug 23 announcement of the commencement of the project “Thanks to the funding from our Federal Elected Officials The Suffolk County Water Authority and the Riverhead Water District can now start the long-awaited process providing safe water to the residents of Manorville.” which includes 21,000 feet of new water mains is being conducted jointly by the Town of Riverhead and SCWA after the Suffolk County Department of Health Services found PFAS contamination in levels above the current state standard of 10 parts per trillion in 2017 Riverhead Town agreed to use grant money to expand public water access in the area to help fund the project while SCWA built and maintained the infrastructure Residents who connect to public water will become SCWA customers Riverhead Town received $3.6 million from the U.S along with a $3.8 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Suffolk County provided $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to install private service lines to each home and the Water Authority approved a $2.4 million credit towards the project to allow residents to connect at no cost “Our chief priority at the Suffolk County Water Authority is to provide Suffolk County residents with high-quality drinking water and service they can rely on,” said SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz “Connecting homes to our public supply protects public health as these residents will soon no longer need to be concerned about dangerous levels of PFAS in their drinking water.” PFAS are chemicals that had historically been used in treatments to protect carpets paper packaging for food and non-stick cookware has conduced human studies that found associations between the compounds and “several types of health effects including the liver decreased birth weight) and cancer.” New water main will be installed on David Terry Road Old River Road and other side streets in the area which expects to begin connecting homes to the service in November An early-morning fire claimed a life in a gated community on Long Island The Greenwood Village mobile home park in Chapman Boulevard in Manorville Emergency crews in Manorville responded to the Greenwood Village mobile home park located off Chapman Boulevard near Railroad Avenue After firefighters extinguished the flames they discovered a resident deceased in the home Nobody else was inside the residence and nobody else was injured The victim’s identity and cause of death will be determined by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office Investigators believe the cause of the fire to be non-criminal in nature The deadly blaze came just one day after a man was killed in another house fire in Island Park on Monday, March 17, as Daily Voice reported Matt Goncalves — the Indianapolis Colts’ rookie tackle from Manorville — is set to make his NFL starting debut Sunday night on NBC Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings It’s a moment that brings both tremendous pride and nerves to his family back home in Port Jefferson Station Matt’s father Bill is gathering at home with family and his wife and two stepdaughters for what he described as “A nice watch party!” Bill Goncalves shared his range of emotions with Greater Long Island noting that he spoke with his son last night about the big game but I also have a belief in him that has grown over the years watching him at Pitt and knowing the type of player and person he has become,” he said “He has a quiet confidence going into tonight The 23-year-old Goncalves will fill in for starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann it’s an especially significant challenge given Minnesota’s relentless defense which features complex blitz schemes and simulated pressures But Goncalves happens to be familiar with this particular type of defensive scheme given that it was inspired by his coach at Pitt He will be protecting veteran quarterback Joe Flacco who is filling in for the underperforming Anthony Richardson Drafted 79th overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft Goncalves has shown resilience and grit across his grid iron journey especially after overcoming a major injury that sidelined him last fall for most of his senior season at Pitt His family’s excitement has been palpable since his draft night a proud moment Bill Goncalves captured when he said of Matt and his brothers’ tearful hug: “That as a father was maybe the most important thing of the night to me.” A taxi driver died and a passenger is in serious but stable condition after a Long Island Rail Road train collided with an East End Transportation Cab in Manorville Tuesday afternoon, Metropolitan Transportation Authority police said The deceased was identified as Daniel Seagren, 49, of Ronkonkoma who was pronounced dead after being transported to Riverhead’s Peconic Bay Medical Center the 12:03 eastbound train from Ronkonkoma to Greenport struck the cab which was driving northbound on Wading River Road in Manorville The collision happened on the tracks at the Wading River Road crossing “Preliminary investigation reveals the taxi with two occupants drove around crossing gates in the down position with lights flashing,” the MTA police reported Further investigation “indicated the vehicle traveled through the lowered crossing gate passing over the the top of the car without breaking,” according to an update of the police account MTA Police did not immediately identify the passenger who was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital and is listed in “serious but stable condition,” an MTA police department spokesperson said in an emailed statement There were roughly 50 passengers on the train the train proceeded east to Riverhead with passengers arriving at approximately 2:15 pm Those seeking service to Greenport were “accommodated by substitute bus service,” the MTA police department spokesperson said the Ronkonkoma Branch of the LIRR was operating on or close to schedule who has turned around his tennis game with.. With the birth of river otter pups at the Long Island Aquarium and possible sightings of otters at Marion.. Cecilia Dowd The fires Saturday are believed to have been been sparked accidentally by a family making s’mores in a backyard on North Cozine Road in Manorville who were using cardboard to ignite the flame according to a statement Monday from Suffolk County Police That location is in a residential area just north of Sunrise Highway “Detectives believe the cause is related to a fire that spread following an attempt to make s’mores at a home on North Cozine Road,” according to the statement “It’s believed strong winds spurred additional fires from embers leading to the brush fires.” Northwest winds of about 35 miles per hour carried the flames through East Moriches where it was stopped near Gabreski Airport by by a coordinated effort between about 90 volunteer fire agencies and firefighting crews and helicopters with water buckets from the Air National Guard and Army National Guard New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to implement “an immediate burn ban for Long Island and parts of the Hudson Valley until the annual statewide ban on residential brush burning takes effect on March 16,” according to the governor’s office “New Yorkers are facing increased wildfire risks due to the combination of dry conditions and strong winds,” said Ms Hochul. “As we work tirelessly to combat the fires in Suffolk County we must all do our part to prevent further damage I have issued an immediate burn ban across Long Island and parts of the Hudson Valley to protect our communities and our state resources are fully mobilized to support fire suppression efforts.” Southampton Town Police also released footage Monday of their recent helicopter flight to survey the damage after the fires were extinguished, which can be viewed on Facebook is being called the “Westhampton Pines Fire,” said Suffolk County Fire Commissioner Rudy Sunderman at a Sunday morning press briefing organized by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine Sunderman said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers are working with Suffolk County and Southampton Town Department of Public Works staff to build a “containment fire break around the perimeter of the burned area.” Sunderman said the fire was 100 percent knocked down and the containment — the fire break being built by the DEC and public works — was 20 percent completed He said more than 600 fire and EMS personnel from 90 agencies have responded to the fire Two firefighters were injured — one was taken to by Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital with second degree burns and another was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with a head injury “Both fire personnel were treated and released and have been sent home and are recovering,” he said Westhampton Beach Fire Department Second Assistant Chief Louis Scott said the “fire has not grown in size since 6 a.m today,” and added that DEC forest rangers are currently working on the containment break and volunteer fire agencies are not currently on scene “We are prepared to respond back into the woods but for now it’s in the hands of the DEC and their personnel,” he said adding that first responders had been “hoping for some moisture to come in but it does not look like that in the near future.” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said the department is trying to determine the origin of the fire who were currently surveying the scene from helicopters “It’s too early to tell whether or not this fire was started naturally or there was some nefarious origin,” he said “We should have an answer within the next couple days.” “We are in deep gratitude,” said Mr “I got a call from President Trump’s people and Mayor Eric Adams sent equipment that we put out at the fire academy if we needed it but fortunately we didn’t need it because we got such a response from our volunteers Americans can show up and address problems… This was a very big fire that could have created very big problems if not for all of us coming together.” “Today is a much different day than yesterday because of our brave first responders,” said Congressman Nick Lalota These first responders left the safety and comfort of their homes to make sure we were all safe Hopefully the almost near containment of the area will come to us soon.” and had it blown to the southwest it would have ravaged through the Eastport business district and Manorville,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico “It would have been a very different fire I’m thankful for coordinated effort that prevented this from becoming the fire of 1995 again.” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine is holding a second press briefing: “As of this morning, emergency crews have resumed operations to address the wildfires. We are happy to report that other than some small hotspots, there is no significant visible fire,” said Southampton Town in a Facebook post Sunday morning “There are hotspots and smoldering areas being addressed and emergency management is utilizing drones and air assets to identify these areas to direct response Residents are asked to stay tuned to any updates as they become available An outdoor recreational fire ban and state of emergency are still in effect.” Top: The morning briefing for agencies continuing to fight the fire Sunday morning.| “First and foremost, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Westhampton Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Westhampton Beach Volunteer Ambulance Company, and the 90 Volunteer Fire & EMS Agencies who have come together to support this massive effort,” said Suffolk County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services in a Facebook post Sunday Morning which included photos of the agencies’ morning briefing for first responders at Gabreski Airport and of Congressman Nick LaLota speaking with incident command staff inside the FRES command post “A special thank you to the 11 crews from Nassau County who stepped up to provide coverage for Suffolk County We also appreciate the unwavering support from our Suffolk County departments and our federal partners who have been instrumental in this response we urge residents to remain vigilant and exercise caution with any potential ignition sources Your awareness can help prevent further fire danger and thank you to all who are working tirelessly to protect our communities!” The remaining fire was 80 percent contained as of 8 p.m. according to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine Rescue and Emergency Services Rudy Sunderman said three of the four fires were fully contained while the remaining fire was 50 percent contained at a 5:30 p.m Sunderman said the fires cut a swath three miles long by one mile wide from Center Moriches to East Moriches to Eastport and Westhampton where it crossed County Road 31 and was moving toward Quogue Two commercial buildings were partially burned and 80 volunteer fire departments and 20 EMS agencies had responded to the fire One firefighter was evacuated by helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital with second degree burns to the face “There are currently no residents in the line of fire,” said Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan “You will know by telephone or by a knock on your door if anything changes.” Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said the town is “fortunate to have veteran firefighters” who spent nearly a week fighting the 4,500-acre Sunrise Fire in the same area in 1995 State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni thanked the volunteer fire and EMS providers fighting the fire Pictured above: The smoke as seen about 2 p.m Wildfires adjacent to the north side of Sunrise Highway have closed multiple roads in the Westhampton Beach area including Sunrise Highway east of William Floyd Parkway and west of Exit 63 County Road 31 and Speonk-Riverhead Road as fire departments from throughout the East End attempt to contain the blaze assisted by helicopter crews with water buckets from the Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing and from the New York Army National Guard in Ronkonkoma who were dredging water from Wildwood Lake in Northampton for the firefighting effort driven by gusty northwest winds of 30 to 35 miles per hour and dry weather conditions Southampton Town supervisor Maria Moore declared a state of emergency at 3 p.m. saying that multiple fire departments are responding to multiple fires in an area of woodlands already damaged by pine beetle infestation 🇺🇲 Long Island firefighters heading into the thick of the wildfires that have spread for miles on the South Shore. Credit: Manorville Fire Department. pic.twitter.com/odLr1VPm30 Video of brush trucks responding to the fire posted on X credited to the Manorville Fire Department Rescue & Emergency Services is coordinating the response to three major brush fires on the East End,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine in a 4:30 pm post on X “We are working with the town of Southampton closely The National Guard is also involved in water drops that began sometime ago Sunrise Highway remains closed past exit 58.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul has also declared a state of emergency saying in social media that “New York State agencies are responding to a brush fire in the Pine Barrens We are in close communication with local partners on Long Island to coordinate assistance and make sure they have the resources they need to protect their communities.” Upwards of 40 fire and ambulance companies from across the region had responded to the scene by mid-afternoon according to dispatch records and accounts from personnel on scene We’ll update this post with more details as they become available The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers Be a vital part of keeping our community informed 2024 at 7:44 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The hike went missing on Monday NY — A hiker from Staten Island went missing while out on a trail at Manorville Hills County Park Monday regarding a missing hiker who had gone into the woods on a trail at the Manorville Hills County Park and became separated from his group An extensive search effort was launched by Southampton Town police that included Southampton Town police patrol officers a Southampton Village Police Department K-9 officer New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps EMS woodland rescue team The search extended from County Road 51 and County Road 111 through the Pine Barrens and the surrounding wooded areas by members of the Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps EMS woodland rescue team in the area of Calverton Hills He was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for evaluation and treatment for exposure due to being out in the cold; he is otherwise in good health "Southampton Town Police would like to extend our thanks to all who were involved in locating the missing hiker," authorities said 2024 at 11:27 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The incident took place in Manorville NY — A Rockville Centre police detective was arrested after he intentionally damaged a man's vehicle in Manorville in what's been deemed a hate crime incident a subcontractor for a cellular company was working in a GMC Terrain at the corner of Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue in Manorville when he was approached by a man who questioned what the worker was doing in the area who identified himself as a law enforcement officer refused to look at the worker’s credentials ripped off the light affixed to the top of the vehicle and threw it at the worker a Rockville Centre Police Department detective was arrested and charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief a hate crime and a felony; and second-degree aggravated harassment "The Village of Rockville Centre does not comment on personnel matters," said Julie Grilli spokesperson for the Rockville Centre police Murphy will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on November Wednesday "The victim here was just trying to do his job when the defendant allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer responsible for protecting the rights of citizens I thank the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit for taking this crime seriously and following the evidence no matter where it led Such conduct will not be tolerated in Suffolk County." Suffolk County Police charged a Rockville Centre Police detective with a hate crime early Wednesday for harassing and intentionally damaging a contractor’s truck in Manorville was arrested and charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime Marine also faces a second-degree aggravated harassment charge a Black man working for a cellular company at the corner of Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue when Murphy approached him Murphy allegedly asked what the subcontractor was doing in the area while identifying himself as a law enforcement officer Despite the worker’s attempt to present his credentials Murphy is accused of then kicking the subcontractor’s vehicle and forcibly removed a light attached to the top of the GMC He then allegedly threw the light at the subcontractor while using a racial slur “The victim here was just trying to do his job when the defendant allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer,responsible for protecting the rights of citizens “I thank the Suffolk County Police Department’s Hate Crimes Unit for taking this crime seriously and following the evidence no matter where it led,” he continued “Such conduct will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.” A spokesperson for the Village of Rockville Centre said the village “does not comment on personnel matters.” According to a post on the village’s Facebook page received special honors from the Town of Hempstead for his hard work with the police department Murphy’s LinkedIn page notes that he served in the U.S and that he was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and 2007 and to Afghanistan in 2009 He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip Rockville Centre Police Detective John Murphy was recognized by the department for his “dilligent” work to prevent crime in the village The village posted a photo of Murphy on its Facebook page (Source: Facebook/Village of Rockville Centre) The weekend wildfires that scorched hundreds of Pine Barrens acres in eastern Suffolk County this weekend was sparked by people roasting marshmallows in their Manorville backyard Residents of a Manorville home were making s’mores and using cardboard to light the flames according to Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina “Residents of a home on North Cozine Road in Manorville attempted to start a fire to make s’mores at approximately 9:30 a.m on March 8 and were unable to get it lit due to the wind and put cardboard on it in a continued attempt to ignite which was unsuccessful,” a Suffolk Police spokesperson said 911 was called because the backyard was ablaze The Center Moriches Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire Police said embers from that fire had unknowingly spread a fire was reported on the south side of Sunrise Highway about 1/8 of a mile away from the home on North Cozine Road more fires were reported on Chapman Boulevard and Route 111 in Manorville “Detectives believe the origin of these fires stemmed from the initial backyard fire on North Cozine Road,” the police department spokesperson said.  The fires spread from Manorville to the Moriches to Eastport Catalina said dozens of detectives are involved in the investigation including arson detectives who have been conducting aerial surveys by helicopter and interviewing the 911 callers who reported the fires said residents need to stay aware of weather conditions that can quickly escalate small fires into dangerous situations “People need to be extremely mindful during these prolonged arid periods without precipitation that even a small backyard fire pit could cause a mass conflagration if the wind take the embers to adjoining properties,” he said The last of the four East End wildfires is under control in Westhampton and officials have deemed the wildfires contained Dry weather and high winds — together with damage to woodland areas caused by the Southern pine beetle — created the perfect storm for fast-moving wildfires to ignite and spread across the Pine Barrens along the south side of Sunrise Highway over the weekend The blazes stretched from Center Moriches to Westhampton with the last having lingered around Gabreski Airport Over 90 volunteer fire and EMS agencies contributed to the effort “including 11 crews from Nassau County who stepped up to provide coverage for Suffolk County,” read a statement from Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Local weather forecasts show less wind this week though they are also predicting a dry week Kathy Hochul has issued an immediate burn ban for all of Long Island and New York City prohibiting residents from starting outdoor fires to destroy brush and debris Hochul had declared a state of emergency in Suffolk Top photo: Manorville Fire Department members heading into the wildfires (via Manorville Fire Department) 2024 at 9:03 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}At least one person was hurt NY — A man was arrested and charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs after a crash involving an overturned oil truck on the Long Island Expressway in Manorville Wednesday police said was driving a 2011 Cadillac at a high rate of speed and heading westbound on the Long Island Expressway near Exit 69 at 1:21 p.m when the vehicle hit the rear of a 2010 International oil truck causing the truck to overturn into a wooded area Richuitti was arrested and charged with DWAI drugs The Cadillac was impounded for a safety check and the International oil truck was checked at the scene by Motor Carrier Safety Section officers Richuitti and the operator of the International oil truck were transported via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital in stable condition Richuitti will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date Anyone with information is asked to call major case unit detectives at 631-852-6555 As wildfires rage through the Pine Barrens firefighters are pushing deep into the flames to battle the fast-moving blazes A dramatic video captures members of the Manorville Fire Department navigating an off-road fire truck through thick smoke and scorched terrain heading straight into the heart of the inferno shows the firefighters moving forward despite low visibility and encroaching flames Their efforts are part of a larger response to the fires which have drawn departments from Brookhaven to Hampton Bays It was taken by the Manorville Fire Department Long Island firefighters heading into the thick of the wildfires that have spread for miles on the South Shore. Credit: Manorville Fire Department. pic.twitter.com/02yDxcYbEd burning along the south side of Sunrise Highway including Sunrise Highway east of Exit 62 and Speonk Riverhead Road Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area as conditions continue to change Massive wildfires break out along Sunrise highway from Hampton Bays to Moriches Another video of firefighters about to drive into the woods the to fight the wildfires on Long Island. @pinebarrens @longislandwildfires pic.twitter.com/E4c0LHTxbC Residents too have been capturing surreal-looking videos of the fires as their smoke more and more dominated Long Island’s skyline Below is video posted by Lawrence Citarelli Jr More dramatic video sent into to Greater Long Island of the wildfires on the South Shore. pic.twitter.com/aMhZfMcEnn Top images: Manorville firefighters use off-road vehicles to get to the heart of one of the blazes on Saturday (Manorville Fire Department) Suffolk County Police confirmed Tuesday afternoon that there has been a major car wreck on the westbound side of the Long Island Expressway in Manorville and that motorists should avoid the area The crash reportedly involved an overturned oil tanker and Police confirmed one person was seriously injured and taken to the hospital LI Fire Buff posted details of the wreck that police said occurred near Exit 69 said drivers in the area should take alternate routes At least two police helicopters have been requested at the accident scene The Facebook page’s alert indicates that the truck cab dislodged from the trailer and crashed into a wooded area Sources added that a car was also involved in the accident 2024 at 8:12 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A family was left but nothing but the clothes on their backs after a fire gutted their Manorville home NY — Just months after iconic Long Island civil rights leaders Lucius Ware his family was rocked by a new tragedy on Saturday — his grandson and his wife lost everything in a devastating house fire the clock is ticking — they are living in a hotel but their check-out date is Christmas Eve and they need help to move forward into an uncertain future were home when the fire broke out in Manorville A GoFundMe, Support A Family After Devastating Fire was organized by Kellie Hubbard and Jennifer Ware to help with nothing but the clothing on their backs and all the fur babies in one car — watching as their lives just disappeared in one night," the GoFundMe said Crystal and her father are members of the Shinnecock Nation "We are looking for any help — hygiene products Everything you have to offer is appreciated Let's turn their Grinchmas into a loving Christmas," the GoFundMe said Ware said the family has been blindsided by the latest tragedy is no longer here to help when needed the most," Leisha Ware wrote on social media "Now my oldest son lost his house to a devastating house fire there is something to be grateful for: "Thank God they all made it out of the house safely." his wife and their daughter "are currently in an emergency hotel We need a Christmas miracle," Leisha Ware said To donate to the GoFundMe, click here Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. with his mother Linda Simonsen to her right among those gathered Tuesday at the bridge renaming dedication ceremony in Manorville NYPD veteran and South Jamesport native Brian Simonsen known to friends as "Smiles," drove 70 miles back and forth daily from his home to the 102nd Precinct in Queens on what would have been Simonsen’s 48th birthday the last bridge he drove under on his way home to Calverton formerly the Halsey Manor Road Bridge in Manorville who was killed by friendly fire during a Queens robbery in 2019 was honored during a dedication and sign unveiling in which he was remembered for his positivity and resilience said the family has been working on the renaming for the past two years so people always remember him," Leanne Simonsen said He lived a life that was just full of joy and he brought joy to everybody and we just want everyone to carry his name on forever politics and crime stories in Suffolk County when he responded off duty just after 6 p.m to an attempted armed robbery at a T-Mobile store in Richmond Hill authorities said officers fired 42 shots in 11 seconds was shot in the left leg but later recovered Two men involved in the robbery were each sentenced in Simonsen’s death who entered the story holding a toy gun resembling a black pistol and pointed it at officers pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated manslaughter and first-degree robbery Jagger Freeman of Queens was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after he was convicted of second-degree murder and robbery while serving as the lookout in the robbery his family worked with Long Island leaders to rename the bridge in a bill sponsored by State Sen Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) and Assemb a Riverhead fire ladder truck hung an American flag on the bridge as dozens of NYPD and Suffolk police officers lined the Long Island Expressway "Even those events of that fateful day are emblematic of who Brian was as a human being He was off duty and jumped into the fray and ran toward the danger," Palumbo said we remember his service to the police department to his community and to his family and friends." Leanne Simonsen marveled at her husband’s resiliency and ability to overcome challenges in his life a pivotal moment that she said helped define his character and direction in life He brought his pain to power and just brought love and light to everybody in his world," Leanne Simonsen said She said her husband never wanted to leave where he grew up and where he settled his family while continuing to serve in the NYPD The family pointed to changes that his death brought Simonsen wasn't wearing one the day he was killed because the vests were bulky and didn't fit under a suit good detective," Leanne Simonsen said "He really solved problems for police officers who were having issues and he was more than happy to do it so his death wasn't in vain They brought on new bulletproof vests that were because of him will be presented with a replacement from Manorville Community Ambulance An Islip Boy Scout troop was left devastated just before Christmas when a thief stole its packed camping trailer from a church parking lot making off with everything from cookware and tents to a troop sign that had been passed down for decades There was little information about who took the trailer and police didn’t have any luck finding it went on local news stations to plead for information “We were hoping that somebody saw something whose son Teddy is one of 13 Scouts in the troop Troop 151’s committee chair Sue Gaiardelli estimated the losses totaled about $10,000 — but the troop formed an unlikely partnership with a group of volunteer first responders who will soon cut those losses in half Manorville Community Ambulance is donating one of its trailers to the Scouts on Saturday morning The ambulance company is based in Brookhaven but the Scouts’ plight struck a chord with Manorville Ambulance Chief Lenny Schnall we will come to help you in your medical time of need here’s another time of need for a group of children and their Scout leadership,” said Schnall who secured his board’s approval to donate the trailer soon after he heard Troop 151’s story “We’re coming up on the camping season … and they have no way of getting their gear to a campsite,” he added but he had never been involved with Troop 151 before reaching out to help said Manorville Ambulance heeding his call for help is characteristic of first responders “It’s not uncommon for the first responder community to step up — even if it’s not an EMS call or an automobile accident — to help out,” the scoutmaster said I can’t even tell you the anxiety I have had personally said the group has also received an outpouring of cash and equipment donations from St other Boy Scout troops and the broader Islip community She estimates Troop 151 will have recouped 85% of what it lost last year once they receive the trailer “I really want to highlight how the community came together and gave us support especially from people we didn’t even know,” Gaiardelli said It’s just a feel-good story about how many people have helped us without us really even asking.”  Manorville Community Ambulance serves the eastern portion of Brookhaven and is funded by the town He said the trailer being donated was previously used for a youth squad program run by the ambulance company but Brookhaven taxpayers have still been on the hook for maintaining the trailer that’s been sitting stagnant in the back of Manorville Ambulance’s facility it’s insured — we’re putting money into it but we’re not utilizing it,” Schnall said “It’s not a substantial drain on our funds but we’re not getting anything back out of it.” Manorville Ambulance’s board of directors gave Schnall the green light earlier this year to transfer the trailer to Troop 151 a move Schnall said would save public dollars and allow the ambulance company to assist “another volunteer organization that we could help out in their time of need.” The chief added that if the youth squad is restarted “we have enough district vehicles that we could use Troop 151’s camping trailer was central to how the group functions: It was kept stocked and could be easily hooked up to a Scout leader’s truck when they went on camping trips ensuring kids and their parents didn’t have to worry about transporting all the essentials Its theft not only cost the troop thousands of dollars worth of equipment but also threatened to throw off that entire dynamic “Everything was squared away and the boys would just bring their personal gear,” he said ‘Who brought what from home that would have been prepositioned in the trailer?’” Gaiardelli said the troop was determined “to make sure it did not impact the boys’ program because it’s not fair to them.” That involved a whole new approach to preplanning and coordination throughout the organization Bacon said “everybody has stepped up” to make that happen The scoutmaster believes the “hardship” caused by the trailer theft ultimately solidified the troop’s resolve and the group will be better for having gone through it We were all working together for a common goal,” he said there’s a good life lesson in this for the kids — we can overcome anything that gets thrown at us.” Sam Kmack covers the Town of Islip for Newsday He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and previously worked as a city watchdog reporter in the Phoenix metro area as well as an investigative journalist at the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney with his team of investigators who on Tuesday charged Rex Heuermann with a seventh murder that of a woman whose partial remains were found in Manorville in 2000 You've read 4 of your 7 free articles this month Please log in or create an account to continue reading