Riverhead Town has announced several events over the next few weeks to celebrate the season, including an inaugural tree lighting ceremony at the space where the new Town Square will be located.

A four-mile, holiday-themed walk/run will be held on the morning of Dec. 3 and is called the Rudolph’s River Run. The run will start at Tanger Outlets and the route will take runners along the Peconic River before ending at the new Town Square.

The race is a partnership with RaceAwesome and the Town of Riverhead and presented by RXR and Georgica Green Ventures, the master developers of the Railroad Avenue redevelopment.

Supervisor Yvette Aguiar called the festivities planned a “historic day in Riverhead,” signaling the first official events for the Town Square. She said she anticipates both events becoming mainstays in downtown Riverhead “for many years to come.”

“I hope residents and visitors alike will participate in both events on Dec. 3 and continue to join us at many future events as our new Town Square continues to evolve,” she said in a statement.

A holiday tree has already been place in the Town Square and the fences blocking off the area since demolition began last year have been cleared out. The space is now grass.

Warner’s Nursery in Calverton donated the evergreen tree . The Town Board approved a resolution to accept the donation at its Sept. 7 meeting.

The river run starts at 9 a.m. and the tree lighting ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. The race will also feature a 1K run for children.

Participants will be treated to hot cocoa, chicken soup and roasted marshmallows after the race in the town square. An awards ceremony will also be held afterward. The Riverhead Salvation Army will be collecting new, unwrapped toys from those who wish to donate. Runners are encouraged to bring a toy to donate.

Registration can be done online here. Discounted prices are available in advance and registration ranges from $14 for the kids run to $49 for adults in the main race.

The Riverhead Middle School and High School choirs are scheduled to perform at the tree lighting ceremony. The lighting will take place at 5 p.m.

The holiday spirit will be alive one week later with the return of the popular holiday bonfire and parade. The Riverhead Lions Club will host the 70th annual holiday parade, starting at Osborn Avenue and West Main Street. The parade will go east and loop south to the Peconic Riverfront where the 22nd annual bonfire will take place. The event will feature free hot chocolate.

Santa will also be making an appearance.

The parade is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the bonfire and Santa House will be open from 4 to 6 p.m.

A rain date is set for Dec. 17. More information can be found here.

The development of the town square will be done over several phases, gradually transforming downtown Riverhead into a vibrant, walkable, riverfront area filled with family-friendly activities. The Town Board earlier this year designated J. Petrocelli Development Associates as the master developer for the project.

The initial development of space across from the Suffolk Theater that has now been cleared will include interactive environmental art and science exhibits, movable tables and chairs, oversized games and a small performance area.

The post Rudolph’s River Run, holiday tree lighting set for Dec. 3 at site of new Town Square appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

PBMC and the town jointly announced the $20 million plan in July.

“Officially entering into contract brings us one step closer to finally realizing the entire Town Board’s goal of establishing a new, modern Town Hall,” Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said in a statement.

PBMC plans to reinvest the funds from the sale into its emergency department expansion, women’s health services and further ambulatory expansion.

The downtown campus had once been home to Suffolk County National Bank. PBMC had used the former bank building, located at 4 West Second St., as its administrative headquarters. 

The transition is expected to begin within three months and will take approximately one year to complete, according to the supervisor’s office.

“We are thrilled to be of assistance to the Town and offer the property for sale,” said Amy Loeb, PBMC’s executive director. “In turn, this new venture will enable us to expand our medical infrastructure and services to the community.”

The space will provide a home for many of Riverhead Town’s departments, from the supervisor’s office, to the building and planning department, town attorney, code enforcement, assessor and more.

Officials previously said the plan would allow the cramped Justice Court to relocate to the current Town Hall building on Howell Avenue. The police department would remain in its current headquarters and would be expanded.

The Town Board in July unanimously approved three resolutions to authorize the acquisition of the property, which includes four buildings.

PBMC plans to move its current operations to the former Mercy junior high school building. In 2020, the PBMC Foundation acquired the former Mercy High School campus, which had been closed since 2018. PBMC recently was granted a special exception from the Riverhead Zoning Board of Appeals as part of that plan.

The post Riverhead Town, PBMC Foundation enter into contract for sale of Robert Entenmann Campus appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Ms. Hochul’s popularity on the predominantly blue South Fork gave her a slight advantage when votes totals from all five East End towns were tabulated.

Unofficial results show Ms. Hochul received 31,264 votes compared to 30,834 for Mr. Zeldin.

The congressman had the advantage in East Hampton, Shelter Island and Southampton, although the extremely tight margin in Southampton could still change.

Of the five East End towns, Riverhead favored Mr. Zeldin by the widest margin.. He won by 23 percentage points, tallying 8,479 out of the 13,777 votes cast.

In Southold, which has seen a shift to the left in recent years, totals were nearly even for both candidates. Mr. Zeldin reportedly tallied 5,854 votes while Ms. Hochul received 5,757. Gail Lolis, deputy commissioner for the Suffolk BOE, noted that a re-canvass was still ongoing and results do not yet reflect all valid ballots cast.

Mr. Zeldin secured 11 of the 19 election districts in Southold Town. He won nearly every election district in Riverhead, losing only Election District 6 — and by only five votes. That district covers an eastern portion of downtown Riverhead.

Mr. Zeldin had his strongest showing in areas of Wading River, Jamesport and Northville.

In Southold Town, Ms. Hochul did best in areas of Greenport and Orient. Mr. Zeldin’s highest totals came in areas of Mattituck, Cutchogue and Southold.

Mr. Zeldin had the sizable advantage in the larger western towns of Brookhaven, Islip and Smithtown. He nearly doubled Ms. Hochul’s vote total in Smithtown, which helped him easily win the overall county.

The race for the reshaped 1st Congressional District was slightly tighter. Republican Nick LaLota defeated Democrat Bridget Fleming to win the seat vacated by Mr. Zeldin. Ms. Fleming was making her second run for Congress after previously losing in a primary in 2020.

Ms. Fleming, a county legislator representing the South Fork, narrowly won Southold Town with 5,834 votes compared to 5,665 for Mr. LaLota. Riverhead Town still voted overwhelmingly for the Republican candidate, giving Mr. LaLota 8,022 votes compared to 5,452 for Ms. Fleming.

Across all five East End towns, however, Ms. Fleming received 32,305 votes compared to 28,990 for Mr. LaLota.

In the state Senate race, incumbent Republican Anthony Palumbo won the vote in every town except East Hampton, where Democrat Skyler Johnson had the advantage. Mr. Palumbo won his hometown in Southold with 6,500 votes compared to 4,960 for Mr. Johnson. He easily prevailed in Riverhead with 8,760 votes compared to 4,704 for Mr. Johnson. Mr. Palumbo was elected to his second term in the state Senate.

Voters in Southold for the first time voted in the 1st Assembly District in a race featuring longtime incumbent Fred Thiele, a Democrat. Mr. Thiele narrowly won the vote in Southold, with 5,738 votes compared to 5,668 for Republican challenger Peter Ganley. Mr. Thiele had the advantage in East Hampton, Shelter Island and Southampton as well. A total of six Brookhaven districts also voted in the 1st Assembly District, with all six voting for Mr. Ganley.

Southold voters had previously been part of the 2nd Assembly District, where incumbent Republican Jodi Giglio cruised to victory, winning by a wide margin in the district that includes Riverhead and a portion of Brookhaven Town. She received 8,656 votes in Riverhead compared to 4,767 for Democratic challenger Wendy Hamberger.

The next batch of results to be released by the Suffolk County BOE are expected to be the final official results.

The post Breaking down the East End votes in the 2022 election appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

“At this time, we believe that the woman was not the victim of a crime and that no apparent criminality caused the woman’s death,” police said in Wednesday’s update.

Original story: A women believed to be between 35 and 40 years old was found dead Sunday afternoon in a wooded area behind 20th Street in Wading River, according to Riverhead Town police.

Investigators do not believe the woman was the victim of a crime and “no apparent criminality caused the woman’s death,” a police release Monday said.

Police received a 911 call just before 2:30 p.m. Sunday. A resident walking his dog in the area found the woman’s body. Riverhead detectives began an investigation along with the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Police have not yet identified the woman. She is described as white with dyed red hair. She was wearing a black jacket and camouflage pants.

20th Street is located off Hulse Landing Road.

Anyone who can help identify the woman is asked to contact police at 631-727-4500, ext. 312. Calls can also be directed to 631-727-3333. All calls will be kept confidential.

The post Update: Brentwood woman found dead in Wading River Sunday; police say no criminality suspected appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Ethan Greenidge, who has been a member of the New Orleans Saints in the NFL for the past four seasons, and Riverhead Community Awareness Program president Brian Stark partnered to purchase more than $4,000 worth of school supplies for students at Phillips Avenue Elementary School.

They have partnered in the past to support Phillips students and Mr. Greenidge proposed doubling the amount after they gave $2,000 in 2021.

“To me it’s always important to give back,” Mr. Greenidge said in a press release through Riverhead CAP. “The town that helped raise you isn’t just a place to grow up and move on from. You go back whenever you can and invest time, love and effort in the people and in their children, because I was once one of them.”

He added that kids should never have to worry about school gear, food and basic necessities.

“Kids are innocent and we have a chance to shape their future if we help them early and let them enjoy growing up in a loving town,” he said.

Principal Stephen Hudson thanked Mr. Greenidge and Mr. Stark for the donation, saying the money went a long way toward supplies for the students.

“Your continued support of Phillips Avenue, and the entire school district is more appreciated then we are able to express,” he said.

Mr. Stark once coached Mr. Greenidge. He said Mr. Greenidge has always been generous with giving back.

“He’s grateful for the support he got and pays it forward,” Mr. Stark said. “We have increased our donation this year because it directly impacts an acute need. It’s a good feeling.”

Xann and Robin Greenidge of Flanders attended a ceremony in support of their son’s donation.

“Things have gotten so expensive and for families at Phillips; not worrying worrying is something we wanted to help with,” Ms. Greenidge said. “I’m glad our community came together and we were able to make sure these kids didn’t have to be concerned  about not having what they needed  for school.”

Riverhead CAP has provided prevention and counseling services at Phillips Avenue since 1990, according to a press release. A social worker from CAP attends the school to help students three days a week.

After joining the Saints as an undrafted rookie in 2019 following his graduation from Villanova University, Mr. Greenidge has seen his last two NFL seasons cut short due to injury. He made his NFL debut on the field in September 2020 during the Saints’ Week 1 game against Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4, 335-pound lineman played left tackle for a handful of special teams plays in that game. He became the first Riverhead grad to appear in a regular season NFL game since Scott Mersereau in 1993.

In August, Greenidge was placed on the Saints’ injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, forcing him to sit out the entire regular season. He missed all of the 2021 season with an arm injury he suffered during the preseason that year.

Mr. Greenidge resigned with the Saints before this season after his initial three-year rookie contract expired. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract for the 2022 season, according to spotrac.com, and will become a free agent next year.

Mr. Greenidge was honored as the News-Review’s Sportsperson of the Year for 2019.

The post Big ‘E,’ Riverhead CAP partner once again to support students at Phillips Avenue Elementary School appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Consider Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Emily Herr in the latter category.

A standout in the pool who burst onto the scene as an eighth-grader in 2021 by winning her first county title, Herr secured eight automatic state qualifying times this season, each in a different event. Given the opportunity, she’d swim all day at a meet like Sunday’s Section XI Championships at Stony Brook University.

Rules limit swimmers to a pair of events, so Herr focused on the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle.

She added to her trophy case by swimming to first place in both events. She swam the 200 first and completed the race in 1 minute, 51.5 seconds to finish ahead of second-place finisher Kate O’Brien of Babylon (1:55.58). In the 500, she swam 5:04.22, well ahead of second-place finisher Erica Czeremcha of Half Hollow Hills-Kings Park (5:18.18).

Herr had the top seed times in both events, making her the favorite going in.

Taylor Anderson, the swim coach for SWR, said Herr thrives in a situation where she’s the favorite.

“When she’s the top seed or No. 1 going into an event, that just kind of fuels her,” Anderson said. “She hates losing. I think she likes that pressure.”

Herr posted her top time in the 500, shaving about three seconds off her previous best. In the 200, she swam right about at her best mark on the year. Anderson said Herr had set a goal of a sub-1:50 time.

“She still [swam] her best time, I know she was happy with that even though it wasn’t 100% what she wanted,” she said.

The state swimming and diving championships will be held Nov. 18-19 at Webster Aquatic Center near Rochester.

Herr plans to swim different events at the state meet, likely the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke.

“She swam the 200 IM [at states] last year so I think she wants to see what she can this year,” Anderson said. “100 breast, I want to say she’s top five or six in the state right now. I think she’s looking to at least get on the podium in 100 breast up there.”

The 200 IM allows her to showcase her versatility in an event that requires all four strokes.

“She’s so solid in all her strokes,” Anderson said. “Her backstroke, which has always been her weakest stroke, has come so far over the past year or two.”

She said Herr has a “phenomenal breaststroke,” which a key in the IM event.

Herr competes as an independent swimmer for SWR under Anderson, but trains out of Three Village Swim Club. Anderson’s husband, Mark, is her primary coach at the swim club. Mark is also the head coach of the Stony Brook University women’s swimming team.

After the state meet, the swimming scheduled will stay busy for Herr with several more meets in December through the club team. Anderson said Herr has qualified for the Junior Winter Nationals, although it’s unclear yet if she’ll compete at the meet in December.

“It’s awesome for her,” Anderson said.

The post Girls Swimming: SWR sophomore wins two events at Section XI Championships appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

“They have you prepare a victory speech, they have you prepare a concession speech, but they don’t have you prepare a ‘We got to wait for the results’ speech,” he said.

It was that kind of night across Suffolk County, as fallout from the ransomware attack forced the Suffolk County Board of Elections to alter how the final votes would be tallied, leading to a much longer wait than usual.

Shortly before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, the first results began to appear online as watch parties for both Democrats and Republicans had already begun to empty out.

Mr. LaLota, 43, of Amityville, a former Suffolk County Board of Elections commissioner, didn’t have to wait too much longer to find out he had won the race for the 1st Congressional District. At 1:04 a.m., the Associated Press called the race in his favor as he defeated county Legislator Bridget Fleming, the Democrat. Mr. LaLota won the seat vacated by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), keeping the reshaped 1st District in Republican hands. Mr. Zeldin lost his bid for governor, as Kathy Hochul became the first woman elected to the state’s top position, ending the congressman’s mission to “save the state.”

Mr. LaLota declared victory early Wednesday morning and issued an statement thanking his family, campaign team and the Republican and Conservative parties.

“Finally, thank you to the voters of Suffolk County for placing your trust in me,” he said. “I am extremely thankful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me and I won’t let you down.”

Mr. LaLota said that, after being sworn in, he plans to work with the new House majority “to bring responsible and transparent government back to Washington.”

He said the election was a message to Democrats across the country that voters want less spending, a secure border, less reliance on foreign nations for oil and to stop “coddling criminals at the cost of public safety.”

Reports across the country showed that the “red wave” didn’t materialize as initially predicted in the hotly contested midterm elections, as rising inflation brought economic issues to the forefront and Republicans placed blame on Democrats.

Ms. Fleming, 62, of Noyac, in her second bid for Congress, conceded the race Wednesday morning and congratulated Mr. LaLota on his victory. She said her campaign focused on issues “critically important to Long Islanders.”

“The challenges facing our nation and Long Island communities are daunting,” she said. “We must not back down from the fight to defend the freedoms that make our great country a rich, resilient and generous nation. And our history teaches us that when Americans work together, we can overcome anything.”

Ms. Fleming lost a primary in 2020 and then was the first Democrat to declare candidacy for the 2022 race. The long journey ultimately ended early Wednesday morning as unofficial results from the Board of Elections show Mr. LaLota had secured 55.81% of the votes compared to 44.09% for Ms. Fleming. A handful of districts were not yet reported in those results.

Republican state Sen. Anthony Palumbo of New Suffolk won reelection, as did Democrat Fred Thiele in the 1st Assembly District that now includes Southold Town. Mr. Palumbo had secured about 56.39% of the vote to defeat Democratic challenger Skyler Johnson, who finished with about 43.51%. Mr. Palumbo won his second term in the Senate after previously serving in the Assembly.

“This is a team effort as you all know,” Mr. Palumbo told the crowd in Patchogue late Tuesday before the results had been set. “We don’t get here without the hard work of all our volunteers and, just as importantly, the hard work from our family.”

Incumbent Republican Jodi Giglio easily won reelection in the 2nd Assembly District that includes Riverhead Town. The former Riverhead councilwoman finished with more than 66% of the votes to win a second term.

In Southold Town, voters approved Proposition 3 to allow a 0.5% real estate tax to fund affordable housing opportunities. The town would now have to adopt a plan to implement community housing funds. East Hampton and Southampton also approved the addition to the CPF, while in Shelter Island, unofficial results were showing an eight-vote difference with 889 against the measure and 881 in favor. Officials said there were absentee ballots still to be counted that could swing that vote. Riverhead Town opted against putting the measure up for vote.

Ms. Fleming did not speak at the Democrats’ watch party at IBEW Local 104 in Holtsville. She issued a statement at around 11:40 p.m. updating voters on the delays in results. The Board of Elections had informed the candidates that a computer problem prevented the remote downloading of election results.

At each of the watch parties, the party chairman addressed the crowd to share the bad the news that results would likely not come until the overnight hours.

GOP chair Jesse Garcia said there were 24 locations across the county where memory cards from each polling place are uploaded to a server.

“That system is slow and not operating, so the decision has been made that all 1,400 memory cards from each voting machine will be brought back to Yaphank and uploaded accurately, properly, so that we have an accurate account of this election,” he said shortly before 11 p.m.

Rich Schaffer, the Democratic chair, made a similar statement around the same time at the Democratic watch party. Results were posted through the New York State Board of Elections website since county BOE site remains down.

“They have the early voting results and they have absentee results, but they made a decision not to release anything or a substantial amount of results back into the building and then they’ll start posting them on the website,” Mr. Schaffer had said.

Before any results had been released from Suffolk County, Ms. Hochul declared victory in her race against Mr. Zeldin and delivered a speech thanking voters.

“Tonight, you made your voices heard loud and clear. You made me the first woman ever elected to be the governor of the state of New York. But I’m not here to make history. I’m here to make a difference,” she said to a crowd of supporters.

On Wednesday morning, results from the state BOE showed Ms. Hochul had about 52.8% of the vote compared to 46.99% for Mr. Zeldin, a much tighter race than New York has seen for governor in recent elections. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo secured about 62% of the statewide vote in 2018.

Mr. Zeldin, speaking to reporters Tuesday morning after voting at the Mastic Beach firehouse, said he estimated he needed to win 30% or more of the New York City vote to take the election. Preliminary results showed Mr. Zeldin had secured about 514,000 votes in NYC, which placed him right at that 30% mark. It wasn’t enough.

“If we get 35% or more inside New York City, it becomes very difficult to impossible to lose the race,” he said Tuesday morning.

Mr. Zeldin, who briefly stopped by the Patchogue GOP party with his family as polls closed, took to the podium in New York City about midnight and did not concede, instead saying that the outstanding votes across the state, including in Suffolk County, would narrow the gap between himself and Ms. Hochul.

“We have been crushing the Election Day vote all across the entire state,” Mr. Zeldin said. “What’s going to happen is that over the next couple of hours you’re going to see the race continue to get closer and closer and closer and closer. This includes, by the way, on Long Island, you’re going to see a massive victory coming out of Long Island, which is also going to be closing the gap.”

The gap did close, but not enough for Mr. Zeldin to become the first Republican governor since George Pataki, who served from 1995 to 2006.

The AP called the governor’s race at 12:52 a.m.

Mr. Zeldin congratulated Ms. Hochul Wednesday afternoon.

“This race was a once in a generation campaign, with a very close margin in the bluest of blue states,” he said. …   Those controlling Albany should take note. New Yorkers of all walks of life are sick of the attacks on their wallets, their safety, their freedoms and the quality of their kids’ education and are hitting their breaking point.”

Mr. Zeldin easily won Suffolk County with about 58.5% of the vote. He also won Nassau County with about 55%.

Democrats ruled in other statewide races. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli won reelection, as did attorney general Letitia James and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. 

In county races, Republican Vincent Puleo won the county clerk position and Republican John Kennedy was reelected as county comptroller. 

A statewide proposition for the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 received about 59% of the vote to be approved. A second proposal for the county was easily approved to set 12-year total term limits for the offices of county executive, county legislator and county comptroller, whether served consecutively or not.

Reporting by Brianne Ledda, Tim Gannon, Tara Smith and Melissa Azofeifa

Editor’s Note: This story was updated Wednesday.

Below are live updates posted on Election Night:

Update (12:58 a.m.): The Associated Press called the New York governor race at 12:52 a.m., saying Kathy Hochul had defeated Rep. Lee Zeldin of Shirley. With 89% of votes in, Ms. Hochul had 52.9% of the votes compared to 47.1% for Mr. Zeldin.

Update (12:25 a.m.): Unofficial results have begun to display for Suffolk County with the Board of Elections website showing 53% of districts reporting across the entire county.

In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Nick LaLota is showing 53.42% of the votes compared to 46.45% for Bridget Fleming. Those results account for about 58% of districts.

In the 1st Senate District, incumbent Republican Anthony Palumbo has shown to have 52.49% of the votes, compared to 47.36% for Democratic challenger Skyler Johnson. Those results account for about 55% of the districts reporting.

Incumbent Jodi Giglio is the projected winner in the 2nd Assembly District with 62.97% of the votes compared to 36.88% for Democratic challenger Wendy Hamberger. Those results show just over 50% of districts reporting.

Update (12:15 a.m.): Rep. Lee Zeldin took to the podium in New York City at about midnight and did not concede, instead saying that the outstanding votes across the state, including in Suffolk County, would narrow the gap between himself and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“We have been crushing the Election Day vote all across the entire state,” Mr. Zeldin said. “What’s going to happen is that over the next couple of hours you’re going to see the race continue to get closer and closer and closer and closer. This includes by the way on Long Island, you’re going to see a massive victory coming out of Long Island, which is also going to be closing the gap.”

With 80% of votes counted, Mr. Zeldin has totaled 45.8% of the vote, compared to 54.2% for Ms. Hochul.

Update (11:50 p.m.): County Legislator Bridget Fleming issued a statement at 11:40 p.m. on the results not yet coming in.

“We have been informed by the Suffolk County Board of Elections that a computer problem has prevented the remote downloading of election results,” she said. “Results are being reported manually, which will take some time. We will provide updates as we receive further information.”

Update (11:45 p.m.): Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared victory in the governor race, defeating Republican challenger Lee Zeldin of Shirley. The AP has not yet called the race at the time of the victory speech.

“Thank you New York … Tonight, you made your voices heard loud and clear. You made me the first woman ever elected to be the governor of the state of New York. But I’m not here to make history. I’m here to make a difference,” she said to a crowd of supporters.

With nearly 72% of votes counted as of around 11:40 p.m., Ms. Hochul had 54.87% of the votes compared to 44.24% for Mr. Zeldin.

“The lessons of tonight’s victory are that given the choice, New Yorkers refuse to go backward on our long march toward progress,” she said. “We embrace the torch that the has been passed to us from all those who have fought the good fight years before we came here. WE commit to make that torch glow even brighter before we pass it on to the next generation.”

Update (11:15 p.m.): Rich Schaffer, the Democratic chair, addressed the crowd in Holtsville and cautioned results might not come in until 2-2:30 a.m., as the crowd groaned.

“They have some results, but they’re not releasing them,” he said. “They have the early voting results and they have absentee results, but they made a decision not to release anything or a substantial amount of results back into the building and then they’ll start posting them on the website.”

Update (11 p.m.): Jesse Garcia, the Suffolk GOP chair, addressed the crowd in Patchogue just before 11 p.m. to provide an update on the delayed results and cautioned it could take a few more hours.

“To ensure accuracy and the integrity of these elections, there’s a system in place where at 24 locations memory cards from all polling places and election districts are uploaded to a server,” he said. “That system is slow and not operating, so the decision has been made that all 1,400 memory cards from each voting machine will be brought back to Yaphank and uploaded accurately, property so that we have an accurate account of this election.”

Update (10:40 p.m.): With more than half of districts reporting, Gov. Kathy Hochul holds about 58% of the votes, compared to 41% for Lee Zeldin. Ms. Hochul has held a lead since the first results started to come, but the gap has been narrowing as more results come in. Initial results featured early voting that likely favored Democrats, as well as votes from New York City.

Update (10:20 p.m.): Democratic attorney general Letitia James declared victory in her race against Republican Michael Henry. Results from the state Board of Elections was showing Ms. James, the incumbent, with 61.45% of the vote with about 48% of districts reporting.

“Over the past four years, we have worked tirelessly to make New York a fairer and more just place for all, and tonight is an affirmation of all that we have accomplished,” Ms. James tweeted. “I promise to keep fighting for the rights of every person in our great state and ensure the rule of law is applied equally to everyone.”

Update (10:05 p.m.): The Suffolk County Board of Elections was not yet showing any results just over an hour after polls closed. Results were expected to begin to be posted online shortly.

Update (9:46 p.m.): In Holtsville, the crowd was mostly quiet in the first 45 minutes after polls closed. People were gathering around a screen displaying results.

Update (9:38 p.m.): U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was projected as the winner almost immediately as polls closed in New York. The AP called the race for the incumbent U.S. senator, who was expected to easily win.

Update (9:27 p.m.): Mr. Zeldin briefly addressed the crowd at Stereo Garden in Patchogue before joining supporters in New York City. The Suffolk GOP has typically used the location, previously known as the Emporium, as its election night viewing location.

“We wanted to stop by and say thank you,” Mr. Zeldin said on stage, standing with his wife and two daughters. “Tonight, we’re on our way into Manhattan. We have a big, statewide watch party. We have our statewide slate and a whole bunch of other candidates. My heart is here with each and every one of you.”

The post Election 2022: LaLota elected to Congress; Zeldin loses bid for governor appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

The congressman cast his ballot Tuesday morning at the Mastic Beach firehouse before the final round of campaigning as he seeks to become the next governor of New York. Mr. Zeldin faces current Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in what is shaping up to be a much tighter race than New York has seen in recent gubernatorial races.

“We’re feeling great,” Mr. Zeldin said to reporters outside the firehouse after casting his ballot. “All the early reports is that throughout the entire state our supporters are coming out strong today. So if we keep that up, it’s going to be a hard fought and well-earned victory.”

Mr. Zeldin, 42, spoke about making New York safer and more affordable. Asked about the number of votes he needs in New York City, Mr. Zeldin said the target is about 30%.

“If we get less than 30% of the vote in New York City, we just don’t see how we can win the race,” he said. “If we get 35% or more inside New York City, it becomes very difficult to impossible to lose the race. So that’s basically the numbers we’re looking at.”

Mr. Zeldin has served four terms in Congress representing the East End before he decided to officially run for governor 19 months ago. At the time, it appeared his challenger would be Andrew Cuomo. Mr. Cuomo resigned in the summer of 2021, setting the stage for Ms. Hochul, 64, to become the state’s first female governor. She was the first woman to be a major party’s nominee when she the Democratic party nominated her as the candidate for this race.

Mr. Zeldin won a Republican primary to earn the GOP nod. He’s expected to stop by the Suffolk GOP watch party in Patchogue as polls close Tuesday and then spend the rest of the night in New York City.

Ms. Hochul appears to still be the favorite based on polling numbers. An Emerson College poll conducted Oct. 28-31 had Ms. Hochul with a 10-point advantage. A Trafalgar Group poll conducted Oct. 27-31, however, had the race at nearly a dead heat with Mr. Zeldin at a 1-point advantage.

Mr. Zeldin’s campaign has focused on crime, appealing to voters that he will make the state safer, highlighting specific incidents in New York City and on subways. Ms. Hochul has campaigned on the gun reform laws the state has passed and criticized Mr. Zeldin for his record on gun safety.

Ms. Hochul at a recent campaign event said Democrats are the best candidates to bring good-paying jobs, to protect the environment, to invest in quality education, to remove guns from streets, to protect women’s reproductive rights and to “protect the essence of democracy.”

Ms. Hochul has also pointed to Mr. Zeldin’s efforts to overturn the presidential election in 2020.

“To all my fellow Americans on the left, in the center & on the right, it’s time for us to have one big family talk in the Capitol & beyond,” the congressman tweeted on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2021, shortly before a mob of Trump supporters overtook the building.

“Do you want to protect the sanctity of the ballot box and fight against voter suppression?” Ms. Hochul asked a crowd of supporters.

The post Zeldin makes final campaign pitch as race for governor draws to a close appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

They had gathered to remember his son, James.

Mr. Patterson shared a story of the close bond his son shared with his grandmother, who was his mema. She had died about a year ago. In some way, in whatever form heaven exists, he said he knew they were together again.

“There’s a little bit of peace in that for me at least and I think if you knew him very well, there’d be some peace in that for you, too,” he said.

With a guitar in hand, Mr. Patterson then began to play a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

Through music, stories and tears, friends and family members shared memories of the 22-year-old, remembering Jimi as an aspiring rapper who lifted up those around him and lived every day to the fullest.

About 60 people attended the vigil, organized in large part by Jimi’s sister, Alyssa Robichaud. The Riverhead Central School District granted the family access to the school grounds to hold the event for the Riverhead native. Jimi died following an unprovoked axe attack in Oklahoma where he had recently moved near his mother. Police in Tulsa, Okla. have charged a 26-year-old man with murder in the attack.

“I’m so thankful to have such an amazing little brother gifted to all of us, that’s all I could ever want,” Ms. Robichaud said during the vigil. “Jimi has helped so many people in more ways than anyone could ever imagine. He’s talented, a musician, an artist, a rapper, a comedian, a therapist, a friend, a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, an uncle and so much more.”

Photos by Joe Werkmeister

For Mr. Patterson, the vigil was a chance to see the faces of his son’s friends from all throughout his life. There were flashbacks to soccer practices when they were little kids. And Mr. Patterson, whose a musician, recalled when his son told him he was going to be a rapper.

Ready to put on a happy grin to support his son, Mr. Patterson said he was genuinely blown away by what his teenage son had produced. Mr. Patterson said he always tried to get his son into music, but Jimi wasn’t as interested in the classic rock his dad was playing.

“Then one day he’s like, I actually do music,” Mr. Patterson said. “I was like, you’re doing music? I never saw you pick up an instrument.’ “

Jimi would pound away lyrics on his phone and had a unique talent as a lyricist.

“He was really good at that,” his father said.

Mr. Patterson said he recently got access to hundreds of songs his son recorded and he hopes to fulfill his son’s dream by releasing an album.

He said his son had “really big heart” and “really great sense of humor.” And he was someone who was very smart, even if he didn’t always channel that into schoolwork as a youngster.

“A lot of these people have seen him in different modes of life but they all think of him as a kid who made them laugh or told big stories,” Mr. Patterson said. “The kid was a superstar.”

Mr. Patterson has a younger daughter now, 2 1/2-year-old Mila, who was at the vigil. He said Jimi loved having the younger half-sister.

“We would joke around that I’m like an older dad,” he said. “I’m 50, so what am I going to do when she’s a teenager. He’s like, ‘I got it.’ I kind of think he’s going to be her guardian angel. He’s still got to keep the job. A promise is a promise.”

As Ms. Robichaud finisher her remarks, she said: “Jimi will stay in our hearts forever, always and forever.”

The post At vigil in Riverhead, Jimi Patterson, 22, remembered as talented rapper who helped so many around him appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

She takes pride in the small gesture, knowing the players share a unique perspective on the field.

“I’m the only one that knows what their position is like and how physically tasking it is,” she said.

So at the end of Saturday’s Class A Long Island final, Thompson continued the tradition and jogged to the Shoreham-Wading River bench to give a pat to sophomore Morgan Lesiewicz.

SWR senior Kya Condon saw Thompson and yelled out, “Keeper, good job.”

At the end of a physical contest, it was a moment for the players on each team to acknowledge the hard work that had gotten them to this point, vying for a chance to advance to the state semifinals in Cortland.

It was Thompson, a senior bound for the University at Buffalo who has been playing soccer for as long as she can remember, that was the key reason it will be the Generals moving on in the Class A state tournament. Thompson withstood heavy pressure in the first half, including making two acrobatic saves seconds apart in one sequence, to keep SWR scoreless.

An early first half goal was all MacArthur needed to prevail 1-0 at Berner Middle School in Massapequa to end the Wildcats’ remarkable season.

Falling behind early was hardly ideal against a team as strong defensively and with as talented a goalkeeper as Thompson. The Generals (14-0-2) have allowed just one goal all season, which came in a 1-1 draw against Garden City in October.

“They’re all so talented,” Thompson said of the team’s back line. “They all have something special.”

Thompson was credited with 11 saves, eight of which came in the first half.

The only goal came with 28:28 left in the first half on a shot by Sara Kealey. It was a play the Wildcats (15-3-1) would have liked to have back. Lesiewicz raced out of the net to reach a ball, and after the Wildcats stopped an initial shot, they couldn’t clear the zone and a deflection put the ball back on Kealey’s foot. This time, she got off a clean shot and didn’t miss as Lesiewicz tried to get back in position.

SWR coach Mike Gengler said the Wildcats rarely had to play from behind this season, particularly in a game of this stakes.

“Their keeper is top notch, a top-shelf keeper,” he said. “She really kept them in this game. That’s what you need.”

The Wildcats controlled possession for much of the first half and had perhaps their best chance with just under 12 minutes to go in the first half when Abigail Beran’s shot was saved, and then Thompson made a second leaping stop right afterward.

“There’s no better feeling than making a save like that,” Thompson said. “Multiple in a row just makes it that much better.”

The second save in the sequence set up a corner kick, but the Wildcats couldn’t generate a good chance. On the ensuing goalkick, the ball came right to Ava Gengler of Shoreham, whose pass left to GraceAnn Leonard gave the Wildcats another chance that was thwarted by Thompson.

Ava Gengler had a chance for an equalizer with about six minutes left when she had a header that went high over the goal after the pass from Leonard.

Mike Gengler said the Generals did a good job at preventing the Wildcats from gaining angles of attack.

“They did their homework for sure,” he said. “They knew who they were expecting. And you add a tough keeper to that situation, I don’t think it mattered who from them today, it was just a matter of when.”

The Wildcats were vying for their first Long Island title since 2019, when they won the Class A state championship. MacArthur now advances to play Albertus Magnus of Section 1 Saturday in the state semifinals. It was the first Long Island title for the Generals since 2011 when they won as a Class AA school.

Mike Gengler, who filled in as head coach in Adrian Gilmore’s absence after she had a baby, said he was “blessed for the opportunity” to coach this year, especially considering his two nieces were on the team.

“The girls rose to the occasion and it was just an amazing year,” he said. “Every one of these players were special.”

The Wildcats had nine seniors, six of whom were starters.

“Learning to come back without those nine players is certainly going to be the biggest challenge for Shoreham-Wading River,” he added. “But we do have a lot of players that are eager that got an opportunity to see what it’s like and what it takes to be in these types of games.”

The post Girls Soccer: MacArthur goalkeeper’s tough saves help end SWR’s season in Long Island final appeared first on Riverhead News Review.