Single-use plastics could become a thing of the past in Suffolk County.
Southampton Town officials Tuesday adopted a new code amendment that will ban plastic straws and polystyrene (Styrofoam) take-away containers at food establishments.
The new law goes into effect in May — and Suffolk County could follow suit. READ
The New York State Legislature approved a bill to ban offshore drilling Tuesday.
The bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to prohibit offshore oil and gas production. It would prevent the state Department of Environmental Conservation from leasing state-owned underwater coastal areas for drilling and also stop the Office of General Services from authorizing leases that would increase oil or natural gas production in federal waters. READ
Local and state policy makers, health professionals, and others gathered at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons on Wednesday for the East End’s first opioid forum, “Stories From Suffolk.” READ
The late Lyle Wells’ passion for furthering the farming community has inspired a grant aimed at helping the future of Long Island agriculture.
The Wells family established the Lyle C. Wells Passion for Agriculture organization after the 11th-generation Riverhead farmer died in a workplace accident in January 2018. He was 62. READ
Orient Beach State Park is reopening to the public Friday after an Oct. 27 nor’easter cut off its only access road, The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced Thursday. READ
State lawmakers Tuesday approved legislation that strengthens abortion rights in New York.
The state Senate passed the Reproductive Health Act in a 38-24 vote. READ
Satur Farms in Cutchogue has issued a recall of mesclun and baby spinach after a sample tested positive for Salmonella bacteria, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration. READ
Sky-gazers enjoyed a rare sight Sunday as a supermoon coincided with a total lunar eclipse. The syzygy of Earth, the moon and sun caused the celestial phenomenon, but also brought unusual tidal patterns. These tides — the highest and lowest of the year — are colloquially known as the king tides. READ
A new vaping prevention program is being piloted in Suffolk County schools, County Executive Steve Bellone announced Tuesday.
Citing an “alarming rise” in teenagers who use e-cigarettes, the program, Vape Out, will launch in four Suffolk County school districts Jan. 30. READ
An invasive species has been discovered on the East End in the Town of Southold.
The emerald ash borer, a beetle native to Asia first discovered in the U.S. in 2002 in southeastern Michigan, was found on private property in Southold last week, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation. The beetle is responsible for the destruction of hundreds of millions of ash trees in the U.S.
