News Roundup

Feb
23
2022

RIVERHEAD, NY — After a dramatic uptick in mental health issues sparked by the pandemic, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon and elected officials are set to unveil a new facility in Riverhead Thursday aimed at addressing the escalating need — and curbing crime.

The new facility, to be located on East Main Street, will help East End and Long Island residents with mental health concerns and address a gap in mental health services caused...read more ››

Feb
16
2022

During Black History Month, we stop to consider not only the progress we have made towards equality in this country, but also the ongoing issues facing our Black youth every day.

Historically, young Black males are incarcerated at a higher rate than others. While about 8 percent of the school-age population in Suffolk is African American, Black men currently comprise approximately 41 percent of the inmates under 21 years old in the...read more ››

Feb
6
2022

President Joe Biden traveled to New York City this we to discuss ways to deal with the deadly gun violence plaguing the five boroughs and beyond.
And Gov. Kathy Hochul signs off on new congressional maps that give Democrats a heavy political advantage over Republicans. Is this a course correction or gerrymandering at its worst?
Joining News 12’s Rich Barrabi are Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon and former state Sen. Jack Martins.read more ››

Jan
10
2022
The Riverhead Correctional Facility.

January 2022 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which coincides with the Department of Homeland Security’s annual “Blue Campaign” - a national public awareness effort to educate the public to recognize the signs of victims of human trafficking. To raise awareness, the center façade of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility in Riverhead will be lit up in blue light throughout the month of January....read more ››

Dec
6
2021

Suffolk County Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) declared victory Monday in her reelection bid in the Sixth District, defeating Republican challenger Brendan Sweeney and denying Republicans the ability to form a veto-proof "supermajority."

Anker won by 63 votes after a recount of ballots concluded Monday, according to unofficial results.

She had been down by nearly 1,200 votes on election night but caught up in absentee ballots...read more ››

Nov
11
2021

A new clothing drive is seeking donations to provide inmates leaving the Suffolk County prison system with dress attire so they can pursue career and educational goals.

Suffolk law enforcement and local nonprofit officials gathered Wednesday at Legis. Bridget Fleming’s (D-Sag Harbor) office on the East End to help announce the launch of the clothing drive, spearheaded by Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon’s office through its Sheriff’...read more ››

Oct
26
2021
Rob Calarco

Robert T. Calarco has emerged as a leader with a solid record since his first election to the seat a decade ago.

Seeking a sixth and final term, Calarco, 42, of Patchogue, says his top district priority is the sewer project to connect 500 homes in south Patchogue. He vows to assist the county's effort to acquire and preserve part of the Avery Homestead in partnership with Brookhaven Town and continue striving to improve housing and...read more ››

Oct
25
2021
Al Krupski

Among the most crucial local issues for the North Fork is protecting water quality, and Albert J. Krupski Jr. knows that well.

Chronically poor drainage on roads during even moderate storms can lead to flooding and an endangered aquifer, and the solutions are expensive and time-consuming improvements to our drainage systems — the kind of work for which Krupski is well-prepared. The 61-year-old Cutchogue Democrat comes from a...read more ››

Oct
25
2021
Bridget Fleming

Bridget M. Fleming, 61, of Noyac, understands the risk that climate change presents to her ocean-adjacent district that stretches from Montauk to East Moriches, along with Shelter Island. That means pushing for ways to reduce Suffolk’s reliance on fossil fuels, including by expanding solar energy, and to mitigate the impact of extreme weather now by building up wetlands to help stem disastrous flooding from rising seas.

Her focus on...read more ››

Oct
25
2021
Dawn Sharrock

Republican Nichols J. Caracappa made news two years ago for the wrong reasons.

Caracappa, 54, was arrested at his Selden home in December 2019, and faces criminal charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident. He says he expects to be exonerated.

Selden Democrat Dawn Marie Sharrock, 46, a Middle Country school board member, is a dynamic presence with fresh ideas such as developing more union worker apprenticeship...read more ››