News

It was a tumultuous 12 months, dominated by COVID-19 and political change. Take a look back on some of the local and national stories that shaped the year on Long Island.

Hart Lobsters in West Sayville is banking on a foundation's program to help reverse its fortunes and improve the health of the Great South Bay since being forced to turn to harvesting oysters and aquaculture to preserve its revenue stream.

Southampton Town police who responded to a burglary call at a North Sea home found the man who been fatally shot, Suffolk police said.

A Bay Shore man, 18, is charged with driving while intoxicated after he fatally struck Luis Trujillo, 67, of Islip and seriously injured Veronica Deleon, 47, of Brentwood on Union Boulevard in Islip on Saturday, Suffolk police said.

Masks again covered churchgoers' faces, greetings of peace tended to avoid the personal touch, and some people decided to forgo in-person worship altogether in favor of a livestream.

The additions take effect on Jan. 3 and include eight westbound morning rush-hour trains and seven eastbound, evening peak-hour trains. The trains had been eliminated as part of COVID-19 reductions.

Long Islanders have been standing in long testing lines for days as the number of COVID-19 cases surges amid the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant.

"Temperatures are going to be a little bit too warm for freezing rain," said Tiffany Fortier, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

Early studies indicate the omicron variant is less severe than delta. But, "We are still at risk of having our hospitals overrun" because of how contagious it is, said Sean Clouston, of Stony Brook University.

'Tis the season to be jolly, Long Island officials said Thursday - so don't ruin the holiday cheer  by making it easy for thieves to steal your vehicle. 

An 85-year-old mother was stabbed to death in her Deer Park home by her son's ex-girlfriend — who then stabbed him — on Thursday, Suffolk police said.

Rain is likely Christmas Day, Saturday, mainly before 4 p.m., while the high temperature is expected to be near 50 degrees, the National Weather Service said.

Two new testing sites will open on Long Island next week: at IBEW Local 25 in Hauppauge, and at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead. Testing will begin Wednesday.

"It wasn't clear to me that we were opting out of anything other than the money that could be used to address mental health issues or drug addiction," said Supervisor Jay Schneiderman.

There is a 50% chance of light snow Friday before the clouds thin, but chilly rain could dampen nighttime festivities and make for a wet Christmas morning, forecasters say.

After the ruling, Democratic backers of the redistricting plan said they would hold a vote on the plan at a special meeting Monday.

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in New York State skyrocketed in test results from Wednesday, while Long Island shattered its one-day record. Islanders faced continued long lines for testing, with the existing apparatus strained by the high demand spurred by the omicron variant.

Guided New Year's Day walks will once again be held throughout the state as part of the national First Day Hikes program that encourages winter exploration of the great outdoors.

The expanded building will provide enhanced space for early childhood programs offered by Long Island Head Start and music and after-school programs provided there by the Children's Museum of the East End.

"Right now we're open and we want to make an impact on the community and seniors, feel good about ourselves and do good for other people," said Doreen Perrino, program director at Smithtown's Senior Citizens Department, where the bears were first dropped off.