A driver crashed through a wooden barricade at Montauk Green early yesterday, damaging tents and artwork set up there for the annual Montauk Art Show, police and organizers said. Tracy Tullis reports in NEWSDAY that the driver, Nicoly Ribeiro De Souza, 23, of Farmingville, was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Ms. De Souza was charged with driving while intoxicated and six counts of reckless criminal mischief, according to the East Hampton Town Police Department.

No other injuries were reported.

At about 3 a.m. Sunday, the Nissan Rogue crashed through six tents, causing extensive damage, said John Papaleo, a member of the executive board of the Montauk Artists Association, which sponsors the art show.

"There’s well over $100,000 worth of damage" to the artwork and the tents, Papaleo said.

"These people that come to these shows, this is how they make their living," he said. "This is their livelihood."

The Montauk Art Show, which opened on Friday, features the work of local and touring artists. About 50 people worked to clean up the damaged tents and other debris, Papaleo said, so the show could open on schedule at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The association’s member tent was also wrecked, according to Evan Reinheimer, a photographer who was exhibiting and is on the show’s organizing committee. About 30 artists’ work was displayed in that tent, most of it damaged or destroyed, he said.

The loss of artwork is devastating for these artists, Reinheimer said. Some of them "may have had their whole inventory in their booth," he said.

***

A reality television star and Long Island restaurateur has sued the Village of Greenport and its mayor in federal court, alleging the municipality “targeted” his Mediterranean restaurant in an effort to shut it down.

Joseph Ostapiuk reports in NEWSDAY that Zeynel — or Zach — Erdem sued Greenport Village and Mayor Kevin Stuessi in federal court on June 23. Erdem is a star of HBO Max's “Serving the Hamptons,” which follows him and the staff of his Southampton restaurant, 75 Main. Zerdem also operates the Blu Mar Hamptons restaurant in Southampton.

The suit alleged that Greenport had issued “bogus tickets” and shut down ZErdem, his restaurant, during one of its first opening weekends in June 2023, according to the 18-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

Erdem alleged the Village of Greenport violated state and federal due process laws, and that his restaurant was treated differently than other nearby ones. Zerdem is seeking damages “in excess of $5 million,” according to the complaint.

In 2023, the village sued Erdem in Suffolk Supreme Court over alleged code violations, online court records show.

Timothy Hill, Erdem's attorney, told NEWSDAY that the village's actions were "an example of shocking disregard of the proper and constitutional procedures that need to be followed."

Hill said authorities "stormed" into ZErdem without a warrant in June 2023 and that the Village of Greenport “timed its unlawful raid and closure so as to disable the restaurant on one of its first opening weekends.”

Hill claims nearby restaurants weren’t issued violations despite having similar conditions on their properties, according to the filing against the Village of Greenport and its mayor.

ZErdem has been open for the past two summers.

Suffolk County lawmakers, in a bipartisan initiative to boost ranks of volunteer fire and EMS departments, approved legislation this week that adds a new housing incentive.

The Suffolk County Legislature adopted a bill at its general meeting that requires any new affordable developments that receive county workforce housing money to set aside at least five units or 10% of the property's total number of apartments, whichever is less, for volunteer firefighters and EMS workers. Joe Werkmeister reports in NEWSDAY that the legislation sponsored by Legis. Dominic Thorne (R-Patchogue) grew out of a bill first proposed last November by Legis. Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station).

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said he supports the bill.

The bill requires a volunteer firefighter or EMS personnel to be in “good standing” for three years. They must also already be a member of the fire or ambulance district where the housing project is located.

Once living in a unit, the housing recipients must submit annual testimony to confirm their "good standing" in the department.

Gerard Turza Jr., chairman of the Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Commission, said he hopes the legislation can be a “springboard” for towns within Suffolk to pass similar measures aimed at prioritizing affordable housing for first responders.

More than 11,000 volunteer firefighter and EMS personnel are currently serving across Suffolk County’s 109 fire departments and 27 ambulance corps, Turza previously said.

***

At least 5,700 households on Long Island could be on the brink of homelessness if the federal government moves forward with a plan to slash federal rental assistance by $26 billion, a Newsday analysis of government data and interviews with experts shows.

President Donald Trump’s proposal would curb housing vouchers for working-age, able-bodied adults to no more than two years on the assistance.

Joshua Solomon reports in NEWSDAY that the policy change would hit Long Island hard, according to the data analysis. Nearly all of the region’s federally subsidized housing is through vouchers, a higher share relative to the rest of the state and accounting for more than 33,000 people.

Federal policy across different political administrations has shifted from funding traditional public housing complexes toward voucher-based housing.

"It’s a shortsighted change that would have tremendous negative consequences on those who are utilizing the program," said Gwen O’Shea, president and CEO of Community Development Long Island. The nonprofit distributes vouchers in Nassau and Suffolk counties, giving more than 9,000 to help house 18,000 people in its last report year.

The federal program, O’Shea said, "is probably one of the most effective homeless prevention, housing stability initiatives that we’ve ever seen" and "critical for a region like Long Island that has a limited number of rental properties."

However, in an e-mail to his 1st Congressional district constituents this week Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) wrote, "When it comes to Medicaid and the One Big Beautiful Bill, Medicaid spending will increase by 25% by 2034

The only people removed from the rolls are illegal immigrants and able-bodied adults who refuse to work, seek work, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month. Cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse keeps Medicaid strong and...

Southampton Village residents who live on several streets south of Hill Street in the western portion of the village will soon get the relief they’ve been vocally and publicly seeking from cut-through commuter traffic that invades their neighborhoods during the late afternoon westbound trade parade. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that this past Tuesday evening the Southampton Village Board unanimously approved a two-week pilot program that will run from June 30 to July 11 (excluding July 4), that will close off Ox Pasture Road east of Halsey Neck Lane, essentially creating a dead-end at Ox Pasture east of Halsey Neck, to make it less convenient for motorists to avoid Hill Street by using Ox Pasture Road. It would have the effect of alleviating congestion on the residential streets west of Halsey Neck Lane and south of 27A which are frequently used to avoid stretches of Hill Street during rush hour. The village will use a barricade system to close the road and will monitor the conditions there for the two-week period, and then, after that, decide whether to extend the program, end it or make it permanent. Closing off Ox Pasture Road east of Halsey Neck Lane was a recommendation made by the firm VHB, which has consulted with the Village of Southampton on traffic issues.

***

Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary has sparked controversy, with some officials labeling him as anti-American and antisemitic. Despite criticism, Mamdani's focus on affordability and progressive policies resonated with many NYC Democratic Party voters, though Hank Sheinkopf, a political consultant, said his socialist branding may alienate some suburban and conservative demographics. Sheinkopf added that the ripple effects of Mamdani – a democratic socialist - on Long Island may be to strengthen the Republican strongholds and drive moderate and conservative city residents to the suburbs if he becomes mayor. “People in Suffolk County hear the word socialist, they will lose their minds,” he said, adding that an “emerging population” of Central American voters on Long Island also shun socialist branding.

Shoshana Hershkowitz, founder of the activist group Suffolk Progressives, tells NEWSDAY that Mamdani's message of affordability and quality of life applies everywhere, whether urban, suburban or rural. She said she doesn't believe many of the Mamdani voters would consider themselves socialists, but rather "liked the platform." "I think that too often we get to this very like tribal red, blue, and it really is about what can government do for people to make their lives better," she said, adding that Mamdani's primary win gives her hope for Long Island.

Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party and senior aide to then-Sen. Hillary Clinton tells THE NY POST, “It’s an important moment in political history. Mamdani’s victory provides a moment for progressives and younger voters to shape the future of the Democratic Party. There is no doubt,” Smikle said.

***

Two-thirds of the nation’s traffic fatalities and one-third of injuries, according to Arizona State University’s Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, are the result of aggressive driving.

Michael O'Keeffe reports in NEWSDAY that excessive speeding, frequent lane changes, tailgating, running red lights, passing on shoulders, distracted driving, driving while impaired — aggressive driving is a broad category and...

Temperatures on Long Island hit the triple digits yesterday, with a slightly cooler, but still sweltering day, predicted for today.

Long Island MacArthur Airport hit 100 degrees at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, the first time since July 22, 2011, and only the eighth time in history since records began in 1963. It was the hottest-ever June day in Islip, according to Newsday TV meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen.

Today is the third day of the region's heat wave before relief comes with storms tonight that usher in highs tomorrow barely surpassing 70 degrees.

Heat indexes, heat combined with humidity, will go as high as 97-102 degrees for much of Nassau and Suffolk today, according to the National Weather Service's heat advisory. Some east end coastal locations will have slightly cooler heat indexes, between 95 and 100°F.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, in a news release last night, said that New Yorkers should set their air conditioning at 76 degrees.

Yesterday, the hottest of this week’s three-day heat wave, saw a recorded temperature of 100.4 degrees at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach as of 2:15 p.m., the weather service said.

According to Newsday's Von Ohlen, some of the other high temperatures Tuesday as of 2 p.m. included: Shirley at 99, Montauk at 97, Farmingdale at 97, and East Hampton at 94.

"This was a perfect, unique setup to get these temperatures," Von Ohlen said. "We did not get the sea breeze that normally cools Long Island ... which is why Montauk saw the upper 90s, which is very rare."

An air quality alert has been issued for Long Island and the metro area from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, when excess amounts of ozone are expected due to the hot weather. The air quality for Long Island Tuesday was considered to be unhealthy for sensitive groups due to the ozone.

***

Long Island schools closed early or took other measures to keep students cool yesterday, as temperatures hit triple digits in some areas of Nassau and Suffolk .

The heat wave continues today, with real-feel temperatures around 100 degrees predicted for most parts of Long Island.

Some schools had already scheduled half-days for the rest of the week — the final week of the school term.

Maura McDermott reports in NEWSDAY that many classrooms in schools across Long Island lack air conditioning. A heat wave "definitely impacts the work environment and the learning environment" in those classrooms, said Robert Vecchio, executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. But, he said, "Schools have always had plans for hot days in June and hot days in September," including the use of misting fans and moving classes to cooler parts of the building.

A new law that takes effect Sept. 1 will require public schools to take action when classroom temperatures climb too high.

The law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December, mandates that schools take steps such as using fans and pulling down blinds when interior temperatures hit 82 degrees. When room temperatures reach 88 degrees, schools would need to move students and staff to a cooler space or send students home, under the law.

However, Vecchio said the state law also "presents new challenges," especially in areas that are lower-income or have smaller tax bases.

Adding air conditioning "can be very expensive and very complicated due to the size and age of buildings," he said. Without voter approval for massive investments in cooling systems, he said, in some schools the mandate "can lead to...

President Donald Trump’s weekend order for a U.S. military strike on Iran sparked debate on Capitol Hill yesterday over the legality of the operation conducted without prior congressional approval. Laura Figueroa Hernandez reports in NEWSDAY that Suffolk County’s two House Republicans — Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota — defended Trump green-lighting Saturday's bombardment of three nuclear-enrichment sites in Iran, arguing he acted within his authority as commander in chief. Congressional Democrats expressed support for U.S. ally Israel and for preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but argued Congress should have been notified before the United States launched a potentially war-inducing mission. Congressman LaLota (R-Amityville) in a statement to Newsday said Trump’s order was “necessary and lawful” and reflected “a broader pattern of U.S. presidents using military force in the Middle East without first securing congressional authorization.”

“Like his three immediate predecessors, President Trump exercised his constitutional war powers for limited, high-impact operations,” said LaLota, who represents the east end and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), following retaliatory strikes from Iran aimed at a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday, said he requested a classified briefing from the Trump administration and demanded administration officials “lay out exactly what measures they’re taking — right now — to keep our servicemembers safe.”

“The law requires the Trump administration to consult with Congress,” Schumer said in a statement. "The Constitution demands it. And the American people — especially the families of those in harm’s way — deserve nothing less.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on the Trump administration to “fully explain to the American people the rationale for this military action and a strategy to avoid being mired in another Middle Eastern war.”

“No further military actions should be allowed without proper congressional approval,” Gillibrand said. “Avoiding further escalation is essential to the peace and security of Israel, the U.S., and our partners in the region. I urge the president and Iran to pursue a diplomatic resolution to this conflict.”

***

Parishioners came pouring out of St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead Sunday evening after the weekly Spanish-language mass. The sanctuary was packed — as it is every Sunday evening — with a standing room-only crowd. Those who exited by the front doors plucked a rose from the floral arch that graced the walkway there, and greeted friends and neighbors, as usual. Then, they did something very unusual. They picked up signs they’d placed alongside the rectory building before mass and assembled on St. John’s Place for a walk and rally to support immigrants. Outside the church, they were joined by other community members in solidarity with the cause. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that carrying signs and small American flags, a crowd of about 275 people lined up behind two women carrying a very large American flag. Jessica Ruiz, director of St. John’s social parish ministry and food pantry, led the crowd in a popular chant as the march stepped off: “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido… El pueblo unido jamás será vencido…” (“The people, united, will never be defeated.”)

The marchers continued chanting as they walked around the large downtown block between St.

The NYS Department of Education has denied the Massapequa school district’s request for an extension to comply with a ban on Native American mascots, names and imagery, citing a lack of “good cause” effort, state officials said in a letter Friday.

“The District’s extension request reveals that nothing whatsoever has been done to eliminate the use of its 'Chiefs' name, logo or mascot,” state officials wrote in a letter to the district. “Indeed, at times, the Massapequa School District has suggested that it has no intention of complying with these regulations."

Darwin Yanes reports in NEWSDAY that the state cited as an example a recent fundraiser held at Massapequa High School that raised $10,000 for the district’s legal fight against the mascot ban. In an emailed statement Friday, the Massapequa school board said the "ban on Native American names and imagery is blatantly discriminatory and a clear violation of civil rights. We remain confident that we will prevail in federal court and see this unconstitutional regulation struck down.”

The state Board of Regents in 2023 banned the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools and had set a deadline of June 30, 2025, to comply. The mandate affected 13 districts on Long Island, most of which have taken steps to comply with the regulation.

The Massapequa, Wyandanch, Wantagh and Connetquot districts had challenged the mandate in federal court, seeking to either keep their names or nullify the state regulation. A federal judge ruled against the districts in March.

The Wantagh, Wyandanch and Connetquot districts filed appeals. The Massapequa district, whose mascot is a Native American in a headdress, has filed an amended complaint.

***

A Virginia woman was arraigned Saturday in connection with the hit-and-run of a prominent real estate agent who was found lying in the road early Thursday morning in Hampton Bays.

Arielle Dollinger and John Asbury report in NEWSDAY that Amanda Kempton, 32, was arrested by Southampton Town police Friday in the death of Sara Burack, 40, of Southampton. Police said Kempton was charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident in which a fatality occurred, which is a felony.

Kempton's attorney, William Keahon, of Hauppauge, said outside Southampton Town Justice Court on Saturday that it was "very foggy" early Thursday morning, when Burack was struck on Montauk Highway.

Keahon said surveillance video showed Kempton driving on the highway when Burack appeared in the roadway holding a suitcase at 2:45 a.m. He said his client was in the righthand lane and not speeding or weaving.

He said Kempton told detectives that "she thought she hit a construction cone."

Keahon said he did not know the source of the video, which was shown to him by the assistant district attorney.

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office spokesperson Tania Lopez declined to comment Saturday.

Keahon said there were no illegal substances found in his client's car and that the accident did not involve alcohol.

Kempton was arraigned Saturday morning and released on $200,000 bond, Keahon confirmed.

According to Keahon, Kempton attended George Mason University in Virginia and has a background in marine biology. “She’s going to fight very hard with me on this case,” Keahon said. “I believe she’s innocent.”

Police have said that a 911 caller reported an injured woman seen on Montauk Highway around 2:45 a.m. Thursday near Villa Paul Restaurant, west of Springville Road.

Burack was taken by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she died from her injuries Thursday afternoon, police said.

***

Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger defeated challenger Ed Simioni to win reelection on Friday night. Manger received a total of 622 votes, while Simioni, who ran against Manger halfway...

Cash reserves held by Long Island school districts climbed to nearly $3.64 billion during the 2024-25 academic year — up 12% from last year, Newsday found in a review of state financial records.

About a fifth of those reserves, or $785 million, were "unrestricted" funds — that is, money that can be spent at districts’ discretion. New York State law bars districts from stockpiling this money beyond an amount equivalent to 4% of their annual operating budgets.

Newsday found that 19 Long Island school districts had accumulated unrestricted cash surpluses above the state’s legal limit — the same number as last year.

There are no penalties for violations of the law regarding unrestricted cash reserves.

John Hildebrand and Michael R. Ebert report in NEWSDAY that districts’ cash surpluses are a hot-button issue in this region, where taxpayer advocates contend that such money should be applied to tax reductions rather than sitting in banks. School taxation in the region accounts for more than 60% of homeowners’ property-tax bills, which rank among the nation's highest.

School officials insist, on the other hand, that these funds serve as an essential hedge against inflationary cost increases, economic downturns or potential losses of federal and state school aid.

The prospect of losing state aid is a key concern this year for both state and local school officials, as negotiations now underway in the U.S. Congress could lead to cuts in funding for Medicaid. Costs of that health program are shared by federal, state and local authorities, raising the possibility that any cuts on the federal level would have to be made up by New York State. That could then mean less money available for state financial assistance to schools.

***

Southampton Town police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who police said struck and killed a prominent real estate agent who was found lying in the road early yesterday in Hampton Bays.

John Asbury reports in NEWSDAY that police said Sara Burack, 40, of Southampton, was struck by an unknown vehicle that sped away from the crash, which occurred before 2:45 a.m. Thursday on Montauk Highway. Police said Burack died from her injuries Thursday afternoon.

Burack was a former real estate agent for Nest Seekers International, a Hamptons and New York City-based real estate agency of high-end properties. She was also featured in the Netflix series "Million Dollar Beach House," set in the Hamptons.

A 911 caller reported an injured woman seen on Montauk Highway at about 2:45 a.m. yesterday near Villa Paul Restaurant, west of Springville Road in Hampton Bays.

Police said Burack was transported by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital.

Detectives and a New York State Police accident reconstruction unit were investigating the crash.

Police did not provide a description of the driver or the vehicle.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 631-702-2230 or 631-728-3400.

Burack left Nest Seekers more than a year ago but stayed in close contact with former colleagues and friends, said Geoff Gifkins, the Hamptons regional manager for Nest Seekers.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends," Gifkins said in a message. "Please be kind and respectful as this is a tremendous loss to her parents and close friends."

***

Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton invites you to their GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION tomorrow afternoon from 2pm to 4pm…with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:30pm on Saturday.

RML promises food, fun, and festivities for all ages. Plus, a door prize and giveaways.

Explore the NEW BOOKMARK CAFÉ – Study rooms – Tech Lab – Teen Space – updated family room – and more.

That’s tomorrow from 2pm to 4pm at the Rogers Memorial Library, 91 Coopers Road in Southampton Village.

***

The Shinnecock...

Southampton Village Police are warning residents and visitors that there will be increased police presence and possible traffic tie-ups over the weekend ahead of the anticipated “Billionaires Lane Shutdown” protest tomorrow.

As reported on 27east.com, Southampton Village Police said that travel delays, temporary road closures and parking restrictions can be expected throughout the day on Saturday as more than 300 protesters have said they plan to flood into the village and block access on Meadow Lane, the posh oceanfront roadway home to a number of ultra-rich summer residents.

The protestors plan to gather at Coopers Beach in the early afternoon and march down the roadway from there to the home of the late David Koch, owner of Koch industries and a major Republican Party donor, and back.

Tomorrow’s protest march is expected to last about two hours, from 2 to 4 p.m., but the convergence and departure of the protestors can be expected to cause traffic congestion over a longer period.

Southampton Village Police Captain Christopher Wetter said, “The safety and security of our residents, visitors and local businesses remain our top priority. As such, community members can expect an increased police presence throughout the village to help ensure a safe and orderly environment…All motorists and pedestrians are urged to follow the directions of law enforcement personnel, remain alert to closures and exercise caution due to the anticipated increase in traffic.”

***

Protesters on Long Island and across the country will take to the streets Saturday in “No Kings” rallies nationwide to coincide with a military parade commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary that falls on Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. June 14 is also Flag Day.

“No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance,” according to organizers. “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like.”

Regarding tomorrow’s demonstrations, Suffolk County Police Commissioner, Kevin Catalina stated, "We’re in contact with our partners in LA and around the country to share intelligence of the tactics that have been used, and we are abreast of what is happening throughout the country…"As a result of that, we will be prepared for this weekend. We expect everyone to obey the laws. We respect people’s right to protest peacefully and lawfully. We’ll have our officers enforcing all laws and we’ll be ready for protests."

No Kings events on the east end tomorrow include:

East Hampton

East Hampton Town Hall grounds

97 Main Street, East Hampton

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Southampton

Coopers Beach

2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hampton Bays

Macy's

190 W. Montauk Highway

10:30 a.m. to noon

Sag Harbor

11 a.m. to 12 noon at Steinbeck Park.

Riverhead

The Riverhead No Kings rally, organized by the Riverhead and Southampton Democratic Committees, will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in front of the Suffolk County Supreme Court at One Court Street, Orient 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“We will be gathering in Orient Village to march around the block to make fun of the wannabe king on his birthday! Bring signs and noisemakers and wear costumes: ridicule him to the best of your ability!”

***

The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, in partnership with the Long Island Housing Coalition and community partners, will host an East End Community Housing Summit tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 551 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton

Saturday's event will focus on housing challenges and solutions across the East End. Community members are invited to engage in critical discussions, share their experiences, and learn about ongoing housing initiatives. Experts will be...