Long Island officials use a number of tools to discuss potential terror threats. Long Island's proximity to New York City makes it an attractive target for a variety of attacks by more organized groups, or a lone-wolf attacker, authorities said. Nicole Fuller reports in NEWSDAY that a slew of upcoming high-profile events, such as the U.S.A. semiquincentennial, the FIFA World Cup and the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton are capturing the attention of local law enforcement. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said the department's connection with the NYPD — and its vast counterterrorism efforts — as well as its involvement in organizations like the Major Cities Chiefs Association are key to helping protect Suffolk residents.

Catalina, a 27-year veteran of the NYPD who became Suffolk police commissioner in 2025, said he's bolstered security at large-scale events in the county since becoming Suffolk's top cop. Some of the enhancements have included officers on roofs toting long guns, garbage and fire trucks along the perimeter to protect foot traffic and metal barriers, as well as more covert things the public may not see, such as cameras and undercover officers in crowds.

A counter-drone program is on Suffolk's wish list.

"Drones scare me," Catalina said. "We see what's happening in the Middle East. We see what's happening in Ukraine and Russia, as far as weaponizing drones. So that's something that we want to be able to have the autonomy to stop on our own."

Catalina also brought on an NYPD leader in counterterrorism last year. Suffolk’s Deputy Police Commissioner Thomas Galati, a 39-year veteran of the NYPD, retired as the chief of intelligence and counterterrorism where he oversaw the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Intelligence Division and the Counterterrorism Division.

***

Curriculum changes, teacher training and extra-help sessions have aided multiple East End school districts in raising English language arts assessment test scores. Desirée Keegan reports on 27East.com that four New York school districts saw proficiency levels increase more than 20 percentage points during the 2024-25 school year, according to state data, with the Remsenburg-Speonk School District seeing the biggest rise — a 31 percent jump from the previous year to 73 percent. The test is graded on a 1-4 scale, with a 3 or higher indicating proficiency. “It’s exciting because we invested time and resources, and the teachers really put their best feet forward to make sure they were addressing the things that students really needed to know in order to be successful,” Remsenburg-Speonk Superintendent Denise Sullivan said. This included teaching students how to type and utilize computer tools, like the highlighter, that could assist in test taking. Educators also looked at assessment vocabulary to see if there were words that could be causing students confusion and implemented test-taking strategies to work on fatigue.

Similar strategies were implemented in the East Quogue School District, which saw a 17-percent increase in ELA proficiency, to 67 percent. The district implemented new ELA curriculum, with The American Reading Company, which the superintendent said strengthened literacy instruction across all grade levels. To further support students, East Quogue expanded academic intervention services and introduced an after-school academy for both ELA and math, funded through a grant from Paddlers for Humanity.

Westhampton Beach and Tuckahoe School districts’ ELA test results also rose 12 percent, to be 65 and 57 percent proficient, respectively.

Sag Harbor results increased 8 percent to reach a 69 percent proficiency level, Southampton rose 8 percent to be 45 percent proficient and Montauk increased 6 percent to reach a 68 percent proficiency level.

***

The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons is now accepting applications for scholarship grants through its Karish Education Fund, supporting students pursuing studies in horticulture and related fields.

Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, college students and individuals enrolled in professional certification programs in disciplines such as agriculture, botany, landscape architecture, garden design and environmental science. Applications are due by Earth Day, April 22.

The fund honors Paul Karish, a founding member of the organization and noted horticulturalist, who established the endowment through a 1991 bequest. Additional contributions from members have helped expand the program over the years.

Since 2001, the fund has awarded more than $70,000 in scholarships, with 47 individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 distributed to students pursuing careers in plant science and environmental fields.

Application details and submission instructions are available on the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons website.

***

A week after the supervisor raised questions about whether Riverhead's Alive on 25 is a worthwhile investment, the popular summer street festival seems poised for approval, with a majority of Riverhead Town Board members in support of continuing it.

“Absolutely yes, there will be an Alive on 25,” Council Member Ken Rothwell told Denise Civiletti of Riverheadlocal this past Saturday, adding that he expects the board to move quickly because whoever is hired to organize the event will need time to secure a date, vendors and logistics.

Rothwell said he expects the matter to be formalized soon, likely at the board’s April 21 meeting.

The council member said he expects the event will probably be held late July or August because of U.S. semiquincentennial celebrations scheduled for early summer. And on a Thursday rather than a Friday, reflecting comments from some downtown businesses that Thursday is a slower day and therefore a better target for an event meant to increase foot traffic.

The question of whether the event would return surfaced at the board’s March 26 work session, when new Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin raised concerns about costs, police staffing and whether downtown businesses still support the event.

Costs do remain part of the conversation.

Rothwell said the latest estimate he has heard for police costs alone was about $17,000, with additional expenses associated with highway crews, building and grounds staff, barricades, setup and cleanup.

But he dismissed the idea that those costs justify dropping the event.

“I don’t want to lose the community events,” he said. “I think they’re great for the businesses. I think we’re obligated to help the downtown businesses,” and the cost of the event is “very miniscule” compared to other things.

As for now, Riverhead’s Alive on 25 event remains without a formal vote, an approved organizer or a confirmed date.

***

Long Island’s oyster and kelp farmers, reeling after a brutal winter, could get a lifeline in low-interest emergency loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced yesterday that the state was requesting a disaster declaration for Suffolk County that would make farmers eligible for loans covering damage to aquaculture gear, vessels and farm infrastructure. Nicholas Spangler reports in NEWSDAY that emergency loans through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency are used to replace essential property, cover production costs and pay essential family living expenses. The loans cover up to 100% of losses and are capped at $500,000. Rates are typically lower than conventional rates.

"With freezing temperatures that lasted for several weeks, the Long Island coast saw ice conditions like they haven’t experienced in years, leading to a halt in operations and damage to equipment that will cost the aquaculture industry millions of dollars," Hochul said in a news release announcing the disaster declaration request. "I urge the USDA to take swift action to declare Suffolk County a disaster area and help our growers get the assistance they need to recover and move forward."

A survey this winter by an industry group, Long Island Oyster Growers Association, found that the industry as a whole on Long Island lost about a third of its crop — millions of oysters — and faced about a $2.4 million bill for gear replacement. The group has more than 50 members.

Eric Koepele, a partner in the oyster farm, North Fork Big Oyster, and the industry group’s president, said that many member farmers carry crop insurance and so they avoid a total loss. But Long Island’s aquaculture farms are almost all small, family-run outfits without easy access to capital, he said.

"After a winter like this, it’s going to be a scramble to repair equipment and seed purchases are coming in next month," he said. "Just like any farm economics, you’re got to reserve money from harvest for seed."

Plans are moving ahead for the Suffolk County Oyster Jamboree and the Oyster Bay Oyster Fest, in August and October, respectively, he said. Demand for Long Island oysters could increase this year because an oyster disease called MSX is limiting supply from Canada, Koepele said.

A representative for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Denis Slattery, said that state officials were also gathering information to support a potential fishery disaster declaration request that could result in additional federal assistance.

***

The Town of Southold is holding a presentation on “Understanding Subdivisions & Land Preservation in Southold Town” hosted by the North Fork Civics this coming Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Park in Mattitu...