Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Town of Riverhead public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
50 topics in public safety
Partisanship in town government / highway storm structures
Veterans Day remembrance
Town responsiveness / FOIL / committee member status
ICE enforcement impact in Riverhead
Immigration enforcement safeguards
Immigration and board inclusivity
Highway Department Treatment / Town Conduct
Ethics Dispute with Councilwoman Waski
Police Detention / Immigration Procedures
Horton Avenue/Reeves Avenue Traffic Safety
ICE Incident on Labor Day
ICE Procedures and Custody Rules
Community Unity and OLA
Civilian Public Safety Model
Civil Liberties and OLA
Proposed OLA Local Law
Town Clerk Withholding Letters
Support for Councilmember Waski
Response to Waski Post
Immigration Enforcement and Children's Health
ICE Activity and OLA
Councilmember Waski Social Media Post
OLA Public Discussion
Resolution 860 - Police Technology Grant
Supervisor Candidacy and OLA
FOIL Redactions
Summerwind Farm stop-work order
Helicopter noise
Ambulance district billing
Community safety committee
OLA / FOIL compliance
Community representation
Highway department complaint
ICE sightings in Riverhead
OLA public safety law
Habeas corpus and ICE
Police immigration policy 414
Board oath and OLA law
OLA meeting with Supervisor (follow-up)
ICE activity in Riverhead
ICE enforcement and town committees
Immigration history and settlement transparency
Police immigration policy 414 (follow-up)
Brother Bear opposition
Immigration Representation
Town Employee Conduct
RVAC Ambulance Barn
OLA Public Safety Law Policies
Memorial vigil
ICE enforcement / OLA
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Town of Riverhead from local and regional media.
Riverhead Town Board roundup: Rothwell congratulates Halpin on supervisor win
Councilman Ken Rothwell officially conceded the supervisor race to his opponent Jerry Halpin at the first town board meeting post-Election Day, respectfully congratulating him on securing the full two-year term. With all 22 election districts report...
Nov 9, 2026Photo gallery: Riverhead smashes pumpkins, farmers market opens at Hallockville
Riverhead residents traded carving knives for a chance to smash their Halloween pumpkins Saturday, as the town held its first pumpkin smash to promote composting and reduce the amount of waste sent out for disposal. The event took place at the town’s...
Nov 9, 2026Letters to the Editor: Still time to reconsider
Riverhead Still time to reconsider I was opposed to the destruction of the Riverhead Science Center by the Town Board’s use of eminent domain, but was pleased when, on Oct. 6, it adopted a resolution issuing a request for proposals to use the space a...
Nov 7, 2026Riverhead honors former slave Brister Youngs with historic marker at Aquebogue Cemetery
A former slave buried at the second-oldest cemetery in Riverhead is getting his recognition as a critical piece of the town’s Black history. Riverhead Town’s Landmarks Preservation Commission on Thursday placed a historic marker right at the entrance...
Nov 6, 2026Election Results: Halpin Keeps Riverhead Supervisor Seat, as Regional Democrats Have a Good Night
Election Results: Halpin Keeps Riverhead Supervisor Seat, as Regional Democrats Have a Good Night East End Beacon
Nov 4, 2026LaLota, Giglio survive blue tsunami; Palumbo on brink of defeat
A blue wave swept Democrats into control of the U.S. House and Senate — and led to a likely upset in one local Albany race — though Republican incumbents Nick LaLota and Jodi Giglio managed to avoid the tide of displeasure with the Trump administrati...
Nov 4, 2026Halpin defeats Rothwell, secures two-year term as Riverhead Town Supervisor
Riverhead has spoken. It wants two more years of Jerry Halpin. Mr. Halpin, an independent running on the Democratic and Taxpayers First lines, declared victory over Republican rival Ken Rothwell in the race for Riverhead town supervisor just after 11...
Nov 4, 2026Get out and vote; Election Day polls close at 9 p.m.
Cast those ballots; Election Day is here. Voters must use their assigned Election Day polling place, which may differ from their early voting location. Check your registration and polling place through the state’s voter lookup. Polls are open from 6 ...
Nov 3, 2026Election Day 2026: Riverhead voters cast their ballots as 9 p.m. deadline looms
Riverhead voters headed to the polls Tuesday to choose their next town supervisor and representatives in Albany and Washington, with voting continuing until 9 p.m. Supervisor Jerry Halpin is seeking a full, two-year term against Republican Councilman...
Nov 3, 2026Compost leftover pumpkins at Riverhead’s first-ever Pumpkin Smash event on Saturday, Nov. 7
We did the Monster Mash, now it’s time for the Pumpkin Smash. As the fun of Halloween fades, so does the magic of those now rotting jack o’lanterns on the front stoop. Instead of throwing those leftover pumpkins in the trash, bring them to Riverhea...
Nov 3, 2026Editorial: Our choices for Election Day
There are plenty of familiar faces on this year’s ballot. They’ve heard what East End residents are asking for: homes that year-round families can afford, clean drinking water, responsible development and taxes that leave enough to keep living here. ...
Oct 31, 2026Riverhead Charter School’s five-year renewal bid draws strong opposition
Riverhead Charter School’s bid for another five-year term met strong opposition at a packed public hearing Wednesday night. Educators, parents and elected officials crowded into Riverhead Middle School to question the charter school’s financial impac...
Oct 30, 2026