Hello again Riverhead! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight Group Sound Journey at Eastern Sun Holistic Health and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Who's in favor of bringing back Roman Numerals? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Search On For Thief Who Stole More Than $1.5K In Nike Merchandise: Police (patch.com) — Riverhead police and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are asking for the public's help identifying a man who stole about $1,580 in Nike clothing and sneakers from the Nike store at Tanger Outlets on West Main Street. The August 16 theft remains under investigation, and authorities are offering a cash reward for anonymous tips submitted by phone, app, or online that lead to an arrest.
2. Riverhead police report: July 2026 incidents, arrests rise (riverheadlocal.com) — Riverhead residents are seeing a notable rise in crime and police activity, with July criminal incidents up 26% and domestic incidents jumping about 57% from last year. Arrests, arraignments and DUI offenses all increased, while summonses dipped slightly. The report, presented to the Town Board, also notes two motor vehicle fatalities so far this year.
3. Riverhead's 2025 audit: General fund balance hits $33.3M (riverheadlocal.com) — Riverhead's 2025 audit shows the town's general fund balance climbing to $33.3 million, giving officials a sizable cushion as they prepare the 2027 budget and future tax decisions. Revenues, especially from property taxes, outpaced spending, while some funds still carry deficits and long‑term retiree benefit obligations remain high. Residents can expect more discussion as Supervisor Halpin unveils his new budget.
4. Riverhead audit flags failures handling $3.57M EPA grant (riverheadlocal.com) — Riverhead's 2025 audit found the town failed to properly record and oversee a $3.57 million EPA grant used to extend public water to contaminated Manorville homes, understating federal revenue and expenses by the same amount. Auditors flagged three material weaknesses in accounting and grant oversight, prompting new written procedures and corrective plans from town staff. Supervisor Jerry Halpin says he's confident the issues are being addressed, though the findings have yet to be publicly discussed by the Town Board.
5. Halpin's Riverhead budget would end four-year streak of tax cap overrides (timesreview.com) — Riverhead's tentative 2027 town budget would stay under New York's 2% tax cap for the first time in four years, while still nudging the townwide property tax rate up about 2.27%. Supervisor Jerry Halpin's plan trims overall spending slightly, leans on retirement‑incentive savings, and adds targeted staff and merit raises to improve employee retention. The Town Board will now review and can revise the proposal before November hearings.
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Ok Riverhead! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I for 1. (Thank you Bill L. for sending it in!)
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