Community Corner

šŸŒ± Patch AM: How will ending Regents requirements change graduation for Riverhead students?

Make time for Surf Movie Night 2026 on the Riverhead Patch calendar

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Friday September 18th Patch AM
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Good morning Riverhead! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will ending Regents requirements change graduation for Riverhead students?
  • How a Riverhead pig roast will support neighbors facing homelessness
  • What changes are coming to Wading River's long-troubled Duck Ponds?

Also on today's calendar: Surf Movie Night 2026 and 11 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and not as warm, temps: high: 68, low: 51.
  • Sunday: Cloudy with afternoon rain, with a high of 68 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New York moves to end Regents exams as graduation gatekeeper beginning in 2028 (riverheadlocal.com) — Riverhead families should prepare for big changes as New York plans to drop Regents exams as a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2028, shifting more responsibility to local districts. Riverhead's school board, which already reduced Regents weight in course grades, will now need to decide how students will prove readiness for a diploma while tackling graduation rates, absenteeism and lagging math performance.
   

2. Riverhead-Potunk Lodge Fires Up Annual Fundraiser (southshorepress.com) — Riverhead and Potunk Masonic lodges are teaming up for an Oct. 3 pig roast and chicken barbecue from 2 to 6 p.m., with proceeds supporting Riverhead-based Maureen's Haven Homeless Outreach. Locals can enjoy a family-friendly meal, raffles, and community fellowship while helping fund hot dinners and services for neighbors experiencing homelessness across the region.
   

3. Wading River Duck Ponds restoration moves into engineering phase (riverheadlocal.com) — Riverhead residents will see long-awaited progress at the Wading River Duck Ponds after the Town Board approved $40,000 toward an engineering assessment shared with Brookhaven. The study will map drainage fixes, dredging, bulkhead work and beautification, while officials pursue county and federal grants that could transform this historic downtown park and improve water quality along North Country Road within Riverhead's jurisdiction.
   

4. The Explosive Sound of The Smithereens Hits The Suffolk in Riverhead (danspapers.com) — A beloved rock band, The Smithereens, is headed back to The Suffolk Theater in Riverhead on September 25, with Marshall Crenshaw joining on lead vocals. Guitarist Jim Babjak shares why the group loves playing Riverhead, what fans can expect from the show, and how he's balancing touring, new music, and life after personal loss.
   

5. 20 Signs You're From Long Island (society19.com) — Long Island pride gets a playful spotlight in this list of 20 signs you're truly from the Island, from pronouncing tricky town names to insisting on local pizza and bagels. Riverhead readers will especially recognize the shout-out to the Tanger outlets as the go-to spot for back-to-school shopping and weekend trips out east.
   

📸 Around Riverhead

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Public & Private Sound Journeys in the Loft at Eastern Sun Holistic Health
    PUBLIC GROUPS: FRIDAYS 7pm        PRIVATES BY APPOINTMENTHave you heard about the improved sleep and deep nervous system and muscular relaxation... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • JCPenney posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager - Tanger Outlets Riverhead in Riverhead. Apply here.
  • Popeyes posted a job opening for Popeyes Team Member - Riverhead, NY in Riverhead. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Riverhead here.

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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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