🌱 Westhampton-Hampton Bays Daily: Library Honor + Thanking Chief

It's a chilly day in Westhampton Beach and Hampton Bays but that hasn't stopped the swell of hometown pride after our local library got a prestigious nod. It's that love for community that carried a local family through a devastating loss — in the darkest of times, neighbors lift one another up. Thank you, to a longtime fire chief for his service. And, of course, the battle continues against COVID-19. But no matter what's happening in the world, Westhampton Beach is always the most gorgeous place to be — see the priciest home sales here. Here's a look at what's happening around the East End today.

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First, today's weather:

Warmer with rain and drizzle. High: 51 Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories in Westhampton-Hampton Bays today:

1. Priciest home sales in Westhampton Beach (Long Island Business News)
2. Despite Pandemic, Westhampton Free Library Honored For 11th Time (Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch)
3. Suffolk County Government: Coronavirus Case Update For January 2 (Press Release Desk)
4. Community Comes Together To Help Local Family After Loss (Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch)
5. Robert B. Busking Of Westhampton Beach Dies January 1 - 27 East (27east.com)

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Today in Westhampton-Hampton Bays:

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From my notebook:

• Hampton Bays Firemen: "(1/3/2021) The Hampton Bays Fire Dept. Board of Fire Commissioners had their annual swearing in ceremony for the new chiefs for 2022. Taking the lead is Chief James Kappers with the support of 1st Asst. Rick Nydegger, 2nd Asst. Don Downs..." (Facebook)
• Westhampton Beach School District: "Members of the Westhampton Beach High School Virtual Enterprise team had the opportunity to engage with fellow Virtual Enterprise teams from 21 school districts across Long Island at a networking event on Dec. 21. During the event, spear..." (Facebook)
• Hampton Bays Firemen: "On behalf of the Chiefs, officers, and members of the Hampton bays Fire department, we would like to thank Chris Hansen for his last eight years serving as a chief, and mostly, for the last two years as the chief of the department. Thank..." (Facebook)
• Hampton Bays Public Schools: "For those picking up the At-Home Rapid COVID-19 test this week for your HB Schools student, please register below. Tests can be picked up at District Office (in the high school parking lot). Please wear a mask when entering the building...." (Facebook)
• Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI): "Join us this Saturday, January 8, for the first Volunteer day of 2022. We will be stratifying seeds. Long Island native species require exposure to low temperatures around 40 degrees for about 3 months, to simulate how seeds would natura..." (Facebook)
• Westhampton Free Library: "Prepare for Kindergarten by reading exciting picture books and participating in activities that review phonemic awareness, letter recognition, motor skills, pre-handwriting, and more! This month's activity is learning how to choose books..." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. Talk to you tomorrow!

— Lisa Finn

About me: I'm a journalist whose passion is telling the stories of people's lives on the East End. I have a deep love of literature, theater, and the beach. A mother first, I have one son, Billy, who lives in Los Angeles. As a parent, I know firsthand that our voices need to be heard, when it comes to the issues that shape our children's futures. An active volunteer who works to help the homeless and disenfranchised, I find great peace in giving back, and joy in the everyday miracles that happen more often than we even see. Please feel free to always send an email, and to comment on the stories you see here. This is your site — this is a place for your voice to be heard. I can't wait to meet you all.