🌱 Westhampton-Hampton Bays Daily: LIRR Derailment Indictment + Hikes

Happy Monday, Westhampton-Hampton Bays!

The top story today involves the indictment of a former Long Island Rail Road employee accused of falsifying an inspection report before a 2019 derailment in Speonk that brought service to a halt before Memorial Day weekend. He pleaded not guilty to the single charge of making a false entry in a railroad inspection report, officials said.

Also, here's a list of some great hikes if you want to get out and enjoy the area's natural beauty.

Until tomorrow. . . .

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First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 56 Low: 43.

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

1. 10 Long Island hiking trails to try this season on Long Island: The Long Island Pine Barrens Trail is included on the list. (Newsday)
2. Ex-LIRR Worker Indicted On Charge Of Falsifying Report Pre-Derailment: A former Long Island Rail Road employee who was accused of falsifying an inspection report before a 2019 derailment in Speonk that brought service to a screeching halt on Memorial Day weekend has been indicted — and pleaded not guilty, federal officials said. Signalman Stuart Conklin, 64, formerly of Ronkonkoma and now of Magnolia, Texas, was indicted on one charge of making a false entry in a railroad inspection report required to be maintained by LIRR under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, John Marzulli of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, told Patch. (Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch)
3. Car Catches Fire After Intoxicated Driver Crashes Into Tree: Police: A Sag Harbor man was arrested early Sunday and charged with driving while intoxicated after a crash into a tree caused his vehicle to catch fire, police said. According to Southampton Town police, at 1:10 a.m., a report came in about a car fire at Old Sag Harbor Road and Millstone Road in Bridgehampton.
(Patch)
4. Wow House: $1.7M Westhampton Stunner With Wraparound Porch, Wine Bar: Here's a home on the market that offers offers the ultimate in indisputable quality and detail.(Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch)

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Today in Westhampton-Hampton Bays:

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From my notebook:

• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hampton Bays: "Hi there! We're looking for a nanny for this summer for Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m. Our older one will be in camp, so it will really just be our youngest (6 months). Any recommendations or leads would be awesome!" (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Lisa Finn

About me: I'm a journalist whose passion is telling the stories of people's lives. This is your site — this is a place for your voice to be heard. I can't wait to hear from you all.