Week in Review: Heat Hits Crops, Ex-Chief Dies

Here's a look at the top headlines of the week on the North Fork.

Missing Ridge Man Found Unharmed

Police had issued a Silver Alert Thursday night, asking the public's help in finding a 71-year-old Ridge man with schizophrenia, and in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, who was last seen boarding a bus on its way to Riverhead. He was found about 24 hours later.

Woman Sexually Assaulted in Downtown Greenport

A woman on her way home was forced from a downtown Greenport parking lot to a nearby dead-end road and sexually assaulted on Wednesday night, according to Southold police.

Sun Shines on Jamesport Fire Department Parade

Thousands showed up to Main Road in Jamesport on Wednesday evening, a perfect night for a local parade. Held on the second day of the Jamesport Fire Department carnival – which runs through Saturday – the parade was led by Grand Marshal Andrew Mitchell of PBMC Health, and emceed by Town Assessor and JFD member Mason Haas.

Local Celeb Lends Hand To Maureen's Haven

One of the East End's most well-known local celebrities will be reaching out to help those less fortunate.

Television star Susan Lucci and her son, Andreas Huber, a reality TV name and golfer, will serve as honorary chairs of the Maureen's Haven annual Lobster Bash fundraiser, to be held on August 22 at Dockers Waterside in East Quogue.

Former Police Chief Joe Sawicki, Sr. Dies at 84

Joseph H. Sawicki, Sr., a life-long resident of Southold, died on July 6, 2013 at San Simeon Nursing Home in Greenport. He was 84 years old. 

He was born on November 8, 1928 in Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport to Leon and Cecelia (nee Pendzick) Sawicki. He attended Southold High School and then served with the Southold Town Police Department for thirty years; starting as a Police Officer, and rising through the ranks to Detective Sergeant and Chief of Department. 

Endangered Turtle Rescued Off Orient Point

A tangled turtle off of Orient Point was set free by Department of Environmental Conservation officers over the Fourth of July weekend.
According to the DEC, the leatherback sea turtle – classified as an endangered species by the federal government – was ensnared in a lobster buoy about two miles off of the point, in the waters of Plum Gut, when two ECOs stumbled upon it on Saturday.

Crowds Turn Out for 'Dances In the Park'

Hundreds of people, young and old, packed Mitchell Park in Greenport Monday night for a popular free concert series that many consider one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer.

After June Rain, Hot Spell Has Farmers Reaching for Hoses

Last month, Mother Nature rained on Long Island. This month – so far, at least – she has dried it up.

After record-setting rainfall in the first half of June, temps have soared well into the 90s in July, with little rain falling so far: actually, 0.21 inches to be exact, according to officials at the National Weather Service.