East End Notebook: Dog Shop Owner Responds to Protestors

EAST HAMPTON

Rumors that the FBI was investigating demonstrations at the East Hampton Airport have not been substantiated, but federal authorities were brought in to investigate a recent threat.

Jim Brundige, the airport manager, said on Wednesday that a few weeks ago he reported receiving a message on the airport complaint hotline from a resident of Southampton Town who threatened to shoot down helicopters and shine laser beams at the pilots, which is a federal offense.

The caller, a man, went onto leave his name, address, and telephone number.

SOUTHAMPTON

 Almost two years after receiving federal recognition, the Indian tribe's aspirations of opening a gaming facility are still up on the air, Newsday reports.

NORTH FORK

Tropical storms might delay  latest adventure in fitness — but less-than-ideal weather conditions certainly won’t stop him from kayaking around Long Island starting this week. L'HommeDieu, a Riverhead-based wellness coach and physical therapist known more familiarly as “Dr. Russ,” has been training since early spring to tackle the 275-miles of shoreline, beginning and ending at Montauk Point. The 45-year-old is taking the trip to celebrate 10 years of maintaining a dramatic weight loss — he once weighed more than 400 pounds — and to raise money for diabetes research.

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS

Standing before 260 residents on Wednesday night, Michael Dunn, president of the new organization, laid out his new group's mission —by ridding the area of illegal housing, homeless shelters and tackling issues, like blight and the degradation of the bays.

"'Not in my backyard' stops today. Hampton Bays is now all of our backyards," Dunn said. "Simply put, we have a goal to aggressively recruit members and build a force to tell town leaders that we want Southampton Town to listen to us."

RIVERHEAD

After weeks of silence, the owner of the  in Aquebogue has come forward to blast the protestors who have been picketing outside his store for months -- and to set the record straight.

"I'm all about the truth," said Scott Kaphan, who owns The Puppy Experience.

Kaphan said the demonstrators, members of the Companion Animal Protection Society, who , will soon find themselves