Kids & Family

Weird News: Dead Whale Washes Up; Headstone Found

Some stories are downright strange. Here's our wrap-up from around Northern Suffolk and the East End.

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to inspiring tales of community brotherhood. But some stories are just plain weird. Here are some of the stranger headlines from the past seven days.

30-Foot Whale Washes Up in East Quogue
 

A 30-foot humpback whale washed up in East Quogue on Wednesday, prompting authorities to scramble over how to deal with the large aquatic mammal. 

Kim Durham of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine and Aquatic Research said her organization consulted with Southampton officials on the next steps, including logistics for a necropsy and disposal. 

She could not yet say what caused the whale's death or if it is a male or female. 

The last time a whale was found in the area was in August 2012 when its carcass washed up just east of Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays. It took county workers four hours to bury it after it was determined that the whale had been struck by a ship. 

Four months earlier, on May 5, 2012 an adult pygmy sperm whale was discovered 500 feet from the shore near 901 Dune Road in West Hampton Dunes. It was determined that the 800-pound whale was underweight and died of an illness. 

Nail Polish Remover Steals 50 Shades 

Police said a man stole more than 50 bottles of nail polish from CVS Pharmacy in Kings Park. According to police, Ernesto Concepcion, 34, of Brentwood, left the store at 11:45 a.m. without paying for the nail polish and was arrested. He was charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor. 

Patch Blog Helps Recover Missing Sound Beach Headstone 

The odd story of the 19th century headstone found in Sound Beach after Hurricane Sandy took another turn when the stone, once missing, was once again returned to the civic. 

Believed to be unearthed after Sandy, the stone was found in late November on the Sound Beach bluffs. After the Sound Beach Civic and local historical societies were able to get a look at it and do some research on the curious 19th century stone, it then went missing. 

After the stone was lost, civic president Bea Ruberto took to Patch in hopes of recovering the stone. In a happy twist, Ruberto said the man who took the stone returned it after reading her blog. 
"A man who was working on one of the bulkheads saw it and took it because he was concerned it would be washed away," Ruberto said. "He then read my blog on the Patch and contacted me."  


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