Ryan Benitez, a former East Hampton Town building inspector, admitted Thursday to accepting bribes in exchange for expediting building permits and certificates of occupancy in 2024 and early 2025.
Town Aims to Buy 38.3 Acres of Former Wainscott Sand Mine
East Hampton Town wants to buy 38.3 acres of the Wainscott Commercial Center, the 70.5-acre former sand mine at 104 Wainscott Northwest Road, just north of the 7-Eleven gas station in Wainscott, and it’s willing to spend over $36 million to do it.
October 1, 2026
Former Building Department Employee Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes
Six months after her arrest, Evelyn Calderon, formerly of the East Hampton Town Building Department, took a deal in a Riverhead court Wednesday, pleading guilty to 10 counts of bribery and official misconduct. She was sentenced to 840 hours of community service, five years of probation, and a $29,200 fine.
October 1, 2026
Police & Courts
George Orwell and “1984” were repeatedly invoked during a panel discussion of surveillance technology at LTV Studios Tuesday, particularly the Flock Safety license plate readers that have appeared here and across the country.
Oct 1, 2026
Two men jumped out of a passing car and attacked a man walking at 2:30 a.m. last Thursday near Queens Lane, according to police, who said that while the victim did appear to be injured, he refused to identify his assailants except to say they were “friends” of his.
Oct 1, 2026
Pastor Addresses Concerns About Housing Idea
“Calvary has done nothing to the land next door,” the Rev. Trevon Fergerson said. “Nothing will be done to that land unless the church agrees with it. Until a meeting is had and a vote is carried and reflected in our trustees’ minutes, nothing will be done with the property next door.”
Oct 1, 2026
State Sues Feds Over Wind Farms
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James have announced that New York State and seven other state attorneys general are suing to block the federal government from paying $1.4 billion in taxpayer money to offshore wind developers in exchange for canceling offshore wind projects and reallocating the money to fossil fuel plants.
Oct 1, 2026
Government
The United States Coast Guard has awarded an $8.8 million contract to AO Facility Contractors of Easton, Pa., to repair 17 single-family residences in East Hampton and Springs.
Oct 1, 2026
In a letter on Tuesday, Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez told NextEra Energy to cease operations at its East Hampton Energy Storage Center on 3 Cove Hollow Road by Friday.
Oct 1, 2026
A nor’easter that as late as Sept. 23 was expected to largely miss Long Island instead spun up the coast, veered west, and impacted the East End last weekend with inches of rain and wind gusts that reached over 80 miles per hour, downing trees, pushing boats aground, flooding low-lying areas, and leaving 450 residents without power by Monday.
Oct 1, 2026
The owner of a Cove Hollow Road property received a building permit for a 75-foot-long, 15-foot-high, five-foot-wide “accessory structure.” To a neighbor, that feels a lot like a wall, no matter what it's called.
Oct 1, 2026
Arts
Celebrating a Visionary Architect
“Dear Mazie” at The Church in Sag Harbor celebrates the first known Black queer architect to practice in the United States, and work by other artists, architects, and designers who reflect her influence.
Oct 1, 2026
“Fresh Paint,” the Parrish’s single-artwork series, features a new work by Chase Hall, whose medium, hot coffee on canvas, has technical challenges and political resonance.
Oct 1, 2026
The Southampton Cultural Center will host a classical piano recital, an interactive sing-along with East End Jazz, and a new film by Ginew Benton.
Oct 1, 2026
“East End Collected” will return for its ninth iteration at the Southampton Arts Center with work by 29 local artists.
Oct 1, 2026
Villages
SpringsFest Returns on Saturday
This year’s SpringsFest, a benefit for Heart of Springs, will take place on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Parsons Blacksmith Shop, with performances by three local bands, a craft fair with 15 local vendors, refreshments, yard games, raffles, a blacksmith demonstration, and a history lesson from Hugh King, the town historian.
Largest Clam Contest Postponed a Week
The East Hampton Town Trustees' Largest Clam Contest will now be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. Would-be contestants can begin harvesting on Oct. 3.
Calls to Cancel HIFF Screening of ‘NAZA’
The Jewish Center of the Hamptons is calling on the Hamptons International Film Festival to cancel the screening of a documentary by Israeli filmmakers that the festival’s guide describes as detailing “the systems behind Israel’s calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.”
Sports
Long Island Books
Food
News for Foodies 10.01.26
Frankie’s Fabulous Italiano is offering half off the price of pasta on Mondays, and the same for appetizers on Wednesdays, pizza on Thursdays, and chicken Parmesan on Sundays.
Oct 1, 2026
News for Foodies 09.24.26
Of note this week: Drink specials at Lobster Roll, happy hour at Lion’s Nook Bar and Grill, Locals Night at Inlet Seafood, and happy hour and pasta specials at Frankie’s Fabulous.
Sep 24, 2026
News for Foodies 09.17.26
A panel discussion on East Hampton’s new farms, Oktoberfest at Rowdy Hall, paella dinners at the fish farm, and fall specials at Bell and Anchor.
Sep 17, 2026