When darkness closed out the Audubon Montauk Christmas Bird Count and the species were tallied, participants agreed that the good weather might have played a role in the total: 134 were found, the highest in a decade.

Kailey Eberhart of Springs, 14, has kicked off a passion project: starting a local chapter of Whiskey Bravo, a national organization of youth who support military personnel through service projects.

The East Hampton Education Foundation and the Tyler Project have awarded more than $31,000 awarded to school districts in East Hampton Town, supporting programs in science, physical education, special education, wellness, and more.

Along with the new town supervisor, Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, new Councilman Tom Flight, and the incumbent Councilman David Lys, a new town justice and new members of the planning, zoning, and architectural review boards were sworn in this week.