Week in Review: Starting from Hope

Newly Elected Leaders Look to the Future

Author

Beth Young
January 04, 2026

On the Forks

New Riverhead Supervisor Reflects on Leadership

Incoming Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin arriving at the Town Square groundbreaking on Dec. 12, 2025.

When Jerry Halpin took office as Riverhead Town Supervisor on Jan. 1, he began leading a town board comprised of four Republican members who were closely tied to outgoing Supervisor Tim Hubbard, whom Mr. Halpin bested on Election Day by just 37 votes.

As he prepared to take on his new role at the helm of town government the last week in December, he sat down for a talk with The Beacon about his views on leadership, the needs of the people of Riverhead, and his plan to undertake a listening tour early in the new year.

Southold Leaders Take the Oath of Office

Surrounded by their family, friends, and what seemed like an ever-growing crowd of their young children, the 11 Southold Town leaders elected last November were sworn into office on Friday, Jan. 2.

Halpin Takes the Reins of Riverhead Town Government

“Remember when you write about me that I have a family,” new Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin quipped to reporters after a heartfelt swearing in ceremony at Riverhead Town Hall on New Year’s Day.

Energy

Wind Farms Challenge Federal Stop on Offshore Work

Wind turbine parts in New London, Conn. awaiting delivery to Ørsted’s South Fork Wind, which has been providing power to the East End since January of 2024, and is unaffected by the order.

The developers of the Revolution Wind wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island and Empire Wind off the coast of Long Beach, Long Island, have filed complaints challenging the federal government’s Dec. 22 order suspending leases for wind farms in federal waters of the East Coast.

Editorial

Bending Toward Resilience

Let’s hope, for just a few minutes, because it is a hopeful time of year. We talk a lot here about resilience, about the ability to grow through the experience of turbulent times — it’s been a theme running through our coverage for more than a decade now.

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Arts

Dance Out East Returns

Sekou McMiller & Friends will perform "Palladium Nights" at The Watermill Center.

This January, for the second year, Dance Out East — a program of The Guggenheim’s Works & Process — is returning to three venues on the South Fork to share dance projects in development with the community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, Jan. 10

Nancy Atlas Fireside Sessions Return

Nancy Atlas’s country and rockabilly revue returns to Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor each Saturday in January. The first session on Jan. 10 features Gene Casey & Eugene Chrysler

Sunday, Jan. 11

Cutchogue FD Stuff The Sleigh 5K

The Alegria Quartet will perform new compositions from the composers of the Long Island Composers Alliance in this special concert at Greenport’s Floyd Memorial Library.

Sunday, Jan. 11

Opening Reception for “Barry McCallion: Artist Books” at Springs Community Library

Known for his ability to bring literary narratives to life, Barry McCallion combines fine art with written works to create a deeply immersive and at times introspective experience.

Hot Off the Press

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Words

“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

See you next Sunday,

Beth