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Main Newsletter Aug. 8
August 8, 2026
Today: Partly cloudy with a thunderstorm possible, high 84, winds west-southwest at 10 to 15 miles per hour. Tonight: Some clouds with a possible thunderstorm, low 72. Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, high 85, winds west-southwest at 5 to 10 miles per hour. Sunset tonight: 7:56. Sunrise tomorrow: 5:52.
A high rip current risk over the weekend was responsible for 137 ocean lifeguard saves (some preventive actions, some true saves) on the weekend starting July 30, according to Jeff Thompson, Amagansett’s chief lifeguard, who said 90 percent of those occurred on the stretch of beach in downtown Montauk that lifeguards call Hotel Row.
By Leigh Goodstein
 | A former co-treasurer of the Sag Harbor Elementary School PTA will be required to pay $14,487 in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing over $10,000 from the group, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced this week. By Leigh Goodstein |
 | A westbound Long Island Rail Road train approaching the station in East Hampton Village struck a car at around 7:20 Friday morning at the Newtown Lane and Railroad Avenue crossing, causing massive traffic snarls but no injuries. By Christopher Gangemi |
 | A petition with over 500 signatures has been delivered to the East Hampton Town and Planning Boards asking for the revocation of all approvals and permits for the future Este restaurant in downtown Montauk. By Christopher Gangemi |
 | The Town of East Hampton added to recent pressure on NextEra Energy Inc., the owner of a battery storage center at 3 Cove Hollow Road, with a “demand letter” a week after Ed Romaine, the Suffolk County executive, and East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen called for operations at the energy facility to be suspended. By Christopher Gangemi |
 | East Hampton Town is suing Ranch Mtk L.L.C., controlled by Max Levai, in State Supreme Court over the “unlawful construction and maintenance of an unpermitted structure” at the Old Montauk Highway art space commonly referred to as The Ranch. By Christopher Gangemi |
 | Stony Brook Hospital’s East Hampton Emergency Department on Pantigo Road has been in operation for 14 months now, and nearly 14,000 patients have entered its doors, with more coming all the time. By Christopher Gangemi |
 | A call to protect East Hampton Village’s largest trees, even on private property, is gaining momentum following frustration over the removal of two large trees estimated to be well over 100 years old on a residential Newtown Lane property. By Christopher Walsh |
 | St. Michael’s Housing in Amagansett will soon be home to a new East End day habilitation program that will offer skill-building, community engagement, vocational support, and health and wellness activities for adults with developmental disabilities. By Alison Morris Roslyn |
 | On a sunny Thursday afternoon, Matthew’s Garden at the East Hampton Historical Farm Museum was buzzing with hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and volunteers — including some high school interns — all working together for the local environment. By Alison Morris Roslyn |
 | Keith Webster, the driver who is accused of crashing through the gates of the Georgica estate of Beyonce and Jay-Z, appeared in East Hampton Town Justice Court last week for the first time since his arraignment for the July 15 incident. By Leigh Goodstein |
 | A woman accused of stealing over $20,000 worth of merchandise from the Ralph Lauren Double RL clothing store in East Hampton Village was a no-show in court last week. By Leigh Goodstein |
 | Nitrogen is not only the greatest threat to our lakes, ponds, and harbors, the Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee was told, but studies have shown that even a low level of nitrate in drinking water is associated with increased risk of cancers. By Christopher Walsh |
 | Nick Zappola of Zappola Construction has launched a new podcast, “Beyond the Blueprint: Building the Hamptons,” featuring interviews with architects, metalworkers, gardeners, and others at work here. By Christopher Gangemi |
 | Kerri Walsh Jennings, the Olympic gold medalist, and Josh Brussell, the Bonac boys volleyball coach, brought plenty of energy to a day of clinics, wellness at Gurney’s, and a pro-am beach volleyball tournament in Montauk. By Alison Morris Roslyn |
 | Michael Clifford-Levy normally plays 18 holes with his dad, Michael Clifford, at the East Hampton Golf Club, but on July 20 he was teeing off at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., on the first day of the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. By Alison Morris Roslyn |
 | East Hampton’s lifeguard tournaments wrapped up last weekend with the junior lifeguards taking over Atlantic Avenue Beach in Amagansett. “These young kids, they’re all learning, but they’re having so much fun,” said John J. Ryan Sr., one of the program's founders and biggest proponents. By Alison Morris Roslyn |
 | Our fishing columnist takes a cue from a young golf phenom who celebrated winning the P.G.A. Tour’s 3M Open last week in Minneapolis by heading off to wet a line in the setting sun. By Jon M. Diat |
 | This photo is just one from the Fritz Leddy Collection showing midcentury life here. On Monday at 7 p.m. in Herrick Park, Hugh King, the village historian, will introduce 100 others from the collection under a tent. By Andrea Meyer |
 | For his latest biography, David Margolick takes on the hugely influential comedian Sid Caesar, his highs and lows, his fame and his foibles. Reviewed by Stephen Rosen |
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