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Thursday, January 15, 2026 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 7 ~ $1.00
Kennedy Secures $650K in State Grants for Lake Ronkonkoma Clean Up By Madison Warren The Suffolk County Department of Economic Planning and Development has secured $650,000 in State grant funding for cleanup and restoration efforts at Lake Ronkonkoma, with significant help from Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset). A longtime advocate for protecting Lake Ronkonkoma, Kennedy played a key role in securing County funding to support environmental improvements at the lake. For the past few decades, many Long Island residents have been disappointed with what has become of one of Long Island’s gems, Lake Ronkonkoma. The lake has faced numerous issues, and many residents are frustrated by declining water quality, persistent algae blooms, eroding shorelines, and years of environmental neglect that have altered Lake Ronkonkoma’s once-pristine condition. Continued on page 18
An autumn scene at Lake Ronkonkoma, October 2025 (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Clerk LaValle Sworn in for Second Term
Story on page 10
FULL STORIES ON:
The FRES Files: Year in Review Page 4
Hochul’s State of the State Address Page 5
Libraries Get A Boost Page 10