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Thursday, January 15, 2026 ~ Volume 138 ~ Issue Number 9 ~ $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)
Suffolk CEQ Hears Proposals on Stump Pond Dam By Matt Meduri The Suffolk Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) heard proposals and public comments for the reconstruction of the Stump Pond Dam within Blydenburgh County Park. The Stump Pond Dam was notoriously swept away by Hurricane Ernesto in August 2024. The sixty-foot dam could not handle the torrential storm, which dropped nearly a foot of water in just a couple hours. The blowout of the dam saw the Nissequogue River flood Jericho Turnpike and cause flood damage to homes and businesses. Since then, the barren pond bed has given way to new life and a new debate. Many support a strong replacement dam that can withstand even once-in-a-century storms. However, some opine that letting nature take its course and letting the Nissequogue River carve its own future is the better option.
A well-attended meeting to hear comments on the Stump Pond dam reconstruction (Credit - Town of Smithtown)
FULL STORIES ON:
The FRES Files: Year in Review Page 4
Hochul’s State of the Town Opens Public State Address Safety Command Center Page 5
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