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HERALD RECoRD
NAFCo investigates Fire Chief incident
New Kiwanians installed
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VOL. 75 NO. 34
Amity Farmers Market going strong Page 10
AUGUST 13 - 19 2025
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Racoon found in Babylon tests positive for rabies By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Carolyn James/Herald Photos
S.C. Leg. Jason Richberg, John Adams, aka George Overing, and S.C. Leg. Steven Flotteron.
Suffolk County kicks off celebration of America’s 250th anniversary By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Suffolk County will be marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026 with a series of commemorative events that highlight the region’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. County officials, historians and community members gathered Aug. 6 at Sagtikos Manor in Bay Shore to kick off the celebration with full pomp and circumstance. “This is our way of saying ‘Happy Birthday’ to the country we love,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. “This island did so much in the fight for independence, and now through July 4, 2026, we are going to talk about all of our history and work to preserve
it.” As one of New York’s most historic areas, Suffolk County is home to colonial-era homesteads, Native American lands, and battlefield sites where residents fought, sacrificed property and fortune, and resisted British occupation during the war for independence. From 1776 to 1783, Suffolk County was under British control. Many residents were forced to swear loyalty to the British crown, a tactic used to suppress revolutionary sentiment. Because of this, historians often rely on individuals’ “last known act” to determine if they were Patriots or Loyalists. General George Washington credited the Culper Spy Ring, formed in 1778 by local patriots on Long Island, as instrumental in turning CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
A raccoon found in Deer Park on July 29 has tested positive for rabies, marking the seventh confirmed case of terrestrial rabies in Suffolk County this year, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Officials said there is no evidence that the animal had contact with people or pets. This is the first rabid raccoon reported outside the Amityville area in 2025. Six other cases were confirmed earlier this year in Amityville, beginning with the first report on January 28. Prior to 2025, Suffolk County had not recorded a rabid raccoon since 2009. Since 2016, 28 rabid bats have also been confirmed in the county, including three so far this year. Each year, approximately 3% to 6% of bats submitted for testing from Suffolk County test positive for the virus. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is nearly always fatal once symptoms begin. Early symptoms in humans may include irritability, headache, fever, and itching at the site of exposure. The illness quickly progresses to more severe symp-
toms including paralysis, throat spasms, convulsions, delirium, and death. The virus is typically spread through the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected animal, usually via bites. In rare cases, exposure may occur if infectious material enters the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. Dr. Gregson Pigott, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said the county is preparing an oral rabies vaccination program targeting raccoons. The baiting campaign is scheduled to begin in September in the towns of Babylon, Huntington, Islip and Smithtown, coinciding with the time when juvenile raccoons begin foraging on their own. “In the meantime, we ask all residents to keep their pets close and ensure their rabies vaccinations are current,” Pigott said. New York State and Suffolk County law require rabies vaccinations for all dogs, cats and ferrets. Health officials also recommend vaccination for livestock and horses. Residents are urged to report sightings of raccoons displaying abnormal behavior to the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-COPS or to the New York State Department of EnviCONTINUED ON PAGE 2