Bartolone Miguel Miguel of Peconic died Saturday, Dec. 6. He was 32. 

Mr. Miguel will be flown home to Guatemala.

Funeral arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

A complete obituary will follow.

A local fundraising effort is underway to help the family of the Peconic man who died Saturday in an alleged drunk driving crash to send his body to his native country of Guatemala where his widow and son live.

Bartolone Miguel, 34, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Oseas Ramirez, also of Peconic, and killed after their car was hit by John Costello Sr., 71, of Greenport. Mr. Costello was charged with a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge.

Sister Margaret Smyth of North Fork Spanish Apostolate said a group of Mr. Miguel’s friends and relatives visited her office Monday looking for guidance on how to send his body to Guatemala.

She said her group is accepting donations to help the family out with funeral services.

“Flights right now before Christmas is the killer,” she said. “But my experience is the community always rises to the occasion.”

Mr. Miguel worked at Pellegrini Winery & Vineyard in Cutchogue for the past six years.

Jens Ruthenberg with Pellegrini said he has a lot of fond memories of Mr. Miguel and he’ll miss his friendship.

“He started off at the bottom and because he was so hard working, he became crew leader,” Mr. Ruthenberg said. “He was an incredibly hard worker.”

To donate, Sister Margaret said those interested can send a check payable to North Fork Spanish Apostolate with “funeral service” in the memo and mail to St. John’s R.C. Church, 546 St. John’s Place, Riverhead, N.Y. 11901.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes, and are pending.

Southold/Greenport’s Grace Syron (10) and Toni Esposito pursue the ball along with Mattituck’s Katie Hoeg during Monday’s night’s non-league game at Mattituck High School. (Credit: Garret Meade)

TUCKERS 53, CLIPPERS 25

The Mattituck High School girls basketball team had a number of things to feel good about regarding its home opener. The Tuckers enjoyed good scoring balance. They dominated the boards and played hounding defense. Their two leading players, Liz Dwyer and Katie Hoeg, turned in their typically solid games.

So, coach Steve Van Dood, what was the biggest thing the Tuckers took away from their non-league game against Southold/Greenport on Monday night?

“The win,” he said.

The first win of the season has good therapeutic value, and the Tuckers (1-2) seemed happy to have nailed it down with their 53-25 defeat of the Clippers (0-3).

All 12 Mattituck players played, and the scoring was spread out among 10 of them. Dwyer, a freshman forward, poured in 18 points with the help of 10-for-12 shooting from the foul line. She also grabbed 8 rebounds. Hoeg, a junior guard, provided 13 points, 7 steals, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.

Southold/Greenport is a young team — real young. The Clippers started three sophomores (Toni Esposito, Angelica Klavas and Madison Tabor) and two freshmen (Ali Cardi and Grace Syron). That sort of youth is more reflective of a junior varsity team.

Mattituck is a fairly young team itself, but the Tuckers still have much more experience than the Clippers, and it showed. They outrebounded the Clippers, 35-17, limiting them to only 3 offensive boards.

Scoring was an issue for the Clippers. They received 14 points from Tabor, but none of her teammates had more than 3 points. The Clippers shot 3 of 18 from the floor in the second half and missed all six of their field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter as the Tuckers tallied the game’s final 12 points.

The Tuckers never trailed, opening the game with a pair of free throws by Lisa Angell and baskets by Dwyer and Courtney Murphy.

In the second quarter, Hoeg followed up her conventional 3-point play with a steal and a layup, capping an 11-2 run to stretch Mattituck’s lead to 30-15.

bliepa@timesreview.com

A view of the Peconic River leading into the bay. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch, file)

The Suffolk County Legislature has voted to fix what one law maker called a decade-long “accounting issue” that put reimbursed money into a general fund rather than the county’s water quality fund where the money originally came from.

The unanimous vote last Tuesday returns up to $300,000 back into the county’s water quality fund each year, said the legislator who sponsored the bill, Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk).

“It really helps,” he said. “We don’t have as much money as we used to do to water quality projects.”

While County Executive Steve Bellone couldn’t be reached for comment on whether he plans to sign the bill into law, Mr. Schneiderman said he expects it will be.

The water quality fund — also called the 477 Fund — was intended to be used for environmental projects, but in recent years some of the fund was put toward paying the salaries of those working on the water quality projects, Mr. Schneiderman said.

He added the state has reimbursed the county for salaries paid for from the water quality fund. But instead of going back into the water quality fund, those reimbursements were being placed into the general fund to be used for any county purpose.

Last month, Group for the East End president Robert DeLuca said it “makes sense” to restore the “integrity” of the water quality fund. Those recouped monies could go a long way, he said, like funding an East End medicine disposal program to help improve water quality.

“What’s important for people to realize is how far that funding can go,” he said.

If approved, Mr. Schneiderman said the bill will go into effect in 2016 since the 2015 budget has already been finalized, he said. Changing the reimbursement policy now would require the Legislature to fill a $300,000 shortfall, he said.

psquire@timesreview.com

No detail was spared in the construction of this Laurel home. A chef’s dream, this house features a professional kitchen with a fireplace, a huge master suite and in-ground salt water pool, all for less than $1 million. If that wasn’t enough to grab your attention the three bedroom, three bathroom estate is perfectly positioned minutes from beaches, marinas, vineyards, restaurants and shopping.

View the complete listing at northforker.com.

Mattituck/Greenport senior Adam Goode is one of the team’s three returning county champions. He went 26-10 last season. (Credit: Garret Meade, file)

Look at the evidence. Look at what the Mattituck/Greenport high school wrestling team did last season.

The Tuckers put up an 18-3 record, going undefeated (8-0) in Suffolk County League VII for the second season in a row. Heading into their season-opening match against Longwood Wednesday, they have won 16 consecutive league matches over the last two seasons. For the first time in team history, they won back-to-back league titles, giving them a total of five. After having never won a team county championship before, they were crowned the Section XI Division II champions for a second straight year. They had a team-record seven individual county champions compete in the state tournament. Then, after the season, two Tuckers were named middle school all-Americans.

That’s an awful lot to hang your hat on. Was it the greatest season the Tuckers have ever had?

“It’s hard to say no,” said coach Cory Dolson.

The trick now is for the Tuckers to withstand the loss of eight seniors from last season’s team and drive for a threepeat as the top Division II team in Suffolk.

“The last few years have been fun, so we’re just trying to keep it going,” said Dolson, who is in his ninth season as the team’s head coach. He added: “Like anything else, it didn’t happen overnight. It’s just years and years of hard work.”

While there may be a slight drop in the tremendous depth the team had last season, Mattituck/Greenport still has 38 wrestlers on its roster, almost 15 more than any other Suffolk Division II team, according to Dolson. So depth is still there, and there is quality to go with the quantity.

The team’s returning county champions are senior Adam Goode (26-10), sophomore James Hoeg (31-9) and freshman Jack Bokina (26-10). Bokina not only fell a point shy of being an all-state wrestler, but he was selected as a middle school all-American along with his twin brother Luke (19-9).

And there are others back who posted nice records last season. Sophomore T. J. Beebe went 25-13 and was a county runner-up. Junior Lucas Webb went 25-14, and sophomore Tanner Zagarino went 24-11.

Also back are junior Tim Schmidt and Webb’s older brother, senior Tyler Webb, who missed six weeks last season with a broken thumb.

Two sophomore — Thomas Hoeg, James’ cousin, and Timmy Pelan — could very well be in the starting lineup.

The depth the Tuckers has may allow them to absorb the graduation losses.

“Usually you lose so much you say it’s a rebuilding year,” Dolson said. “We’re trying not to miss a beat.”

Last season the Tuckers were so dominant that they sent 11 wrestlers to the county finals and 19 of the 26 they entered in the tournament finished in the top four of their weight class. As a team, they totaled 333 1/2 points, which was 133 more than second-place Port Jefferson.

What are the chances for a county threepeat?

“If we wrestle the way we’re capable of, I don’t see why we can’t do it,” said Dolson.

He continued: “Winning is contagious, man, you know; it’s fun. It’s a lot more fun than losing.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Francis Joseph Kuich Jr. of Cutchogue died Dec. 6 at his home. He was 67. 

He was born Jan. 20, 1947, in Rockhill, S.C. to Louise and Francis J. Kuich. Mr. Kuich served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969.

Family members said he collected and sold movie memorabilia. He was a member of Single Action Shooters Society (SASS). Family members said he enjoyed model trains, Western and Native American objects, and model and 1950s cars.

Mr. Kuich was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife, Margery Auerbach of Cutchogue; and his daughter, Rose Tash of Manhattan.

The family received visitors Dec. 9, at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral service took place Dec. 10, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church. Cremation will be private.

(Credit: AJ Ryan, Stringer News Service)

It could take about a week for results to be returned from the blood test to measure John Costello’s blood alcohol level during Saturday’s fatal crash in Greenport, Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said Tuesday. 

Mr. Costello consented to the blood test Saturday evening while being treated at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport for injuries sustained in the crash which led to the death of Bartolone Miguel, 32, of Peconic, according to a police report.

A blood test is almost always administered — rather than a less-precise breath test — in accidents involving a death or serious injury, he said.

“If there’s any kind of case where there’s serious physical injury we almost always go toward the route of blood, because it’s better evidence to go to court with,” Chief Flatley said. “We have a whole procedure for somebody involved in a serious-injury accident.”

• Related: Group fundraising to return fatal crash victim to native country

The chief said the misdemeanor DWI charge Mr. Costello is currently facing could be upgraded once the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office receives the results of the blood test.

“The district attorney’s office will have to wait for results, then review the case and decide if there will be further criminal charges filed,” he said.

Since Mr. Costello consented to the blood test, police did not need a judge’s permission to administer the test, Chief Flatley added.

Initially charged with misdemeanor DWI, Mr. Costello posted $250 bail from Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he was transferred for further treatment of his injuries, and is expected to be arraigned after he is released. A hospital spokesperson said Monday that he was listed in fair condition.

Southold Town Justice Rudolph Breuer said the arraignment will likely occur on the first Friday after Mr. Costello is released from the hospital.

Judge Breuer, who was the judge on call at the time of the crash, said Tuesday that judges weigh the likelihood the defendant will return for future court dates when determining a bail amount. The amount is reflective of the nature of the crime as well as the defendant’s past criminal history.

A police report states that this is Mr. Costello’s first DWI offense and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office said he has no prior convictions of any sort.

Bail factors, which are outlined in state criminal procedure law, include the suspect’s ties to the community, the judge said. This includes the defendant’s employment status in the town, whether he was raised or attended school in the area, and if he has family in town.

“All these things are considered,” Judge Breuer said. “You’re supposed to [release the suspect on his own recognizance] or set a bail that is appropriate to the charge.”

In describing the crash, Chief Flatley said Oseas Ramirez, the westbound operator of the 2006 Honda struck by Mr. Costello, tried to dodge the oncoming pickup truck, which had crossed the double yellow line in front of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Route 25, by swerving to the left, across traffic.

“He tried to compensate by going to his left into the opposite lanes, just to get away from [Mr. Costello's pickup truck],” he said. “That’s why they hit on the passenger side and not the driver’s side.”

Mr. Ramirez was charged with driving without a license, police said. He is also expected back in Southold Town Justice Court at a later date.

Police interviewed Mr. Costello’s son, John, 43, following the crash. A Greenport resident is also listed as a witness, according to the police report.

gparpan@timesreview.com

Robert Tuthill Demarest of Orient died Dec. 7 in Greenport. He was 87. 

A graveside service will take place at a date and time to be announced. Arrangements were handled by Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.

A complete obituary will follow.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone speaks during Monday’s announcement that the county will not pursue school zone cameras. (Credit: courtesy photo)

Are school zone speed cameras nothing more than a money grab? That’s a question Suffolk County residents won’t have to worry about.

That’s because Suffolk officials announced Monday that the controversial program, which launched in Nassau County earlier this year and has come under fire from residents there, won’t be implemented here at all. This past spring, the state authorized the use of one camera in each Nassau and Suffolk county school district. But Suffolk County officials had been debating going forward with the program since July. 

The proposal wasn’t expected to affect the North Fork, where Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter and Southold Supervisor Scott Russell both said they had no intention of launching the school zone camera program.

The rest of Suffolk County did consider it and has ultimately decided against it.

“We’ve been taking a deliberative approach to the speed camera issue since we received approval from New York State to allow them on Long Island,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Tuesday in a conference call.

The county had formed a “working group” to investigate the issue and explore how cameras have worked in other parts of the country. In July, the group even issued a Request for Expression of Interest in implementing the speed camera program in Suffolk, Mr. Bellone said. About 11 companies responded.

Based on that, and the way the program unfolded in Nassau, he said, “We decided it was better not to implement the program.”

The county executive was joined by a bipartisan group of eight county legislators in announcing that decision Monday.

“I never have based decisions solely on public sentiment, but you’d be wrong not to be taking public sentiments and views into account as part of a decision,” Mr. Bellone said when asked how much weight public opposition in Nassau County had in Suffolk’s decision.

Mr. Bellone said the county didn’t anticipate any revenue from the cameras in its 2014 budget and anticipated only $2.5 million in revenue in its 2015 budget, which totals $2.8 billion.

Revenue that exceeded expectations in other areas has already made up for that loss, he said. For example, the county has generated $5 million more than was budgeted from the sale of foreclosed properties. Nassau, on the other hand, reportedly budgeted $30 million in anticipated revenue from fines.

At the same time, Nassau residents quickly became livid about the cameras, which they believed were designed more to generate revenue than to ensure safety in school zones.

Mr. Russell said only the county has the authority to install cameras on county-owned roads. And most schools in Southold Town are located on Route 25 — a state highway.

“The only school that is on a town-owned road is Southold High School and elementary school,” he said. “I am unaware of New York State having any intention of pursuing this type of plan and Southold would have no interest in implementing it.”

Mr. Walter said he has never been in favor of school zone speed cameras.

“It was more about generating revenue and less about safety,” he said.

Nassau County has been rolling back its school zone speed camera program recently, reducing the hours from 11 per day to four. There’s also a proposal in the Nassau County Legislature to end the program entirely.

Mr. Bellone said the Suffolk legislature has instead established a School Zone Safety Commission headed by Legislator Sarah Anker to work with police and schools to enhance safety in school zones.

“For us, it’s always been about public safety,” Mr. Bellone said.

tgannon@timesreview.com

A kiosk in Southold that will serve as a tourist guide won’t stay in its current location much longer. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)

Two three-sided structures have popped up around town in recent weeks and have many residents scratching their heads.

Standing seven feet tall, the black structures were installed across the street from the IGA in Southold, at the intersection of Main Road and Youngs Avenue, and in Mattituck, near Love Lane and Pike Street. 

During a North Fork Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday in Southold, realtor Joan Tyrer asked Supervisor Scott Russell a question that’s been on a lot of people’s minds: “What is it?”

“It is tourist guide that will show you what the attractions are,” Mr. Russell explained. Right now, the information on the kiosks is covered up, but once revealed, it will highlight historic places and shopping areas in the hamlets. There will be three kiosks in all when the project is complete.

The idea for the kiosks emerged more than a decade ago from the town’s Transportation Commission. The initiative received more than $100,000 in federal funding in 2006 to cover the cost of a study of all the town’s signage and for a project consultant.

However, Mr. Russell said, the effort has had a “had a lot of starts and stops” over the years, including the need for New York State Department of Transportation approval for several stages of the project.

As for the recent installation of the two kiosks, Mr. Russell told Chamber members Friday that he “didn’t see it coming.”

While the Town Board had approved a bid from KJB Industries Inc. to install the signs in May, the project needed to be amended by the Transportation Commission and work did not start immediately.

Mr. Russell said in an interview Tuesday that Transportation Commission chairman Neb Brashich had briefed him about the project throughout the process, but said overall there wasn’t “continuity at the town level about staying on top of it.”

“In fairness to Neb, who has been carrying the project, the Town Board really hasn’t stayed on top of it,” Mr. Russell said. “The project started before we all got here and the presumption was that previous boards signed off on it and approved it, and we at the time didn’t see a need to interfere with it.”

Since the kiosks were installed last month, the town has received plenty of backlash from residents about their aesthetics — or lack thereof — and complaints that the one in Mattituck takes up “critical parking spaces,” Mr. Russell said.

The initial plan was to install three kiosks — in Southold, Mattituck and near Karen’s Deli Cutchogue. To date, only the Southold and Mattituck the kiosks have been installed.

But, don’t get used to seeing them in their current places for too much longer, Mr. Russell said.

“We recognize it is not a good place for it,” he said. “We are going to have to relocate them.”

The Mattituck and Cutchogue kiosks will eventually both have a permanent home at the tourist information booth at Laurel Lake on Main Road in Laurel. The Southold kiosk will be moved to the information booth near the Lutheran church on Route 25 in Greenport, Mr. Russell said.

Once the kiosks are relocated, Mr. Russell believes the project will be a positive one for the town. A spokeswoman for the DOT, which administered the federal grant to the town for the project, agreed.

“The DOT has recently paved Route 25 in Southold Town … it was a part of initiatives to contribute to North Fork,” said Eileen Peters of the DOT. She added that the town would have to receive DOT approval to move the kiosks. “This fits within that vein.”

cmurray@timesreview.com

• A 55-year-old Mattituck woman reported to Southold Town police that she’s been getting harassed by a Laurel man who had recently left flowers and candy in her mailbox, police said.

The woman called police last Monday to report the man for calling her home phone, after he had left the items for her, police said.

Officers had previously spoken to the man about his behavior in August. The woman wished to document the most recent incident. No charges were filed.

• Cutchogue Fire Department crews and Southold police assisted two wayward fishermen off Nassau Point in Cutchogue Saturday evening, police said.

The two men were on their way back from scalloping when their boat ran aground on a sandbar around 7 p.m., police said.

Both swam to shore and were escorted to the fire department to await a ride home. Each refused medical attention.

Mattituck senior Kaan Ilgin received all-American honors after helping lead the Tuckers to a state title this season. (Credit: Sarah Condon)

As well as the Mattituck High School boys soccer team played on the field, the Tuckers cleaned up off it as well.

After earning their third New York State championship last month, the Tuckers were among the major highlights of the Suffolk County Boys Soccer Coaches Association awards banquet in Holbrook on Monday night.

Senior midfielder/forward Kaan Ilgin, the most valuable player of the Class B state and Long Island finals, not only was named the county small schools player of the year, but he also was selected as the state player of the year and was chosen an all-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Besides Ilgin, seniors Paul and James Hayes and Kevin Williams were named all-county selections besides winning all-conference honors as the Tuckers, one of the smallest Suffolk schools, placed four players on the county-wide 46-player team.

Coach Mat Litchhult was honored as Suffolk’s small school coach of the year for the second successive season.

“It’s a culmination of hard work this year,” Litchhult said. “The guys are walking out with a lot of their fruits of their labor. A lot of kids got recognized today from Ben Knowles with 10 shutouts to having a New York State player of the year. It’s tremendous for the program. It’s tremendous for Mattituck.”

Ilgin, who will play in the High School All-American Game at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, admitted he lost track of how many times he was called up to the front of the room to receive a plaque, trophy or certificate. He also was named all-county, All-Region and was recognized as being among nine county players who finished with 20 or more goals.

“I was pretty shocked. I thought my teammate Steven Dovi was going to get it,” Ilgin said of the all-American honor, referring to the Smithtown West player who plays with him on the Smithtown Arsenal youth team.

Ilgin has said that he is considering pursuing a career in pro soccer.

Litchhult said that he believed Ilgin’s all-American honor was a first for the school, which has enjoyed a storied soccer history dating back to 1936.

“He’s playing in the all-American game on Saturday. That’s definitely a first,” he said. “I’ve talked to a few people and have been around — there’s been no all-Americans in Mattituck history. So this will be the first. It’s just an amazing accomplishment. “

Several other teammates received recognition:

• Team captain and central defender Paul Hayes was named League VII MVP, all-state and all-county.

• Senior defender Walter Jacob and striker Mario Arreola secured all-league honors.

• Jacob also was chosen to the Academic all-county team.

• Knowles was honored with the John Ruffini goalkeeper award, as he was among six keepers who finished with at least 10 shutouts. The senior accrued 10 clean sheets.

The Tuckers also were recognized as Class B state champions after securing their third state crown in Middletown, defeating Skaneateles, 6-0, in the semifinals and Beekmantown, 3-1, in the final.

Litchhult has announced that he will retire after this season so Monday’s awards were even sweeter.

“I still think it is a just an amazing way for the whole thing to end,” he said. “Each year was kind of like a different chapter in the book. If you made a movie about it you wouldn’t believe the ending. We started out with a goal in the beginning. We fulfilled it. If it was possible after tonight, we exceeded that fulfillment.”

HONORS FOR SETTLERS, PORTERS Southold and Greenport high schools picked up several honors.

First Settlers senior forward Shayne Johnson was named to the all-county team and was a League VIII all-conference selection. He also led the team with 15 goals.

Senior midfielder Sean Moran, the MVP of the County Class C final, was picked for the all-conference team along with junior midfielder Peter Fouchet and Johnson.

Juniors Joseph Worysz, a forward, and Noah Mina, a midfielder, and sophomore defender Michael Christman were chosen all-league.

Defender Jack Dunne was chosen to the academic all-county team.

Coach Andrew Sadowski was named the League VIII coach of the year after directing Southold to a 10-2 in the league and 12-6 overall before losing in the Long Island Class C championship game.

Greenport junior forward Bayron Rivas was named all-conference and sophomore midfielder Eduardo Sanchez all-league. Rivas led the Porters (2-14) with seven goals.

Midfielder Robert Nicholas was selected to the academic team.

For the third consecutive year and fourth time overall, the Porters, coached by Chris Golden, were named team sportsmanship winners.

Fire commissioner elections in Southold Town were all uncontested Tuesday night, but a Cutchogue-New Suffolk Parks District race was not. 

The election to fill a three-year seat on the parks district board of commissioners, which oversees the Nassau Point and Pequash Avenue beaches, was won by Eric Izzo, who received 37 votes and defeated David Howe, who received 25 votes. They were running to replace David Allison, whose term expires at the end of the year.

Orient fire district voters also OK’d financing a $65,000 radio console.

Daniella Ferina, Riverhead Foundation staff biologist, administering warmed IV fluids Wednesday morning to a sea turtle. (Credit: Riverhead Foundation)

After rescuing two endangered sea turtles in just 24 hours, biologists with the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation are asking residents to keep an eye out for cold-stunned sea turtles following Tuesday’s nor’easter.

High tides along the north shore after 3 p.m today could leave turtles stranded on north facing beaches, exposing them to frigid water and air temperatures, according to the organization.

Kimberly Durham, director of the rescue program, said New York State Parks personnel located one of the beached turtles, a Kemp’s ridley, at Wildwood State Park at about 9:20 a.m.

The 8-pound, 1 1/2-foot long turtle had an internal body temperature of about 46 degrees and a heart rate of just four beats-per-minute. A normal heart rate is around 30 to 35, Ms. Durham said.

“We’ve administered warmed IV fluid and its heart rate is slowly climbing,” she said. “What happens with these animals as they become cold stunned, they start shutting down. These reptiles have no method to increase their internal body temperature. As they get colder, the heart rate slows and they stop breathing.”

Biologists are prepping for additional rescues, and individuals are asked to report any turtles found on the beach to the hotline number 369-9829.

A total of 22 sea turtles have been recovered from Long Island beaches since early November. The organization is currently caring for nine of these animals, Ms. Durham said.

cmiller@timesreview.com

An Orient man was arrested for driving without a license and registration, Southold Town police said.

James Schott, 44, was stopped on Route 48 near Cox Lane in Cutchogue at 11:32 a.m. for failing to maintain his lane, police said.

He was found to have a suspended license and vehicle registration and was arrested, police said.

Mr. Schott was later released on $250 bail, police said.

Southold shooting suspects (from left) Walter Vasquez, 17, of Greenport; Pedro Emilio Santamaria, 31, of Greenport; and Jeremias Nathaniel Recinos Torres, 19, of Aquebogue were escorted by corrections officers into Southold Town Court last month. (Credit: Paul Squire, file)

Southold’s police chief and other officials are hosting a public forum tonight, Thursday, to discuss gang issues in Southold Town.

The forum is at 7 p.m. at the Southold Recreation Center on Peconic Lane. All of the public is invited.

The meeting comes after last month’s gang-related shooting on a residential street of Southold, during which five alleged members of MS-13 attacked two men from a rival gang with guns and a machete.

“The challenge is to allay the community’s concerns,” said Police Chief Martin Flatley. “Now that everybody’s been arrested [in the October shooting], we can let them know the status of that case and what’s transpired since then.

“It’s important for us to get the message out that we don’t have a gang violence problem that’s spirling out of control and going to bring down the whole North Fork,” he continued. “I want to make it a factual account, rather than a glorified account.”

For more information on the forum, see here.