🌱 Riverhead Daily: State Of Emergency Declared + IHOP Robbed

Happy Saturday, people of Riverhead! Diane Witek here with everything you need to know to get this day started off right. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Blizzard, accumulating 8-12". High: 28, low: 15.

Here are the top stories today in Riverhead:

1. The National Weather Service says a blizzard warning has been issued for Suffolk County, with wind gusts up to 60 mph and heavy snow causing whiteout conditions in the forecast for Saturday. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency and warns everyone to stay off the roads. Long Island is expected to be one of the hardest-hit areas in the state, and it could get between 10 to 16 inches of snow, according to Governor Hochul. (Patch)
2. A portrait of the late Town Justice Allen Smith was unveiled during a ceremony in Riverhead Justice Court yesterday afternoon.⁠⁠“Allen was a great judge and a great man. The court has not been and will not be the same without him,” Town Justice Lori Hulse said during a ceremony in the courtroom.⁠ (RiverheadLOCAL)
3. Important phone numbers to have handy during a storm in Riverhead. See the list of numbers you should have on hand to get you through the storm. (Riverhead News Review)
4. Riverhead Police are investigating a burglary at the IHOP restaurant that took place Thursday night. The burglar broke a window and removed cash from a register shortly after 11 p.m., police said. An employee inside the closed restaurant confronted the burglar, who fled on foot. Despite a K-9 search, no one has yet been apprehended, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 631-727-4500. (Riverhead Patch)
5. Search on for 2 teens missing from Wading River. Have you seen Maria Mete or Jackeline Carballo? Both teens have been missing from the Little Flower Children's Services facility since Thursday. They were seen entering a dark-color Subaru vehicle with Florida registration plates; they are known to frequent the Farmingdale area, police said. (Riverhead Patch)

Today in Riverhead:

• Winter Beer Fest. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Riverhead Books: 🤩💗" THE GIVEAWAY YOU’VE BEEN ASKING FOR!💗🤩 This May, bestselling superstar Emma Straub returns with the funny, touching, and drama-filled 'THIS TIME TOMORROW'."(Instagram)
• Riverhead News Review: "The Riverhead highway department is preparing for a winter storm that is expected to bring 11-15 inches of snow to the area through Saturday. The National Weather Service said wind gusts as high as 50 mph are expected with near blizzard conditions." (Instagram)
• Suffolk County Historical Society: "Weather Update: Beyond the Gates: Long Island’s Grand Estates of Yesteryear. Due to the pending snowstorm on Saturday, the Jan. 29 opening reception for this exhibit HAS BEEN CANCELLED, and the museum will likely be closed." (Facebook) (Website)
• Spirit's Promise Equine Rescue Program: "Our beloved Brick Campaign is coming to an end this month. Place your orders by Jan. 31 if you’d like to become a permanent part of Spirit’s Promise. The brick(s) you order and personalize will be the foundation of our barn’s pathway." (Facebook) (Website)
• Suffolk County Sheriff's Office: "TRANSPORTATION SUFFOLK Bus: Check sct-bus.org or call 631-852-5200 LIRR and NY transit: Customers should monitor mta.info or call 511 for the most current service information. Outages should be reported by calling 800-490-0075, texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454), or reporting online here."(Facebook) (Website)
• Riverhead Chamber of Commerce: "This is GREAT news! Congratulations and many thanks to chamber member Peconic Land Trust for their hard work in keeping Riverhead so beautiful!" (Facebook) (Website)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• FREE WEBINAR | “Gothic Architecture in Florence and Siena.” (Feb.1)
• Online - NCNW LONG ISLAND CROSS COUNTY SECTION Meeting. (Feb. 26)
• Audition Notice. Located at The North Fork Community Theatre, 12700 Sound Ave, Mattituck. (Feb. 28)
• Add your event.

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Sports For Athletes With Disabilities. (Details)
• Animal Communication Sessions. (Details)
• Long Island Press Covers Half Hollow Hills Athletics. (Details)
• Add your announcement.

Gigs & services:

• Wholistic Healing Services. (Details)
• Add your gig or service.

Job listings:

• Irrigation Positions. (Details)
• Add your job listing.

Other classifieds:

• Course of Piano Lessons for Adults and Children. (Details)
• Add your classified.

Loving the Riverhead Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe.
• Get your local business listed in front of readers.
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at diane.witek@patch.com.

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you soon.

— Diane Witek

About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds.