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Thursday, June 4, 2026 ~ Volume 138 ~ Issue Number 29 ~ $1.00
By Matt Meduri Decades of work to clean up Lake Ronkonkoma and restore it to its former glory hit a crucial turning point this week, as the County and community gained a formal “Lake Keeper” whose sole responsibility it will be to focus on the ecology and hydrology of Long Island’s largest freshwater lake. The Lake geographically borders the towns of Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Islip, which all lay claim to certain shores of the Lake, as does the County, creating a multi-layered system that has complicated aspects of its remediation over the years. Moreover, the Lake represents the upper glacial layer of the County’s aquifer, meaning it’s a gateway to the sole-source drinking water supply for the region. Kevin Lazzaro, (inset picture) the aforementioned Lake Keeper, interacted with concerned citizens and members of the Lake Ronkonkoma Advisory Board (LRAB) at the Suffolk County Legislature building in Hauppauge last Thursday. Continued on page 5
Lake Ronkonkoma from Larry’s Landing on the Brookhaven side. (Inset) Kevin Lazzaro, the new Lake Keeper, in Hauppauge.
LaLota Funds Smithtown Roads, Water Quality Project By Matt Meduri Last Friday, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) took a tour of Smithtown, leaving behind a check at each post he visited. The Town has prioritized infrastructure investment as part of Supervisor Ed Wehrheim’s (R-Kings Park) vision of a revitalized town. That’s included recent paving on Edgewood Avenue, a main thoroughfare for Smithtown and St. James, as well as stormwater upgrades to combat catastrophic flooding and contamination of the Nissequogue River. LaLota, who is running for a third term this year, cornered $5 million in federal appropriations through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for townwide road repaving projects across Smithtown, as well as $1.2 million for wastewater upgrades for homes along the Nissequogue who have not been able to use their taps due to contamination. Continued on page 10
LaLota and Smithtown officials celebrate $5M in road funding (Credit - Matt Meduri)
FULL STORIES ON:
Democrats Debate For NY -01 Page 12
Hauppauge Boys’ Baseball Wins Title Page 13
New Café Opens in Kings Park Page 15
Credit - Matt Meduri
Meet the ‘Lake Keeper’