Rip Current STATEMENT in effect for:
Southern Nassau, NY
Southern Queens, NY
Southwest Suffolk, NY
Mayor's ties loom over controversial salt pile vote in Manorhaven
Posted: Updated:Some Manorhaven residents are opposing a street-sweeping company's request for a variance to expand its salt storage near wetlands connected to Manhasset Bay.
They're also suspicious of the relationship between the company and village Mayor Jim Avena.
At the center of the controversy is a big pile of road salt sitting on the property of Dejana Industries.
Dejana has no permit for the pile and is asking the village's Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance.
Longtime resident Rudy Santo doesn't think the company deserves it.
"If I committed a crime, then wanted someone to come along and change the laws so now it's not a crime – well, that's exactly what's happening here. It's illegal, and they want to make it legal," Santo says.
Residents are also concerned because the company's property is near wetlands that connect to Manhasset Bay. They say they are worried that runoff from the salt could make its way into the water.
"I would like to see a full environmental assessment done by the Department of Environmental Conservation," says Caroline DuBois, another village resident.
A local newspaper says Avena is engaged to the owner's sister and is a paid administrator for a foundation the company's owner runs.
The company also wants permission to build a dome over the salt pile that would be nearly twice the height of what the village currently allows.
The village's Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled a vote on the company's application for 7 p.m. Tuesday, but the outcome was not immediately available.
News 12 reached out to the company for a comment but did not hear back.
EnvironmentMore>>
More lifeguards on duty in wake of shark encounters
More lifeguards on duty in wake of shark encounters
More lifeguards were on duty at Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks Friday following two shark attacks and a wave of sightings along the South Shore this week.
More lifeguards were on duty at Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks Friday following two shark attacks and a wave of sightings along the South Shore this week.
State plan will bolster reefs around Long Island
State plan will bolster reefs around Long Island
The state will soon dump 75 tons of steel into Long Island waters for an artificial reef program aimed to support marine life.
The state will soon dump 75 tons of steel into Long Island waters for an artificial reef program aimed to support marine life.
The state will soon dump 75 tons of steel into Long Island waters for an artificial reef program aimed to support marine life.
Expert: Shark attacks on humans is ‘quite a rare thing’
Expert: Shark attacks on humans is ‘quite a rare thing’
Despite their scary reputation, sharks rarely ever attack humans and would rather feed on fish and marine mammals, experts say.
Despite their scary reputation, sharks rarely ever attack humans and would rather feed on fish and marine mammals, experts say.
Despite their scary reputation, sharks rarely ever attack humans and would rather feed on fish and marine mammals, experts say.
Officials: 24 arrested in ‘largest ever’ illegal dumping bust in NY history
Officials: 24 arrested in ‘largest ever’ illegal dumping bust in NY history
Officials say an 18-month investigation led to the arrest of 24 people in what is being called the "largest-ever bust of illegal dumping in the state's history."
Officials say an 18-month investigation led to the arrest of 24 people in what is being called the "largest-ever bust of illegal dumping in the state's history."
Officials say an 18-month investigation led to the arrest of 24 people in what is being called the "largest-ever bust of illegal dumping in the state's history."
Officials: Toxic chemicals found in East Quogue wells
Officials: Toxic chemicals found in East Quogue wells
Toxic chemicals have been found in dozens of private water wells in East Quogue, officials say.
Toxic chemicals have been found in dozens of private water wells in East Quogue, officials say.
Toxic chemicals have been found in dozens of private water wells in East Quogue, officials say.
Malverne couple touts ‘zero waste’ lifestyle
Malverne couple touts ‘zero waste’ lifestyle
A couple in Malverne is doing their part to protect the planet by living a “zero waste” lifestyle.
A couple in Malverne is doing their part to protect the planet by living a “zero waste” lifestyle.
A couple in Malverne is doing their part to protect the planet by living a “zero waste” lifestyle.
A couple in Malverne is doing their part to protect the planet by living a “zero waste” lifestyle.
Long Islanders urged to take steps to conserve water
Long Islanders urged to take steps to conserve water
The Long Island Water Conference is calling on residents to reduce water usage to help suppliers maintain adequate water pressure for firefighting and other essential services.
The Long Island Water Conference is calling on residents to reduce water usage to help suppliers maintain adequate water pressure for firefighting and other essential services.
The Long Island Water Conference is calling on residents to reduce water usage to help suppliers maintain adequate water pressure for firefighting and other essential services.
The Long Island Water Conference is calling on residents to reduce water usage to help suppliers maintain adequate water pressure for firefighting and other essential services.
Leaders want mining operation shut down after water contamination report
Leaders want mining operation shut down after water contamination report
Civic and local leaders want a Suffolk sand mine shut down following a county health department report about suspected water contamination.
Civic and local leaders want a Suffolk sand mine shut down following a county health department report about suspected water contamination.
Discarded clam, oyster shells to be used for artificial reef
Discarded clam, oyster shells to be used for artificial reef
A plan to build an artificial barrier reef off Long Island with discarded clam and oyster shells began today off Nassau’s South Shore.
The Town of Hempstead is building two reefs in the western bays off of Lido Beach using seafood shells.
The Town of Hempstead is building two reefs in the western bays off of Lido Beach using seafood shells.
Officials: 6 arrested for illegal dumping in Pine Barrens
Officials: 6 arrested for illegal dumping in Pine Barrens
Six people were recently charged for illegal dumping that allegedly took place between May and July, according to the Central Pine Barrens Commission.
Six people were recently charged for illegal dumping that allegedly took place between May and July, according to the Central Pine Barrens Commission.
Six people were recently charged for illegal dumping that allegedly took place between May and July, according to the Central Pine Barrens Commission.
Six people were recently charged for illegal dumping that allegedly took place between May and July, according to the Central Pine Barrens Commission.
Top StoriesMore>>
Police: Teen vandal shattered Lt. Murphy Memorial plaque
Police: Teen vandal shattered Lt. Murphy Memorial plaque
An act of vandalism has destroyed a plaque in a Lake Ronkonkoma park honoring Lt. Michael Murphy -- a Medal of Honor recipient from Patchogue who died in combat in Afghanistan in 2005.
A 14-year-old is accused of vandalizing a plaque at Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park.
A 14-year-old is accused of vandalizing a plaque at Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park.
Weather: Coastal storm on track to bring heavy rain, winds Saturday night
Weather: Coastal storm on track to bring heavy rain, winds Saturday night
Here's your latest News 12 Long Island weather update.
Here's your latest News 12 Long Island weather update.
Police: Man burglarized Hicksville senior housing center
Police: Man burglarized Hicksville senior housing center
Police say a man looked right into a security camera when he broke into the Town of Oyster Bay Senior Housing Center in Hicksville.
Police say a man looked right into a security camera when he broke into the Town of Oyster Bay Senior Housing Center in Hicksville.
Video shows racist road rage rant on Deer Park Avenue
Video shows racist road rage rant on Deer Park Avenue
Video shows racist road rage rant on Deer Park Avenue
Video shows racist road rage rant on Deer Park Avenue
Cellphone video that has been viewed more than a million times shows an enraged driver shouting a racial slur at a Huntington Station father on a busy Long Island roadway.
Cellphone video that has been viewed more than a million times shows an enraged driver shouting a racial slur at a Huntington Station father on a busy Long Island roadway.
Branson mourns for 17 killed in sinking of packed duck boat
Branson mourns for 17 killed in sinking of packed duck boat
A duck boat capsized and sank in stormy weather in the tourist town of Branson, Missouri.
A duck boat capsized and sank in stormy weather in the tourist town of Branson, Missouri.
Nassau PBA hosts annual block party at Camp Anchor
Nassau PBA hosts annual block party at Camp Anchor
Kids got to enjoy a special day of fun with Nassau police Friday in Lido Beach.
Kids got to enjoy a special day of fun with Nassau police Friday in Lido Beach.
Business Briefs: Credit cards, cutting cable, Disney
Business Briefs: Credit cards, cutting cable, Disney
Annual credit card interest and fees have topped $100 billion. Cord cutting is on the rise. Disney is set to debut its first virtual reality film.
Annual credit card interest and fees have topped $100 billion. Cord cutting is on the rise. Disney is set to debut its first virtual reality film.
Local leaders highlight the Drug Take Back Act
Local leaders highlight the Drug Take Back Act
The new law was created to make it easier for residents to turn in unused prescription medications.
The new law was created to make it easier for residents to turn in unused prescription medications.
More lifeguards on duty in wake of shark encounters
More lifeguards on duty in wake of shark encounters
More lifeguards were on duty at Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks Friday following two shark attacks and a wave of sightings along the South Shore this week.
More lifeguards were on duty at Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks Friday following two shark attacks and a wave of sightings along the South Shore this week.
Residents circulate petition against Williston Park development
Residents circulate petition against Williston Park development
Residents of a Williston Park community are expressing concerns as the owners of a vacant lot look to construct two new buildings.
Residents of a Williston Park community are expressing concerns as the owners of a vacant lot look to construct two new buildings.
