New York State's newly released draft energy plan, citing uncertainty around new green-energy projects, calls for a more "strategic" process for retiring an aging fleet of natural gas and other combustion-based power plants. Mark Harrington reports in NEWSDAY that the language contained in a draft document released Tuesday raises additional questions about the state’s ambitious climate law goals, which call for a zero-emission grid by 2040, on the heels of a Public Service Commission decision last week to nix a new offshore wind power line into New York City.

"Combustion-generating units will remain essential parts of electric grid reliability and affordability, and retirement of these units will not be able to occur until resources that provide the same grid reliability attributes are put in place," the draft plan from the New York State Energy Planning Board states. "New York will seek to carefully manage the retirement of existing assets and evaluate whether there is a need for new generation that is compatible with long-term policy targets."

For Long Island, where the bulk of the power comes from large, antiquated power plants owned by National Grid in Northport, Island Park and Port Jefferson, the statement could provide impetus to those who are calling for the plants to be upgraded. LIPA’s contracts with the plants expire in 2028, and the utility has already negotiated declining tax payment schedules that foresaw their eventual retirement. LIPA in a statement called the draft plan "thoughtful and transparent" and said it "looks forward to reviewing the plan ..."

Release of the Draft New York State Energy Plan comes as the Trump administration has changed the government's view of offshore wind and other green-energy technologies from climate saviors to "scams." The administration has halted new permits and leases for wind projects that had been expected to largely displace fossil fuel plants as the primary source of Long Island’s energy over the next decade.

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Sag Harbor Superintendent of Schools Jeff Nichols provided an update to the board on the work the district’s educational facilities planning committee has been doing to try to determine a path forward for the high school gymnasium, as part of an overall capital improvement project, at the most recent Board of Education meeting last week.

Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that the gym is more than 50 years old and is “in some ways substandard,” Nichols said, pointing out that the ceiling is not high enough for volleyball games, that the floor has multiple dead spots, the windows are in disrepair, and the locker rooms are on a different floor than where the actual gym is, which creates a problem in terms of safety and supervision. The committee conducted community outreach earlier in the year to try and involve parents in the process of figuring out what would be the best path forward to address those issues. Based on some of that feedback, the district enlisted architect Michael Guido to develop several different options for improving the area. A large-scale project would not only address the gym but also could include the creation of a marine biology wet lab that would mirror facilities in both Southampton and Westhampton Beach school districts; additional instructional space for music education; a recording and podcast studio; an updated fitness facility that would be open to the community; and upgrades that would make the school better equipped to serve its capacity as an official Red Cross shelter in case of a communitywide emergency. Between now and October, the committee will continue to conduct community outreach and solicit feedback on three options, while refining the designs and cost estimates. The Sag Harbor School District would then go out for a bond vote on the project in November this year. If a plan is approved, construction could begin as early as July of 2027, with a tentative completion date in the spring of 2029.

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Sag Harbor’s Main Street was recently named one of the top 10 locations across the country for wellness walks.

Stephen J. Kotz reports on 27east.com that the honor was announced by Assisted Living Magazine after a survey of its readers. The 3,007 respondents named Sag Harbor the sixth-best place in the nation to walk for exercise. Lake Placid was named the top location for wellness walks. Of Sag Harbor, the magazine wrote, “Sag Harbor’s Main Street doesn’t pretend. It’s elegant but grounded, historic but lived-in. The harbor breeze keeps things moving, and the slope to the water offers just enough pull to get the blood flowing. You’ll pass clapboard buildings with centuries behind them, and bookshops that still carry Steinbeck in the window. There’s clam chowder cooking and kids skipping stones just beyond the last café. It’s not just a walk — it’s a moment in the story of a place that hasn’t lost touch with its roots.” That's Main Street in Sag Harbor as described by Assisted Living Magazine.

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Nearly 40 years after the most recent renovation project, the Corwith Windmill in Water Mill — an iconic landmark on the village green on the south side of Montauk Highway in Water Mill — has once again been spruced up and preserved, thanks to the hard work of several community members.

Earlier this week, the arms were put back on the windmill after a renovation project that took place over several months and helped ensure the mill’s survival and operation into the future.

A crew of local carpenters and craftsmen joined forces and worked throughout the winter to restore the windmill, which was originally built in 1779.

The effort was led by the Water Mill Village Improvement Association, which helped raise the $170,000 required to do the work.

Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that there was a restoration in 1987.

Ricky Muller oversaw the current renovation, working alongside his son, Leland Muller, with help from another local craftsman and contractor, Andrew Hurley, and his crew. Muller is a Water Mill resident — and a descendant of the Corwith family who originally owned the mill.

Tom White, also a descendant of the Corwith family, and who was a big part of the 1987 restoration effort, has been a key organizer once again, while David Hawke and other members of the association have put a lot of time and energy into the task as well.

Hawke, who has lived in Water Mill since the 1950s, said he recalled how the 1987 renovation “united the community.” He also pointed out the significance of the fact that the windmill has remained operable all these years. Even though it is rarely put to use, it can still technically function and grind grain, making it one of the only working mills on Long Island, and possibly even across the East Coast.

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High rates of water use have led the Suffolk County Water Authority to urge customers to conserve and to observe lawn watering guidelines.

Water levels in storage tanks have been running "dangerously low," especially at peak demand times in the early morning, the water authority wrote in an email to customers on yesterday. If water demand remains high, water pressure could be reduced for some residential and commercial customers in some areas, the notice continued.

Tracy Tullis reports in NEWSDAY that the SCWA said it issued a warning to customers in some areas last month that water levels were running low. Now the water authority has issued a water alert, urging all customers to curb their use of water. It said high water use in Eaton’s Neck, Kings Park, North Bay Shore, Selden, Montauk and the Town of Southold were "a particular concern."

"We need our customers to take immediate action to reduce their water use," said Charlie Lefkowitz, chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority. "Water is a limited resource, especially during peak summer demand, and we need to ensure there’s enough available for critical needs like fire protection."

Specifically, the utility advised people to "eliminate all unnecessary use of water" and to "limit lawn watering." Houses and businesses with even street numbers should water on even-numbered days and odd-numbered houses and businesses should water only on odd-numbered days, the authority said.

Lawn watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the Environmental Protection Agency says about 30% of water from sprinklers is lost to evaporation.

Consumption appears to be the cause of the water shortage in Suffolk County rather than low rainfall. Long Islanders use 70% more water than the national average, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. An eight-year study by the USGS released last August found the aquifer under Long Island — its sole source of water for drinking and all other uses — was "under stress" from overpumping.

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Stepping into Star Confectionery in Riverhead feels like taking a journey back in time — to a simpler era when everybody knew one another, the owners ran the place and the cook knew what you’d order before you placed it. Generations of families have sat in its booths for breakfast and lunch, devoured its famous Easter chocolates, and relished a scoop of ice cream served in an old-fashioned metal dish. Alek Lewis reports on Riverheadlocal.com that after more than a century in business, the beloved luncheonette and candy store — affectionately known by locals as ‘Papa Nick’s’ — will close its doors on Aug. 27, said third-generation owner Anthony Meras.

Star Confectionery’s roots in Riverhead date back to 1917 as a soda fountain and candy store; the Meras family took ownership in 1921.

Meras, 58, who serves as the restaurant’s cook as well as its ice cream and chocolate maker, said the building at 4 East Main Street in Riverhead has been sold to a Southampton builder - Felix De Los Santos - who, according to Meras, has no plans to continue the restaurant.

“I think he’s going to do right by the building,” Meras said. The structure is a contributing resource to Riverhead’s nationally registered Main Street historic district.

Meras’ final message to the community: “Thank you, and I love you. You have made my family feel like family to everybody in town and all the strangers that have come in. Thank you.”

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How to Host a Hamptons Gala for the Super-Rich is a headline in today’s New York Times.

Facing federal funding cuts, the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is among the institutions increasingly relying on elaborate parties to lure the nation’s elites to pitch in.

Dionne Searcey reports in The NY TIMES that Saturday’s gala at the Parrish, situated amid the tall grasses of Water Mill on the East End of Long Island, is among the signature events in a series of high-end fund-raisers that are a staple of Hamptons summers, with their champagne upon arrival, designer outfits, air kisses and general hobnobbing among billionaires and millionaires who make up some of the nation’s wealthiest elite.

This year, the pressure on nonprofit institutions to raise money at events like these is higher than ever. Federal support for the arts has become unreliable, and tapping just a little bit more of the immense wealth in the Hamptons could make or break an institution.

The Parrish typically relies on its summer gala to raise at least $1 million — about a fifth of its budget — from ticket sales, sponsorships and an auction. This year, museum leaders were hoping the auction proceeds would also help cover another $140,000 to pay for art education programs for people with dementia and other special needs, as the federal government seeks to cancel grants.

Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, the executive director of the Parrish Art Museum, who was overseeing its annual Midsummer Gala, said the 2025 event raised $1.4 million.