For most students in Nassau and Suffolk, today marks the end of summer. As reported in Newsday, public school students in 75 Long Island districts — more than half of the 124 overall — will resume classes the day after Labor Day 2025. Another 33 will open their doors tomorrow, and 12 start on Thursday.

Three districts, meanwhile, got an early jump on the school year, with Jericho, Bethpage and Herricks kicking off classes last week.

Today will also likely bring with it new challenges, as it will be the first day many students will be banned from using their cellphones during the school day. Educators expect there will be an adjustment period for all involved, particularly when it comes to handling exemptions for reasons such as managing a medical condition or for an individualized education plan.

On the east end, Montauk, Amagansett, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Southampton, Tuckahoe, Westhampton Beach, Riverhead, and Southold begin school today…Sag Harbor and Hampton Bays, tomorrow.

Greenport Schools start classes this Thursday.

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A downtown Riverhead bar set a Sept. 20 closing date after the town successfully seized the building using eminent domain.

New York State Supreme Court Justice John Leo signed an order last Wednesday granting the Town of Riverhead’s petition to acquire the lease held by SNR Bar 25 Corp., which has run Craft'D at 127 E. Main St. since 2019.

Tara Smith reports in NEWSDAY that completing the eminent domain proceeding means plans for Riverhead’s new town square can proceed. In August, Riverhead inked a deal with developer Joe Petrocelli to build the square, which will feature a hotel and condos, public gathering space, a playground and an amphitheater on the Peconic River.

Sean Kenna, who co-owns the bar, pleaded with the town to reconsider at public hearings earlier this year. "Unfortunately, it was inevitable," he said in a text message Saturday. "We tried but the town is moving forward with their plan."

The business announced it will close Sept. 20.

“After 6 incredible years of cooking, serving, laughing, and sharing memories, our time here has come to an end due to the town's decision to move forward with their project,” the owners wrote in a Facebook post.

Petrocelli plans to raze the building at 127 E. Main St. and replace it with a five-story hotel, condos, retail and restaurant space, a $32 million project.

The Craft'D building is one of three Riverhead Town acquired in 2021 to make way for the new town square. Riverhead paid $2.65 million for the building at 127 E. Main St., $950,000 for 121 E. Main St. and $1.25 million for 117 E. Main St. It demolished the latter two to make space for the square.

Under state law, government agencies can take private property if the purpose meets two criteria: It must be for public use, and just compensation must be paid.

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The East Hampton Aviation Association invites everyone to come and enjoy a day of flying, food, and fun at Just Plane Fun Day 2025 this coming Saturday, September 6 from 10am to 3pm at the East Hampton Town Airport in Wainscott. Free parking and entry.

The East Hampton Aviation Association are partnering with Sound Aircraft Services and the East Hampton Airport to provide everyone in our community the exciting opportunity to experience vintage and modern aircraft up close and personal. Just Plane Fun Day will be a family-friendly, fun filled adventure that will bring the entire community together in a way that educates, inspires and motivates people of all ages.

That’s JUST PLANE FUN DAY this coming Saturday from 10am to 3pm at East Hampton Town Airport, 173 Daniels Hole Road, Wainscott, NY 11975.

For more info visit hamptonflyers.com

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Alarmed by the increase in the number of drownings in Suffolk County in one year, an alliance on water safety...