James Tuthill's Portfolio

Another Soldier Ride circles the North Fork by James Tuthill | 06/26/2011 9:16 AM       KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | The North Fork Soldier Ride took off from Greenport's Mitchell Park Saturday. On a cloudy morning in Greenport, a ray of light was shining through the sky just as about 200 biking enthusiasts arrived at Mitchell Park to show their support for wounded war veterans Saturday. The North Fork Soldier Ride, now in its second year, is sponsored by the Wounded Warriors Project, non-profit from Florida. The object of the 30-mile long ride is to give the veterans a chance to rehabilitate physically while seeing how much the public appreciates their service, something that is shown through donations and participation in the ride. The event simultaneously works to raise awareness and money. About $30,000 was raised this year to be put toward more events and programs to help these soldiers adapt to life back home. It isn’t just soldiers riding though, the ...

A night of music & memories in downtown Riverhead by James Tuthill | 07/17/2011 7:46 AM       JAMES TUTHILL PHOTO | The Party Dolls take the stage as the sun sets behind Grangebel Park to the west. Local music lovers were able to travel back to an era of their choosing Saturday night at the first-ever Oldies concert event sponsored by the Riverhead Business Improvement District. The free concert along downtown’s Peconic Riverfront consisted of three bands: The Acchords, Party Dolls and Symphonic Soul. The Acchords’ catalog extended back into the ’50s and early ’60s doo-wop. The Party Dolls sang a medley of disco and ’80s pop hits. Symphonic Soul then closed out the night with a set of  memorable Motown hits from the ’60s and ’70s. The Oldies concert was held the same weekend the Riverhead Blues Festival is typically scheduled. A warring Riverhead BID and nonprofit Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, which has run the Blues Festival over the past several years ...

Man rescued from capsized sailboat in Long Island Sound by James Tuthill | 07/17/2011 9:52 PM       JAMES TUTHILL PHOTO | A capsized sailboat and its lone occupant were towed ashore Sunday night. A boater was rescued off the shore of Wading River Beach Sunday night after high winds caused his sailboat to capsize, according to the man and fire department officials. “The wind started to make the boat tip and it capsized,” said the sailor, who wished to remain anonymous. He declined to comment further. The boat was towed back to the beach by personal watercraft. The Wading River Fire Department assisted with the rescue. The sailor, who was brought ashore about 7 p.m., did not need medical assistance. The call was reported just after 6 p.m. http://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2011/07/18694/man-rescued-from-capsized-sailboat-in-long-island-sound/

House fire sparks Thursday night near Pulaski Street school by James Tuthill | 07/29/2011 7:51 AM       JAMES TUTHILL PHOTO | Fire damage at the Elton Street house. A small electrical fire sparked in the walls of a two story home on Elton Place in Riverhead late Thursday, a stone’s throw from Pulaski Street Elementary School. The Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department received a call for help around 10:50pm, officials said. “It wasn’t very large, it took about 45 minutes to bring the fire under control.” said chief Nicholas Luparella. The fire burned the walls of the first and second floor and left some visible damage to the outside of the house, officials said. About 40 members of the department responded, blocking off Elton Place and controlling a crowd of onlookers as firefighters doused the flames with a hose the length of two streets to the house. Nobody was injured, officials said. http://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2011/07/19570/house-fire...

Riverhead Celebrates Juneteenth Riverhead celebrated the freedom of every man, woman and child in America with a Juneteenth picnic at Stotzky Park Saturday. Juneteenth is the commemoration of June 19, 1865, the date when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger led a band of Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas, the last location in America to practice slavery. All slaves had been freed with the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, though it was about two and half years before slaves working in Texas learned that fact. The Juneteenth celebration was brought to Riverhead 10 years ago by East End Voters Coalition co-chairman Robert “Bubbie” Brown of Riverhead. Mr. Brown said he had read an article about the nationally celebrated event and mentioned it to his colleagues at EEVC. The idea grew from there. The celebration began as a parade in its first few years but then became a picnic complete with games, guest speakers and an essay contest. EEVC members also hold a Martin ...

Bands battle each other — and the heat — for gel candle victim Michael Hubbard by James Tuthill | 07/23/2011 12:42 PM         Every band that took the stage Friday night pointed out how hot it was outside. How much does the Riverhead community care about helping 14-year-old burn victim Michael Hubbard and his family? The answer could be found in the crowd of about 100 to 120 supporters who braved 100-degree heat and stifling humidity for a Battle of the Bands fundraiser Friday night. The event was organized by the Riverhead High School Key Club. The Key Club members set up a stage atop second base on the Stotzky Park softball field in Riverhead, a setup that gave the audience the entire outfield on which to kick around beach balls, play football games and enjoy the music. “It’s really hot up here.” was a phrase uttered into the mic by a member of almost every band that took the stage. That was understandable, as Friday set the record fo...

Fall of Puppy Sale Ban Bill Draws Mixed Reaction Local animal rescue Kent Animal Shelter was disappointed in the bill's failure, while a pet store owner was happy the bill was abandoned. By James Tuthill, Patch Poster | Aug 4, 2011 2:22 am ET | Updated Aug 4, 2011 10:09 am ET Puppies will remain on the market in Suffolk County, as a proposed bill to ban puppy sales was abandoned by supporters last week. The proposal was intended to crack down on puppy mills, in which  millions of dogs are often bred in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. The bill was pulled by Leg. Jon Cooper, D-Lloyd Harbor, despite his previous support for the ban, because the legislation would have violated state laws concerning illegal restraint of trade. The sudden failure of the puppy sale ban was met with disappointment at local shelters. "We were in full support of the bill. It's a shame it didn't go through, I don't know who would have put that law in place." said ...