Riverhead’s next superintendent of schools got a warm welcome from the Board of Education and Riverhead school district community Wednesday night when the board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Robert Hagan to the post, effective July 1. Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that Hagan, 51, of Rocky Point, is currently the assistant superintendent for human resources in the Longwood Central School District, a position he’s held since September 2020. He has 26 years experience as an educator, working as a middle school and high school social studies teacher, before becoming an administrator in 2007. Hagan said he realizes he’s coming into the district at a critical time, taking the reins from Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich, who came to Riverhead after it went through a period of turmoil.The district has its challenges, he acknowledged. “I think that’s exciting. Having challenges is certainly exciting, because now we’re working together.” Hagan said his goal is to “listen and learn and see where people are at and just build on a great foundation that has been put in place.” Hagan grew up in Sayville. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Fordham University, Master of Science in secondary education at Dowling College and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration at Fordham University. He is married and the father of two daughters, ages 16 and 13. Hagan will be paid $260,000 annually, plus benefits. He has signed a three-year contract with the Riverhead Central School District, commencing July 1.

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A plane carrying several members of the U.S. Congress, including 1st Congressional District Rep. Nick LaLota, was bumped by another plane’s wing on a taxiway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport yesterday. LaLota (R-Amityville) posted on the social media website X that he was departing from the airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday afternoon when the collision occurred. LaLota wrote, "Serving in Congress has come with some once in a lifetime experiences ... like just now while stationary on the runway at DCA, another plane just bumped into our wing. Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is O.K.!," John Asbury reports in NEWSDAY that the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the collision. No injuries were reported. FAA officials said, "The wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 struck American Airlines Flight 4522” on a taxiway at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday. Officials said LaLota and other congressional representatives were traveling on an Embraer E175 heading to Kennedy Airport when it was clipped by a Bombardier CRJ 900 heading to Charleston. LaLota's office issued a statement that both planes returned to the terminal for safety inspections. "The Congressman is grateful for the swift and professional response by the flight crew, who prioritized the safety and well-being of everyone on board," his office said in a statement. "Congressman LaLota intends to bring this firsthand experience to his work in Congress, advocating for stronger aviation oversight and enhanced public safety to help prevent similar incidents in the future."

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An angel has found the Greenport Skate Park, after years of searching for funding to restore the village-owned park on Moore’s Lane.

Rena Wilhelm, President of the non-profit Greenport Skate Park Inc., announced on the group’s Facebook page in early April that Dominick Marcoccia of Marco Masonry Corp. in Aquebogue, has agreed to rebuild the nearly three decades old park which has fallen into disrepair. Beth Young reports in EAST END BEACON that Marcoccia met earlier this year with board members, and said he could do the work for not too much more than the $100,000 the group had raised.

“He’s really doing this out of the goodness of his heart,” said Ms. Wilhelm. The next step will be to present their plans to the...