Amanda Olsen, Suffolk Times Journalist Profile

Articles

Military Vehicle Club set to hit the trail this spring

2 days ago | riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

The Long Island Military Vehicle Club will bring their love of military apparatus to their latest trail ride Saturday.It is estimated that between 15 and 35vehicles will participate this weekend by driving in a commemorative procession through a local farm. The spring trail ride is one of the highlights of the club’s year and will take place at Lewin Farms, 1583 Sound Avenue, Wading River, on Saturday, May 17.
Move to even-year elections upheld by appellate court

2 days ago | riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

A New York state appellate court in Rochester has unanimously upheld the law Governor Kathy Hochul signed in December 2023, moving most local elections to even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal elections. The five-judge panel also ruled that the law would take effect for the 2025 election cycle, cutting the terms of many local officials short by one year. This reverses the October 2024 lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutional.
Riley Avenue's playground tree blossoms along with students

3 days ago | riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

The new tree at Riley Avenue Elementary School has made it through its first winter. Not only has the red sunset maple survived, it has thrived — adding almost five feet of growth in its tenure at the playground. It was planted at the end of the 23-24 school year as part of the activities of the tree team. While it was a building-wide effort, Charles Gianon, a second-grade teacher and tree team leader, came up with the idea to apply for a grant.
Riverhead FD boasts robust membership, but still seeks volunteers

1 week ago | riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

Fire departments all over Long Island are experiencing a contraction, largely due to the increased cost of living and the demands it puts on wage earners. In order to make ends meet, many are working longer hours, which does not allow for the demanding training required to join a department. Riverhead membership seems to be an outlier. They are able to consistently fill trucks and get them to the emergency, whether that is an active fire or an automatic alarm. “We’re 160 right now.
Local honeybees make more than honey on North Fork farms

1 week ago | riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

A drive east from Riverhead to Orient this time of year passes row after row of farms bathed a sea of bright blooms. Flitting from flower to flower, too small to see from the road, are multitudes of pollinators. Pollination is essential for farms to function, and to make sure they get the biggest yields of well-formed produce, North Fork farmers turn to local beekeepers.
Local honeybees make more than honey on North Fork farms

1 week ago | suffolktimes.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

A drive east from Riverhead to Orient this time of year passes row after row of farms bathed a sea of bright blooms. Flitting from flower to flower, too small to see from the road, are multitudes of pollinators. Pollination is essential for farms to function, and to make sure they get the biggest yields of well-formed produce, North Fork farmers turn to local beekeepers.
River otters once again making Long Island home

1 week ago | suffolktimes.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

With the birth of river otter pups at the Long Island Aquarium and possible sightings of otters at Marion Pond in East Marion, interest in river otters on the East End has increased. Once extirpated from almost all of New York State, these elusive animals have made a remarkable comeback. “On the North Fork, there are otters in most of the main waterways, ponds and creeks, from Orient west to East Marion.
Congregation Tifereth Israel's candles fund field trip to tolerance center

1 week ago | suffolktimes.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

Congregation Tifereth Israel in Greenport held its Yom HaShoah service April 23, where they lit yellow candles in remembrance of those lost in the Holocaust. The donations accepted for the distribution of these candles fund a field trip for world history students from Greenport High School to visit the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center in Glen Cove.
State bills seek to override local zoning control

1 week ago | suffolktimes.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

Twin bills, one in the New York State assembly and one in the state senate, seek to limit the ways local governments can restrict zoning in their jurisdictions. The bills, NY S00188 and A2586, will impose rules on what cities, towns and villages can do about lot sizes, housing density and other restrictions.
State bills seek to override local zoning control

2 weeks ago | riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com | Amanda Olsen

Twin bills, one in the New York State assembly and one in the state senate, seek to limit the ways local governments can restrict zoning in their jurisdictions. The bills, NY S00188 and A2586, will impose rules on what cities, towns and villages can do about lot sizes, housing density and other restrictions.