Week in Review: Biden Visits; Keith Greene Memorialized

Take a look back at the week's top headlines and some news you may have missed.

Just click the headlines for more on each story:

A friend of Keith Greene is compiling a memory book for the children of the popular South Fork chef.

Three East End fire departments joined the Coast Guard for training for fires at sea and in search and rescue operations, as part of a new agreement to standardize efforts between the agencies, which was signed in a ceremony at the Montauk Fire Department on Wednesday evening.

In a move that will likely come as a relief to many local small business owners — and school districts and municipalities, among others — a judge ruled New York State's MTA Payroll Tax unconstitutional on Wednesday. According to Reuters, a State Supreme Court judge in Nassau County said in his ruling that because the law applies to only 12 counties in the state — and neither home rule messages nor two-thirds votes in the State Legislature were obtained — the legislation was passed illegally. The MTA reportedly plans on appealing the ruling.

Southampton Town police said on Wednesday that the driver of a Jeep that hit a cesspool truck head-on one week ago on North Haven remains in critical but stable condition, and no charges are expected to be filed in the crash. According to police, 35-year-old Delia Robertson remains in the care of Stony Brook University Medical Center.

Sag Harbor Village Trustee Tim Culver tendered his resignation on Tuesday, saying that his family has decided to move to North Haven, thus making him ineligible to sit on the Board of Trustees, according to .

Southampton Town has amped up rental law enforcement with increased prosecutions of illegal rentals.

Members of the Southampton Village Volunteer Ambulance say a 40-year-old building is too small and outdated to fit the 45-member volunteer crew.

Art museum prepares for move to new facility in Water Mill, and Southampton Village readies to take over responsibility for 25 Jobs Lane.

Southampton Village Trustee Bill Hattrick envisions adding to the enjoyment of Dune Beach — the village's only resident-only beach — with a bigger deck that will be more suited for special events. Hattrick said at the Aug. 9 Village Board meeting that he wants the village to build a new deck that is double the size of what is there now.

Vice President Joe Biden arrived on the South Fork on Friday for a fundraiser to support the re-election of President Obama — and plenty of people took notice. Patch received reports of heavy traffic in Southampton and Water Mill as the vice president's motorcade prepared to drive through both towns toward Bridgehampton, where the fundraiser was being held.

Biden Speaks at Bridgehampton Fundraiser for Obama
Nathan Lane hosted a fundraiser with several celebrities present, including a performance by James Taylor. Biden sized up the presidential election for the crowd. Read what he had to say at 27east.

The 37th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show kicks off Sunday in Bridgehampton, bringing eight days of world-class equestrian competition and capping off the Hamptons social season. In addition to competitions and celeb-spotting, the Classic also offers pony rides, petting zoos, boutique shopping and several special events, such as the ASPCA Adoption Day on Monday.

Catch interviews with celebrities and riders from the show grounds starting Sunday, then continuing Sept. 1 and 2.

In New York State Senate and U.S. Congress races, candidates with contrasting views on abortion all disavow Missouri congressman who suggested that "legitimate rape" very rarely leads to pregnancy.

As a rematch of the 2010 Congressional election in New York's first district heats up, incumbent Democrat Tim Bishop is adding an office in Smithtown, the back yard of St. James Republican Randy Altschuler. A spokesman for Bishop, who hails from Southampton, said the campaign headquarters in Farmingville has filled up, and the Smithtown satellite location is set to open Sunday morning.

Democrats in a primary race to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Kenneth LaValle to debate twice during the week.

An effort to target individuals driving while intoxicated has netted scores of busts.

Several burglaries reported in Bridgehampton and Water Mill.

Offenders found to be in violation of registration mandates during "Operation Lighthouse."

Also, police said they found some oxycodone pills during a traffic stop.

Also this week, a Hampton Bays man was charged with sexual assault of a child.