Week in Review: DA Questions Southampton Cop's Credibility; Fleming May Challenge LaValle

The week's top headlines, and some news you might have missed:

National Geographic Traveler has confirmed what Southampton locals have known for years: Coopers Beach is a great place to spend the day with your family. The magazine named the Southampton Village beach the number two family beach in the U.S. On top of that honor, National Geographic says the Hamptons collectively, from Southampton to Montauk Point, make for the fourth best beach in the world.

The grand opening of the Parrish Art Museum's new facility in Water Mill, a 34,400-square-foot Herzog & de Meuron-designed building, will be Nov. 10, the museum announced this week. And local residents — of the Southampton and Tuckahoe school districts — and the museum's members and donors will have exclusive access starting Nov. 5.

The popular East End program will kick off on Sunday and run from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend.

After nearly a month, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has re-opened Sag Harbor Cove to shellfishing, determining that the shellfish are now safe for human consumption.

EvoFit Challenge created to help youth achieve dreams.

Southampton Author Phil Keith has been touring Long Island talking about his new book, "Black Horse Riders," a true story about a Vietnam Calvary Unit that finally received recognition for a battle and rescue operation they took part in more than 40 years ago. Check out the video to hear Keith talk about the story behind the book.

Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota said Friday that two convicted drug dealers are being released from prison as a result of an ongoing review of more than 100 arrests by an officer who belonged to the 's now-defunct street crimes unit. While Spota said his office has gathered information that affects the credibility of the unnamed officer, published reports and a source familiar with the matter claim a member of the street crimes unit was addicted to drugs.

Says union officials are attempting to malign "fine people," Newsday reports.

Having received a passing score, Tom Cummings can now officially be installed as chief.

A year into his new gig as Southampton Town police chief, William Wilson, formerly chief of the Southampton Village Police Department, spoke before the Hampton Bays Civic Association Monday night, laying out his goals for the department. Wilson, who was appointed by the Town Board on May 3, 2011, says the past year has been challenging, but the Southampton native said he is slowly working towards change. The following is what he laid out during the meeting.

17 additional patrol cars will be out across the East End this summer.

Also in the week's police reports, a wallet reported stolen while on the check-out line, and $15,000 of outdoor furniture goes missing from Little Neck Road home.

Three nights in a row after midnight, cops pull over alleged drunk drivers from New York.

Douglaston woman charged in North Sea, and Hampton Bays man charged in Bridgehampton.

Also in the police logs, a 65-year-old woman is charged with DWI after driving herself to the police station.

Also in the week's Southampton Village arrest reports, a Sag Harbor man is charged with possessing crack, and four are charged with DWI.

Also on the East End this past week, a Springs man charged with rape after information surfaces on Facebook.

Additionally, a voting machine malfunction will lead to a re-vote on a proposition to expend capital funds on replacing heating pipes. 

Meeting to discuss future of relationship between Southampton and Tuckahoe school districts will be June 6.

Janet Verneuille credited with seeking the Sag Harbor School District through difficult economic times.

Southampton Town Councilwoman Bridget Fleming, I-Noyac, is mulling throwing her hat into the race for New York State Senate, and has opened an exploratory committee. Longtime incumbent Kenneth P. LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, intends to fight to retain his seat, and Fleming has a Democratic opponent as well — Jennifer Maertz, D-Rocky Point, announced her candidacy in February. Maertz challenged LaValle last year and lost by a 2-1 ratio, after stepping in to take the place on the ballot of Regina Calcaterra, D-New Suffolk, who was disqualified over residency requirements.

The First Congressional District election is now a two-man race — George Demos, R-Ronkonkoma, withdrew his candidacy Friday. In a statement emailed Friday afternoon, Demos said he is stepping aside to focus on his pending nuptials and new family. Demos' exit leaves incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop, D-Southampton, and challenger Randy Altschuler, R-Smithtown.

Sag Harbor, East Hampton, North Sea and Bridgehampton fire departments mobilize for fire at 21 Harbor Drive.

If you don't live in Southampton Village, parking at can run you as much as $40 per day or $350 for the season, but a new shuttle service offered by village natives will drop you off and pick you up at Coopers this summer for a price that's much easier to swallow: Free.

Hampton Jitney offers new bottled water to passengers, who can use their smartphones to access the South Fork before they arrive.

If there are ones you dread, we want to hear about those, too.

Riverhead tasting room commissioned to curate selection for New York State Wine Outlet in Shanghai, China, including Hamptons wine.

Kevin McAllister, the Peconic Baykeeper, along with Lars Svanberg of Main Beach Surf and Sport, held the first stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) competition in Sag Harbor on Saturday — a celebration of paddleboarding as a sport and a way to get people to raise their consciousness about the health of local waters.

 
This is the seventh annual Big Show at the Silas Marder Gallery in Bridgehampton. There are more than 50 artists that participate each year. About half of the artists chosen are from the local area. The other half are from around the world. Each artist is given three 8- by 10-inch custom-made canvases to create work for the show.

Annual preview party and plant sale supports local lectures, workshops educational programs and more by the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons.

Upload your photos from local youth sporting events here.