Week in Review: Quality of Life Task Force Rebooted; Teachers to Fly with NASA

Took a look back on the week's top headlines, and catch some news you might have missed.

Click on the headlines for more on each story.

Obama's Budget Includes $160K for Shinnecocks
President Barack Obama's 2013 budget proposal includes $160,000 for the Shinnecock Nation, a Native American tribe with a reservation in Southampton that became federally recognized in 2010.

Thiele Joins Call for Two East End Assembly Districts
A couple of weeks after a proposal to put the North Fork and South Fork in the same Assembly district was met with blowback from North Fork politicians, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, I-Sag Harbor, joined the call for two separate East End Assembly districts.

Town Restarts Quality of Life Task Force
The Southampton Town Board is reviving the Housing and Quality of Life Task Force in an effort to clamp down on illegal rentals and substandard housing.

Lawsuits Test Southampton Trustees' Authority
A vicious storm in 1992 set off a barrage of lawsuits years later between West Hampton Dunes residents and the Southampton Town Trustees, but two State Supreme Court decisions handed down in January gave the controversy a push forward toward resolution.

Trustees to Trade Sand for Mill Pond Remediation
In anticipation of the Southampton Town Board eventually budgeting for the remediation of ailing Mill Pond in Water Mill, the site of a massive fish kill in 2008, the Town Trustees have resolved to give the Parks & Recreation Department $50,000 worth of sand to renourish Mecox Beach in Bridgehampton.

Town Board Reluctantly Accepts Comptroller's Resignation
With regrets, the Southampton Town Board voted Tuesday to accept the resignation of Town Comptroller Tamara Wright, effective the end of the month.

ZBA Delays Decision on North Sea Day Camp
27east reports that the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals is now set to render a decision March 15 on whether a controversial camp proposal needs further review to determine if a camp is a pre-existing use on the parcel.

Noyac Road Safety Measures Still Planned
Southampton Town Councilwoman Bridget Fleming says that, despite a recent alert from a local bicyclist group to the contrary, the town is still committed to restructuring Noyac Road to make it safer for motorists and bicyclists alike, The Sag Harbor Express reports.

Supermarket Law Fans Come Out of Woodwork
After two public hearings in which the critics dominated the conversation, fans of legislation proposed in Southampton Village to allow for a new grocery store spoke up at the final hearing Thursday.

After Bullet Shot Into Bedroom, Teen Charged
While investigating gunshots reported on Henry Street, Southampton Village police discovered a .22 caliber round on a bed, which they say entered the home from outside.

Sag Harbor Police Log: Valley Stream Man Drove High, Had Expired Pill Bottles
Sag Harbor Village Police Department arrest for the week of Feb. 7 through Feb. 13.

Town Police Log: Heroin Found in Man's Car
Southampton Town police reports for east of the Shinnecock Canal from Feb. 7 to Feb. 13.

Southampton Town Incident Reports: Three Burglaries Reported
Crimes and suspicious incidents from Feb. 7 to Feb. 13. reported to Southampton Town police.

2 Southampton Teachers Will Fly With NASA
NASA has selected just 26 educators from across the country to participate in research flights aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, and two Southampton science teachers are among them.

High Schoolers Make Video for PSA Competition
Four Southampton High School students are raising awareness about distracted driving while showcasing their talent as filmmakers.

Dunkerley's: Building for Sale, Business Is Not
Dunkerley's Office Products owner Harold Wilson says it is no secret that the building that houses his business is on the market — but that doesn't mean Dunkerley's itself it for sale.

Roanoke Vineyards to Open on Love Lane, Creative Director Heads to Stony Brook Southampton
Roanoke Vineyard Creative Director Scott Sandell told Patch on Tuesday that the winery will open its second tasting room at 165 Love Lane, a storefront vacated in November when Model Nails closed up shop.

Sen Opening City Satellite
If you're one of those who love Sen's sushi and miss it when you're away from the South Fork, you'll be relieved to know it will be just a taxi ride away.

Valentine's Dance Benefits Museum
A Valentine's Day at 230 Elm in Southampton Village Saturday with DJ Sounds Incredible raised money for the Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center.

Hoedown Benefits Animal Shelter
There were cocktails, dinner and square dancing with Dave Harvey and the Barnburners Saturday at "Puppy Love Prance," a benefit for the Southampton Animal Shelter at Southampton Inn.

Hampton Classic Co-founder Anne Aspinall Dies
Anne Aspinall, one of the founders of the Hampton Classic Horse Show and a long-time board member of the annual event in Bridgehampton, died Thursday morning following a long battle with cancer.

Southampton Native Mick McNamara Dies at 52
Mick McNamara, formerly of Southampton, died Feb. 9 after a long fight with cancer.

Altschuler: Obama, Bishop Violate Religious Freedom with Birth Control Rule
Candidate for Congress says Catholic organizations should be exempt from federal rule that mandates the health plans they offer to cover birth control.

Letter to the Editor: Altschuler Op-Ed Is 'Chaos Campaigning'
John Bouvier responds to congressional candidate's op-ed on Obama's contraception insurance rule for Catholic organizations.

POLL: Where Does Shelter Island Belong in the State Assembly?
East End elected officials are now pushing for a South Fork-Shelter Island-Brookhaven district — what do you think?