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Newspaper cover

Read the
latest issue

Fire Island News & Great South Bay News: Fire Island’s longest-running news source, since 1957Fire Island News & Great South Bay News: Fire Island’s longest-running news source, since 1957

Bethpage

Best of LI

Nominate
  • News
    • Day in the Life
    • Environment
    • Eye on FI
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    • History
    • Summer Scenes from the South Shore
    • Northwell Health
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Fire Island News & Great South Bay News: Fire Island’s longest-running news source, since 1957Fire Island News & Great South Bay News: Fire Island’s longest-running news source, since 1957
  • News
  • Day in the Life
  • Environment
  • Eye on FI
  • Features
  • History
  • Summer Scenes from the South Shore
  • Northwell Health
  • Arts & Culture
  • Arts & Theatre
  • Books & Authors
  • Things to Do
  • Local Events
  • Submit an Event
  • Communities
  • Atlantique
  • Bay Shore
  • Cherry Grove & Pines
  • Davis Park
  • Fair Harbor
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  • Kismet
  • Ocean Bay Park
  • Saltaire
  • Sayville–Patchogue
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About the Author

Shoshanna McCollum

Shoshanna McCollum is the Editor-in-Chief of Fire Island News and Great South Bay News, as well as the Managing Editor for Dan’s NYC, all under the direction of Schneps Media.

The Great South Bay News and Fire Island News are looking for interns to work in the editorial department of Long Island’s South Shore region’s leading news and lifestyle publications.
Fire Island News

Great South Bay News and Fire Island News Seeks Interns for 2026

Posted on January 4, 2026
The news that an adult male deliberately jumped to his death from the Fire Island Lighthouse tower at 1:45 p.m. on August 29, the Friday before Labor Day Weekend, shocked the Great South Bay community and the greater Long Island area. He chose the tallest lighthouse on Long Island for this act of suicide. He bought his ticket before jumping off the observation platform. Suffolk County Marine Bureau officers and the West Islip Fire Department responded to the incident. To this day, his name has not been publicly disclosed by authorities. However, about a month after the incident, the publication learned that he was a cousin of one of the contributors to our sister newspaper, the Fire Island News, making him part of our extended family. The man was 59 years old and had spent his life in public service with Suffolk County. We withhold his identity out of respect for his grieving loved ones. If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that resources are available to help. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 988 before making such a desperate decision.
Patchogue

Great South Bay & Fire Island Departures of Note: 2025

Posted on December 31, 2025
The first day of November started with about 30 first responder units, 60 volunteer actors, and other emergency service agencies participating in a mass-casualty incident drill at the Sayville Ferry Terminal. Onlookers might have thought the worst, but the Suffolk County Police Department and media outlets helped spread the word to avoid misunderstandings.
Sayville

A First Responder Drill in Sayville Prepares for Real-Life Events in the Great South Bay and Beyond

Posted on December 29, 2025
Veterans Day is taken to heart in the Great South Bay neighborhoods. We all have someone close to us who served in one of the branches of the U.S. Military Armed Forces. How we express our appreciation to them is as varied as the men and women who can proudly call themselves veterans. On Nov. 5, Canine Companions Long Island Chapter held its annual Salute Independence gala at Captain Bill's in Bay Shore.
Kismet

Veterans Day on Great South Bay with Canine Companions

Posted on December 28, 2025
It was a mild and tranquil Christmas Day on Fire Island, as all who stayed here over the holiday can attest. However, after the holiday bliss, residents who live here year-round woke up to no electricity as early as 2 a.m. this morning. The outage appears to extend from the Atlantique community through the western half of Ocean Beach. PSEG Long Island has not responded to our questions about the cause of this outage. Power was restored at approximately 12:15 p.m.  Over the past nine hours, affected households used their emergency power generators, if available—those who did not waited it out.
Ocean Bay Park

Power Outages and Ferry Service Suspensions Greet Fire Island the Day After Christmas

Posted on December 26, 2025
John Philpotts-Kerr, age 65, was seriously injured on Sunday afternoon, December 21, while handling fireworks inside his residence at 138 Pine Neck Ave. in East Patchogue. The firework unexpectedly detonated in his lap, injuring his groin. He was transported via medevac helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for emergency treatment of burns and other serious physical injuries.
Patchogue

East Patchogue Man Injured in Firework Accident

Posted on December 22, 2025
The Girl Scouts from across Suffolk County gathered to flip the switch on the annual Girl Scouts of Suffolk County(GSSC) Holiday Light Show on Nov. 28 at Camp Edey, at 1500 Lakeview Ave., Bayport. The highlight of the show will be “Girl Scout Way,” an area where the five winning creations from the 2025 Girl Scouts Holiday Light Design Contest will be on display. Each design was drawn by a Girl Scout, and the groundkeepers at Camp Edey custom-built them, with creations ranging from six to twelve feet tall. Local design-winners include: Olivia Castelli of Patchogue, Ciara Weisbecker of Babylon, and Amani Bradley-Coleman, Sienna Lebron, Teresa Cortez, Natalia Ciborowski, Kaylee Jimenez, Kiera Green-Wilson, Maggie Ericson, Bomi Oyewo, and Hanmi Oyewo of Lindenhurst. Launched more than 20 years ago, the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Holiday Light Show has grown into a Long Island tradition — transforming the scenic grounds of Camp Edey into an “Enchanted Forest” of lights. The show remains on display through Dec. 21.
Communities

Girl Scouts of Suffolk County Holiday Light Show 2025 in Bayport

Posted on December 18, 2025
In the heart of December, the holiday edition of Great South Bay News is on its way to newsstands, and we are confident it will enrich your celebrations.
Arts & Theatre

Holiday Cheer is Here with Our December Edition of Great South Bay News

Posted on December 17, 2025
Fifth-grade students at Manetuck Elementary School in the West Islip Union Free School District kicked off the holiday season with a festive, hands-on activity, designing and decorating their own gingerbread houses alongside guests on Dec. 12.
West Islip

Gingerbread Galore at Manetuck School in West Islip

Posted on December 16, 2025
Hanukkah this year began on the evening of December 14, and continues through December 22—the first full day of winter. While some villages and hamlets opted for an early start, festivities in the Great South Bay neighborhoods that land within the holiday itself.
Patchogue

Hanukkah in Our Great South Bay Neighborhoods

Posted on December 15, 2025
Paul Lucia, 60, of Islip Terrace was arrested on Nov. 21 on second-degree arson charges in connection with an incident that occurred the night before at Riley Fibbers bar, on Carlton Ave. in East Islip.
East Islip

East Islip’s Riley Fibbers Grill and Pub is Now Reopen After November Arson Incident

Posted on December 11, 2025
Bay Shore’s high-octane hamlet needs to be fueled, and it is no surprise that coffee cafés keep sprouting up with no end in sight. However, no two are the same; each has its own distinct vibe, and all are wonderful in their own way. Enjoy our mini-guide!
Dining

The Bean Business in Bay Shore

Posted on December 10, 2025
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Things to do on Fire Island

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Sharks are one of the most diverse group
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Dahlia Inspirations
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Fly It Forward
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Steve Einig Sandpiper Run
315 Bay Walk

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Arts & Theatre

  • Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of William Shakespeare, right in your own neighborhood! Each summer, in addition to art classes, concerts, movie nights, and showcases, the Islip Arts Council (IAC) presents a free Shakespeare in the Park series throughout the Town of Islip. This year, a small group of actors from Studio Theatre of Long Island will enchant audiences with their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A Summer Night Full of Magic and Shakespeare with the Islip Arts Council
  • Kawaii Art Workshop   Saturday, August 8 (11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Kids can explore the playful world of Kawaii art during a beginner-friendly workshop hosted by the Islip Arts Council on Saturday, August 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The one-hour class will introduce young artists to the fundamentals of Kawaii-style drawing, including color, shapes, shading, and technique. Students will learn how to create adorable Kawaii-style animals and objects while building the skills needed for further study of the art form. The class costs $25 and will take place at the Islip Arts Council’s Offices & Gallery at South Shore Mall in Bay Shore, next to Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Summer in August: Things To Do this Weekend and the Week Ahead Along the Great South Bay and on Fire Island
  • aggie Fischer Memorial Cross Bay Swim Friday, July 31 (7 a.m.) Since 1927, the Cross Bay Swim has been the signature athletic event on the Great South Bay, drawing swimmers from across the country to a 5.6- mile course from the Fire Island Lighthouse to Brightwaters. The endurance event starts at 7 a.m., when swimmers begin their journey across the Great South Bay and arrive at Gilbert Park in Brightwaters between 10 and 11 a.m. Cheer on the swimmers as they cross the finish line, or catch the action virtually as @maggies_swim posts in real time on Instagram! The Last Week of July: Things To Do this Weekend and the Week Ahead Around Fire Island and Along the Great South Bay
  • CM Performing Arts Center (CMPAC) presents musicals, plays, community events, and educational programs throughout the year. While its productions entertain thousands of theatergoers annually, one initiative has become especially meaningful: Sensory Sensitive Performances, thoughtfully designed for neurodivergent audience members and those with sensory sensitivities. CM Performing Arts Center Sensory Sensitive Shows: Creating a Stage Where Everyone Belongs
  • Gateway Playhouse is upping its ante. Formerly known as The Gateway, the regional theater in Bellport, known for its Broadway talent and ebullient musicals, announced its new name, Gateway Playhouse, at its recent Cabaret Night Benefit Fundraiser. Besides the name, Cabaret Night is new too. The new Cabaret Night Fundraisers debuted in March, with standing-room-only attendance in the barn theater and top-area restaurant food and drink. Gateway Boosts Its Cache with a Name Change

Dining Review

  • Kawaii Art Workshop   Saturday, August 8 (11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Kids can explore the playful world of Kawaii art during a beginner-friendly workshop hosted by the Islip Arts Council on Saturday, August 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The one-hour class will introduce young artists to the fundamentals of Kawaii-style drawing, including color, shapes, shading, and technique. Students will learn how to create adorable Kawaii-style animals and objects while building the skills needed for further study of the art form. The class costs $25 and will take place at the Islip Arts Council’s Offices & Gallery at South Shore Mall in Bay Shore, next to Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Summer in August: Things To Do this Weekend and the Week Ahead Along the Great South Bay and on Fire Island
  • While visitors often come to Fire Island with a dining reservation or two in mind, locals know there’s a rhythm to eating here, one that embraces the cravings that come with a day spent under the sun. To live like a local, you have to eat like one, too! Dining Like a Local: An Unofficial Guide to Snacking, Sipping, and Dining on Fire Island
  • Fire Island Water Taxi cut through the Great South Bay as the afternoon sun started to turn everything golden. Jeff and I had decided to make a proper night of it: Low Tea at the Blue Whale, the Barn on Fire presentation at Whyte Hall, dinner at Pines Bistro, and dancing at the Pavilion. Date Night Fire Island: Dinner, a Show, and Dancing Under the Stars
  • Situated across from the Cherry Grove dock, Top of the Bay Bistro on Fire Island offers stunning views of the Great South Bay — along with an exceptional American Nouveau menu, fabulous cocktails, and live entertainment weekly. This summer, Executive Chef Xavier Alcequiez has taken full rein of the establishment, with former proprietor Ron King remaining behind the scenes and discreetly supporting Alcequiez and the team in any way he can. Xavier Alcequiez: Taking the Reins at Top of the Bay Birstro in Cherry Grove
  • News 12’s Erin Colton Returns to the Ocean Beach Chamber of Commerce 3rd Annual Top Toque Cooking Contest

Home Pros

Things to do on Fire Island

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