Bay Shore News » Fire Island News & Great South Bay News

The terror of September 11, 2001, was a day that changed New Yorkers and Americans alike. On that sunny Tuesday morning, half of the 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 from Logan Airport in Boston. Within a little more than an hour, both planes would crash into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. The remaining terrorists hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 from Newark Airport and American Airlines Flight 77 from Washington Dulles Airport. Flight 77 would crash into the Pentagon while Flight 93 would crash in a field in Pennsylvania.

The Call to Service that Fire Island Ferries Answered in the Aftermath of September 11

Posted on September 9, 2026

Nelson Hernández (L.) and Isabel Ramos (R.) of Nelson & Isa Lácteos.

LI Press

Couple builds company on Central American roots

Fifty-three-year-old John Kennedy, a resident of St. James and art teacher at Bay Shore High School, was arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) on Sept. 3 for the alleged stalking of an 18-year-old woman who had been a former student of his.

Bay Shore High School Teacher Arrested for Stalking Former Student

Posted on September 4, 2026

Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the third annual JKW Live Well Foundation 5K run/walk, taking place in Bay Shore on Saturday, Sept. 19.

sports

JKW Live Well Foundation to Hold 3rd Annual 5K Run on Sept. 19

Posted on August 21, 2026

Sunday, August 16 (Noon–4 p.m.) Support two great causes at this community fundraiser benefiting Canine Companions and the Kismet Community Association. Held at Dive Kismet, the afternoon will feature live music, local vendors, raffles, food and drinks, and the chance to meet service dogs, puppies, and veterans. Admission is $20 per person and includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win a VIP tour for four of Canine Companions’ Medford campus. Proceeds will support Canine Companions’ mission and programs that benefit the Kismet community.

Fire Island Pines

Midway in August: Where to Go and What to Do on Fire Island and Along the Great South Bay this Weekend, the Week Ahead, and Beyond

Posted on August 14, 2026

On June 4, 2026, the Bay Shore community lost Deanna Watts, a local activist, historian, writer, beloved church elder, mother, and grandmother, who died surrounded by her family and loved ones. Her legacy will outlast any physical lifespan and endure as a lasting memory.

Denna Watts: Local Bay Shore Activist and Preservationist Dies at 85

Posted on August 1, 2026

Weekly in August on Thursday and Saturday (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) NY State Parks Shark Shack Sharks are an extremely diverse group of animals on the planet, yet they’re also among the most feared. In this hands-on program at Robert Moses Field 5, near the playground (weather permitting), patrons will learn that this group of fish is full of diversity! The Shark Shack is meant to educate the public about the shark species native to New York while also introducing other marine life in our waters and how to guide a shark interaction. Experience the pop-up display full of shark-related items, turning what once was fear into fascination! This event is FREE to attend. For details, visit parks.ny.gov/visit/events/ny-state-parks-shark-shack.

Fire Island Pines

Hello August: Things To Do Over the Weekend and Week Ahead on Fire Island and Along the Great South Bay

Posted on July 31, 2026

For nearly three decades, the Symphonic Band of Bay Shore-Brightwaters has brought live music to the community each summer. I had the opportunity to attend one of the band's concerts on July 22 at the Kenneth Turrisi Community Band Shell in Bay Shore.

Symphonic Band of Bay Shore-Brightwaters Marks 30th Anniversary Season

Posted on July 29, 2026

Cheese products distributed by a Bay Shore company have been recalled due to concerns about listeria, according to the FDA.

LI Press

Bay Shore company recalls cheese products that hit shelves in over two dozen of Long Island stores

Over 500 people packed at 401 West Main St., Islip Town Hall, on July 21, to express concern over the newly proposed Muslim boarding school in Bay Shore. Unlike the prior resistance to the site being sold to Sunrise Senior Living, the Town Hall meeting attracted members from all corners of Islip Town.

Bay Shore’s South Saxon Avenue Boarding School Opposition Echoes Resistance from a Century Ago

Posted on July 26, 2026

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

Posted on July 25, 2026

The Fire Island Dance Festival returns to Fire Island Pines on July 18 and 19, bringing world-class dance performances to a waterfront stage overlooking the Great South Bay. The annual event combines acclaimed dance performances with the unique setting of Fire Island, drawing audiences together for a weekend of artistry, community, and philanthropy. The festival serves as a fundraiser for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS that provides support to people affected by HIV/AIDS and other critical health challenges. Leadership and patron ticket packages include cocktails and a DJ party at Whyte Hall. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the Pines Harbor. Additional information and ticket details are available at https://dradance.org/

Books & Authors

Smoke on the Water: Things To Do on Fire Island and Along the Great South Bay July 18-26

Posted on July 17, 2026

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