Almost three years after promising East Hampton Town officials they would tackle overcrowding, excessive noise, and environmental concerns at the Surf Lodge in Montauk, the owners have launched a full-scale effort to address the problems. 

In what environmental advocacy organizations are calling a victory for wildlife and the ecosystem, both the State Senate and the Assembly approved bills Friday setting up a marine mammal and protection area around Plum Island, Great Gull Island, and Little Gull Island.

Howard Schultz, the former chairman and chief executive of the Starbucks chain who is considering a run for president as an independent candidate, has put that deliberation on hold following three separate surgeries, he recently told supporters. 

A divide among neighbors and generations was apparent on Tuesday as the New York State Public Service Commission hosted its first information sessions and public hearings on the proposed South Fork Wind Farm, a 15-turbine installation that would be constructed in a federal lease area some 35 miles east of Montauk.

Simon Kinsella, a resident of Wainscott, a candidate for East Hampton Town Trustee, and a persistent critic of the proposed South Fork Wind Farm, spoke during a press conference Tuesday about his lawsuit against New York State, which seeks to compel the Long Island Power Authority to disclose the cost to ratepayers represented by the proposed wind farm.

A proposal to allow food trucks to operate at farm stands in Southampton Town was embraced by farmers and denounced by restaurant owners at a public hearing at the town board meeting on Tuesday.

The fashion designer Stella McCartney, who is a daughter of the musician Paul McCartney, and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, are seeking a long-term extension of an expired emergency permit to allow a 100-foot double-tier sandbag revetment on Gardiner’s Bay to remain in place until they can build a new house at the site.

The East Hampton Town Trustees will grant a special commercial permit to up to 10 residents to harvest soft-shell clams via a technique known as powering, or churning, between July 1 and Sept. 6 this year.

The East Hampton Town Board voted to accept an anonymous donation of a BearCat tactical response vehicle at its meeting last Thursday.

The East Hampton Town Trustees have retained an attorney to begin a civil investigation into the apparent electronic eavesdropping in the conference room at their Amagansett offices that began at least eight months ago.