Community Corner

News That Topped In February: Blizzard, Car Fire and Eruv

A look back at the top headlines in February 2013.

As we welcome March 2013, here is a quick look back at the top headlines posted by Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch in February.

1.

Much of the snow has melted away, but on February 8 there was plenty of it. Take a look back at photos Patch readers shared of the Blizzard of 2013.

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2. Manhattan Lawyer Sentenced for Hitting Bicyclist While Drunk in Quogue

A Manhattan lawyer was sentenced to three and a third to ten years in prison by a judge after pleading guilty in December to driving drunk and fleeing the scene of a crime last summer.

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3. WATCH: Car Fire Closes Montauk Highway West of Route 24

An Acura RSX unexpectedly caught fire while a man was driving on Route 24 southbound in Hampton Bays Monday night, shortly after 8 p.m. on Feb. 18. No injuries were reported in the incident, which shut down the right-turn lane leading from Route 24 south to Montauk Highway westbound.

4. Jay Lockett Sears Released on Bail

Quogue philanthropist Jay Lockett Sears, 73, who has been in jail since Jan. 25 on a child pornography charge, was released on bail on Feb. 15. Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson ruled to release him on a $250,000 secured bond; however, ordered that he is to be confined to home detention with an electronic monitor and that he is to have no contact with any children.

5. Gabreski Airport Tower Faces Closure

On Feb.22 U.S. Tim Bishop's office announced that the FAA tower at Gabreski Airport could shut down if federal sequestrian cuts are allowed to go into effect.

6. Puff-Back Closes Hampton Arts Movie Theater Until Spring

The screens at the Hampton Arts Theatre in Westhampton Beach will remain dark until the spring, according to a message on the theater's answering machine. The temporary closure of the theater comes after a puff-back that occurred at the location on Feb. 10, according to Westhampton Beach Police.

7. Judge Sets Timeline for Eruv Cases; Dismisses One of Three

After months of motions and briefs filed back and forth, Westhampton's eruv controversy was back in court in early February, when oral arguments commenced before Judge Leonard D. Wexler.. During the hearing, Wexler dismissed one of three cases and set a timeline to hear the remaining two cases.

8. Town Police: Sex Crime Suspect Turns Himself In

Bryan Mora, 21, of Hampton Bays, was arrested on a felony charge of possessing a sexual performance by a child, as well as a misdemeanor sexual misconduct charge, on Feb. 11.

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