Week in Review: Village Proposal , Teacher 'Bar' Exams and Food Stamps

1. Hampton Bays Couple To Open Chic Boutique

A Hampton Bays couple held a grand opening for their new store Chic Creations, NY in downtown Riverhead on Saturday. The business offers a sophisticated, cosmopolitan boutique, with merchandise including custom-made and unique clothing for women, as well as accessories and jewelry.

2. Civic Eyes Forming Village of Hampton Bays

A group of residents in Hamptons Bays are resuscitating the long talked about idea of incorporating as a village to gain some independence from Southampton Town and have more of a say over their own neighborhoods.

3. Waldbaums On Foul Meat Accusations: I'll Get Back To You

The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Inc., the parent company of Waldbaum's has responded to accusations that the meat at its Westhampton Beach location is foul.

In a statement, spokeswoman Marcy Connor wrote, "We take all of our customers feedback seriously and will be looking into this issue."

4. Hamptons Hurricane Relief Fund Is Not Slowing Down

At least 10 times since Superstorm Sandy struck New York in late October, Southampton resident Romi Sloan's garage has filled to capacity with donations to Hamptons Hurricane Relief Fund, the charity she started with Kym Smith, of East Quogue, in the wake of the disaster.

5. Sweet Andy's Expands To The Web

Like a number of other local businesses that attract a large portion of their business seasonally, Sweet Andy's in Westhampton has branched out to capture customers in the off-season.

Recently, the cookie shop expanded to the web with a site that offers fresh cookie delivery by the bag.

6. QUICK STATS: 3 Percent of Area Population Uses Food Stamps

About 3 percent of each population in Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach and Quogue use food stamps to supplement their grocery purchases.

According to the U.S. Census Department American Community Survey Estimates, a total of 275 people in Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach and Quogue have reported receiving food stamps in the past 12 months.

7.

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed into law the first gun control bill to be adopted following the Dec. 14 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. — with the support of the state lawmakers who represent Westhampton and Hampton Bays.

8. Supers Not Sold on Teacher 'Bar Exam'

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in his State of the State address last week, called for a "bar exam" to be put in place for teachers. The idea drew criticism by local district superintendents who said they are not convinced the proposed test will have an added benefit for students.

9. Supers: Extending School Easier Said Than Done

In his State of the State Address last week, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo put forth an proposal designed to increase school standards and better educate students: Add more classroom time to the school calendar. Find out what area superintendents had to say about it.

10. Area Hospitals Report Higher Number of Flu Cases

With concerns about a flu epidemic sending many Westhampton and Hampton Bays residents hurrying for a flu shot - and some stores reporting dwindling supplies -- the Peconic Bay Medical Center is reporting a higher number of flu cases this year and Southampton Hospital officials say patient volume is up the emergency room.

11.

The results of a just-released state finance report of Westhampton Beach has a trio of village board members – who had called for a private audit of their own – and Mayor Conrad Teller at odds over the recommendations.

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