The sudden shutdown of Jake’s 58 casino in Islandia was caused by a “cybersecurity event” at the upstate office of the Las Vegas-based company that operates New York’s video lottery machines, state officials and the company said last night. Carl MacGowan reports on Newsday.com that Jake’s 58 remained closed for a third day yesterday while NYS Gaming Commission officials investigated the service interruption, which also affected the Resorts World Hudson Valley casino in Newburgh. The Newburgh casino reopened Tuesday, state officials said. It was unclear when Jake’s 58 would reopen.

In an emailed statement, Gaming Commission spokesman Brad Maione said the operator, Everi Games Inc., “experienced a cybersecurity event that remains under investigation. … Jake’s 58 remains closed as Everi staff continues to address issues related to the event. The Commission has no indication that personal identifiable information was compromised. The Commission continues to monitor the situation.” In a separate statement, Everi spokesman Rich Land confirmed the cybersecurity issue and said the company “acted swiftly to mitigate any impact and continues to work with the New York State Gaming Commission to investigate, contain and remedy the interruption. Everi has deployed independent expert cybersecurity consultants to conduct a complete forensic analysis of the event.” Neither statement specified the possible source of the cybersecurity problem. Suffolk OTB leases the betting machines from the gaming commission, which has a contract with Everi to operate the system. Jake's has been closed since 8 a.m. Tuesday. The casino's 1,000 video lottery betting terminals generate more than $700,000 in daily profits.

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Residents voiced strong support for moratoriums on industrial development in Calverton and commercial battery energy storage system facilities — with caveats — during public hearings at Tuesday’s Riverhead Town Board meeting. Alek Lewis reports on Riverheadlocal.com that many of the residents who spoke in favor of the industrial moratorium, which would pause the processing of unpopular large-scale warehouses, have been advocating for the measure since last year. Others, including civic leaders, have been advocating for the moratorium since the town started the process of updating its two-decade old comprehensive plan in 2020.

But while speakers Tuesday night were unanimous in their support of both moratoriums, the length of the moratoriums — which would be for six months for the industrial development and three months for the battery storage facilities — as well as clauses exempting some projects from their application, came under criticism.

After Tuesday’s Riverhead Town Board meeting the hearing record was left open for written comment until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 27.

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The Sag Harbor Partnership is honoring artist Eric Fischl with its eighth annual Community Service Award. Each year, the award recognizes outstanding service to Sag Harbor and its community. “There are many helping hands in our village that together make Sag Harbor the vibrant, involved, and caring community it is today,” the partnership stated. “Our Community Service Award is a grateful recognition of that collaborative work.” Stephen J. Kotz reports on 27east.com that according to the partnership, Fischl, an internationally acclaimed artist, has been a visionary leader in his support of Sag Harbor, recognizing its continuous evolution as an artistic and creative hub on the East End. Eric Fischl understands that Sag Harbor has a long history in re-creating itself from whaling days to an industrial village to a home for artists and writers. The Sag Harbor Partnership further states that Fischl envisioned even greater potential for the village to expand and anchor its connection to the arts. And that his many endeavors and achievements have enhanced the lives of Sag Harbor residents and visitors alike by saving, financially supporting, and creating vibrant cultural venues.

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Long Island public assistance recipients with at least one child under 17 are among 120,000 statewide to get an extra $100 one-time payment from federal pandemic-era emergency funds other states failed to use, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced. Olivia Winslow reports on Newsday.com that New York received the $12 million in federal funding to provide a "one-time Family Economic Support payment to low-income families with children," the governor said in a statement. Called the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund, it will be administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and will provide households with children aged 17 and under that receive public assistance with a payment of "approximately $100," the governor's announcement said.

The money comes from the federal Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund, part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and created to help needy families during the COVID-19 pandemic. New York initially received $128 million through the fund.

One-time payments were scheduled to be issued beginning Tuesday. Eligible families were to be notified by mail that they would be receiving a payment. About 120,000 families statewide with children under 17 are eligible, the governor said.

Just over $318,000 was allocated for Long Island: $203,800 in Suffolk County.

Suffolk's Social Services Commissioner Frances Pierre said in a statement that the department "supports additional measures and funding mechanisms to further assist our residents who are in need to cover critical expenses and such households who are facing economic hardships.”

Rebecca Sanin, president and chief executive of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, said: "In an environment in which inflation continues to make it challenging for families to meet the most basic of needs…this modest, one-time assistance for families battling the traumatic experience of poverty will be welcomed.”

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Three years after declaring bankruptcy, the Diocese of Rockville Centre said yesterday it had failed to reach a settlement with 600 survivors of clergy sexual abuse as an Oct. 31 court-imposed deadline crept closer. Bart Jones reports on Newsday.com that the diocese said it had been offering the survivors an average of at least $400,000 each, but attorneys for the survivors said that was far too little. The attorneys said they expect the cases to now be sent back to state civil court, where awards could be even higher.

Legal fees in the protracted proceedings have reached $100 million, according to attorneys.

Sean Dolan, a spokesman for the diocese, said in a statement: “The Diocese, parishes, and related parties have made their highest and best settlement offer in the amount of $200 million” to be divided among the survivors.

“This offer would provide survivors with the largest settlement of any diocese in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case to date: an average of $400,000 per claimant, plus insurance assets, which could amount to additional tens or hundreds of millions of dollars,” Dolan said.

Attorneys for survivors said the offer was inadequate given the diocese’s assets, and that the $100 million spent on legal fees could have gone to their clients.

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Studies show that drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro have led to significant weight loss, and experts believe the medications may be effective in long-term weight maintenance. But they are not foolproof. Ozempic and Mounjaro are only federally approved for diabetes treatment, and some people with diabetes have had difficulties obtaining their medications as the drugs’ popularity booms. Wegovy was approved for weight loss, but only for those with obesity or those who have at least one weight-related health condition. David Olson reports on Newsday.com that about 42% of Americans 20 and older have obesity, according to 2017-20 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long Island adult obesity rates are lower: 25% in Nassau and 29% in Suffolk, according to state health department data.

Studies show significant weight loss with the medications, but they “are not foolproof,” said Dr. Jamie Kane, chief of obesity medicine for Northwell Health.

“I’ve had people gain back most of their weight while still on these meds. And I’ve had other people do fine.”

The drugs are so new that there are no studies that follow people for many years to measure their long-term effectiveness for weight loss, Dr. Kane said. And the generations-old advice to eat a healthy diet and exercise still holds and will help maintain weight loss, he said.

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Deer — including especially frisky bucks competing for mates in what’s called “rut” — are making New York's rural roads, and some more isolated stretches of urban highway, more dangerous at this time of year.

Lisa Finn reports on Patch.com that State Farm, the largest auto insurer in the country, said industrywide casualty claims data puts the odds of hitting a deer or other animal at 1 in 144 in New York State.

November, October and December, in that order, are the most dangerous time of year for animal collisions. Deer are involved in the largest majority of claims, State Farm said, followed by collisions with rodents, dogs, raccoons and coyotes. Claims for rodent damage includes chewed wiring and other destruction. The majority of collisions occur around dusk on roads that don’t have a lot of traffic. State Farm said a survey of its members showed between 30 percent and 50 percent of drivers had collisions with animals under those conditions.

Additionally - speeding or using a cellphone - increases the chance of an animal collision by 23 percent, State Farm said.

Here are some tips to avoid a collision:

1. Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road;
2. Stay alert and scan the road for animals at any time of the day or night;
3. Pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs;
4. Reduce distractions, including putting your cellphone out of sight;
5. Brake as necessary to avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers;
6. Don’t swerve — if a crash with an animal is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road; Use high beams and note, too, that flicking your high beams on wildlife may cause the animal to scurry away;
7. Be on alert during peak season for animal crashes, especially around dusk and dawn;
8. Remember that deer travel in herds and if you see one, there are probably more nearby.