An elderly woman was rushed to the hospital Friday morning after being hit by a car on the Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays.

According to police, 78 year old Rebecca Elfant from Manhattan was hit at 11 a.m. as she was crossing the street.

The woman was hit by 84 year old Vincent Pepi as he was turning left from Lamplight Circle. Pepi told investigators that she just walked in front of his car.

The extent of Elfant’s injuries are not known at this time. The particular stretch of Montauk Highway that she  was hit on has long been considered too dangerous for pedestrians by local residents.

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A wealthy Michigan man has gone missing and was last traced to The Madistone Club in East Hampton Village.

David Widlak, 62, is the president of Community Central Bank and was last seen walking out of a Macomb County bank.

One possible, but not confirmed, reason for his disappearance is his involvement in a lawsuit in which he allegedly defrauded an elderly, mentally ill woman’s estate of approximately $150,000. His health and well being are unknown, and when questioned, the Madistone Club denied any involvement with him.

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Halloween is known to be a joyous occasion with fun for everyone and happiness abounding – not true for one Hempstead man.

Angel Ortiz, 28, was arrested  for stabbing two men in front of his apartment in the early hours of Halloween. After a confrontation, Ortiz stabbed one guy in the back and another in the wrist. One victim ran home where he was found bleeding, the other went to a family member’s home.

The men were taken to a hospital where they are said to be in good condition.

Ortiz was charged with two counts of assault and possession of a dangerous weapon and is expected to be arraigned in Hempstead Monday.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Montaukett tribe is fighting for recognition by New York state, even though a century ago, a judge ruled the tribe was extinct.

The Montauk Indian Nation is taking action, issuing membership cards and trying to locate members of the tribe nationwide. They’re pushing harder for recognition in the wake of the Shinnecock tribe’s recent federal recognition after an arduous 30 year fight.

The Montaukett are still recognized in textbooks as a factor in Long Island’s development, but the tribe says being listed as defunct is an injustice. It is an injustice that as an honorable people, Montauketts are now seeking to rectify. They’re aware that recognition doesn’t carry many monetary benefits, but they have their eyes set on their land – 1,200 acres which now contains Roosevelt Park. They say they would settle for a smaller number of acres, though.

Another main thing on the litany of complaints from the Montaukett tribe is the fact that they have no legal standing. Currently, the tribe has about 870 consolidated members known by tribe leaders and have filed a petition with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs for federal recognition. They have taken their fight to the government and are now focusing on state recognition.

For more on this ongoing story, visit http://libn.com/blog/2010/10/22/montaukett-pushing-for-state-recognition/

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A rarity for East Hampton occurred Friday  – a man was found with two ounces of cocaine, a sum of money and a drug-weighing machine at a house on Three Mile Harbor Road.

The man, 45 year old Pedro Rivera-Ortiz, was charged with third degree possession of a controlled substance and using drug paraphernalia.

Police say the man was being watched for a period of time before they went in to investigate and make the arrest. They are still investigating as to whether or not more people are involved and if he was a trafficker.

Ortiz has a history of drug troubles – he was arrested last November by a drug task force for selling cocaine. More charges may be pending for the man once the case goes to a grand jury.

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A man in Holbrook was arrested for drunk driving after reportedly hitting and killing a 56 year old from Bohemia Sunday night.

Darrin Villa, 40, was driving his Nissan on Sunrise Highway erratically late Sunday. John Cain was crossing the road when he was run down by the drunk driver. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Villa was slapped with a DWI and further charges are pending for his death.

In other DWI and drunken news, 21 year old Deja Williams of Deer Park was hit with a DWI after running off the roadway and hitting many trees. No one was injured.

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The 29th annual Montauk Fall Festival is this weekend, and the clam chowder contest is once again the most exciting part of the festival.

Other exciting draws are the games for kids – including a 30-horse carousel, face painting, karaoke, inflatable rides, drawings and much more.

For the older patrons, there will be food such as hot dogs, roasted corn, peppers, sausages of all kinds, and other foods in the vein of Oktoberfest. Beer and wine tasting will be a hit as well.

For the seafood lovers out there, you could head to the fish fry which benefits the Montauk Playhouse.

Head out this weekend! 11am to 5pm Saturday, and noon to 5pm on Sunday.

Popularity: 6% [?]

A male Abercrombie model was fired was fired immediately in Montauk yesterday. Was he making some obscene gesture? Did he call his boss a defamatory name? Was he posing the wrong way?

None of that – the guy was fired for eating a croissant.Yes, it’s not just female models that are put on Draconian and insane dietary limitations.

The man who fired him insists Florian Van Bael was fired because he was eating the delicious French pastry at the wrong time, not just because he ate. Well, that makes MUCH more sense, thanks for clarifying at least!

Stylelist.com reports that the 30 models were allowed a paltry $13 a day for meals while staying at their hotel, and they were being paid well below normal modeling wage.

So, let this be a lesson to all you aspiring underwear models and prettyboy narcissists out there – a meal a day keeps the camera away. It apparently also keeps your paycheck and regular bowel movements away.

Then again, that’s what you get for modeling for such a superficial, mass marketed pile of garbage like Abercrombie anyway.

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The HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is proud to announce its Spotlight Films, the World Cinema Section and the films in this year’s Competition.  Now in its 18th year, this East Coast favorite comes to life against the autumn back-drop, as talent and industry come to the Hamptons to premiere their important work.  The 2010 Hamptons International Film Festival runs from Thursday, October 7th through Monday, October 11th (including Columbus Day weekend) in East Hampton with additional venues in Southampton, Sag Harbor and Montauk.  Festival headquarters are located at the beautiful c/o The Maidstone Hotel on Main Street in East Hampton.

“With entries from such countries as Chad, the Czech republic, Columbia, Denmark and others, our mission to bring a wide range of viewpoints from around the world to the east end of Long Island is continued again this year” stated Executive Director Karen Arikian.   “Our Spotlight section continues to shine again this year featuring such high profile films as the US Premiere of Julian Schnabel’s new film MIRAL, to the wonderfully charming MADE IN DAGENHAM starring Sally Hawkins. We are so excited to share films by such masters as Danny Boyle and Doug Liman, with the emerging filmmakers of the Competition section.” states Director of Programming David Nugent. “From the insouciance of Xavier Dolan’s Heartbeats, the opening film or our Canadian focus, to the somber elegance of Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s A Screaming Man, this year’s Competition filmmaker’s represent the voices of some of the most exciting emerging artists from around the world.

Among those expected to attend are: James Franco, Isabella Rosselini, Stanley Tucci, Freida Pinto, Tom Hooper, Edie Falco, Joel and Ethan Coen, Davis Guggenheim, Bob Balaban, Jane Goodall, Bruce Weber, Marcia Gay Harden, Doug Liman, John Wells, Alec Baldwin, Bill Nighy, Alex Gibney, Peter Hedges, Paul Giamatti, Noomi Rapace, Vlade Divac, Carter Burwell, Sally Hawkins, John Turturro, Frances McDormand , Neil Labute, Julian Schnabel and many more

FOR THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT & FULL LIST OF FILMS PLEASE VISIT: http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/

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The Montauk Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2 Day Annual Fall Festival which  will be held on Saturday October 9th and Sunday October 10th from 10 – 5pm “on the Green” in the Center of downtown Montauk.

On Saturday the Chamber?sponsored family?friendly festival kicks off with its Famous Clam Chowder Tasting contest. To award best New England and Manhattan chowders there will be food personality judges from the local newspapers in addition to the people’s choice award. Both days include activities such as a 30 horse Carousel, inflatable rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, Kid Karaoke, games for kids, live music, local farmers market and plant stands, October?fest style food, roasted corn, wine and beer for adults.

Sunday the Festival continues with additional activities under the tent including the Annual Chinese Auction, a fundraiser sponsored by the Montauk Community Center Playhouse Foundation. There will be a variety of about 100 items such as gift baskets, merchandise, and gift certificates donated by local businesses. There will be live music and baked goods too! It will be your last chance to buy Chamber Cash Catch raffle tickets over the week?end. The drawing for the grand cash prize of $25,000 and 17 other cash prizes will take place Sunday afternoon. Tickets are only $50.00 each.

The festival is the annual fundraiser sponsored by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce.
Should you have any questions about the Annual Fall Festival contact the Montauk Chamber of Commerce’s event coordinator Pat Shea or executive director Laraine Creegan at 631?668?2355.

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