East End Notebook: 2 Different Cases, 2 Attempts to Clear a Name

NORTH FORK

Public: Southold Leash Law is the Only Way to Control Dogs on the Beach

A proposed local law regarding the walking and running of dogs on Southold Town beaches came under fire by several residents at a public hearing Tuesday night at town hall. Many said that the language of the law is too vague and that dogs need to be leashed on beaches — period.

The law as is proposed does not require beachgoers to leash dogs — only that they have control of the animal. Though feedback addressed the idea of dogs running free on the beach is idealistic and romantic, the majority of commenters said that romantic notion is no longer a reality as the population continues to increase with full-time and summer people on the North Fork.

EAST HAMPTON

Accused Murderer's Attorney Will Seek To Have Record Expunged

Thomas Solheim, who was arrested two years ago in connection with a South Carolina cold case murder, died earlier this month before he had a chance to clear his name.

Solheim, 56, died after he was discovered unconscious and unresponsive at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk on Jan. 10, according to East Hampton Town Police Det. Lt. Chris Anderson.

"His death is still under investigation," Anderson said. "However, we do not believe there was foul play involved."

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS

Real-Life 'Jaws' Arrives in the Hamptons

A great white shark which was swimming off the South Fork shoreline has ventured back out to sea, according to OCEARCH, a Utah-based nonprofit organization, which tagged the shark and is using real-time technology to track it as part of its efforts to learn more about the animal that inspired the Steven Spielberg film "Jaws."

SOUTHAMPTON

Deputy Sheriff Injured in Chain-Reaction Collision Tuesday

A deputy sheriff went to the hospital for a minor neck and back injury Tuesday, according to the Suffolk County sheriff's office, after she was a victim in a chain-reaction collision on County Road 39 in Southampton  — one of a number of accidents that morning.

“Our unit was traveling eastbound on County Road 39 at 6:54 a.m.," said Debbie Hallock, an administrator with the sheriff's office. A school bus headed west stopped and put its lights on, so both the sheriff's deputy and the driver one car ahead stopped, she said; however, two cars back a driver failed to stop and started the collision. “One rear ended and just pushed all the other ones,” she said.

Hallock said the deputy sheriff will miss a couple days of work, but her injuries were not severe. A pregnant woman from one of the other three vehicles was also checked out at the hospital as a precaution, but released without injury, she added.

RIVERHEAD

A fourth grade teacher who taught at Riverhead's Phillips Avenue Elementary School and was charged with driving while intoxicated and driving with a loaded handgun in his car in April has broken his silence.

Speaking publicly for the first time since his April 21 arrest, Joe Johnson, who recently hired a new attorney, Hauppauge-based William Keahon -- Johnson was formerly represented by Riverhead attorney John Ciarelli -- said he wanted to set the record straight.

"A lot of what has been printed just isn't true -- has never been the case," Johnson said. "All that transpired that night and since then, there are things that are wrong on every level. I'm waiting to have my turn in court so that everything can be brought to light and people can realize that this isn't all what it appears to be."