Headlines That Topped in September: Police Collar Graffitist, 'Jaguar' Sighting

With October in full swing, we thought we'd take a quick look back at the top headlines posted on East Hampton Patch in September.

1. Cops Nab Anti-Obama Graffitist After 4-Month Investigation

Local police said a 63-year-old man is responsible for political graffiti that has been popping up around the village for months.

On Sept. 18, Lawrence G. Nickel, a boat captain from Florida who lives in East Hampton, was charged with one felony criminal mischief count and 12 misdemeanor counts of making graffiti, as well as one count of petty larceny, also a misdemeanor.

"The charges stem from a four-month long investigation into a rash of graffiti throughout the village, which made derogatory references to President Obama and his policies," a statement from the East Hampton Village police department said.

2. DEC Chasing Reports of Possible Jaguar on the Prowl in East Hampton

The State Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating several reports of an exotic cat, like a jaguar, on the loose in East Hampton.

Environmental Control Officers were called out to a farm at 56 Spring Close Lane on Sept. 9, after Matthew Lester spotted "a greyish cat-like creature about 5-feet long, 2-feet high at the shoulder with a long striped tail eating composting vegetables and meat scraps," according to Bill Fonda, a spokesman for the DEC.

The animal fled quickly into the brush upon the caller's arrival at about 11 a.m., Fonda said. Officers found tracks in the area, though they couldn't identify the animal that left them. One of the tracks did appear to belong to a large animal.

No further evidence, such as hair, was found in the area, Fonda said.

3. Fire Badly Damages Barn

A fire that badly damaged a large barn used for a garage and office for J & R Landscaping on Long Lane in East Hampton on Sept. 13.

A firefighter driving down the long stretch of road, about one mile from East Hampton High School, spotted the smoke coming from behind the hedges at 168 Long Lane, Bono said. The firefighter went onto the property, saw the barn was ablaze and called 911.

Fire marshals later said the blaze appeared to be caused by an electrical problem.

4. Christie Brinkley's Mother Dies

Marge Brinkley, who lived in Sag Harbor and whose daughter is supermodel Christie Brinkley, died on Sept. 10.

Brinkley announced that her mother had passed away on her Facebook page the following day.

Marge Brinkley's husband, CBS Radio News journalist and television writer Don Brinkley, died July 14 at the age of 91 after a long illness. They were married for 55 years.

5. Family of Missing Vacationer Say Disappearance 'Left Hole in Our Hearts'

The family of the man who went missing from his Montauk hotel room in August spoke out for the first time.

Mary Richardson, and her family, issued a statement on Sept. 25 through the East Hampton Town Police Department, which has been investigating the disappearance of her husband George Richardson for the past four weeks.

"As you might imagine, this has been a very difficult time for our family," she said. "George is a loving husband, a caring father, a wonderful son and brother, a fun uncle, a great brother-in-law, special son-in-law, friend, and a valued co-worker. His disappearance has left a hole in the hearts of all those who love him."