By Jennifer Smith, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Nov. 9--An unusual arrangement to dredge Jones Inlet using $7.6 million in state money but no federal funding was finalized yesterday, paving the way for the project to begin this winter, state officials said.

By Sophia Chang, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Jul. 11--Gerry Ottavino remembers playing softball years ago on Point Lookout's beach, in a formerly sandy stretch now covered by the waters of Jones Inlet.

By William Murphy, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Jul. 10--Gov. Eliot Spitzer has signed legislation to have the state dredge Jones Inlet, marking perhaps the first time the state has performed a function normally reserved for the federal government.

By William Murphy, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Jun. 28--The state has effectively killed the idea of using state money to dredge Jones Inlet, and insisted that the usual federal funding must be obtained.

By Newsday, Melville, N.Y. May 31--Many tides hav