🌱 Port Jefferson Daily: Cross- Country Competition + Food Drive

Morning, people of Port Jefferson! It's me again, Debora Whitehead, your host of the Port Jefferson Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 50, low: 39.

Here are the top 4 stories in Port Jefferson today:

1. Two Wading River parents are spending countless hours in the hospital once again, waiting for another one of their children to have a heart transplant. Everett Cotter, 11 months old, is the family’s second child to need the procedure done. His sister, Ruby, had a heart transplant almost exactly two years ago as well. When the Cotter’s were pregnant with Everett, doctors told them there was a 1% chance he would have the same heart condition as Ruby. (Press Release Desk)
2. Mount Sinai Firefighters battled a blaze at a two-story home early Saturday afternoon.
   The fire broke out on Jessica Lane just after 1 p.m., and fire department officials said it began to advance fast, but it it was extinguished quickly. There were no reported injuries on the scene. (Port Jefferson Patch)
3. The Port Jefferson School District boys cross-country team of recently competed against the top teams of all 11 sections in the state in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships. The team battled the rain and cold to finish seventh of all class D schools in New York State. Also competing as individual runners were four members of the girls cross-country team. "I was very impressed with the performance of all of our runners," said Port Jefferson School District Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Nursing Adam Sherrard. (Press Release Desk)
4. The Port Jefferson Middle School Student Council coordinated another successful food drive. Under the leadership of adviser Allison Giannusa, students and staff collected, counted and organized 1,332 items to donate to Long Island Cares to assist with holiday meals for people in need. (Press Release Desk)

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Today in Port Jefferson:

• Club House Kids (Comsewogue) - Comsewogue Public Library. (1:30 p.m.)
• Ginger Bread Cookie Decorating (Comsewogue). (6 p.m.)
• Board Meeting - Port Jefferson Free Library. (6 p.m.)
• ONLINE Rob Scott Videos: Holiday Cheese Balls (Comsewogue). (7 p.m.)
• Board of Education Meeting - Comsewogue School District. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Democratic Suffolk Legis. Sarah Anker has declared victory by 63 votes in the 6th Legislative District, her campaign manager said Monday. (Port Jefferson Patch)
• (Newsday)
• A Central Islip man was killed in a single-car crash in the hamlet early Saturday, Suffolk police said. Christian Valero was driving a 2009 Nissan 370Z southbound on Lowell Avenue about 1:45 a.m. when the car traveled into a wooded area and struck a tree, according to police. Valero, 24, died at the scene. (Port Jefferson Patch)
• This raffle contest is a food lover’s dream. The Patchogue Chamber of Commerce has officially kicked off its “30 Days of Dining” raffle. Here’s how it works: Those who enter have a chance to win one of two (or if they’re really lucky, both!) gift baskets filled with over 30 gift certificates from more than 30 Patchogue restaurants. (Greater Long Island)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• FREE WEBINAR Italian Architecture Through the Ages: The Marvels of Imperial Rome (Dec. 14)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (Dec. 17)
• Tales for Tots: Shimmy Shake (Comsewogue). (Dec. 14)
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Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Debora Whitehead is a dedicated wife and homeschooling mom from Coram, NY. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Education and loves to teach and write. Her passion for the community reflects on her volunteering work at the "Mariposa Ministry" a nonprofit family assistance program. One of her strongest believes is Jesus Christ and when she is not parenting, teaching or reading, she is writing. One of her favorites quotes is " The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."- Eleanor Roosevelt.