🌱 Port Jefferson Daily: Girl Scouts Former Employees' Lawsuit

Hello, neighbors! Debora Whitehead here with your Friday edition of the Port Jefferson Daily.

First, today's weather:

Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 49, low: 43.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Port Jefferson:

1. Girl Scouts of Suffolk County employees are suing the company over allegations they were wrongfully fired. Five former employees said they were fired because they exposed non-ethical behavior committed by their boss. They said the CEO threatened them by saying the company would slash their salaries and titles. Girl Scout Council of Suffolk County said that the organization will not comment on pending litigation. (News12)
2. Two men arrested in connection to a fatal shooting in Coram. Branzel Bonner Jr. was found shot on Dec. 2. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police arrested Marcus Reid on Dec. 13 and Monique Brown on Dec. 28. They are both residents of Riverhead. Reid and Brown are now facing second-degree murder charges. (News 12 Bronx)
3. Port Jefferson Library will give prizes to community programs attendees. During the months of January and February, for each library program you attend, you will receive a special “program” ticket. If you earn three program tickets, you get to take a chance at spinning the Teen Center’s prize wheel for various prizes. Some prizes may contain allergens. The Teen Center is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets or prizes. (Port Jefferson Library)
4. Port Jefferson students win the Suffolk Zone Physical Education Leadership Award. Michael Scannell and Sofia Ulinski, from Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, were awarded by their physical education teachers for their leadership in the gym. The Suffolk Zone is the Suffolk County chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Every high school in Suffolk County nominates two students to receive this award. (Port Jefferson School District)
5. Suffolk Police released the name of the woman who died after a van caught on fire. Early this month, police received a call that a Ford Econoline van had become "fully engulfed" at Pine Road in Coram. When officers arrived, they saw that the driver of the van, 53-year-old Mount Sinai resident Talal Saad, had been able to get out of the van, police said. His passenger, Hameedei Saad, 41, of Mount Sinai was not able to get out of the van in time and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Talal Saad was transported by local ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of "non-life-threatening injuries." (Port Jefferson Patch)

Today's Port Jefferson Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Port Jefferson!

Today in Port Jefferson:

• Noon Year's Eve — Comsewogue Public Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• New Year's LAUGHIN' Eve — Theater Three. (6 p.m.)
• FOXWOODS NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION — The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. (9 p.m.)
• KIT D.I.Y. Ugly Sweater (Comsewogue). (9 p.m.)
• KIT Raspberry Lemonade Lip Scrub (Comsewogue). (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• "Looking for new properties in and around Port Jefferson? See the local houses currently on the market near you." (Port Jefferson Patch)
• Port Jefferson, NY: "This is a message from Angeline Judex, the director of our own Long Island Explorium, with amazing news! "2021 is almost behind us and 2022 just on the horizon. Despite the challenges, we are incredibly proud of our successes this year." (Facebook)
• Port Jefferson, NY: "Welcome to Port Jefferson’s very own Waterfront Venue for all you newly engaged couples, The Waterview." (Facebook)
• Governor Kathy Hochul, State of New York: "New State Testing Sites Now Open. We are using every tool at our disposal to get through this winter surge and protect New Yorkers. Thirteen new state testing sites are now open! Get tested to keep yourself and your neighbors safe." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Clinton PARP Kickoff — Comsewogue School District. (Jan. 3)
• Clinton PARP Week — Comsewogue School District. (Jan. 3)
• No Homework Tuesday — Comsewogue School District. (Jan. 4)
• Add your event

Loving the Port Jefferson Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at PortJefferson@Patch.com

That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for 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.