🌱 Port Jefferson Daily: Hub Approved By Lawmakers + Safety Tips

Hey Port Jefferson-Coram: As you may know, Amazon Web Services experienced an outage on Tuesday that affected the Port Jefferson Daily. Some of you might have received a late newsletter on Wednesday, or no newsletter at all. Please know this was unfortunately beyond our control but know that we are fully back in business! -Debora Whitehead.

First, today's weather:

Cold with clouds and sun. High: 40, low: 33.

Here are the top stories today in Port Jefferson:

1. The Suffolk County Legislature threw its support Tuesday behind a plan to work with Islip Town on a $2.3 billion Ronkonkoma redevelopment project that includes a convention center, health sciences center and a northern terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport. Lawmakers voted 17-0, with one abstention, to approve an intermunicipal agreement with Islip to build the 3.1 million square foot Midway Crossing complex, which would connect the new terminal to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road station. (Newsday)
2. The best part of the holiday season can be celebrating with family members and friends. Often alcohol can be part of these events, and if a person doesn’t drink responsibly, their actions can lead to dangers on the road. Nowadays, there is no excuse for driving under the influence of any substance with phone apps to order car services such as Uber or Lyft providing another way to stay safe on the roads. Last year 10,142 deaths were reported, which breaks down to almost 28 people killed a day. Let’s keep the roads in our communities safe to enjoy during the next few weeks and all year long. (TBRNews)
3. Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s Interact Club has again helped to make spirits bright by taking part in the annual gift-wrapping event along with members of the Rotary Club of Port Jefferson. The project took place in the high school cafeteria, where a great collection of clothing and other necessities, toys, books and games that will benefit local children were wrapped. A special thanks to the students, adviser Deirdre Filippi and Rotary Club members for this exceptional undertaking. (Port Jefferson School District)
4. On Friday, Dec. 3, musicians from the Stony Brook Department of Music caroled throughout the Children’s Hospital, spreading holiday cheer and joy to the children, families and staff. The Staller Center’s Instrument Petting Zoo is a program that helps the Staller Center for the Arts reach out to the community and share live interactive musical experiences. This program helps inspire an appreciation of music and instruments for young people. (Stony Brook News)

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Today in Port Jefferson:

• ES PTA Holiday Boutique — Port Jefferson School District. (All Day)
• JFK Picture Make-Up Day — Comsewogue School District. (All Day)
• JFK Student Council Ugly Sweater Day & Toy Drive Party. (All Day)
• HS Winter Concert PM HS AUD — Port Jefferson School District. (7 p.m.)
• Medicaid: New York vs. Florida. (8:30 a.m.)
• Health Screenings — Comsewogue Public Library. (10 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Town of Smithtown held the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Town Hall. The community-based event is organized by the Department of Recreation, with support from the Parks Department and Public Safety. (smithtownmatters.com)
• Patchogue’s own Sailor Fireman 3rd Class Kenneth L. Jayne was one of the 2,403 U.S. military personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the attack at Pearl Harbor. Saturday morning, three days ahead of the 80th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Jayne — whose remains weren’t identified until 2016 — was at last laid to rest at his family’s plot in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Patchogue. (Greater Long Island)
• More threats were made Tuesday morning against Smithtown Central School District.
  School officials say it was made by a student at Great Hollow Middle School. The district said swift administrative action was taken and officials are confident there's no safety concerns. Suffolk police were on site out of an abundance of caution. (News 12 Bronx)

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Events:

• Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty Stony Brook Holiday Boutique. (Dec. 9)
• North Shore Community Band Holiday Concert. (Dec. 10)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (Dec. 12)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Port Jefferson Daily? I'm all ears. You can contact me at PortJefferson@Patch.com.