🌱 Port Jefferson Daily: Mask Mandate Is Back + Holiday Events

Rise and shine, Port Jefferson! Let's get you started this Sunday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cooler. High: 46 low: 40.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Port Jefferson:

1. Gov. Kathy Hochul is enacting a new mask mandate as COVID-19 cases surge across the state. The governor announced that businesses and venues will need to implement a mask requirement or require proof of fully vaccinated status. The new mandate starts Monday and remains in effect until Jan. 15. (News 12)
2. A third parking spot for electric vehicle charging has been added to Port Jefferson village, this time in Bakers Alley. Over the course of the last year, the village has added two other charging stations, one in the new Barnum lot and another in Rocketship Park. (TBRNews)
3. To help maintain social distancing, but still with the holiday spirit, the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce hosted their second drive-thru Santa visit and letter drop off on Saturday, Dec. 4. President Jennifer Dzvonar said that for decades, the chamber has hosted Santa at the Port Jefferson Station Train Car. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 they opted for a drive-thru visit, instead. During the free event, kids were able to unroll their car windows, say hello to the man in red — who waited in his sleigh— and then pull their cars to a mailbox where they drooped letters to the North Pole. (TBRNews)
4. The Terryville Fire Department's two-part Santa Parade will be held on Dec. 17 and 18.
   The parade kicks off at Route 112 at 6 p.m. on Dec. 17 and Old Town Road at 5 p.m. on Dec. 18. (Port Jefferson Patch)
5. Port Jefferson's 25th Annual Charles Dickens Festival has been extended with another two Saturdays by the Village of Port Jefferson. Street characters will walking around the village and more events will continue at the Village Center and Masonic Lodge on Saturday, and Saturday, Dec. 18. (Port Jefferson Patch)

Today in Port Jefferson:

• Crossover Christian Church Services at Heritage Park community center. (10 a.m.)
• Sunday Crafternoon at Port Jeff Free Library. (2 p.m.)
• Artist Meet and Greet at Port Jeff Free Library. (2 p.m.)
• Norwood Pancake Breakfast - Comsewogue School District. (8 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Stony Brook Village Center last Sunday celebrated its 42nd annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday festival. Head of multimedia Andrew Theodorakis was on the scene to capture moments from the day. Click on the link to see scenes of the event. (Greater Long Island)
• Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty will soon be moving its Huntington office to a new location. After several decades at its office at 187 Park Ave., the brokerage firm will be relocating its Huntington headquarters to a office at the corner of Main Street and New York Avenue. (Long Island Business News)
• The threats were made targeting the West Babylon Senior High School on Friday, Dec. 10, which led the district to switch to its distance learning model amid the investigation. Police said, a threat was posted on social media on Thursday, Dec. 9 from that appeared to show the student with a gun and the words "I'll start shooting, I hate that school.” (Daily Voice)
• Lizbeth Carrillo was sworn in Tuesday as the newest, youngest, and first-ever Hispanic woman to sit on the Patchogue Village Board of Trustees. (Greater Long Island)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Ginger Bread Cookie Decorating- (Comsewogue). (Dec. 13)
• Board of Education Meeting - Comsewogue School District. (Dec. 13)
• Holiday Family Gatherings: Webinar: A Time to Assess the Needs of Your Loved Ones. (Dec. 14)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World (Details)
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Loving the Port Jefferson Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday! See you all tomorrow 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.