🌱 Sachem Daily: Melissa Molinari Stabbed + School Threat Anxiety

Good morning, people of Sachem! It's me again, your host of the Sachem Daily.

Students on Long Island are anxious amid a week of school violence threats and rumors. Prosecutors say Melissa Molinari's husband stabbed her over 20 times.

First, today's weather:

Winds becoming strong. High: 58 Low: 42.

Here are the top three stories in Sachem today:

1. More details emerged about the slaying of Centereach woman Melissa Molinari. Her body was found in the woods in Middle Island Thursday, stabbed over 20 times. Her husband now faces a second-degree murder charge. Four of their children are now being cared for by family friends. (Patch)
2. A Northwell Health child psychiatrist says anxiety is high in children with continued school violence threats and scares happening across Long Island. Sachem, Smithtown, West Babylon and West Islip all experienced threats or rumors of threats, many fueled by social media, scaring many students and parents. (News 12)
3. Port Jefferson's 25th Annual Charles Dickens Festival has been extended for two more Saturdays in Port Jefferson Village. Street characters will walk around the village and more events will take place at Village Center and Masonic Lodge on Saturday, and Saturday, Dec. 18. (Patch)

Today in Sachem:

• Three Village Lights Family Light Show fundraiser, 5 to 11 p.m., 44 Mills Rd., Stony Brook

From my notebook:

• Sachem North's Festival of Trees and Lights runs today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Facebook)
• Cayuga Elementary School physical educator Amanda Stallone recently received the 2021 Amazing Person Award for the Technology Section of New York at the 83rd Annual New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Conference. (Facebook)
• The best pizza on Long Island is debatable: Donatina, 18 West Ave., Patchogue, makes Newsday's top picks list. (Subscription: Newsday)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 12)
• FREE WEBINAR Italian Architecture Through the Ages: The Marvels of Imperial Rome (December 14)
• Practice SAT Diagnostic Test, Proctored & Timed Live-Online (December 18)
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Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World (Details)
• Operation Holiday® Calling All Donors to “Adopt A Family” (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll see you soon.

— Jackie