11 Most Read Stories of October

As we kick off November this weekend, let's take a look back at the most read stories of October 2013. 

Police: 4 Smithtown Home Burglaries in 4 Days

Suffolk County Police report that four homes in Smithtown and St. James have been struck by burglaries in less than a week. 

A Smithtown homeowner on Grassy Pond Drive South was first to report their home was robbed on Oct. 16. Police said the burglar entered the home through an unlocked sliding glass door to take a laptop computer that was visible through the door and stole jewelry. The property owner was not home at the time of the burglary. 

'Ghost Adventures' Filming Ghostly Happenings at Katie's in Smithtown

Swear you've seen some strange, ghostly happenings at Katie's of Smithtown? There's a hunt for evidence. 

"Ghost Adventures," a popular Travel Channel show, will be shooting on location at Katie's of Smithtown this week from Tuesday to Friday, Newsday reports. The popular Main Street bar will be closed Wednesday and Thursday as they hunt for two poltergeists. 

Ghost Adventures Stirs Up Activity at Katie's Bar

The television film crew of Ghost Adventures locked down at Katie's in Smithtown last Thursday and they were not disappointed, according to owner  Brian Karppinen. 

"Ghost Adventures," a popular Travel Channel show, rented out Katie's in Smithtown from Wednesday to Friday, Karppinen said, to search for evidence of the bar's famous ghosts and investigate new poltergeists. 

Three Drunk Drivers Pulled Off Smithtown Streets

Melanie Everitt, 21, of Sound Beach, was arrested on Sept. 28 and faces one misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated - first offense.  Police said Everitt was driving west on Route 454/Veterans Highway in Smithtown when she was seen swerving in and out of her lane

Sweet Tomato Serving Up Slices in St. James

St. James newest wood-fired pizzeria has opened its doors for business on Tuesday. 

Sweet Tomato Brick-Oven Pizzeria & Grill celebrated its soft opening at 430 N. Country Road in St. James. The restaurant's re-opening comes after more than two months of renovations. 

Nesconset Man Sentenced For Failing to Pay $114K in Taxes

A Nesconset man was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay the state $203,275 in in restitution for failing to pay personal income taxes for several years. 

According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Richard Edelson, 44, did not pay income taxes from 2004-2008. Edelson, a forensic accountant, was convicted of failure to file a return or report, a misdemeanor.

Cops: Drunk Smithtown Man Went 103 on Jericho Turnpike

Jason Helrigel, 28, of Smithtown, was arrested on Oct. 6 and faces one misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated - first offense. Helrigel was driving a 2006 Mitsubishi at 103 miles per hour on West Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown when he began swerving in and out of his lane, according to police reports. Helrigel was pulled over in the Stop & Shop parking lot. 

Police Searching for Driver Who Fled Vets Highway Crash

Suffolk police and state troopers are searching through Hauppauge and Smithtown areas for a driver who fled the scene of a motor vehicle accident. 

New York State Troopers said they are looking for a man who was involved in a car crash near the Veterans Memorial Highway and New Highway intersection at roughly 3:30 p.m. 

Cupcake Couture Closes its Main Street Store

Residents with a sweet tooth will no longer be able to grab a designer cupcake on Main Street to satisfy their craving. 

Cupcake Couture, a designer cupcake shop, recently closed its doors at 91 East Main Street in Smithtown. A large red-and-white "For Rent" sign was hung in the front window of the bakery as it becomes Main Street's next vacant storefront. 

Two Credit Cards Stolen, Fist Fight Erupts in Smithtown

Joey Mazzei, 20, of Commack was arrested in Smithtown Oct. 20 on one felony count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Police said Mazzei had a stolen Macy's and Home Depot credit cards along with the personal identification of the rightful owner. 

Parents: Common Core is 'Hijacking Our Kids'

Smithtown school district parents tore apart the controversial Common Core curriculum and state assessments, blaming it for creating students fear and avoid schoolwork. 

Amy Hennig, a Smithtown parent of two students, said since the Common Core math has been implemented in Smithtown School District her daughter has started complaining of stomach aches, as stress over the new learning system has manifested in physical symptoms.