Community Corner
7 Stories That Rocked Smithtown this Summer
Find out what the top news stories were in Smithtown in summer 2013.
Labor Day weekend is the symbolic end of summer for Smithtown residents. It's been a summer of sudden change as local businesses locked up their doors overnight and a superintendent announced a sudden resignation.
We present the top 7 stories of the summer of 2013, based on readers' comments and feedback:
T. Carlton's Spalon Shuts Down Overnight
Dozens of customers flocked to a popular Smithtown salon on Friday morning to find their appointments canceled and seek returns on unused gift cards.
T. Carlton's Spalon put up a handwritten note reading, "Sorry, we are closed. We are going out of business," on its doors on Friday.
Smithtown School District Superintendent Abruptly Resigns
Smithtown School District Superintendent Anthony Annunziato announced his resignation at the board of education meeting on Tuesday evening and said he will be joining St. John's University as a professor.
Annunziato, who has been with the district just over one year and has had a 28-year career in education, read a letter announcing his intentions.
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A Smithtown West graduate has died after a two-year battle against against cancer.
Sean Cook, Class of 2013, died Friday morning due to stage 4 Germ cell cancer, according to Smithtown West High School staff. The school district was informed early Friday morning by a close friend of the Cook family.
Staff Sues Head of Harbor Billionaire for Watering Down Wages
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Former household staff members are suing a Head of the Harbor billionaire for stiffing them on wages because they failed to close doors or make sure hanging pictures were level at his palace on the Long Island Sound.
Robert Mercer, co-chief executive officer of Setauket hedge fund Renaissance, is accused of taking money from household staff’s for each time they failed to replace a shampoo bottles, properly close doors and other service tasks around the mansion.
Uncle Guiseppe's Breaks Pattern of Failed Health Inspections in Smithtown
Uncle Giuseppe's is making good on its pledge to clean up the Smithtown store, passing its most recent state health inspection after failing nine times since 2005.
According to New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, inspectors found only 16 general deficiencies when they popped in on the store on May 9, but no critical health issues.
Sex Offender Ousted From School Zone After Community Outcry
Cops have relocated a Level 3 sex offender on parole after he was found to have moved within feet of Smithtown East High School, prompting outraged community members to raise alarms.
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services website, Jae Claassen, 23, was living at 151 Northern Blvd. in St. James, which according to MapQuest records is within .21 miles of Smithtown East High School. Claassen was convicted in Sept. of 2008 of a Level 3 crime.
Javier's Cafe Opens Doors, Awakens A 'Dream'
As Edgar "Javier" Viera flips pancakes and lovingly prepares stuffed French toast for hungry Smithtown diners, his cool confidence comes from years of experience.
Viera, the chef and co-owner of the new Javier's Cafe on Main Street, has spent the last 16 years working as a cook at Maureen & Daughters' Kitchen in nearby Smithtown. Now, he's opened his own family-style restaurant.
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