🌱 COVID-19 Reported At Lake Ronkonkoma School + Culper Spy Ring

Hey, neighbors! It's me again, Diane Witek, your host of the Smithtown Daily.

First, today's weather:

Breezy and mild with rain. High: 65, low: 43.

Here are the top stories in Smithtown today:

1. COVID-19 Outbreak Reported At Lake Ronkonkoma School: There have been 31 positive cases at Hiawatha Elementary School in Lake Ronkonkoma since Nov. 3. On the Hiawatha Elementary School website, it reports there has been a total of 44 cases since Sept. 13, including teachers, students and staff. Meanwhile, on the NYS COVID-19 report card, it shows that 31 of those cases were reported in the last week. (News 12 Connecticut)
2. GOP Declares Victory In Suffolk 16th District Legislative Race: A win for Manuel Esteban, 45, of East Northport, was a "mathematical certainty" after a count of more than 800 absentee ballots Tuesday, Republican Board of Elections Commissioner Nicholas LaLota said Wednesday. Esteban led by 546 votes on election night, according to unofficial results. Esteban, who also ran on the Conservative party line, said he will work to make neighborhoods safer, rebuild infrastructure and improve the economy. He said he will partner with local organizations on a series of community service projects, campaign against bail reform and bring a "common-sense approach to government." (Newsday)
3. Setauket Fire Department Dedicates Badge Number 729 To Honor Culper Spy Ring: The number is associated with the Culper Spy Ring, and the badge is now mounted on a plaque and displayed in the center. The number was assigned by Benjamin Tallmadge, the organizer and leader of the local Revolutionary War spies, to signify Setauket in coded messages. (tbrnewsmedia.com)

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Today in Smithtown:

• End of Quarter 1 — Smithtown Csd. (All Day)
• Long Island Parks with Stories to Tell Part 2 (Smithtown Library). (2 p.m.)
• Friday Night Movie (Smithtown Library). (6:15 p.m.)

Smithtown Patch Notebook

• Smithtown Department of Public Safety: "The Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety is investigating two fires that were intentionally set within the past week in the bathroom building at Whitman Hollow Park on Map Lane in Commack. If you have any information on these fires, both of which resulted in damage to the building and the contents, please contact the Fire Marshals Office at 631-360-7553 or Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential." (Facebook)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "The SPAC staff has been hard at work preparing for 'Frozen Jr.'! Many thanks to Mike Mucciolo, Keith Blum and Christine Boehm for their beautiful designs ❄️ #spac, #longisland, #longislandtheatre, #smithtownpac, #smithtowntheater, #frozen." (Facebook)
• Straus Historical Society: "Artifact Wednesday. Jack Straus was the son of Jesse I. Straus and Irma Nathan Straus and grandson of Isidor and Ida Straus. He was the CEO of Macy's from the 1940s to 1960s during the company's expansion into a nationwide department store." (Facebook)
• Smithtown Historical Society: "Our Adopt-An-Animal spotlight today is one of our handsome barn cats, Oreo. We take special precautions not to startle this hearing-impaired boy who enjoys testing out the comforts of new spots with a nap!" (Facebook)
• Smithtown Library Kids: "Enjoy a fun dinosaur story." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Roseland School of Dance — FALL DANCE CLASSES START IN SEPTEMBER- Register today! (Visit website)
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Events:

• Estate Sale. (Nov. 13)
• 'Frozen Jr.' comes to Stop & Shop. (Nov. 13)
• Live Pro Wrestling in St James. (Nov. 13)
• Ribbon Cutting Celebration and Artist Signing Event. (Nov. 16)
• WEBINAR: Sleep Better, Move Better, Feel Better. (Nov. 16)
• WEBINAR: Foot & Ankle Pain. (Nov. 18)
• Pottery Sale! (Nov. 20)
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Other classifieds:

• Behind The Scoreboard — Coach Helps Hockey Player Excel. (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next 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.

— Diane Witek

About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Smithtown Daily? I'm all ears. You can reach me at diane.witek@patch.com.