News Nearby: Harry Potter Themed Prom in Port Jeff

Port Jefferson

Every year for the past 54 years, parents and community members promise to band together to make prom night so magnificent that teens want to go nowhere else, keeping them safe and sound inside the for a night they will never forget. And every year, the Senior Prom Committee has delivered on that promise.

This year was no different as the community transformed the school into a truly magical place for the kids.

“For this year’s senior prom, Port Jefferson High School was transformed into Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Castle,” said committee member Theresa Tsunis. “The seniors were announced and welcomed onto the red carpet to enter the school of magic and wizardry by Professor Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort and Professor Minerva McGonagall each portrayed by senior parents.”

J. K. Rowling’s famous characters came to life for the Port Jefferson seniors, many of whom no doubt grew up loving the fairy tale of magic and mystery following the incredible adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Miller Place-Rocky Point

The home at 16 Shore Drive in Sound Beach has been in danger of falling into the Long Island Sound for years with continued erosion, and now the Town of Brookhaven has stepped in and condemned the home.

The owner of the home, Edith Hotis, is a senior citizen who is worried she's going to be evicted. Sound Beach Civic President Bea Ruberto told Patch that Hotis had initially contacted FEMA to see if she could get some help and at that time was told that the damage wasn't bad enough. Now, with signs posted, Hotis is in danger of facing a court order to leave from the Town if she refuses to leave, according to a report on News12.com.

Three Village

The crash car sitting in front of is not just any crash car: it's the vehicle in which Andrea Giattino, a 2010 graduate, was killed by a drunk driver last July.

Giattino's boyfriend, Justin Quaranta, calls the car "a black mark," something that is always difficult to look at. But right now, he said, he knows it has a purpose: helping people understand the dangers of drinking and driving.

"We felt it would have a stronger impact than putting a random car that isn't tied to anybody. It would hit home and maybe make a little bit more of a difference," said Quaranta, who was driving the car the night of the crash, in which the other driver, who was intoxicated, also died.

Hauppauge

Nesconset residents’ opposition to plans to bring a Sonic restaurant to the area quickly turned into outrage as residents felt their complaints fell on deaf ears at Tuesday night's town meeting.

Residents packed the Eugene A. Cannataro Senior Citizen Center to capacity Tuesday night as the Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals held a public hearing on the project, proposed for the corner of Middle Country Road and Alexander Avenue.

Commack

A new pizzeria has set its eyes on opening a restaurant on Commack's Jericho Turnpike.

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizzeria has signed a lease to open a restaurant in the Peppertree Commons Shopping Center near off the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Town Line Road.

Kings Park

Memories mixed with hugs and tears were part of New Discovery's last days and moving up ceremonies as their final graduating class of preschoolers readied for the next step. The school, which has been part of the Kings Park Community for 29 years closed its doors at the San Remo building last week, but is hoping to find a new location soon.