🌱 Smithtown Daily: Pet Food Drive Challenge + 5 Cars Stolen

Happy Saturday, Smithtown! Diane Witek here to get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy, showers; cooler. High: 56, low: 50.

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Here are the top stories today in Smithtown:

1. The 11th Annual Legislative Food Drive Challenge is on to collect pet food for the clients of Long Island Cares. "Since 2009, Long Island Cares has provided free pet food and supplies to individuals and families in need, in an effort to enable them to keep their pets at home instead of placing them in shelters," wrote LongIsland.com. The drive is from now until May 1. Donations may be dropped off, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Legislator Trotta’s office, 59 Landing Ave., Suite 1, Smithtown. For more information, please call his office at 631- 854-3900. (LongIsland.com)
2. If you are in the habit of leaving your car unlocked in your driveway, you may be in for a big surprise. Five cars were stolen within 1 hour in Hauppauge, police said. According to police, the cars were stolen outside from residences on Benzel Lane, Sandra Drive, Steven Place and Maureen Drive between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on March 17. Police say all five vehicles were unlocked with key fobs inside. Anyone with information on is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. (Patch)
3. The Smithtown community mourns Daniel Rubi, a first-grade student at Tackan Elementary School in the hamlet of Nesconset, who died on Monday, March 14, according to representatives at GoFundMe. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Daniel's family as well as to entire community who are sharing in their grief," Sen. Mario Mattera said in a Facebook post. "My best wishes to all the students and faculty at Tackan Elementary School who must all be devastated by this loss. Rest in peace, Daniel!" Members of the community and organizations have also shared the GoFundMe fundraiser online with messages of support for Daniel's family. (Smithtown Patch)

Today in Smithtown:

• Take and Make-It's About Time (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (9:30 a.m.)
• Creation Station (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (10 a.m.)
• Wrapping up Irish Week. (2 p.m.)
• LEGO® League (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (3 p.m.)
• Family friendly Pro Wrestling event! (7:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Nextdoor Neighbor, Oakside / Landing: "Looking for a recommendation on bicycle repair and tune up place. TIA." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Village of The Branch: "Need a haircut? I’ll come to you! Call or text 631-796-3032." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Stonebridge Estates: "Found. If you lost something on March 16 in the Suburban Eats parking lot (on Route 110) and you can identify it, I’d be happy to return it to you. Serious replies only." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Brooksite: "I just received a letter in the mail from Community Power of Long Island. It says if you go to their site and sign up you will save 10 percent on your electric bill and help Long Island shift to cheaper, cleaner energy. Anyone else receive this?" (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk. (March 22)
• Tai Chi Class Registration Beginner class available. (March 31)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Diane Witek

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