🌱 Smithtown Daily: Bingo At Senior Center + Man Killed On LIRR

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

First, today's weather:

Variable clouds; breezy, mild. High: 54, low: 53.

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Here are the top stories today in Smithtown:

1. Who doesn't love playing bingo? Well, the folks at Smithtown's seniors center certainly do, they stopped visiting the center during the pandemic and are now being lured back with offerings such as a new bingo machine, a knitting club, and a St. Patrick's Day luncheon, but seats are limited. (Newsday)
2. Yusef Staine, a West Babylon man, was shot dead by a man who "appeared to be traveling" with him while he was onboard a westbound LIRR train that was parked at the Ronkonkoma station at about 1:45 a.m., Suffolk police said. No one has been apprehended in connection with the shooting, MTA officials said. (WABC-TV)
3. A fuel tanker carrying over 9,000 gallons of gasoline slammed into a Rockville Centre building early Wednesday morning, according to officials. A massive fire tore through an empty Long Island furniture store after the crash. The tanker's 9,200 gallons of gasoline spilled out onto Sunrise Highway and ignited into a massive blaze. “It’s one of the worst things I’ve seen in my 47-year career,” Rockville Centre Fire Chief James Avondet said at the scene Wednesday morning. (WPIX 11 New York)
4. Rolando Padillacanales, 45, a Ronkonkoma man, was killed Tuesday after getting pinned between two box trucks as he helped back one of the vehicles into a Central Islip parking lot, Suffolk police said. Padillacanales was helping a motorist back up a 2007 Hino box truck in a parking lot at South Research Place when the vehicle hit him, according to police, pinning him against a parked 2006 Freightliner box truck. Padillacanales was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where he died of his injuries, police said. (smithtownmatters.com)

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Today in Smithtown:

• Parachute Play (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (10 a.m.)
• Zumba Gold with Fran (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (10 a.m.)
• Smithtown Book Discussion Group (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (10:45 a.m.)
• Game Night (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (6:30 p.m.)
• Learn to Draw Polar Bears (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (6:30 PM)
• Planning for Your Child with Special Needs. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "Another fox was brought to our clinic from our friends at Strong Island animal rescue. This poor little lady got her front paw caught in a leg hold trap. I can’t believe these things are legal here in N.Y., it is such a barbaric way to catch animals." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "It's time for another round of Princess Trivia! This princess has quite a few names, but her parents named her after 'light.' Do you know? 🎟️: smithtownpac.org, #spac, #longislandtheatre." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Library Kids: "There is still room in some of our children's programs at the Nesconset Building during winter break. Register online or call 631-360-2480, ext. 213." (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, The Landing: "Hi neighbors! Can anyone recommend a licensed, experienced electrician? I’m located in Smithtown/St. James area. Thanks!" (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update.

— Diane Witek

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