🌱 Smithtown Daily: Meet Cali and Archie + Gyrodyne Divide + Car Theft

Good morning, neighbors! Diane Witek here with a fresh Smithtown Daily.

First, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 55, low: 36.

Are you a local business owner or marketer? We can help you effortlessly run effective ads that reach customers in Smithtown. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Smithtown:

1. Smithtown adoptable pets of the week: Meet Cali and Archie, they are beautiful 2-year-old domestic shorthair bonded siblings that cuddle together most of the day. Cali is a calico female, while Archie is a tabby and white male. "They arrived at the Smithtown Animal Shelter after living in a feral cat colony," stated the shelter. If you are looking to adopt a kitten, the shelter has them waiting for you to give them their furrever home. (Patch)
2. Smithtown’s Planning Board voted unanimously to allow Gyrodyne, the former defense contractor's 75-acre land in St. James, "to divide its property into eight lots for uses such as a hotel, assisted living and medical offices," Newsday wrote. For the record, there was a two-and-a-half-hour comment session on congestion and increased traffic on currently overused local roads. Technical and engineering approval is still needed for Gyrodyne to move forward, so any construction is at least a year or a year-and-a-half away. (Newsday)
3. If you are keeping your garage doors open with your car inside, unlocked, you could be headed for trouble. There has been an uptick on car thefts in the area where people are leaving their keys nearby or fob keys in unlocked vehicles. On Sunday, a car was stolen from a Nesconset home. Police said, "Someone entered a Raphael Boulevard home through a garage, stole car keys and used the keys to steal a car outside the house, police said. The vehicle is a 2019 Audi Q8." (Smithtown Patch)
4. Another Long Island firefighting hero has died from 9/11 related cancer. "Retired FDNY Captain Michael J. Lyons, was cited for many acts of heroism during his 20-year career, including taking part in the rescue of an office worker from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, died Tuesday of 9/11-related cancer, the FDNY has confirmed. He was 53," wrote Newsday. Lyons served as a firefighter with Engine 228 in Sunset Park as well as Borough Park, Midwood and Harlem. We humbly thank you for your service, sir. (Subscription: Newsday)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you in part by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. We all know that Ring is the leader in video doorbells for home security. But did you know that Ring now makes a home security system that is getting raves from consumer electronic experts?

To learn more about Ring Alarm Pro, the system CNET called "the future of home security,” or to build your own custom system, visit Ring here.

Today in Smithtown:

• FHS/Power of the Pebble fundraiser — Duck Donut Sale. (9 a.m.)
• Smithtown, NY: April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month. (9 a.m.)
• Game Day (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (11 a.m.)
• Chair Yoga (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (11:30 a.m.)
• Friday Movie Matinee (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (2 p.m.)
• Film and Discussion (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "Lookie what gift we got from a tree trimming company. We call them fluffy velcro babies. They were found on a construction site after a tree was removed. The site was being excavated so it was not possible to reunite them with their mother." (Facebook) (Website)
• Straus Historical Society: "This photograph was taken in honor of Isidor and Ida’s 25th Wedding Anniversary on July 12, 1896. Seated in the front from left to right are Ida Straus, Lazarus Straus (Isidor's father), and Isidor Straus." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Come one, come all! You are invited to a royal princess party! Our favorite princesses return to the Royal Kingdom of Smithtown to get together and celebrate their stories. 𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮p." (Facebook) (Website)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Smithtown Pines: "Looking for a handyman to put a small shed together asap. Anybody know someone?" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Fitness 4 You — (Visit website)
• The Creative House — (Visit Website)
• Robbins Podiatry — (Visit website)
• Val Shops for You — (Visit website)
• Add your business here.

Events:

• Last Child — Top Aerosmith Tribute Band in the Nation. (April 2)
• Can market volatility help you pursue your financial goals? (April 5)
• The Wellness Tour; Marci Baron Mindfulness and Meditation Event and Tasting. (April 6)
• U2 Easter Show with 2U — The Worlds 2nd Best U2 Show! (April 16)
• Add your event.

Job listings:

• Medical Receptionist. (Details)
• Add your job listing.

Loving the Smithtown Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe.
• Get your local business featured in front of readers.
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at diane.witek@patch.com.

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Diane Witek

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