🌱 Smithtown Daily: Police To Wear Body Cameras + Babylon Pride

Good morning, Smithtown! It's me, Diane Witek, your host of the Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

First, today's weather:

A morning shower in places. High: 75, low: 60.

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Here are the top stories today in Smithtown:

1. Smithtown police said that credit cards were taken from a purse in a parked car at Carrabba's Italian Grill on Smithtown Bypass at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. Police investigators are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating the pair of wanted men; if you have any information, call Crime Stoppers 1-800-220-TIPS. (Daily Voice)
2. By the end of June, Suffolk County officers "on street patrol, in schools and on the gang unit and supervisors will be wearing body cameras," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. Chief Thomas Bennett said Wednesday that the department "purchased 125 Taser Axon Flex cameras and officers will be trained on the equipment next month." (Subscription: Newsday)
3. State Sen. Mario Mattera (R-Smithtown) is sponsoring a blood drive, scheduled for June 8 in Nesconset. The drive is slated to run from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Nesconset Branch of the Smithtown Library, at 148 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset. (Smithtown Patch)
4. The third annual Babylon Pride event happens this Sunday and is expected to be the biggest yet. The car parade, which started during the pandemic, will have three floats and kicks off at 3 p.m. on Deer Park Avenue. Roman, co-founder of the event along with Bob McKeown, told Patch, "I tell everyone, come out and be fabulous. Babylon Village is your runway, so prepare to come and strut and be your authentic self when you come to Babylon that day." (Patch)
5. Aidan Kaminska , a Port Jefferson High School graduate and star athlete, died suddenly this week at age 19. Kaminska played football and lacrosse and was a sophomore lacrosse player at UMass. (Patch)

Today in Smithtown:

• Game Day (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (11 a.m.)
• Friday Movie Matinee (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (2 p.m.)
• National Doughnut Day! Duck Donuts is giving a free cinnamon sugar doughnut to anyone who comes in. No purchase necessary. (All Day)

From my notebook:

• Smithtown Department of Public Safety: "On the morning of May 31, this Department had the honor of assisting with the funeral escort of former Smithtown Highway Department Superintendent James 'Red' Dowling, who passed away on May 26 at age 99." (Smithtown Department of Public Safety via Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Department of Public Safety: "On May 31, the Smithtown Fire Department was dispatched to a house on Villa Lane in the Morewood Section of their fire district, in regards to a barbecue on fire." (Smithtown Department of Public Safety via Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Tickets to 'The Little Mermaid Jr.' are selling faster than you can spell DINGLEHOPPER! 🍴 🎟️: smithtownpac.org, #smithtownpac." (Smithtown Performing Arts Center via Facebook) (Website)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Blackman St: "Do you know any women in need of clothing for a job interview or who are in a difficult position and in need of clothing? As women, we intuitively think of ourselves last. As women we need to look out for one another. We are Freebird Org." (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Maggie's Mission Fifth Anniversary "Angelversary" Gala (June 3)
• Opera Night Grand Reopening (June 3)
• Open House for "A Summer to Remember!" (June 4)
• Stony Brook F.D. Eagle Hook & Ladder Co. #1 Annual Cornhole Tournament (June 4)
• NewLife Expo For Conscious Living June 4 and 5 (June 4)
• Society of St. Johnland Sunset on the Harbor (June 9)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Smithtown Daily? Contact me at diane.witek@patch.com