🌱 Smithtown Daily: Sewer Project + Don Jono's Pizzeria + Testing

Happy Thursday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note. Here are the top 4 stories in Smithtown today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 49, low: 44.

Rent this space!

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Smithtown? We'd love to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories in Smithtown today:

1. In order to keep to the project timeline, which calls for work to begin this summer and finish by spring 2025, Smithtown leaders asked the New York State Comptroller for an expedited review of a plan to sewer the hamlet downtown. (NewsKudo)
2. Online reviewers have praised Don Jono's Pizzeria welcoming atmosphere and service. "The food speaks for itself (which is 5 stars on its own) but I'm writing this review about the people behind the counter," Justine C., of Smithtown, said in a Yelp review. "Every time I go in here, they're having a conversation with a customer." (Daily Voice)
3. Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to remind Long Island residents that two new state testing sites opened as of Wednesday: those sites are located at IBEW Local 25, 370 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and at Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich St. in Hempstead. That location is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Patch)
4. Several dogs that were about to be trained for the military when the program they were in was reduced, faced the unspeakable, being euthanized. They were saved when a Defense Department official reached out to Paws of War, the Nesconset organization that rescues dogs and places them with veterans or first responders. (WABC-TV)

From our sponsor:

Hey Smithtown, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Smithtown:

• Rockin' New Year Volunteers (Smithtown Library). (10:45 a.m.)
• Rockin' New Year (Smithtown Library). (11:15 a.m.)
• Silly Snowmen (Smithtown Library). (3 p.m.)
• "SUPER BOB EINSTEIN MOVIE" Director Up Next on Tom Needham’s SOUNDS OF FILM. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "October through December is the time of year when sea turtles can experience cold stunning, or like this diamondback terrapin, it is known as cold shock."(Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Department of Public Safety: "Please do not use a hospital ER or call an ambulance in order to get a COVID-19 test. To find a designated testing site use the QR code or go to https://tinyurl.com/northwellCOVIDtestsites." (Facebook)
• Town Of Smithtown: MSF Closed for the holidays. The recycling center will be closed for the holiday on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, resuming again on Monday. (Press Release Desk)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Fitness 4 You. (Visit website)
• Add your business here.

Events:

• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (Dec. 31)
• Troop 410 Polar Bear Swim. Located at Steers Beach, 1 Asharoken Ave, Northport. (Jan. 1)
• Add your event.

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 showcased in front of readers.
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at diane.witek@patch.com.

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow 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.