🌱 Smithtown Daily: Smithtown's AAA Bond Rating + Kidnapped + POW

Happy Wednesday, Smithtown! Diane Witek here with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Intermittent snow and rain. High: 38, low: 29.

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Here are the top stories today in Smithtown:

1. Moody's credit rating company gave the Town of Smithtown a AAA bond rating, according to a news release from the township. Moody's outlook for the Town of Smithtown cited a large and growing tax base, strong management and a healthy fiscal position, according to the town. Way to go Smithtown! (Press Release Desk)
2. Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives arrested a Midlothian man who kidnapped his girlfriend and her granddaughter and kept them at America’s Best Value Inn, located at 755 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown, police said. Robert Allen Magness, 63, was arrested Monday on two counts of kidnapping. He was being held at the Ellis County jail Thursday, with bail set at $125,000. (Smithtown Matters)
3. Paws of War, the Nesconset-based organization, is seeking donations to help Army Sergeant Pool save his rescued dog, Cookie, that he found abandoned, fearful, filthy, and malnourished while he was on deployment in Eastern Europe. Sgt. Poolis is trying to relocate the dog home to the U.S. "This is no ordinary rescue or stray dog. This is a special case," Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War, said. "Cookie is afraid of other dogs and is in an area of the world where stray animals are not treated kindly. If he were to be left behind, he would suffer back out on the streets on his own." (Smithtown Patch)
4. According to a news release, King Kullen raised $25,000 for Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank through its annual "Check Out Hunger" campaign. "King Kullen and Wild by Nature have made a meaningful difference in the fight against hunger," said Paule T. Pachter, CEO of Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank. "Their customers continue to generously support our mission and we are forever grateful for their support all these years." (Patch)

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Today in Smithtown:

• HSW — Musical (Senior Performance) — Smithtown High School-West. (All Day)
• Top 10 Probate & Estate Administration Mistakes. (8:30 a.m.)
• Sports Pages Book Discussion Group (Smithtown Library). (10:30 a.m.)
• "Clue" — A Mystery Book Discussion Group (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (2:30 p.m.)
• 3D Printing Workshop (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (3 p.m.)
• Pajama Storytime (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "The Cooper’s hawk had its wing wrap removed and has been placed in an outdoor aviary for flight conditioning. Hopefully she doesn’t injure herself. As I said before Cooper’s hawks are notoriously high stress birds and can be hard to rehab." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Historical Society: "Due to Saturday's poor weather, our Irish Luck on the Farm event has been postponed to Sunday, March 13." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "We are seeking a stage manager with immediate availability for 'High School Musical Jr.' and future productions. Candidate should be responsible, reliable, punctual, and a self-starter. Must be 21+. Previous theatre tech experience a plus." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Library Kids: "Join us for a program especially for babies. There will be songs, props and most of all, fun. Register for this Commack Building program in person, by phone 631-360-2480 ext. 396, or online." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Join us for a night of laughs with your favorite Irish Comedians! Irish Comedy Night is this Saturday at 8 p.m. 🎟️: smithtownpac.org, #spac, #longislandcomedy, #comedynight, #irishcomedy, #stpatricksday." (Facebook) (Website)

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• Financial Issues of Divorce: Taxes & Assets — Vesta's Westchester/ Rockland, N.Y. Hub. (March 9)
• Andrew's Top Gun Run. (March 26)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.