🌱 Southampton Daily: Water Mill Fire + $3.75M Donation + Vacay

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

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 55, low: 41.

Here are the top stories today in Southampton:

1. Wednesday, a 2:09 p.m. a call came into the Southampton Fire Department for a fire at a residence on Halsey Lane in Water Mill. The dumpster, that caught on fire, was in close proximity to the home, officials said. Crews were dispatched, arrived on scene quickly, and were able to extinguish the fire, officials said. (Patch)
2. We all remember the famous split between Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott, but what we didn't know is how the world would benefit from the breakup. In 2019, Scott pledged to give away most of her fortune, and Habitat International is her latest benefactor of a $3.75M donation. The Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk builds low-cost homes in the county, making homeownership attainable for Long Island families who could otherwise not afford it, and runs a thrift shop of furniture and building materials called ReStore in Ronkonkoma. (Long Island Press)
3. More Long Islanders are rethinking summer vacations with soaring gas prices. Discover Long Island announced a new campaign highlighting the many unique car-free, walkable destinations across Long Island — easily accessible by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and other mass-transit. The campaign will also highlight Long Island hoteliers that offer their guests free shuttle services to ensure a seamless transportation experience. (LongIsland.com)
4. In 2017, five young men were lured into a Central Islip park to smoke marijuana. Instead, Leniz Escobar allegedly lured the high school students to their death in order to gain favor with the MS-13 gang, according to prosecutors at her trial. Escobar is facing murder, racketeering and conspiracy charges in the April 11, 2017, attack at the Central Islip park, where four victims’ mangled bodies were later found. (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 Southampton:

• 19th Battle of the Bands — Band Applications Available! (8 a.m.)
• Creative Arts Contest: New Beginnings. (8 a.m.)
• Word Game Palooza (In-Person). (1 p.m.)
• TGIF It's FRI-YAY! — Town of Southampton Youth Bureau. (4 p.m.)
• Basketball Clinic at Phillips Avenue Elementary School. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation: "There will never be enough slow mo puppy videos. Never. And we will keep them coming!! Every day is #nationalpuppyday for us and we happen to have plenty of puppy faces to adopt and give a forever home today! All types of breeds, size." (Facebook) (Website)
• Southampton Town - Government: "Special Work Session — March 24. #Southamptontownny, #GGPonstage, #SouthamptonParksRec." (Facebook) (Website)
• Southampton Town - Government: "Southampton Town joins U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge: On Tuesday, March 22 at the Southampton Town Board Meeting, the Town Board voted unanimously on a resolution to authorize the Supervisor to sign the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Climate Challenge Agreement." (Facebook) (Website)
• Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence: "LICADD's Weekly Newsletter!" (Facebook) (Website)
• Southampton Town - Government: "Councilman Bouvier sponsors legislation restricting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers: At the Town Board meeting of March 22, the Town Board approved a resolution amending the Town Code Chapter 235, entitled, 'Noise' to add provision." (Facebook) (Website)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services — (Visit website)
• D&J Concepts — (Visit Website)
• White Glove Medicine — (Visit website)
• Kweller Prep Tutoring — (Visit website)
• Add your business here.

Events:

• Queen of Hearts raffle fundraiser and Live music! (March 25)
• East Wind Wedding Showcase. (March 27)
• BYOB - Build Your Own [Cheese] Board at Sannino Vineyard. (March 27)
• Add your event.

Announcements:

• Entrepreneur with Down Syndrome Honored by NYS Legislature. (Details)
• Add your announcement.

Job listings:

• Farm Field Crew. (Details)
• Private Beach Club job opportunities. (Details)
• Dinning Room Manager, Bartender, Servers, Kitchen Help. (Details)
• Add your job listing.

Loving the Southampton 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 listed in front of readers.
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at diane.witek@patch.com.

Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning 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.