Week in Review: Man Killed by Train; Sertinos Cafe Closing

Man Killed by Train in St. James

A man died in St. James on Tuesday after he was struck by a full eastbound train approaching the station platform, Metropolitan Transportation Authority police said.

Detective Sergeant Kim Riley of the MTA Police said the man was hit by the train at 12:20 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the Lake Avenue station when officers arrived.

"It appears he was on the platform," Riley said.

Sertinos Cafe Closing Likely

Sertinos Cafe owner Craig Lowenthall posted signs in the eatery Saturday and announced on Facebook Sunday morning that it would be closing Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. for good.

2 Buildings Possible for Rotting Main Street Lumberyard

Sketches are now adorning the windows of the former Nassau Suffolk Lumber and Supply Corp. home indicating the desired plans for the property, owned by South Fork Management.

According to Planning Director Frank DeRubeis, South Fork Management is looking to divide the property into two buildings – one 30 feet off of West Main Street that would be used for retail space on the first floor and apartments on the second and third floors, and the other building in the rear of the property between Planned Parenthood and the Assessor's Office that would be used for small offices and apartments.

Locals Blast Smithtown's Proposed Budget Property Tax Increase

The town board held its public hearing for the proposed 2013 town budget Thursday night with locals and politicians voicing their displeasure with the property tax increase.

Worked into the $103 million proposed budget is a property tax increase that would run homeowners $46.83 a year if the home has an assessed value of $5,500.

New St. James Business Offers Art Classes to Local Kids

For parents looking to get their children involved in the arts locally you could now do with the addition of Artsy in St. James

Artsy, an art and design school located at 438 Lake Avenue, caters mostly to an audience from pre-school to sixth grade, but has students as old as 28 years old.

Smithtown: 'Frankenstorm' Preparations Underway

The Town of Smithtown is currently engaged in its emergency management plan preparing for Hurricane Sandy – dubbed "Frankenstorm" – being led by the town’s Public Safety Department.

“All departments are on alert with equipment ready, on standby,” said Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio in a phone interview Friday afternoon. 

Repairs to Landing Avenue Bridge Set for Spring

Smithtown motorists can expect delays this spring due to repair work slated for the Landing Avenue bridge, according to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works.

The road is expected to close for four weeks, said Bill Hillman, Chief Engineer for the DPW. The entire project, which will include minor deck repair, signing and concrete repair is expected to take two to three months to complete.  A detour is expected to be set up, but the route has yet to be determined.