Week in Review: School District Adopts $224M Budget, Town Approves $8M in Road Repairs

Cancer Scam for Heroin Habit Ran Through Smithtown

At least one local in the area donated to help a young woman who police say ran an elaborate scam to feed her drug habit.

St. James Winery Gets State License to Sell Wine

Whisper Winery still trying to work with Town of Smithtown officials for outdoor event permit; public hearing scheduled for April 25.

While parents in Smithtown debate the value of standardized tests for elementary and middle school students, the conversation has focused around one key question.

Can parents choose to not have their children take these tests, known as "opting out"?

Smithtown Officials Approve $8M in Road Improvements

Smithtown officials voted to move forward with more than $8 million in road improvements outlined under the town's 2013 Road Program.

Smithtown Town Board unanimously approved Highway Supervisor Glen Jorgensen's 2013 Road Program that includes $8,099,603.49 in roadway improvements for reconstruction of streets, paving, drainage improvements and curb/sidewalk repairs at their Tuesday meeting.

Prospective Buyer Cleans Up Crumbling Ebo Hill Property

While a prospective buyer for the maligned Ebo Hill property in Smithtown has already begun landscaping around the ramshackle historic mansion this week, the property's owner said the sale is not exactly a done deal.

"I did sell it, or I would like to say 'yes, I sold it,'" said building owner Richard Longobardi, who also owns All Towne Realty Group in Smithtown. "Until the fat lady sings, I haven't sold it."

Hundreds Rally For Pay-it-Forward Mission Honoring Lost 22-Month-Old

Nearly six months after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Long Island landscape, locals are still pulling together to support one family who is turning their own devastation into something that can help people for years to come.

On April 5, more than 300 people packed Napper Tandy’s in Smithtown to raise money for the Specht family of Sound Beach – whose 22-month-old son drowned in a backyard pond one day before the big storm hit – by backing their ReesSpecht Life foundation.

Smithtown Schools Adopt $224 Million Budget

The Smithtown School District on Tuesday voted to adopt a $224.4 million 2013-1014 budget that will cut nearly $3 million in spending through teacher, staff, programs and materials cuts by a unanimous vote.

The budget will raise the tax levy by 3.63 percent, which factoring in exemptions, puts it under the state cap.