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Health Roundup: Docs addressfloods, flu shots, COVID andCMV

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Scenes from this weekend’sdevastating storm

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Scenes from Port Jefferson:Torrential downpours floodthe streets

CentereachAugust 22, 2024

Brookhaven Town SupervisorDan Panico declares state ofemergency due to severe...

CommunityAugust 22, 2024

Storm ravages the North Shore

CommunityAugust 17, 2024

Port Jeff civic meeting addressesflooding concerns

CommunityJuly 25, 2024

Suffolk County Water Authorityis urging water conservation,amid record heat

CommunityJune 28, 2024

Port Jefferson Village hostsa workshop on flood preventionin the wake...

CommunityApril 14, 2024

In Port Jefferson village,the tide rushes in

CommunityFebruary 16, 2024

A snowy spectacle on Feb. 13

Hurricane season is here: Time to prepare

by Press Release - June 3, 2025

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Hurricane season is officially underway—and now is the time for Long Islanders to get prepared. From now through November 30, Long Island faces the potential for hurricanes and tropical storms—let’s make sure our communities are ready.

While major storms may not strike every year, even a single hurricane can cause widespread damage across Long Island. Here are some key tips and local resources to help you and your loved ones stay safe and ready, courtesy of Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD), a program of the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI).

Prepare Now with These Simple Steps:

Make an Emergency Plan – Know your evacuation zone and how you’ll communicate with family. Click here for information on how to make a plan today.
Pack a Go-Bag – Include bottled water, shelf-stable food, medications, chargers, important documents, and a flashlight. Click here for information on how to build a go-bag.
Stay Alert – Sign up for real-time weather updates through NY Alert.
Check In On Others – Make sure elderly neighbors or those with disabilities are also prepared.

Take action now, and help protect your family, neighbors, and community.

To report an outage to PSEG:

Text OUT to PSEGLI at 773454 or visit: https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/contactus

To Report a Downed Power Line to PSEG call: 1-800-490-0075

American Red Cross: How to Get Help:

https://www.redcross.org/local/new-york/ or call: 1-877-733-2767

American Red Cross Preparedness Guide: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/

Hurricane Resources:

Download the Hurricane Preparedness Flyer

Nassau Emergency Resources

Suffolk Emergency Resources

Nassau County OEM:

Suffolk County OEM:

Dix Hills Fire Department to host Emergency Preparedness Seminar on June 5

by Press Release - June 3, 2025

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Suffolk County Legislators Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) and Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), in conjunction with Suffolk County Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services, will host a free Emergency Preparedness Seminar for Citizens on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dix Hills Fire Department Station 1, located at 590 Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills.

As hurricane season approaches, the seminar offers residents and families an opportunity to learn how to prepare for severe weather and other emergency situations. The one-hour session is open to all and requires no registration. Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics covered will include:

Extreme weather awareness
Personal and family preparedness
Emergency alerts and notifications
What to do during emergencies
Suffolk County’s disaster response plans

For more information, please contact Legislator Donnelly’s office at (631) 854-4433 or Legislator Sanin’s office at (631) 854-5100.

Editorial: The winter blues

by TBR Staff - March 11, 2025

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Upon waking up in the morning, the first thing most of us do is open the weather app, reservedly hopeful. It feels as if winter should be over as we enter March, but as the weather for the day appears on our screens or televisions, we are greeted with a little cloud icon. Again.

Despite lengthening daylight hours and sporadic days of sunshine, Long Island enters March under cold and cloudy conditions. The low temperatures keep many inside clutching a hot beverage. In the summer, there would still be plenty of daylight hours to still take advantage of: a comparison that we can’t help but indulge in.

There are some days where our only outdoor time involves walking from the car to the front door; this lack of exposure to the sun as well the inability to pursue hobbies such as hiking, playing sports, swimming or gardening can cause seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD is characterized by oversleeping, overeating and social withdrawal in addition to decreased energy, loss of pleasure in hobbies and difficulty concentrating or making decisions, to name a few.

While many don’t experience the impacts of the season drastically enough to have a SAD diagnosis, the lack of time outdoors and under the sun undoubtedly has an effect on our behavior and outlook.

On a chemical level, researchers theorize that vitamin D, which we produce when we are exposed to sun, plays a role in the production of serotonin, otherwise known as the “happy chemical.” According to the National Institute of Mental Heath, the lower levels of vitamin D are common in people who suffer from SAD.

Furthermore, fewer daylight hours can cause the body to begin producing melatonin earlier, leading to oversleeping.

The uncomfortable weather understandably keeps us indoors, away from our hobbies, leaving us feeling unfulfilled. The days seem to pass faster without activities to break up the monotony of being indoors.

Luckily, we can take vitamin D supplements to compensate for our lack of sunlight exposure. While this can abate the chemical impacts, it is important to pay attention to how the season changes our lifestyle choices and to try to mitigate that or supplement it with something else.

Perhaps, instead of gardening outside, we decide to devote ourselves to a collection of houseplants. We can invest in some hand-warmers and warm weather clothing to continue hiking and walking without becoming uncomfortably cold. Or, we can take up a new engaging hobby like painting, knitting, or rock-climbing. Moving our body in some capacity is also important to make sure we stay in shape and boost our endorphins, which can decrease symptoms of depression, stabilize our mood, and help us manage stress.

As we enter the home-stretch of cold-weather, we should check in with our personal and physical needs.

Smithtown Library’s main branch completes lower level restoration after storm damage

by Sabrina Artusa - February 23, 2025

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The lower level of the Smithtown Library's main branch has been restored after Aug. 19 storm. Photo by Robert Lusak

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By Sabrina Artusa

After the Aug. 19 storm, the lower level of the Smithtown Library’s main branch at 1 North Country Road had to be cleaned and gutted. The stairwell has been repainted and all electriclal equipment has been removed. Now, the floor is a blank slate. Smithtown Library Director Robert Lusak views this as an opportunity to re-situate the floor to make it a better, nicer area.

–Photos by Robert Lusak

Ice-capades on the North Shore

by Bill Landon - February 8, 2025

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By Bill Landon

As temperatures fell and with a respite from the unrelenting wind, skaters of all ages, including tomorrow’s hockey stars, flocked to Miller Place Duck Pond and Millers Pond in Smithtown. In Smithtown, hockey players weren’t the only ones enjoying the perks of the cold weather; a furry friend wandered onto the ice, prompting skaters to take a short intermission.

— Photos by Bill Landon and Sabrina Artusa

Message from Town of Smithtown Supervisor: Winter storm watch in effect for weekend

by Press Release - February 7, 2025

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According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm watch will go into effect Saturday, Feb. 8 at approximately 7 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 9 ending at 11 a.m.

A heavy mixed precipitation is possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations are expected to be between three and five inches and a light glaze of ice accumulations is possible. Travel conditions may become difficult during the storm, especially as temperatures fluctuate causing slick roads. If possible motorists should avoid driving during the storm. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution, warns Town of Smithtown Supervisor Edward Wehrhreim.

The Town Smithtown Highway Department Fleet will begin working Friday evening on prep, applying a beet juice brine to the roads and sidewalks to prevent dangerous black ice conditions. Snow removal crews will continue to work through the duration of the storm.

Park Vehicles in the Driveway: Residents are encouraged to keep vehicles off the curbside as plows clear the residential areas in an expeditious manner. Smithtown’s highway fleet began work overnight applying a beet juice brine to the roads and sidewalks to prevent icing.

Parks & Beaches Will Be Closed During the Storm: In an effort to keep residents safe and allow for Parks, Buildings & Grounds to remove snow from parking lots efficiently, gates and other access to the parks and beaches will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Stay Informed: Residents can stay informed about the storm and get up to the minute updates via the Town of Smithtown Mobile App, which is free to download on Google Play and the App Store.

The Town of Smithtown has compiled a list of tips, resources and information regarding the storm, the cleanup process, reporting power outages and the proper contact information for those in need of further assistance.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

The Department of Public Safety has activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is coordinating efforts with Suffolk County and PSEG in the event of power outages. Public Safety is urging residents to stay off of the roads, which lessens the potential for accidents. Use extreme caution and if you must travel, please do so with a winter survival kit. In the event, you become stranded, stay with your vehicle and call authorities. All non life-threatening calls can be directed to the department of public safety by calling (631) 360-7553.

Elderly Neighbors & Special Needs individuals: Please check on your neighbors with disabilities, special needs or senior citizens. Make sure they have an emergency phone, plenty of water, food and blankets. Ask if they have someone to call in the event of an emergency. If further intervention is required please contact the Office for People with Disabilities at (631) 360-7642.

Animals & Family Pets: All domestic animals should remain indoors in below freezing temperatures, with the exception of allowing dogs to venture out briefly to go to the bathroom. Make sure to check the yard for broken fences or open gates and if possible keep an eye on your pets while outdoors to avoid escape, and injuries.

Please Note: It is against the law to leave pets outside in freezing conditions such as these! If you witness cruel conditions, please report it. Farm animals should be sheltered indoors for the duration of this storm. To report animals in distress, strays or other loose domestic or wild animals please call the Smithtown Animal Shelter (631) 360-7575.

Post Storm Safety: When plowing driveways please be cognizant not to block fire hydrants with snow mounds. Public Safety Fire Marshals ask that residents using generators be cognizant to place the exhaust facing outwards and at least 20’ away from a building. This can protect loved ones from CO poisoning and can prevent fires caused by generators incorrectly positioned.

Power Outages – PSEG Information: View PSEG Long Island’s outage map Click Here

To report and receive status updates on an outage Text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or to report an outage online visit www.psegliny.com

To register, have your account number available and text REG to PSEGLI (773454)

Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything contacting the wire. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075.

Road Preparations and Snow Cleanup:

Superintendent of Highways, Robert Murphy reports that the full fleet has been deployed for the duration of the storm. As a reminder, please remove any waste bins, brush or leaf bags from the curbside and park vehicles in driveways so the roads can be plowed efficiently during and after snow accumulation. This also prevents damage to curb cuts, mailboxes and driveways.

To report icing, and other issues related to conditions along the roads, please contact the highway department at (631) 360-7500.

USEFUL NUMBERS:

Stranded Vehicles: If there is an emergency, please dial 9-11 immediately. All non life-threatening calls can be directed to the Department of Public Safety by calling 631-360-7553

Local Fire & Police Phone Numbers: In an emergency dial 9-1-1

Suffolk County Police Department: For non-emergencies, contact 631-852-COPS (2677). Dial 9-1-1 ONLY for life-threatening emergencies.
Smithtown Fire Rescue Communications: 631-265-1500 for fire and EMS emergencies in the Smithtown, Kings Park, and Hauppauge Fire Districts.
Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services: Dial 911 for fire and EMS emergencies in the St. James, Nesconset, and Nissequogue Fire Districts.
Commack Fire Department: 631-499-5777 for fire emergencies in the Commack Fire District.

Report Power Outages to PSEG: Text OUT to PSEGLI (773454), report it online at MyAccount.psegliny.com, through the PSEG app, or call1-800-490-0075

Report Gas Outages or Emergencies: If you smell gas anywhere, including in your home, go outside and call National Grid 24 hour hotline at 1-800-490-0045 or dial 911 immediately.

LIRR Commuter Travel Information: For information regarding delays or travel questions, contact the LIRR 24 hour travel information center at 718-217-5477

Suffolk 311: Suffolk County 311 is a central call center available to residents who do not know which number to call for any non-emergency. Residents can reach the 311 line Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or leave messages after hours.

Elderly Neighbors & Special Needs individuals: For assistance with elderly or special needs individuals, contact the Office for People with Disabilities at (631) 360-7642

Animals & Family Pets: To report animals in distress, strays or other loose/lost domestic or wild animals please call (631) 360-7575. To Report Animal Abuse, or Neglect contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722 or Suffolk County Police at (631) 854-8200.

Winter pet safety tips – can be found online at the Suffolk County SPCA by visiting suffolkspca.org/information/safety-tips/weather-tips/

Port Jefferson Ice Festival is still cool six years later

by Julianne Mosher - January 30, 2025

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By Julianne Mosher

For its sixth consecutive year, the Port Jefferson Ice Festival brought in thousands of guests to the village after stormy weather caused a rain date activation.

Originally scheduled for Jan. 18 and 19, the festival was postponed to Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26 where weather was sunny, but chilly — a perfect combination for the more than two dozen ice sculptures to thrive.

For more than half a decade, the annual Port Jefferson Ince Festival, hosted by the Port Jefferson Business Improvement District, has brought in Rich Daly, owner of Ice Memories Inc. in Mastic Beach.

Daly, who is an award-winning ice sculptor with over 200 competition titles, including a Guinness World Record for carrying 60 sculptures in under three hours, took to the tennis courts to show several live carvings including Olaf the snowman from “Frozen” where people of all ages watched the master carver in awe.

Throughout the village, pre-made ice sculptures from Daly’s shop decorated the sidewalks outside of local businesses. In addition to the sculptures, visitors enjoyed live ice carving demonstrations, ice corn hole, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate stands, ice mini golf, skating demos, tractor rides, karaoke, interactive games and live dance and music performances.

Suffolk County Leg. Trotta’s Winter Coat Drive a success

by Press Release - January 25, 2025

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0-7 — Some of the hats knitted by Sue Harrison for children and adults. Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office

For several years, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta has been working with Smithtown based SMM Advertising and the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) to conduct a winter coat drive to benefit the residents of Suffolk County who need warm winter clothing.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta with some of the coats residents dropped off at his office in Smithtown. Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta’s office

“The response was phenomenal. We received numerous donations from so many residents,” said Legislator Trotta. “In addition, for the third year in a row, Sue Harrison knitted hats for the children and adults,” added Trotta.

“Every donated coat and warm garment represent a message of hope and care from one human being to another. Thank you to RSVP and Legislator Rob Trotta for all your support and enthusiasm each year to make our Coat Drive a success,” said Tricia Folliero, Vice President, SMM Advertising.

The donated winter wear was distributed to the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry, St, Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry at St. Jospeh’s Church in Kings Park, St. Gerard of Majella Outreach, Infant Jesus Outreach, Church of the Resurrection Outreach, Echo Arms Adult Home, Lighthouse Mission and Pax Christi Men’s Shelter.

“The Friends of the Retired and Senior Volunteer program is overwhelmed by the response of our RSVP volunteers and our community members to take this opportunity to care for our community. The number of blankets and coats that they provided was incredible and so often the donation came with a willingness to continue to help. We are grateful to be working with Leg. Trotta and SMM Advertising.,” said Maryflorence Brennan, Executive Director of RSVP.

Your Turn: Fire and Rain — Climate change is ravaging our planet

by TBR Staff - January 23, 2025

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default — A scene of destruction in Western North Carolina after Tropical Storm Helene. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/NCDOTcommunications

By Kurt Johnsen

On August 19, 2024, a “thousand-year” rain event breached Harbor Road and drained the Stony Brook Mill Pond. TBR News Media published my memoir of my personal relationship with the pond and my deep sorrow of its loss on Aug. 29.

I live in Asheville, North Carolina and on September 28, I awoke to a Natural Disaster that was beyond my comprehension. Tropical storm Helene had scourged our beloved Western North Carolina. I’ll first note that my wife and I were fine, and our home only suffered minor damage. I stepped outside and began to witness what was soon to be apparent destruction of “biblical” proportion.

Overnight, 40 to 100 miles-per-hour winds had ravaged our region. Asheville received 14 inches of rain, much of Western North Carolina received two feet of rain and even up to 30 inches, all in the previous two days. Trees were downed everywhere and with them thousands of power lines cutting off electricity and making even simple travel down the road impossible. Soon, the magnitude of the destruction started to become evident.

Close to 900,000 acres of forest were downed or damaged, thousands of homes were destroyed and 150,000 people were displaced. If you haven’t yet, you can go on YouTube and watch the hundreds of videos showing events that, before this, we only witnessed from afar often in third world countries. Two miles from our house Biltmore Village was flooded and EVERY business was gutted or ripped down. Eighty percent of our beloved River Arts District was destroyed. The torrents caused massive mudslides. Across the region, houses were torn apart and floated like balsa wood along powerful rivers that, two days prior, were small streams and brooks.

There are 104 verified storm-related deaths. It is Incredulous this number isn’t higher. Vehicles, homes, businesses were piled like matchsticks. People’s lives were upended and, for many, will never be the same. Even now, as you drive out to smaller towns that were virtually destroyed, you proceed through a “tunnel” of the hulks of demolished cars, trucks, houses and other flotsam.

The main Pipeline from the reservoir that supplies most of Asheville with water was shattered and under 28 feet of thick muck! Water immediately ceased flowing out of the tap for, in most cases, months and even longer to become potable. Asheville’s unemployment rate jumped from three to 9 percent overnight. The lack of affordable housing, already a crisis for service industry employees in our tourist-based economy, was extraordinarily exacerbated overnight.

Stop reading for a minute and imagine the all-too-real picture I have painted above. Now, let me put this in perspective. The Mill Pond is approximately 11 acres in size. That is 0.001 percent of the area that was impacted in WNC from Helene. And now, much of Los Angeles looks like Dresden after the firebombing. I will not go far out on a limb to say we have reached the “tipping point”; climate change is now ravaging our planet. James Taylor sang “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.” He had no idea how prophetic his prose would become.

Author Kurt Johnsen, who grew up in idyllic Stony Brook, now resides in Asheville, North Carolina.

Warming centers to open throughout Huntington during below freezing temperatures

by Press Release - January 17, 2025

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In anticipation of the arctic temperatures that are forecasted to cover Long Island and the northeast next week, Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Huntington Town Board will be opening a warming center beginning Tuesday, January 21 to Friday, January 24. Depending on the forecast, the center hours may be extended beyond those dates. The warming center location is:

John J. Flanagan Huntington Senior Center

423 Park Ave, Huntington

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Many libraries within the Town are also opening their facilities as warming centers during this weather emergency. Each library should be contacted directly for operating hours. The following is the list of participating libraries and contact information:

Cold Spring Harbor Library

95 Harbor Road (Route 25A)

Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

Phone: (631) 692-6820

Commack Library

18 Hauppauge Road

Commack, NY 11725-4498

Phone: (631) 499-0888

Elwood Library

1929 Jericho Turnpike

East Northport, NY 11731

Phone: (631) 499-3722

Harborfields Library

31 Broadway

Greenlawn, NY 11740

Phone: (631) 757-4200

Fax: (631) 757-7216

E-Mail: [email protected]

South Huntington Library

145 Pidgeon Hill Road

Huntington Station, NY 11746

Phone: (631) 549-4411

E-mail: [email protected]

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Dix Hills Branch

55 Vanderbilt Parkway

Dix Hills, NY 11746

Phone: (631) 421-4530

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Melville Branch

510 Sweet Hollow Road

Melville, NY 11747

Phone: (631) 421-4535

Huntington Library

Main Library

338 Main Street

Huntington, New York 11743

Phone: (631) 427-5165

Station Branch

1335 New York Avenue

Huntington Station, New York 11746

Phone: (631) 421-5053

Northport-East Northport Public Library

Northport Branch

151 Laurel Avenue

Northport, NY 11768

Phone: (631) 261-6930

East Northport Branch

185 Larkfield Road

East Northport, NY 11731

Phone: (631) 261-2313

It is important to note that Town and library facilities do not offer medical, support, or social services. These warming centers are open to provide those in need the opportunity to get adequate shelter from the cold, use restroom facilities and charge cell phones.

All other services can be obtained by contacting any one of the following agencies or organizations:

Emergency Services – Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS) Emergency Services Unit at 631-854-9100. This number is available after 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and on weekends and holidays.

Heating Assistance/HEAP – For those who are out of fuel to heat their homes or need an emergency burner repair, the Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as “HEAP,” can be reached 8 am to 4:30 pm by calling 631-853-8820.

Project Warmth – Heat assistance is also available through Project Warmth. Those in need can dial 211 or call the United Way at 888-774-7633.

Temporary Housing Assistance – Those in need of housing can contact the DSS Temporary Housing Assistance Unit by contacting 631-854-9547 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Additional information can be obtained by calling Suffolk County’s non-emergency number at 311.

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