Here are some of the stories from around Long Island this week.
Deacon Says Preservation Is Goal for Closed Church
Sacred Heart, Cutchogue’s Roman Catholic Church, held its last mass the morning of Dec. 22. The historic building dating back to the 1870s is now closed indefinitely because it’s simply no longer safe for parishioners and repairs are estimated at around $2 million — too much to ask the community to raise, according to Deacon Jeff Sykes.
Home of Deployed Guardsman Burglarized, Torched
Eric Carver is in Africa, serving as a member of the Air National Guard. When he returns to East Patchogue in a few weeks, the will find his home destroyed. On Dec. 27, the state trooper's home was burglarized and then set on fire. According to police, someone broke into Carver's home last Thursday afternoon and stole a handgun, set the fire and then stole Carver's 1997 Chevy pickup truck. A GiveForward fundraising page has already raised more than $3,000 to go toward rebuilding Carver's home.
Students Build Story Toy for Pediatric Patients
There's quite a story behind this Story Box. Students from three Massapequa High School classes recently joined to create an interactive project for pediatric patients at Winthrop Hospital.
Grandma Nurse on Duty for Arrival of Hospital's First 2013 Baby
When Lorrie Faulhaber went to her job as a labor and delivery nurse at St. Charles Hospital on New Year's Day she never expected that her first grandchild would also be the first baby born there in 2013. According to a spokesperson from St. Charles, Port Jefferson Station residents Lauren and Travis Faulhaber spent New Year’s Eve celebrating their wedding anniversary by having dinner. Mrs. Faulhaber was already six days past her due date and she was scheduled to be induced by doctors on Thursday at the hospital. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Faulhaber went into labor early on Jan. 1. Rylee Taylor Faulhaber was born at 6:10 p.m. that day. She is the couple’s first child.
Sonic Sues Smithtown Over Denial
Sonic franchisees have filed a lawsuit against the Town of Smithtown's Board of Zoning Appeals over the rights to build a drive-in restaurant in Nesconset. Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals denied an application by Serota Smithtown LLC for multiple variances and exceptions to build a 2,100-square-foot Sonic restaurant on Nov. 13. Board members found Sonic would create significant noise impacting the surrounding residential community.
Hearing Set on Environmental Impacts
Babylon Town residents later this month will have a opportunity to offer input on what man-made factors are impacting the environment and adding to the damage caused by extreme weather events such as Hurricane Sandy. Assemb. Bob Sweeney, D-Lindenhurst, will hold a hearing on January 24, 11 a.m., at Babylon Town Hall to discuss the issue and receive input on possible actions that could be taken to mitigate man-made factors that are leading to strong storms causing greater damage to coastal communities.
