2025 at 1:00 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Lucien Jean was killed in a crash with an LIRR train in East Farmingdale on Thursday night NY — A person was killed when an LIRR train struck their vehicle on Thursday night in East Farmingdale the MTA Police Department stated through a spokesman The MTA identified the victim as Lucien Jean Long Island Rail Road train 1977 struck a vehicle that was stopped on the mainline tracks of the LIRR at the Wellwood Avenue crossing The train departed from Ronkonkoma around 7:56 p.m The vehicle was split in half upon impact and burst into flames who was the lone occupant inside the vehicle The train had stopped at Wyandanch station and its next scheduled station stop was Farmingdale No injuries are known to have been reported by any of approximately 100 passengers and crew members aboard the train One car of train 1977 sustained significant damage LIRR Fire Marshal and the East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Company responded to rapidly extinguish the fire "The investigation into how the vehicle entered onto the tracks is in its early stages and is ongoing," an MTA spokesman said Video surveillance confirms the safety gates were functioning as designed at the crossing and were in the lowered position with red lights flashing at the time the vehicle was struck The train was traveling at approximately 80 miles per hour "an acceptable speed between Wyandanch and Farmingdale stations its horn is reported to have sounded on approach to the incident crossing," the MTA stated There was damage to the tracks and signal infrastructure Approximately 100 LIRR employees worked through the night to return service in advance of Friday morning peak hours Track two was restored to service at approximately 2:30 a.m allowing the LIRR to operate east of Farmingdale on one of two tracks service was fully restored on the Ronkonkoma Branch Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. One firefighter was injured battling an early morning fire Thursday in an abandoned storage shed in East Farmingdale One firefighter was injured battling an early morning fire Thursday that destroyed a storage shed at an abandoned commercial property in East Farmingdale North Amityville and North Lindenhurst responded as did an ambulance crew from West Babylon Police said the fire was reported by a passing motorist Fire officials said that while the scene was listed as being on Route 110 the shed appears to be on the adjacent property which also backs up to a home on a nearby street Both commercial property locations are currently fenced off and unoccupied Fire officials said the fire was contained to the shed — and that the residence was not damaged and officials said he was transported to a hospital for treatment after suffering a foot injury at the site The extent of any injuries was not disclosed Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app East Farmingdale has quickly emerged as Long Island’s recreational cannabis hub That distinction was punctuated last month, with the opening of Planet Nugg at 2043 Wellwood Avenue This is the third recreational dispensary to open up on Long Island — and East Farmingdale — since New York state Planet Nugg is a collaboration between Dave Tubens the recreational dispensary license holder All four owners are native Long Island Latino business owners “When you walk into Planet Nugg, you’re blown away by the aesthetics of the place, first,” Bonilla told Greater Long Island “But then you’re greeted by someone that went through a full week of training on the products.” Planet Nugg joins nearby competitors Strain Stars, the first to open on Long Island in July of 2023, and Happy Days, which opened in January. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PlanetNugg (@planetnugg) Dave Tubens secured Planet Nugg’s license through New York State’s Conditional Adult-Use Recreational Dispensary program. The program was designed to provide the first batch of dispensary licenses to communities negatively impacted by the criminalization of cannabis. Tubens was able to qualify for a CAURD license because he was a minority business-owner who had received a previous infraction for marijuana possession as a teenager. Though Tubens had secured a license, finding a location to set up shop proved to be difficult. For one, only four Long Island towns voted to allow recreational sales. The Town of Babylon, where East Farmingdale is located, requires that all dispensaries must be located in an industrial area. The dispensary must be 1,000 feet away from any residential area, 200 feet away from any religious property, 500 feet away from any school, library, education facility, park, playground, dance studio, gymnasium, or any place where youth congregate. These restrictions have led to the clustering of dispensaries in East Farmingdale on the Island. The building where Planet Nugg now operates was not originally for sale, but Bonilla spoke to the owner and convinced him to sell it because qualifying properties to set up dispensaries are so scarce on Long Island. Bonilla, who had secured viable property, then connected with Tubens, who had a dispensary license, and together along with their two other co-owners, Planet Nugg was established. And since federal law makes it difficult for financial institutions to lend to cannabis businesses, the group had to raise the necessary capital on its own. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PlanetNugg (@planetnugg) Planet Nugg’s marketing manager and a veteran of the cannabis industry He moved to Nevada when he was 26 for its legal recreational cannabis he gained experience across the cannabis industry Pollak is excited to get in on the ground level of the emerging market in New York with Planet Nugg Pollak and the team at Planet Nugg are looking to dispel some of the most commonly held cannabis myths and Hybrid as classifications for cannabis flower Although there are some historical and botanical reasons for the terms they do not necessarily translate into consistently different psychoactive effects in the way they are marketed the lesser known component of cannabis that produces the flower’s pungent smell is a more reliable indicator — and Planet Nugg is looking to educate their customers about terpenes with placards in front of each product that show the flower’s top three terpenes by concentration Planet Nugg is selling over 100 different types of flower along with many different types of products They are stocked with specialty products and a customizable build-a-bong station in partnership with the water pipe company Prism for the dedicated enthusiasts But they want to be accessible to the more casual end of the market as well Knowing that pre-rolls are a large slice of the market for more casual consumers they have made sure to be stocked from a variety of different farms around New York Bonilla says they do not want to just stay in East Farmingdale. The team has more ambitious plans and are currently looking to expand to Manhattan and Riverhead, where there’s a medical dispensary and two recreational spots are on the way Top: The Planet Nugg ownership team with Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer in East Farmingdale in September Tap here to see what’s happening 2025 at 12:17 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A pilot extinguished a fire on a plane at Republic Airport in East Farmingdale on Tuesday morning NY — A fast-acting pilot swiftly doused a plane fire before it could spread at Republic Airport in East Farmingdale on Tuesday morning A student from the Long Island Aviators flight school at Republic Airport started the engine on a 1977 Piper Warrior a public information officer with the New York State Department of Transportation The pilot extinguished the fire before the local fire department arrived "There were no injuries and there was no impact on airport operations," Canzoneri said Republic Airport is owned and operated by the New York State Department of Transportation Long Island is about to make racing history When RPM Raceway in Farmingdale officially unveils its new multimillion-dollar renovation it will have the longest indoor go-kart track of its four locations "We’ve been in the process of renovating all our existing stores in the tristate area as well as working on new ones across the country," says CEO-founder Andrew Farage who opened the Farmingdale location in 2014 "Long Island is the last one to get renovated and also the most aggressive Go karts race around the track at RPM Raceway in East Farmingdale Construction began in November and the track will be unveiled April 9 to the public The 100,000-square-foot facility features three multilevel tracks that can be combined into six different configurations boasting more than 3,600 feet of racing a roller coaster and a Formula One car," says Farage It’s that much of a different experience by going multilevel through underpasses and down spiraling ramps." There are three tracks designed from scratch Made for Long Island parents to find local By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy "Track 1 is the longest one with major straightaways and banked rolling corners," says Farage "Track 2 is more technical with spiraling ramps and more quick turns that you have to navigate people like those technical tracks because it shows skill level at $30 per race for nonmembers and $23 for members but the overall aesthetic has also changed It’s lined with LED lighting that interacts with the go-karts "It’s like walking into 'Tron.' There’s a gamey immersive digital world vibe to it," says Farage When there’s a pileup in one area of the track everything will be yellow indicating caution There’s even lighting that tracks the person in first place." A new track involves getting new karts with lithium-ion lead-based batteries for endurance as well as an LED screen on the steering wheel displaying your race statistics "The new karts are super responsive with better technology," says avid racer Luca Connor a 23-year-old graduate student at Hofstra University who has tried the renovated track "The wheel-mounted timing screens are cool because you don’t have to look up at the main screen when you pass it the track surface is better than the previous ones contains a boost button that drivers can use for extra zip the kart speeds up for seven seconds per lap," says Farage the capacity has doubled holding up to 30 karts at once therefore decreasing drivers’ wait time there are ample viewing areas for spectators with tables and chairs along the railing with a new kart at RPM Raceway in East Farmingdale "These renovations have really brought the experience up a lot adding much more excitement to the track," says regular racer Benji Balshin "Before the track was flat and you were just kind of going around and around Now there are bumps that give you some airtime as well as exit and entrance ramps You feel like Sonic the Hedgehog moving through a whole new universe." RPM Raceway is open to people aged 6 and up with a height requirement of 48 inches Junior racers are separated from adults (12 and older) as well as pro-racers never-raced-before junior racer to the most competitive outdoor gas professional racer," says Farage our tracks and our experiences to cater to that full range." The screen on the steering wheel of the new go karts at RPM Raceway A race lasts about 15 minutes beginning with prep time in the pit where a head sock ($3) and helmet (provided) must be worn Each driver watches a safety video and gets briefed on the rules before the race (seven to eight minutes) begins you receive your timing results and can take a picture at the podium "There are flaggers along the track giving guidance and tips making sure drivers are following the instructions," Farage says "Lights on the track tell you when to stop or when to slow down." New additions aren’t only limited to the track as other improvements include 25 new arcade games and an immersive experience called Hyperdeck "The four players work together to save the world in a variety of different scenarios," says Farage "It moves like you are on a plane" A second renovation phase will start late this summer adding a full sports bar and restaurant plus another immersive experience which Farage describes as "paintball meets laser tag." WHEN | WHERE Monday-Thursday: noonto 10 p.m. $23 (member); $75 memberships (includes two races same day MORE INFO 631-752-7223, rpmraceway.com 2024 at 3:48 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Two cars collided in East Farmingdale on Friday morning People and dogs were freed from one of the cars (East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Company)EAST FARMINGDALE NY — A two-car collision left drivers trapped in East Farmingdale on Friday morning The East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Company responded to the crash just after 10:30 a.m Firefighters found that both drivers had self-extricated from their vehicles before Heavy Rescue 1-5-4 arrived Two patients were transported to nearby hospitals by Ambulance 1-5-10 and 1-5-29 Members also assisted the family of one of the drivers who had three dogs in the vehicle during the crash none of the dogs appeared to be injured," the department wrote All units were under the command of Captain Mat Riback TownePlace Suites Marriott is located at 1 Marriot Plaza in East Farmingdale Suffolk County police are investigating circumstances surrounding a man who was seriously injured after he fell four stories at an East Farmingdale hotel on Friday evening the 30-year-old North Amityville man fell from a four-story window at TownePlace Suites Republic Airport Long Island/Farmingdale The man was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday She previously worked as a reporter for Patch where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here 2024 at 10:02 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A man stole checks and cash from a car parked in East Farmingdale on Aug (Courtesy of Suffolk County Crime Stoppers)EAST FARMINGDALE NY — Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is seeking the public's help finding the man who stole from an East Farmingdale business in August A man reached into a vehicle parked at R&J Auto Repair 27 and stole assorted checks and more than $4,000 worth of cash Police ask anyone with information to reach Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and leave an anonymous tip via phone call at 1-800-220-TIPS, using a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com A cash reward is offered for information that leads to an arrest 2024 at 3:52 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A man burglarized an East Farmingdale Dunkin' Donuts on Wednesday morning NY — A man broke into a Dunkin' in East Farmingdale on Wednesday morning A man broke the window of the drive-thru of the Dunkin' broke the interior office door and stole cash Custom made bags are some of the items for sale at Planetnugg a new marijuana dispensary about to open in East Farmingdale on Aug state-licensed recreational marijuana dispensary has opened It was a “soft” opening Saturday for Planet Nugg located on Wellwood Avenue just south of Central Avenue The official grand opening Friday will feature food in keeping with the store’s galactic theme The retail shop joins two other dispensaries in East Farmingdale: Strain Stars which opened on Route 110 in July of last year Recreational marijuana was legalized for adults 21 and older in the state in 2021 In addition to Babylon — where East Farmingdale is located — Brookhaven Riverhead and Southampton have opted into cannabis sales but no dispensaries have opened yet in those towns local municipalities where dispensaries are located collect a percentage of the tax revenue The Town of Babylon has so far collected more than $1.8 million from cannabis sales in East Farmingdale with the latest check received two weeks ago The money is being used for the construction and operation of a chemical dependency treatment center in North Amityville originally had hoped to have an on-site consumption lounge in the 11,000-square-foot building But that plan was shot down by town officials “We’d like to see how the retail and delivery service does and I don’t believe any consumption locations would be beneficial at this point,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer Unlike the owners of the other East Farmingdale dispensaries struggled to find a location that would allow a dispensary Babylon requires dispensaries be located in industrially zoned areas outside a 750-foot radius from residences and a 500-foot radius of schools parks and any other areas "where minors congregate." Planet Nugg is taking up 5,000 square feet of the building Tubens said the rest of the building will be used for educational seminars including on medical benefits of cannabis and ones directed at parents “We want to make it more than just a cannabis dispensary,” he said was one of the initial state licensees who had a marijuana-related conviction The state first gave "conditional" cannabis licenses to those who have owned a profitable business for at least two years and either have had a marijuana conviction or have a relative with such a history Tubens said he was 16 and on his way to see a concert at Nassau Coliseum with friends who had pot in the car when they were pulled over and arrested who didn’t initially support cannabis sales in the town called Planet Nugg’s approach to include educational seminars “a different take” and he now supports it Tubens said it also makes good business sense I think it’s really going to help us to bring in another part of the population that knows nothing about it or thinks you’re just going to smoke pot and get high,” he said 2024 at 3:30 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A pedestrian was injured in a crash in East Farmingdale on Wednesday afternoon NY — A pedestrian was injured in a motor vehicle crash in East Farmingdale on Wednesday afternoon Officers were called to Route 110 near Main Street at 3:15 p.m. Route 110 is closed in both directions at Main Street as of 3:45 p.m. Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Authorities identified a driver who was killed in a fiery collision between a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train and a car in East Farmingdale died after a westbound LIRR train struck a vehicle stopped on the tracks near the Pinelawn Station crossing at Wellwood Avenue at around 8:30 p.m The train was traveling nearly 80 miles per hour when it collided with Jean's vehicle which was stopped on the mainline tracks just west of the platform pushing it several hundred feet away where it burst into flames Around 100 passengers and crew were aboard the train Crews from the East Farmingdale Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the flames The investigation into how the vehicle entered onto the tracks is underway though an MTA spokesperson noted that surveillance footage confirmed that safety gates were functioning as designed and were in the lowered position with lights flashing The impact damaged the tracks and signal infrastructure and caused “significant damage” to one car Around 100 LIRR employees worked throughout the night with service fully restored on the Ronkonkoma Branch by 11 a.m Additional details about Jean's life were not immediately available. Loved ones are invited to share a statement, funeral details, and/or photos by emailing mmashburn@dailyvoice.com a company that operates out of private terminals will launch dog-friendly flights out of Republic Airport in East Farmingdale Pup and Away — that’s one marketing slogan considered for a new flight service from Long Island that lets dog owners bring their pets on board RetrievAir is scheduled to launch flights to six U.S destinations from Republic Airport in East Farmingdale on May 22 starting at $749 for one passenger and pet one way to South Florida said CEO Benton Miller in an interview Monday but the service is designed for dogs that weigh more than 20 pounds that can’t fly in a commercial airliner’s cabin unless they are service dogs The flights will be on board 30-seat jets that were retrofitted from 50-seat jets to make more room for the animals with single seats on one side of the aisle and doubles on the other Pets can sit on the floor in front of their owners or pet parents can purchase an additional seat for their pups to sit on "You can buy them a window seat and they can sit and look out the window," Miller said Pet attendants trained in animal behavior will offer the animals biscuit treats in flight; pets must be leashed takeoff and landing all pets must have their leash tethered to a seat "We’re very purposeful about curating a peaceful environment," where pets aren’t barking and many fall asleep for the flight From the East End and NYC day trips to weekend road trips and beyond RetrievAir will fly nonstop from Republic to three cities — Chicago the third city was supposed to be West Palm Beach but due to closures on airspace when President Donald Trump travels to his home in Palm Beach RetrievAir is switching that location to Fort Lauderdale The airline will fly with one stop to Dallas and Denver Prices top out at $5,093 for two passengers with up to two pets flying to California RetrievAir also will be operating out of nine cities total The other two destinations are Carmel-by-Sea The jets are chartered from Texas-based RVR Aviation Miller started the company after graduating with an MBA from Indiana University have two chocolate retrievers named Willow and Maple The company had proposed building a warehouse on 6 acres occupied by a vacant bowling alley and an indoor soccer facility A lawsuit filed by a developer against the Town of Babylon’s zoning board for rejecting a proposed warehouse in East Farmingdale has been tossed by a state Supreme Court judge The Article 78 suit — a legal action used to challenge state and local government decisions — was filed against the town last fall by San Francisco-based Prologis Inc The company had proposed building a 121,931-square-foot warehouse on 6 acres on Conklin Street where there is now a vacant bowling alley and an indoor soccer facility While warehouses are allowed under the site’s zoning the proposed facility required five variances including enlarging the building area by 16,340 square feet and reducing the parking by 111 spaces beyond what the town allows under its code the town zoning board voted 7-0 to deny Prologis’ application citing issues with the company’s traffic study and refusal to prohibit hazardous materials from being stored on site the board stated that the "detriment to the community clearly outweighs the benefits to the applicant." Judge Alison Napolitano dismissed Prologis’ suit finding that the zoning board’s decision to deny Prologis’ proposal “was not arbitrary and capricious.” she notes that it is “well settled that local zoning boards have broad discretion in considering applications for variances.” A judge can only determine whether the board’s actions were “illegal arbitrary or an abuse of discretion,” she wrote “The judge got it exactly right,” Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer told Newsday “The company was well aware that if they wanted to proceed with their project it had to be built in accordance with the town code and not by requesting all these very large variances said company spokeswoman Mattie Sorrentino “We are disappointed by the Court’s decision especially since logistics is allowed under the current zoning rules which the Court confirmed in its decision,” Sorrentino wrote in an email adding that local businesses “need modern and sustainable distribution centers to operate and grow.” Prologis has about 6,700 customers in facilities across 19 countries In addition to building size and parking variances Prologis had also asked for setback and trailer storage variances Napolitano wrote that the zoning board had “specific and detailed reasons” for its rejection of the building size and parking variances and that those denials render “the remaining variances moot.” Sorrentino wrote in an email that Prologis is sticking with the site and “will work with local government officials and the community to design a plan which requires less variance relief if it also meets the operational needs of local businesses.” Residents living near the site of the proposed warehouse had made their opposition to the project well known in letters and at public hearings Many said the warehouse’s truck traffic would create dangerous conditions on already busy Conklin Street They also opposed the size of the 39-foot-tall one-story building with 21 loading bays and the uncertainty of operations there Prologis officials said they don't know which tenants would occupy the warehouse or what types of products would be stored there who lives on a street across from the site had petitioned the town to deny the application rallying neighbors by walking door to door and distributing a packet of information she had compiled on problems at other Prologis warehouses “I’m so excited!” she told Newsday when learning of the judge’s decision “All the hard work we did so that they wouldn’t come to our town and build in our neighborhood Warehouse opponent Donna Sutherland in a February 2024 photo 2024Police say the incident happened at a shelter in East Farmingdale back on September 6.EAST FARMINGDALE Long Island (WABC) -- Police on Long Island arrested a man who they say impersonated a Department of Social Services employee then forcibly touched a resident in a shelter Alfred Balcerak is facing a slew of charges Police say the incident happened at a shelter in East Farmingdale back on September 6 Balcerak was scheduled for arraignment on Saturday Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. The shuttered Farmingdale Lanes bowling alley would be demolished to make way for the new warehouse A San Francisco developer is suing the Town of Babylon over its decision to deny the company's bid to build a warehouse on a busy street in East Farmingdale Prologis Inc. proposed building a 121,931-square-foot warehouse on 6 acres that includes a vacant bowling alley and an indoor soccer facility The developer would demolish the former bowling alley Company representatives said the 39-foot-tall one-story building on Conklin Street would have 21 loading bays "These are basic questions that any developer should be able to answer," Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer told Newsday residents and businesses have the right to know exactly what you’re looking to bring into the community." Long Island municipalities are awash in warehouse proposals, Newsday has reported A total of 56 proposals have gone before town planning boards over the past two years and the cost of the proposals is expected to total more than $3 billion The demand on Long Island has been particularly high to accommodate a surge in online shopping the Babylon Town zoning board voted 7-0 to deny Prologis' application Prologis sought several variances for the project including one to expand the building area by more than 16,000 square feet beyond what the town already allows The company also asked to have 131 parking spaces at the property rather than the required 242 the company asked permission to store trailers in a part of the property where that is not allowed The board outlined its reasons for the denials in a document "Without a definite understanding of the employment needs of a potential tenant the requested parking variance presents a concern," town officials wrote town officials said Prologis "refused" to prohibit hazardous materials from being stored on site Town officials said they disagreed with the findings of the company's traffic study which said the warehouse would be a "low traffic generator." The study said the warehouse would generate about 42 truck trips during weekday morning peak hours and 39 during weekday evening peak hours The board wrote in its denial that the "detriment to the community clearly outweighs the benefits to the applicant." Prologis spokeswoman Mattie Sorrentino said the company is disappointed by the zoning board’s decision The company "develops modern and sustainable distribution centers that support local businesses and the community," she wrote in an email "These facilities play a key role in communities helping deliver the goods businesses and residents need create jobs and contribute to the local economy." Lawyers for the company said the town "acted arbitrarily and capriciously and abused its discretion" in denying the variances Town officials declined to comment on the lawsuit Prologis has about 6,700 customers in facilities across 19 countries Prologis purchased the East Farmingdale property in 2022 after the bowling alley which had been a community fixture since 1959 Academy of Soccer opened on the site in 2010 and continues to operate When asked what the company would now do with the property Sorrentino said Prologis is "committed to developing the property with a modern logistics facility." Residents who live near the property have opposed the warehouse project said she was "ecstatic" when she learned of the board’s decision "They did a great job listening to us," she said of town officials Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand had opposed the project He cited congestion on Conklin Street and concerns of local residents and first responders "They bought the property before they did their due diligence on whether this could fly," he said "we’re getting bullied by a global company on suburban Long Island." Thanks for visiting Executive Circle Awards Uncharted opens its first East Coast store on Long Island  Sign up for your daily digest of Long Island Business News Listen to this article Long Island Business News has announced that it has chosen this year’s winn[...] The financial landscape of Long Island continues to evolve through the leadership of the remarkable [...] Long Island’s business landscape contains a remarkable tapestry of organizations that have stood t[...] Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by showcasing the extraordinary wo[...] Listen to this article Lorraine Gregory Communications will be holding a blood drive at its Edgewood[...] Long Island lost 3,100 construction jobs year-over-year in March ending a 12-month streak of gains,[...] Kids Empire and My Gym are opening at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack Chick-fil-A opens its 12th Long Island location in East Meadow creating 80 jobs and supporting loca[...] Realty Three plans $120M South Village at Station Crossings with 273 rentals Amazon plans to purchase 26.7 acres of Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall site to build a new South Shore d[...] Our mission at Long Island Business News is to be the vital business news and advertising source to Long Island’s most influential readers Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Rendering of an aerial view of a proposed warehouse project for East Farmingdale A developer looking to build warehouses on a lot on Route 110 in East Farmingdale is facing hurdles from the ground and air while seeking approval for a project on a property that has sat vacant for nearly a century LLC has proposed constructing a trucking logistics and storage yard on Route 110 near Conklin Street The development would include two single-story warehouses and a single-story leasing office totaling 65,000 square feet with nine acres of outdoor storage space The property has been the subject of fights between town and state agencies as well as prolonged litigation the state declared the property a Superfund site due to contaminated soil because of previous Fairchild Republic aviation manufacturing uses nearby The land also is in a runway protection zone for Republic Airport where airport officials try to limit density and activity “This is a difficult site,” Acadia’s attorney told Babylon Town’s planning board at a June 10 public hearing He added that the proposal was “a very good attempt to accommodate not only the town’s zoning and planning requirements” but also requirements or recommendations of state and federal agencies Acadia has owned the 19-acre site since 2012 and has made previous development pitches for the property including proposed retail centers in 2016 and 2020 Before that Stew Leonard's supermarket had sought to build there The retail proposals faced opposition largely due to being in a runway protection zone which the Federal Aviation Administration established for the safety of those on the ground the airport has no final say on the development of the property in question The contamination resulted after Fairchild in 1940 began using the property as a discharge pond for industrial processing water and stormwater runoff a spokesman for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation He also said in a statement that in 1997 the sump was filled with demolition debris from the company’s plant There are semi-volatile organic compounds in the property's shallow soils which said tests showed no groundwater contamination at the site It is bordered by single family homes across East Carmans Road The DEC lists the site as a Class 2 state Superfund site which the agency classifies as being a “significant threat to the public health or environment.” The agency which in 2015 estimated a cleanup would cost $250 million also recommended that year that the site be capped and monitored instead Acadia said the development plan includes the removal of some of the contaminated soil during construction and that the rest of the site would be capped and monitored according to a DEC plan Two of the buildings in the proposed development are located in a runway’s departure path Republic Airport manager John Lauth submitted a letter to the town planning board asking Acadia to move or eliminate those buildings But Acadia said the plan is not financially viable without buildings there Lauth told Newsday that in May there were 772 departures on that runway A handful of residents who came to the June 10 hearing said Acadia has been working to accommodate community concerns but they wanted the site's contamination cleaned up a trustee of East Farmingdale's Woodland Civic Association noted residents used to call the site the “blue lagoon” because the sump water never froze would help secure some funding from state and federal agencies to clean this first because people live right across the street,” she added The planning board is accepting comments on the proposal until June 24 The project also would need approval from the town's zoning board Brendan Cronin of East Meadow hits a three-pointer against Farmingdale in the final minutes of the fourth quarter during a Nassau Conference II boys basketball game at Farmingdale on Friday The goal is pretty simple this season for the East Meadow boys basketball team “Our goal is to win every game we play,” coach Tom Rottkamp said So we want to win a conference championship and just see how far our talent can take us.” It has been 45 years since East Meadow’s last conference championship The program has never claimed a Nassau crown But there’s hope now with all 12 players back from last season and talent among them The Jets fell behind by 13 with 4:41 left in the third quarter Friday at Farmingdale then yielded only five points the rest of the way and won “We’re definitely capable of winning a title this year for East Meadow,” senior guard Mazin Ibrahem said after scoring 24 points The Jets chipped their 13-point deficit to 43-38 after three quarters then followed with another at the buzzer — a heave from a little inside the midcourt line “It really brought a lot of energy,” Casseus said That 6-0 burst became a 15-0 run and a 47-43 lead The Jets outscored Farmingdale 15-2 in the final quarter “They were just more tougher and physical than us which was a little disappointing,” Dalers coach Jim Pastier said Jake Mangio had nine of his 10 points to power a 16-5 run by formidable Farmingdale (8-3 Erik Kubelka powered a 12-1 Dalers run to start the third quarter contributing two three-pointers and 10 points didn’t score again after the 10-point burst and finished with 18 “We switched from a standard zone to a box-and-one because Jake Mangio is a great player,” Rottkamp said And then when Erik Kubelka started lighting it up Mangio scored his 1,000th career point on Tuesday in a win over Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK “It was great that I got to do it at a home game in front of my family and all my friends,” the senior guard said My goal is to win a county championship.” If you're celebrating Mother's Day 2025 on Long Island there are tons of ways to make the day special We've rounded up dozens of only-in-LI experiences from outdoor activities to foodie delights.  For other family-friendly ideas for enjoying Mother's Day weekend, check out our top picks for where to enjoy Mother's Day brunch on Long Island. You can also find loads of other activities in our Family Activity Calendar Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox Check out one of these local restaurants for a deliciously decadent dessert Transport yourself to the era of "The Great Gatsby" on a visit to the Vanderbilt Mansion. In addition to touring the estate, you can take in the unique natural history collections at the on-site museum.  Little rec areas can deliver big memories. Visit one of the many mini-golf courses on Long Island this Mother's Day.  Have an aquatic adventure at the Long Island Aquarium where the many animals and reptiles range from otters to alligators.  RELATED: Spring Fun Guide for Long Island Kids Sporty families will enjoy taking a two-wheeled trip for their Long Island Mother's Day with a cruise along the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway This 14-mile paved path features stunning views of the Great South Bay Bond as a family as you conquer the adventure course at WildPlay on Jones Beach Your family team will make its way from one platform to another by climbing cargo nets and gliding down zip lines—all with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop No, not the kind we enjoy on Thanksgiving—get three strikes in a row, and you’ve got yourself a turkey in bowling. Many of Long Island's best bowling alleys allow you to book lanes in advance Nestled along the North Shore is the historic maritime village of Northport If you spend this Mother's Day on Long Island you can take in the picturesque Northport harbor as kids play on one of the two playgrounds RELATED: 50 Mother's Day Gifts Moms *Actually* Want Visit a ceramic studio like ClayNation in Glen Cove, Time Flies in Seaford, or Mini Monet in Sayville Bring the kids and have a family art session and let your paint brush be your guide.  Pack a lunch and a blanket and enjoy a relaxing picnic. You can always choose a special spot for your Mother's Day that's near one of the area's best children’s playgrounds Delight in some breakfast and brunch delicacies at one of these Long Island restaurants, or check out a restaurant that offers discounts and freebies for little ones Head out east to visit one of Long Island's family-friendly wineries. If a brew is what Mom prefers, one of these breweries or beer gardens should do the trick.  Celebrate Mother's Day with a stroll along the beach and wilderness trail on Fire Island.  Mother’s Day on Long Island is a great time to plant flowers. Backyard gardening with kids can be a great experience Suit up and hop into one of the many local indoor pools that offer family swim sessions Get your heart pumping on one of the coasters at Adventureland, or take it easy on the swings for all-ages fun.  Long Beach is packed with shops and restaurants Explore and enjoy the sights and sounds of this bustling oceanside community if you're spending this Mother's Day on Long Island.  From Nassau to Suffolk, Long Island is home to an impressive array of state parks. If you've got mild weather on your side, consider exploring a new-to-you state park This Mother's Day, drop a line in one of Long Island's many waterways and try your hand at fishing If you're looking for an almost-guaranteed catch make a reservation at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery The fully stocked pond is brimming with trout Big River Barn Rescue in Muttontown takes riders of all levels out on well-behaved horses RELATED: 15 Great Stroller-Friendly Park Walks on Long Island Head into the city to catch a Broadway play that's been on mom's must-see list or take her to one of her already beloved favorites.  Take mom to Citi Field to see the Mets play ball against the Chicago Cubs on Mother's Day The first 15,000 fans get a cute clutch purse.  When we polled moms about what they really wanted for Mother's Day So consider taking the kids out and letting mom have some peace and quiet Holy Buds plans to launch its cannabis delivery service across Long Island soon NY — Holy Buds is expected to open a cannabis warehouse in East Farmingdale "any week now," where it will offer delivery service also known as "Don Pope," said the business is about "passion and lifestyle." Hoey has been in the cannabis industry for more than 10 years and is dedicated to expanding and showcasing the "lifestyle" that comes with cannabis "The bigger problem on Long Island is that there are too many bars and not enough engaging activities," Hoey told Patch "We blend our entertainment background with our cannabis expertise to provide some of the biggest and best experiences the industry has ever seen." Hoey said Holy Buds aims to create a "cannabis-influenced entertainment community." "From studios and art galleries to video games and local clothing brands we strive to support and build a community that offers safer alternatives and creative outlets," he said contributing to its high rates of DUIs and overdoses By fostering this innovative cannabis community we hope to reduce boredom and inspire the public to create and engage more when they have free time." The business will open with more than 10 drivers and expand as it grows to meet demand and maintain its ability to provide same-day delivery service within its two-hour time slots Holy Buds began in 2018 during a "crisis" in the cartridge industry when customers were "fearful of the safety products from other brands," Hoey said high-quality products they deserved," Hoey said "This location will be our first licensed dispensary in New York state Our goal is to continually grow and expand within the industry building on the success we have already achieved." East Farmingdale was chosen for the warehouse because its location aligns "perfectly" with New Yrok state's regulatory requirements and the local town codes was "quite an adventure and highly time-consuming." It involved securing a property awaiting local and state approvals — while paying rent — and transforming an industrial building into a "secure and exceptionally safe cannabis facility." we are excited to contribute to the community and look forward to offering high-quality products to our neighbors here in Long Island," Hoey said Holy Buds will offer delivery across all of Long Island Certain areas will be subject to varying order minimums but the business plans to launch with no delivery fees A valid ID will be required at delivery and must match the point of contact from the online order The business will start delivering once final inspections and system tests are complete Customers will enter their date of birth at checkout and Holy Buds delivery drivers will verify their date of birth with their driver's license at the time of delivery "We are dedicated to ensuring our security systems are top-notch our website operations run smoothly for easy ordering and that we have sourced the highest quality products New York State has to offer," he said "We appreciate the community’s patience and are excited to welcome you soon!" Holy Buds products are "proudly grown and made entirely" in New York "Each item is crafted by licensed processors and cultivators regulated by the state ensuring compliance with rigorous lab testing requirements," Hoey said "Our team brings extensive legacy experience to the table allowing us to source the products people truly want." Hoey said every part of opening has been "extremely challenging," but that if it were easy Hoey said Holy Buds lacks the financial backing or political connections of other licensees on Long Island despite the fact that the industry wouldn’t be here without people like us adds another layer of difficulty," he said "One of the most significant challenges is the disparity between local town regulations and state laws and their lack of understanding of how the cannabis industry truly operates." Hoey said maneuvering through the local permit process while maintaining rent and managing his other businesses has been "particularly tough," but Holy Buds is committed to providing "top-quality products" to Long Islanders "Cannabis is a remarkably social consumer product with endless health benefits and it has truly transformed my life," Hoey said standing in stark contrast to the many artificial and processed products we encounter daily The legacy of cannabis is rich and deeply rooted in community and wellness It offers countless possibilities and uses that are continually being discovered cannabis is more than just a product — it's a lifestyle and a catalyst for positive change This is just the beginning of what this amazing plant can do and we are excited to be part of its journey." responded to Frontline 109 Auto Sales on Route 109 to battle a vehicle fire just after midnight on Saturday Suffolk County detectives are investigating a five-car fire that destroyed a small office building in West Babylon according to the police department and the East Farmingdale Fire Company Farmingdale firefighters responded to Frontline Auto Sales on Route 109 just after midnight on Saturday a fifth beginning to burn and the building on fire according to East Farmingdale Fire Company Chief James Quinn Jr It took first responders roughly an hour to extinguish the flames Quinn’s fire company was joined in battling the blaze by firefighters from West Babylon The Frontline Auto Sales office building was destroyed but no one was injured The Suffolk County Police Arson Squad is looking into the cause of the fire A Suffolk police spokesperson added that such investigations were typical for most fires politics and crime stories in Suffolk County The agency said people may call 800-220-TIPS if they have information about the fire Sam Kmack covers the Town of Islip for Newsday He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and previously worked as a city watchdog reporter in the Phoenix metro area as well as an investigative journalist at the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting Selling green is generating Babylon Town some green The Town of Babylon has collected $1.16 million from cannabis sales in East Farmingdale — as part of a 2021 state law — becoming the first Long Island municipality to receive revenues from the recreational dispensaries Town officials say they plan to use the money to build a new chemical dependency treatment center in North Amityville When the state legalized recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older it established a Cannabis Revenue Fund that distributes marijuana tax revenues to local municipalities A 4% "local tax" goes to the municipalities where a store is sited The county keeps a quarter of that revenue according to the state Office of Cannabis Management The state does not have any rules on how the municipalities should spend the money Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy told Newsday Babylon is the first town in the county to receive revenue from cannabis sales No Nassau towns have opted in to recreational marijuana sales according to the state Office of Cannabis Management Babylon is one of four Long Island towns  — Brookhaven Riverhead and Southampton — that opted into sales The approval process has been slower in those municipalities and currently no cannabis stores are set to open there Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said he was initially reluctant to allow recreational cannabis dispensaries. But he said his perception has changed after learning more about how cannabis can improve symptoms for people suffering physical and mental ailments but now I’ve seen how we can actually utilize this revenue in very positive ways," Schaffer said in an interview Two new cannabis stores are set to open in East Farmingdale that are the only state-licensed brick and mortar recreational marijuana stores on Long Island we’re pretty much the only game in town," Schaffer said "I think other municipalities will either start looking at loosening their restrictions or actually start opting in." The town plans to use the cannabis revenue to build a second location of the town’s Beacon Family Wellness center Future cannabis revenue will fund center operations and as well as substance abuse counselors in schools Municipalities should reconsider their reluctance to marijuana sales co-founder and president of Long Island Cannabis Coalition "This benefits the township as a whole and their communities because they’re able to designate those funds however they want them to be used," he said "It’s a critical source of tax revenue They could help address some of the pressing issues in those towns." the municipalities should devote the revenue to treatment and prevention programs president and CEO of the Family and Children’s Association in Garden City "This is how you hedge against the downsides," Reynolds said "Instead of just dumping these dollars into the general fund it’s nice that Babylon understands the importance of being proactive around this and getting the word out." Kennedy said he did not know whether the $1.16 million was just from Strain Stars, which opened in July 2023, or also Happy Days, which opened in January The state did not say how much revenue it received from the East Farmingdale dispensaries A spokesman for the state Department of Taxation and Finance did not give a breakdown citing "secrecy provisions" involving tax returns Two more stores are set to open in Babylon: Planet Nugg will open on Wellwood Avenue in East Farmingdale within several weeks The business will be based out of a warehouse in East Farmingdale CORRECTION: Babylon Town received $1.16 million from cannabis sales in East Farmingdale the total was misstated in an earlier version of this story Police say a resident found the victim lying in the grass face up on Garity Place between Morton Street and East Carmans Road Police have identified the victim as Juan Carlos Diaz Geronimo Authorities say they are reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses and homes Adventureland's modernization is expected to be finished by 2028 Longtime amusement park Adventureland has been awarded a $205,600 tourism marketing grant by the state to help the park modernize and add new attractions to bring in more visitors which opened in 1962 along East Farmingdale’s Route 110 corridor received the funding for its planned multimillion dollar which will bring new attractions and remove some older ones are expected to cost Adventureland $10 million to $15 million according to a release announcing the news “Adventureland not only holds fond memories for nearly every Long Island child and family but it also holds an important place in our regional economy,” Sen Martinez (D-Brentwood) said in a statement announcing the grant funding “Supporting Adventureland’s improvement is good for patrons and beneficial for New York State,” said Martinez whose district includes the regional attraction The funding was awarded by the Public Authorities Control Board on Nov retail and all things business across Long Island “It’s a big help for us,” said Steve Gentile “It’s helping us infrastructurally in the park whether it be for the water main for safety reasons or for helping us take care of refurbishing existing rides like the rescue boats.” Among the changes already made to the park are the addition of Moon Chaser a new thrill ride that replaced the Pirate Ship attraction this season; a refurbished Viking Voyage ride; a new Jr Pirate Ship ride in the Kiddie Land section of the park; as well as a new water main meant to support additional park attractions and help with drainage Gentile said the park would be unveiling Wave Twister “a boomerang-type roller coaster” that will stand roughly 50 feet high replaces the park’s longstanding Log Flume Gentile said with the removal of the flume ride — an attraction that took up nearly 15% of the park’s total property — the family-operated business will be able to add several more rides bathrooms and games for what will be called the park’s Legacy Corner Park improvements are scheduled to be completed by 2028 and are expected to increase employment at the park by 10% Employment at the park typically hits around 650 workers during the spring and summer Gentile expects the expansion to require “50 to 75 more employees through the season,” he said we’re able to bring other youth with us to join the family.” 2024 at 11:19 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Alfred Balcerak impersonated a county employee to enter an East Farmingdale shelter facility where he made sexual contact with a disabled resident and stole some of their personal items NY —A Deer Park man was arrested on Friday after impersonating a county employee and forcibly touching a disabled shelter resident in East Farmingdale in early September impersonated a DSS employee to enter an East Farmingdale shelter facility on September 6 where he made sexual contact with a disabled resident and stole some of their personal items Police arrested Balcerak at his home on Wright Avenue in Deer Park on September 13 and charged him with forcible touching first-degree endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person second-degree endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person He was held overnight at the Third Precinct and arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on September 14 Anyone with information or who believes they are a victim may call the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6531 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. A $27 million Hampton Inn & Suites under construction in East Farmingdale is expected to be finished by July Patchogue Village’s nearly two decade-long downtown revitalization plan has included hundreds of new apartments and townhouses and dozens of restaurants and stores but the South Shore village has lacked a hotel A developer plans to build a $35 million luxury hotel-apartment at the site of a shuttered bowling alley in the village which would make it the only hotel south of Sunrise Highway in Suffolk County The five-story, 96-room Tempo by Hilton, plans for which were downsized after village residents expressed concerns about excessive traffic and parking shortages would be the capstone of Patchogue’s redevelopment initiatives Those efforts included the creation of a "floating" hotel zone in January 2024 to attract hotel projects and boost tourism to nearby locales “It creates energy here in the village that we haven’t had taking advantage of the Fire Island National Seashore being in our community giving those residents who decided to move into the apartments and the townhouses a place to put their families when they come to visit,” Pontieri said Patchogue is among municipalities on Long Island that are incorporating hotel projects into their downtown revitalization plans while developers are looking to take advantage of growing customer demand for hotel rooms according to developers and industry experts Hotel construction on Long Island and nationwide has stalled over the past few years partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and high interest rates but at least 10 hotels are under construction or in the planning stages on the Island where growing leisure travel is helping drive demand for hotel rooms Most projects "have been in the works for a while," said Dorothy Roberts president of the Long Island Hospitality Association an East Northport-based trade group of hotels restaurants and other tourism-related businesses Some of the demand also is tied to New York City "When you can't get a hotel room in New York Nassau and Bergen County [New Jersey]," said Daniel H co-founder and president of LW Hospitality Advisors The Manhattan-based firm conducts market studies for developers considering building hotels on Long Island and elsewhere the number of hotels grew 25% to 258 and the number of rooms increased 16% to 17,636 between 2015 and December 2024 a commercial real estate data company in Washington CoStar's hotel data is mostly focused on chains Not only did Long Island's increases over that nine-year period exceed those of the U.S the number of hotel properties grew 5.4% to 62,811 and the number of rooms grew 9.7% to 5.6 million — but also the Island's average occupancy rate last year topped the national average New York City had the highest average occupancy rate last year and it ranks first for the most new rooms that will be added to its inventory this year Despite the 25% increase in hotels on Long Island in recent years it’s not enough to meet growing customer demand for lodging Long Island had the second-biggest increase in visitor spending according to a state tourism study released in August by Tourism Economics Lodging accounted for 20% of that spending That spending puts the region on par with major tourism destinations all of which have far more hotel rooms than Long Island With about 18,000 hotel rooms on Long Island "we still have very low inventory of hotels based on the demand that we have,” Reynolds said adding that sometimes the tight inventory benefits Long Island hotel operators by allowing them to drive higher rates Long Island also lacks a convention center — it has only a few hotels that can accommodate large meetings “we turned away over $35 million worth of business of people that just call us," Reynolds said "This is business that we’re trying to attract the golf tournament that will be played on The Black Course at Bethpage State Park in September “We have over 12,000 rooms on Long Island booked for that but the majority of people coming are going to stay in New York City because we don’t have enough rooms,” she said The Ryder Cup is estimated to generate more than $10 million in Long Island hotel revenue excluding Airbnb's and other short-term rentals At least 250,000 spectators are expected to attend during the week in September Long Island’s growing demand for hotels is fueled by several factors including the region's developed areas high number of college students with visiting relatives and corporate offices that draw clients from out of town while Suffolk County’s population grew by 29,820 according to the most-recent data from the U.S The Island also is connected to highway systems has hundreds of retail stores and restaurants LaGuardia and Long Island MacArthur in Ronkonkoma Colorado-based consulting firm for the hospitality industry The firm conducts market studies for developers considering building hotels on Long Island and elsewhere “Central [Long Island] is driving the demand It’s a strong economy unto itself,” he said Long Island has a stable hotel market with strong demand generated from weekend leisure travel to beaches but more corporate offices are needed to help fill hotels mid-week with business travelers Long Island's high cost can be prohibitive to attracting corporate offices "It's expensive to develop something here it's difficult because of the [expensive] housing situation," she said Even with the increased number of hotels on Long Island growth has been constrained locally and nationwide and there was a less than 1% increase in new properties nationwide a high barrier-to-entry market for new hotels," for several reasons including high land and construction costs and difficulty obtaining construction loans restrictive lending and high interest rates deter developers from taking on hotel projects senior director of analytics at Nashville hospitality data firm STR Inc. But Long Island hotels perform well enough — in terms of high occupancy and room rates — and a well-equipped developer can work around barriers "A good developer is able to get a project across the finish line if the hotel site is exceptional the right brand for the submarket is chosen they have experience building that brand and have brand relationships and approvals," he said "They are able to construct the hotel at a low enough cost that supports its feasibility," he added Hotel projects are growing in popularity with investors who want to put their money into tangible assets the Farmingville firm that designed plans for the Tempo by Hilton in Patchogue and other hotels on Long Island “With the stock market fluctuations being what they are investors want … something that they know is going to get them that return things like that are going to draw people,” he said Municipalities like Patchogue that are incorporating hotels into their economic revitalization plans are tying them to new housing in their downtown areas to attract younger residents They want to be able to come and go freely” he said Among the hotels planned for Long Island are The Ferncliff 299-room building that will be built at 125 Spagnoli Rd The Town of Huntington’s planning board approved the site plan for the $200 million project in March and construction on the 427,173-square-foot hotel is expected to start this year and finish in 2027 The hotel will have 35 rooms intended for short-term stays while the rest of the rooms will be for a mix of visits ranging from a few days to more than a month Beechwood also has built two high-end apartment-hotels in Westbury — The Vanderbilt for $100 million in 2018 and The Selby for $130 million in 2022 They both have a mix of traditional hotel rooms and apartments for rent under long-term leases of 12 or 24 months mostly known as a developer of housing for purchase is entering a new niche with high-end hotels There’s a lot of lower-end and mid-market hotel product There’s not a lot of luxury or super-luxury product,” said Dubb adding that the Vanderbilt continually outperforms nearby hotels that are cheaper The Tempo in Patchogue also will include 13 apartments and a spa in a waterfront area of Patchogue that used to have industrial businesses The hotel's construction should be done by July 2027 is the first applicant to use the village’s “floating hotel district." Also planned for Long Island is an upscale hotel in Jericho Plaza that will cost an estimated $85 million to $95 million to build and will either be named an Autograph by Marriott or Curio by Hilton 113,800-square-foot hotel in spring 2026 and the project should be done by late 2027 who is also vice president of operations and development for Oxford Hospitality a Jericho-based company whose seven hotels include the Hilton Garden Inn Melville and the Hilton Garden Inn Roslyn in Port Washington Oxford is the lead in a partnership that is developing the Jericho hotel and the $27 million Hampton Inn & Suites in East Farmingdale which is expected to be finished by July at 1024 Broadhollow Rd on the former site of the Skydrive Golf Center Virginia-based Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. did not respond to Newsday's requests for comment Maryland-based Marriott International Inc. like most hotels that are built on Long Island are receiving tax breaks from county or town industrial development agencies in exchange for promising to create jobs The Nassau Industrial Development Agency in 2022 awarded the developer of the Jericho Plaza hotel project 22 years of property tax breaks as well as a sales-tax exemption of up to $2.6 million on the purchase of construction materials and supplies and up to $294,000 off the mortgage-recording tax for promising to create 52 jobs "Attaining IDA approval helps to make a project feasible," Roberts said The Babylon Industrial Development Agency authorized tax benefits for the East Farmingdale project estimated to be worth $6.59 million over 20 years The hotel is expected to employ 16 full-time workers and open around July 2025 The Nassau County IDA said that Oxford's Jericho Plaza project is the only hotel development that it has provided tax breaks to since 2020 Newsday filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Suffolk County IDA on Jan 31 seeking information about the tax incentives it has provided for hotel projects since 2020 Because hotel developments require a significant amount of private investments IDA benefits have become more crucial to projects where towns’ building approval processes can be lengthy IDAs can help move projects along more quickly “because they know we’re trying to bring economic growth to a municipality,” he said Suffolk County had been planning the $2.8 billion Midway Crossing project which would have included a 352,500-square-foot convention center; a 300-room hotel; and a health sciences facility on 179 acres of county-owned land in Ronkonkoma The project also would have included a new air terminal at MacArthur Airport and a walkway connecting the airport and the Ronkonkoma LIRR train station Last month, County Executive Edward P. Romaine’s administration announced it was canceling the redevelopment plan and removing Chicago real estate firm JLL as the master developer saying the firm had failed to make significant progress toward hiring staff and arranging financing for the project Romaine said the county would contribute an additional $50 million to redevelop the property and begin soliciting new ideas for the redevelopment of the Midway Crossing site in a few weeks On Feb. 12, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state will spend $150 million to connect the Ronkonkoma LIRR station with a proposed The governor's announcement did not signal the launch of new development plans at Midway Crossing The county executive "will listen to the community to determine how to move forward," he said Successful convention centers typically lead to more developments of hotels and that could be the case for Long Island that would only come after years of proven success and demand for the additional rooms [and] development,” she said said a luxury hotel-apartment in the village would make it the only hotel south of Sunrise Highway in Suffolk said Long Island has a "very low inventory of hotels based on the demand that we have." Credit: Howard Schnapp 2024 at 5:03 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}L-R: Heather Hart; Jane Baldwin of the Baldwin Fund; Paul Lepore; Jay Grossman and Keith Hart Brian Ohea of Stony Brook Medicine; Shelby Poole; Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer raised $33,766 in October to benefit the Carol M The dispensary ran an exclusive "Go Pink" menu for the entire month to support its fundraising effort The “Go Pink” campaign featured partnerships with leading brands such as Cannabals Each of these brands committed to a portion of sales to directly support breast cancer research and awareness The community "enthusiastically embraced" the campaign Happy Days Dispensary presented a check Tuesday to Dr Brian O’Hea and representatives from the Carol M underscoring their shared commitment to fighting breast cancer Richard Schaeffer from the Town of Babylon was also present "We are incredibly grateful to our customers and partners for rallying together for such an important cause," Paul Lepore "This donation reflects the generosity and compassion of our community Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund in their vital work." Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund has been at the forefront of breast cancer research and patient support for decades "Donations like these help drive their mission forward," the business wrote "Happy Days Dispensary extends its deepest gratitude to everyone involved in making this campaign a success especially to those who joined in showing support by purchasing from the 'Go Pink' menu." Thanks for visiting (Michael DeSantis/Patch)Crossbarn West in Zuzu/Crossbarn in Farmingdale (Zuzu/Crossbarn)The Stevie Room in Zuzu/Crossbarn in Farmingdale (Zuzu/Crossbarn)The bar in Zuzu/Crossbarn in Farmingdale NY — The wait is nearly over for Zuzu/Crossbarn ice cream venue and event spaces business is set to open in mid-August Zuzu/Crossbarn has been under construction for approximately two years at 202 Main St. With a targeted opening date in the second or third week of August co-owner Joe Mendolia said it feels "fantastic and stressful." The business boasts a dining room for chef and partner Ed Davis's Naples-style pizza; a takeout ice cream window; and four rooms scattered throughout the building for private parties and events The multi-layered business approach allows it to cater to different clientele "The restaurant industry is very challenging," Mendolia told Patch because you don’t want to exclude families They can walk up or they can do ice cream in here at the tables after having pizza." Naples-style 12-inch pies are the "only focus" at Zuzu The artisanal approach will feature pies both simplistic and a little more intricate Dough will be fermented for 48 hours at minimum "It’s something that really needs to take its time," Davis said dough that’s made Friday morning won’t be ready until late Sunday into Monday." The gas and wood oven gives the pizza flavor Pies will be available for takeout and dine-in Four soft-serve ice cream flavors will be available: vanilla "We’re going to try and stick with stuff around the holiday seasons or just some fun different things," Mendolia said The four event spaces cater to different party sizes and vibes The second floor boasts Crossbarn East and Crossbarn West The rooms are barn-style with 30-foot vaulted wood ceilings and separate bars as it requires 60 people minimum and holds up to approximately 115 guests The west room is 40 people minimum and holds 70 The Crossbarn rooms are an "inexpensive route" for people who don't want to use a big catering hall "They can come to us and the package is going to be a lot less expensive," he said "We do gourmet buffets and cocktail parties." different room." The Stevie Room in the back of the restaurant holds between 25 and 35 people Food is provided in each room. Rooms can be booked on the Zuzu/Crossbarn website for baby showers said Zuzu/Crossbarn features a "fun atmosphere" and "amazing food." "We have 30 years of great hospitality behind us," Piciullo said The ownership group also operates Croxley's Ale House "We’re happy to be a part of this great town," Piciullo said "We’ve been here for a long time already with Croxley’s joined by Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer Planet Nugg offers flower Owner Dave Tubens said Planet Nugg's mission is threefold "[One is] to create a great dispensary," he told Patch whether it's with pain meds or medicinally We want to educate the parents out there on what to do when faced with that question Tubens said there is a "stigma" that cannabis is "just for recreation" or just for people to get high Tubens said one of his customers is a woman with cancer who recently had a double mastectomy and was going for reconstruction surgery "She came in for our soft opening and has come back twice since then if we can help the community get rid of the illicit drug market and get rid of the fentanyl problem if we can just save one life in this whole thing a chiropractor who owns Island Regional Chiropractic He said he built his chiropractor business on educating patients I've been sending a lot of my patients over to certain doctors that give the license for medicinal cannabis and it's been extremely successful," he said plans to educate people rather than patients He is working on community outreach to high schools and has been in communications with Mothers Against Drunk Driving He has been working with the Town of Babylon on programming to reach different people who he says could benefit from Planet Nugg's programs trying to get the word out that we're about education," he said The business promises "knowledgeable and friendly" staff passionate about helping customers find products that suit their needs Planet Nugg says it offers products for pain or stress relief and to those "simply seeking to enhance your well-being." we strived to be the flagship cannabis dispensary not only on Long Island "I definitely feel like we've achieved that And not just because of their experience with cannabis Tubens said cannabis has "saved the lives" of some of his employees and it saved their life that way," he said "We have one employee who was always picked on in school and had anxiety and it helped him We pick people who are truly passionate about it and it really shows to all of our customers when they come in." The first couple of weeks have gone "much better" than Tubens anticipated While the volume of customers and sales was "great," feedback has been "incredible." "Planet Nugg is definitely the biggest dispensary around," Tubens said "I'm proud to say it's definitely the most beautiful most interactive and friendly one out there Tubens noted the vast majority of Long Island municipalities have opted out of allowing dispensaries to open. The Town of Babylon is one of a handful of local Long Island governments to allow the stores according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government has been "incredibly supportive" of the opening process "To open up as fast as possible was our goal and Farmingdale is pretty much the only place you can do that in," he said Planet Nugg follows Strain Stars and Happy Days Dispensary as Long Island's third retail cannabis dispensary both of which also opened in East Farmingdale Students on the campus of Farmingdale State College in East Farmingdale Colleges are instrumental in local economic development and their spaces and facilities serve as a resource to the community at large the outgoing president of Farmingdale State College writes This guest essay reflects the views of John Nader outgoing president of Farmingdale State College The past few years have been difficult for college and universities and campus conflict have damaged the prestige and standing of higher education A recent Gallup Poll reported that only 36% of Americans expressed significant confidence in the value of a college degree many colleges and universities were able to engage difficult and divisive topics with civil discourse and demonstrated that differences need not lead to destructiveness You probably read little about these campuses since the media focused mostly on a few highly selective campuses out of thousands of colleges and universities across America My four-decade career has seen a dramatic transformation in the collegiate landscape Higher education serves a broader array of students and is more focused on student success than ever Nearly every segment of higher ed now offers flexible ways to attain or complete a degree or credential with longer academic days many serving adult learners and working parents colleges are instrumental in local economic development and their spaces and facilities serve as a resource to the community at large It is past time to assert some plain truths Higher education today invests heavily in serving populations largely neglected or excluded just one or two generations ago Our colleges are now a path to advancement and economic opportunity for a broader swath of our population than ever before but it doesn't have to be: More than half of undergraduate students in the SUNY system attend college tuition-free More than 50% of graduates of my institution leave with no student debt A roundup of highlights from Newsday's Opinion Department As for the return on a student’s or family’s investment of time and money New Yorkers with a bachelor’s degree earned nearly $40,000 more in 2022 than those with a high school diploma cost and completion remain issues that have eroded public confidence The best thing colleges can do is talk persistently and clearly about being engines of social mobility We need to be emphatic that a student’s program of study matters Some degrees hold more economic promise than others far too many students don’t complete degrees Another challenge is the precipitous decline in college enrollment for more than a decade Some private colleges have closed; nearly all others face more acute competition This threat may have a silver lining: While not everyone needs a college degree The strongest colleges increasingly look for new opportunities to offer programs to those who may not need a diploma but will benefit from upskilling or training programs of shorter duration Today’s students receive unmatched experiential learning opportunities to do field work and research with faculty and internships that were previously unavailable Many colleges align curricula to job opportunities colleges increasingly recognize that a student who works to pay tuition and support their family may well have different needs than a multigenerational college student educators have a responsibility to adapt and provide graduates the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who preceded them — those who are aspiring to do more We've rounded up the top Easter egg hunts on Long Island for spring 2025 so grab your baskets and hop to these springtime celebrations.  but almost all require advance tickets or reservations.  Check out our roundup of Easter Bunny brunches on Long Island and more holiday ideas in our Easter Guide Find more seasonal happenings in our Family Activity Calendar or our Guide to Spring Fun on Long Island Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker the new planning & development commissioner for the Town of Babylon poses for a portrait at Babylon Town Hall in Lindenhurst Tuesday the new commissioner of planning and development in Babylon Town has an approach for development projects that come before her agency Whether it's warehouses or luxury apartment complexes Graziano said she zeros in on the project's economic benefit as well as the potential for community disruption "I know that progress is important to the town; development is important to the town," she said But Graziano said she works to "make sure the quality of life and impact of these projects is always considered." "I can hear all sides and try to come up with the best solution," she said Graziano took helm of Babylon's Department of Planning and Development after serving 20 years as an executive assistant to four former commissioners which includes the town's building and rental divisions is responsible for overseeing everything from home extensions to multistory apartment complexes Some of the larger projects in the works could have a lasting effect on the makeup of Babylon Town Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said he hired Graziano because she was the only one who "knows the department inside and out."  Babylon is home to few undeveloped tracts of lands So our challenge is to figure out how to redevelop existing sites that have become old The goal is to "increase our tax base and create either housing or economic opportunities for people."  Redevelopment projects come with their own obstacles executive dean for the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University the last green or gray parcels are the hardest cases which often pit people who are already there and like things the way they are against people who see that there still is a possibility to add economic value and opportunity," Levy said "The challenge is to find a balance that may have been missing in the early days of suburban development." about the challenge of developing big and small projects throughout Babylon Town The interviews were edited for clarity and length What is the greatest challenge for the town when it comes to development Graziano said one challenge is taking "sites and trying to make them better." "We’re going to use what we have and try to create the best product to try and improve the redevelopment from what’s already been done," she said She keeps traffic flow and noise issues top of mind "the challenge is really dealing with the surrounding properties of what’s there and environmental cleanups on some of the properties." Esposito said it's difficult to accommodate development in a town where many of the zoning codes were developed more than a half-century ago so some of these land uses and in general how we live has changed," Esposito said You’re trying to fit a modern new development on these smaller lots So you have to adjust the sites to the growing needs of the 21st century." What are the most significant projects in the town's development pipeline Graziano said a proposal for an industrial park in Wyandanch is the "biggest project ever in the town."  wants to build a 100-acre industrial park in Wyandanch "It’s kind of nice to see something that large from the bottom up," she said The old Pinter Brothers trucking depot site in Deer Park Now the property is being redeveloped into a logistics warehouse with office space "Over the years it was pretty much abandoned and had become run-down and a real problem for the community," he said A planned housing development on state-owned land in East Farmingdale would also be a welcome improvement for the town, Schaffer said. That site was used by Fairchild Republic and has sat vacant and been an eyesore The property did not generate any tax revenue Are high-profile projects like these the planning department's main focus But he said the town balances large projects "along with every other residential improvement — the solar panels Those are like the everyday bread and butter of the department A Suffolk County police officer with K-9 conducts a search Saturday a few blocks from the place where the body was found Suffolk County detectives are investigating the strangulation of a man found dead on the roadside early Saturday morning in East Farmingdale only feet from the Nassau County border A passerby found Juan Carlos Diaz Geronimo on the side of Garity Place around 1:35 a.m. East Farmingdale Fire Department first responders pronounced Diaz Geronimo Police said he had been strangled and homicide squad detectives are investigating The grassy patch where Diaz Geronimo was found between a New York State sump lot and a car wash showed no divots in the grass or other signs of a struggle Photos of the crime scene shared with Newsday by a local business showed the victim face up with his shirt open and his feet facing the street Yellow evidence markers dotted the roadway and police investigators congregated nearby Follow the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach killings investigation which runs about 200 yards between East Carmans Road and Morton Street said he can barely sleep on weekend nights because of the heavy traffic and loud music coming from cars that park on the strip "It's the last block in Suffolk County [before Nassau County] and it's neglected," he said "I've been here for seven years and it's getting progressively worse." Garity Place sits parallel to Route 109 behind a Knights of Columbus hall News of the apparent homicide set neighbors on edge "I'm shocked," Patrick Burns the president of the Knights of Columbus hall He said detectives came by in the morning to collect security footage from his building but he said that it was dark and that the video was grainy and didn't show the area where the body was found He said patrons from a nightclub around the corner often park in his lot "I turn a blind eye because I don't want any trouble," he said said her daughter reminded her to be careful "It isn't safe over here," she said "My daughter says to me to remember to lock the doors She said she would avoid the area from now on for her daily walks and she doesn't go out at night "Nothing good happens after 12 o'clock," she said Police did not release information on a suspect Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392