A gun was fired during a fight involving Patchogue-Medford High School students that took place in an off-campus parking lot Sunday afternoon District officials and police were on high alert Monday at Patchogue-Medford High School following an off-campus gunfire incident late Sunday afternoon that is believed to have involved multiple students from the district in a fight in a parking lot Suffolk County police said the incident occurred in a lot on Academy Street and said it was reported in a 911 call at about 5:10 p.m police said a "group of teens met up to engage in a fight" at the location "an unknown person fired shots," striking a vehicle Police said Fifth Squad detectives were investigating the incident In a statement late Sunday to the school community Patchogue-Medford district superintendent Donna Jones wrote: "The District was notified this evening by the Suffolk County Police Department that an incident took place in the community involving gunfire and multiple Patchogue-Medford School District high school students." The correspondence said the district had requested police presence Monday at the school on Buffalo Avenue in Medford Follow the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach killings investigation By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy Jones also informed the school community all AP exams would go on as scheduled the District will put in place additional security measures to ensure the security of our building and the safety and well-being of students and staff." Check back for updates on this developing story 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 Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who turned 74 on April 27, celebrated his birthday during his May 1 concert at Patchogue Theatre in Patchogue, New York. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below, courtesy of Whitechapel Ghost Video Ace's current backing band consists of Ryan Spencer on bass Jeremy Asbrock on guitar and Scot Coogan on drums 2025 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" Ace confirmed that he is working on "Origins Vol the sequel to Frehley's 2016 and 2020 collections of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist He said: "I decided to reconnect with my old producer Alex Salzman it won't be me and Steve Brown," referencing the TRIXTER guitarist/vocalist who helmed Ace's latest solo album "It'll be me and Alex Salzman collaborating on that record since Alex did 'Origins Vo 2' and we have a formula that we came up with and it seemed to work." Ace continued: "I was listening to the [first two 'Origins'] records last night on YouTube in my office on my desk and the albums sound just as good as the new album I'm gonna go back to my old formula with Alex And maybe I'll bring back Steve to do the [next all-original] album since he's a very very good songwriter and guitar player and engineer as well." Asked if he has decided which songs he will cover on "Origins Vol including whether he will once again do remakes of some KISS songs so… I really don't wanna give anything away Ace said: "I could have it ready [this year] I can do the album in a month because I don't have to write the songs the recording process is pretty seamless and rapid because all I have to do is Ace-ify it 2" featured cover versions of THE BEATLES' "I'm Down" THE KINKS' "Lola" and THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE's "Manic Depression" A cover of the 1975 KISS tune "She" also appeared as a bonus track Guests on the set included CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander Lita Ford and former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick 23 on The Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 16,000 equivalent album units The CD featured KISS frontman Paul Stanley joining Ace on FREE's hit "Fire And Water" Slash trading leads on THIN LIZZY's classic "Emerald" Ford singing and playing lead on THE TROGGS staple "Wild Thing" then-ROB ZOMBIE guitarist John 5 playing guitar alongside Ace on the classic KISS composition "Parasite" and PEARL JAM's Mike McCready playing guitar with Ace on KISS's "Cold Gin" In a 2016 interview with The Aquarian Weekly Frehley admitted that doing the first covers album was "the record company's idea because I had just come off the high of the success of 'Space Invader' which is all originals except for a cover of 'The Joker'," he said I'm going to go through the motions and get this out of the way and then jump into the studio for my next real studio album.' But I've gotta tell ya once I started the process and started remembering the groups that influenced me narrowing down which songs I thought were going to be best for the record and then started the recording process; I really started getting more excited about it." "10,000 Volts" came out in February 2024 via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music) The official music video for the "10,000 Volts" track — directed by Alex Kouvatsos from Black Wolf Imaging — was released in late November 2023 Reich of Three Thirty-Three Creative and produced by Reich and Steve Seabury A new waterfront dining spot is getting ready to make a splash along the Patchogue River.  Sandbar Kitchen Cocktails and Entertainment is set to open next month at 32 Baker Place in the space that last housed Baja Boathouse has been renovated under new ownership.“I really just have had a vision in my head for years for a very relaxed place to enjoy great food and live music with friends,” said Ira Varon who owns the location with his wife Christina with themed décor like a Fire Island Lighthouse replica The menu — led by Sag Harbor chef Jevohni “Prince” Brown — will feature a fusion of American Ownership said diners should expect live music every Friday and Saturday night The owners told Greater Long Island that a grand opening with food and drink specials is currently scheduled for Friday Top: Inside the new Sandbar Kitchen Cocktails and Entertainment at 32 Baker Place in Patchogue Tap here to see what’s happening Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) speaks during a bicameral hearing on the Justice Department in the Dirksen Senate Building in April in Washington A Maryland congressman is coming to Suffolk County to address more than 1,000 residents Saturday afternoon at a town hall in Patchogue organized by a coalition of Democratic committees and progressive activist groups Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) plans to discuss the effects of federal policies under the Trump administration ranging from economic issues to concerns over the future of Social Security and Medicaid They said they planned the event partly as a rebuke to the two congressmen who represent Suffolk County — Reps Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) — for hosting virtual events instead of in person Raskin's town hall in Patchogue follows a series of events he's held across the country as Republicans have retreated from hosting in-person forums following several heated gatherings chair of the Southold Town Democratic Committee said in an interview the town hall at the Patchogue Theater is a chance to bring people together and "give them a vision of our country that is more hopeful and less dark and hateful." Raskin said he’s been appearing at dozens of rallies and town halls across the nation to oppose "MAGA’s destructive authoritarian agenda." from local elections and legislation to reaction to national events Independents and even Republicans with passionate conviction to make the government work again for the rights freedoms and essential programs of the people," he said Quigley said she got to know Raskin when he visited the North Fork in recent years That connection led to Raskin’s Long Island appearance this weekend the group leader of Indivisible Long Island said she hopes Raskin can help "point out the most relevant and important things for us to be focusing on" amid the deluge of daily news Kanas said they’ve set up an overflow room for people to watch a livestream at a nearby music venue Raskin is expected to speak for about 20 to 30 minutes and then take questions Audience members can then line up at two microphones to ask questions spent more than 25 years as a professor of constitutional law at American University’s Washington College of Law He served as the lead House manager during the second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) is the only Long Island representative to host an in-person town hall this year. Her event on April 16 drew a large crowd to Hofstra University’s David S Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) hosted a virtual town hall this year. The two Democratic representatives also have hosted a pair of in-person forums. A March forum centered on the budget and an April event focused on Social Security "Suffolk progressives continue to import out of touch self-described liberals who are completely out of touch with Suffolk County." He described Raskin as "one of the most hyper-partisans in Congress" and added that Suffolk voters have "consistently sent home-grown commonsense conservatives to Congress — leaders focused on affordability public safety and delivering real results for Long Island." A spokesperson for Garbarino did not immediately respond to a request for comment Garbarino’s virtual event in early April drew more than 10,000 people according to a news release from his office saying "any extension of the $10,000 cap will not fly." He also addressed proposed cuts to social safety nets "There was no legislation voted on that would cut Medicare From Quito to Queens — and maybe soon to Patchogue A new kind of ice cream shop that’s quickly become all the rage in Ecuador is in the works for downtown Patchogue has applied with the village’s planning board to open Bogati — an Ecuadorian-based ice cream parlor chain that serves its ice cream dishes topped with grated cheese — at 12 South Ocean Ave Bogati Helados Con Queso (ice cream with cheese) now counts more than 200 locations across the country secured the master franchise rights for New York state and opened the first U.S The young entrepreneur has since opened three more locations in the city and now eyes Patchogue for her fifth “This ice cream is different,” Gao explained to Greater Long Island “Our ice cream is sweet and salty — and it comes with cheese on top The “cheesy” topping is what makes Bogati ice cream stand out — and it’s what has drawn hundreds and hundreds of customers to its grand openings typically mild-flavored cheese is generously strung atop scoops of rich creating a surprising and beloved flavor contrast The combination became a tradition in Ecuador and is catching fire in New York City And Gao believes Patchogue is the perfect next stop “We did our marketing and found a lot of Ecuadorian people in Patchogue,” she said ‘Do not open in Queens anymore — we are out here in Patchogue has sat vacant since a short-lived video game shop closed there it was home to Muñeca Arthouse and Patricio Records Joel Furman — a longtime Patchogue attorney and local property owner — supports the idea and has helped facilitate the application which goes before the planning board on Tuesday Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri said he looks forward to learning more about the proposed ice cream shop “Patchogue is full of Ecuadorian families,” Gao said and we want to be where the people are — where we can bring something that people miss from home.” But Bogati isn’t just for those folks accustomed to its unique blend of flavors. Gao said the shop’s Brooklyn location has shown her that the brand has much wider appeal. “People from all backgrounds like it and are lining up for it,” she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bogati Helados Con Queso USA 🍦 (@bogati.eua) Gao opened her first Bogati location last spring in Flushing celebrating with a festive grand opening in June She launched her first Corona shop in August followed by a second Corona location and a Brooklyn store Gao also promised the new shop will be an affordable option in comparison to the nearby Ben & Jerry’s “And it’s something totally different,” she said If approved, the Patchogue shop would be the sixth Bogati in the United States. The only other shop not owned or operated by Gao is in Lowell, Massachusetts, which opened on April 3. Gao said she will attend the planning board’s public hearing regarding the proposed ice cream shop. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Village Hall. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bogati Helados Con Queso USA 🍦 (@bogati.eua) Ecuador.June 2024 — Franchisee Wen Wen “Leslie” Gao opens the first Bogati Helandos con Queso in the United States Queens.August 2024 — Gao opens a Bogati in Corona.March 2024 — A second Bogati opens in Corona.March 2024 — Gao opens her fourth Bogati within the small part of Ridgewood that is part of Brooklyn.April 2024 — A Bogati is proposed for downtown Patchogue 2025 at 7:27 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A Middle Island man has been arrested in connection with bolting from the scene of a motor vehicle crash that seriously hurt a woman in Patchogue on Wednesday night NY — A Middle Island man has been arrested in connection with bolting from the scene of a motor vehicle crash that seriously hurt a woman in Patchogue on Wednesday night Bryam Moscoso Gomez was driving a 2009 Honda Accord southbound on Route 112 when it struck a woman as she was crossing the roadway from east towest at around 8:35 p.m. whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin was airlifted by police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries A patrol officer from the 5th Precinct in Patchogue found the Honda on the westbound Sunrise Highway service road at Chestnut Avenue in Patchogue and arrested Moscoso Gomez just before 10 p.m. Major Case Unit detectives have charged Moscoso Gomez with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious physical injury He is being held overnight at the 6th Precinct in Selden and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Jamie Raskin spoke at a public town hall event Saturday in Patchogue A Maryland congressman warned a packed Patchogue theater that "democracy is under attack" during a town hall Saturday who spent 25 years as a professor of constitutional law at American University’s Washington College of Law spoke at the Patchogue Theatre in an event organized by a coalition of Democratic committees and progressive activists groups "We're in a constitutional crisis and we're going to get America through it," Raskin said to the partisan crowd which erupted into chants of "U-S-A!" before the four-term congressman took the stage Raskin addressed the approximately 1,100 people at the free event for just over 30 minutes before fielding questions from 13 audience members for an additional 45 minutes Trump's relationship with Russia and future impeachment proceedings The town hall served as a rebuke to Suffolk County's town congressional representatives Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) for what organizers have said is an unwillingness to hold in-person town halls LaLota described Raskin as an "out-of-touch non-Long Islander" who "supports a government-run health care system punishing tax hikes on workers and job creators and citizenship for those who break our immigration laws." He also criticized "far-left groups" for choosing "one of the most hyper-partisans in Congress as the next voice of their opposition." Garbarino in a statement Saturday said: "I have some thoughts about the member from Maryland but my mother says if you don't have anything nice to say Raskin didn't mention the Suffolk representatives by name but acknowledged early in his speech that he was not the organizers' "first choice." "It would have been better to have your own representative here," he said Raskin spoke to roughly 1,100 people at the event organized by a coalition of Democratic committees and progressive activist groups who chairs the Southold Town Democratic Committee and helped organize the town hall said seeing the large turnout and "overwhelming response" sends a "clear message that Suffolk County is ready for a change." Suffolk has been a Republican stronghold in recent years and LaLota and Garbarino both won in 2024 with 55% and 58% of their district's votes Raskin served as lead House manager during the second Trump impeachment trial One question from an audience member focused on whether Raskin would support future impeachment proceedings do not hold a majority in the House of Representatives but said the caucus is not afraid of impeachment He said given the "assaults on due process and the rights of the people I can't imagine that there won't be an impeachment in our future." Raskin referenced the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions signed into law in 2017 by Trump in his first term that all four Long Island congressional representatives have vowed to repeal He said Democrats have been urging Republicans in Democratic states that are negatively impacted to "not vote for anything unless they restore completely the SALT deduction." stands outside the event at Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts some demonstrators began marching at 11:30 a.m from Academy Street to South Ocean Avenue and onto Oak Street where a few hundred people protested outside Garbarino's local office Police blocked the road to traffic as demonstrators took turns leading chants and speaking the group "dissent is patriotic" and "no kings." There were no conflicts with counterprotesters as happened briefly last month outside Garbarino's office Suffolk police confirmed there were no reported incidents Another woman had been at the theater since 9:30 a.m Simes said the deluge of daily news from the Trump administration is "too much." "Unfortunately it's every morning you get up and it doesn't seem to ever be good news." of Nesconset said she was hoping to hear "what the future looks like in terms of getting more people engaged." Both women said they would hope to attend a similar in-person town hall hosted by their own representative Suffolk Police are asking the public to come forward if they believe they were victimized by a former Patchogue Village code enforcement officer now facing multiple charges for allegedly making a bogus DWI stop of Medford on Wednesday and charged him in connection with a Dec 29 incident in which he allegedly pulled over a woman he believed to be driving while intoxicated traffic stop in front of First Baptist Church on North Ocean Avenue in Patchogue while on duty as a code enforcement officer Code enforcement officers are not authorized to conduct traffic stops or make DWI arrests Dymond faces charges of first-degree falsifying business records first-degree offering a false instrument for filing unlawful imprisonment and official misconduct Patchogue Village officials became aware of the incident on March 15 and immediately contacted the Suffolk County Police Department Dymond was subsequently fired from his position with the village last month Anyone who believes they may have had a similar encounter is asked to call Suffolk Police’s Fifth Squad at 631.854,8541 2025 at 3:00 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Four people were taken to NYU Langone - Suffolk in East Patchogue after they were involved in a three-vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway on Saturday NY — Four people were taken to NYU Langone - Suffolk in East Patchogue after they were involved in a three-vehicle crash on Sunrise Highway on Saturday a 2004 Toyota sedan driven by a female driver that was traveling westbound slid on the wet roadway and crossed to the eastbound side of Sunrise Highway between exits 54 and 55 where it struck two other vehicles The vehicles included a 2013 Toyota pickup which was driven by a male driver and had one male passenger They received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries Hara bhara is green goat curry with garlic naan and basmati rice at Art of Spices in Patchogue The block of South Ocean Avenue just below Montauk Highway is turning into a culinary United Nations, featuring Karl Ehmer (German butcher), Lindo Mexico, Bird & Bao (creative Asian), Mazza Mediterranean (Afghan and Greek) and the new Art of Spices (Indian) it filled a distinct need as this corner of Long Island is sorely lacking in Indian cuisine owner Kundan Chauhan happened to be "wandering around Patchogue." "I made a wrong turn," he recalled I never expected to find an empty store in such a happening location." Chauhan promptly called the number on the "for lease" sign the owner of the property came down and "that day What he thought would be a six-month construction job stretched into a year but Chauhan had a stylish eatery with a tight menu of Indian classics from crowd pleasers like chicken tikka masala and aloo gobi (cauliflower and potato curry) to the Indo-Chinese specialties Manchurian cauliflower and hakka noodles to hara bhara goat a lush curry whose sauce gets its verdant hue from cilantro shrimp) and plenty of vegetarian dishes such as the legume-based tadka dal and dal makhani to baingan ka bharta (eggplant) Art of Spices serves two "thali" samplers vegetarian ($14.95) and nonvegetarian (($17.95) that include two curries plus rice and freshly made naan (tandoor-roasted flatbread) Art of Spices, 58 South Ocean Ave., Patchogue, 631-714-4084, artofspices.us the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts has once again scheduled “An Evening with John Cusack” — now set for Aug The event includes a screening of the beloved 1989 romantic comedy-drama “Say Anything,” followed by a live Q&A with Cusack A VIP package includes priority seating and a meet-and-greet with the 1980s heartthrob This marks the third attempt to bring Cusack to Patchogue. The theatre originally booked the event for October 2023, then rescheduled it for January 2024 — only for both appearances to be canceled theatre officials and ticket-holders are crossing their fingers that Lloyd Dobler finally shows up — boombox and all — channeling the iconic image of Cusack blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” outside Diane’s window In “Say Anything,” Cusack plays Dobler an endearing slacker who falls for class valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye) just after high school graduation the film became a cult favorite over the decades In 2002, Entertainment Weekly ranked it the greatest modern movie romance and placed it at No. 11 on its list of the 50 best high school films. In her new memoir, “Say Everything,” Skye revealed she slept with Cusack years after the movie’s release Cusack’s 2025 tour features similar screenings and Q&As across the country including stops in Louisville and Minneapolis Cusack’s latest on-screen performance is in “Fog of War,” a World War II espionage thriller released earlier this month Cusack during the 1980s was widely regarded as a charming offbeat romantic lead who captured the attention of teen and young adult audiences Tickets for his Patchogue event on Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. are $50–$211 (fees included). They are available for purchase in person at 71 East Main St. in Patchogue, by phone at 631.207.1313, or online here 2025 at 10:57 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Patchogue Village's Conservation Tree Committee will hold its annual Arbor Day Tree Planting and Celebration on Thursday NY — Patchogue Village's Conservation Tree Committee will hold its annual Arbor Day Tree Planting and Celebration on Thursday The tree planting event has been organized with Patchogue-Medford Youth and Community Services and the village's Department of Parks and Recreation The committee will plant a Liriodendron Tulipifera a fast-growing native hardwood prized for its distinctive tulip-shaped flowers It is one of the tallest eastern hardwoods and provides excellent shade and a critical habitat for pollinators and birds Patchogue Village has been awarded Tree City USA status in 1989 Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture in 1872 that a special day be set aside for planting of trees — Arbor Day which is now observed throughout the world The Arbor Day Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit dedicated to planting trees and promoting their benefits in communities and forests that need them most the organization has helped plant over 500 million trees across more than 60 countries the popular downtown Patchogue arcade that boasted the largest public collection of pinball machines in New York state All of the front windows are covered with brown paper and the business is now marked as “permanently closed” on Google. There is no written notice at the entrance. Additionally, all of the Pinball Long Island machines were removed weeks ago from pinballmap.com (The only remaining pinball machine in downtown Patchogue is the Led Zepellin (Pro) at Standard Rec according to the pinball machine mapping website) Greater Long Island has repeatedly attempted to contact owner Joshua Guskin for comment in recent days but has not yet received a response The closure comes two years after its opening and a year after the village granted approval for Pinball Long Island to build a bar inside the venue a move that owner Joshua Guskin said would enhance the social aspect of the arcade Guskin told Greater Long Island that the planned bar “will be unlike anything anyone’s ever seen in the Patchogue area” and would be “appreciated by many generations.” Pinball Long Island featured 100 vintage pinball machines spanning eight decades offering visitors an all-day play experience for $10 for children under 10 and $20 for adults Guskin noted that many patrons expressed a desire to enjoy drinks while playing which led him to pursue the addition of a bar A longtime pinball enthusiast and Patchogue resident Guskin opened Pinball Long Island in March 2023 garnering news media coverage from across metropolitan New York and luring visitors from across Long Island This is a developing story. Please check back with Greater Long Island Top photos: The interior of Pinball Long Island when it was in operation (Facebook) and its Main Street storefront on Tuesday (Credit: Brianna Harmon) Patchogue is grieving another devastating loss with the passing of Patti Seal who served 15 years as clerk of her hometown The beloved administrator’s death came just days after the village lost longtime trustee Joe Keyes Keyes had been named the grand marshal of Patchogue’s St Seal was first elected as a village trustee in 2004 before stepping into the role of clerk in 2005 a position she held until her retirement in 2020 She was awarded for her dedication to Patchogue when she was named New York state’s Clerk of the Year in 2018 The Village of Patchogue announced her passing in a statement on Facebook “Patti loved her ‘village family’ and worked tirelessly for the residents of Patchogue Village.” Seal’s commitment to public service was matched by her ability to bring people together In a 2018 interview with Greater Long Island emphasizing the importance of teamwork and community “I wanted that feeling of family [among the clerk’s office staffers] and being on the same team and helping each other out no matter what — and that’s exactly what happened,” she said Seal also spoke about her passion for helping others “I’m very good at talking people off the ledge I like to be able to diffuse a situation … and turn that person around to have them leave with a better experience That’s the most rewarding experience in the world,” she said in 2018 When she announced her plans to retire in June 2020 she said she looked forward to a new chapter hoping to continue assisting others in a different capacity “My plan is to get my real estate license not be as tied to the five days a week thing,” she said to be able to make a difference in someone’s life for whatever reason … To squashing a ticket over a mistake to making someone understand the new sewer project on the south end.” Seal’s friend Patti Kelly on Monday left a heartfelt message about Seal on Facebook She always said how blessed she was,” Kelly wrote “She was a dear friend who helped me through my darkest days She was proud to serve as our Village Clerk and did an amazing job Rest in Peace and thank you for all that you did to make our Village a better place.” funeral arrangements have not been announced for Seal After nearly five years of serving up breakfast and coffee creations in Patchogue, Rise & Grind: Kitchen & Coffee Bar is on the market known for his upbeat personality and creative menu is preparing to leave Long Island to be with family Shum assures customers that Rise & Grind will not be closing with plans in place for a seamless transition to new ownership Shum opened Rise & Grind in 2020 completely transforming the former Country Kitchen at 240 East Main Street into a go-to spot for breakfast lovers and signature lattes — like the fan-favorite Rainbow Cookie Latte Over the years, he built a loyal following, drawing breakfast fans to East Main Street while navigating challenges like COVID-19 lockdowns and the hiring crisis that followed The restaurant features a spacious dining area with seating for 100 guests inside and 50 more outdoors Jonathan Gordon "Defendants' callous disregard for the well-being of L.D. and A.D. resulted in years of terror at the hands of peers and staff," part of the lawsuit read. "Unfortunately, as the years wore on, L.D.'s experience at South Ocean Middle School became a living nightmare, which also negatively impacted A.D's experience at the school," part of the lawsuit read. Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts will host Black Violin: Full Circle Tour appearing Wednesday The Black Violin Full Circle Tour is where Grammy-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop's pulse This tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began—transformed and reimagined Each powerful performance invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys we're often drawn back to our roots with renewed purpose A "Full Circle Tour VIP Experience" package is available featuring premium seating Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday Black Violin has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals and building bridges in communities along the way Members Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste first met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale becoming classically trained on the violin and viola through their high school and college careers The CM Performing Arts Center has shared the first official look at production photos from its electrifying Main Stage run of GREASE. Get a first look at the production below! In celebration of Pride Week and Café Carlyle's 70th anniversary, Café Carlyle: PRIDE Edition brings together a lineup of bold, brilliant, and barrier-breaking artists for five nights of unforgettable performances from June 24 to June 28. The John W. Engeman Theater has announced the cast and creative team of SOUTH PACIFIC. Performances begin on Thursday, May 15, 2025, and run through Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Argyle Theatre has unveiled its 2025-2026 Main Stage season—featuring a soul-stirring, dance-filled, and family-friendly lineup of musical theatre hits. Learn more! function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy Chef Charles Drayton is no stranger to feeding the Patchogue community he has received high acclaim for taking good care of appetites across Long Island through his Patchogue-based Exquisite Catering Cuisine business “They asked me to have a place here to have my food on a regular basis instead of just for catering,” he said “After a year of negotiation with the previous business owner I was finally able to land a place.” Drayton opened ECC Eatery at 140 River Ave We’re here to listen to what they want “We add a little extra element to our meals Today we made a Belgian waffle with a blueberry and lemon mascarpone cream This afternoon’s mac and cheese special is with bacon & bourbon.” ECC Eatery is your new go-to neighborhood spot for a fresh modern twist on classic comfort food with an affordable menu without sacrificing quality It’s intended to be a great spot for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying lunch to fuel the afternoon ambiance offers a cozy and welcoming environment we’re still pumping out catering all over Greater Long Island as well as delivering healthy meals every Sunday and Monday through Exquisite Healthy Eats,” he said which offers plentiful breakfast and lunch options is managing to keep prices affordable with many choices around the $10 mark He’s entering his 25th year in the food industry most recently focusing on his catering business which serves clients ranging from corporate events to intimate private chef dinners in clients’ homes and even yachts “I go to someone’s home and we do three or more courses and I bring everything — the china We decorate the dining room table and we cook three or more courses,” Drayton explained “We’re introducing the community to having breakfast sandwiches We’re asking them to try something different,” he said since you can’t screw around with many Long Islanders’ bacon Running with his experience in healthy meals including a breakfast bowl and a grain bowl He’s currently running a Lent special providing a bevy of non-meat menu options on Fridays “You choose your grain of complex carbohydrates we’re adding in a crispy tofu and pulled mushrooms,” he explained we have the Oh Yeah sandwich which has roasted zucchini specialties include a cheddar jack bacon jam burger or a garlic parmesan steak sandwich and so far is doing a robust take-out business he also does restaurant and bar consulting “We help bars and restaurants increase their profit margins I help them recreate the menus and add some creativity to some of their bland menus,” he said Drayton also airs his own radio show every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m While topics naturally always include food you either pass on an increase to the consumer or you eat some loss Patchogue is the best place for young professionals in Suffolk County according to Niche.com’s newly released 2025 rankings The village earned an A+ grade in the young professionals category Niche evaluated Suffolk communities based on such key factors as employment The other nine communities in the county’s top 10 each earned an A grade for young professionals Grade for young professionals: A+Overall Niche grade: BHighlights: Vibrant nightlife Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: A+Highlights: Historic harbor village with shops restaurants and convenient ferry access to Connecticut Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: A-Highlights: Affordable housing and a mix of suburban and commercial areas Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: AHighlights: Quaint harbor hamlet near Huntington with scenic views and upscale eateries Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: AHighlights: Picturesque and historic Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: B+Highlights: Serene riverside setting Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: AHighlights: Walkable village with theater Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: A-Highlights: East End hamlet known for its beauty art galleries and access to the Hamptons lifestyle Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: A+Highlights: Family-friendly neighborhood with access to Huntington and excellent public schools Grade for young professionals: AOverall Niche grade: A-Highlights: Home to Smith Haven Mall and central to shopping Longtime Patchogue Village Trustee Joe Keyes who was set to be the grand marshal in the community’s St A member of the board of trustees since 2009 had also served as Patchogue‘s Commissioner of Parks and Recreation since 2015 spearheading many of the village’s ambitious improvement projects and significantly elevating the quality of life for many of its residents Keyes was also influential in establishing the Protecting the Environment in Patchogue (PEP) Committee in 2015 he helped Patchogue become the first community in New York to create a ban of single-use plastic bags PEP also successfully pushed for a ban on the use of Styrofoam food containers as well as the installation of recycling bins in village parks and the implementation of the Green Business Program which helps Patchogue businesses use sustainable products He was 100% in his honesty and in his dedication to the village and his dedication to his family,” said Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri Keyes had suffered a heart attack a week ago and while at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk (formerly Long Island Community Hospital) in Patchogue His death came just weeks after he was honored at Patchogue’s annual Passing of the Sash ceremony 23 celebration at James Joyce Pub & Restaurant Keyes was cheered by his peers and received the grand marshal sash “Joe was not only a dedicated public servant but also one of the kindest and most compassionate individuals,” read a statement released by the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce “His commitment to our community was unwavering and tireless service will be deeply missed but his impact will forever be felt in our village,” the chamber added Keyes graduated from Bellport High School in 1969 He moved to Patchogue in 1976 after marrying his wife He later retired from the Long Island Rail Road Keyes was deeply involved in community activities coaching in the PYAA Little League for 15 years during the1980s and 1990s He also served as chairperson of the Patchogue Village Community Development Agency from 2007 to 2009 before being appointed to the Village Board of Trustees in 2009 During his tenure as parks and recreation commissioner Keyes oversaw numerous improvements to village parks including the installation of artificial turf fields for Little League upgrades to Shorefront Park’s living shoreline improvements to Belzak Park and Father Tortora Park Keyes was also instrumental in developing the popular splash pad that opened last year at the Patchogue Beach Club “If you take a look at what’s happened down in our parks over the last 10 years it’s remarkable,” Pontieri said Keyes helped implement clean energy legislation for the village which led to the purchase of electric vehicles for the municipal fleet “There was nothing that came by him that was a good idea that he wouldn’t try to make happen,” Pontieri said Keyes was known widely for his dedication to village projects “He was somebody that I could count on,” Pontieri said but I always knew I could rely on him for an opinion and insight.” who had known Keyes since the 1980s when their sons played Little League baseball together He was just a wonderful man,” Pontieri said Visitation services for Keyes are Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m [corrected from an earlier report] and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m on Saturday at First Baptist Church of Patchogue Pontieri said the village will not immediately fill Keyes’ vacancy on the board of trustees they plan to take time to make a “suitable appointment,” looking first to members of village planning boards and zoning boards “Those people that have experience and understand who we are as a community And that only happens by being involved,” Pontieri said noting the appointment process is expected to take several weeks Patrick’s Day parade will go on as planned with Keyes’ family members walking in his honor and memory It’s something that he was so thrilled about doing,” Pontieri said Top photos: The feature photo is GLI file photo The inset is a Village of Patchogue Facebook photo of Joe Keyes The Patchogue Village Board has just paved the way for a hotel with rooftop dining to be built in the village The board on Tuesday night approved a crucial zoning change at 138 West Avenue — the site of the proposed hotel — from an industrial district to a hotel district The move will now see the Tempo by Hilton project proceed to the Planning Board so there are more steps in the process before shovels go in the ground have been looking to build at the former Bowl Long Island property just north of the National Park Service’s Watch Hill ferry terminal The bowling alley closed in August 2020 and the property owners, the Eggert family, later decided to sell the waterfront property in late 2021. [Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters and we’ll keep you posted.] one of the hotel project’s strongest advocates sees the development as key to establishing Patchogue as a premier destination on Long Island’s South Shore “How do we become something different than what we are How do we become a destination?” Pontieri previously said The Suffolk County Planning Commission has reviewed the project’s plans and last week recommended the village move forward with the zone change The Village Board had initially denied a change of zone on July 8. From there, the developers went back to the drawing board and modified their initial plans reducing the building from six stories to five and trimming the number of proposed hotel rooms from 116 to to 96 The developers also altered plans for the proposed rooftop restaurant The hotel developers also plan to collaborate with the neighboring ferry terminal to create a public park in the space between the properties with some residents viewing it as an economic boost and others expressing concerns about potential congestion in the downtown area Check back with greaterlongisland.com for developments on this project Scroll down for more previously supplied renderings from the developer’s architect a beloved downtown Patchogue staple for over 13 years is closing its brick-and-mortar storefront on East Main Street Owner Paige Pfeifer announced the decision in a heartfelt Facebook post reflecting on the shop’s history and the connections built there over the years In its place comes a wellness shop called Main Street Apothecary “It has taken me quite some time to come to this decision but it is with mixed emotions I announce that we are moving out of our beloved brick-and-mortar storefront,” Pfeifer wrote “I truly cherish serving my community and sharing my love of cheese and wine.” The Cheese Patch first opened in a small space on North Ocean Avenue sharing the storefront with a retail boutique before moving to its East Main Street location a decade ago it became a go-to destination for cheese lovers offering curated selections of artisan cheeses Customers and community members responded to the news with an outpouring of support “Awwww such great times at The Cheese Patch! we will miss you,” wrote Melissa Peretti-B Good you are the sweetest person we have met and a wonderful owner Wish you much joy in your new journey.” Pfeifer described the closing as “one of the hardest decisions” she’s made in her life and sharing my love of cheese and wine,” she said “I could not be more grateful for al of the loving wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting The support I’ve had from my hometown and communities beyond are the friendships I’ve made I know will last a lifetime!” she added Pfeifer assured customers that The Cheese Patch will continue online She also encouraged visitors to stop by The French Picnic LONG ISLAND, NY — A teenager has been arrested in connection with robbing five delivery drivers — four apparently while waving what appeared to be a handgun — since February whose identity was withheld due to his age making food delivery orders to various locations in Bellport and Shirley on five separate occasions between Feb and once the driver arrived at the addresses the teen then swiped cash and cell phones before making a break for it The teen waved what appeared to be a handgun during four of the robberies After an investigation by detectives from the 5th Squad in Patchogue the teen was arrested at a location in Bellport on Tuesday at around 2:35 p.m. and he is being charged with first-degree robbery for the following incidents: He is also being charged with second-degree robbery in connection with a delivery driver who was robbed while delivering to a home on Michigan Avenue in North Bellport on Sunday at around 8:25 p.m The string of robberies were first reported by Patch the teen is being charged with third-degree grand larceny for stealing a motor vehicle from a shopping center on Patchogue-Yaphank Road on February 2 at around 8:40 a.m The tee is being held overnight at the 5th Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Wednesday Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding any of these incidents to contact them at 631-854-8552 A fast-growing halal food chain is looking to bring its bold flavors to downtown Patchogue a New York-based franchise known for its platters seeks approval from the Patchogue Village Planning Board to open a location at 57 South Ocean Avenue — the former home of Hot Bagels Plus A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Tuesday night at the board’s regular meeting “It’s a good fit,” said Mayor Paul Pontieri noting the rising popularity of halal cuisine and the importance of filling the empty storefront with a business that can serve the community “We’re looking forward to seeing that space active again.” The location would mark Halal Munchies’ sixth on Long Island The chain launched in 2020 and now boasts over 50 locations but there are out-of-state locations in Connecticut Patchogue’s existing Middle Eastern-style restaurant whereas Halal Munchies would focus on takeout service The South Ocean Avenue storefront had housed a bagel shop for more than three decades before Hot Bagels Plus shuttered in March last year News 12 New YorkDownload the AppWhere to WatchTaxing Long IslandHouse fire erupts in PatchoguePolice say they received a call around 8:40 p.m. on Barton Avenue.News 12 Staff He had served on the village board since 2009 was the chair of the Community Development Agency for two years He was the village's commissioner of Parks and Recreation and was set to lead the line of march at the village's annual parade on March 23 "As the commissioner of Parks and Recreation he put his heart and soul into every project he was involved in," village officials said in a statement on Facebook "He served as liaison to the Protecting the Environment in Patchogue Committee and was responsible for banning plastic bags here in the village before it became state-wide." "He created a Green Fleet policy that led to the purchase of several electric vehicles and the installation of charging stations at Village Hall," the statement read "His contributions and input were essential to the Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency project." "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family as this most difficult time," the statement concluded Greater Patchogue Village Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Silvana Aloisio said she was deeply saddened by Keyes' death and with "heartfelt regret" shared his passing in an email to the business community "Joe was not only a dedicated public servant but also one of the kindest and most compassionate individuals," she said "His commitment to our community was unwavering serving as Commissioner of the village’s Parks and Recreation Department and liaison to Protecting the Environment in the Patchogue Community." but his impact will forever be felt in our village," she said "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s beloved wife and the entire Keyes family during this difficult time." People who knew Keyes took to social media expressing their sadness One poster said he would be "greatly missed." A classmate from Bellport High School Class of 1969 said others are "so incredibly saddened" to learn of his death Joe was vice president of our senior class "His school spirit continued as he and Linda joined in when the Class of 69 gathered to celebrate milestone events." "Our deepest sympathy to Linda and family," the post continued "Joe will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on forever." Yet another poster wrote on Keyes' Facebook page about being "heartbroken," and then added a reference to an old Irish prayer may God hold you in the palm of his hand." Keyes will be waked Thursday at the Ruland Funeral Home in Patchogue from 7 to 9 p.m His funeral will take place Saturday at 10 a.m It won’t be long now before folks will be able to shuffle off to a new Buffalo Wild Wings Go in downtown Patchogue The restaurant has installed its permanent business sign at 125 E along with a large vinyl placard that hangs below it and promises “COMING SOON.” The decor inside — including a new counter and cooking appliances inside a finished kitchen — seems to indicate that opening day is around the corner which will be Long Island’s second Buffalo Wild Wings Go will operate in a 1,200-square-foot space on the first floor of a building formerly occupied by Roe Agency Renovations included the establishment of a second-floor apartment accessible by a staircase outside the building Long Island’s first Buffalo Wild Wings GO takeout concept opened earlier this year in Shirley The chain opened its first-ever GO location in 2020 as well as large-screen televisions for guests to watch while they wait on their orders Buffalo Wild Wings has larger restaurants in Miller Place Bay Shore and Farmingdale in Suffolk County as well as eateries in Hicksville and Westbury in Nassau County Patchogue’s “GO” version will employ six workers and be open from 11 a.m Greater Long Island reached out to Buffalo Wild Wings’ corporate office for comment but did not hear back from the company by press time Top photo: The new Buffalo Wild Wings GO set to open in Patchogue Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent Donna Jones announced her retirement Tuesday ending a 31-year career in public education and a six-year stint leading one of Suffolk County’s largest school districts according to a letter she sent to district families on Tuesday The announcement comes with a year remaining on her current contract “While I still have another year on my contract I believe now is an opportune time to step down explore new opportunities and spend more time with my family and friends,” Jones wrote Jones oversaw significant improvements in the district’s academic standing eight of the district’s eleven schools were designated as Schools in Need of Improvement only one school maintains that designation The superintendent also led the district through several challenges while maintaining programs despite state aid fluctuations the district secured voter approval for a major bond referendum for facilities improvements Jones also has navigated the district through recent social media challenges 30 to deactivate the district’s X (formerly Twitter) account following a stream of hostile comments directed at her and district staff The board cited platform changes that prevented the removal of disruptive content as violating district policy Jones faced significant community backlash after 19 bullets were discovered in a foil packet at one of the high school’s vestibule entrances Parents criticized the administration’s handling of the incident particularly the timing of the notification to the school community with some calling for her removal through a petition I can proudly proclaim that we as a district and I as a superintendent never took my eyes off of the care and concern for our children,” Jones wrote in her letter to the district community Jones joined Patchogue-Medford in 2010 and served in various administrative roles before being appointed nine years later as superintendent of the district which serves 7,500 students across 11 schools Patchogue-Medford school board President Marc Negrin has not yet replied to a request for comment from Greater Long Island Jones also offered guidance for the district’s future leadership we are living through very challenging times that have seemed too often as though society at large has lost their moral compass respect and care for humanity,” Jones said “If I may offer one humble suggestion as I pass this prestigious mantle it would be that you continue to move this district forward by pledging your commitment to caring deeply for our students believing that all students can learn regardless of race socio-economic status or developmental disabilities and that you imbue passion and purpose when times are difficult to remind us of why we do this challenging work every single day.” Jones added that she plans to focus her remaining months on preparing the 2025-26 school budget and ensuring a seamless transition for her successor “The Patchogue-Medford School District has been my professional home for the past 15 years,” Jones wrote “This district has given me experiences and opportunities that I will forever cherish.” Top photo: Patchogue-Medford Superintendent Donna Jones has announced her retirement and submitted her resignation to the board of education (Facebook) 2025 at 5:37 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A pair of Long Island parents allege their children were bullied with one being photographed undressed while using the bathroom NY — A Long Island couple says their children were bullied — including one being photographed while using the bathroom with an image shared on Snapchat — while the Patchogue-Medford School District took little to no action was subject to gender-based discrimination in what became "a living nightmare," according to the lawsuit The suit said that the boy was subjected to "harassment and a hostile educational environment," and that officials failed "to prevent and/or appropriately resolve and remedy instances of unlawful discrimination; and by exhibiting deliberate indifference to the risk that he would be subjected to unlawful discrimination and a hostile educational environment." Named in the lawsuit were the Patchogue-Medford School District Assistant Principal Maria Del Pilar Erdman Through a representative from the public relations firm district officials said they do not comment "on individual student matters or pending litigation." ended up leaving her job as a result of the incidents Patch is not identifying the parents so as to protect the identity of the minor Patch has reached out to the family's attorney The boy started being bullied in 5th grade at South Ocean Middle School and has been subjected to treatment such as being assaulted and treated like "an outcast," according to the lawsuit One bully also started a rumor that the boy was "touching himself" in the bathroom — he was called a name and ridiculed — and in another incident the boy was reprimanded after he defended himself from the bullies the parents claim they filed complaints and school district officials took "little to no steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing in this increasingly hostile environment" and law enforcement was not involved when it should have been and situations that should have involved the police the district placed the onus of protecting [the boy] on his family," the lawsuit states adding that the boy "was forced to isolate himself to avoid bullying." "Day by day," the parents "bore witness to the degradation of their child’s once bright and hopeful spirit," the lawsuit states Some of the incidents included being struck with a book and becoming the subject of a series of bullying TikTok videos from December 2023 to February 2024 avoiding the school bus and after-school activities as well as heightened anxiety and depression; he was brought to medical professionals and threatened self-harm He was eventually left back due to his attendance record When his counselor intervened out of concern for his mental health the medical professional was told by Principal Piciullo that the boy was not subject to bullying but "a series of conflicts," according to the lawsuit The boy's sister was also bullied by a "female aggressor" who made a harassing phone call to her and in another instance in which she was the subject of a bullying video that claimed "everyone hated her," the lawsuit states She was also subjected to cruel treatment such as being invited to lunch by other girls and when she sought help for an anxiety attack at the nurse's office school officials would not pick up the school's phone when the mother called until after she cloaked her number with the privacy setting on her cellphone The mother was "subsequently admonished" over an off-school incident at a non-school event where her children were verbally attacked by one of the bullies and others Piciullo and a representative of human resources reportedly "chastised" her and advised her that she was to represent the interest of the school district before the well-being of her family and her children’s physical and mental well-being and she was issued a letter of reprimand that she believes was the reason why she lost a promotion to a position for which she was the only in-house applicant "It is too little too late for [the children] and discrimination due to Patchogue-Medford School District’s failure to protect [the children] from cruel and relentless bullying and discrimination from peers and school staff," the lawsuit states Editor’s note: The Patchogue Village Board did not vote on the zoning change itself The vote was to close the public hearing on the zoning change and refer the plans to the Suffolk County Planning Commission for a recommendation The Patchogue Village Board is expected to vote tonight on a zoning change that could allow a $40 million hotel to be built on the site of a former bowling alley are seeking to rezone the riverfront property at 138 West Ave from E-Industrial District to Hotel District The proposed project would transform the former Bowl Long Island site into a Tempo by Hilton hotel featuring event spaces and a rooftop restaurant and bar with outdoor seating The initial plan sparked significant public debate with residents packing Village Hall during a May public hearing to voice their opinions on the project with some residents seeing it as an economic boost and others worried about potential congestion in the downtown area The revised plans now call for a five-story structure instead of the original six according to James Manicone of JM2 Architecture The number of hotel rooms has also been reduced from 116 to 96 and the number of apartments from 16 to 13 believes it is essential to solidify Patchogue’s reputation as a premier destination on Long Island’s South Shore The Planning Board has already recommended the zoning change after a public hearing earlier this year “How do we become something different than what we are How do we become a destination?” Pontieri said The property’s proximity to Patchogue’s train station (across the street) and the Fire Island National Seashore’s Watch Hill ferry terminal (next door) makes it this would be the only hotel in the South Shore village The Patchogue Village meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 14 Baker Street. Click here for the full agenda ambitious travelers,” Tempo by Hilton is a new lifestyle brand with one property open in Manhattan’s Times Square Others locations are coming soon in Raleigh Hilton pitches the new brand to investors like this: “Tempo by Hilton is a stylish and contemporary lifestyle hotel brand dedicated to exceeding the expectations of the ambitious class of discerning traveler — the modern achiever Tempo offers dynamic public space including an open lobby concept with dedicated spaces to relax and work such as the brand’s signature coffee fuel bar a casual breakfast café and an inviting bar experience Each Tempo will include well-being offerings state-of-the-art fitness facilities and programs as well as flexible meeting and working spaces.” Top: Rendering of the proposed Hilton hotel in downtown Patchogue. (Courtesy: JM2 Architecture) 2025 at 5:09 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A brick was thrown through the window of Arooga's in Patchogue overnight on Friday NY — A brick was thrown through the window of Arooga's in Patchogue overnight on Friday Detectives from the 5th Squad in Patchogue were called to the investigate at the Main Street restaurant at around 8:21 a.m. They are investigating the vandalism as criminal mischief