Episode 2 Recap: March 20, 2026
Huntington Matters has launched a new weekly series on TikTok Live to keep residents informed about what’s happening across the Town of Huntington, New York.
Hosted by June Margolin, Dana Richter, and Diane Schaber, the Huntington Matters Weekly Update highlights local events, community discussions, safety tips, and resources for residents from Cold Spring Harbor to Commack, Asharoken to Melville, and every hamlet in between.
👇 Watch the full episode below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
A Huge Win for Huntington Students
This week kicked off with an inspiring moment for the Huntington community.
A team of Huntington High School students raised an incredible $242,000 for blood cancer patient care, competing against 30 teams to win the Blood Cancer United 2026 Long Island Student Visionaries of the Year.
The All Stars United team of 16 local students led by Ava Bencivenga and Violet Palacios more than doubled their original goal – made possible by support from neighbors, families, and local sponsors across Huntington. Fundraising Gala Photo Stories.
Beyond the numbers, the impact is deeply personal: the funds go directly toward helping patients and families navigate the challenges of blood cancer.
Melville Crossing: A Community Weighs In
One of the most talked-about topics this week was the proposed Melville Crossing development at 75 Maxess Road, which would bring approximately 400 residential units and more than 37,000 square feet of retail space to the area.
Following a three-hour public hearing Live Streamed to YouTube, residents voiced a wide range of perspectives – from concerns about environmental impact and water quality to the need for more housing options for young professionals.
A powerful moment came from community members sharing personal stories, including families whose adult children have had to leave Long Island due to the high cost of living.
Town officials are now reviewing feedback and will work with developers to adjust the proposal before moving forward. Residents can still submit comments and questions as part of the process. Read an in-depth summary of the meeting: http://huntingtonmatters.com/melville-crossing-public-hearing-draws-strong-reactions-on-water-schools-and-taxes/
What’s Happening Around Huntington
Diane Schaber shared highlights from the Huntington Matters Community Calendar, where dozens of events are already listed for the week ahead.
Recent happenings included a beekeeping class at Manor Farm, which drew strong interest from new hobbyists, and continued buzz from Huntington Art Week, which brought a variety of creative events to the community.
Families can look forward to upcoming programs like “All Paws on Deck” at the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, a hands-on event featuring crafts, activities, and even adoptable cats.
Other events this week include the Town of Huntington Earth Day Poster Contest – Due April 1st, Cookies & Crafts with Suffolk County Police at Walt Whitman Shops, a healthcare career workshop hosted by Northwell, and a Revolutionary War talk with historian Jeff Richmond as part of the Liberty 250 series.
Residents can find full details, directions, and links to register for all events on the Huntington Matters Community Calendar – and are encouraged to submit their own events to be included.
Please note: Events are removed from the Huntington Matters Community Calendar approximately three months after their date, so some older links may no longer be active.
Community Buzz: What Neighbors Are Talking About
Over in the Huntington Matters Community Forum, conversations continue to reflect what residents are seeing and experiencing day-to-day.
This week, discussions focused on the ongoing Huntington Station sewer project, which, while still in progress, is expected to play a major role in revitalizing the area and enabling future development.
Residents also shared updates and concerns about the Oakwood Road railroad crossing, which is undergoing repairs, and broader infrastructure challenges across town.
Health & Safety: What You Need to Know
With reports of Bird flu cases in the area, residents were urged to avoid contact with sick or deceased birds and to keep pets away from affected areas.
Local veterinarian Dr. Lindsay Wisher of Dix Hills Animal Hospital in Huntington shared guidance, noting that while risk to humans and dogs is low, caution is still important – especially for pet owners walking in parks or near water.
The team also issued a reminder about the rise in scam texts and fraudulent messages, encouraging residents to avoid clicking suspicious links and to always verify information directly through official sources.
Reporting Suspicious Behavior and Crime Tips to Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct:
- 911 for emergencies
- Crime Stoppers: 1-800-220-TIPS
- Anonymous tips use the P3 Tips website
Anonymous tips can be also be submitted to Huntington Matters at info@huntingtonmatters.com and they will be passed along to the second precinct.
Community Spotlight: Giving Back Locally
This week’s charity spotlight featured the Junior Welfare League of Huntington and Birthday Wishes of Long Island, two organizations working to support children and families in need.
From assembling birthday duffel bags for homeless children to providing joyful experiences for families facing hardship, these efforts highlight the impact of neighbors helping neighbors.
Residents are encouraged to learn more, donate, or volunteer to support their work.
Stay Connected with Huntington Matters
For more than 11 years, Huntington Matters has helped connect neighbors across the Town of Huntington.
👉 Visit HuntingtonMatters.com to explore the Community Calendar, local news in The Common Thread magazine, and business directory
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the Weekly Update Podcast
👉 Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
👉 Follow Huntington Matters on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
👉 Join the Huntington Matters Community Forum Facebook group if you live, work, or grew up in Huntington!
Know about an event, issue, or local story we should cover next week?
Let us know in the comments or by email – Huntington Matters is built by neighbors helping neighbors.
