HUNTINGTON, NY – April 3, 2026
Huntington Matters has launched a new weekly series on YouTube 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. Scroll down for recap.
A Community on Alert: Help Locate Missing Resident
This week’s update opened with an urgent call for help from the community.
Suffolk County Police are asking for assistance in locating Justin Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Huntington resident who was reported missing after last being seen near Breezy Park in Huntington Station.
According to updates shared by family members, Justin may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time he disappeared. Residents are encouraged to stay alert and report any information to Suffolk County Police.
Easter Weekend Across Huntington: Egg Hunts & Family Events
With Easter weekend here, Huntington is packed with events for families across town.
From the Town of Huntington’s Easter Egg Hunt at Elwood Park to events at local farms, churches, and community organizations, there are eight or more egg hunts happening this weekend alone, including options for younger children and sensory-friendly experiences.
There are also events like Northport’s Shop & Hop and even a “Leftovers Egg Hunt” happening after the holiday.
And that’s just a small sample. There are many more events happening across the Town of Huntington this week. Be sure to check the Huntington Matters Community Calendar for the full list.
Huntington Station DRI Meeting & SCPD 2nd Precinct Meeting (April 7)
Two important community meetings are happening on April 7, and both are worth attending.
The Huntington Station Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Streetscape Meeting will take place at the Huntington Community First Aid Squad at 6:00pm. This builds on last week’s episode where we discussed the DRI plans in detail, including proposed improvements like sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, and public spaces.
Later that evening, the Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Community Meeting will be held at 7:00pm at the South Huntington Public Library. Residents can speak directly with officers, ask questions, and stay informed about local safety concerns.
Neighborhood Watch: Scam Alert Impacting Local Businesses
This week’s Neighborhood Watch segment highlighted a scam affecting small businesses across Long Island.
A “short change” scammer has been targeting local delis and shops, using distraction and sleight-of-hand tactics to confuse cashiers and walk away with cash.
Local businesses are encouraged to:
- Keep bills visible until transactions are complete
- Count change back clearly
- Train staff on common scam tactics
Business owners should report any similar incidents to the Suffolk County Police Department immediately. If you recognize this individual, call 1-800-220-TIPS. And if this has happened to you, do not feel embarrassed. This is happening across Long Island and is designed to trick even experienced employees.
Organ Donation Awareness & Local Impact
April is Organ Donation Awareness Month, and the Town of Huntington marked the occasion with a flag-raising ceremony and community stories that left a lasting impression.
Residents heard directly from organ recipients and donors, including local town employees whose lives were saved through transplantation.
One organ donor can save up to eight lives and help many more through tissue donation. It was a powerful reminder of how one decision can impact an entire community.
Let’s Talk Huntington: Building Community Conversations
Councilwoman Jen Hebert’s “Let’s Talk, Huntington” event brought residents together for an open, roundtable-style conversation about local issues.
The goal is to make this a monthly series, rotating across different areas of Huntington. Huntington Matters will continue to share upcoming dates through the Community Calendar so residents can participate.
More Events, Fundraisers & Community Highlights
Beyond Easter weekend, there is no shortage of ways to get involved across Huntington.
Highlights this week include:
- Paws For Our Heroes – A fundraiser supporting Paws of War, helping provide service dogs to veterans
- Free art exhibits at the Heckscher Museum of Art and Moksha Café
- Creative community gatherings like Stitch n Bitch – the Nautilus Roasting fiber arts meetup
- The upcoming HSLQ & Huntington Matters Huntington Station Spring Cleanup on May 3rd
There are many more events happening throughout the week, so be sure to check the Community Calendar for the full list.
Emergency Preparedness: A Real-Life Lesson
This week’s preparedness tip came from real experience.
After June experienced a home flooding incident, an important lesson emerged. When water damage happens, stop the source of the water, document everything, and call professionals immediately. Do not rush to clean it up before insurance guidance, as hidden moisture can cause serious long-term damage.
One preventative tip shared by 1-800 Water Damage remediation experts is especially helpful for homeowners. When finishing lower levels of your home, install sheetrock and insulation approximately two inches above the floor, and use base moulding to cover the gap. This allows water to pass underneath without soaking into walls, which can prevent widespread and costly damage.
Additional measures like water sensors and automatic shut-off systems can also help protect your home.
Charity Spotlight: Helping Hand Rescue Mission
This week’s spotlight featured Helping Hand Rescue Mission, which supports over 1,000 local families each month with food, clothing, and essential supplies.
Their work goes far beyond a traditional food pantry. They provide fresh produce, meat, dairy, household essentials, and ongoing support for families in crisis. Programs like “Baby Blessings” distribute diapers and supplies to families with young children, while seasonal efforts include hundreds of Easter baskets for local kids.
What stands out this time of year is how different parts of the community come together. Organizations like the Jewish Nutrition Network regularly partner with Helping Hand to provide large-scale food donations, showing how neighbors of different faiths support one another across Huntington.
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, read The Common Thread, and discover local businesses in our Directory.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Instagram and TikTok. If you live, work or grew up in the Town of Huntington, join 52K of your neighbors in Huntington Matters Community Forum to stay informed and be part of what’s happening in our town.
Events are removed from the calendar approximately three months after the event date, so some older links may no longer be active.
Editor’s Note:
Beginning this week, the Huntington Matters Weekly Update is now live streamed on YouTube instead of TikTok. This week’s featured image captures the moment we made that call after TikTok Live Studio caused a little chaos behind the scenes!
