HUNTINGTON, NY – April 17, 2026
Huntington Matters continues its weekly YouTube Live series 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 covers local events, community discussions, public safety topics, and resources for residents from Cold Spring Harbor to Commack, Asharoken to Melville, and every hamlet in between.
This week includes critical safety updates and conversations residents should not ignore.
👇 Watch the full episode below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Community Moments That Reflect Huntington
This week’s episode opened with one of those genuine, unscripted moments that just happens when we’re together. It quickly turned into laughter and connection, and honestly, those are the moments that longtime followers of Huntington Matters have come to expect from us.
For more than a decade, the platform has been built on real relationships and authentic conversations. Those small moments, often unplanned, continue to resonate because they reflect what makes this community different. Neighbors showing up for each other in real ways.
Local Events and Community Highlights
Spring has officially arrived in Huntington, and the calendar is filling up quickly.
The Hope and Healing sculpture was recently blessed, creating a space for reflection and support within the community. The project, years in the making, represents a collaborative effort by the Town of Huntington Opioid Task Force and continues to draw visitors seeking a place to pause and reflect.
Downtown Huntington also saw a busy week, including Ben and Jerry’s Free Cone Day, where donations supported the Tri CYA’s programs, and a ribbon cutting for Fortunoff Backyard Store, now located in the former Sam Ash building. The new showroom brings a high-end outdoor furniture destination back into a familiar local space.
Looking ahead, the Earth Day celebration at West Hills County Park will bring together families, environmental groups, and local organizations for a day of education and activities. Residents are encouraged to check the Huntington Matters Community Calendar for additional Earth Day events happening across town.
Another meaningful event this weekend is the Tri Village Little League field dedication, honoring Corey Phelan, a young Huntington resident whose legacy continues to impact the community.
The Huntington Historical Society Liberty 250 bus tour, following George Washington’s 1790 route through Huntington, has already sold out. It is a reminder to residents to check the calendar frequently and secure tickets early for high-demand events.
The 16th Annual Huntington Station Spring Cleanup is also approaching, bringing together volunteers to help clean and beautify the community. The event continues to be a strong example of neighbors working together and taking pride in their shared spaces. Sign up to volunteer with us!
As always, there are many more events happening across the Town of Huntington. Residents are encouraged to visit the Community Calendar for a full list of upcoming activities and to submit their own events.
Development Update: Melville Town Center Project Moves Forward
Melville Crossing, the proposed mixed-use development at 75 Maxess Road in Melville has received Town Board approval in a 4 to 1 vote.
The project will redevelop a large office and industrial site into a 16.2-acre mixed-use residential and commercial space within the Melville Town Center. While there has been discussion and differing opinions from residents and officials, the approval marks the first of what may be several similar proposals in the area.
Residents can review the full Town Board meeting for detailed discussion and context behind the decision.
Greenlawn Broadway Improvements Progress
A well-attended public meeting highlighted the Broadway improvements project in Greenlawn, a long-anticipated effort focused on pedestrian and traffic safety.
The Town of Huntington is moving forward with traffic calming measures, including new crosswalk alignments, flashing pedestrian signals, adjusted parking layouts, and road striping designed to naturally slow traffic.
The project is on a tight timeline and reflects decades of advocacy by the Greenlawn Civic Association. Once complete, these improvements are expected to make the area safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
Community Awareness: Daycare Investigation in Northport
A serious situation is unfolding in Northport involving The Learning Experience Daycare on Fort Salonga Road.
According to reports, Suffolk County Police Department Special Victims Unit detectives are investigating allegations that a child may have been abused by a daycare worker at that location. No individuals have been publicly identified and the investigation remains ongoing.
State records from the New York Office of Children and Family Services show the center has multiple substantiated violations that were not corrected, including improper discipline practices such as corporal punishment and incidents where staff actions were found to frighten or humiliate a child. There were also failures to report suspected abuse and concerns about staff qualifications.
These findings are specific to the Northport location and not other centers operated by the company.
Residents are encouraged to remain informed, ask questions, and advocate for their children.
Neighborhood Watch: Dog Park Incident Update
The investigation into the West Hills County Park dog stabbing incident remains ongoing.
The dog, Sunny, who had been in the process of being adopted by a local family, passed away from her injuries shortly after the incident. The case has been referred to the Suffolk County SPCA and the Suffolk County District Attorney for review.
As of now, no arrests have been made. Huntington Matters will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
E-Bike Safety: What Residents Need to Know
Recent e-bike accidents involving teenagers have raised serious concerns across the community.
One incident in Greenlawn and another along Jericho Turnpike left a young rider critically injured.
Key Suffolk County rules include:
- Riders must be at least 16 years old
- Helmets are required for all riders
- E-bikes are only permitted on roads with speed limits of 30 mph or less
- Higher-speed e-bikes may not be permitted
These devices are significantly more powerful than traditional bicycles, and many riders underestimate the speed and control required.
Families are encouraged to have direct conversations about safety and usage.
Neighborhood Watch: Theft Alert in East Northport
A recent incident in East Northport involved the theft of an ATV and multiple dirt bikes from a residential property.
Surveillance images show individuals entering the property and removing the vehicles. Residents who recognize the individuals or vehicles are encouraged to contact Suffolk County Police Department at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Residents are advised to meet buyers in neutral locations and avoid showing how vehicles are stored at their homes.
Facebook Nicknames Are Getting Out of Hand
Huntington Matters addressed concerns around Facebook’s nickname feature, which allows anonymous posting within groups.
While intended to encourage participation, it has also led to misuse. Huntington Matters Community Forum Administrators are monitoring activity closely and exploring options to limit or remove the feature if possible.
Respectful communication is expected regardless of how a comment is posted.
Emergency Preparedness Reminder
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Town of Huntington emergency alerts and register for Smart911, making sure their information is current.
Providing accurate information can help first responders act quickly and effectively during emergencies.
Town of Huntington Emergency Preparedness Handbook.
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 Facebook, 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 Community Calendar approximately three months after the event date, so some older links may no longer be active.
