HUNTINGTON, NY – July 31, 2026
Unexpected visitors in Huntington Bay, a major development proposal returning to the Planning Board, and a groundbreaking Suffolk County investigation all led to important conversations this week. We also looked ahead to another busy week of community events and revisited how neighbors continue helping neighbors in ways both big and small.
Huntington Matters continues its weekly YouTube Live podcast series to keep residents informed about what’s happening across the Town of Huntington, from local planning issues to conversations taking place in Huntington Matters Community Forum.
Hosted by June Margolin, Dana Richter, and Diane Schaber, the Weekly Update connects residents from Cold Spring Harbor to Commack, Asharoken to Melville, and everywhere in between.
This week’s episode also featured farmers markets, National Night Out, volunteer opportunities, the Northport Burying Ground cleanup, free Narcan training, the weekly weather forecast, and our “What Do You Think?” question:
What is the weirdest sentimental item you’ve kept?
👇 Watch the full episode below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
What’s Happening Around Huntington
This week, Diane highlighted another busy lineup of events from the Huntington Matters Community Calendar.
The weekend begins with the Northport and Huntington Farmers Markets, along with the Long Island Car Enthusiasts Food and Essential Goods Drive benefiting Helping Hand Rescue Mission.
National Night Out returns Tuesday at Manor Field Park, bringing together residents, Suffolk County Police, community organizations, and local families for a free evening of activities, entertainment, and community resources. Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting includes a public hearing on the proposed Estates at Elwood subdivision, while the East Northport Fireman’s Fair opens for four nights of rides, games, food, and entertainment.
Local business owners can connect during the Huntington Station BID’s Evening Grind networking event at Nautilus. The Free Summer Arts Festival continues with New York to Boston Live celebrating the music of Boston and the Steve Miller Band, followed later in the week by Fearless, a Taylor Swift tribute concert at Chapin Rainbow Stage.
Residents can find details for these events and many more on the Huntington Matters Community Calendar at HuntingtonMatters.com.
Hot Topics: Dolphins & Estates at Elwood
This week’s Hot Topics focused on two highly engaged discussions in Huntington Matters Community Forum – groups of dolphins spotted in Huntington Bay and the latest proposal for the Estates at Elwood.
Throughout the week, neighbors shared remarkable videos capturing the dolphins as they moved through the bay. We discussed why these visits occur, what makes the harbor an attractive habitat, and the importance of giving marine wildlife plenty of space while enjoying these special encounters.
Next, we took a closer look at developer Kris Torkan’s latest proposal for the Estates at Elwood. The application calls for 46 single-family homes within the property’s existing R-40 zoning, with more than 20 acres remaining in their natural state. Because no zone change has been requested, the August 5 Planning Board meeting will be the ONLY public hearing on the proposal. Residents were encouraged to review the plans, attend the meeting, and share their comments – whether in favor or opposed – by emailing planning@huntingtonny.gov.
Neighborhood Watch – Enterprise Corruption Investigation
June took a closer look at one of the most significant criminal investigations in recent Suffolk County history following the enterprise corruption indictment announced by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The case was first discussed publicly during the July 2026 Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Community Meeting, where Inspector Markus Rivera highlighted its importance to the Huntington community.
Building on Huntington Matters’ earlier coverage, we explained why this investigation represents a major shift in how authorities are addressing illegal massage businesses. Rather than focusing solely on individual storefronts, investigators allege they dismantled an organized criminal enterprise operating behind the scenes. Three of the four businesses named in the indictment were located in the Town of Huntington.
The discussion explored what New York’s enterprise corruption law means, why prosecutors say this is Long Island’s first case of its kind, and how investigators allege more than $1 million in proceeds were laundered through residential properties, investment accounts, and other assets. We also discussed why investigators continue to examine the potential human trafficking component of the case, reminding viewers that these investigations often involve people who may have been manipulated, controlled, coerced, or financially trapped rather than acting of their own free will.
Anyone with information related to this investigation or suspicious activity involving potential human trafficking is encouraged to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS or submit an anonymous tip through www.P3Tips.com.
What Do You Think?
This week’s question asked viewers: What is the weirdest sentimental item you’ve kept?
Our answers ranged from surprisingly sweet to wonderfully bizarre, proving that the things we can’t bear to throw away often come with the best stories. The conversation included a childhood keepsake, something creepy found in nature, and a gross show-and-tell – “Why would you keep that?!”
What unusual sentimental item have you held onto over the years? Share your answer in the comments and in Huntington Matters Community Forum.
Connect with and Support Huntington Matters
For more than 11 years, Huntington Matters has grown from what the hosts jokingly described during the livestream as an “ambitious volunteer project” into a full-time community resource hub serving residents across the Town of Huntington.
What began as eight years of volunteer work has grown into a full-time hyperlocal media platform serving Huntington through HuntingtonMatters.com‘s Community Calendar, Business Directory, The Common Thread magazine, Huntington Matters Community Forum, Instagram, TikTok, and regular YouTube Live updates. Despite that growth, the mission has remained the same – connecting neighbors, supporting local businesses, sharing information, advocating for the community, and strengthening Huntington through engagement and communication.
If what Huntington Matters does resonates with you, please support Huntington Matters by purchasing official “Best. Neighbors. Ever.“ merchandise, making a donation, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or sharing our content with friends and neighbors.
Local businesses looking to reach Huntington residents can partner with Huntington Matters through advertising opportunities designed to help businesses get noticed, stay visible, and build trust with neighbors across the Town of Huntington.
To advertise, submit a tip, or suggest a topic, email info@huntingtonmatters.com.
If you live, work, or grew up in the Town of Huntington, join more than 57,700 of your neighbors in Huntington Matters Community Forum.
Please note: Events are removed from the Community Calendar approximately three months after the event date, so some older links may no longer be active.
