HUNTINGTON, NY – May 22, 2026
Growing concerns over medical insurance coverage left many Huntington residents scrambling for answers this week. A sleight-of-hand scammer previously spotlighted by Huntington Matters was officially identified by Suffolk County Police Department detectives. A heartfelt post about accessibility and caregiving at Costco reminded neighbors how much small accommodations can mean to local families.
Huntington Matters continues its weekly YouTube Live podcast series to keep residents informed about what’s happening across the Town of Huntington from public safety updates to real conversations happening between neighbors.
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 covered healthcare insurance concerns involving NYU Langone and Healthfirst, upcoming Memorial Day weekend events, the identification of an alleged short-change scam suspect, community conversations about accessibility and caregiving, celebrity encounters around Huntington, emergency preparedness reminders, and a spotlight on the True North Foundation.
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What’s Happening Around Huntington
The episode opened with a reminder about the meaning behind Memorial Day weekend, as Diane Schaber shared the history of the holiday and encouraged residents to remember the service members who lost their lives defending the country.
Schaber also highlighted several upcoming events happening across Huntington during Memorial Day weekend and beyond, including KoreaFest at the former Touro Law School property at 300 Nassau Road, the Memorial Day Weekend Carnival at the Huntington YMCA, the Town of Huntington Memorial Day Ceremony at Town Hall, multiple Memorial Day parades throughout local hamlets, a community blood drive held in memory of Mason Kraese, the Town of Huntington “Love My Pet” photo contest, Historic Walking Tours hosted by the Huntington Historical Society, “Let’s Talk, Huntington” with Councilwoman Jen Hebert, and Northport Pridefest events and flag raising happening throughout the week.
The team also recapped two community events covered by Huntington Matters last week: the Huntington Waterfront Festival at Mill Dam Park and Coffee with a Cop hosted by Chick-fil-A in Huntington Station alongside Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct officers.
Residents were reminded that additional event details, schedules, and submission forms can always be found through the Community Calendar at HuntingtonMatters.com.
Hot Topics from Huntington Matters Community Forum
One of the biggest conversations this week involved growing confusion and concern surrounding healthcare insurance coverage changes affecting Huntington residents. Multiple posts in Huntington Matters Community Forum discussed reports involving NYU Langone providers no longer accepting certain Healthfirst insurance plans and Northwell Health’s ongoing negotiations involving Fidelis coverage. The conversation quickly turned emotional as neighbors shared fears about losing longtime doctors, specialists, pediatricians, and healthcare networks many families depend on every day. The hosts encouraged residents not to panic while negotiations continue, but stressed the importance of contacting insurance providers directly for updated information and coverage clarification as changes continue developing.
Another major topic this week involved a new Dollar Tree planned for the former Rite Aid location next to Lidl in Huntington Station. Some neighbors expressed frustration over another discount retailer moving into the shopping center, while others welcomed the investment, new jobs, and reuse of a long-vacant storefront. The team noted that filling empty commercial spaces helps support local commerce and prevent additional blight in heavily traveled corridors.
One of the most heartfelt conversations of the week came from a post praising Costco in Commack for offering Caroline’s Carts, specially designed shopping carts that help elderly residents and people with disabilities shop more comfortably. Neighbors shared emotional stories about caring for aging parents, children with disabilities, and loved ones with mobility challenges. The discussion highlighted how small accommodations can dramatically improve everyday experiences for families navigating caregiving responsibilities.
The team also introduced this week’s “What Do You Think?” discussion question: What’s the most random celebrity or famous person encounter you’ve had in Huntington?
Stories shared during the livestream included Billy Joel sightings around Huntington Village and Lloyd Harbor, Christie Brinkley stories from Huntington Bay, Prince and Sheila E visiting Huntington Village, and encounters involving local musicians, actors, athletes, and entertainers connected to the Town of Huntington over the years.
Neighborhood Watch: Police Ask Neighbors to Report Similar Incidents
Neighborhood Watch has remained one of Huntington Matters’ core public service efforts for more than 11 years, helping neighbors stay informed while working closely with Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct leadership and local residents throughout the community.
This week’s major update involved the sleight-of-hand scammer Huntington Matters first warned residents about during Episode 4 after local businesses began reporting distraction-style thefts during cash transactions. The original reports included surveillance footage shared by Forest Pork Store owner Silvana in Huntington Station showing one of her young cashiers allegedly being manipulated during a confusing short-change transaction. Huntington Matters later also featured footage from Bagels 101 in Middle Island showing similar distraction tactics in action.
Now, Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Crime Section detectives have identified and charged 41-year-old Louis Pagano of Shirley in connection with alleged similar incidents at Urban Air in Dix Hills and Deli Pupuseria Salvadorena in Huntington Station. Police also released a photograph of a white sedan believed to be connected to those investigations.
During the livestream, June Margolin noted that after Huntington Matters first aired the original segment, Community Forum members immediately began sharing reports of similar distraction-style incidents happening in communities across Long Island. Those reports were forwarded to Suffolk County Police Department leadership as part of the continuing investigation. Police are continuing to ask businesses to come forward if they believe they may have experienced similar “short change” or sleight-of-hand scams.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220-TIPS or submit anonymous tips through P3Tips.com.
The team also discussed a recent Suffolk County Police Department arrest involving a Best Buy employee accused of allegedly transferring intimate photos from a customer’s phone to himself while assisting with the device inside the store. Additional updates included discussion of an ongoing investigation involving an alleged brothel operating out of a Dix Hills home.
Residents were encouraged to attend the next Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Community Meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM at the South Huntington Public Library.
Emergency Preparedness: Power Lines
Diane Schaber’s emergency preparedness segment focused on electrical safety as outdoor celebration season begins across Long Island. With graduations, Memorial Day gatherings, outdoor parties, and summer events increasing, Schaber reminded neighbors to use caution around power lines when using drones, balloons, decorations, and kites. The team discussed warnings issued by PSEG Long Island about balloons and other airborne objects becoming tangled in electrical wires and potentially causing outages, fires, or injuries.
Residents were reminded to stay at least 200 feet away from downed or damaged wires and to contact PSEG Long Island immediately if objects become entangled in power lines.
Charity Spotlight: True North Foundation
This week’s Charity Spotlight featured the True North Foundation, founded by Sharon Richmond in memory of her son Vincent, who died from a fentanyl poisoning. The organization provides scholarships to local students who write essays focused on issues impacting young people, including substance abuse, mental health, and environmental protection, encouraging students to share ideas about how communities and young people can work together to create positive change.
The team also discussed Sharon Richmond’s children’s book, Finding Your North Star, inspired by Vincent’s life and personal struggles. Proceeds from the book help support the scholarship fund and ongoing foundation efforts. Residents interested in supporting the True North Foundation can learn more through the organization’s website, participate in upcoming fundraisers, donate, or purchase the book to help support local scholarships for students.
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 hyperlocal media and community resource hub serving residents across the Town of Huntington. What began as volunteer work for 8 years now connects neighbors daily 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 for more than 11 years – connecting neighbors, supporting local businesses, sharing information, advocating for the community, strengthening Huntington through engagement and communication, and helping residents stay informed about what’s happening across town.
If what we do resonates with you, please support Huntington Matters by purchasing official “Best. Neighbors. Ever.” t-shirts through the Huntington Matters shop or by making a donation to help fund ongoing community coverage, advocacy, and Neighborhood Watch efforts.
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.
Events are removed from the Community Calendar approximately three months after the event date, so some older links may no longer be active.
