HUNTINGTON, NY – May 15, 2026
A proposed McDonald’s in Huntington Station sparked major debate over traffic, zoning, and neighborhood impact. A neighbor behaving badly in comments reignited frustration during ongoing St. Patrick’s Cemetery discussions. A terrifying sinkhole shut down part of the Long Island Expressway during the morning commute, while one heartfelt dog-sitting post reminded everyone why Huntington really does have the Best. Neighbors. Ever.
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 local development proposals, nostalgic community conversations, emergency preparedness, upcoming events, police updates, the continuing search for Elwood resident Joseph “Joe” Competiello, and a spotlight on North Shore Holiday House in Cold Spring Harbor.
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What’s Happening Around Huntington
The episode opened with another packed lineup of upcoming community events happening across Huntington.
Diane Schaber highlighted the Huntington Village PUBlic Art Crawl returning this Saturday, featuring murals, guided and self-guided tours, restaurant tastings, and interactive activities throughout Huntington Village.
The annual Huntington Waterfront Festival returns Sunday with vendors, food trucks, music, shopping, nautical gifts, and waterfront-themed activities at Mill Dam Park.
Several community policing events were also discussed, including Coffee with a Cop gatherings at Chick-fil-A in Huntington Station and Walt Whitman Shops, where residents can casually meet officers from the Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct, ask questions, and build relationships with local police leadership.
Residents were also reminded that school budget and board elections take place Tuesday across Huntington-area districts. Huntington Matters compiled voting information for every local district in one place to help residents easily locate polling places and voting times.
Additional upcoming events discussed during the episode included the Dix Hills Garden Club Plant Sale, the annual Newton Shows Carnival at the Huntington YMCA, First Responder Night at Six Harbors Brewing Company, and a memorial street naming ceremony honoring Greenlawn NYPD Officer Michael Izzo.
The Huntington Matters team also discussed the Kratom Symposium co-hosted with Mountainside Treatment Center in Huntington. Residents were encouraged to learn more about kratom, a substance currently sold legally in many stores that has raised growing concerns among parents, addiction specialists, and healthcare professionals because of addiction and withdrawal risks.
Hot Topics from Huntington Matters Community Forum
One of the largest conversations this week centered around a proposed McDonald’s planned for the former Citibank property at Pulaski Road and Park Avenue in Huntington Station.
Residents debated traffic congestion, zoning changes, late-night activity, lighting, noise, and neighborhood character. Some neighbors expressed concern about increased congestion near Avalon apartments and nearby residential streets, while others argued the commercial corridor is already heavily developed and could support a restaurant option north of Jericho Turnpike.
The discussion also touched on how similar fears surrounded the arrival of Chick-fil-A near Target, though many residents now say those traffic concerns never materialized.
Another major community reaction followed a terrifying sinkhole that opened on the Long Island Expressway near Exit 49, swallowing part of the roadway and snarling traffic during the morning commute. The team discussed the frightening images shared across social media, emergency repairs completed overnight, and the broader reminder of how quickly unexpected infrastructure problems can disrupt daily life.
The episode also revisited the ongoing controversy surrounding personal item removals at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Much of the discussion focused on increasingly hostile behavior in the comments, including anonymous attacks directed at moderators and neighbors during emotional community conversations.
Dana Richter addressed the challenges of moderating a large public community forum while balancing free expression, public criticism, and personal attacks, reminding viewers that Huntington Matters exists to provide a place where neighbors can exchange information and discuss difficult topics respectfully.
One of the most unexpectedly positive moments of the week came from a post seeking an in-home dog sitter for two bulldogs, including one deaf dog with epilepsy and separation anxiety requiring medication four times per day.
Instead of criticism or negativity, nearly 80 neighbors immediately volunteered help, offered recommendations, or simply expressed compassion for the family and the dogs.
“It really restored my faith in Huntington,” Richter said during the livestream.
The team also shared their weekly “What Do You Think?” discussion question: What Huntington area business or location do you still accidentally call by its old name? Our answers included The Big H, Whitman Mall, Sears Mall, Huntington Hospital, The Village Green, and the Pathmark shopping center. What is yours? Let us know in the comments.
Neighborhood Watch: Do You Recognize Them?
Neighborhood Watch has been at the core of Huntington Matters since the organization first launched more than 11 years ago, with the goal of helping neighbors stay informed, connected, and aware of what is happening across the community.
This week’s episode again highlighted the continuing search for Elwood resident Joseph “Joe” Competiello, whose family and friends continue searching for answers after he disappeared on April 2.
Competiello was last seen outside his Remsen Street home at approximately 8:30 a.m. before police were contacted later that afternoon. The hosts described him as a well-known local restaurant manager who worked at several Huntington establishments over the years, including Paulie’s Pizza.
The Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Squad continues investigating the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk County Police or Second Squad detectives at (631) 854-8252.
The team also discussed two recent Suffolk County Police Department press releases involving a Commack grand larceny investigation connected to stolen credit cards and a Dix Hills child harassment investigation connected to an incident at Urban Air. Neighbors are encouraged to review the surveillance photos attached to both investigations on HuntingtonMatters.com. Anyone who recognizes the individuals involved is asked to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Viewers were also 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
Diane Schaber reminded residents that emergency preparedness often starts with small, simple steps before a crisis happens.
With temperatures expected to reach the 80s next week and severe weather season approaching, Schaber encouraged neighbors to think ahead about flashlights, batteries, emergency plans, and basic supplies that can reduce stress during outages or emergencies.
“Emergencies happen when you least expect them,” Schaber said during the livestream.
Charity Spotlight: North Shore Holiday House
This week’s Charity Spotlight featured North Shore Holiday House in Cold Spring Harbor.
Founded in 1914, the nonprofit organization provides free overnight summer camp experiences for girls ages 7 to 15 from families facing financial hardship.
The organization serves more than 200 children each summer through multiple camp sessions featuring arts, sports, swimming, drama, dance, field trips, financial literacy programs, martial arts, and educational enrichment activities.
The Huntington Matters team also highlighted the organization’s thrift shop operation, explaining that proceeds from donated items directly support camp programming and help fund summer experiences for children across Long Island.
Residents interested in supporting North Shore Holiday House are encouraged to donate, volunteer, or shop at the thrift store when it reopens following summer camp season.
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.
