HUNTINGTON, NY – July 17, 2026
Canadian wildfire smoke created unusual skies and serious air quality concerns across Huntington this week, while two troubling abuse cases led to an important conversation about recognizing warning signs, supporting victims, and knowing where to turn for help. We also honored a Huntington veteran, shared several local public safety updates, and looked ahead to another busy week of summer events.
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 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 National Night Out, a seasonal health advisory, upcoming community events, the weekly weather forecast, and a “What Do You Think?” question asking viewers to share the most useful item they own that cost less than $20.
👇 Watch the full episode below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
What’s Happening Around Huntington
We began this week’s episode by recognizing Huntington resident John Fox on his induction into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. New York State Senator Mario Mattera presented a special proclamation honoring Fox‘s extraordinary life of service. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Fox was among the last American service members to leave Vietnam before U.S. combat operations ended. He later served as a police officer, criminal investigator, federal special agent, and licensed private investigator before earning multiple graduate degrees and advanced certifications. We congratulate John on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his lifetime of service to our country and our community.
Diane highlighted another full schedule of events happening across the Town of Huntington. The Huntington Manor Firemen’s Fair wraps up Saturday night with rides, food, games, and fireworks, while Sunday’s rescheduled Huntington Independence Day celebration commemorates the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Declaration of Independence in Huntington with super-sized living history demonstrations, colonial crafts, music, and cannon and musket firings.
The Summer Arts Festival continues with Wild About Harry, a benefit concert supporting Long Island Cares in honor of the late Harry Chapin, followed by Monday night’s free family movie GOAT and Wednesday’s Huntington Community Band performance, Cartoons and Classics, at Heckscher Park. Residents can also attend Thursday night’s Town of Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals meeting or enjoy another Summer in the Streets celebration in Huntington Village featuring live music, food, entertainment, and family activities.
Residents can find details for these events and many more on the Huntington Matters Community Calendar at HuntingtonMatters.com.
Hot Topics
Wildfire smoke from hundreds of active fires burning across Canada created hazy skies, reduced visibility, and unhealthy air quality across Huntington this week. The smoke, carried south by weather patterns and trapped near the ground by a high-pressure system over the eastern United States, prompted widespread concern as neighbors reported sore throats, coughing, headaches, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.
During the episode, we discussed why the sky appeared orange and why smoke from fires more than a thousand miles away could have such a noticeable impact on Long Island. We also reviewed how tiny airborne particles can travel deep into the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream, which is why health officials urge older adults, young children, people with asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory conditions to limit time outdoors when air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
Although conditions improved by the time of the broadcast, forecasts suggested additional smoke could return depending on changing wind patterns. We encouraged viewers to monitor the Air Quality Index before spending extended periods outdoors, especially if they have underlying health concerns. Watch the full episode for the team’s discussion and practical tips for protecting yourself and your family during poor air quality events.
Neighborhood Watch & Community Resources
This week’s Neighborhood Watch segment focused on two disturbing Suffolk County cases that became an opportunity to discuss recognizing the warning signs of abuse, supporting victims, and reminding anyone who may be suffering in silence that help is available.
We shared an update on the Greenlawn domestic violence shooting, where the suspect has now been indicted on charges including attempted murder after prosecutors allege he shot the mother of his two children, leaving her paralyzed. We also reported on the arrest of a man accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old Commack girl after allegedly contacting her through social media. In both cases, we emphasized the importance of taking threats, controlling behavior, intimidation, and abuse seriously before they escalate.
Resources were a major focus of the conversation. Long Island Against Domestic Violence offers emergency shelter, counseling, court and precinct advocacy, vocational assistance, and services for adults and children affected by domestic violence. The Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, mental health counseling, legal advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, and referrals for housing, food, clothing, addiction recovery, education, and employment resources. Sepa Mujer’s VIDA: Victims and Survivors Program supports Latina immigrant women and their families through crisis intervention, safety planning, legal referrals, court accompaniment, support groups, and educational workshops, with services available in Spanish.
If you or someone you know is experiencing physical violence, threats, controlling behavior, emotional abuse, or sexual assault, please know that you are not alone and help is available. We encourage everyone to watch the full Neighborhood Watch segment and keep these resources in mind. You never know when someone in your life may need them.
Emergency Preparedness & Health Alert
With wildfire smoke affecting air quality across Long Island this week, Diane reminded viewers that emergencies don’t always come in the form of hurricanes or snowstorms. Air quality alerts can also impact daily life, particularly for older adults, young children, and those with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions. During periods of poor air quality, it’s important to stay informed, limit strenuous outdoor activities when necessary, and monitor trusted weather and air quality resources before making outdoor plans. Even short-term events like wildfire smoke serve as a reminder that being prepared begins with staying informed.
Long Island and the broader New York region are experiencing a significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. During the episode, Diane explained that the parasite is commonly linked to contaminated fresh produce and can cause prolonged diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss. Symptoms may not appear for several days after exposure and, without treatment, can last for weeks or even return after improving.
Health officials recommend thoroughly washing fresh fruits and vegetables, practicing good hand hygiene, and contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or become severe. Because Cyclospora is a parasite rather than a virus, proper diagnosis and treatment are important. Watch the full episode for more information on recognizing the symptoms and protecting yourself and your family.
What Do You Think?
This episode’s question asked viewers to share the most useful thing they own that cost less than $20. Dana, Diane, and June each shared a favorite item they use regularly.
Dana recommended her Ozark Trail Insulated Can Cooler, saying it keeps canned drinks cold for hours, even when left in a hot car, and has performed better than some more expensive alternatives.
Diane shared two practical preparedness favorites: a small metal LED flashlight that is compact enough to keep close at hand, and the Battery Daddy Battery Organizer with Tester, which keeps batteries organized and makes it easy to check whether they still have power before an emergency.
June chose the Scrigit Scraper Tool, a small plastic scraper she uses to remove sticky labels, dried food, and other stubborn messes from cracks, corners, and tight spaces without damaging her fingernails.
What is the most useful thing you own that cost less than $20?
Share your favorite in the comments. Bonus points if you include a photo or link so your neighbors can discover a useful new find too.
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 the 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 57,100 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.
