Arrests, Art & a Trustee Returns to Patchogue

Hi neighbors,

We’ve got updates on road safety crackdowns, a troubling new indictment, and a purse theft that has police asking for help.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

Local Pulse

🚓 A 24-year-old man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after his SUV rear-ended a tractor-trailer on Route 112 in Medford early Tuesday morning, police say. The truck was turning into a business lot when the crash occurred. Patch

⚖️ A Bay Shore man already charged in the case of a missing Patchogue teen found on a yacht now faces a new sex trafficking indictment involving a separate victim, Suffolk prosecutors say. He is accused of using violence and drugs to force a woman into sex work over the past year. Greater Long Island

🚔 Nine people were arrested in a weekend DWI crackdown around Patchogue, with three drivers found to be more than three times over the legal alcohol limit, Sheriff Errol Toulon said. The arrests were part of a targeted summer enforcement effort to keep roads safer. Patch

👜 Police are searching for two suspects who stole a woman's purse at the Medford TJ Maxx on June 4, after one distracted her while the other grabbed the bag. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for tips leading to an arrest. Tbrnewsmedia.com

Local Pulse

Stephen Fuoco Returns to Patchogue Village Board

The Village of Patchogue has officially welcomed Stephen Fuoco back to the Board of Trustees following his appointment to fill the seat left vacant after the passing of longtime Trustee Joseph Keyes. A familiar name to many residents, Fuoco returns to the board with a wealth of civic experience, a deep history in Patchogue, and a strong record of public service. He will also serve as Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, a role that aligns with his longstanding commitment to community well-being.

Raised with strong ties to Patchogue, Fuoco’s connection to the village spans from childhood summers to a family legacy rooted in local business and education. After moving to the Village in 1986 with his wife Jean and raising three children, he served as Trustee from 1996 to 2004. He played a pivotal role in major redevelopment projects including the Patchogue Theatre reopening and the transformation of the Lace Mill property.

Fuoco’s public service also extends beyond the boardroom. He has been actively involved in local organizations including the Patchogue Rotary, Patchogue Youth Athletic Association, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Patrons, and the Fuoco Golf Festival. Professionally, he brings expertise as a Certified Insurance Counselor and Risk Manager.

Based on Village of Patchogue Press Release. Contact Village Clerk Lori Devlin at [email protected].

Community Highlights

• An Evening With Zebra is coming to the Patchogue Theatre on November 8, 2025, as part of the band’s 50th-anniversary tour, featuring two full sets by the original lineup. Patchogue Theatre

• The Bellport Village Tennis Center offers well-maintained Har-Tru courts, instructional programs, and seasonal events under USPTA-certified management. Memberships and hourly play are available to residents and non-residents, with court access daily from 7:30 am to dusk. [Bellport Village Tennis Center]

• The Patchogue Arts Council is accepting submissions for Arts on Terry 2025, a curated contemporary art street fair on September 14, featuring booth space for fine artists. Artists can apply here by August 13 for a chance to showcase their work. [Patchogue Arts Council]

• Gateway's Annual Fundraiser returns on July 25 with Party On The Point, an evening of performances, raffles, food, and dancing at a beautiful Bellport waterfront home. [The Gateway, Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County]

• The Village of Patchogue will hold a Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, to review local zoning and development matters. [Village of Patchogue]

• Northeast Stage presents Othello as part of Shakespeare in the Park on July 17 at the Village Bandshell in Patchogue for an evening of powerful drama under the stars. [Village of Patchogue]

• NYS Senator Dean Murray, Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo, and Legislator Dominick Thorne are hosting a Blood Drive on July 29 from 1 PM to 7 PM at 205 Blue Point Avenue, Blue Point, in partnership with the Blue Point Fire Department and the New York Blood Center. [New York State Senate]

• The Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce is seeking proposals from qualified accounting professionals or firms to provide accounting services, with submissions due by July 20. Interested parties can contact Executive Director Silvana Aloisio at [email protected] or 631-207-1000 Ext: 303 for details. [Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce]

• The Night Bazaar kicks off July 18 at The Better Man Distilling Co. in Patchogue with cocktails, food, live music, handmade goods, and over 40 local vendors in a lively night market setting. [Patch]

• Artwork from the South Bay Art Association's plein air event will be showcased at the Bellport Day Exhibition on Saturday, July 26, with judging taking place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. [South Bay Art Association]

• The New York State Senate has launched the 2025 Summer Reading Program, themed “Color our World: Colorea Nuestro Mundo,” encouraging kids to read for fun and discovery all summer long. Participants can earn an official certificate by submitting their reading form by August 22. [New York State Senate]

Community Highlights

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