Big Arrests, Bold Bites & New Builds!

Issue #263

Author

Brian Grant
October 31, 2025

Good Morning,

There’s a lot happening around town this week.. A big arrest in Suffolk County, a heartbreaking verdict in Patchogue, and some exciting changes coming to the downtown skyline.

We have some lighter looks as well with local kids getting a fun fire safety lesson, Long Island Restaurant Week comes back with can’t-miss meals, and a look back at school days gone by reminds us how far we’ve come.

Don’t forget about our new VIP Wallet Pass 👇

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

Local Pulse

📰 A Long Island truck driver has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend inside his parked rig outside a Patchogue motel. Willie Hart, 61, was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2023 death of Candace Woodruff after surveillance video and forensic evidence revealed a violent struggle. [Daily Voice]

 🏗️ A $160 million mixed-use project is officially underway in Downtown Patchogue, as Governor Hochul announced the groundbreaking for The Carriage House. Backed by $8 million in state funding, the development will bring 262 new homes with 53 of them affordable housing along the Patchogue River. [Governor's Office]

🚨 A 53-year-old Eastern Suffolk BOCES employee has been arrested for allegedly taking lewd photos of a 13-year-old inside a Target store. He was charged 10 days after the incident, which police say occurred in Suffolk County. [News 12 Long Island]

🚒 Kindergartners from Academy Street Elementary got a hands-on fire safety lesson during a visit to the Bayport Fire Department for Fire Prevention Month. Students learned when to call 911, practiced “stop, drop and roll,” and even got to spray a real fire hose and explore the firetrucks. [Patch]

Local Pulse

 Long Island Restaurant Week returns November 2–9, 2025

Long Island Restaurant Week is back and tastier than ever, running from Sunday, November 2 through Sunday, November 9. This biannual celebration of food brings specially priced prix-fixe menus to restaurants across the region and we have several standout spots participating right in our own backyard.

With dinner menus offered at $29, $39, or $46, and a two-course lunch option for just $24, it's the perfect opportunity to support local dining while enjoying a great deal. In Patchogue, diners can explore a wide range of cuisines, from the Spanish flavors at Don Quijote to the bold Mexican flair at Ruta Oaxaca and the island-inspired dishes at RUMBA. Other highlights include the Italian-American favorites at ITA Kitchen, the upscale ambiance of The Grill on South Ocean, and the contemporary menus at Chachama and Ristegio’s.

Nearby towns are also joining in. Bellport welcomes guests to Avino’s Italian Table and the elegant La Plage Bistro. Bayport brings seafood lovers to The Fish Store, while Blue Point’s Stella Trattoria & Bar offers cozy Italian fare with local charm.

Reservations are recommended as these specials tend to book fast. Diners can also enter the Long Island Restaurant Week Gift Card Giveaway for a chance to win up to $250 to a participating restaurant of their choice.

Local Participants:

  • Patchogue:

    • Don Quijote Restaurant

    • ITA Kitchen

    • RUMBA Island Inspired Cuisine & Rum Bar

    • The Grill on South Ocean

    • Chachama

    • Ristegio’s Restaurant & Lounge

    • Ruta Oaxaca

  • Bellport:

    • Avino’s Italian Table

    • La Plage Bistro

  • Bayport:

    • The Fish Store

  • Blue Point:

    • Stella Trattoria & Bar

For menus, reservations, and giveaway info, visit longislandrestaurantweek.com.

💥 Stay Connected Like a Local Insider!

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Introducing the 🎟️ Patchogue Live Local VIP Wallet Pass. Your all-access digital pass to life in Patchogue, Medford, Bayport, Bellport, and Blue Point.

✅ Stay connected with instant access to:
• Local events, news & deals
• The latest Patchogue Live Local newsletter
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📱 Works with Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Just tap the link below when on your phone to add your pass instantly!

For Android devices, which don’t have a built-in compatible wallet app, simply download the Pass2U Wallet app from the Play Store to use your VIP pass.

Or scan QR code to set it up

Day in History

Blue Point's First School Remembered as New Building Opens

A photograph discovered during school renovations in 1929 offers a rare glimpse into Blue Point’s early education history, just as the community prepares to dedicate a new, modern school building.

Patchogue Advance October 29,1929

As Blue Point prepared to open its newest school building in 1929, residents took a moment to look back to a simpler time in the village's history. A recently unearthed photograph of the original two-story schoolhouse, built in 1873, stirred memories for longtime locals. The old frame structure once stood near the site of the new building and had served the village’s children for decades.

In the photo, John W. Roe of Port Jefferson, headmaster in the late 1800s, is seen surrounded by his small class of fewer than 50 students. According to Mrs. Carrie E. Terry, one of the few residents who remembered the early days, the original building burned down roughly 35 years prior to the article’s publication. It had been replaced by another frame structure, recently moved to make way for the modern school now taking its place.

Mrs. Terry also recalled that R.R. Shaw of Bellport was the first teacher in the original school, preceding Mr. Roe. The quaint white building with a tiny belfry offered a sharp contrast to the new brick structure, which boasted a 500-seat auditorium and room for 350 students although only 147 were enrolled at the time.

Dedication ceremonies for the new school were scheduled for that evening in 1929, marking both an end and a beginning for education in Blue Point.

Community Highlights

  • The Plaza Cinema is showing If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025, R) from 10/31–11/6 — a gripping mystery‑thriller where Linda (Rose Byrne) is thrown into chaos by her child’s illness, a missing person and a fracturing marriage.

  • The Lighthouse Mission is collecting Thanksgiving food donations to support local families in need. Drop off items at 1543 Montauk Hwy, Bellport by Saturday, November 15, Monday–Friday (9AM–4PM) or Saturday (10AM–2PM).

  • The Patchogue Arts Council is hosting its fiery fan-favorite RAKU event on Sunday, November 2 from 2–6PM. Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and a chance to glaze and fire your own ceramic bowl with master potter Bill Shillalies. Location is revealed after ticket purchase.

  • NYS Senator Dean Murray has opened his Thanksgiving Day Student Showcase, inviting students to submit essays, poems, or artwork about what they’re thankful for by November 21. [NYS Senate]

  • The Town of Brookhaven’s Youth Bureau and INTERFACE Program are hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive from October 14 to November 13, collecting non-perishable food items and $10 grocery gift cards to help families in need enjoy the holiday season. [Town of Brookhaven]

  • Take a peaceful virtual stroll through downtown Patchogue in this 4K walking tour by Walking with Genny, showcasing the charm and walkability of one of Long Island’s most inviting villages.

Community Highlights

Local Sports

⚽ Patchogue-Medford’s playoff run ended Tuesday with a 5-0 loss to Northport in girls soccer. The defeat was their third straight against the Tigers and eliminates them from postseason contention.

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