Good Morning,
A quick-thinking 12-year-old called 911 after a break-in. A chimney fire and a restaurant fire were both put out fast. A boy was pulled from an icy pond just in time. Local art shows are in full swing and a new toy and comic shop just opened.
Here’s what’s happening around the neighborhood.
-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer
Local Pulse
🚔 A 12-year-old boy safely escaped through a bedroom window and called 911 after a man allegedly broke into his home on Cedar Lane in Medford around 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Suffolk County Police say officers arrived within minutes and arrested 53-year-old Christian Garcia inside the home, where he had reportedly entered by breaking a window. The child was unharmed and praised for his quick thinking. [People]
🚒 A small chimney fire broke out at a home on Apple Lane in Medford just before 1 p.m. on Christmas Day, prompting a response from local fire crews and the Brookhaven Town fire marshal, who later confirmed the home was safe for occupancy. [Patch]
🌊 An 8-year-old boy was rescued after falling through the ice at a pond in the Heatherwood Lakeside Village apartment complex in East Patchogue on Thursday. A nearby resident saw the child go through the ice, and two officers along with a sergeant pulled him from chest-deep water. He was taken to a hospital as a precaution and is expected to recover. [News 12 Long Island]
🚒 A small fire broke out in the bathroom of Whiskey Neat on East Main Street in Patchogue just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, but it was already extinguished by the time firefighters arrived, Suffolk police said. No injuries were reported. [Patch]
⚠️ A 63-year-old Patchogue man died after his car struck the median on North Ocean Avenue in Coram at 2:58 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22. Suffolk County Police believe he may have suffered a medical episode before the crash, and the vehicle was impounded for a safety check as the investigation continues. [Daily Voice]
🏫 Bellport Village Hall will be closed on Tuesday, 12/31 and Wednesday, 1/1 for the New Year holiday, and will reopen on Friday, 1/2 during normal business hours. [Bellport Village]
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Community Highlights
Community Highlights
Lost Toys and Comics has celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting in Patchogue, joined by local officials and community leaders. The shop offers vintage toys, comics, and collectibles for fans of all ages. [Lost Toys and Comics]
The Patchogue Arts Council has launched its Annual Appeal 2026, inviting the community to help double the impact of a $10,000 matching gift and support public art projects that turn the entire village into an open-air museum. With just 10 days to reach their $20,000 goal, every contribution helps keep art visible, vibrant, and accessible across Patchogue and Long Island. [Patchogue Arts Council].
Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Village of Patchogue on December 31, 2025, with family-friendly festivities, a ball rise at 8 PM, and fireworks by Grucci. The celebration runs from 6–9 PM on Main Street at Four Corners and West Ave.
Join art historian Thomas Germano for Learning to Look | Pre-Columbian Mexico on January 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM, as he explores 3,000 years of Mesoamerican art and architecture from the Olmec to the Aztecs. Attend in person at 20 Terry Street, Patchogue, or online via Zoom.
The Patchogue Lioness Lions Club is hosting a Blood Drive on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Patchogue Ambulance Company, located at 336 West Main Street in Patchogue. Donors will receive a choice of fuzzy socks or a winter hat while supplies last, and appointments can be made by contacting Melissa at [email protected].
The Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island is presenting Mexico; Past & Present, a solo exhibition of works by Kelynn Z. Alder curated by John Cino, on view from December 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026. [Patchogue Arts Council]
The Patchogue Theatre is hosting a virtual 5K Run/Walk fundraiser through December 31 to support live entertainment and the arts. Participants will receive a unique gift and have their names displayed on the marquee in January. [Patchogue Theatre]
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