Local Crime Updates & New Hotel Plans 🏗️

Good Morning,

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Patchogue Live Local survey—your feedback is shaping an even better newsletter! See the results below. In today’s edition, catch updates on the possible hotel, events, and the winner of our survey drawing.

Don’t forget to check our sponsor today, The Rundown AI.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

📆 New Look, Same Great Vibe! Find Local Events & Set Reminders in One Click!

Learn how to make AI work for you

AI won’t take your job, but a person using AI might. That’s why 1,000,000+ professionals read The Rundown AI – the free newsletter that keeps you updated on the latest AI news and teaches you how to use it in just 5 minutes a day.

Sign up to start learning.

Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Patchogue Live Local survey! Your feedback helps us continue to create a newsletter that serves our vibrant community. Here’s a look at what we learned from your responses:

What You Love Most

• Local News: A clear favorite among subscribers, with nearly all of you (95%) choosing it as your top content.

• Community Events: 94% of you enjoy staying informed about what’s happening around town.

• Community Stories (71%)

• Local Specials (61%)

• Day in History” (44%)

• House of the Week (15%)

How Often Do You Want to Hear From Us?

Good news—we’re sticking with the current format! Nearly everyone (92%) agrees that receiving the newsletter Monday, Wednesday, and Friday works best.

New Content Ideas

Your input has sparked some exciting ideas for fresh content in Patchogue Live Local. Here’s what stood out:

• Dining and Nightlife Recommendations (67%): You’re looking for the best spots to eat, drink, and enjoy nightlife in Patchogue.

• Arts and Culture Highlights (67%): Featuring local art, theater, and cultural events.

• Family-Friendly Activities and Events (59%): Activities for all ages to enjoy in our community.

• Sports and Outdoor Activities (31%): From local sports teams to outdoor adventures.

We’ll start incorporating these into the newsletter to ensure you have the most well-rounded guide to everything happening in our area.

Interactive Features

Some of you (20%) are excited about interactive content like polls and quizzes, while others (70%) prefer occasional interaction. We’ll strike a balance by introducing occasional interactive features to keep things fun and engaging.

What You Think Will Improve the Experience

A big thank-you to everyone who took the time to share thoughtful suggestions on how we can make Patchogue Live Local even better.

• 29% of answerers were about adding more about community happenings.

• 24% wanted to see more photographs and visuals.

• About 5% wanted to see things like Dating, Movies Reviews, restaurant spotlights and more crime coverage

• Somebody asked for a mailed copy of the newsletter. Sorry, but this is way out of the budget.

Your ideas are what make Patchogue Live Local truly yours. We’ll work on incorporating these suggestions to keep the newsletter fresh, engaging, and even more valuable for our community!

Your Satisfaction Matters

We’re thrilled to report an average satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5! Thank you for your continued support and trust in us to deliver the stories that matter most to you.

What’s Next?

Here’s how we’ll use your feedback to improve:

• Improving our event calendar for easy planning.

• Adding more visuals to enrich your reading experience.

• Exploring new sections like dining, arts, and family-friendly activities.

• Providing opportunities for community members to contribute stories, photos, or event ideas.

Your ideas and suggestions fuel the heart of Patchogue Live Local, and we’re excited to keep growing alongside this amazing community. Have more thoughts to share? Our inbox is always open!

🎉 Drawing for Patchogue Live Local Survey! 🎉

The entries are in, and we’re excited to announce the winner of the $50 gift card to a local business! Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our survey and share your insights to help shape the future of Patchogue Live Local.

The winner is  Cheryl - kidzone***@*****.com

Congrats. Check your email and respond with what local business in Patchogue, Medford, Bellport, Bayport, or Blue Point you would like the gift card . We will post the lucky business Monday. If the winner does not answer for Monday, we will redraw.

Village of Patchogue Board of Trustees Meeting

During the January 13th meeting, the Board discussed and approved a resolution to change the zoning for 138 West Avenue from an industrial district (E-Industrial) to a hotel zoning district. This change paves the way for the next steps in the development of a Hilton hotel under the Hilton Tempo brand. Key details of this process include:

• Initial Submission: The original application was submitted nearly a year ago, with the Village Planning Board holding its first public hearing on February 6, 2024.

• Revisions and Improvements: After initial rejection on July 8, 2024, citing concerns over size, long-term agreements, and other criteria, the developers revised their plans:

  • Reduced the building height from six stories to five.

  • Lowered the total number of hotel rooms from 119 to 96.

  • Reduced the number of apartments from 16 to 13.

  • Adjusted and set back the rooftop dining and lounge area further from Division Avenue.

• Final Hearings and Approvals:

  • Public hearings were conducted on October 28 and November 12, 2024, culminating in the Suffolk County Planning Commission's unanimous approval on January 8, 2025.

  • The Planning Commission included 12 items for further review during the site plan approval process.

Next Steps in the Process:

• Site Plan Review: The project will now move to the Planning Board for site plan review, which will include addressing issues such as:

  • Stormwater management.

  • Traffic and egress.

  • Detailed construction plans.

  • Compliance with zoning regulations and planning requirements.

• Public Engagement: Additional public hearings will be held during the site plan review process, providing further opportunities for community feedback.

The resolution was approved unanimously, marking a significant milestone in the Village of Patchogue's ongoing efforts to enhance its infrastructure, attract visitors, and support local businesses. The Board emphasized its commitment to a thorough review process during the subsequent stages of development.

See the full meeting

Local Pulse

🏗️ The Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency has approved an economic development incentives package for a new senior apartment project in Medford. The development aims to address the community's housing needs while supporting economic growth. [New York Real Estate Journal]

🚨 Francis Buckheit, 64, of East Islip, has been charged with kidnapping, rape, and endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly holding a 14-year-old Patchogue girl captive for 25 days on his boat in Islip. Court records say he planned to take the girl to the Carolinas before authorities intervened. [Newsday]

🛍️ Suffolk County police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man wanted for allegedly stealing merchandise from a Medford store. Authorities released surveillance images as part of their effort to track down the suspect. [TBR News Media]

Community Highlights

• The 15th Annual 10-Mile Brewery Run in Memory of Ric DiVeglio returns on January 18, 2025, featuring a scenic USATF-certified course, complimentary Blue Point beer, post-race food, and live music. Register and learn more here.

• Learning to Look: The Art of Printmaking offers a fascinating exploration of printmaking techniques and artistry. Discover the creative process behind this timeless art form in an engaging and educational experience.

• What The World Needs Now is a tribute show celebrating the award-winning music of Burt Bacharach, featuring Todd Rundgren, Wendy Moten, and a 9-piece all-star band. Presale tickets are available for PTPA members on Thursday, January 16 at 10 am, with public sales starting Friday, January 17 at 10 am.

• Sing Off Series Finale takes place on Thursday, February 6 at 7:00 PM at 89 North Music Venue. Experience an exciting night of music and competition starting at just $23.18. Don't miss this showcase of talent!

Local Sports

🏅 Bayport-Blue Point senior Sophia McInnes set a Suffolk County record in the 600 meters at the Stanner Games, held at The Armory in Manhattan. Despite rarely competing in the event this season, the standout distance runner delivered an incredible performance on Sunday. [Newsday]

Here’s your local sports recap! Let's dive into the latest results from 1/13

Wrestling
Bay Shore 44 Ward Melville 23

Girls Basketball
Bayport-Blue Point 59 Miller Place 37
West Islip 45 Bellport 23

Boys Basketball
Bellport 68 West Islip 54
Ward Melville 63 Connetquot 58

That's it for today’s updates! Stay tuned for more scores and highlights from our local teams.

Become a Patchogue Live Local Sponsor

Are you a brand new or established business looking to become known in our Patchogue Live Local community? We are looking for locally-owned business that would like to become a Patchogue Live Local sponsor! Sponsorships can include:

• Brandwide Sponsorship

• Mini-Feature Ad

• Calendar Takeover

• Video Spotlight

• Please visit our site for more information. Thanks