Police search suspects and RHUM gets a new name

Good Morning,

It’s been a busy week. We had a late night gunshot and a TJ Maxx theft that has police asking for help. Plus, a favorite local spot is changing its name.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

Local Pulse

🚨 Police are searching for a man accused of stealing nearly $1,000 worth of clothing from the Medford TJ Maxx on July 11. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for tips leading to his arrest. Long Island Life & Politics

🚔 A Yaphank man was arraigned on vehicular assault and other charges after a crash on Sunrise Highway Service Road in Patchogue left a passenger injured. The incident led to his indictment in Suffolk County Court on July 22. Daily Voice

🔫 A gunshot was fired into a home on Baker Street in Patchogue just after midnight on July 21, according to police. Few details have been released as the investigation continues. News 12 Long Island

Community Highlights

RHUM Rebrands to RUMBA in Patchogue

The transformation of RHUM into RUMBA Island Inspired Cuisine and Rum Bar in Patchogue marks a homecoming for Rooted Hospitality Group. Co-founders Rachel and David Hersh bring the coastal flair of their original Hampton Bays concept to the heart of Main Street. First opened in 2016 as a downtown take on the Hampton Bays RUMBA, the Patchogue spot gradually evolved into a near mirror image of its seaside sibling, prompting the official name change and a complete renovation across all three floors.

The newly updated space at 13 East Main Street now offers a trio of vibrant experiences. Guests entering from the street are greeted by an energetic ground-level bar with garage doors that open to the bustling sidewalk. Upstairs, families and private groups can enjoy meals in a relaxed second-floor dining area that includes the Portside Room. The rooftop, once a hidden gem, now boasts a covered lounge with swing seats and sweeping views, providing a breezy, elevated atmosphere that’s unmatched in the area.

“From the moment we opened in Patchogue, it felt like RUMBA,” said David Hersh. “This just makes it official.”

For more information, visit Greater Patchogue’s coverage.

Community Highlights

• CEED has launched a Striped Bass Watercolor Study Class where participants can paint this iconic fish in a guided workshop on August 3. [CEED]

• Celebrate community at Bellport Day on Saturday, July 26 from 10:00am to 4:00pm, featuring festivities along South Country Road, which will be closed to traffic from 8:00am to 5:00pm. [Bellport Village]

• The Bellport Summer Bandshell Concert Series continues with Dirt Soup performing iconic rock from the '70s to 2000 on Friday, July 25 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. [Bellport Village]

• South Country Library is hosting Movie Night at South Country Ambulance Company featuring Minecraft on Thursday, July 24 at 8:00pm. [South Country Library]

• 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]

• 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]

• 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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