Week in Review: One Pizza Place Closes, Another Set to Open

Cops: Substitute Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With Student

Suffolk County police have arrested a Mt. Sinai man whom they say had a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old student earlier this year while working as a substitute teacher at Eastport South Manor High School. 

Allan Concepcion, 38, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with third-degree rape, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
   
Davis Peach Farm Opening Saturday in Port Jefferson Station

For Christine Davis, her family's 229 years of history in farming has come down to one crucial season.

The owner of Davis Peach Farm said her orchard in Wading River was nearly destroyed by the last two hurricanes, and said she is counting on her new venture – a farm stand in Port Jefferson Station that will open Saturday – to revive a business she feared might not have been viable much longer.

Brush Fire Extinguished at Rocky Point Preserve
Local departments were called to the scene of a  brush fire on the west side of Rocky Point Road between Whiskey Road and Route 25 at 1:05 p.m Wednesday.

Rocky Point fire department responded with mutual aid from Middle Island, Miller Place, Ridge and more. According to police, the cause is undetermined and the investigation is continuing. There were no injuries.

Venezia Pastaria Goes Dark [Empty in Miller Place]

Less than a year after opening at 56 Echo Avenue next to Sylvan Park, Venezia Pastaria & Pizza has gone dark.

New owners took over for the longtime Bella Italia restaurant last April, but they closed down earlier in the year. The closed restaurant now leaves a vacancy in the shopping center adjacent to the popular park, and the store is now up for rent by the owner.

Branchinelli's Replacing La Casa in Miller Place
Established Hauppauge Italian restaurant and pizzeria Branchinelli's is opening a second restaurant in the old La Casa location in Miller Place. 

The restaurant, located on Route 111, confirmed Wednesday it plans to open its second location in Miller Place. La Casa left a vacancy in the Stop & Shop shopping center when it closed in November.