News Nearby: Demolition Begins at Kings Park Psychiatric Center

Port Jefferson



On Friday, representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Environmental Protection Agency joined Stony Brook University researchers and local officials to kick-off the Seafloor Mapping Project of Long Island Sound.

Scientists will use the Stony Brook University marine research vessel named SeaWolf docked in Port Jefferson Harbor to survey the bottom of the Sound, creating a detailed topographic map, testing the texture and makeup of the seafloor and marking underwater habitats. The idea is to get a better sense of the Sound’s resources in order to protect them.

"This is an opportunity for agencies and institutions to collaborate for the public good," said Minghua Zhang, the dean of Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at the event held in the. "We are proud to be a part of it."

Three Village

A new early education-based early childcare facility – established by one of the original founders of Tutor Time – is moving into the former Tutor Time location in East Setauket.

Children of America, a Delray Beach, Florida-based company that has more than 50 locations in 12 states, is currently enrolling new children starting at the age of six weeks.

The facility on South Jersey Ave. recently underwent renovations that cost about half a million dollars, according to Children of America CEO Thad Pryor.
"There’s no doubt in the world, educational child care centers make a difference in people’s lives," said Pryor, a founder of Tutor Time who sold that business in 1996 before launching Children of America with a different corporate structure in 1998. Pryor said the company will also open a Smithtown location later this year, along with a Port Jefferson location in 2013.

Smithtown

Main Street has had numerous changes in the wake of many pedestrian deaths on the roadway, including eastbound traffic reduced to one lane and the installation of left turning lanes back in May. When changes were made many Patch readers, while applauding the efforts to make the road safer, were not pleased with the results.

Since , proponents of the road changes said the feedback received has largely been positive.

Lavena Sipes, mother of , the 11-year-old girl who was killed on Main Street in November 2009, said people have told her driving on Main Street has become more comfortable.

"As far as what's been done so far everyone has told me, especially closer friends, say that they honestly feel more comfortable driving down Main Street and that sometimes it's a little bit slower but so what, it's going to make things safer," Sipes said.

Hauppauge

Nesconset residents are demanding action from Smithtown Town officials in a renewed pledge to fight Sonic's application to open a restaurant off Alexander Avenue.  

Nesconset resident Susan Fink and others stepped forward at Smithtown Town Board’s Aug. 14 to request the Supervisor and council members to clearly define what “curb-side dining” is, prohibited under town code 322-11, in hopes the measure will prevent Sonix from being built.

Kings Park

Kings Park saw a major change in its landscape on Monday, with the leveling of Building 123, a former kitchen and dining facility.