News Nearby: New St. James Church Hopeful Despite Vandalism, Other Factors

Hauppauge

Hooters in Islandia will be closing to give birth to a new restaurant.
Edward McCabe, an attorney for Strix Restaurant Group, which owns the franchise rights to Hooters locations on Long Island and Queens, said he will be closing the East Meadow location and there that there will be changes made to the other Hooters locations - including Islandia.

Commack 

Lowe’s Expected to Submit Revised Plans for Commack Cinemas

Smithtown Planning officials say that after months of silence, Lowe's is still interested in building a store on the site of the former Commack Multiplex Cinemas.

Smithtown

In the almost three months since Calvary Church of God of St. James opened they’ve endured vandalism, break-in attempts and a diminished congregation, but the church is still hopeful of offering successful services and growing within the community.

The church got its start in 1998 in a conference room at the Howard Johnson's in Commack, then moving to Bay Shore to a location they would occupy for eight years. The situation in Bay Shore became toxic, sparking the need to move and eventual relocation to St. James.

Capaldo said they currently lack the finances to advertise so most locals are unaware they are even there. The church is leasing the building with the option to buy, and in order to purchase the location they need to raise roughly $450,000 by August.

Despite the recent adversity, Chris Capaldo, bishop at the church and husband to Debbie, has faith that the Calvary Church of God will be successful and an asset to the community.

Kings Park

Speaker Sobers Crowd With Hard Look at Adolescent Drug Use

A renowned scientist gave sobering presentation about adolescent drug use Wednesday evening at Kings Park High School, highlighting the disastrous effects drugs can have on an individual.

Stephen Dewey, a neuroscientist who studies the effects of drugs abuse on the brain, was the evening’s speaker. His work at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has resulted in appearances on 20/20, Dateline and other notable programs.

Three Village

Commissioner: Stony Brook Downtown Project Won’t Involve Eminent Domain

As Three Village business leaders questioned the Town of Brookhaven's early handling of the the question arose of whether eminent domain would be invoked in the process. But at least one official has said that won't be the case.

In a letter to Assemblyman Steve Englebright dated Oct. 10, Brookhaven planning commissioner Tullio Bertoli wrote: "I can with great certainty indicate that not only will eminent domain not be necessary but that it is also not appropriate, warranted or required in this project.