Community Corner

Good News: Lifesaving Acts Across the Region

Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around northern Suffolk and the East End.

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Montauk EMS Saves Heart Attack Victim

Stephen "Skip" Rankin is well aware just how lucky he is to be alive.

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The 66-year-old, visiting friends in Montauk, was out on his friend Richie Nessel's boat when he felt a pain in his chest that he described as the worst pain he'd ever felt. Sweating and nauseous, he had all the classic signs of a heart attack, but he didn't quite want to say out loud what he said, "I knew in my heart."

Luckily for him, responders from Montauk’s paid EMS program were able to revive him through the use of CPR and a defibrillator.

Click the headline above to get the full, harrowing story.

Grant-Funded Well Keeps Pond Life Alive at Hoyt Farm

Two years ago, the pond at Hoyt Farm Park, and all of its inhabitants, were close to eviction when the park’s water bill became overwhelming for the Town of Smithtown to afford.

Before last year, the pond received water from Suffolk County Water Authority. The tap water however, was both racking up large water bills, and filling the pond with chlorinated water, which posed a potential risk to the pond’s wildlife.

Today, the water is both chlorine-free and supplied naturally, which makes it a happy place for pond’s wildlife, such as painted turtles, bullfrogs, ducks, large-mouth bass and bluegills to live.

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Three Saves At Crowded Smithtown Landing Pools

Lifeguards are keeping busy as the heat wave has sent residents splashing into Smithtown Landing pool to cool off.

Lifeguards on staff at Smithtown Landing saved three swimmers in distress as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, most of the saves were children playing on the slide.


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