News Nearby: Demolition of Rocky Point Home; Most School Budgets Pass

There's plenty of news happening on any given day in Port Jefferson, and the same can be said of the towns around us. Here's a look at what's making headlines in nearby Patch towns.

From Miller Place-Rocky Point Patch: Demolition Begins On Condemned Rocky Point Home. Demolition has begun on the condemned home teetering off the bluff at 347 Soundview Drive in Rocky Point. Condemned by the Town of Brookhaven, the home has been on the verge of falling off the cliff and onto Friendship Beach in Rocky Point. 

From Three Village Patch: Three Village Budget Passes by Wide Margin. The decision by the Three Village Central School District to stay below the cap this year paid off on Tuesday when voters approved the proposed $184.53 million budget. The 2013-2014 budget passed with 64.7 percent voter approval, with 3,198 people voting for and 1,741 people voting against the budget. The tax levy will increase by 4.05 percent, which is the most the district could have raised it while still needing only a simple majority of voter approval under New York state’s tax levy cap law. Homeowners will see an average tax increase of $396.

From Kings Park Patch: Kings Park Voters Pass $82.8M Budget. Kings Park voters said yes to a $82.8 million budget as well as Proposition 2, which approves the purchase of a new bus and van. The approved budget is an increase of 2.53 percent over last year's budget. Turnout was steady at the polls with a total of 2,720 residents voting on the budget: 1,794 voted yes and 926 no. 

From Smithtown Patch: Local Volunteer in Moore: '6 Months Ago, This Was Us'. It is a familiar feeling that many of us get when we see hurt and destruction happening to those around us, the need to help, to do something. When disaster struck in Oklahoma, one Smithtown resident was on the ground just a short time later, with outstretched hand to those in need.

From Sachem Patch: Sachem School Budget Fails. The Sachem School District's proposed 2013-14 budget failed after netting only 54% of the votes after more than 12,000 district residents turned out for Tuesday's vote. The final tally was 6,828 in favor to 5,762 opposed. While the $293 million spending plan was only .58% higher than last year's budget, it called for a 7.49% tax levy increase on residents. That translated to roughly $484 per year for property owners. Initially the district was battling a $26 million shortfall and would need to increase taxes by 16% in order to sustain a rollover budget from this current year.