News Nearby: Town of Smithtown Tackles Problem of Abandoned Homes

Town of Smithtown officials agreed Tuesday that its necessary for them to take action on abandoned properties in the area.

Officials have been working since last year . 

Supervisor Patrick Vecchio said residents' phone calls alerted him to the need to take more immediate action in dealing with these blighted properties.

The Miller Place School District officially announced the completion of contract negotiations with the teachers union; four-year agreement that will save the community nearly $2 million, according to a release.

The agreement includes a freeze of all other salaries, including those of club advisors, tutors and coaches, for the first two years of the agreement, and avoids teacher layoffs. Also in the deal, the 2.7 percent the district expected to owe the teachers as a result of the budget planning process in one year is spread out to small increments through 2016.

A Centereach man pleaded not guilty to a seven count indictment related to and injured another person in May.

James O'Donnell, 47, was arraigned in Suffolk County Criminal Court on Tuesday on new elevated felony charges of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of second-degree vehicular assault, and two misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated.
A grand jury, which handed down the indictment on July 5, found there was sufficient evidence that he recklessly caused the death of 26-year-old Kristin J. Iacono on May 23 while driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of .08.

Mourners gathered in Northport Monday for David Aureliano, who died in July 4 boating accident which claimed three children.