Week in Review: Lawrence Aviation Fire Deemed Arson

Lawrence Aviation Fire Deemed Arson

An investigation by Brookhaven Town Fire Marshals and Suffolk County Arson Squad has determined that Saturday's fire at the former Lawrence Aviation site was criminal in nature.

No other details were immediately made available, as the investigation remains ongoing.

"I wouldn't go what into caused the fire," said Sgt. George White. "Only two people know that: us, and the person who lit it."

Proposed Port Jeff School Budget Under Tax Levy Cap

Port Jefferson School District leaders are expecting to present a budget in May that stays below the permitted tax levy cap, calling for a 3.10 percent tax levy increase year-over-year.

The $39.3 million spending plan – still under review and subject to change – was presented by Superintendent Ken Bossert and Assistant Superintendent for Business Sean Leister at Monday night's Village Board meeting in Village Hall, and is expected to come in slightly below the 3.19 percent increase permitted under state laws.

Village Budget Faces $600k Budget Gap

An expected $600,000 budget gap in next year's spending plan is forcing village officials to take a closer look at the 2013-2014 budget.

Village Treasurer Don Pearce reported on Monday night that assessment values – which were released on Monday – will result in a loss of nearly $150,000. The drop in assessment, coupled with drops in mortgage tax revenue and building permit fees have made a modest 3.5 percent spending increase seem unattainable.

Domestic Violence Nonprofit Opens Thrift Shop in Port Jefferson

Starting Saturday, Chandler Square in Port Jefferson village will be home to a new thrift shop in which donations and sales will benefit a charitable organization that helps victims of domestic violence.

It's the second such thrift shop for East Hampton-based nonprofit The Retreat, which provides a 24/7 crisis hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, and a shelter for women and other people who are experiencing such abuse. The 26-year-old organization received more than 3,100 calls to its domestic violence crisis hotline in 2012, a figure up 35 percent since 2011.

Uncle Giuseppe's Hopes to Clean Up its Aisles

After years of failing state health inspections, the Uncle Giuseppe's supermarket said it is taking steps to clean up its act.

According to spokesman Juda Engelmayer, the company is already looking to hire an in-house safety inspector who would help catch critical health issues before state inspectors do.