The TIMES
It’s All In T he Experienc e!
v
v
of Smithtown
Firefighters battle Thanksgiving blaze
Dickens Festival turns 20
also: Celebrating Hanukkah, ‘a Christmas Carol’ at CMPaC, ‘Barnaby Saves Christmas’
Page B1
Smithtown Fire Department came out in full force the day before Thanksgiving to battle a severe house fire, authorities said. The department received the call for a residential structural fire around 3:32 a.m. on Nov. 25 at 16 Trent Ln., where fire officials had to act fast before surrounding homes were also substantially damaged, a spokesman for Smithtown Fire Department said in a statement. There were no reported injuries, but the home to the right of the fire also sustained structural damage, including melted siding and a cracked window, Smithtown Fire Department said. The cause of the fire was still under investigation. The fire was brought under control after firefighters utilized one tower ladder and two hoses. The overhaul of any potentially dangerous structural debris concluded the rescue efforts, with help from departments from Kings Park, Nesconset, St. James and Hauppauge. The owners of the home had left the house when the fire started and were observed at Stony Brook University Hospital soon after, the department said. — phil corSo
Spotlight on solar
Kings Park natives sound off over proposal to build solar farm in town
Page a3
SHOPS • RESTAU RANTS • ston
ybrookv
$1.00
145792
Volume 28, No. 40
Serving Smithtown • St. JameS • neSconSet • commack • hauppauge • kingS park • Fort Salonga December 3, 2015
EV
illage.coENTS m
Photos from Jeff Bressler
Firefighters work on dousing a residential fire that broke out in Smithtown the day before thanksgiving.
Police up patrols at Smithtown Planned Parenthood By phil corSo
A deadly shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado has spurred Suffolk County into action, with a growing police presence surrounding similar clinics in Huntington and Smithtown. Robert Lewis, 57, allegedly opened fire at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic on Nov. 27, killing three and injuring nine, according to published reports in the Associated Press. And while the horrific scene may have occurred more than 1,000 miles away, the Suffolk County Police Department
said it was taking no chances when it comes to protecting clinics on the Island. In a statement, the department said it would be increasing patrols near the five Planned Parenthood clinics throughout Suffolk, including those at 755 New York Ave. in Huntington and 70 Maple Ave. in Smithtown. Police vehicles were stationed at both buildings for much of the week so far, but the department said there weren’t any credible threats targeting any county clinics. “While no specific threats have been made toward PaReNTHOOD continued on page a7
Photo by Jared Cantor
a county police car sits outside the Smithtown planned parenthood.