News Nearby: Fire Consumes Port Jefferson home

SMITHTOWN

Smithtown Schools Outline Harsh Budget Cuts; Talk Bankruptcy

During Tuesday night's budget hearing, the Smithtown Central School District released tier's two and three of possible cuts to eliminate the more than $4 million deficit it's facing in the 2013-14 school year.

COMMACK 

Police: Commack Student Arrested After Air Gun Find

A 17-year-old Commack High School student was arrested Monday after he brought an airsoft pellet gun to school, police said.

PORT JEFFERSON

House Fire Under Investigation After Explosion Heard at Home

Several fire units responded and knocked down a house fire on Red Barn Lane that engulfed the home in smoke around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Port Jefferson Fire First Assistant Chief Dave Williams noted that two people and a dog made it out safely.

Williams also said that upon coming to the scene of the fire, firefighters heard an explosion at the site, believed to be oxygen tanks. According to Suffolk County Police, a call reporting a "house full of smoke" came in at 3:33 p.m. at 4 Red Barn Ln.

A police spokesman said the house was evacuated safely, and Suffolk County Arson Squad was called to the scene.

THREE VILLAGE

Chabad ‘Friendship Circle’ Seeks Teen Volunteers

In a Detroit suburb a decade ago, a teacher wanted to encourage a teenager to get involved in the community. The Friendship Circle – an organization which pairs teen volunteers and youth with special needs to facilitate fun and friendship – was born.

Since then, the Friendship Circle has inspired 100 other branches of the program around the country, including a program at Chabad at Stony Brook established seven years ago. "This is about friendship, social life," said Rabbi Shalom Ber Cohen of Chabad at Stony Brook, who runs The Friendship Circle with his wife, Chanie.

ROCKY POINT

Rocky Point Supe's Budget Won't Pierce Cap; Teachers Union Speaks Out

After passing a budget last year that exceeded the tax levy cap and passed with over 60 percent of the vote needed, the 2013-14 Rocky Point School District budget proposed by Superintendent Michael Ring would not pierce the cap.

At Monday's budget hearing at Rocky Point High School, Ring proposed a $74.3 million budget, which would be an increase of 3.75 percent over last year's. It includes a projected levy increase of 3.56 percent, which is at the cap for the district.