Community Corner

Sayville's Top 10 Stories of 2011

Read some of the most-read articles on Sayville Patch this past year.

Sayville's top stories of 2011 spanned across all categories- from long-awaited business openings to school closings, from sports moments to police and fire articles. 

Revisit some of Sayville's biggest news from the past year with our list below.

1.

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On Jan. 17, an 11-year old female was rescued after falling through the ice on the Great South Bay on Candee Avenue. A neighbor in a nearby apartment complex heard the girl's screams and called police. The girl fell through the ice while chasing after her dog. Officer Matthew DeMatteo rescued the young girl with the help of a Community Ambulance Company Chief who held a rope attached to a ring buoy and the officer went out on the ring to rescue the girl. Officer, girl and dog were not injured but were treated by medical professionals.

2. Moving Along With Garfield Avenue Project

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The proposed $1.1 million Garfield Avenue maintenance facility has become a hot-button issue throughout the last six years. As of Nov. 7, John Belmonte, assistant superintendent of business, has been in contact with the architects and the State Education Department (SED). The project will now take place in two phases, Belmonte said. The first phase, which will stay within the remaining budgetary funds, includes clearing of the land, foundations, slabs, plumbing and all the underground work. The board saught new bids earlier this month and will award bids in January. The projected completion date for phase one of the project is set for Sept. 20, 2012.

3.

It was standing room only at the Middle School cafeteria on May 24 as nearly 275 parents came out to voice their opinions on the implementation of a Princeton Plan in the Sayville School District. The Princeton Plan is just one cost-saving measure that was put on the table. A pure Princeton Plan would mean students in kindergarten and first grade would be housed in one building, second and third graders in another and fourth and fifth graders in yet another building. However, to most parents present at the meeting, the cons outweigh the pros. After listening to parental concerns throughout the evening, Dr. Schartner agreed that a pure Princeton Plan in Sayville was a dead issue.

4.

Sayville graduate Melinda Brady, the wife of pharmacy killer David Laffer, pleaded not guilty in a Central Islip court June 24 to charges of robbery and obstructing governmental administration.

5.

A Sayville employee was shot in the foot with an imitation air gun during a robbery Aug. 15, police said. The employee was not injured, though, as police said the gun was loaded with only a "small plastic projectile." The suspect stole approximately 150 Oxycontin pills and then fled on foot out of the rear of the store toward Handsome Avenue, police said.

6.

Throughout its undefeated 2011 season, Sayville featured perhaps Long Island’s most dangerous offensive weapon in senior quarterback Steven Ferreira. At the Long Island Championships it was Sayville’s rushing attack that gave Lawrence all it could handle, as Zach Sirico rushed for 228 yards on 17 carries and tied the Long Island Championship record with his six rushing touchdowns, as Sayville routed the Golden Tornadoes in the highest scoring game in Long Island Championship history, 78-61.

7. Prince of Peace Parents Not Going Quietly / Parents Seek Support from Diocese

The Dec. 6 announcement that Prince of Peace Regional School in Sayville will close next June had parents vowing to work to save the school while demanding answers from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Despite opposition from Prince of Peace parents, the diocese is sticking to its decision to close the Sayville school and five other Long Island Catholic elementary schools in June 2012.

8. Old '88 Pediment Comes Home

The Sayville Historical Society loaned the Sayville Library the original pediment from the front of the school designed by local architect Isaac Green Jr. Old ’88 was used as a district school until 1957. The Old ’88 pediment was welcomed home in November when the Sayville Library unveiled the sign in the Children’s Room on loan from the Society. 

9. UPDATED: Girls Lacrosse Coach Gary Jensen Suspended for Season

In April, Sayville girls lacrosse coach Gary Jensen was suspended for the remainder of the season after scheduling more games than are allowed according to Section XI rules.

10.

After more than five years, one of the most visible locations in Sayville opened its doors for business in Feb. 2011. Billed as the “Home of the Downtown Burger,” The Five Points Café, at the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue, officially opened early this year after much anticipation.


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