🌱 Huntington Daily: Hospital Capacity + Veterans Center To Open

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Here's everything happening in town today.

First, today's weather:

Cooler with occasional rain. High: 42 low: 40.

Here are the top 3 stories in Huntington today:

1. Special needs & veterans center to open in Huntington Station. Suffolk County has the highest veteran population in all of New York State. A Special needs and veterans center will be built and opened at the site of the old South Huntington Public Library. The center will act as a program and service hub that will offer peer support, education, arts, music, mental health, and job training. (Huntington Patch)
2. Latest hospital capacity in Huntington area. As the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across New York State and the country, we have all the numbers for you on hospital capacity. On a national average, about 79% of inpatient beds were occupied, and at Huntington Hospital over 92% are occupied. This includes about 12% being COVID-19 patients. With the holiday season in full swing with Christmas and New Years in the next two weeks, except surges but most importantly, take caution and stay safe! (Huntington Patch)
3. Men steal quad, dirt bike from Greenlawn home's garage: police. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is seeking the public's help in finding the two men who police said stole a quad and dirt bike from a garage in Greenlawn in December. Two men stole a Yamaha quad and Yamaha dirt bike from a detached garage at a home on Stony Hollow Road around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 9, police said. The men are wanted for grand larceny. (Huntington Patch)

Today in Huntington:

• Meet & Greet Long Island local author Herman Mendoza - Barnes & Noble Carle Place. (4:00 p.m.)
• Bright Lights, a Magical Holiday Celebration at Vanderbilt Museum. (5:00 p.m.)
• Holiday Gift & Craft Fair - Temple Beth El. (Noon)
• New Exhibitions: Manoukian, Ascott, d’Holbachie, Bernhardt & Little Big VI - Northport. (1:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Huntington Union Free School District: "The Huntington High School classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 brought it to the school hallways with holiday spirit and a competitive spark. Voting is currently underway!" (Facebook)
• South Huntington Public Library: "It's Ugly Sweater Day and well, we love a theme so we definitely participated in this one! Anyone else wear an ugly holiday sweater today? 🎅🎄📚" (Facebook)
• Huntington Union Free School District: "The Huntington wrestling team won its sixth consecutive dual meet, toppling visiting Newfield, 62-12." (Facebook)
• Huntington Public Library: "Such cuties at our Holiday Dance Party this morning! 💃" (Facebook)
• Halesite Fire Department: "Be sure to follow us for updates regarding tomorrow’s event, we may postpone to Sunday due to inclement weather!" (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Get in Shape Long Island Ltd — (Visit website)
• Paintworx — (Visit Website)
• Huntington Center for Performing Arts — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Meet & Greet Long Island local author Herman Mendoza (December 18)
• Bright Lights, a Magical Holiday Celebration at Vanderbilt Museum (December 18)
• Bright Lights, a Magical Holiday Celebration (December 19)
• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
• Bright Lights, a Magical Holiday Celebration at Vanderbilt Museum (December 22)
• Bright Lights, a Magical Holiday Celebration (December 23)
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Announcements:

• Congratulations To Hills East Football (Details)
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For sale:

• *** $75 OFF *** Walk with "CONFIDENCE" Once Again! (Details)
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Job listings:

• Hairdresser Wanted (Details)
• Draft Line Cleaning Technician (Details)
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Loving the Huntington Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at Huntington@Patch.com

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Andrew Tessler

About me: Hi! I'm Andrew and I have been a Huntington resident for 7 years. I have lived in other countries and states, and my number one love is Huntington. I love health and wellness, traveling, stand-up paddle boarding, and of course going to restaurants and events throughout Huntington!