This week in Huntington newsletter: Check out the areas targeted by $3.5 million in road repairs

Huntington Town Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino has often told me that he takes pride in caring for the condition of town roads. This week, he got a federal boost to help pay for the work.

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) presented town officials with a $3.5 million mock check Wednesday, with the funds to be used for townwide road repaving projects. The money was obtained through the 2026 fiscal year appropriations process. Sorrentino said the money can only be used for road construction.

He told my colleague, transportation reporter Peter Gill, that the funds would provide a significant boost to his department, which had a total budget of about $30 million last year. About $9 million of that was used for paving.

The harsh winter this year was especially tough on pavement, and Sorrentino said the department would use the new funds to repave roads rather than use the "Band-Aid" approach of fixing potholes. He said they would focus on areas that haven't been touched in more than 20 years, including areas in Commack and South Huntington.

What is the condition of your street? Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.

Beach season? Beach closures

We're at the height of summer. And while that means slower days and more outdoor fun, including at the beach, it also means beach closures and advisories against swimming, especially on the North Shore. The closures and advisories often happen after a significant rainfall, when stormwater runoff can elevate bacterial levels in bodies of water.  

Keep this beach closings list handy this weekend to stay up to date on which beaches are closed.

Where, and how, do you cool off in the heat? Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.

Elsewhere in town

• The housing market is always hot on Long Island, and a story by Frank Lovece shows how prices of several homes in Nassau and Suffolk, including one in Cold Spring Harbor, have appreciated over the years.
• The season for outdoor dining with a water view is in full swing! Check out where to go — including destinations in Huntington — according to food writers Andi Berlin, Erica Marcus and Marie Elena Martinez.
• My colleagues Dandan Zou and Michael R. Ebert did a deep dive into teacher salaries across Long Island. See how the eight school districts in the town rank. 

Things to do

Check out these fun and interesting things to do around town in the coming week.

5th Annual Sea Glass Festival

When: Sunday July 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What: Adults and children can create sea glass-inspired crafts, participate in trivia and scavenger hunts, and even try to mimic a whale in the Whale Sound Contest. Browse over 30 unique coastal vendors. 

Where: Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor 

Information: Online discount tickets $18 | $15 for members; door tickets $22 | $18 for members. Go here for tickets.

15th Annual Anne Frank Memorial Ceremony

When: Friday, July 17, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

What: Ceremony honoring the young Holocaust victim with guest speaker and Holocaust survivor Ada Gracin.

Where: Arboretum Park, 48 Threepence Drive, Melville

Information: In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place in the Town Board Room at Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington. For more information, check here. 

Huntington Independence Day

When: Saturday, July 18, noon to 5 p.m. 
What: The town celebrates America’s 250th birthday with crafts, musket and cannon firing demonstrations, games and food. 

Where: The Village Green, 423 Park Ave., and the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam Property, 434 Park Ave.

Information:  For more information, go here. 

Find more things to do at newsday.com/lifestyle.