This week in Huntington newsletter: Closing in on Oheka Castle, town budget deals

Welcome to the weekend. It’s been a hectic few weeks, so I’m looking forward to a quiet couple of days. I plan to try two new (to me) restaurants and connect with friends before the holidays kick off.

Next week will rev up quickly, and Tuesday has the makings of a big day.

The parties in the Oheka Castle sale return to court that day, and I’ll be there. It’s expected that the judge will sign off on the sale, after which a closing date can be set. Last week, Newsday reported the winner of the auction for the Huntington landmark, Gold Coast Property & Estate Management LLC, was able to make its final payment to complete the 10%, $7.2 million deposit.

Newsday had previously reported some drama — that the LLC didn't have the required down payment 48 hours after being named the winning bidder and asked the court for an extension, which was granted.

Later Tuesday, the town board will hold a public hearing to consider extending its moratorium on battery storage facilities for an additional 12 months. The hearing will take place during the regular board meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. At that meeting, the board also is expected to vote on the 2027 budget, which, if approved, would pierce the tax cap for the first time since 2017. The proposed budget calls for an 18% property tax hike, which has raised ire among some residents. The current budget is $245.3 million and the proposed budget is $269.7 million. 

Which of these stories has grabbed your attention most? Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.

Elsewhere in town

Greenlawn shoe repair keeps solid footing. Despite the number of cobblers dwindling across New York and nationwide, here's the story of how one local merchant stems the tide. 

Long Island public high school football rankings. Check out the list before the playoff semifinals. One school in our town made it.

Real estate hot spots. See which Huntington community was among the top five where Long Island home prices rose fastest in the first half of the year. 

Cinema Arts Centre co-director rehired. Dylan Skolnick announced his return to the nonprofit theater two months after a firing that sparked outrage.

Things to do

Check out these fun and interesting things to do around town in the coming week, and more, at newsday.com/lifestyle.

Huntington Village Farmers Market. Just two more Sundays remain in the outdoor season, this one and next. Bring a bag and fill it with a fall harvest. 228 Main St., 8 a.m.-noon. 

Second annual ExtravaCon. It's a convention that encompasses movies, TV, anime and video games. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Rd., Melville. Go to extravacon.com for more.

Learn how to make pickles. Attend a pickle-making workshop and tasting at the Whaling Museum & Education Center in Cold Spring Harbor on Sunday. There are two sessions, at 1 and 3 p.m., and registration is required. 

Find more things to do in Newsday's calendar of events.