Read the latest stories from Patch's team of local journalists
West Islip, NY|
LI Rallies To Help Family Recover After Fire Guts Holiday Lights House
A GoFundMe has been organized to help a West Islip family who's starting over after their home was destroyed in a devastating fire.
Jade Eckardt, Patch Staff
Babylon Village, NY|
'Bring Him Home For The Holidays': Dior Is Patch's Pet Of The Week
Dior is a 3-year-old "chocolatey" pit who resides at the Babylon Animal Shelter and he's Patch's Pet of the Week.
Jade Eckardt, Patch Staff
Riverhead, NY|
'None Of The Victims Deserved To Die': Gilgo Families Unite In Grief
In an emotional outpouring, family members for each Gilgo victim handed the parents of Valerie Mack flowers after court. "We all love you."
Lisa Finn, Patch Staff
Nashua, NH|
Nashua Felon Arrested On Domestic Violence Deadly Weapon Threat Charge
Devonta Soto was accused of racking and pointing a BB gun at a family member during a sober house visit earlier this month.
Tony Schinella, Patch Staff
Evanston, IL|
$375 Million Sale Of Ascension Hospitals In Illinois Wins Approval
Seven hospitals will transition to for-profit status under Prime Healthcare, while Ascension Saint Elizabeth is slated to be shuttered.
Jonah Meadows, Patch Staff
Suffield, CT|
Get To Know Your State Roads In North-Central Connecticut
An informative periodic series on Patch providing facts and figures on some of the state roads winding through north-central Connecticut.
Tim Jensen, Patch Staff
Elmhurst, IL|
Elmhurst Council's 'Real Work' Not Recorded
Aldermen have yet to act on a request to video or audio record committee meetings.
David Giuliani, Patch Staff
Joliet, IL|
9 Photos: New Furniture Store Opens On Joliet's Busiest Street
Store owner Carlos Perez said he wants Galeria to be known around Joliet for offering "lower prices than the big stores."
John Ferak, Patch Staff
San Ramon, CA|
San Ramon Tour O' Lights: Family Holiday Display Returns For 38th Year
The Fairbanks family has finished a rebar reindeer project that their father started 38 years ago.
Kat Schuster, Patch Staff
Joliet, IL|
One Of Joliet's Great Achievements In 2024 Now Under Construction
March marked the five-year anniversary of the Joliet Bakers Square restaurant being permanently closed.It's at 2211 West Jefferson Street.
John Ferak, Patch Staff
Lemont, IL|
D113A Considering Options To Address Student Growth
The District is considering several options, including reopening Bromberek School or additions to its other schools.
Andrea Earnest, Patch Staff
Hoboken, NJ|
Hoboken Council To Vote On Law To Limit 'Unconscionable' Rents
Corporate landlords have raised Hoboken rents as much as 25 percent. The city wants to limit increases to 10 percent, with exceptions.
Caren Lissner, Patch Staff
Evanston, IL|
Grubhub To Pay $25 Million Over Allegations Of Deceptive Practices
Federal regulators alleged the Chicago-based delivery company hid fees, blocked accounts and listed restaurants without their approval.
Jonah Meadows, Patch Staff
Grayslake, IL|
5 Lake Co. Businesses Cited For Selling Alcohol To Minors
The Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted compliance checks at 55 businesses that sell alcohol in the county.
Amie Schaenzer, Patch Staff
Laguna Niguel-Dana Point, CA|
Mysterious Sand Art On OC Shores: A Labor Of Love From A Local Artist
If you're out on the shores of Orange County during just the right time, you might see some of this hypnotic sand art for yourself.
Miranda Ceja, Patch Staff
West Hartford, CT|
Slight Golf Course Fee Hikes Approved In West Hartford
The West Hartford Town Council last week voted to slightly raise the green fees at the town-owned Rockledge and Buena Vista golf courses.
Michael Lemanski, Patch Staff
Concord, NH|
Science Experiment Causes Alarm Activation, Evacuation At Concord High
Principal Herbert: Concord fire and rescue teams were sent to the school on Tuesday morning after detectors picked up ethanol vapors.
Tony Schinella, Patch Staff
Darien, CT|
Darien Hires New Town Administrator
Darien had been looking for a replacement after the previous town administrator left for a new job in Greenwich.
Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff
St. Pete, FL|
Hundreds Of Seniors Displaced After Downtown St. Pete Apartment Fire
A Monday night fire at Lutheran Apartments in downtown St. Pete displaced nearly 300 seniors, who need somewhere to stay for up to 10 days.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
McLean, VA|
Tysons Casino Poses National Security Threat: Intelligence Experts
A letter signed by 109 past members of the defense and intelligence communities say a casino in Tysons would be a national security threat.
Michael O'Connell, Patch Staff
Bridgewater, NJ|
Illuminated Christmas Tree Balls Unite Bridgewater Community
The annual tradition continues to grow to more than 240 balls and a food donation drive to help the hungry in Somerset County.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Salem, MA|
Salem To Add 12 Homeless Shelter Beds Amid Harsh Winter Weather
Lifebridge/Salem Mission has been awarded $213,500 after the city implemented restrictions on outdoor homeless encampments this past spring.
Scott Souza, Patch Staff
Across Connecticut, CT|
Scrooge, Sherlock & Winter Solstice: Worlds Collide This Weekend In CT
Saturday, the Winter Solstice, may be the shortest day of the year, but you'll still find plenty to do in Connecticut, all weekend long.
Rich Kirby, Patch Staff
Canton, CT|
Canton Firehouse Building Committee Dissolved By Selectmen
The job completed, the Canton Board of Selectmen thanked members who served to help build the new firehouse in Collinsville.
Michael Lemanski, Patch Staff
Hatboro-Horsham, PA|
New Record Set For Horsham's Pack The Patrol Car Food Drive
The Horsham Township Police Department shoots to fill 20 patrol cars with its food drive each year.
Dino Ciliberti, Patch Staff
La Grange, IL|
LTHS Blames Ex-Law Firm For Violations
The board voted to release eight closed-session recordings on a land deal.
David Giuliani, Patch Staff
Crystal Lake-Cary, IL|
Bar At Ice Rink Seeks Approval To Extend Alcohol Service Hours
The request by the Time Out Tap at Crystal Ice House is meant to accommodate alcohol service during figure skating and hockey events.
Amie Schaenzer, Patch Staff
New Lenox, IL|
Farmers Market Coming Back To New Lenox In 2025: Mayor
The market will be held Thursday evenings in the Commons, May through September. Application for vendors open now.
Lauren Traut, Patch Staff
Clinton, CT|
Pepperidge Farm Store Closes At Westbrook Outlets
Pepperidge Farm's presence in Connecticut continues to shrink as its thrift store at Westbrook Outlets has closed.
Chris Rhatigan, Patch Staff
Philadelphia, PA|
See Photos From Jason Kelce Lookalike Contest In Philadelphia
So many Kelces.
Max Bennett, Patch Staff
Berkeley, NJ|
Lack Of Drone Information Is 'Disturbing,' Berkeley Mayor Says
Mayor John Bacchione said that he was "frustrated and disappointed" that the federal government has offered little information about drones.
Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
Secaucus, NJ|
Secaucus Grocery Store Building Was Supposed To Be 35 Townhomes
The building where the Secaucus grocery store just opened was originally planned to be torn town, and 35 town homes built there.
Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
Frankfort, IL|
New Restaurant Plans Do Not Move Forward At Frankfort Village Board
A new restaurant, Rhumbar, at 10211 W. Lincoln Highway has been proposed within the Brookside Office Centre Development.
Andrea Earnest, Patch Staff
Greenwich, CT|
RFP Deadline Upcoming For Greenwich's Havemeyer Building
Originally set for Nov. 15 at 11 a.m., the Request For Proposal deadline was moved to Dec. 20.
Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff
Darien, IL|
Darien Approves New Chamber-Like Group
The existing chamber opposes the creation of another group.
David Giuliani, Patch Staff
Darien, IL|
Another Darien Chain Eatery Closes Doors
Service has gone downhill since a new corporation took over, an official said.
David Giuliani, Patch Staff
Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills, IL|
Reason For Clarendon Hills Official's Departure
The fire chief said he was "sadly" resigning. An acting chief has been named.
David Giuliani, Patch Staff
Naperville, IL|
Naperville Massage Parlor Proposal Aims To Deter Human Trafficking
The city will consider an amendment to its business regulations to help prevent human trafficking and protect legitimate massage businesses.
Lisa Marie Farver, Patch Staff
Alsip-Crestwood, IL|
Patch Queen Of Hearts Action Report, Week Of December 16
Do you feel lucky? Patch has rounded up the current Queen of Hearts raffle happening around the Southland. You can't win if you don't play.
Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
Pacific Palisades, CA|
Air Drops Contain 2 Brush Fires In Pacific Palisades
Firefighters spent two hours getting the upper hand on a pair of brush fires that broke out in a difficult-to-reach area.
Paige Austin, Patch Staff
