Stories And Issues For 2013

As 2012 counted down to its final days, we offered up some retrospectives of the year in review: top crime stories, top sports stories, top school stories and a look at our arts features. Now we look forward to 2013 and bringing you the news that matters to the Sachem community. Here are just a few of the stories we'll be following.

Hurricane Sandy. The storm is long over, but the devestation it left behind, sadly is not, and people from the Sachem community were not only affected by the storm, but did a lot to help fellow Long Islanders hit the hardest. We'll continue to update news about the recovery efforts, as well as the human interest angles as the island continues to rebuild and replenish all that was destroyed in the storm.

Newtown Connecticut Shootings. In the wake of the terrible massacre of 26 people, including 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School last month, there will no doubt be a lot of questions, concerns and legislative debates over how to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. With Superintendent James Nolan already issuing statements on the school's cooperation with the Suffolk County Police Department, we'll keep updating the community on any new developments and discussions. In fact, the next general meeting of the Sachem Board of Education is slated for a discussion of security measures. Keep tuning into Sachem Patch for the latest on this issue.

Sachem School Budget. On December 19, the Sachem Board of Education introduced the first draft of its 2013-14 budget. The numbers will once again spark debate and compromise from both the public and the district, and Sachem Patch will be updating the community on new developments, concessions, and ultimately, the vote on election day.

Ronkonkoma Hub. Heading into 2013 we're expecting some significant movement in the Ronkonkoma Hub project, a massive revitalization program that will transform the acreage around the LIRR Ronkonkoma train station into a Transit Oriented Development, replete with retail stores and residential units. Local chambers of commerce continue to have meetings on the latest developments, and Sachem Patch will keep our ear to the ground for the news and stories you should know about this potentially game-changing multiple-municipality undertaking.

Class of 2013. The year 2013 will see another batch of dynamic Sachem students graduating and moving on to the big, bad world. Sachem Patch will have blanket coverage of the Class of 2013, including a countdown of the Top 10 academic students at both North and East, human interest stories about the graduating class and, of course, the ceremonies at both campuses.

Blog on Patch. Let's see if we can increase the number of Sachem community members blogging on Sachem Patch in 2013. Is there a local issue you'd like to express you opinion about? Would you like an instant platform of more than 7,000 readers? It's real easy to become a Patch blogger; just click here, sign up, and let your voice be heard!