News Nearby: Missing Teen Found; Former Port Jeff Deputy Mayor Dies

Missing Teen Has Been Located 

On Thursday, Suffolk County Police said Ailsa Papik, 15, was found after being missing for nearly five days. Patch has spoken to Christina Papik, who was awaiting her daughter's transfer and reunion. Papik stated that police informed her that Ailsa had been located in the Bronx at around 4:30 p.m. Thursday and that she was unharmed. Police did not provide details of much else.

"I kind of collapsed to the floor," Papik said, when she heard the confirmation from Suffolk Police. "I just want to thank everyone in the community who came out and for all the effort to get the word out." Papik has asked for some private time to be with her daughter.

Joseph Erland, a member of the Port Jefferson community who played a part in local government sitting on the village board of trustees and serving as deputy mayor, died at the age of 55. Mr. Erland was a retired Long Island Railroad engineer as well as a 38-year member of the Port Jefferson Fire Department and fire commissioner.

A message appeared on the village's official website regretfully announcing Mr. Erland’s passing. “Those of us who had the pleasure of working alongside of Joe know his commitment, his love for this community and for his family,” the announcement said. “We will miss his smile and we send our sincerest condolences to his children at this time. You are a true Port Jefferson Hero Joe – rest in peace.”

Rocky Point Schools May Spend $1M of Capital Reserves on AstroTurf

The Rocky Point School District recently held a community forum to introduce proposed capital projects, including the hotly debated topic of installing synthetic turf to the High School football field.
The estimated project costs include $1,010,000 for the replacement of the grass field with synthetic turf, $680,000 for the reconstruction of the existing track and $300,000 for the reconstruction of instructional laboratories.
According to the presentation, all proposed projects, if approved by the Board of Education and voters, will be funded through the District’s Capital Projects Reserve Fund.

Obama Detractors Protest by St. James Post Office

Members of the LaRouche PAC protested Thursday outside of the St. James Post Office on Lake Avenue, with signs and speeches proclaiming President Barack Obama should be impeached. The LaRouche PAC is an international campaign pushing for the impeachment of Obama, according to organizer Lynne Speed. Speed said the political action committee is calling for the immediate impeachment of the president for several reasons, mainly because of the murder of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens.