Top 6 Stories of Summer 2012

The summer of 2012 brought major news to Hauppauge from the sudden death of a beloved community leaders to re-opening of local busineses. 

Here's a look back at the major news stories of the summer: 

A religious leader of a Hauppauge church passed away suddenly Monday night and his absence is already sending ripples through the local community. 

Rev. Monsignor Francis Midura died suddenly on Monday night. He has been leading St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church for more than nine years.

Hauppauge school officials voted unanimously Tuesday night to change the entrance age for incoming kindergarten students. 

Hauppauge Board of Education accepted Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss's recommendation to change the entrance age of incoming kindergarten students under policy 5140 to Dec. 1, instead of Dec. 31 of a given year, as has been the district's policy for several years. 

The new owners of LoPiccolo's Pizzeria and Restaurant are hoping to bring authentic Italian cuisine back to Hauppauge.

Partners Adam Gold, of Westbury, and Rocky Napoli, of Commack, celebrated the grand re-opening of LoPiccolo's Pizzeria on Route 347 late on July 3, after more than two months of renovations.

A Century-21 'for sale' sign has shadowed Hauppauge Farms for two years. A place that was once a family’s livelihood and community fixture has become an economical and emotional sore. 

The Town of Smithtown was robbed of more than $200,000 by a trio operating a recycling scheme in town for more than two years, officials said, and that amount is likely to increase.

At first, recent sightings of supposedly needy families holding signs asking for money at stores along Veterans Highway and Nesconset Highway prompted Long Islanders to graciously open their wallets to help.

However, some now fear the panhandlers may be scamming people and exploiting children after the adults holding the signs were allegedly spotted with different children in their company.