News Nearby: House Fire Under Investigation After Explosion Heard

There's plenty of news happening on any given day in Three Village, and the same can be said for the towns around us. Here's a look at what's making headlines in nearby Patch towns.

From Port Jefferson Patch: House Fire Under Investigation After Explosion Heard at Home. Several fire units responded and knocked down a house fire on Red Barn Lane that engulfed the home in smoke around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Port Jefferson Fire First Assistant Chief Dave Williams noted that two people and a dog made it out safely. Williams also said that upon coming to the scene of the fire, firefighters heard an explosion at the site, believed to be oxygen tanks. According to Suffolk County Police, a call reporting a "house full of smoke" came in at 3:33 p.m. at 4 Red Barn Ln. The Suffolk County Arson Squad was also called to the scene.

From Sachem Patch: Cops Seeking Trio That Robbed Holtsville Store. Police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating three suspects who robbed The Barn convenience store in Holtsville earlier this month. According to police, on March 12 a woman with two passengers pulled up to the barn and ordered a soda. While the cashier turned to fill the order, a black male passenger wearing a ski mask hopped out of the car with a shotgun and demanded money. The cashier complied and the three suspects fled the scene.

From Miller Place-Rocky Point Patch: Rocky Point Supe's Budget Won't Pierce Cap; Teachers Union Speaks Out. After passing a budget last year that exceeded the tax levy cap and passed with over 60 percent of the vote needed, the 2013-14 Rocky Point School District budget proposed by Superintendent Michael Ring would not pierce the cap. At Monday's budget hearing at Rocky Point High School, Ring proposed a $74,261,582 budget, which would be an increase of 3.75 percent over last year's. It includes a projected levy increase of 3.56 percent, which is at the cap for the district.

From Smithtown Patch: . While discussing options the district has with proposing the upcoming budget, Superintendent Anthony Annunziato said there is an option to present a budget that would pierce the tax cap. A 60-percent super-majority approved vote would be needed to approve the 4.7 percent proposed tax levy. During the next budget hearing, set for April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Joseph M. Barton Building on New York Avenue, the district will provide a glimpse into the fiscal future of the district, which could include the possibility of bankruptcy.

From Kings Park Patch: Hightower Homes Spared Wrecking Ball for 2 Weeks. Smithtown officials have temporarily spared Hightower Homes from a date with a wrecking ball, giving the new owner two weeks to make the property safe. Smithtown Town Board voted unanimously to revoke their Feb. 28 resolution that allowed town workers to enter Hightower houses, at 77 and 81 Main Street in Kings Park, to clean up or demolish the vacant buildings, deemed unsafe by building inspectors.