Week in Review: Blizzard's Aftermath, New Auto Shop Owners, Dog Show Winner

Locals' Frustration Grew as Un-Plowed Roads Lingered

As news broke Monday that Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine is away on vacation as residents cope with the blizzard's aftermath, Three Village Patch readers reported more than 70 streets in town untouched by plows. "This situation has gone from mere incompetence to outright negligence," one commenter said.

Smith Haven Mall Reopens After Roof Leaks

After more than 20 stores reported roof leaks on Monday, the mall was briefly closed on Tuesday before inspectors said it was safe for shoppers to return.

School Superintendent: "Our Academic Calendar is a Tight One"

Three Village schools will be open on Wednesday, but the damage to the academic calendar has been done: schools will officially be open on March 25, the first day of spring break. When asked whether there was any flexibility in the school calendar at this point, superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said in a statement Tuesday that the district would be sticking to its original make-up day plan rather than altering it following the Feb. 8 blizzard. "Our academic calendar is a tight one this year, as we have already taken away days surrounding our February break and Memorial Day holiday weekend," Pedisich said. "It is unfortunate, but we were simply left with very limited options for recovering the lost instructional time."

Meet the Owner: Couple Takes Over Auto Repair Shop

They've renamed the business "TLC Transmissions and Affordable Auto Care." Emphasis on the word "Care." "I wanted the name and the logo to represent who we are," said Bobbi Ann DePierro, who along with husband Dominic DePierro opened the new shop Jan. 3 at the former Aamco location at the corner of Route 347 and Belle Meade Road. For the DePierros, of Bellport, that means fixing much more than cars – it means repairing the bad reputation sometimes associated with auto repair shops when customers don't know if they're getting a fair deal.

Dachsund from Stony Brook Shines at Westminster Dog Show

Dora the Explorer sat lounging in her blue armchair, almost perfectly still except for her breath, and posed for photos. The 1-1/2 year old miniature dachsund had just finished a long weekend of competition – which culminated Monday in her achievement at the Westminster Dog Show: She was named a winner's bitch, an honor given to the best female in her class. Her proud owner is Robin Gianopoulos of Stony Brook. "[She is] tired for a few days after the dog shows. This week they were tough because of the weather," Gianopoulos said. "But she loves to show. She gets in there and does her little thing."