🌱 Winter Pet Safety Tips + Lawmakers Increase Illegal ATV Fines

Hello again, everybody. It's Saturday in Sachem and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally, including news about:

• Check out these tips on how to protect your pets during extreme weather.
• Suffolk lawmakers increase fines for illegal ATVs.
• ICYMI: Suffolk cyberattack hackers demanded $2.5 million from Suffolk County.

But first, today's weather:

Windy with partial sunshine. High: 18 low: 15.

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Here are the top three stories today in Sachem:

1. Check out these tips on how to protect your pets during extreme weather. The forecast shows for extreme cold this weekend, with wind chills under 0 degrees. Click the link to read these imperative tips on keeping pets warm and safe during this cold spell. (Huntington Patch)
2. Suffolk lawmakers increase fines for illegal ATVs. The legislation passed on Tuesday and County Executive Steve Bellone is expected to sign it into law. The first conviction has been increased from $250 to $500; the second from $750 to $1,500; and the third from $5,000 to $7,500. The redemption for a seized vehicle has been increased from $500 to $1,000. (Sachem Patch)
3. ICYMI: Suffolk cyberattack hackers demanded $2.5 million from Suffolk County. The hackers demanded the money in exchange for not completely decimating the county's systems. County Executive Steve Bellone would not comply with their demands. "Payment is no guarantee that the criminal actors will honor their commitment or that they won't come back later to extract an additional demand," he added. "But more important, we don't know who these criminal actors are. Are they terrorists? Are they engaging in sex trafficking? Are they engaged in activities that are hostile to our nation's interests?" The attack has cost Suffolk County $6 million in total. (Sachem Patch)

Today in Sachem:

• No local events for Christmas Eve.

From my notebook:

• Sachem Schools: Fifth graders at Wenonah Elementary School are engineering songs of the season. Check the songs out by watching the video in the link! (Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Andrew Tessler

About me: Hi! I'm Andrew and I have been a Huntington resident for 7 years. I have lived in other countries and states, and my number one love is Huntington. I love health and wellness, traveling, stand-up paddle boarding, and of course going to restaurants and events throughout Huntington!

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Sachem Daily? Contact me at [email protected]