🌱 Fixing School Bus Shortage + No More Gifted Programs?

Happy Saturday, neighbors! These are the most important things going on around Five Towns today.

Hewlett-Woodmere is looking for creative solutions to the school bus driver shortage. Find out what 7th district candidates have to say. Police released the names of the teenagers who died in this week's crash in West Hempstead.

Feature your business right here in the newsletter for just $79/month. Click here to get started.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and cooler. High: 60 Low: 50.

Here are the top stories in Five Towns today:

1. The LI Herald finds out what school administrators and parents have to say about the current bus driver shortage. A Hewlett-Woodmere roundtable was held to discuss options, such as possibly combining routes with other schools. (LI Herald)
2. Jeff Bessen interviews Lisa Daniels and Howard Kopel. County Legislator Kopel (R-Lawrence) is running for his seventh two-year term. Democratic challenger Daniels ran against Kopel in 2013 in the 7th District which includes East Rockaway, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, and parts of Hewlett, Lawrence and Valley Stream. (LI Herald)
3. Patch reports that the names of the two teenage victims of this week's West Hempstead car crash. They are Amanda Arguinzoni, 17, of West Hempstead, and Curtis Caesar, 19, of Hollis. (Patch)
4. Juan Lasso reports what Valley Stream residents have to say about the village opting out of legal cannabis sales. Opinions were mixed. (LI Herald)
5. The New York Times asks students their opinions on eliminating gifted programs in public schools. One Valley Stream North student said the programs are divisive. What do you think? (The New York Times)

Today in Five Towns:

• ACT In-District, Hewlett High School, 8 a.m.

Five Towns Patch Notebook

• Check out a local Five Towns artist who donates 100 percent of the profits from his latest sports-inspired work to charity. Adam Port is donating his earnings from his basketball shoe series to the Shaquille O’Neal foundation. (LI Herald)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• "By The Grace of the Game" Book & Author with Dan Grunfeld (October 25)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Behind The Scoreboard – Lady Racing Drivers Need Financial Boost (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• Florida condo for sale (Details)
• Add your item

That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Jackie

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Five Towns Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at FiveTowns@Patch.com.