🌱 LI's COVID Spike + Leading Cause Of Fatal LI Car Crashes

Happy Tuesday, people of Five Towns! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 45 Low: 39.

Here are the top four stories in Five Towns today:

1. Numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing on Long Island and now Nassau and Suffolk's seven-day positivity rate is the highest in New York State at 9.32 percent. Nassau and Suffolk reported 3,973 new cases on Sunday, with a total of 24 confirmed omicron cases on Long Island. (News 12)
2. Data shows that unsafe speed is the number one cause of deadly crashes on Long Island. There have been 41 people killed in Nassau and Suffolk crashes so far in 2021, according to the AAA. (Patch)
3. Nassau District Attorney-Elect Anne Donnelly explained her priorities when she takes over the office in January. She said bail reform "went too far" and the opioid crisis is still an ongoing issue. (Subscription: Newsday)
4. Woodmere resident Daniella Rothman is a junior center basketball player for Yeshiva University who battled back from injuries to have a strong season. (LI Herald)

Today's Five Towns Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Five Towns!

Today in Five Towns:

• FECC Pre-K Puffball Celebration, Hewlett Woodmere School District.
• Hewlett High School Chorale Tour, George W Hewlett High School.
• Ogden Elementary School Holiday Electric Light Parade, Hewlett Woodmere School District.

From my notebook:

• Woodmere Vol. Fire Department remembers that seven years ago today Chief Sanford responded to his last alarm. (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hewlett/Woodmere: "Where is the easiest place to get a COVID-19 test? I can’t stand in line for hours — I have a bad knee." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Inwood: "Escalante J Landscaping provides snow removal and landscaping services. Call now for a free estimate to get on the list of snow customers: 516-462-6223 for a free estimate from Jose." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Hewlett/Woodmere: "There was a break-in on East Broadway area in Hewlett." (Nextdoor)

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

— Jackie