Masked Return To School + Mailbox Thieves + Ida Brings Rain

Good morning, people of Five Towns! It's me again, your host of the Five Towns Daily.

The first day of school for many kids today will coincide with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida bringing heavy rain. The beginning of the school year also means the conversation about mask mandates continues, but local districts are following New York State orders. Two mailbox thieves were arrested after attacking a postal inspector. Hewlett-Woodmere School District has several back to school events today.

First, today's weather will be heavy rain throughout the day with a high of 74 and a low of 66 degrees.

Here are the top stories today in Five Towns:

1. Jerry Barmash looks at how local school districts dealt with the uncertainty in state mask mandates as the school year was rapidly approaching. In Long Beach, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Gallagher told parents that she "truly grappled" with the situation. (Patch)
2. Alex Costello reports that two men were arrested on Monday after police say they tried to steal the contents of mailboxes in Hicksville, and one of them attacked an investigator. Romy Fabre, 26, of Queens, used a stolen Postal Service master key to steal the mail from the mailboxes in the post office and then attacked a postal inspector with a sharp object. Jahki Hawkins, 22, of the Bronx, was also arrested. (Patch)
3. News 12 Long Island is tracking the remnants of Ida, which will bring heavy rain to the area Wednesday and Thursday. Torrential downpours are expected by early Thursday hours. (News 12)

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Today in Five Towns

• First day of school for all students, Hewlett Woodmere School District.
• Hewlett High School Senior Sunrise Breakfast, 6:45 a.m.
• Ogden Elementary School Welcome Back Celebration, Waffles and Welcome, 8 a.m.
• Ogden Elementary School Back to School Night, 5:30 p.m.

Five Towns Patch Notebook

• Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library has interesting items to borrow from their Library of Things like a floppy drive, a classic video game console or a birdwatching kit. (Facebook)

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— Jackie

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Five Towns Daily? Contact me at fivetowns@patch.com.