🌱 Omicron Staffing Shortages Cancels Flights + Masks In Church

Happy Saturday, Five Towns! Here's everything you need to know going on today.

First, today's weather:

Periods of rain. High: 50 Low: 44.

Here are the top three stories in Five Towns today:

1. Icy roads caused multiple crashes and the closure of the Long Island Expressway westbound at Exit 56. The lanes closed around 7 a.m. (Daily Voice)
2. Due to omicron-related staffing shortages United Airlines and Delta canceled numerous Christmas Eve and Day flights including some at JFK and LaGuardia airports. United canceled 168 flights on Friday and Delta 100. (News 12)
3. Bonbino's Pizza owners Nick and John Milano organized a visit from the "Vaxmobile" to the Rockville Centre eatery, with booster shots given by Mount Sinai South Nassau staff. (LI Herald)

Today in Five Towns:

• The Roman Catholic Church's Diocese of Rockville Centre will follow Gov. Kathy Hochul's mask mandate for indoor locations during their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses at the Cathedral of St. Agnes.

From my notebook:

• The cafeteria at Lawrence Middle School got makeover and the menus at the middle school and Lawrence High School have a menu item, Yard Bird Chicken: crispy or grilled whole-muscle chicken breast served on a brioche bun with homemade dipping sauce, pickle chips and seasoned fries. (LI Herald)
• Woodmere Vol. Fire Department commemorates the seventh anniversary of the LODD of Inwood Ex Chief Joseph Sanford Jr. (Facebook)
• Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library will show "Shang-Chi" on Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Jackie