Repeat Business Burglar Arrested + Heat Wave + Delta In Nassau

Welcome back, Five Towns! Let's get you all caught up to start this Saturday off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

The temperatures are soaring and PSEG LI wants you to help conserve energy. A man suspected of a rash of burglaries across Nassau County was arrested this week. A plan is in the works to clean up a contaminated site in Cedarhurst. And check out the COVID statistics in Nassau where cases are up but luckily deaths are not.

First, today's weather will be possible light rain in the afternoon with a high of 87 and a low of 70 degrees.

Here are the top stories in Five Towns today:

1. Alex Costello reports that a man was arrested in Bellmore Wednesday and is accused of a string of burglaries at businesses across Nassau County: Sean Smith, 40, of Queens. The burglaries occurred in July and August in Elmont, Garden City, Hewlett, Woodmere and other towns. (Patch)
2. Patch also looks at how the delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading in Nassau County. Despite having the state's highest vaccination rate, cases are up to 3,498 confirmed cases in July, and 3,573 as of Aug. 11 compared to only 805 in June, pre-delta. Deaths remain low, however. (Patch)
3. News 12 has a message from PSEG Long Island this week: Please conserve energy. For the first time in 20 years, the utility company is asking Long Islanders to use a little less air conditioning and other power. The heat index was over 100 degrees on Friday, the third day of high temperatures. (News 12 Long Island)
4. Daniel Robertson has the details on the cleanup plan for the contaminated Quick and Clean Cleaners site at 380 Rockaway Turnpike in Cedarhurst. The New York State Department of Environmental officials presented plans to the Village board last week. The total cost for the cleanup would be $474,000. (LI Herald)
5. News 12 looks at a fatal crash in South Hempstead. On Thursday around 9 p.m. on Village and Grand avenues, a 28-year-old driver of a motorcycle crashed into an Acura and was pronounced dead at the scene. (News 12 Long Island)

Today in Five Towns

• Zoom Computer Class - Excel, 10 to 11 a.m., Henry Waldinger Memorial Library
• Outdoor Movers & Shakers, 11 to 11:50 a.m., Henry Waldinger Memorial Library
• Craft-Along: Rainforest, 1 to 1:50 p.m., Henry Waldinger Memorial Library

Five Towns Patch Notebook

• Hungry this weekend? Long Island's largest clam eating contest takes place tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Peter's Clam Bar in Long Beach. (News 12 Long Island)
• Nassau County Police Department want to remind everyone that August is #TrafficAwarenessMonth and that distracted driving kills. (Facebook)
• Wondering what birds you're seeing in your backyard? Pick up a bird watching kit from Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Announcements:

• Inaugural Metzger Cup Featured On Lacrosse Showcase Website (Details)

For sale:

• Front Gate, never used, Inflatable queen sized bed (Details)
• Desk/Table (Details)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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 reach me at fivetowns@patch.com.