🌱Failed LES Bank Robber Wanted + Schools Stayed Open During Snow

It's the weekend, neighbors! I am your host, Patrick Murray bringing you today's top 3 stories from the neighborhood.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and chilly with a high of 32 and a low of 28.

Here are the top stories in Lower East Side-Chinatown today:

1. A suspect is wanted in a string of unsuccessful bank robberies across the city. Banks targeted span from the Lower East Side to Midtown and Williamsburg. The suspect first targeted the Wells Fargo in Essex Crossing early on Wednesday morning. (Bowery Boogie)
2. Mayor Eric Adams defended the decision to keep schools open despite the impending snowfall. New York's Sanitation Department was working with an approximately 20 percent staffing deficit due to the omicron wave, but was still able to deploy about 1,600 snowplows. Up to five inches of snow had fallen in parts of the city by 7 a.m. on Friday morning. (AOL)
3. NYPD arrested and charged 39-year-old James Ryan for a hate crime and aggravated harassment after he had spray-painted swastikas across Lower Manhattan. Ryan was caught on a surveillance camera spray painting on a pillar at City Hall in early December. The suspect was taken into custody on Dec. 17. (CBS New York)

Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• "Used Cars" screening at The Metrograph. (12 p.m.)
• Christopher Trietsch live at Rockwood Music Hall. (4:30 p.m.)
• Live music at The Delancey. (5:30 p.m.)
• "Raining in the Mountain" screening at The Metrograph. (6:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Find out more about this full schedule of free, virtual programs offered by the Tenement Museum. (Facebook)
• The Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center is dedicated to helping our community navigate the health insurance marketplace. (Facebook)
• A brief history of the Lower East Side's own Economy Candy. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Jazz Vocalist Naama Gheber Live at Birdland (January 10)
• FREE WEBINAR | “Michelangelo and the Terrible Pope” Presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero (January 11)
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• Whitmore's End-Year Media Blitz Features LI's Hospitality Clients (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— Patrick Murray