🌱 Icy Roads Close LIE + Omicron Leads To Canceled Flights

Good morning, Merrick! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Periods of rain. High: 49 Low: 43.

Here are the top four stories today in Merrick:

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)
4. Jaclyn Gentilesco, an art teacher in Wantagh Middle and High School, and her students created art for the Starbucks cafe in the Willow Wood Shoppes in Wantagh. The students made portraits of the animals at Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation in Wantagh in an effort to increase adoptions. (LI Herald)

Today in Merrick:

• Merry Christmas from Patch!

From my notebook:

• Jay Rodriguez is a female barber from Merrick who works at Hair Magicians in Wantagh. She was chosen to be in a national commercial for Ruffles Potato Chips starring NBA star LeBron James. (News 12)
• Merrick Library's January family offerings include the walk-in Family Playtime and other programs requiring registration. (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, N. Merrick: "Looking for a plumber, not overpriced—getting crazy estimates." (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Jackie