🌱 Smithtown Daily: Hospital Systems Challenged + Van Fire Death

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Diane Witek, your host of the Smithtown Daily. Here are the top 4 stories in Smithtown today.

First, today's weather:

Cooler with occasional rain. High: 42, low: 41.

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Here are the top stories in Smithtown today:

1. Hospital systems in parts of the country are not only being challenged by the omicron coronavirus variant they are still dealing with cases from the delta variant. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that nationally, about 79 percent of inpatient beds were occupied as of Dec. 16. The CDC predicts by Jan. 7, new COVID-19 hospital admissions will be somewhere between 6,300 and 18,400 patients; the current seven-day average is about 7,800 daily admissions. (Smithtown Patch)
2. Van fully engulfed in flames in Coram leaves female passenger of a 2002 Ford Econoline dead. The driver of the van, 53-year-old Mount Sinai resident Talal Saad, escaped from the van with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident is still under investigation, though the fire was preliminarily deemed "non-criminal in nature. (Patch)
3. Toys of Hope has been providing Christmas gifts to kids all across Long Island for over 25 years. But this year, but this year Santa's truck got into an accident and is totaled. Right now Toys of Hope is borrowing an SUV until they raise enough money to buy Santa a new sleigh. If you want to help Toys Of Hope, you can donate to their GoFundMe. (FOX 5 NY)
4. A woman display a knife when a Smith Haven Mall Macys' employee tried to stop her from stealing clothing. The woman is wanted for first-degree robbery. (Smithtown Patch)

Today in Smithtown:

• Toddler Music Makers (Smithtown Library). (9:30 a.m.)
• Kids Can Volunteer-Wildlife Winter Ornaments (Smithtown Library). (11 a.m.)
• Victory Pro Wrestling presents "Devastation." (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "Piggy back ride! Meet two of our resident red eared sliders. Have you ever seen a bunch of turtles stacked on top of each other like this?" (Facebook)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "It's true, Anna. Frozen Jr. returns tonight at 7:30 p.m. Can't make it tonight? Frozen Jr. plays tomorrow at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. 🎟️: smithtownpac.org, #spac. #longisland." (Facebook)
• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "We still have tickets to both events tonight! It's going to be a beautiful evening to join us at the center." (Facebook)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "It’s time for a #FridayFunny! Who’s guilty? 😂 #spac, #smithtowntheatre, #performerstuff, #selftape." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Bright Lights, a Magical Holiday Celebration at Vanderbilt Museum. Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport. (Dec. 18 & 19)
• Victory Pro Wrestling presents "Devastation." Located at The Sports Arena, 620 Middle Country Rd, St James. (Dec. 18)
• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms. FTD Flowers.(Dec. 21)
• Add your event.

Announcements:

• Congratulations To Hills East Football. (Details)
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For sale:

• *** $75 OFF *** Walk with "CONFIDENCE" Once Again! (Details)
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Job listings:

• Draft Line Cleaning Technician. (Details)
• Dental Receptionist. (Details)
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Loving the Smithtown Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe.
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at diane.witek@patch.com.

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update!

— Diane Witek

About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds.