🌱 Smithtown Daily: Iris, Ian, And Luna + At-Home Test Kits

Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Diane Witek, your host of the Smithtown Daily.

First, today's weather:

Morning snow, 1-3 inches; windy. High: 35, Low: 24.

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Here are the top stories today in Smithtown:

1. Iris, Ian, and Luna are the Smithtown Animal Shelter's Pets of the Week. Iris and Ian are a pair of 7-month-old bonded siblings who were both brought to the Animal Shelter as part of the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program. Ian is a black and white male domestic short hair mix, while Iris is a gray female domestic short hair mix. Luna gets along well with other cats, and she loves getting attention from humans," the shelter stated in a release. "She is a sweet and petite low-key lady who would be a perfect addition to any family." To inquire about the Pet of the Week or to meet your potential soulmate, please call the Smithtown Animal Shelter at 631-360-7575. (Smithtown Patch)
2. Thousands of at-home coronavirus test kits are set to be distributed throughout Suffolk County, Executive Steve Bellone announced on Thursday. Testing kits are due to be delivered to seniors, veterans, first responders, domestic violence shelters, faith-based organizations, and other vulnerable populations. The county partnered with local organizations and nonprofits including Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. Officials will package care bags, which will include an at-home test kit with two tests, KN95 masks, and hand sanitizer. The Health Department is continuing to distribute tens of thousands of tests to Suffolk school districts. (Patch)
3. Stony Brook Hospital is seeing an upsurge of pediatric admissions during the Omicron wave. Most of the children who arrive at the Stony Brook Hospital are not vaccinated and their parents are also unvaccinated. Doctors recommends their children and parents get the vaccine together to form a shield around one another to protect those who are too young to get the vaccine. (News 12 Bronx)
4. Firefighters were called to the scene of fire at a Setauket home on Huyler Road on Thursday morning. There was heavy fire at the front door and in the basement of the single-family home. No one was injured, police said. Arson Section detectives are investigating and have determined the cause to be "non-criminal in nature." (Patch)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Smithtown:

• Arts-In-Ed Meeting — Smithtown Csd. (10 a.m.)
• Game Day (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (11 a.m.)
• Friday Movie Matinee (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (2 p.m.)
• Create-N-Play (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (3 p.m.)
• Film and Discussion (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "This poor robin was caught by a dog. Amazingly only its feathers were removed, and no bones were broken, and no visible puncture wounds were found. She is missing all her primary feathers and most of her tail feathers making it impossible to fly." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Best show ever! Everyone was so talented! I took my grandchildren, and we had the best day! Thank you! Absolutely loved it and will definitely recommend!"❄️ Come on down to SPAC and "Let It Go" with us until Jan. 17. (Facebook) (Website)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Village of The Branch: "Part-time educator needed, museum educator (part-time/on-call) — Smithtown, NY. The Smithtown Historical Society is seeking an educator, passionate about history and eager to teach others about the rich history of Smithtown." (Nextdoor)

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

— Diane Witek

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