🌱 Smithtown Daily: Scarce Rapid Test Kits + Meet Queen Tabitha

Hey, neighbors! Diane Witek here with a fresh issue of the Smithtown Daily. Here are the top 4 stories in Smithtown today.

First, today's weather:

Sun, some clouds. High: 37, low: 28.

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Here are the top stories in Smithtown today:

1. On Long Island and in areas across the country, rapid test kits are scarce and, in many places, simply non-existent, as surging positivity rates, coupled with the perfect storm of the new omicron variant and people desperate to board planes and head off to their holiday plans left stores empty and frustrations bubbling. President Joe Biden and Gov. Kathy Hochul promise more tests are on their way. (Patch)
2. Meet Queen Tabitha, the Smithtown Animal Shelter's Pet of the Week. Tabitha is a 10-month-old female domestic shorthair mix that looks like she is wearing a tuxedo. Tabitha went to the shelter as part of the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program. "She can be a little shy at first, but once she learns to trust you, she'll rub up against your legs to get some snuggles and love," the shelter wrote in an email. "Tabitha is very gentle, sweet, and independent. Tabitha would do best in a quiet home with other calm cats that'll help her come out of her shell." (Smithtown Patch)
3. Suffolk County police said a Chase Bank was robbed in Commack on Tuesday afternoon. A man entered Chase Bank, at 39 Vanderbilt Pkwy. at 12:59 p.m. and handed a teller a note demanding cash. The teller complied with the man's demands and gave him cash from the drawer. The robber fled in an unknown direction. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the robbery to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential. (Patch)
4. Noah Haynes, 18, was arguing with a 17-year-old victim inside LA Fitness on Deer Park Avenue in North Babylon around 7:15 p.m. when staff members asked them to leave. The teens fought in the parking lot, then Haynes returned and confronted the 17 year old in the locker room, authorities said. There, he allegedly slashed the teen in the neck with a metal object and pointed a handgun at him. Three gym members intervened and held Haynes down until police arrived — but he fired one shot during the struggle; luckily no one was hit. (New York Post)

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Today in Smithtown:

• Gingerbread Galore (Smithtown Library-Kings Park Building). (10:30 a.m.)
• Time for Twos (Smithtown Library-Nesconset Building). (11 a.m.)
• WHITE ON WHITE’s Théo Court is Tom Needham’s special guest on the next "THE SOUNDS OF FILM." (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Smithtown Department of Public Safety: "Fire Marshals from this office are investigating the cause of a fire that resulted in damage to a house on South Plaisted Avenue yesterday afternoon. The fire was extinguished by members of the Smithtown Fire Department." (Facebook)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Happy Winter Solstice! ❄️ To celebrate, let's stay in and cuddle. May we suggest a 'Frozen' feature on Disney+? ☕ #spac, #longisland." (Facebook)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Winter classes are right around the corner! Have you registered yet? Classes will run for 10 weeks, and showcases will be performed after the 10-week session and after tech week." (Facebook)
• Smithtown Historical Society: "Our sheep’s own version of 'March of the Wooden Soldiers.' Turn your volume on! 🥁🥁🥁" (Facebook)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Give the gift of theatre this holiday with tickets to 'Frozen Jr!' Guaranteed magic and fun for families of all ages. ❄️ 🎟️: smithtownpac.org, #spac, #longisland, #longislandgiftguide." (Facebook)

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• Operation Holiday® Calling All Donors to “Adopt A Family.” (Dec. 23)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be back in your inbox 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.