🌱Officials Prepared For Omicron Variant + 49 Pharmacy Burglaries

Good day, people of Philadelphia! It's me again, Dan Casarella, your host of the Philadelphia Daily.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 44 Low: 32.

Here are the top stories today in Philadelphia:

1. Health officials in Philadelphia are closely monitoring coronavirus cases in the city as a new variant is spreading internationally. On Monday officals said while the city has not seen any cases of the new variant called Omicron, they are watching for the variant in the city. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is working with the CDC to learn more about what to expect. (Philadelphia Patch)
2. Two Philadelphia men have been hit with prison time for robbing or attempting to rob 49 pharmacies in Philadelphia and the suburbs. Federal authorities said Robert Hopkins, 26, and William Limper, 43, both of Philadelphia, were sentenced to eight years and one month in prison, and 16 years and four months in prison, respectively for their roles in a conspiracy to burglarize or attempt to burglarize 49 pharmacies in Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Bucks County five years. Hopkins was sentenced to three years' supervised release and Limper to five years' supervised release after their prison sentences. (Philadelphia Patch)
3. Philadelphia wants residents to get back into the habit of recycling this holiday season. Kyle Lewis, who leads the city’s recycling program, said the Streets Department had to put recycling on hold at points during the pandemic because they didn’t have enough staff to pick up recyclables separately from the trash, so everything was put into one truck. But as the city moves into the new year, staffing levels are back up and the Streets Department wants to return to pre-pandemic recycling levels. (The Philadelphia Tribune)
4. A Philadelphia woman told police she shot her ex-boyfriend in the face as he tried to break into her house. It happened on the 4700 block of Ashville Street in the Holmesburg section of the city just after 11 p.m. Sunday. The 31-year-old man was taken to the hospital in critical condition. (WPVI-TV)
5. More than 130 Philadelphia-area asset management industry professionals gathered to support the Philadelphia Fund Alliance’s Sixth Annual Gala on Nov. 4 at The Logan Philadelphia. The event raised $90,000 for Friends of the Wissahickon, a 2,700-member nonprofit formed to conserve and improve the 1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley Park. The Philadelphia Fund Alliance is a group of Philadelphia-based asset management industry professionals formed to hold an annual fundraiser to benefit one or more charities in the Greater Philadelphia area. (phillychitchat.com)

Today's Philadelphia Daily is brought to you by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Philadelphia!

Today in Philadelphia:

• Giving Tuesday - USciences - McNeil Science and Technology Center (All Day)
• Computer Security Day - Abraham Lincoln (All Day)
• Residential Transformation - The Alliance of Community Service Providers (8:00 AM)
• Philadelphia Virtual Single's Event (9:00 AM)
• G.A.A.M.E. (Room 311) - Horace Furness (10:36 AM)
• Taking Aim at Automation: Building Tech Skills for the Jobs of the Future (2:00 PM)
• Virtual Comic Book Club - Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Philadelphia Government: "We are so excited for Design Workshop to bring Philly together to think BIG about ways to green and modernize the Parkway into a great 21st century urban park. Let's get to work!" (Facebook)
• City of Philadelphia Government: "The City of Philadelphia has a new tax filing and payment website. Find out how the Philadelphia Tax Center is making life easier for residents and businesses." (Facebook)
• City of Philadelphia Government: "With a flick of a switch, the holiday magic will return to City Hall. Join us at City Hall or watch it on 6abc on Thurs. Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. for City's Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration!" (Facebook)
• Philadelphia Department of Revenue: "It's National #TaxSecurity Awareness Week. As tax season approaches, watch out for scams and learn how to protect your financial information. The IRS shows you ways to protect yourself." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Valerie Morrison - Psychic Medium — Private Psychic Readings by Telephone or at my Office (Visit website)
• Chef Blake Champlain — Private Chef offering Meal Prep, Private Dinners and Events (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Real Estate Open House | Richlandtown, PA (December 1)
• Add your event

Gigs & services:

• VideoTapeTransfers.TV (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Job listings:

• Handyman (Details)
• Add your job listing

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Byrant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.