🌱 2 Free COVID Tests Per Car + Pro Fitness In Warwick Vandalized

Happy Tuesday, Woonsocket, and happy National Irish Coffee Day! Here's everything you need to know going on today.

Tuesday is the first day to get free COVID-19 tests locally. Also, a Warwick gym had 20 windows smashed and there’s a $10,000 reward if you know anything. Finally, the Krakow Deli Bakery & Smokehouse is the business of the day!

First, today's weather:

Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 42 Low: 16.

Here are the top five stories today in Woonsocket:

1. Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced that Woonsocket residents will be able to receive free COVID-19 tests beginning today. The distribution site will be the Rivers Edge Recreation Complex. Tests will be handed out in drive-thru fashion from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each vehicle qualifies for two test kits after the driver shows proof of residence. "Testing will help put their minds at ease if they do not have the virus and will help prevent the spread of the virus if they test positive," the Mayor said. (ABC)
2. The Pro Fitness on Bald Hill Road in Warwick was vandalized Sunday night. Someone smashed 20 windows with rocks. The gym’s owner announced a “$10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.” (WPRI)
3. Woonsocket Radio’s business of the day is the Krakow Deli Bakery & Smokehouse at 855 Social Street. If you love homemade Polish food, this is the place to visit. The Big Gronkowski Sandwich, Polish White Borscht, and Bigos are on the menu. (@WoonsocketRadio, Krakow Deli Bakery & Smokehouse)
4. The 56-year-old former owner of Thai Body Work pleaded guilty on Thursday to “two counts of wire fraud.” The Woonsocket resident applied for COVID business relief funds and “falsely certified that the applicant was not engaged in any illegal activity.” They received $29,646. In fact, they knew that “employees at Thai Body Work engaged in prostitution with customers.” (Justice Department)
5. National School Choice Week 2022 runs until January 29. "With the opening of a new, tuition-free online public school last year, school choice options have expanded for Rhode Island families," a representative of the event stated. To participate in the event and check out your options for local schools, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/rhode-island. (Yahoo! Finance)

Last week, we told you about our new favorite non-alcoholic go-to — the refreshingly bitter drinks from our partners at Betera. They’re chef-created from natural botanicals, lightly effervescent and worthy of life beyond “Dry January.” We mentioned that their Ginger-Orange was excellent; we’ve since tried Elderflower-Lime and loved it as well — light and floral with the perfect amount of zing. We're converts.

Enough of you took Betera up on their 15% discount on first orders for Patch Daily readers that they’ve extended the offer for another week. Use PATCH15 at checkout. Highly recommended — try Betera here.

Today in Woonsocket:

• Monthly STEM Program For Homeschooled Children In Grades K-4 at the West Warwick Public Library (1:30 PM)
• E-Commerce Masterclass: How To Build An Online Business (online) (2 PM)
• The Providence Performing Arts Center presents Jesus Christ Superstar (7 PM)
• Tuesday Night Jazz at Lili Marlene’s (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Woonsocket Cat Sanctuary, Inc. had another successful adoption. Mitzi went to her forever home Monday. This sweet kitty was found as a stray. (Facebook)
• Are you looking for a job with Woonsocket Parks & Recreation? The City of Woonsocket has 8 positions currently posted on its website under employment! (Facebook)
• The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park wants you to check out what's happening at the Roger Williams National Memorial this winter. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Youth and High School Rugby Camp! (February 22)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.