Lowell COVID Test Site Increases Capacity + Staffing Shortages

Hello, people of Chelmsford! Annie Sandoli here with your brand-new issue of the Chelmsford Daily.

First, today's weather:

Sun and areas of high clouds. High: 40 Low: 30.

Here are the top stories today in Chelmsford:

1. Mass. school officials scrambling to alleviate staffing shortages amid COVID-19 surge following winter break| (Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News)
2. State COVID testing site in Nashua drawing huge response, resulting in long wait times, temporary closures (Nashua Telegraph)
3. SLIDESHOW: Andover Celebrates First Night | Gallery (Andover Townsman)
4. Testing capacity increased at Lowell Stop the Spread site (Lowell Sun)
5. Emerson Hospital: what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms (Wicked Local)
6. MassDevelopment awards grant for The Green @ UTEC (Lowell Sun)
7. Governor swears in Lawrence city councilors, School Committee members (Eagle-Tribune)
8. Littleton Selectmen Review Warrant Articles, Budget For 2022 Town Meeting (Caledonian Record)
9. Maynard town administrator: All public meetings to be held remotely to slow COVID spread (Wicked Local)
10. Massachusetts real estate transactions | News (Andover Townsman)
11. END OF AN ERA: Wilmington High Principal Linda Peters To Retire On June 30; Search For Her Replacement Begins (wilmingtonapple.com)
12. Wildwood Early Childhood Center Searching For New Principal After Principal Charlotte King Resigns (wilmingtonapple.com)
13. EJ’s Fresh Pizza To Hold Fundraiser For Wilmington Strings Orchestra On January 11 (wilmingtonapple.com)
14. Wilmington Travel Basketball Announces Skills & Drills Sessions For Grades 3 & 4 (wilmingtonapple.com)
15. Wilmington Food Pantry To Offer Assistance For Families In Need On January 12 & 26 (wilmingtonapple.com)
16. Adoptable Pets Of The Week In The Chelmsford Area (Chelmsford Patch)
17. TraceLink Successfully Completes SOC 2 Type II and ISAE 3000 Examination, Signaling Compliance with Strict Security Standards (Woburn Daily Times)
18. Andover schools change contact tracing protocols | News (Andover Townsman)

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Today in Chelmsford:

• Vinal Square Strategic Action Plan Committee (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chelmsford Public Schools: "Five CHS Seniors Selected for ‘Hello There!’ Art Show at Loading Dock Gallery: https://chs.chelmsfordschools.... Loading Dock Gallery Innovation Academy Charter ..." (Facebook)
• Chelmsford Public Library: "Good morning and Happy New Year once again! Regular children’s story times will resume next week, with some changes to the schedule and delivery - all will be on Zoom and/or Facebook Live except for Outdoor programs on Monday and Wednesd..." (Facebook)
• Chelmsford Public Library: "On Wednesday evening, the Chelmsford Public Library and the town Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will host a viewing and discussion of Moonlight, winner of the 2016 Academy Award for Best Picture, directed by Barry Jenkins. Th..." (Facebook)
• Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce: "𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 🏥 @angelastrunk @lghwell" (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Golden Cove: "Hello All! - I am just putting myself out there in the community for any kind of help, task or anything you may need done. I can do anything that has to do with a home, inside or out. Yard work, cleaning, organizing, I can help with all...." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, South Chelmsford: "Home Daycare in Chelmsford is looking for part time Vaccinated certified assistant - to join our fun filled family daycare. Must have a true love for young children, work well with mixed ages, have lots of energy, and be committed to ..." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Brick Kiln: "hello if anyone is looking for winter snow removal services please pm me! - - snow blowing - shoveling - salting" (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update.

— Annie Sandoli

About me: Annie has been a Boston-based writer since 2018, after graduating with her BA in Social Thought and Political Economy from UMass Amherst and ALM in journalism from Harvard University. She has worked as a freelancer throughout Massachusetts and as part of an editorial team in London, UK. Her interests include music and the arts, creative writing and literature, and topics of social and political justice. Annie covers Brookline, Newton, Waltham, Chelmsford and Westford. Email news tips to annie.sandoli@patch.com.