🌱 Bomb Squad Gives All Clear + Norfolk Police Caution Drivers

Morning, Norfolk! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started off right.

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First, today's weather:

Windy with clouds breaking. High: 50 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories today in Norfolk:

1. Bomb squad has given the all clear after a suspicious red cooler was found in downtown Norfolk. An officer found the cooler on Thursday morning, which was on the sidewalk next to the light rail tracks at Monticello Avenue and E. Charlotte St., near the Norfolk Scope and Norfolk district courthouse. Monticello Avenue was blocked off, and police and fire units set up down the street next to the courthouse while the bomb squad investigated. (WAVY.com)
2. Norfolk police are cautioning drivers to lock their doors after they investigated more than 1,000 car thefts in 2021. According to Sgt. William Pickering with the Norfolk Police Department, last years thefts were 33 percent higher than 2020. However, the department has said most auto thefts are preventable. (13newsnow.com WVEC)
3. While thousands of Norfolk Public Schools employees are vaccinated, the school division's weekly testing requirement is still causing concern. As of Jan. 5, a total of 4,253 school division staff, or 85 percent, are fully vaccinated. However, 559 employees who weren't vaccinated had not complied with the weekly testing requirement, in part due to the lack of available testing. (13newsnow.com WVEC)

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From our sponsor:

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Today in Norfolk:

• Twitter 101 – A Basic Introduction to Twitter, At Norfolk Public Library Virtual (12:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Norfolk-VA Beach Junior League's New Member Blood Drive is coming up quickly on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 from 8 AM-2 PM! (Instagram)
• Norfolk Police Department recently promoted three new Sergeants and Lieutenants. (Twitter)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.