Long Island news, weather, traffic, schools and LIRR updates for Friday, July 11, 2014

Well, that's about it for this Friday, July 11. As we all wait and see how if a strike by Long Island Rail Road workers will take place July 20, make sure to take advantage of the rails this weekend if you're headed out east.

The forecast calls for high temperatures near 80, with sunny skies on Saturday and overcast with a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. 

Have a great weekend, then come back Monday for the latest breaking news, traffic and weather alerts and train delays.

Mobile users can click the link below to access our social media coverage.

MTA TALKS STRIKE CONTINGENCY PLANS

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority held a conference call with reporters at 2:30 p.m. to discuss contingency plans in the event of a strike by Long Island Rail Road union workers on July 20. Here's our story, with details on plans by the MTA and local municipalities, and the MTA's strike contingency web page.

FREE 7-ELEVEN SLURPEES TODAY!

It's July 11, or 7/11, which in 7-Eleven's world means it's time to give away free Slurpees. According to the company's website, patrons can drop in from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and enjoy a small Slurpee free of charge.

That means a busy day on Long Island. According to a Newsday story last February, eight of 7-Eleven Inc.'s top 10 U.S. locations by sales in 2013 were in Suffolk County.

TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT

AMITYVILLE: An accident is blocking two lanes are blocking the Southern State Parkway westbound at Exit 32, Route 110.

HOLBROOK: An accident has closed Sunrise Highway westbound near Broadway Avenue. Traffic is stopped from Nicolls Road.

For more traffic and transit news, visit the newsday.com page at http://nwsdy.li/1hh2eph.

COAST GUARD RESCUES SEA TURTLE

The United States Coast Guard rescued what it described as a "severely injured" loggerhead sea turtle in Fire Island Inlet on Thursday, it announced via a news release.

The 3-foot turtle, which had large gashes on its shell, was spotted by a boat crew that initially thought it was a person in the water waving their arms for help.

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation was contacted, and advised the boat crew to bring the turtle back to land. The turtle is now reported to be in critical condition at the foundation's rehabilitation center.

BABYLON CONCERT CANCELED

Dickey Betts & Great Southern concert scheduled for Friday night at Babylon's Tanner Park has been canceled.

The town said the band canceled because of a change in their schedule.

The town added that it was working with the band to reschedule the show.

WEATHER

Today: Partly cloudy with a high of 82.

Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening, then overcast with a low of 66.

Saturday: Partly cloudy with a high of 82.