🌱Ben & Jerry's Sued + MacArthur Cheerleaders Win State Champ

Happy Thursday, neighbors! Here's everything you need to know in town today.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and milder. High: 46 Low: 32.

Here are the top five stories in Merrick today:

1. The northern lanes of the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway in Bethpage shut down Wednesday due to a crash, causing backups through the area. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. between exits 7 and 8, causing delays for about an hour. Authorities have not released the cause of the crash. (Patch)
2. An Israeli manufacturer has sued a local company after sales were halted in certain territories. The iconic Ben & Jerry's ice cream label, which claims origins at the Merrick Avenue Middle School, announced a sales boycott in July in the contested lands, sparking the suit. Find out the details at Long Island Press.
3. Are you headed toward Long Beach next week? Prepare ahead to avoid delays: The city announced that the infrastructure improvement project on Riverside Boulevard will begin on March 14. Southbound lanes on Riverside Boulevard will be closed from East Park Avenue to East Walnut Street for up to two weeks. (Patch)
4. Accolades go out to MacArthur High School cheerleaders, who won the State Championship on March 5. "We didn't know what would happen. We were just going to do the routine the best we could," said team captain Olivia Weber of the team's efforts. (Levittown Public Schools)
5. Former Long Beach police commissioner Michael Tangney has died, reports James Bernstein. Tangey also served as city manager. He retired in 2020. His cause of death has not been released. (liherald.com)

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Today in Merrick:

• Women’s Mental Health and Well Being: How to Rebound from a Pandemic [Hybrid] Learn about the special impact of the pandemic on women along with self-care strategies for recovery. Register via the Freeport Library. (11 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
• Knitting and Crocheting for Adults [Hybrid] The Freeport Library hosts an opportunity to enjoy needlecrafts in person or via video chat. (7 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
• Playin' English & Live Band Karaoke Hear a live local cover band at a local watering hole, followed by karaoke! $10 cover. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Do you love your job? If so, Schneps Media is looking for nominations for a list of Long Island Top Workplaces. Click the link to find out more and fill out a brief survey. (Long Island Press)
• Tuesday was International Women’s Day! See a tribute to women in law enforcement from #NassauCountyPD over at Facebook.
• North Merrick Public Library is also celebrating International Women's Day with an essay contest for kids 8-10 years old! Tap the link to learn how kids can commemorate their favorite Game Changers. Submissions are accepted through April 6. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Saint Patrick's Family Day Irish Stew Community Lunch! (FREE) (March 13)
• Beating the Odds, The Al Rosen Story Film Screening (March 14)
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Job listings:

• Fruit Bouquet Designer - Part time (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you soon.

— Ash DeMello