🌱Crash Spills 9,000 Gallons Of Gas + Long Beach Torah Thief

Rise and shine, Merrick! Let's get you all caught up to start this Thursday, February 17 off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Variable clouds; breezy, mild. High: 53 Low: 52.

Here are the top five stories in Merrick today:

1. A fireball exploded 60 feet into the air following the crash of a tanker truck in Rockville Centre early Wednesday morning. The incident took place near the abandoned Lazy Boy at the North Center Avenue intersection of Sunrise Highway when a gasoline truck flipped, spilling 9,000 gallons of gasoline. The driver was able to escape. The incident is under investigation, and the cleanup is underway. (CBS New York)
2. More than 60 employees are scheduled to be let go from Peloton in Farmingdale, the company announced on February 8. The downsizing is part of the stationary bike brand's efforts to restructure. (Rutherford Daily Voice)
3. A Nassau County man stands accused of a DWI after crashing into parked vehicles in Island Park on February 15. Christopher Stoger, age 41, of Island Park, was driving with a child in the car at the time of the incident. He was arrested shortly following the collisions. (Daily Voice)
4. A Long Beach Torah thief pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22. Hunter McElrath, 23, admitted in a Nassau County courtroom to taking religious items from the Chabad of the Beaches on August 27. (The Jewish Star)
5. Are you still in need of a vaccine? Or maybe it's time for your booster. If either is true, Nassau County's 'Vaxmobile' is set to stop by Wantagh Fire Department headquarters next week. (liherald)

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Today in Merrick:

• Project Hope: Destressing During COVID [At the Library] Head to the Freeport Memorial Library to learn about an important topic. (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
• Preschool Storytime and Craft - Take your littles to the Community Room at the Merrick Library to help build a love of reading. Registration required. (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM)
• All-Star Comedy Show: Hear from some of the best comics around at Governor's Levittown. $14. (Doors open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• See more pictures of the Rockville Centre blaze at Merrick Truck Co. 1's Facebook page. The company responded to assist the Rockville Centre Fire Department after a gas tanker crashed into a building early Wednesday morning. Then, check out surveillance footage that captured the truck crash over at Twitter.
• North Merrick Public Library announces a new program: a fun Virtual Escape Room! Click over to Facebook to learn how to register.
• Get out your hair crimper, Jazzercise gear and platform disco shoes — Mulcahy's Pub is hosting 70s and 80s nights on February 25 and 26. (Instagram)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Ash DeMello