🌱East Meadow Resident Turns 100 + Suspect Sought In LI Shooting

Hey, Merrick! Let's get this Wednesday started. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Merrick.

First, today's weather:

Turning cloudy with a shower. High: 44 Low: 42.

Here are the top five stories today in Merrick:

1. An East Meadow resident marked 100 years last weekend, and the community organized a parade in his honor. John B. Datre served in World War II, achieving the rank of Technician 4th Grade before being Honorably Discharged in August 1945. New York State Senator Kevin Thomas was on hand to congratulate Datre with a special proclamation. (Patch)
2. The Long Beach Public Library is teaming with the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce to host a donation drive for Ukraine relief. The agencies are working alongside Ukraine-born Long Islander Anna Forte and donationforukraine.com. If you'd like to contribute, take at the list of desired items ad contacts via Patch.
3. There's a new gym in the area. Energy Fitness already had Suffolk County locations, but it's added a Rockville Centre option on Sunrise Highway earlier this month. In addition to free community classes every Saturday, RVC's Energy Fitness offers access to all gym amenities and equipment with every membership. Personal training is offered at a separate fee. (Patch)
4. There's a bit more news on the school bus crash that occurred on Merrick Avenue on Monday. The collision happened after the school bus hit a Ford truck, then veered onto a sidewalk, crashing into Merrick Park Cleaners and Tailors and hitting a pedestrian in the process. The 70-year-old man struck by the bus was critically injured and remains at a local hospital. (Merrick Patch)
5. Authorities are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for a Long Beach fatal shooting. Police say someone shot and killed Humberto Manuel Francis Hernandez around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 19. Click over to the article to learn how to report any knowledge you might have about the deadly crime. (Daily Voice)

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Today in Merrick:

• Kahoot Trivia @ Freeport Memorial Library - Kids in grades 5 & 6 are invited to showcase their knowledge. Register by calling 516-379-3274 or emailing youthservices@freeportlibrary.info. (6 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
• Guided Painting Session with Wine - Wine & Design Rockville Centre invites you to stretch your creativity with expert guidance. $40 per person. (7 p.m.)
• Live Music From Tiger Rose @ K.J. Farrells - Hear Jerry Garcia tributes at a popular local venue in Bellmore. $10 admission. (Arrive before 7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• North Merrick Public Library invites all young writers to celebrate National Women's Month by writing an essay for the first annual Girls Rising essay contest! Click the link to get the details. (Facebook)
• Merrick Library librarians got your back, parents. Take a look at the Parents' Picks cart in the children's room play area that let's you read away while the children play over at Facebook.

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Ash DeMello