🌱Hempstead Murderer Gets 50 Years + Local Nurse Vacc. Card Fraud

Morning, people of Merrick! It's me again, Ash DeMello, your host of the Merrick Daily.

First, your weekend weather:

Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 35 Low: 34.

Here are the top five stories in Merrick today:

1. Sentencing for the man who bludgeoned three people to death and injured another in August 2017 took place Friday, Feb. 18. Bobby Vanderhall, 39, of Hempstead, pleaded guilty to the murders of his mother, sister and a family friend in October 2021. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a judge sentenced Vanderhall to 50 years to life in prison. (Press Release Desk)
2. A Long Beach nurse was charged this month for involvement in a scheme to distribute fraudulent vaccination cards. Authorities say that Steven Rodriguez, 27, sold blank vaccination cards from his clinic in Hempstead. Rodriguez allegedly worked alongside a Marine Corps reservist from Queens, Jia Liu, 26, who was involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots. (New York Times)
3. Police arrested and charged a man for a trio of West Hempstead robberies on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Zak Failla of the Daily Voice reports that Loreto Ferri, 49, is accused of the three following robberies:
   • Feb. 9 at Roslyn Savings Bank on Merrick Avenue in Merrick
   • Feb. 12 at Citi Bank on Old Country Road in Mineola and
   • Feb. 14 robbery at the People’s United Bank on 7th Street in Garden City.
4. Cow Meadow Park in Freeport is set to get a refresher in the near future. The park was the background for gang violence in 2016 and suffered damage from Superstorm Sandy that has gone unrepaired. The $2.5 million revitalization project will add two dog parks, a marina, a beach area and more.(News 12 New Jersey)
5. Do you have some time to fill this weekend? Head over to the Long Island Press for a list of activities happening today on Long Island.

This weekend in Merrick:

• Wintering Waterfowl @ Environmental Education and Resiliency Center at Hempstead Lake State Park. The Center welcomes adults to learn about the feathery folk who make the area their “winter home.” Reservations required. (10:30 AM - 12:30 PM)
• Montreal Canadiens @ New York Islanders: Head to the UBS Arena in Elmont to watch two teams battle it out on the ice. Tickets start at $60. (2:00 PM)
• Singer Songwriter Sunday @ K.J. Farrell's - Enjoy live music and food at the popular spot in Bellmore. (Doors open at 6:00 PM)

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Events:

• Curbside Food Drive drop-off (February 19)
• Chili & Chicken Wings Festival! (February 20)
• Explore Flying Cars, Stars, Mars, and more this February Break: through Sunday, Feb. 27 (February 27)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Get A ‘Taste Of Paradise’ During This Exclusive Event At Atlantis (February 28)
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• Behind The Scoreboard – More Than A Cyclist, A Hero! (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Ash DeMello