🌱Nassau Police Address Gun Spike + Massapequa Deadly Collision

Up and at 'em, Merrick! Let's get you started this Tuesday with everything you need to know going on in the hamlet today.

First, today's weather:

Brisk and very cold. High: 20 Low: 13.

Here are the top five stories today in Merrick:

1. Nassau police held a briefing Monday regarding gun arrests. Officers say they've seen a 29 percent increase in the number of guns seized in 2021. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says most of those firearms were found during routine traffic stops. Ryder believes many of the guns arrived locally from NYC or out of state. (News 12 Westchester)
2. Bellmore-Merrick Central schools closed last week as the area saw as much as half a foot of snow. Though some districts, such as Hempstead, went remote, many others decided to take a snow day. See the list over at LIHerald.com.
3. Sad news out of Massapequa: A driver was killed in a head-on crash on Sunday, around mid-day. Police say that a Hyundai Sonata, driven by a 75-year-old man, crashed into a Honda Civic on Carmans Road near Bailey Drive. The driver of the Honda suffered a possible broken leg, while the driver of the Hyundai was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. (Daily Voice)
4. See what's happening in the area this week via the Merrick Patch. Highlights include lots of student-musician concerts and the North Merrick UFSD Camp Science Fair.
5. Need more fur in your life? Check out Merrick Patch for a list of dogs, cats and other pets who are awaiting adoption. This week's list includes a sweet-looking kitten named Ruby and a beautiful young husky named Bika.

Today in Merrick:

• Memoir Writing: Sharing Our Stories - Freeport Library is the spot to start collecting those recollections. Bring a pencil and paper! Registration required. (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
• How To Write A Winning Resume & Cover Letter - Hempstead Public Library offers a chance to level-up your job-getting docs. Free, register to get the Zoom link. (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
• Gerry's Steaks @ The Ainsworth RVC - Take a short jaunt for live music from Long Island's own Johnny Avino alongside one of the area's premier bourbon collections and, of course, steak. No cover. (8:00 PM - 11:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Merrick Bellmore Little League reminds folks that there are only seven days left to register for Merrick Bellmore little league. Click over to find out how! (Facebook)
• Heads up from the Merrick Library: "The Merrick Library will be closed Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day." (Facebook)
• Need a vaccine or booster? Tap the link to find out where the Vaxmobile is headed this week! (Town of Hempstead)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Ash DeMello