🌱Teen Missing From Westbury + S. Hempstead Restaurant Fire

Can you believe it's Friday already, Merrick? Let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around Merrick today.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 60 Low: 48.

Here are the top five stories today in Merrick:

1. Authorities are seeking the community's help in locating a missing Westbury teen. Brenda Guardado, 14, was last seen on Wednesday, March 16, leaving school on Rockland Road around 2 p.m. She was reported missing later that evening. Click over to the Daily Voice to see a photo and read a description.
2. Cases of a highly contagious Omicron subvariant are increasing in the area, reports Jerry Barmash. Dr. Aaron Glatt, chair of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau said that he expects to see more cases. Glatt doesn't anticipate the increase to necessitate a change in mask policies, however. (Patch)
3. A fire shuttered a South Hempstead Mexican restaurant on March 15. Those associated with the restaurant have established a GoFundMe page to help offset the loss. (Patch)
4. Hear from the family of an acid attack victim who say Nassau police haven't done enough to catch the attacker. An unknown individual ran up to Nafiah Ikram, 22, in her family's Elmont driveway on March 17, 2021, and threw acid in her face before running off. She was severely burned and has had to undergo multiple surgeries, with more to come. Despite an investigation, police came up with no leads. Find out more at the New York Post.
5. Glen Cove Road in Old Westbury closed for a time Thursday as authorities investigated a crash that occurred there around 9 a.m. on March 17. The area was also the scene of a deadly crash last week. (Newsday; subscription required)

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Today in Merrick:

• Hicks Nurseries' 32nd Annual Flower & Garden Show - Get inspired for Spring with seven diverse display gardens to explore in Westbury through March 27. Free. (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
• Jimmie Allen at Mulcahy's - Hear live music at a popular local venue in Wantagh. Tickets start at $28. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)
• Creatures of the Night Hike! - The Center for Science Teaching and Learning @ Tanglewood Preserve welcomes families to learn more about our nocturnal neighbors. Pre-registration required. $12. (7 p.m.)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Food Truck Friday's Levittown (March 18)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Spring Craft Beer Festival (March 26)
• Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Ash DeMello