🌱TikTok Threats To Uniondale, Baldwin + Breakfast Club To Close

Happy Thursday, people of Merrick! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cold. High: 32 Low: 29.

Here are the top five stories in Merrick today:

1. Police say threats that came in this week made against Baldwin and Uniondale High Schools were part of a TikTok challenge. The threats are similar to ones that have been made nationwide. Authorities are investigating the source. (News 12 Bronx)
2. Officers broke up an oxycodone drug deal in Roosevelt on Sunday, prompting three individuals to flee the scene. They were apprehended shortly thereafter. Two of them were reportedly carrying firearms. (Daily Voice)
3. The Nassau County District Attorney reports that an MS-13 member has been sentenced for two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of manslaughter. Raul Ponce, of Hempstead, will spend the next 32 years to life in prison for the gang-related killings. The DA says that between 2016 and 2017, Ponce "was part of an unprecedented wave of violence here in Nassau County." (Press Release Desk)
4. And here's your daily update on the masking situation: A New York appellate judge overturned the Nassau County court's decision against the state's mask mandate Tuesday afternoon. Zak Failla reports that the "ping-ponging" of mask decisions is putting schools in a tough position. (Daily Voice)
5. Finally, and on a lighter note, Erica Marcus reports that a popular breakfast spot in Rockville Centre is closing its doors. The Breakfast Club, which opened in 2019, recently announced that January 30 will be its last service. So go grab a $5 mimosa before it's too late! (Newsday; subscription required)

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Today in Merrick:

• Zumba Gold for Adults [VIRTUAL] - Login for a light workout, courtesy of the Freeport Memorial Library. (9:30 AM)
• Mesita Tequila Tasting Dinner - Enjoy a five-course, guided culinary experience that will take you on a savory journey through various Mexican regions, hosted by Mesita in Rockville Centre. (7:00 PM)
• Human Trafficking on Long Island: The Myths, Reality, & How We Can Save Lives Together - Hear about an important topic in an online discussion hosted by State Senator Anna M. Kaplan and The Safe Center. (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Merrick Truck Co. 1 invites you to take a look at one of the unit's latest ladder job in Freeport. See pictures of the event and celebrate the rescue workers' success at Facebook.
• Share your experience with News 12 LI— Click over to Twitter to take a survey about road conditions in the area.
• Wednesday was India Republic Day! Check out some of the Town of Hempstead festivities over at Instagram.

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That's it for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Ash DeMello