Busy week? No worries. Patch highlighted the top stories of the week so you can catch up on all of the local news. This week, the top stories are:

3. North and Central Merrick Civic puts Spotlight on Increased Crime: At the recent North and Central Merrick Civic Association meeting, Claudia Borecky, president, acknowledged the recent spike in criminal mischief in the area.

2. Merrick Chamber Holds Installation Dinner: On Thursday, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce held their 2012 Installation Dinner at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, where Randy Shotland, the current Chamber president, was sworn in to another term by New York State Assemblyman David McDonough.

1. Merrick Woman Killed in Fatal Accident: Susan Reffke, 56, of Merrick, was crossing Sunrise Highway in the vicinity of Hewlett Avenue from south to north. The victim was then struck by a 2008 Toyota being operated westbound in the right lane by a 46-year-old female.