Community Corner

Week in Review

Aqua water rates are going up, a group is trying to 'roll back' raises for elected officials, the Gym Bandit is headed to prison, Cougars take down Colts in crosstown battle....

In case you missed it....here's what went down in your town last week:

On Monday, the kids were home from school for MLK Day, but Patch had you covered with reports on two Calhoun sports matchups over the weekend.  The girls basketball team couldn't find its touch from outside and lost to Syosset, 40-32.  Syosset also beat up on the boys team on Saturday, downing the Colts 74-41.

On Tuesday, the state's Public Service Commission signed off on rates hikes requested by Aqua New York, which infuriated Merrick residents and politicians alike. We also reported on "Roll Back the Raises," an organization trying to get a referendum question on the November ballot to allow voters to decide if Town of Hempstead elected officials deserve the raises they recently voted to give themselves.  The Merrick Library was evacuated for a brief period after a strange odor was detected near a side entrance. We also got the scoop on tax secrets from an IRS agent who gave a presentation at the North Merrick Library. 

Find out what's happening in Merrickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Wednesday, we ran a story on three Kennedy High students being named semifinalists in the annual Intel science competition. The Merrick Cook, Laura La Vacca, said you don't need to leave home to taste your favorite restaurant creations, with a recipe for a version of Brooks & Porter's Chopped Salad.  The Calhoun Colts led Kennedy at the half in boys basketball action before going cold and falling to the Cougars, 56-38.  The Lady Cougars were also victorious with a win over Freeport.  The Bellmore-Merrick hockey team saw its playoff hopes diminished after going down to Massapequa.

On Thursday, Patch reported on a meeting of the North Merrick Library's Board of Trustees, which continued discussions as to how to make its push for library renovations.  The "Gym Bandit," who stole items from a tanning salon and gym in Merrick pled guilty and faces three to six years in prison. Merrick Superintendent Ranier Melucci sent a letter home to parents expressing the district's opposition to cellphone antennas near its schools. The Bellmore-Merrick swimming team, attempting to knock off Long Beach for the first time in 25 years, .

Find out what's happening in Merrickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Friday, we covered the Bellmore-Merrick boys bowling team's clinching of the conference championship as they defeated Wantagh, 8-3.   We also reported on a roundtable discussion in Levittown about the growing problem of heroin use on Long Island.  Patch columnist Claudia Borecky offered a piece on how community activism always rises up when the public is going through tough times.  We took a look at crime in Merrick, where there has been a rash of burglaries this month.

On Saturday, the Cougars pleased the home crowd on "Jam the Gym" night at Kennedy with a 49-37 victory over East Meadow. It was also national Yoga Day as we explored local yoga joints where people can go to stay fit.

Stay with Patch this week for coverage of all things Merrick, including stories on the Calhoun High Health Fair, Calhoun's fundraising efforts for Haiti victims, a meeting of the North Merrick Civic Association and coverage of the Bellmore-Merrick Youth Association's annual awards dinner, which was held yesterday.  Patch has upwards of 250 photos from the awards dinner (so grateful for bringing a camera battery charger), and you'll be able to find them all right here this week.


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