Reckless Truck Driving + Cedarhurst Revival + Pedestrian Hit

Happy Sunday, people of Five Towns! These are the most important things going on in town today.

A truck driver is accused of reckless driving and causing a car crash involving three cars on Friday night. Also on Friday night a pedestrian was struck crossing Merrick Road in Valley Stream. A Cedarhurst business is the first in Nassau to get a new economic development grant. And a nearby restaurant owner is questioning why outdoor seating has to come down with COVID-19 still a concern.

First, today's weather will be partly cloudy throughout the day with a high of 83 and a low of 69 degrees.

Here are the top stories today in Five Towns:

1. Jerry Barmash reports that a 62-year-old man is in critical condition after being struck by a car on Friday night. He was crossing East Merrick Road in Valley Stream at 11:45 p.m. when he was hit by a 2018 Honda Civic. (Patch)
2. Patch also has the details on a reckless driving incident. Tractor-trailer trucker David Gonzalez, 38, of Perth Amboy, NJ, struck a vehicle at Bellmore Avenue Friday night causing the car to hit another vehicle. All three drivers were injured and Gonzalez was charged with two counts of third-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, along with reckless driving. (Patch)
3. News 12 Long Island checked out the Baldwin Fire Department's 125th anniversary celebration. A drill, tournament and parade were held Saturday. And Carol Maraj, the mother of rapper Nicki Minaj held a pop-up shop at her home on Middle Bay Drive raising money for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (News 12)
4. Daniel Robertson looks at how libraries in the Five Towns are surviving the pandemic by relying on Zoom events and classes. Hewlett-Woodmere and Peninsula public libraries have made events virtual for all age groups but not without some drawbacks. (LI Herald)
5. News 12 Long Island talks to a restaurant owner in Garden City who says he may lose his business without outdoor seating. Jim Doukas of Revel Restaurant says 40 percent of his patrons use the outdoor area because of COVID-19 concerns and now the Village of Garden City wants the outdoor dining to come down. (News 12)
6. Jeff Bessen has the details on Nassau County’s Main Street Recovery Grant given to the owners of Tassel Children’s Shoes. The $10,000 grant was the first given from the new Small Business Technical Assistance and Planning program which uses $1.5 million of the federal government’s American Rescue Plan to stimulate the local economy. (LI Herald)

Today in Five Towns

Five Towns Patch Notebook

• Register now for the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library's August 30 informational program for incoming ninth and tenth graders. (Facebook)
• Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library has free passes to the Long Island Science Center here: hwpl.org/museumpass (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Announcements:

• Inaugural Metzger Cup Featured On Lacrosse Showcase Website (Details)
• Add your announcement

For sale:

• Front Gate, never used, Inflatable queen sized bed (Details)
• Desk/Table (Details)
• Add your item

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Jackie

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Five Towns Daily? Email me at fivetowns@patch.com.