DWI Prison Sentence + Free PPE + Drunk School Bus Driver

Good morning, people of Merrick! I'm here with a fresh Merrick Daily.

A school bus driver was found driving students while intoxicated. A Nassau police officer who contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty was laid to rest. A Freeport woman who killed another woman in a DWI crash received a prison sentence yesterday.

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First, today's weather:

Rain overnight. High: 79, low: 69.

Here are the top stories in Merrick today:

1. Patch looks at a funeral for a Nassau County Police Department Officer who died from COVID-19, acquired in the line of duty. Charles "Chuck" Vroom worked at the 3rd Precinct for 17 years. (Patch)
2. Robert Brodsky remembers Peter Brown, Nassau police officer, who died at age 73. He was recognized for saving residents from a burning home in North Merrick after a deadly auto crash. (Subscription: Newsday)
3. Jerry Barmash reports that Freeport's Nicole Pollock received a sentence of 6 to 18 years in prison on Wednesday for a fatal crash while she was speeding and intoxicated. A 39-year-old mother, Lissette Quintanilla, was killed in front of her 8-year-old son. (Patch)
4. Patch explains that the Town of Hempstead will provide free PPE to small businesses this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2550 Clubhouse Road in Merrick. (Patch)
5. A school bus driver in Hempstead is accused of being drunk behind the wheel while kids were on the bus. On Monday, 29-year-old Mercedes Parada, of Hempstead, was found slumped over the steering wheel of the bus. No children were hurt. (News 12)

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Today in Merrick:

• All Schools: Grades K-3 Virtual Open House, Merrick School District.

Merrick Patch Notebook

• Join North Merrick Public Library librarians to discuss The Florida Project, a powerful film about the resilient joy of children in the face of poverty. (Facebook)

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Featured businesses:

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Events:

• The Mary Brennan INN's monthly food drive (September 25)
• Drama Kids Classes (September 29)
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Announcements:

• Drama Kids Classes Begin in RVC! (Details)
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For sale:

• GARAGE SALE 1945 Helen Court, Merrick Saturday, Sept. 25 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Jackie

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Merrick Daily? You can email me at Merrick@Patch.com.