🌱 Hempstead Says No To Marijuana Sales + Prison For Nassau Exec

Get on up, Merrick! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

A former Nassau County Deputy Executive received a prison sentence this week. The Town of Hempstead voted on recreational marijuana sales. And a Nassau woman was indicted for embezzling over $1 million from her employer.

First, today's weather:

Sun mixing with clouds. High: 42 Low: 35.

Here are the top stories in Merrick today:

1. Patch has the story on a Massapequa Park woman who was charged with stealing more than $1 million from a pharmaceutical company. Maria Porras, 32, was the company's officer manager. Now she could face up to 15 years in prison. (Patch)
2. News 12 shares that a fire in a bathroom in G-Star at the Roosevelt Field Mall on Tuesday morning led to an evacuation of the mall. No one was hurt from the fire, caused by an electrical malfunction. (News 12)
3. Jerry Barmash has the news that the Town of Hempstead voted to opt out of recreational marijuana sales on Tuesday. The vote was unanimous, but the town can decide to opt in at a later date. (Patch)
4. Alex Costello writes that Nassau's Former Chief Deputy County Executive Rob Walker, who worked for Edward Mangano, was sentenced to 18 months in prison today for obstruction of justice. He also owes $10,000 in fines and 2,000 hours of community service. (Patch)
5. A man was found dead in a storm basin off the Long Island Expressway in Old Westbury on Tuesday morning. An unoccupied vehicle was parked eastbound on the south service road, west of exit 39. Police found a 73-year-old white male submerged in the storm basin. (News 12)

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Today in Merrick:

• Sprig Gardner Tournament, Calhoun, 4:30 p.m.

From my notebook:

• DHL’s Operation Holiday Cheer ships hundreds of fresh Christmas trees donated by Dees’ Nursery in Oceanside overseas to U.S. service members. (Facebook)
• Merrick Library is doing a month-long Harry Potter Storywalk Scavenger Hunt. (Facebook)
• A Brunch With Santa will be held Dec. 18 and 19 in Baldwin at Coral House. (Susbcription: Newsday)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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Events:

• Long Island Gay Men's Chorus — Home for the Holiday Special (N. Bellmore) (December 10)
• Festival of Games — a retro holiday shopping and gaming event (December 11)
• INN Holiday Curbside Drive (December 11)
• Holiday Tales at the Castle at Sands Point Preserve (December 12)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 12)
• 57th Annual Children's Christmas Toy Drive (December 13)
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• Behind The Scoreboard — Ed Sullivan’s Huge Lesson For The World (Details)
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• Lumber yard worker/ facility attendant/ Customer Service (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some of your 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? Reach out anytime to Merrick@Patch.com.