🌱 Nassau Chief First Female NYPD Commish + TikTok School Threat

Hey, people of Merrick! I'm here with a brand-new copy of the Merrick Daily.

First, today's weather:

Breezy in the afternoon. High: 59 Low: 54.

Here are the top four stories in Merrick today:

1. Nassau County's chief of detectives was named New York Police Department's 45th, and first-ever, female commissioner. Keechant Sewell has been with the Nassau police for 22 years and originally hails from Queens. (Patch)
2. A threat made on TikTok against Dodd Middle School in Freeport was found to be a prank, police say, and they found the two students who made it. The threat is not believed to be credible. (News 12)
3. A new acai bowl franchise is opening this weekend in Merrick. Playa Bowls is in the former Vine Wine Bar space on Merrick Road. (Patch)
4. Freeport native, rapper Flavor Flav, was involved in a crash when his car was hit by a falling boulder while he was driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. The rapper, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., wasn't injured. (Daily Voice)

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Today in Merrick:

• WFUV Presents The Mavericks, NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 8 p.m.

From my notebook:

• A video of two Wantagh brothers has gone viral on TikTok. Rome is 2 years old and his brother is 22, and the video of him telling his big brother that he loves him charmed social media. (News 12)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, N. Merrick: "I am fostering a sweet kitty from TOH Shelter and trying to help find her a 'furever' home! My older cat is not happy having her around. Any ideas to help get her adopted into a loving home are welcome." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Merrick: "Has anyone here added any skylights or sun tubes in your home? If so, which company did you use?" (Nextdoor)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 17)
• Amahl & the Night Visitors — Family Opera at Sands Point Preserve (December 18)
• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
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Housing:

• 1194 Gianelli Ave, Merrick — OPEN HOUSE 4 SALE, Dec. 18 and Dec. 19, 1-4 p.m. (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Jackie