🌱 Prison For Merrick OD-Causing Doc + Pet Store Charge

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Breezy and cooler with rain. High: 45 Low: 40.

Here are the top five stories today in Merrick:

1. A former doctor from Merrick was sentenced on Thursday to 23 years in prison for the illegal distribution of oxycodone that led to the overdose deaths of two patients. Michael Belfiore also has to pay $17,000 in restitution. (Patch)
2. A 20-year-old man from Seaford is accused of sharing sharing sexually explicit images of former high school classmates online. Patrick Carey took images of Levittown students from social media and edited them to appear sexual. (WABC-TV)
3. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against pet store, Shake A Paw, for illegally selling sick and injured dogs in Hicksville and Lynbrook. (Daily Voice)
4. Nassau County school districts are trying to reassure students and parents after social media posts sparked rumors of school violence on Friday. The rumors are nationwide. (WABC-TV)
5. Hofstra University will require a COVID-19 booster for students and employees beginning January. Everyone must get a booster shot within a week of becoming eligible to receive it starting Jan. 18. (News 12)

Today in Merrick:

• Trans-Siberian Orchestra-Christmas Eve & Other Stories, UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, 2 to 7 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Two men were arrested in connection with the fatal overdose of a North Massapequa resident in December: Justin Ivanditto, 30, of Bay Shore, and Kendel Burnette, 29, of Amityville. (Patch)
• Merrick Library will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 26 and reopen on Monday at 10 a.m. (Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Merrick: "Just wanted to share my very positive experience using J. Melgar Fence, worked with Jose. I just had a new vinyl side fence and gate installed. The workmanship was excellent and the prices very reasonable." (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Jackie