Wrong Way LIE DWI Arrest + Too Many County Fees?

Happy Tuesday, Merrick! Here's everything you need to know today in Merrick.

Nassau Republicans want the county to rely less on fees for residents as an income stream. A man was arrested for driving the wrong way on the LIE, allegedly drunk. And Gov. Kathy Hochul made emergency dispatchers officially first responders, allowing them to access more benefits.

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First, today's weather:

Partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 79, low: 72.

Here are the top stories in Merrick today:

1. The Republican majority of the Nassau County Legislature proposed a plan on Monday that would cut nearly $100 million in fees from the upcoming 2021-22 budget, and make up the difference with sales tax revenue. The fees include things like mortgage "recording fees" and red light camera fines. (News 12)
2. The Daily Voice has the details on the arrest of a man driving the wrong way on the Long Island Expressway on Sunday. Luis Mendoza, age 34, of Huntington, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. (Daily Voice)
3. Jerry Barmash reports that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation sponsored by state Senator John Brooks from Massapequa, recognizing emergency dispatchers as first responders. (Patch)
4. Andrew Garcia stopped by the Merrick and North Merrick fire departments 9/11 memorial on Saturday. Over 100 residents gathered at the corner of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue, where the Merrick firefighters’ memorial is next to a steel girder that once supported one of the towers. (LI Herald)
5. Watch this feel-good story about a Massapequa Park woman who did a genealogy test and found out her siblings were her neighbors. Caryn McCabe was adopted and found four of her biological siblings through a 23andMe test, one who lived only two blocks away. (Subscription: Newsday)

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Today in Merrick:

• Merrick Board of Education Meeting, 7:15 p.m.
• North Merrick Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.

Merrick Patch Notebook

• North Merrick Public Library is having a virtual movie discussion on the film "The Florida Project" on Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Registration is open now. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update. If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. 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 fivetowns@patch.com.