WEEKLY RECAP: Puppies Stolen, Idol Concert, Ed Koch and Malverne Mel

Busy week? No worries. Every Sunday, Patch highlights the top six stories of the week so you can catch up on all of the big local news.
This week, the top stories are:

1. Two Suspects Rob West Hempstead Store at Gunpoint: Find out which West Hempstead store was robbed at gunpoint this week.
2. : Several puppies were stolen from a Lynbrook pet store this week. Click on the headline to read the full crime blotter.
3. Idol Stars to Sing for Sandy Relief in Malverne: Merrick's Robbie Rosen and three other American Idol alums will be reuniting in Malverne this Thursday for a concert benefiting local families still recovering from superstorm Sandy.
4. Long Island Pols Fight for 'Fair Share' of School Aid: Local NYS Assemblymen Brian Curran and Ed Ra, among other Republican politicians, are vehemently fighting to restore state funding to Long Island schools including the West Hempstead and East Rockaway districts. Click on the link to learn more and watch a video they released on YouTube this week.
5. : Many local families gathered in Malverne this Groundhog Day to witness Malverne Mel's weather forecast. Click on the headline for photos and residents' reactions to the news that winter will continue for six more weeks.
6. First West Hempstead School Turning 100: See which West Hempstead school will be turning 100 this week.
7. Former Mayor Koch Had Tie to Malverne: Former NYC Mayor, Congressman and People's Court judge Ed Koch passed away this week. Click on the link above for coverage of his last visit to Malverne.
8. : Find out how the youngest members of the Lynbrook and Rockville Centre fire departments recently helped their neighbors in East Rockaway.
9. Pedestrian Struck Outside West Hempstead Stop & Shop: A man was hit by a car outside this West Hempstead grocery store. Click on the headline for coverage.
10. Barton Elementary Helps East Rockaway Recover: Also, see how a school in Suffolk County is helping to restore storm-damaged East Rockaway High School.

Never miss a big local story: Get Malverne-West Hempstead-Lynbrook Patch news on Facebook, Twitter and in your inbox.