Regional Briefs – August 25, 2015

Work Underway on $500M Staten Island Ferris Wheel

STATEN ISLAND – Construction began on a $500 million Ferris wheel that the city hopes will make Staten Island a tourist attraction, the Staten Island Advance reported. The 630-foot-tall wheel is scheduled to open in 2017, allowing 1,400 passengers at a time to enjoy a slow-moving, 38-minute ride.

Uber Disputes It Doesn’t Pay Enough NYC Taxes

NEW YORK – Uber argued in a letter Monday to Mayor Bill de Blasio that he was wrong in saying the ride-hailing service isn’t paying enough taxes to fund mass transit, The Associated Press reported. They paid $40 million this year from an 8.8 percent sales tax, or about $2 per rider. Cabs have a flat 50-cent tax.

New Jersey Firefighters Want Tougher Fire Codes

EDGEWATER, N.J. – New Jersey firefighters rallied Sunday at an apartment complex for tougher fire codes after a January blaze there destroyed 240 units, The Record reported. They want to limit wood-frames to three floors and require sprinklers and masonry fire walls between buildings.

Turkey Buzzard Blamed for Bike Crash That Injured 2

MANCHESTER, N.J. – A turkey buzzard was blamed for a motorcycle crash Sunday that left two people injured, the Asbury Park Press reported. James Trusnik, 46, was biking with a passenger when the buzzard — which had been feeding on a deer carcass — flew in front of him. He lost control and crashed.

Work Begins on $50M Seawall in Atlantic City Inlet

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Work has started on an Atlantic City seawall that’s 70 years in the making, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Cranes will reconnect the south and north inlets for the first time since the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944.

Missing 81-Year-Old Found; Dies Later That Night

GERMAN, N.Y. – An 81-year-old man found alive Saturday after being missing for a week passed away later that night, the Press & Sun-Bulletin reported. Alfred Turshman, who had dementia, was found wandering in a wooded area about a mile from his home.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the August 25th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.