Regional Briefs – March 29, 2017

LaGuardia Checkpoint Closes Due to Substance in Bag

NEW YORK – A security checkpoint was closed for about 40 minutes at LaGuardia Airport Wednesday after an alarm went off and agents found an unknown substance in a carry-on bag, The Associated Press reported. Three agents were hospitalized as a precaution.

Saratoga Is the Healthiest County in New York State

ALBANY – The upstate county of Saratoga, home to a thriving tourism and entertainment destination, tops an organization’s annual county health rankings for New York state, The Associated Press reported. Rockland ranks No. 2, followed by Nassau, Westchester and Putnam. Ranking No. 62 and last is the Bronx. Brooklyn is No. 33.

Driver’s Medical Emergency Leads to 10-Car Crash

NORTH AMITYVILLE, N.Y. – An elderly driver who suffered a medical emergency on Tuesday caused a chain reaction crash on Route 110 that injured nine people, The Associated Press reported. The 76-year-old man blew through a red light, hitting 10 vehicles.

Brooklyn Lawmakers Back Anti-Gang Bill for EMT Safety

ALBANY – Brooklyn lawmakers are pushing an anti-gang bill they say could have prevented last week’s death of EMT Yadira Arroyo run down by her car-jacked ambulance, The Associated Press reported. Sen. Martin Golden announced the bill to stiffen penalties for criminal gang acts Tuesday during a meeting with first responders who worked with Arroyo.

New York Remains Clear of Deer Disease for 11th Year

ALBANY – New York remains clear of a dreaded deer disease for the 11th year in a row, The Associated Press reported. None of the 2,400 white-tailed deer tested showed signs of chronic wasting disease.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the March 30th, 2017 edition of Hamodia.