Regional Briefs – September 15, 2014

Responders at 9/11 Event Rescue 2 From Ocean

CAPE MAY, N.J. – Firefighters leaving a ceremony marking the Sept. 11 attacks Thursday rescued two people drowning in the ocean, The Associated Press reported. A female swimmer, and someone sent to rescue her, were in trouble. Both were pulled to safety.

9/11 ‘Survivor Tree’ Seedlings Go to Disaster Areas

NEW YORK – Seedlings from a callery pear tree recovered from the smoldering ashes at the World Trade Center are headed to sites of tragedy. “Survivor Tree” seeds will be sent to victims of a Washington State mudslide in March; the Fort Hood, Texas, massacre in 2009; and of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi in 2005.

De Blasio Touts Expanded After-School Programs

NEW YORK – Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday that 34,000 students had signed up to his expanded after-school programs in classes that began last Tuesday. His administration this year nearly doubled the number of available seats, to 71,000. De Blasio said he was confident all seats would eventually be filled.

NY Catches Virus Causing Respiratory Illness in Kids

ALBANY – New York is the latest state to confirm cases of a severe respiratory illness, with more than a dozen children infected with enterovirus EV-D68. The CDC calls it an uncommon strain in a common family of viruses. This year’s outbreak is unusually severe and includes serious breathing problems and mild cold-like symptoms that last about a week.

Thruway to Credit 35,000 Overbilled E-ZPass Users

ALBANY – The Thruway Authority will credit 35,000 E-ZPass customers who were overbilled by a small amount at the northbound Harriman toll barrier on Route 17 between Aug. 14 and Sept. 5. The credit will appear automatically on the next E-ZPass statements.

15 Million Visitors Have Seen WTC Memorial

NEW YORK – More than 15 million visitors have seen the World Trade Center memorial since it opened three years ago, The Associated Press reported. Nearly a million people have been to the 9/11 museum since it opened in mid-May.

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