Regional Briefs – December 17, 2014

Judge: Trial Against Officer Can Proceed

MINEOLA, N.Y. –A judge on Monday declined to dismiss charges against a Nassau police officer accused of assaulting a driver, Newsday reported. A surveillance camera shows Vincent LoGiudice punching and kicking Kyle Howell, a 21-year-old motorist, during an April traffic stop. Howell, who is black, claims the incident was racially motivated; LoGiudice is white.

Edgewater Mayor Resigns Abruptly

EDGEWATER, N.J. –Edgewater’s mayor abruptly resigned Monday, leaving a three-sentence letter to the town clerk hours before a council meeting, The Record reported. James Delaney said he was sad to leave, but honored to have served for eight years.

Police Shoot Man Who Refused to Drop Knife

ROCHESTER –A Rochester man was shot on Monday by a police officer when he refused orders to drop the knife he was holding while moving toward the officer. Police responding to a report of a family dispute were confronted by Anthony Plaza holding a large steak knife. The officer shot Plaza when he refused her repeated orders to drop his knife.

NYC DA to Fund Public Housing Cameras

NEW YORK –Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance’s office will give $101 million to the city Housing Authority for security cameras at public housing to address the high crime rate, the Wall Street Journal reported. The funding is from a $9 billion settlement after BNP Paribas admitted concealing transactions for Sudanese, Iranian and Cuban clients. Boulevard Houses in Brooklyn, where two children were stabbed in June, will be the first of 15 to benefit.

Long Island Ending Speed Camera Program

NEW YORK – Nassau County on Tuesday dismantled its controversial school zone speed camera program, with a unanimous vote in the Legislature six months after it began, Newsday reported. Tickets already issued must be paid.

Cuomo: 2nd Inaugural Will Be Low-Key

ALBANY –Don’t expect a lot of glitz for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s second inauguration next month, The Associated Press reported. The Democrat said Monday he plans to keep the pomp to a minimum, with a serious ceremony that reflects the state’s serious challenges.

Lawmakers May Clear Way for Christie Book

TRENTON –New Jersey lawmakers are once again considering reviving a bill that would clear the way for Gov. Chris Christie to profit from a book deal while in office in exchange for pay raises for all state officials, The Associated Press reported. Current state law prohibits the potential 2016 candidate from receiving pay or royalties from sources other than his day job.

Cuomo: Buffalo Snowstorm Cost $46M

BUFFALO –Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday the blockbuster storm that struck Buffalo last month cost more than $46 million, surpassing the threshold for FEMA aid by about $9 million.

PATH Stations Reopen After Sandy Repairs

JERSEY CITY –PATH’s Exchange Place and World Trade Center stations will reopen on the weekend of Dec. 20 for weekends only after nearly a year of Superstorm Sandy repairs, The Associated Press reported. About 280,000 square feet of metal tunnel surfaces and equipment were cleaned of salt residue and corroded metal was replaced.

This article appeared in print on page 28 of the December 17th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.