Regional Briefs – January 12, 2015

Christie to Visit South Carolina as He Mulls 2016

NEWARK – Mulling a presidential run, Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday will visit South Carolina for Gov. Nikki Haley’s inauguration, The Associated Press reported. The state’s primary is first in the South and it has a conservative electorate.

Council to Consider Updates To Fire Prevention Code

ALBANY – The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council will meet Thursday to discuss possible updates in New York’s codes. The public meeting may also deal with structures where “sparkling devices” are manufactured, stored, sold or used.

NY Legislature to Return For 2-Day Session

ALBANY – New York lawmakers are returning to Albany Monday for their first day of work in the 2015 session, The Associated Press reported. The Assembly on Tuesday will hold a hearing on a long-shot bill to create a single-payer health system.

Widow of Trooper Has Retirement Pension Restored

WEST NYACK, N.Y. – The widow of a state trooper denied his $40,000 annual pension since he died seven minutes before the application was filed received it after lawmakers passed a bill, the Journal News reported. Stephanie O’Brien’s husband died after falling off of a ladder.

Amish Boy, 6, Killed by SUV

RICHLAND, N.Y. – An Amish boy was killed by an SUV Friday after he ran into the street when his hat was blown off by a wind gust, The Associated Press reported. Jonathan Swartzentruber was 6.

Man Pinned in Cement Mixer Dies

NEW YORK – A man who got pinned in a cement truck’s mixer on a Bronx street has died, The Associated Press reported. Edraz Lopez, 46, went underneath the parked truck and got trapped in the rotating mixer.

Teen Accused of Threatening Police Not Charged

NEW YORK – A grand jury on Thursday refused to indict Devon Coley, 18, for posting a photo of a gunman shooting at a police car. He remains jailed on separate charges.

This article appeared in print on page 11 of the January 12th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.