Regional Briefs – February 6, 2015

Crews Start Clearing Land For New Monticello Casino

THOMPSON, N.Y. – Preliminary work began Wednesday on a new casino to be built in Monticello, the Times Herald-Record reported. Workers cleared trees at the site of the old Concord resort, although construction can only begin when a license is granted later this year.

Christie Signs Bill Requiring Allergy Medicine in Schools

TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday signed into law a bill requiring schools to keep a supply of food allergy medications on hand and allowing school nurses to give the treatment. Under current law, parent authorization is required before giving epinephrine.

Man Tried to Sell Saddam Hussein’s Son’s Guns

NEWARK – A New Jersey man pleaded guilty Wednesday for trying to sell seven guns that belonged to Saddam Hussein’s notorious son Qusay, The Associated Press reported. Carlos Manuel Quirola, 58, sought up to $350,000 for the firearms, including one with a gold medallion “QS.”

State Gets $20K to Conserve 1911 Fire Docs

ALBANY – New York state was presented on Thursday with a $20,000 grant by AT&T to digitize Colonial-era documents that were burned in the 1911 fire at the Capitol, The Associated Press reported. The records are about life in the Hudson Valley in the 1700s.

Lawmaker Was ‘Humiliated’ By False DWI Arrest

WOODBURY, N.J. – A New Jersey assemblyman testified Wednesday against the police officer who arrested him on a bogus drunken driving charge. Paul Moriarty said that Joseph DiBuonaventura “humiliated” him with the 2013 arrest, which was dismissed after a dashcam video supported Moriarty’s story.

Citing Costs, Christie Vetoes ‘Made in America’ Bills

NEWARK – Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday vetoed a series of bills that would have required state entities to buy American-made products. He wants to support American companies, he said, but the bills would have constrained purchasing decisions and driven up costs for taxpayers.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the February 6th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.