Regional Briefs – February 12, 2015

Christie Meets With Chinese Ambassador

TRENTON – Continuing his foray into foreign policy ahead of an expected presidential run, Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday met Cui Tiankai, China’s U.S. ambassador, the Associated Press reported. He met Alberta Premier Jim Prentice last week.

NAACP Campaigning Against Fillmore, 13th President

BUFFALO – The NAACP is asking elected officials to reject any future requests to name anything after President Millard Fillmore, a Buffalo native, the Buffalo News reported. The 13th president opposed slavery but signed the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, requiring runaway slaves to be returned to their Southern owners.

Nassau to Get $40M Police Academy Training Center

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Construction will begin this year on Nassau County’s $40 million police training center as bidding on design proposals ended Wednesday, Newsday reported. The training hub for Nassau’s 17 village and two city districts will eventually include a streetscape village for simulating raids and hostage situations.

Town  Trusts Forecasters, Cancels Friday School

SKANEATELES, N.Y. – An upstate town called off classes for Friday because of the forecast — three days in advance. Skaneateles officials on Tuesday mentioned in a letter to parents predictions of extreme cold of about zero degrees with a wind-chill factor of 15 to 20 below zero. They begin a week-long winter break on Monday.

Frequent Snow Storms Challenge NY Salt Distributors

KINGSTON, N.Y. – Some Hudson villages cut back on salt-spreading due to shipping delays, the Kingston Daily Freeman reported. Kingston used only half of its regular 100 tons during this week’s snowstorm since they received 216 of the 450 tons it ordered. Morton Salt blamed it on trucks diverted for snow removal.

N.Y. Helping Massachusetts Dig Out From Snowstorm

ALBANY – New York on Wednesday sent dozens of trucks to help Massachusetts dig out from record snowfalls, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. New York’s contribution includes 66 personnel and 54 assorted types of trucks. “Neighbors help neighbors,” Cuomo said.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the February 12th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.