Regional Briefs – February 17, 2015

Monday, February 16, 2015 8:33 pm | 2 Minute Read

Passing Motorist Helps Capture Bank Robber

RIVERTON, N.J. – A bank robber almost got away but was nabbed by a passing motorist, the Burlington County Times reported. Jesus Perez left the Beneficial Bank with about $7,000 on Saturday morning. As a bank teller flagged down a police officer, Perez tried scaling a fence. A driver stopped his car and held Perez down until police arrested him.

Fire Destroys Bus Headed For Lakewood; No Injuries

MARLBORO, N.J. – A Lakewood-bound NJ Transit bus with eight passengers safely evacuated when it caught fire early Sunday, The Associated Press reported. The driver noticed smoke coming from a rear wheel and pulled over. He then saw flames and emptied the bus.

Payouts to Retiring NYC Supervisors Last Year: $22M

NEW YORK – New York City last year shelled out $22 million to 56 retiring supervisors for unused vacation and comp days, up 73 percent from 2013, the Daily News reported. The increase is due to the exit of Bloomberg officials. The biggest payouts went to police and fire heads.

AG Says ‘Need for Zombie’ Home Bill Rising Again

ALBANY – New York’s attorney general is again submitting legislation to combat the plague of abandoned properties, revising a bill lawmakers failed to enact last year, The Associated Press reported. Eric Schneiderman’s bill would make banks responsible for maintaining properties abandoned in a foreclosure.

NY County Clerks Push for Fresh License Photos

CANTON, N.Y. – County clerks are pushing a bill requiring updated photos on driver’s licenses and a bigger share of DMV fees, the Watertown Daily Times reported. The state now keeps 87.3 percent of revenue. New York is one of two states that don’t require updated pictures on licenses.

Christie to Make 1st N.H. Trip Since 2014 Elections

CONCORD, N.H. – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was set to visit the early voting state of New Hampshire for the Lincoln Reagan dinner Monday night as he considers a 2016 run, The Associated Press reported. This is his first trip there since the November election.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the February 17th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.