Regional Briefs – March 4, 2015

Businesses Sue Trenton’s Over Paid Leave Law

TRENTON – Business groups on Monday filed a lawsuit against Trenton’s referendum-approved law requiring paid sick leave for workers, the Associated Press reported. Businesses say the law allowing employees one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, which goes into effect Wednesday, is “vague, ambiguous, and contrary to New Jersey law.”

Illinois Gov.: New Jersey ‘Going Down the Drain’

NEWARK – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner had harsh words for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who campaigned hard for his election last year. His state has the highest property taxes after New Jersey. He says he doesn’t want to compete with New Jersey on anything — especially that. “They’re going down the drain, and they ain’t turning it around.”

NY Public Library Presents Cool Spelling Artifacts

NEW YORK – A New York Public Library exhibit, “Spellbound: A Celebration of Spelling,” includes an 1841 Webster’s dictionary with an adverb that was new back then: “wordily,” a 1906 menu honoring President Theodore Roosevelt who believed spelling should be simplified and a post-Civil War spelling book created for former slaves.

Woman Crashes Car After Grandmother Pulls Her Hair

NEW YORK – A Staten Island driver, 26, lost control of her car on Monday and crashed into a wall after her 88-year-old grandmother in the back seat inexplicably pulled her hair, the Daily News reported. The elderly woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

NY Senate Backs Term Limits For Leadership Posts

ALBANY – New York’s state Senate voted Monday to limit leadership posts to eight years, though the idea is unlikely to pass the Assembly, the Associated Press reported. Subject would be the Senate leader, Assembly speaker and minority leaders and committee chairpersons. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says he has concerns about the law.

City University of NY Refunds Tuition to Illegals

NEW YORK – City University of New York is returning thousands of dollars to about 150 illegal immigrant students who paid the regular tuition rate but were eligible for a lower in-state price. Many such students paid about $4,000 per semester that they didn’t have to.

Man Abandoned Backhoe in Big Hole He Dug in Rural Road

PRATTSBURG, N.Y. – A Rochester man who dug a 40-foot-long, 12-foot-deep hole in a rural road in the middle of the night was caught after he left his backhoe in the cavity, the Associated Press reported. Kyle Calabria, 32, is free after posting bail.

Credit Card Thief Swallows Diamond Ring He Bought

VICTOR, N.Y. – A man who used stolen credit cards to buy jewelry tried to hide the evidence by swallowing a diamond ring, the Associated Press reported. Rahkeim Scarlett, 33, bought a Rolex watch and diamond earrings worth nearly $30,000. Before walking out, it was discovered the card was stolen. Scarlett fled but was founding hiding in a nearby snowbank. While in custody, Scarlett swallowed the diamond ring.

This article appeared in print on page 18 of the March 4th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.