Regional Briefs – March 20, 2015

5 Arrested in 42 Home Burglaries in New Jersey

HACKENSACK, N.J. – The five men behind a six-month rash of 42 daytime home burglaries plaguing Bergen and Monmouth counties were arrested, The Associated Press reported. Detectives recovered hundreds of guns, jewelry, electronics, antiques, phones and a safe.

State Van Crashes Into Steps of Trenton City Hall

TRENTON – An Environmental Protection shuttle van collided Wednesday with a minivan before jumping a curb, demolishing a parking gate and ending up on the steps of Trenton’s City Hall, the Times of Trenton reported. Both drivers were hospitalized.

Council Speaker Pushes NYC’s Agenda in Albany

ALBANY – Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and other councilmen were in Albany Wednesday to lobby for extending the city’s rent regulation, paying tuition bills for illegals and a higher minimum wage, The Associated Press reported.

Flying Plywood Kills Woman Walking on Manhattan Street

NEW YORK – A 4-by-8 piece of plywood flew off a Greenwich Village construction site Tuesday night, slamming into a woman walking on the street and killing her, The Associated Press reported. Tina Nguyen, 37, was a real estate broker.

Fatal Apartment Fire Caused by Man Smoking in Bed

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – A building fire that killed a man Tuesday was caused by his smoking in bed, The Associated Press reported. Ernest Gepner of Schenectady was 68.

Advocates: Fund Doctor Listing

ALBANY – Patient advocates want to continue the $1.2 million online profiles of doctor records, The Associated Press reported. Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to stop the list, saying the information is publicly available. Activists say the others read like ads.

9/11 Victim Identified by DNA

NEW YORK – A 1,640th victim of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was identified Thursday through DNA as Matthew David Yarnell, 26, The Associated Press reported. The Jersey City man was vice president at Fiduciary Trust International. Another 1,113 victims have yet to be identified.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the March 20th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.