Regional Briefs – April 29, 2015

George Washington Bridge May Have Delays Overnight

NEW YORK – Beginning May 4, the upper level of the George Washington Bridge will be undergoing construction that may cause delays — on Monday to Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. Three of four lanes will be closed.

Poll: Most Iowans Don’t Know de Blasio

NEW YORK – Mayor Bill de Blasio may be  setting himself up for a presidential bid, but a Public Policy Polling poll released Tuesday revealed that 67 percent of Iowans don’t know him, 18 percent have a favorable opinion while 15 percent have an unfavorable opinion.

Bronx Program Aims to Increase Energy Efficiency

BRONX – Bronx officials started a $2.5 million program to increase energy efficiency in rental homes without increasing costs to renters, The New York Times reported. The borough will pay for energy improvements in large apartment buildings, while owners would agree to use the savings to keep rents affordable.

New Ellis Island Center to Complete Immigration Story

NEW YORK – A gallery opening May 20 at Ellis Island will complete the story of America’s immigration history, renaming the museum the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, the Associated Press reported. It focuses on immigration from the 1550s to the present, including after Ellis Island closed in 1954 and before it opened in 1892.

Crews Rescue Frightened Feline on Highway Divider

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. – A frenzied feline caused quite the commotion after it was spotted Saturday clinging to a median divider on Route 36, NJ.com reported. The frightened gray tiger-striped cat held tightly to the concrete barrier as cars sped by until Middletown police stopped traffic for about an hour to retrieve it.

NJ Transit Putting Cameras On Trains for Safety

NEWARK – NJ Transit light rail trains, beginning with the Hudson-Bergen and Newark lines, are installing cameras after security concerns and recent cellphone robberies, NJ.com reported. The $1.9 million cost is funded through a federal grant. Transit police will also increase patrols of the Newark light rail between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Woods Near Massachusetts Become New York State Forest

NEW LEBANON, N.Y. – New York has another 518 acres of state forest land near the Massachusetts border. Hand Hollow includes a lake and is open for hiking, biking, camping and outdoor activities.

Christie Sending New Jersey State Troopers to Baltimore

NEWARK – Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday sent 150 New Jersey state troopers to Baltimore for 72 hours, “to help ensure a peaceful resolution,” the Associated Press reported. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan had been expected to host a fundraiser for Christie’s PAC this week but it was postponed for later this year.

Tuberculosis Case Leads to Testing on New Jersey Campus

RARITAN, N.J. – A tuberculosis case at Raritan Valley College Tuesday will lead to testing of all 36 people who came into contact with the patient, NJ.com reported. The person with the potentially fatal disease was on campus in March.

NY Highest Court Hearing Cases in White Plains

ALBANY – New York’s highest court is hearing arguments this week in White Plains, their first official visit to Westchester County in its 168-year history, the Associated Press reported. The seven judges left Albany for the campus of Pace Law School, where they will hear 12 appeals of civil and criminal cases.

De Blasio: No Threats Against Police Amid Baltimore Violence

NEW YORK – Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday he is not aware of any threats against police in New York City in the wake of violence in Baltimore, where at least seven officers have been injured.

November Trial Date Set for Ex-Assembly Speaker

NEW YORK – A November trial date was set Tuesday for former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who after pleading not guilty insisted that he will be vindicated, the Associated Press reported.

This article appeared in print on page 26 of the April 29th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.