Regional Briefs – May 18, 2015

Fabled FAO Schwarz to Close

NEW YORK – Toys R Us is closing its iconic FAO Schwarz store on July 15, citing the high costs of running the store on pricey Fifth Avenue. They’re looking for another location in midtown Manhattan. Open since 1870, FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the U.S. and a Chol Hamoed staple for many families.

Toddler Struck by Piece Of Manhattan Building

NEW YORK – A toddler on a stroll with his grandparents Sunday was struck by a falling piece of a building in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and is in critical condition, The Associated Press reported. One of the 2-year-old’s grandparents was also hit and is in serious condition.

Sign Will Again Welcome Drivers to Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Crews on Friday re-installed a welcome sign removed days before because it did not have a permit, The Press of Atlantic City reported. The state says they’re allowing it back because of the sign’s “iconic nature.”

New Jersey Under Drought, At Risk of Wildfires

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The U.S. Drought Monitor says more than half of New Jersey is abnormally dry, the Asbury Park Press reported. Fire danger is set at “high” in Monmouth and Ocean counties and “very high” in Atlantic and Camden.

NY Revenue Up $11.4B in 2015

ALBANY – New York collected $149.1 billion in revenue last year, up 8.3 percent, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said. That includes $5 billion from bank settlements, $71 billion in personal taxes, $8.5 billion in business taxes and $48.6 billion in federal money for programs. Total state spending was $143.9 billion.

2 Sisters Adopted Separately Meet at Writing Class

NEW YORK – Two women who took a writing class discovered they were sisters who were adopted by different families, The New York Times reported. Lizzie Valverde, 35, and Katy Olson, 34, lived in different states but moved to New York as adults and enrolled in Columbia. They made the connection when Valverde introduced herself to the class as being adopted. They will both graduate on Monday alongside their mother, Leslie Parker.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the May 18th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.