Regional Briefs – June 18, 2015

Deputy Marshal Dies of Cancer Linked to 9/11

NEW YORK – A U.S. marshal has died of cancer linked to 9/11, entitling him to benefits as a line-of-duty death, The Associated Press reported. Zacarias Toro, 51, who last week was awarded the Marshals Service Purple Heart, is survived by his wife, mother and four children.

George Washington Bridge Deck Replacement Finished

FORT LEE, N.J. – Workers on Wednesday finished replacing the steel deck panels on the George Washington Bridge’s upper level, ending a project that began in 2012 and required the overnight closings of three of the four lanes, The Associated Press reported. It extends the bridge’s life by 20 years.

Police Captain Accessed Insurance Site for Pal

NEWARK – A Newark police captain illegally accessed a private insurance database made available to police to investigate fraud over 900 times, The Associated Press reported. Capt. Anthony Buono was charged with selling the information for $100 a search as part of a private detective business.

Strike Looms as NJ Transit Talks Break Down With Unions

NEWARK – Talks between NJ Transit and its 17 labor unions broke down on Monday, with a strike looming unless President Obama creates a three-member board to keep the sides talking for 120 days, The Record reported. The more than 4,000 workers have gone without a contract for four years.

NY Senate Approves Mental Health Tax Check-Off

ALBANY – New York’s Senate followed the Assembly and voted for a new tax check-off intended to help end the stigma around mental illness, The Associated Press reported. The money will go as grants to organizations. One organization claims that one in four Americans has a mental illness.

Borough Chief to Have Sleep-In Protest Over Rent Rules

NEW YORK – Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said he will camp outside of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Manhattan office Wednesday night to protest the expiration of rent regulations Monday. He will be joined by several councilmen.

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