Regional Briefs – July 6, 2015

NY Lawmakers Vote for 10-year Smoke Detectors

ALBANY – New York lawmakers voted to require new smoke detectors to contain 10-year non-removable batteries. If signed into law, it would be illegal to sell smoke detectors with replaceable batteries or those incapable of powering for 10 years.

Large Wave Washes Out Town’s Fireworks Display

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. – An unusually large wave Saturday night ran so far up the shore that it washed out the Fourth of July fireworks show for Seaside Heights residents, The Associated Press reported. The town plans to stage a makeup show on Sunday night.

Teen Gets Century in Jail for Month Long Crime Spree

NEWARK – A 19-year-old Newark man destroyed his life in a month. James Olbert on Thursday was sentenced to 104 years in prison for a 2011 crime spree involving two killings, a carjack and four robberies at gunpoint, NJ.com reported. The judge said Olbert showed a “total lack of remorse.”

Bridge Tolls Between N.J. And Pennsylvania to Drop

CAMDEN, N.J. – Commuters who use four bridges between New Jersey and Pennsylvania could soon pay less in tolls, The Associated Press reported. The Delaware River Port Authority approved a measure Wednesday to lower tolls from $5 to $4 for users of at least 18 times a month.

Lookout for WTC Parachute Jumpers Avoids Jail Time

NEW YORK – A lookout for the three parachutists convicted of jumping off the 1 World Trade Center tower in 2013 skirted jail time at his sentencing Thursday. Instead, the Daily News reported, Kyle Hartwell will need to perform 100 hours of community service.

New Lighting System to Illuminate Statue of Liberty

NEW YORK – Lady Liberty’s lights will shine even brighter. The National Park Service on Thursday announced that a new lighting system, using light-emitting diodes or LEDs, will be activated Tuesday night. Much of the old lighting was installed below ground and was damaged in Superstorm Sandy.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the July 6th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.