Regional Briefs – July 9, 2015

Repairs to Fix Damage Caused By Escapees: $300,000

ALBANY – It is costing New York $300,000 to fix the damage to pipes, walls and fences caused by two convicted killers who broke out of a maximum-security prison last month, The Associated Press reported. A contract with Adirondack Mechanical Services was approved on Wednesday.

Drunk Seeking Ride Calls 911 to Report Fake Crash

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A drunk seeking a ride home Tuesday night twice called 911 to report a fake accident in hopes of a lift, The Associated Press reported. Officers headed to a domestic violence call were diverted to the reported accident. The man was charged with falsely calling 911 and improper behavior.

Settlement Will Grant Access To NYC Burial Ground for Poor

NEW YORK – Families will soon be able to visit graves on a small island after a class-action lawsuit with NYC was settled Wednesday. About a million poor or unknown people are interred on uninhabited Hart Island, the largest indigent burial ground in the nation. Entry will be allowed once a month.

Police Decry Cellphone Case Shaped Like Handgun

NEW YORK – Police are warning about the dangers of a cellphone case that’s shaped like a gun, saying they may mistake it for the real thing since it lacks an orange marking that identifies it as harmless, The New York Times reported. Sen. Charles Schumer called it a “disaster waiting to happen.”

Navy Admiral Visits Albany to Highlight NY’s Contributions

ALBANY – A high ranking Navy admiral visited Albany on Tuesday to highlight New York state’s contributions to his branch, The Associated Press reported. Rear Admiral Thomas Moore said more than 100 suppliers in New York provide computer chips, valves, pumps and condensers for aircraft carriers.

5 Stuck in Rail Station Elevator for Two Hours

UNION CITY, N.J. – Three women and two children were freed after being stuck for more than two hours in an elevator at a NJ Transit station on Tuesday morning, The Associated Press reported.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the July 9th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.