Regional Briefs – August 5, 2015

9/11 Memorial Visitor Arrested For Two Loaded Handguns

NEW YORK – A tourist from Texas was arrested Saturday at the 9/11 memorial in Manhattan after asking a police officer where she could store her two loaded pistols, the New York Post reported. Elizabeth Enderli, a military veteran, has a gun permit in Texas and mistakenly believed it covered New York.

Aircraft Swerves to Avoid Drone over New Jersey

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The pilot of a small plane had to make a sharp turn 1,000 feet in the air to avoid a drone, WCAU reported. In related news, a second drone in three days was spotted on Sunday near JFK Airport.

Funding Helps Protect Melon Farm From Development

EASTON, N.Y. – An upstate melon farm in business for more than a century is now forever protected from development thanks to public and private donors, the Saratogian reported. The Hand Melon Farm, founded in 1908, is famous for its cantaloupes sold across the state.

Retrial in Case of Etan Patz Set for Next Year

NEW YORK – The retrial of a suspect in the 1979 kidnapping and slaying of 6-year-old Etan Patz was scheduled Monday for Feb. 22, The Associated Press reported. A previous trial ended in May with a deadlocked jury. Defendant Pedro Hernandez confessed, but his lawyers argued he was mentally ill and his statements were fictional ravings.

Comptroller Sees $6 Billion More in NYC Funds

NEW YORK – Comptroller Scott Stringer said the NYC budget has benefited from $5.9 billion in additional funds over the last 12 months. He credits higher than expected tax revenues, which grew by 7 percent, almost a full percentage point higher than average growth.

Man Overboard Spends 4 Hours in Water Before Rescue

CAPE MAY, N.J. – A man who fell off a boat Saturday night spent more than four hours in waters off the southern New Jersey coast before he was rescued by a passing boat, The Associated Press reported. Coast Guard officials received a mayday call and launched helicopter and boat crews.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the August 4th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.