Regional Briefs – August 11, 2015

NYC Translates Immigrants’ Manual Into Haitian Creole

NEW YORK – NYC on Monday distributed in Flatbush its first copies of the immigrant rights manual translated into Haitian Creole, The Associated Press reported. Topics include language access, public benefits and protections. The 70-page guide is also printed in Chinese, Korean, Russian and Spanish.

Children Find Grenade in Water at Long Island Park

LAKE RONKONKOMA, N.Y. – Suffolk police safely destroyed a grenade whose pin was intact that children found Sunday at a park, Newsday reported. Children playing in the water picked up the grenade, thinking it was a rock. It appeared to have been in there for awhile.

Upstate Tax Collector Admits Falsifying Her Own Bill

CANTON, N.Y. – An upstate tax collector admitted to falsifying her own tax records, The Associated Press reported. Michelle Sheppard, 43, resigned as town clerk and tax collector in DePeyster. A state comptroller audit noted discrepancies which led to the charges of withholding $4,303 since 2011.

Pilots Report Drone Spotted Near Newark Airport

NEWARK – Crews on four commercial flights on Sunday spotted a drone while preparing to land at Newark Airport, NJ.com reported. The FAA has a significant increase in reports of drones flying near planes as they become a more popular item. Flying a drone “anywhere near” an airplane can lead to criminal charges and huge fines.

Falling Tree Seriously Injures Man Playing Horseshoes

MILLSTONE, N.J. – A falling tree on Saturday caused a serious head injury to a man who was playing horseshoes at an Elks Lodge, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Man Gets 6 Months in Jail for Stealing Mark Twain Plaque

ELMIRA, N.Y. – A man who stole a bronze likeness of author Mark Twain from his gravesite was sentenced Friday to six months in jail, The Associated Press reported. Daniel Ruland must also pay $1,575 in restitution. Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, grew up in Missouri but summered for 20 years in Elmira.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the August 11th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.