Regional Briefs – September 8, 2015

Boro Park Hit-Run Driver Turns Himself In

BROOKLYN – The driver who fatally ran over a disabled Boro Park woman turned himself in early Monday, the New York Post reported. Marco Ortiz, 50, was charged with a hit-and-run on Marlene Zotti, 59, on Sunday at 9th Ave. and 42nd St. as she was returning from Shoprite.

Exhibit Highlights Transit Response to 9/11, Sandy

NEW YORK – An upcoming exhibit highlights the critical role of New York City transit workers during natural and man-made disasters, including 9/11, Sandy, the blizzard of 2010 and the blackout of 2003, The Associated Press reported. It opens Sept. 30 at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn.

In Will, Millionaire Bequeaths $100,000 To 32 Cockatiels

NEW YORK – A NYC millionaire who died this summer left a $100,000 trust fund to care for her 32 pet cockatiels, the New York Post reported. Leslie Ann Mandel’s will asks that the small parrots continue living in an aviary at her $4 million Hampton home. With her stepson as trustee, the fund also will care for a cat Kiki and dog Frosty.

After Overhaul, Javits Center is Better for Birds

NEW YORK – Conference-goers aren’t the only ones flocking to a recently renovated convention center, The New York Times reported. Bird deaths at the Javits Center have dropped by 90 percent since they installed new glass panels imprinted with patterns that also help keep the building cool. Birds used to fly into the mirror-like facade.

Grilled Peanut Butter Sandwich Wins Fair Contest

SYRACUSE – A grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Sunday beat Mexican street corn, salt potato pizza and other mobile chefs’ delights in the New York State Fair’s inaugural food truck competition, The Associated Press reported.

Man Killed When he Slips Underneath Train

HILLSDALE, N.J. – A man trying to catch a moving train was killed Friday when he slipped under the wheels, NJ.com reported. The train crew was unaware Daniel Stark, 50, had died until police stopped them shortly afterward.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the September 8th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.