Regional Briefs – October 13, 2015

Burglar Robs Home, Apologizes Before Escaping

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. – A burglar broke into a home on Long Island Saturday night, bizarrely saying “I’m sorry” to the 24-year-old female homeowner when discovered before making his escape, The Associated Press reported. Shane Lopez was arrested soon afterward.

New York DMV Website Wins National Award

ALBANY – New York’s DMV website has won the national 2015 Pinnacle Award for its design, ease of use and scope of services, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Customers completed 5.5 million transactions last year, decreasing wait time in DMV offices from 72 minutes to 30 minutes.

Camden Not Getting Federal Grant Officials Anticipated

CAMDEN, N.J. – Two months after the mayor and a U.S. senator held a news conference on how a $30 million federal grant would pay for new homes, schools and parks, Camden officials learned on Monday they were denied the money, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Camden, the nation’s poorest city, had been one of nine finalists.

Lawn Mower Catches Fire, Kills Retired Firefighter

JOBSTOWN, N.J. – A 79-year-old retired firefighter died on Sunday after the lawn mower he was operating suddenly caught fire, WCAU reported. Former Springfield firefighter Roger Lippincott was the township’s emergency coordinator and taught at the fire academy.

Man Critically Injured When Tire Explodes While Inflating

MONMOUTH BEACH, N.J. – A Jersey Shore man was critically injured Saturday afternoon when a tire exploded while he was filling it, NJ.com reported. The 56-year-old man was using a compressor to inflate a tire when it exploded, causing the metal rim to also blow apart, striking him in the head.

FEMA Wants Back Money From Some Sandy Victims

NEW YORK – FEMA claims that more than 500 New York victims of Superstorm Sandy incorrectly got $3.4 million in disaster grant money and they want it back, Newsday reported. If residents don’t pay up, the U.S. Treasury can levy interest penalties of up to 30 percent.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the October 13th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.