Regional Briefs – December 23, 2015

Firefighter May Lose $78K Job For Shoplifting $7.98 in Items

EGG HARBOR, N.J. – A firefighter may lose his $78,096-a-year job after being convicted Tuesday of shoplifting $7.98 worth of items, The Associated Press reported. Ashton Funk, 34, was off-duty at the time, but prosecutors are seeking his dismissal since the offense involving dishonesty.

NY Authorizes New Fraud-Detection Program

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law authorizing the state comptroller to establish a new fraud-detection program meant to stop questionable transactions before taxpayer money is spent. The comptroller would be able to request data from state authorities.

Sanitation Workers Come Across 4 Small Kids Left in Car

NEW YORK – Two sanitation workers making their pickups Monday morning found something unusual left on a busy Manhattan street — four children aged 18 months to 4-years-old asleep in a parked car, the Daily News reported. A 26-year-old babysitter was arrested and the children returned to the family.

NY Expands Ban on Shackling Expectant Inmates

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a ban on shackling expectant inmates except in extraordinary circumstances and with written approval. The ban extends to eight weeks after birth. If required, restraints are limited to handcuffs in front.

Most NY Lawmakers Report No Outside Income

ALBANY – Less than half of New York lawmakers receive income from outside work, The Associated Press reported. An analysis of 183 financial disclosures found that 60 percent report no outside income at all. Of the 40 percent who do, most are attorneys. Others are part-time college teachers.

NY Starts Patient Registration For Medical Marijuana

ALBANY – The health department on Wednesday began its online registration for patients to buy medical marijuana starting Jan. 1. They need certification from a doctor, photo ID and proof of residency. Those under 18 must apply through a proxy.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the December 24th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.