Regional Briefs – January 4, 2016

Fast-Moving House Fire Leaves 9 Displaced

JERSEY CITY – A fast-moving fire early Monday severely damaged a home, displacing nine people and leaving one person injured, The Associated Press reported. Officials say an electrical problem may have sparked the blaze.

Man Drove 127 Mph on Upstate Highway

CHENANGO, N.Y. – A speeding motorist led police on a chase that hit 127 mph before crashing into a guard rail, The Associated Press reported. Troopers spotted Trevon Clement, 24, traveling at 100 mph Friday night on I-81. Clement fled, hitting 127 mph on Rt. 17, where he crashed and was arrested.

Hospitals Want to Pay Instead of Being Taxed

TRENTON – New Jersey’s largest hospital association says the nonprofit hospitals it represents are willing to make payments of $2.50 per bed in lieu of taxes to towns, The Record reported. Legislation was introduced after a court eliminated a property-tax exemption for Morristown Medical Center.

Classes Canceled After School Buses Vandalized

SOMERS, N.Y. – Classes were canceled after numerous school buses in Somers, N.Y., were found vandalized Monday morning in a lot behind the school, the Journal News reported.

Maggots Helped Man Who Survived Week in Ditch

AVON, N.Y. – A 70-year-old man who survived a week outdoors after falling into a ditch says he was helped by maggots that got into his open wounds, eliminating harmful bacteria, WHAM reported. Don Farrell fell into a weed-filled ditch on Aug. 9 while walking in the woods near his home. Unable to get up, he spent a week eating leaves.

Driver With 88 License Suspensions Arrested

MEDFORD, N.Y. – A Pennsylvania motorist whose license has been suspended 88 times was arrested Sunday after being stopped for speeding, The Associated Press reported. Eric Dunbar, 43, had a valid Pennsylvania license, but his New York license had dozens of suspensions for ignoring traffic tickets.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the January 5th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.