Regional Briefs – January 17, 2016

NYPD Union Chief Blasts Pay Hike for Lawmakers

NEW YORK – The president of the NYPD’s main union blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council on Thursday for mulling a double-digit pay hike for themselves, Politico reported. Patrick Lynch called it an “abomination” since cops were only given 1 percent raises.

Firefighters Crawl Out on Icy Lake to Rescue Puppy

WEST MILFORD, N.J. – Firefighters on Friday rescued a frightened 6-month-old German shepherd that plunged through an ice-covered lake, The Associated Press reported. The scared puppy bit their hands until it walked onto a sled. It then calmed down and allowed itself to be taken off.

NJ Wants Lawsuit From Ebola-Quarantined Nurse Tossed

TRENTON – State lawyers asked a judge Friday to throw out a lawsuit from a nurse who was quarantined because she had contact with Ebola patients in 2014, arguing health workers are immune from lawsuits, The Associated Press reported. Kaci Hickox, who never took ill, says her civil rights were violated.

New Jersey Bald Eagle Population Grows by 5 Pairs

TRENTON – New Jersey’s bald eagle population added five new nesting pairs in 2015, bringing the total to 161, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation reported. The eagles have been recovering since 1970, when a single pair was left following decades of pesticide use.

Ex-Legislator to Build App For Disabled New Yorkers

ALBANY – An ex-lawmaker with a disabled son has established a foundation building an app with information about rights and resources for the developmentally disabled, The Associated Press reported. Retired Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg says the free app will be available in late February.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the January 18th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.