Regional Briefs – February 7, 2016

Rabid Pit Bull Bites 3 People, Several Dogs

ABERDEEN, N.J. – A rabid pit bull bit at least three people and several dogs, leading Monmouth health officials to request that anyone who may have been bitten by a dog recently to contact them immediately, WNBC reported. Kim Davis received rabies shots after being bitten on the finger by her daughter’s dog.

State Historic Site Exhibit Tells History of Slavery in NY

RENSSELAER, N.Y. – A new exhibit at a state historic site near Albany tells the story of the extensive slave trade that existed when New York was a Dutch colony, The Associated Press reported. The exhibit traces the first Africans brought to Manhattan in the 17th century to July 4, 1827, when the last of the remaining slaves were set free.

NYC Council Speaker Campaigns for Clinton in N.H.

NEW YORK – NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was in New Hampshire Saturday to campaign for Hillary Clinton, The Associated Press reported. The Democrat attended rallies and knocked on doors before appearing with the national president of the SEIU-1199 health workers’ union.

Upstate Car Restorer Finds WWII-era Explosives

CHESTERTOWN, N.Y. – An upstate man on Thursday found three explosive devices from World War II in the engine compartment of a 57-year-old British sports car he’s been restoring, The Associated Press reported. The Bomb Disposal Unit responding to a 911 call found two of the devices to be empty hand grenade shells but the third one appeared to be a live explosive.

551 Patients Sign Up for NY Medical Marijuana Program

ALBANY – Some 551 New Yorkers have been certified to obtain medical marijuana, nearly one month after the state’s program began, The Associated Press reported. More than 330 physicians have registered with the state to authorize the drug for patients.

NY Prison Officials Consider Introducing Pepper Spray

ALBANY – New York prison officials want to introduce pepper spray to deescalate confrontations between officers and inmates, Corrections Commissioner Anthony Annucci told lawmakers at a budget hearing Thursday, The Associated Press reported. One lawmaker complained that parolees have been accused of murder and other crimes in his region.