Regional Briefs – March 2, 2016

Pediatric Medical Group Settles Family Leave Act Claim

TRENTON – A pediatric medical group has agreed to pay a former employee who cared for her dying father $45,000 to settle claims it had violated the Family Leave Act, The Associated Press reported. Allison Blair was a billing coordinator with Tenafly Pediatrics in 2014 when she left to care for her father. She was fired nine days later.

EPA Apologizes Over Discovery of Chemical at Site

RINGWOOD, N.J. – Environmental officials on Tuesday apologized to residents for waiting three months before divulging the finding of a hazardous chemical at a Superfund site, where Ford Motor Co. dumped paint sludge decades ago, The Record reported. They said there is no imminent health threat.

Paterson Council Rejects Budget, Workers Back on Job

PATERSON, N.J. – Council members in New Jersey’s third-largest city on Tuesday voted down the mayor’s budget, but approved a temporary appropriation that sends 1,200 nonessential employees back to work, NJ.com reported. Amid a budget showdown, workers were forced to stay home Tuesday.

New Hampshire Newspaper Regrets Endorsing Christie

MANCHESTER, N.H. – New Hampshire’s largest newspaper said Monday it regrets endorsing Chris Christie for president after he quit the race and backed Donald Trump. Union Leader publisher Joe W. McQuaid began a rueful editorial by saying: “Boy, were we wrong.”

NYC Exhibition to Open on Japan Quake 5th Anniversary

NEW YORK – A NYC exhibition opens next Friday on the fifth anniversary of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, The Associated Press reported. “In the Wake: Japanese Photographers Respond to 3/11” at the Japan Society Gallery runs through June 12.

Man Gets Prison for 2012 Wounding of NYPD Sergeant

QUEENS – A Queens man will spend 55 years to life in prison for the wounding of a police sergeant in 2012, The Associated Press reported. John F. Thomas was sentenced Wednesday for the first-degree attempted murder of Sgt. Craig Bier.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the March 3rd, 2016 edition of Hamodia.