Regional Briefs – March 8, 2016

Federal Judge Rejects Man’s Appeal in Fort Dix Killing Plot

CAMDEN, N.J. – A federal judge on Tuesday rejected the latest appeal of a life sentence for a 2008 plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, The Associated Press reported. Mohamad Shnewer had argued that he had ineffective counsel. But the judge said that Shnewer’s Islamist beliefs made rehabilitation impossible.

Sharpton Announces Support For de Blasio’s Rezoning Plan

NEW YORK – Al Sharpton said Tuesday he’s supporting Mayor Bill de Blasio’s much-debated rezoning plan, which will be voted on this month. The controversial civil rights figure said people of color are “pushed out of neighborhoods they built” by developers.

5 People Overcome by Carbon Monoxide in Queens

QUEENS – Five people were hospitalized Tuesday because of high levels of carbon monoxide at their house in Bayside, The Associated Press reported. The victims involved two adults and three children, with one in serious condition.

Man Arrested for Shooting At New York Deputy’s Car

BYRON, N.Y. – A man was arrested Monday for shooting at a patrol car while the officer was making a traffic stop, The Associated Press reported. David O’Connor, 55, shattered both rear windows of the car. Officers found O’Connor alone in a room in a nearby hotel with a rifle.

NY Fines Hilton $250,000 for Violations of Do-Not-Call Law

ALBANY – Hilton Grand Vacations Company agreed Monday to pay $250,500 in fines for violating the state’s do-not-call law 330 times, The Associated press reported. The company, which did not admit any wrongdoing, also agreed to change its telemarketing practices.

Another Upstate Town to Get Filtration for Carcinogen

PETERSBURGH, N.Y. – Another upstate community is getting a new filtration system to remove the suspected cancer-causing chemical PFOA from its water supply, The Associated Press reported. Taconic Plastics will pay for a carbon filtration system for the Rensselaer County town of Petersburgh after tests found perfluorooctanoic acid in the town water supply.

This article appeared in print on page 36 of the March 9th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.