Regional Briefs – June 28, 2016

NY Awards $100 Million For Local Road Projects

ALBANY – Nearly 1,600 municipalities will share in $100 million from the state, part of a $21 billion, five-year plan to upgrade roads and highways. The money can pay for road resurfacing, widening and redesigns. NYC will get the largest chunk, nearly $20 million.

NY Creates Hotline to Report Vacant Properties

ALBANY – New York on Tuesday created a new consumer hotline — 800-342-3736 — to help identify vacant properties. There are an estimated 6,000 vacant properties in the state. “Zombie homes” can bring down property values and negatively impact neighborhoods.

Bar Association: NY Must Plan For Constitutional Convention

ALBANY – The president of the state’s Bar Association wrote to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, urging him to prepare voters for a referendum next year to approve a constitutional convention. Voters will consider whether to change the state’s main political document.

Hard Hat Likely Saved Worker Hit by Steel Beam

DEWITT, N.Y. – A worker’s hard hat likely saved his life Monday when a steel beam at a construction site fell on him, the Post-Standard reported. The worker suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized but he is expected to survive.

NYC Installation Takes Visitors On Panoramic Tour of Italy

NEW YORK – Istead of visiting Italy, you can see a 360-degree video installation in Grand Central Terminal of the country’s magnificent landmarks, The Associated Press reported. Visitors enter an oval room where a wrap-around screen developed by Italy’s trade commission envelops them with scenes of Italy.

This article appeared in print on page 36 of the June 29th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.