Regional Briefs – Nov. 14, 2016

11-Year-Old Gets Paid $6,500 For Keynote Speech

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – A school district paid an 11-year-old girl $6,500 plus expenses for serving as keynote speaker at a staff conference, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported. Marley Dias is the creator the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign to draw attention to the lack of racial diversity in children’s literature.

Bacterial Infection Linked to Tainted Medical Supplies

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – At least 10 people in Atlantic County and three in Ocean County have contracted a bacterial infection stemming from the use of contaminated medical supplies, The Press of Atlantic City reported. The state has seen 52 cases of B. cepacia infection.

Arrest Made in Man Pushed Off Subway Onto Train

NEW YORK – A Newark resident was arrested Monday for pushing a man onto Manhattan subway tracks, where he was injured by a train, The Associated Press reported. Aaron Clary of Newark was part of a “highly intoxicated” group when the incident happened Sunday morning. He turned himself in.

5 Days Later, Firefighters Dousing Hotspots at Steel Mill

LACKAWANNA, N.Y. – Firefighters were still dousing hotspots Monday, five days after a blaze destroyed a large section of the former Bethlehem Steel mill, The Associated Press reported. The fire broke out Wednesday and spread quickly through a nearby business.

State Officials Were Aware of Soil Contamination Since 1987

GENEVA, N.Y. – State officials who last month warned residents that the soil was tainted with lead had known about it since 1987 but kept quiet, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. Owners of 100 properties near the Geneva Foundry had widespread toxic contamination.

Cuomo: ‘Soul Sick’ Over Election Campaign

NEW YORK – Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote a letter to New Yorkers Sunday saying that he honors the result of the election, but will fight the “hateful attitudes” he claimed pervaded the campaign. “This election was for the soul of America, and that is why today so many of us feel … soul sick.”

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the November 15th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.