Regional Briefs – December 15, 2016

Man Gets 20 Years for Hate Stabbing Mosque Caretaker

QUEENS – A man charged with stabbing the caretaker of a Flushing mosque in 2012 was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison, The Associated Press reported. Bernhard Laufer, 59, entered the Masjid Al-Saaliheen Mosque and stabbed the victim as he opened morning prayer.

NJ Not Spending Tobacco Funds on Anti-Smoking

TRENTON – For the fifth straight year, New Jersey will spend the $944.5 million from a 1998 settlement with the big tobacco companies on programs unrelated to anti-smoking initiatives, NJ.com reported. The state is last in the nation for efforts to curb smoking.

Home Collapses Into Sea, Trapping Worker Underwater

WILDWOOD, N.J. – A waterfront home collapsed Tuesday, sliding into the sea and trapping a worker in the frigid water, The Associated Press reported. A beam struck the worker, sending him into the water for about 15 minutes with a chain wrapped around his leg. Firefighters used bolt cutters to free him.

Backhoeing While Drunk? Man Arrested For Backhoe DUI

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. – A man was charged Tuesday for driving a backhoe while drunk, The Associated Press reported. William Campbell, 56, was driving carelessly and failing to maintain a lane. Bottles of Jack Daniels and vodka were found in the backhoe.

Boy, 11, Offers ‘Emotional Advice’ For $2 a Pop

BROOKLYN – A boy with an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to listen to problems is offering “emotional advice” for a $2 fee, the New York Post reported. Ciro Ortiz, 11, sits at a card table at the Bedford L train stop each Sunday with a sign advertising five minutes of his time to commuters.

Construction Foreman Gets Prison for Worker’s Death

NEW YORK – A foreman was sentenced Thursday to one to three years in prison for the death of a Manhattan construction worker, The Associated Press reported. Wilmer Cueva told Carlos Moncayo, 22, about safety concerns but allowed digging to continue.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the December 16th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.