Regional Briefs – February 19, 2017

Plan to Renovate New Jersey Statehouse Gets Underway

TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie’s plan for a four-year $300 million renovation of New Jersey’s statehouse began Friday, with the governor’s office moving to a building down the street, The Associated Press reported. The deteriorating 18th-century building hasn’t been significantly updated in six decades.

Woman Gets Jail for Stealing Late Mother’s Benefits

TRENTON – An Englewood woman was sentenced Friday to six months of time served for stealing $128,131 of her mother’s Social Security benefits after her mother Josephine’s death, The Associated Press reported. Linda Miller, 59, didn’t report her mother’s death until eight years afterward.

Trenton Raises Age to Buy Tobacco Products to 21

TRENTON – New Jersey’s capital city council Thursday night raised the age when people can legally buy tobacco from 19 to 21, The Associated Press reported. It goes into effect next month. Stores caught selling tobacco to underage customers face fines of $1,000.

Rutgers Sorry for Rejecting Students Over Clothes Color

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers University apologized Thursday for turning students away from a career fair for wearing the wrong colored clothing, NJ.com reported. A new dress code forbids blue suits, colored shirts and brown shoes.

Robbery Suspect Killed After Pointing Weapon At Police

BROOKLYN – NYPD officers responding to a call about a robbery at a Bushwick deli early Sunday shot and killed the suspect after he pointed a gun at them, The Associated Press reported. Police recovered an imitation pistol near the body of Sergio Reyes, 18.

Albany, Rochester Get $300K To Reach At-Risk Youth

ALBANY – School districts in Albany and Rochester are getting $300,000 in state and federal grants to aid people between the ages of 14 and 24 who are neither working nor in school, The Associated Press reported.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the February 20th, 2017 edition of Hamodia.