Regional Briefs – March 26, 2017

It’s Bear Season: NY Warns Not to Feed the Bruins

ALBANY – With the black bear season coming with warmer weather, officials are warning people not to attract them with food left outside, The Associated Press reported. Bird feeders must be taken down by April 1 and barbeque grills should be cleaned before nighttime. The state has more than 6,000 bears.

NY Volunteers Wanted for Water Quality Surveys

ALBANY – New York state is recruiting volunteers to conduct water quality assessments this summer. Volunteers visit streams and rivers and collect insects and other small organisms from the rocks and rubble at the bottom. The data are used to create an inventory of water quality.

Bill to Put Cops, Firefighters In Control of Pension

TRENTON – Legislation passed by lawmakers on Thursday would let New Jersey police and firefighters control their $26 billion pension fund instead of the state, The Associated Press reported. The bill, which would appoint an independent panel to oversee the fund, is now on Gov. Chris Christie’s desk for consideration.

95 Passengers Transferred After Ferry Runs Aground

HIGHLANDS, N.J. – The 95 passengers aboard a Seastreak ferry were safely transferred to another vessel Thursday night after it ran aground, The Associated Press reported. The Whaling City Express, which got stuck 200 yards from the pier, was refloated and escorted to the pier.

Exotic African Hybrid Cat Roaming the Streets Caught

PATERSON, N.J. – A large exotic cat spied wandering Paterson’s streets out of control Thursday morning was caught by Animal Control officers, The Associated Press reported. The Savannah cat can cost more than $20,000. They weigh up to 30 pounds and leap up to 7 feet.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the March 27th, 2017 edition of Hamodia.