Regional Briefs – April 5, 2017

Cat Missing 31 Months Reunited With NJ Family

WANAQUE, N.J. – A cat that went missing 2 1/2 years ago reappeared as suddenly as it disappeared, The Record reported. Jimmy, last seen when it was let out of its home on Sept. 13, 2014, was found in a shelter 10 miles away during a recent blizzard.

New York Hunters Killed 214,000 Deer in 2016

ALBANY – New York hunters killed about 214,000 deer in 2016, up 5 percent from the year before, The Associated Press reported. Deer cause about 70,000 road accidents a year, transmit illnesses such as Lyme disease and cause millions of dollars to crops.

Report: New Jersey Teacher Attendance at 97 Percent

TRENTON – New Jersey’s school faculty attendance in the last school year was 97 percent, The Record reported. Teachers and support staff missed around one out of 33 days during the 180-day school year. This doesn’t include professional, personal, bereavement and extended sick days.

Ambulance Stealer Arraigned In Death of Bronx EMT

BRONX – A man accused of carjacking an ambulance and then running over an EMT was indicted Wednesday on charges that include first-degree murder, The Associated Press reported. Scores of first responders packed the courtroom to jeer at Jose Gonzalez, 25, who pleaded not guilty in the March 16 death of Yadira Arroyo.

Christie Administration Estimates $250M Budget Gap

TRENTON – The Christie administration estimated Wednesday that tax revenues will fall $247 million short this year, smaller than in recent years, The Associated Press reported. The Democrat-led Legislature estimated the gap at $223 million. Christie’s budget is for $35.5 billion.

Booker Cites Derailments in ‘No’ vote on Trump Nominee

NEWARK – The train derailments at Penn Station have made their way into politics. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) cited them Wednesday as the reason he was voting against Jeff Rosen for deputy secretary of transportation.

This article appeared in print on page 7 of the April 6th, 2017 edition of Hamodia.