Regional Briefs – June 21, 2018

Trucker With Stuck Tree Branch Leaves Trail of Wrecks

QUEENS – A driver oblivious to the large branch stuck to his truck wrecked a dozen cars late Tuesday, leaving a five-block path of destruction, WNBC reported. The 36-year-old had hit a tree and hadn’t noticed the branch got stuck. Audrey Neilan, whose car was destroyed, says victims are angry the driver wasn’t arrested.

Judge Orders ICE to Release Illegal From China

QUEENS – An illegal immigrant from China with a young family won an emergency stay Wednesday that temporarily prevents his deportation, The Associated Press reported. Xiu Qing You, 39, was arrested last month when he showed up for a green card interview and a years-old arrest warrent was found.

Lawmakers Approve Bill to Fix Verrazano Bridge Spelling

ALBANY – The Assembly OK’ed a bill Tuesday to correct the spelling of the Verrazano Bridge that’s been wrong for 50 years, The Associated Press reported. The span is named for Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano but was mistakenly spelled with only one “Z.” The bill now heads to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

NY Suing 6 Makers of Firefighting Foams

ALBANY – New York sued six companies that made firefighting foam containing chemicals that have contaminated drinking water in Hoosick Falls, The Associated Press reported. The lawsuit contends the companies knew or should’ve known PFOS poses a threat.

Man Finds Rattlesnake Under Hood While Jumpstarting Car

HANCOCK, N.Y. – A driver trying to jumpstart his car was greeted by an unusual sound coming from his engine — the rattle of a venomous timber rattlesnake, The Associated Press reported. Officers removed the reptile and released it nearby.

Baby Bird Tangled in Balloon Ribbon Freed

BERKELEY, N.J. – A baby osprey that was entangled in a balloon ribbon 35 feet off the ground was freed, The Associated Press reported. The young bird was found with a red ribbon wrapped around its leg. It apparently had used the trash to build a nest and got stuck in it.