Regional Briefs – July 4, 2018

New York Has $525k Available for Tree-Planting Projects

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York state has $525,000 in grants available for tree-planting projects.

The Trees for Tributaries Program is designed to support streamside tree- or shrub-planting projects. The goal of the state Department of Environmental Conservation program is to improve wildlife habitats, water quality and storm resiliency.

Grants from $11,000 to $100,000 will be distributed to municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profits.

Applications are due by Sept. 7.

Visiting New York Responders Save Drowning Florida Girl

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Police in Florida say two visiting New York first responders helped save a 3-year-old girl who was drowning in a hotel swimming pool.

WFTV in Orlando reports that New York State Trooper Matthew Colwell and Jessica Campeta, a firefighter from Hudson, New York, pulled the child from the deep end of the pool at the La Quinta Inn in Daytona Beach on Tuesday evening.

Court Blocks Release of New York Police Body Camera Footage

NEW YORK (AP) – An appeals court is blocking the release of New York City police body camera footage at least until it hears arguments in November.

An Appellate Division panel issued the injunction as the city’s largest police union fights to block the public disclosure of the footage. An Appellate Division judge granted an initial stay in May after a lower court ruled against the union.

Man Steals Boat, Crashes It on Park Bulkhead

TUCKERTON, N.J. (AP) – Authorities say a man stole a boat from a New Jersey marina — but he didn’t get far.

Tuckerton firefighters were called at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday to the South Green Street Park where they found a boat that had been stolen from Total Marine in Little Egg Harbor crashed into the new park bulkhead at high speed.

Officials say a man spotted under the deck of an abandoned house was arrested.