Regional Briefs – July 29, 2018

NY Launching $5 Million Effort to Eliminate Hepatitis C

ALBANY – New York is creating a task force to advise a new effort to eliminate hepatitis C, a viral infection that is exacerbated by the recent opioid epidemic. The $5 million campaign will include increasing access to medications and expanding prevention services.

Dairy Farmer Gored To Death by Bull

MIDDLEFIELD, N.Y. – A dairy farmer died Tuesday after he was gored by a bull in his pasture while feeding it, The Associated Press reported. Eugene Wolfert, 68, was charged and gored multiple times, with the bull pinning him to the ground and pushing him out of the pasture. The bull was euthanized.

Adieu, Great View: Lighthouse Caretaker Moving on

MONTAUK, N.Y. – Margaret Winski is giving up the best view on Long Island for a move to Maine, The New York Times reported. The 62-year-old has been living for free while guarding the 222-year-old Montauk Lighthouse since 1987.

Railroad Bridge Partially Collapses Into NJ Creek

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – A railroad bridge partially collapsed Saturday morning into a creek as a train was crossing, damaging a railcar loaded with sugar, but caused no injuries or spills, NJ.com reported. The 100-year-old Overpeck Creek bridge, scheduled for replacement this year, carries 25,000 cars a year.

Survivor of Crash That Killed Her Family to Sue Trucker

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. – The lone survivor of a crash that killed her family is suing the pickup truck driver and his company for crossing the median and slamming into her minivan, the News Journal reported. The husband and four daughters of Mary Rose Ballocanag died in the crash three weeks ago.

Boy’s Death During Boating Lesson Results in New Law

CENTERPORT, N.Y. – Suffolk County, where a 12-year-old boy died during a boating safety lesson, now has a new law aimed at preventing such tragedies, Newsday reported. Ryan’s Law, named after Ryan Weiss who was killed last July when he was hit by a boat propeller, was signed on Saturday.