Regional Briefs – October 17, 2018

Runner Praised for Helping Blind Competitor Who Fell

AUBURN, N.Y. – A high school athlete was praised Wednesday for stopping to help a legally blind runner who fell as they neared the finish line, Syracuse.com reported. Jake Tobin had about 320 yards to go when Luke Fortner passed him and then slipped on a hill. Tobin helped Fortner up and the two crossed the finish line together.

NY Seeks Bids to Redevelop Thruway’s 27 Service Areas

ALBANY – New York is seeking bids to redevelop the 27 service areas dotting the 570-mile Thruway, The Associated Press reported. Plans call for a more diverse selection of food and beverages, with upgrades to the buildings and restrooms. The last remodeling came 25 years ago.

NY Again Pays More to Washington Than it Receives

ALBANY – New York continues giving the feds more than it receives, according to a report released Wednesday by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Taxes last year total about $24 billion more than the federal funds allotted to the state. New York is one of 11 states with such an imbalance.

NY Sending Help to Syracuse to Combat Gun Violence

SYRACUSE – The city of Syracuse is getting help from the state in combating a spate of gun violence that has killed two children, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday. State police will expand patrols and operations and boost intelligence sharing with local police.

Mail-in Ballots in Atlantic County Have Wrong Zip Code

MAYS LANDING, N.J. – Some mail-in ballots in Atlantic County have the wrong return address — but officials say they should still wind up in the right place, The Press of Atlantic City reported. Some ballots had an 08830 zip code for Mays Landing. The actual zip code is 08330.

Retired Cop Arrested for Stealing Campaign Signs

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. – A man who retired as a Middletown police officer 30 years ago was arrested for stealing political campaign signs, the Asbury Park Press reported. Irvin Beaver, 73, a Democrat, was witnessed by patrolling officers in the act of stealing signs.