Retgional Briefs – December 6, 2018

Deer Shot Illegally Jumps Out of Pickup Truck Bed

BERNE, N.Y. – Two men hunting illegally got a big surprise when the deer they had just shot jumped out of the back of their pickup truck, The Associated Press reported. Police responded to a report of a shooting from a truck.

Teen Facing Felony Charge for Prank Call

SYRACUSE – A 14-year-old boy is facing a felony charge for prank calling a suicide prevention hotline and threatening to kill his family and people at his high school, The Associated Press reported. Police said he just wanted to one-up his friends and “tied up police resources on nonsense.”

Farmers Donate 11M Pounds Of Food to Food Banks

ALBANY – New York’s farmers are in the gift-giving mood, donating nearly 11 million pounds of food to regional food banks so far this year, The Associated Press reported. That’s enough food to serve nearly 9 million meals and 1.6 million pounds more than last year.

Jury Awards $85M to Writer Struck by Sightseeing Bus

NEW YORK – A writer who sued Gray Line bus company after getting hit was awarded $85 million by a jury, The Associated Press reported. Devan Sipher, who writes for The New York Times, was walking in a crosswalk in 2015 when he was hit by a double-decker.

Aging Niagara Falls Sewage Plant Getting $27M Upgrade

NIAGARA FALLS – The wastewater treatment plant blamed for a sewage discharge that discolored Niagara River is getting a $27 million upgrade, The Associated Press reported. Photos of the discolored water so close to the natural wonder drew international attention.

Man Sentenced for Vacation Rental Home Scam

ROCHESTER – A scammer was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison and ordered to pay back $140,000 he bilked out of 20 people in a vacation home rental scheme, The Associated Press reported. Henry Dean, 58, advertised the properties on internet rental websites. One of the rentals was undergoing construction and another wasn’t for lease.