Regional Briefs – December 23, 2018

Dad Saves Family From Fast-Moving Fire

CAMDEN, N.J. – A quick-thinking father saved his family from a quick-moving fire by walking them out onto a second-story porch, WPVI reported. Victor Ammanzar got his 5-year-old out, but didn’t see his wife and baby. He ran back in and the three were trapped by flames. He led his family out a front window, handing them to a neighbor.

NY to Award $1.5M for Farm-Fresh Food in Schools

ALBANY – New York state announced a $1.5 million grant to support farm-fresh food in schools around the state. The funding will go for 18 different initiatives that serve more than 420,000 students. The state has funded similar projects since 2015 and lawmakers doubled the funding this year.

NYC Adding 50 Solar Carports to Power Cars

NEW YORK – New York City is more than doubling its number of solar-powered charging stations for the city government’s electric vehicle fleet, The Associated Press reported. The 50 new solar carports join the 37 already in use. Each can recharge up to three vehicles a day.

Manhole Fire Sends Plume of Smoke Near Times Square

NEW YORK – A manhole fire near Times Square Friday morning sent smoke billowing in the air, The Associated Press reported. There were no injuries from the underground electrical transformer fire.

2nd Delivery Driver Charged With Stealing Amazon Boxes

HARDING, N.J. – A second delivery truck driver was charged with stealing Amazon boxes and dumping them on the side of a road, NJ.com reported. Trey Johnson, 31, was a driver for third-party deliverer Prime EFS. A resident found two dozen Amazon boxes on the side of the road, emptied of its goods.

Less Benzene in Air After Shutdown of Tonawanda Coke

TONAWANDA, N.Y. – Air sampling shows a sharp drop in the cancer-causing chemical benzene since the October closure of the Tonawanda Coke plant, The Associated Press reported. The 100-year-old plant filed for bankruptcy after it was found to have violated a 2013 pollution deal.