ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.
Casinos, horse racing, lottery running again
New Jersey gambling operations, including Atlantic City casinos, the lottery and horse racing, opened Saturday, hours after Gov. Jon Corzine signed an executive order to end a weeklong shutdown of nonessential state government.
Corzine ordered the shutdown July 1 when the Legislature failed to pass a fiscal 2007 budget bill.
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, a joint venture of MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming Corp., reopened at 7 a.m, said Michael Facenda, a spokesman for the most lucrative establishment among the 12 Atlantic City casinos, grossing $1.9 million a day in gaming revenue.
“Our employees were very, very anxious to return to the workplace,” Facenda said.
The casinos contribute about $1.2 million in tax receipts daily to the state, according to the Casino Control Commission.
LOS ANGELES
82-year-old jaywalker’s fine tossed by judge
An 82-year-old woman who was given a jaywalking ticket for taking too long to cross a busy street won’t have to pay the $114 fine.
Mayvis Coyle had become something of a sensation after her case was publicized in April. Senior-citizen advocates were outraged at her treatment. News camera crews showed up at her door unannounced.
Last week, however, Coyle received a mailed notice that a court commissioner had found her guilty of jaywalking but suspended the fine.
“It sounds like a compromise, like they’re trying to save face,” said Coyle’s son, Jim Coyle. “We’re grateful for everyone’s support.”
Coyle was vacationing in Colorado and unavailable for comment.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
Official’s transplant deemed unsuccessful
Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller returned home to Arkansas on Saturday after a second bone marrow transplant for a life- threatening blood disorder failed to produce encouraging results, a spokesman said.
Rockefeller, 57, returned to Little Rock from Washington state, where he had the two transplants for a condition that can lead to leukemia, spokesman Steve Brawner said.
“His attitude is still good, and he is still looking for a way to beat this disease and return to his good life and noble work,” Brawner said. Brawner would not elaborate on Rockefeller’s physical condition.
ALBANY, N.Y.
Boy survives 11-story plummet out window
A 4-year-old boy survived a fall from an 11-story window Friday after being left alone at home, bouncing off a metal awning into a concrete courtyard and then trying to stand up, officials said. He was able to chat with doctors.
“I’m amazed the kid’s alive,” Police Chief James Tuffey said.
Hasim Townsend remained in serious condition Saturday with a broken skull, a broken leg and other injuries.
“It’s an incredibly good sign that he was talking, and I can’t attribute it to anything other than good luck,” said Dr. Michael Dailey, an attending physician in the emergency department.
Elizabeth Burciaga, 21, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. She initially told police the boy had been left with a babysitter, officials said.
TULSA, Okla.
Team gives out 1,500 Moses bobbleheads
He delivered his people from bondage and through 40 years in the wilderness.
Now Moses has become a key part of a five-game baseball homestand.
The Tulsa Drillers handed out 1,500 Moses bobbleheads Friday night. The bobblehead, complete with tablets representing the Ten Commandments, was part of a faith-and-family night sponsored by Oklahoma Wesleyan University and a Christian radio station.
