The Morning Briefing - December 15, 2016

**The Morning Briefing will run its last issue of the year on Friday, proudly returning Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Maybe, about 75 years ago when South Brunswick was nothing but flat farms, it was perfectly acceptable for a drunk to guzzle beer and drive a backhoe on New Road, near Route 1. But cops note that times have changed, which is why this driver with seven prior DWI convictions stemming back to 1980 was arrested, once again, Tuesday afternoon. TAPInto reported the cops received many calls from alarmed motorists about this beer-guzzling, booze-bag backhoe driver who was swerving all over the road. Enjoy the video.

MOUNT LAUREL - Call it a low-speed chase, as Mount Laurel cops were dispatched to investigate a "group of suspicious donkeys loitering behind a residence on the 200 block of Mount Laurel Road," the department said on Facebook. Cops continued to have fun with the Dec. 10 report, saying "four unruly donkeys had escaped from their enclosure." Donkeys fled toward Memorial Field; a pursuit ensued. After an excruciating slow chase, the donkeys were ultimately corralled. "While in custody," the Facebook post reports, "the donkeys refused to provide their names and addresses." What a bunch of asses. Watch here.

WYCKOFF - Bergen County's newest assemblyman has some hidden talents like being a self-taught chef and TV cooking-show champ. Kevin Rooney - sworn in this week to finish the last year of Republican Scott Rumana's 40th District term - is a former Wyckoff mayor. He's also a partner in a real estate development firm, co-owner of an equestrian center and, in 2013, walked away with a $10,000 grand prize from The Food Network's "Chopped: Untrained, Undaunted." To win, Rooney whipped up hot-and-cold sushi appetizers, pan-seared ostrich in a blueberry wine sauce, and savory French toast with bourbon. Rooney tells the Record he is bringing a lot of "experience and energy to Trenton." Maybe, a fluffy quiche, too.

TRENTON - The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids holds zero regard for New Jersey's pitiful anti-smoking campaign, ranking the state dead last in the nation for efforts to curb smoking. That's because - for the fifth straight year - New Jersey will spend zilch on initiatives that educate kids about the dangers of tobacco or help residents kick the nasty habit. Yet, still, New Jersey reaps a tidy $944.5 million from a 1998 court settlement with Big Tobacco. State health officials say they rely on federal cash for anti-smoking programs. So, there. But imagine how much the state could save in health care costs down the road if we get to kids early. But that requires forethought and planning - basic concepts New Jersey fails to grasp. 

HACKENSACK - Is West New York's mayor naughty or nice? A commercial bribery trial quietly playing out in a Bergen County courtroom for the past week may hold the answer. The embattled two-term mayor, Dr. Felix Roque, certainly does plenty of good in his city, raising money for Hudson County charities, schools and relief agencies. The Cuban-born physician has also put up $200,000 of his own money to bring 150 Cuban refugees to the U.S. But the state Attorney General has Roque on trial again, this time for allegedly sending patients - who may or may not have needed MRIs or CT scans - to medical imaging firms in return for nearly $250,000 in kickbacks. Roque foiled a 2013 state prosecution for hacking into and damaging computers of opponents trying to mount a recall drive. 

IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS 

KOKOMO, Ind. - In an era when kids have absolutely no idea how to play pinball, an Indiana town is springing into action and declaring: "Pinball is now legal again in Kokomo!" Yes, 61 years after town fathers ruled that it was illegal to play pinball in the city limits, Mayor Greg Goodnight has declared that it is allowed, once again, to play the game. A local record store owner told the Kokomo Tribune that he has been selling booze for years, yet was amazed to learn his dusty pinball machine was breaking the law. To mark the big moment, Police Chief Rob Baker played the first legal game of pinball in the city since 1955. Luckily, no fatalities were reported.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY 

Looks like an exciting day for the sushi industry on this day in 2010, when a subspecies of a Japanese salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka kawamurae) is discovered after being declared extinct in 1940. May we suggest the combo platter? 

WORD OF THE DAY 

Peccadillo [pek-uh-dil-oh0] - noun 

Definition: A very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault. 

Example: "Herb's so bent out of shape over my peccadillo - taking two coins when the sign said "take a penny or leave a penny." 

WEATHER IN A WORD 

Frigid