In brief: Spitter faces felony charge

Anchorage, Alaska – A 29-year old man with a contagious disease was charged with attempted murder Tuesday after he spit on a hospital worker.

Andre LaFrance, of Wasilla, “intentionally transferred a dangerous bodily fluid” onto the worker Monday at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, State troopers said. LaFrance has hepatitis C, an infectious disease that can cause liver damage.

Corrections Sgt. Walter Erickson described the man as “very, very unstable,” and said that he was under suicide watch at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility.

Authorities were very cautious and would use a spit-hood on LaFrance if necessary, Erickson said. To further protect themselves, jailers were instructing LaFrance to step to the back of the cell before dealing with him. Charges filed against LaFrance also include harassment.

Camden, N.J., lays off hundreds

Camden, N.J. – The mayor of Camden, N.J., said 168 police officers, 67 firefighters and about 100 non-uniformed city employees were laid off Tuesday.

Mayor Dana Redd said about 100 of the police officers and most of the firefighters could be brought back if their unions agree to concessions. The biggest police union is scheduled to vote on a plan today.

The layoffs come as Camden, a crime-ridden city across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, faces a huge budget deficit and declining state aid.

About one-fourth of the local government work force had been expected to lose their jobs. The actual figure provided by Redd turned out to be a smaller percentage than that.