Briefly... CITY/REGION

Detours along Lincoln Drive for 'spring cleaning' repairs

Lincoln Drive, between Wayne Avenue and Ridge Avenue/Kelly Drive, is being closed temporarily today. It was closed at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to reopen at 5 p.m. to permit city workers to do "spring cleaning" repair work safely along the winding stretch of road, city officials said.

Southbound Lincoln Drive traffic will be blocked at Wayne Drive. A marked detour will carry traffic to the end of Lincoln Drive at Ridge Avenue, by way of Walnut Lane. Northbound traffic will be blocked at all entrances to the south end of Lincoln Drive.

Buyers of cigarettes online owe state millions in taxes

Thousands of Pennsylvanians who purchased cartons of cigarettes over the Internet or by mail order have been sent letters by the state Revenue Department informing them they owe taxes.

The first batch of letters went out about two weeks ago to 4,300 people who are believed to have purchased at least 100 cartons and collectively owe $10.4 million in taxes. More than 700 of them have already enrolled in a payment plan, Revenue spokeswoman Stephanie Weyant said yesterday. The largest purchase was 975 cartons, resulting in nearly $15,000 in unpaid cigarette and sales taxes.

Hilton casino dealers seeking to unionize, join with UAW

Dealers at an Atlantic City casino are seeking to become part of the United Auto Workers in the largest unionization push here in a quarter-century.

Workers at the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort filed a petition yesterday with the National Labor Relations Board seeking an election on whether to join the union. The UAW, which represents dealers at three Detroit casinos, is making a push to unionize all 11 of Atlantic City's casinos.

Fines, jail time increased for drivers who leave fatal crashes

People in New Jersey who knowingly leave the scene of a motor vehicle accident that kills someone will face up to 10 years in prison under a bill signed into law yesterday.

Under previous law, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident that killed someone could bring up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The new bill doubles the maximum prison term and provides for a fine of up to $150,000, or both. *