On Tuesday, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners approved allocating up to $1.6 million from the American Rescue Plan to add to a previous, $7.7 million federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program grant for which an application deadline expired in mid-April.
The total funding in excess of $9 million, the county said, is preventing the eviction of more than 2,000 residents from almost 900 households in the aftermath of COVID-19 moratoriums being lifted.
Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson said the effort she and her colleagues undertook actually began by ensuring landlords were made whole.
“We went through a process of identifying tenants and landlords who were part of that cohort that may have been behind on their rent, and/or landlords that had not been able to collect,” Robinson said.
The average support package offered to households so far has been valued at just under $10,000 for up to 12 months in rental arrears, three months’ forward rent, and utility bill assistance, according to Robinson.
The county reported that 18 of its municipalities have received rental assistance funding, led by Franklin Township at close to $2.9 million, and Black residents comprised about half of those who self-identified their race or ethnicity.
“Hopefully that’ll get us through this next phase, but again, we are continuing to monitor the situation,” she said. “It’s very fluid. We just want people to be made whole and be stronger than before the pandemic.”
Other New Jersey counties, Robinson said, may have farmed out their process for handling this emergency assistance, or hired outside consultants.
But Somerset County identified people within its borders who could be ambassadors, helping with applications at the county’s libraries.
Doing this broadened and maximized the county’s outreach potential, according to Robinson.
“Mobile services and meeting people where they are, not just meeting their needs where they are, but physically being amongst them in the community where they actually live,” she said. “Certainly, as we’re coming out of or emerging from this pandemic, we want to make sure that everyone is on solid ground, but especially our most vulnerable populations.”
While no one legislative body has all the answers on how to lift its residents out of pandemic-related financial stress, Robinson said, collaboration leads to better outcomes for all.
So no matter what county a New Jersey resident is from, she suggested reaching out to local elected officials and agencies in times of need.
LOOK: States With the Most New Small Businesses Per Capita
Every NJ city and town’s municipal tax bill, ranked
A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.
New Jersey’s new legislative districts for the 2020s
Boundaries for the 40 legislative districts for the Senate and Assembly elections of 2023 through 2029, and perhaps 2031, were approved in a bipartisan vote of the Apportionment Commission on Feb. 18, 2022. The map continues to favor Democrats, though Republicans say it gives them a chance to win the majority.
A Camden County woman convicted of sexual crimes involving a minor is suing for her rights, and the rights of other sex offenders in New Jersey, to access social media and adult pornography.
In a new lawsuit, Carmen Ann Loniewski said the restrictions imposed on her by the New Jersey State Parole Board violated her First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit names the NJSPB, the state, and several state officials and employees as defendants. It was filed in Mercer County Superior Court last Friday.
Court records show Loniewski, 38, was sentenced in 2005 to a suspended five-year prison sentence and lifetime parole for endangering the welfare of a child. She was 21 years old at the time.
Her offense did not involve social media or the use of pornography, according to the lawsuit.
In 2007, the state parole board voted unanimously to impose a social media and chat room ban on offenders who were under parole supervision for life. As Loniewski was sentenced to parole for life, she was subjected to this ban.
Then in 2009, the parole board added another condition to Loniewski’s parole, the lawsuit states. She was prohibited from viewing “sexually-oriented material,” including pornography.
The new condition followed a search of Loniewski’s residence by a parole officer, who reported finding “excessive amounts” of pornography. Along with nude photos of herself, the parole officer determined that Loniewski was displaying “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
But in 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a case out of North Carolina and found that overbroad bans on social media use were a violation of the First Amendment.
James Maynard, Loniewski’s attorney, told the New Jersey Monitor that this should have been the end of the matter.
“Those cases were quite clear, and those cases were binding on New Jersey’s courts and institutions,” Maynard said.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Loniewski was arrested in 2018 for violating both aforementioned conditions of her parole. She was sentenced to one year in prison and served her full sentence despite objections raised by her attorney.
The lawsuit argues that since the bans on social media use and viewing of sexually-oriented material were unconstitutional, Loniewski suffered “false arrest and false imprisonment.”
In May 2021, Loniewski was removed from parole supervision for life. She is also no longer listed on the state’s sex offender registry.
A spokesman for the NJSPB said that the board “suspended the enforcement and imposition of the general social networking condition on Jan. 29, 2020.”
NJ teachers and educators caught in sex crime busts
Over the past few years, state lawmakers have taken on the challenge of dealing with accused child predators among the ranks of teachers and educators.
In 2018, the so-called “pass the trash” law went into effect, requiring stricter New Jersey school background checks related to child abuse and sexual misconduct.
The follow individuals were arrested over the past several years. Some have been convicted and sentenced to prison, while others have accepted plea deals for probation.
Others cases are still pending, including some court delays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where to find NJ’s newest legal weed stores
NJ approved six new recreational cannabis dispensaries. Here is where they are located.
NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022
We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!
A Camden County woman convicted of sexual crimes involving a minor is suing for her rights, and the rights of other sex offenders in New Jersey, to access social media and adult pornography.
In a new lawsuit, Carmen Ann Loniewski said the restrictions imposed on her by the New Jersey State Parole Board violated her First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit names the NJSPB, the state, and several state officials and employees as defendants. It was filed in Mercer County Superior Court last Friday.
Court records show Loniewski, 38, was sentenced in 2005 to a suspended five-year prison sentence and lifetime parole for endangering the welfare of a child. She was 21 years old at the time.
Her offense did not involve social media or the use of pornography, according to the lawsuit.
In 2007, the state parole board voted unanimously to impose a social media and chat room ban on offenders who were under parole supervision for life. As Loniewski was sentenced to parole for life, she was subjected to this ban.
Then in 2009, the parole board added another condition to Loniewski’s parole, the lawsuit states. She was prohibited from viewing “sexually-oriented material,” including pornography.
The new condition followed a search of Loniewski’s residence by a parole officer, who reported finding “excessive amounts” of pornography. Along with nude photos of herself, the parole officer determined that Loniewski was displaying “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
But in 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a case out of North Carolina and found that overbroad bans on social media use were a violation of the First Amendment.
James Maynard, Loniewski’s attorney, told the New Jersey Monitor that this should have been the end of the matter.
“Those cases were quite clear, and those cases were binding on New Jersey’s courts and institutions,” Maynard said.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Loniewski was arrested in 2018 for violating both aforementioned conditions of her parole. She was sentenced to one year in prison and served her full sentence despite objections raised by her attorney.
The lawsuit argues that since the bans on social media use and viewing of sexually-oriented material were unconstitutional, Loniewski suffered “false arrest and false imprisonment.”
In May 2021, Loniewski was removed from parole supervision for life. She is also no longer listed on the state’s sex offender registry.
A spokesman for the NJSPB said that the board “suspended the enforcement and imposition of the general social networking condition on Jan. 29, 2020.”
NJ teachers and educators caught in sex crime busts
Over the past few years, state lawmakers have taken on the challenge of dealing with accused child predators among the ranks of teachers and educators.
In 2018, the so-called “pass the trash” law went into effect, requiring stricter New Jersey school background checks related to child abuse and sexual misconduct.
The follow individuals were arrested over the past several years. Some have been convicted and sentenced to prison, while others have accepted plea deals for probation.
Others cases are still pending, including some court delays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where to find NJ’s newest legal weed stores
NJ approved six new recreational cannabis dispensaries. Here is where they are located.
NJ beach tags guide for summer 2022
We’re coming up on another summer at the Jersey Shore! Before you get lost in the excitement of sunny days on the sand, we’re running down how much seasonal/weekly/daily beach tags will cost you, and the pre-season deals you can still take advantage of!
“The support and service of our scholarly community at Brookdale sets a very powerful example for our students as they embark on their professional training and careers,” said Mary Beth Boylan, Ph.D., professor of Psychology. Boylan began the Psi Beta National Honor Society’s first induction and celebration of being reinstated as a chapter at Brookdale Community College. The evening was memorable, emotional, and full of joy.
“Psychology is one of our biggest programs at the College,” said Norah Kerr-McCurry, Ph.D., dean of Business and Social Sciences. “This honor society is selective and shows the dedication of the people here in the room. I am very proud to be dean of the area and proud of our chapter advisor, Professor Dr. Boylan, who has reconstituted this group because it is so important.”
Over the past two years, Linda Truong, the chapter’s president and instrumental in reinstating the chapter at Brookdale, introduced the evening’s guest speakers. Joel Morgovsky, Ph.D., retired psychology professor and the founder of the Psi Beta Chapter at Brookdale in 2002, and past Psi Beta Executive Board Officers William Cole, Ph.D., Grace Shoonmacher, and Anastasia Carroll.
This was the first time Dr. Morgovsky was on campus since his retirement in 2011. He spoke about the research, the national conferences, and spending time with the professors than just in the classroom.
“This is wonderful for the students and the faculty. It breaks down barriers and we do things together in the name of psychology and furthering psychological science,” Dr. Morgovsky said to the new inductees. “The rewards will be worth it.”
The past Psi Beta alumni of Brookdale were enthusiastic and shared their unique experiences with the students, families and friends present and how they benefited by their membership in the honor society.
Dr. Cole continued his education at Kean University, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, and Rutgers University. In addition, he has taught as an adjunct professor at Brookdale and Rutgers and was recently appointed to the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
“If you like to be busy and you like keeping yourself occupied, this field is endless,” Dr. Cole said. “You can get into anything and everything starting with an education in Psychology.”
Grace Shoonmacher was involved in Psi Beta from 2006 to 2009 and served as treasurer and president. She started at Brookdale by completing three associate degrees, an AAS in Nursing, AS in Biology, and AA in Social Science. She then received her BS and MS in Nursing at Monmouth University. She has been a registered nurse at Ocean Medical Center for 12 years. She said her psychology background is a daily touchstone in her work with her patients but never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This membership in Psi Beta is not just something that is good for your resume, it’s something for networking, for leadership skills, it is something for the rest of your life,” Shoonmacher said. “This is going to follow you, and you are going to have the skills you build here for the rest of your career no matter what it is.”
Anastasia Carroll was the fundraising chair and vice president before becoming president of Psi Beta at Brookdale. “As a professional organizer, there isn’t a day that I don’t use what I have learned in the leadership of Psi Beta.”
A candlelight ceremony followed the guest speakers as the new inductees recited the pledge and were presented with a certificate and a Psi Beta pin.
Left to right: Linda Truong, Angela Giamos, Eva Abraham, Kimberly Lopez
In addition, a certificate of appreciation was awarded to Linda Truong, Kimberly Lopez, and Angela Giamos, the three outgoing and graduating officers of Psi Beta, for all they have done over the past two years.
“I have been in the community college culture my entire career,” said Dr. Boylan. “Essex County College before Brookdale now for 20+ years. And this has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. And, I have had a lot of rewarding experiences here at Brookdale but these women and what they have done, their growth and exuberance is what got us all through this past year. They are an incredible team together and amazing individuals on their own.”
Lopez started in the position of Secretary but was shortly convinced by Truong to be on the Executive Board in the opening position of Vice President. Next year, Lopez will be attending Rutgers and was accepted into the Honors Living-Learning Community. “She worked hard over the last year to make programs come to fruition,” said Boylan. “We can thank her for all of the coordination of this evening’s program and our fundraiser this year.”
“I am so proud of how far we have come,” Lopez said. “Specifically, I would like to thank Linda Truong for restarting the chapter here at Brookdale. Without her none of this would have been possible. And Professor Boylan for stepping up and making all of this happen along with being an incredible mentor to me. And Angela for bringing laughter into all the meetings, making the Zoom experience forever memorable.”
Giamos was the chapter’s delegate at all the conferences. “This is the perfect role for Angela,” said Boylan. “She had to interface with people across the country. She is the communications maven, and she takes incredible notes and represented Brookdale at these very high-profile meetings and then came back to report and shared with us what was going on nationally to help us make things happen locally.”
“This whole experience has been so cool and great,” Giamos said. “I have made friends in this society and I have been able to market this club and network and all these cool things.”
When Truong first came to Brookdale, she was an animation major. After two weeks, she realized that was not for her. “I felt very lost and did not know what to do,” she said. During her first semester at Brookdale she was in Professor Boylan’s Psych 106 class. “I just loved her enthusiasm about psychology,” Truong said. “Starting Psi Beta gave me the driving force to do Psychology.” Truong is transferring to The College of New Jersey next year.
“I hope all the new inductees inspire future students to become involved and this experience expands your love and knowledge for psychology,” Truong said. “Together you can ultimately create a community of individuals ready to enter the mental health profession.”
An Investiture proceeded for Eve Abraham as the chapter’s incoming President, and the installation of the chapter of Psi Beta at Brookdale for the 2022-23 academic year.
Inducted into the Psi Beta Honor Society for the 2022-23 academic year are:
Eva Abraham, the chapter’s new President. She is from Freehold, is a Psychology major, with interest in Statistics and Psychological Research and she enjoys reading in her down time. Her goal is to pursue a career in the medical field.
Rebecca Arleth is from Farmingdale. She is a Psychology and Physics major, with interest in Forensic Psychology.
Joie Bauman is from Holmdel. She is a Human Services-Pre-Social Work major, with interest in clinical work and trauma-focused treatment. She is Captain of Brookdale’s Cheer Team, and currently working as a mental health advocate specialist and psychiatrist’s intern. Her future goal is to gain a BSW/MSW from Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Taylor Borkowski is from Matawan and is a Psychology major.
Sophia Giselle Dargis is from Tinton Falls. She is a Psychology and Pre-Social Work major, with interest in Clinical Psychology and would like to blend Fashion with Psychology. Her goal is to be a therapist or professor.
Ryan Delucia is from Neptune, is a Psychology and Pre-Social Work major, with interest in counseling, addiction studies, gender and sexuality with a goal to be a therapist working with recovering addicts in the LGBTQ community.
Sauncherie Greene is from East Hartford, CT and is a Psychology major.
Kayla Miller is the chapter’s new Vice President. She is from Middletown, is a Psychology major, with interest in Clinical Child Psychology. She is a first year Brookdale student and a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Vic Mitterando, the chapter’s new Secretary, is from Fair Haven, and a Psychology major.
Darneisha Morris is from Red Bank. She was a spring 2022 graduate and completed an AA in Psychology. Her interest is in Educational Psychology, and she hopes to work in an elementary school setting after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree.
Sage Short is from Keyport. She was also a spring 2022 graduate and completed an AS in Pre-Social Work.
Lila Trench is from Oakhurst. Her major is Psychology. Her goal is to be a Psychologist, with the hope of transferring to Rutgers University for her Bachelor’s Degree and an eventual Psy. D. Lila will be participating in the Disney College program through Brookdale in the Fall 2022 semester.
“The support and service of our scholarly community at Brookdale sets a very powerful example for our students as they embark on their professional training and careers,” said Mary Beth Boylan, Ph.D., professor of Psychology. Boylan helped kick off the Psi Beta Honor Society’s first induction and celebration of being reconstituted as a chapter at Brookdale Community College.
“Psychology is one of our biggest programs at Brookdale,” said Norah Kerr-McCurry, Ph.D., dean of Business and Social Sciences. “This honor society is selective and shows the dedication of the people here in the room. I am very proud to be dean of the area and proud of our chapter advisor, Professor Dr. Boylan, who has reconstituted this group because it is so important.”
Linda Truong, the chapter’s President over the past two years and instrumental in the reconstitution of the chapter, introduced the evening’s guest speakers: Joel Morgovsky, Ph.D., retired psychology professor and the founder of the Psi Beta Chapter at Brookdale in 2002; and past Psi Beta Executive Board Officers William Cole, Ph.D., Grace Shoonmacher, and Anastasia Carroll.
This was the first time Dr. Morgovsky was on campus since his retirement in 2011. He spoke about the research, the conferences, and spending time with the professors than just in the classroom.
“This is wonderful for the students and the faculty. It breaks down barriers and we do things together in the name of psychology and furthering psychological science,” Dr. Morgovsky said to the new inductees. “The rewards will be worth it.”
All the past Psi Beta alumni of Brookdale were enthusiastic about their experiences at Brookdale.
Dr. Cole continued his education at Kean University, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, and Rutgers University. He has taught as an adjunct professor at Brookdale and Rutgers and was recently appointed to the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
“If you like to be busy and you like keeping yourself occupied, this field is endless,” Dr. Cole said. “You can get into anything and everything starting with an education in Psychology.”
Grace Shoonmacher was involved in Psi Beta from 2006 to 2009 and served as treasurer and president. She started at Brookdale by completing three associate degrees, an AAS in Nursing, AS in Biology, and AA in Social Science. She then received her BS and MS in Nursing at Monmouth University. She has been a registered nurse at Ocean Medical Center for 12 years. She said her psychology background is a daily touchstone in her work with her patients but never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This membership in Psi Beta is not just something that is good for your resume, it’s something for networking, for leadership skills, it is something for the rest of your life,” Shoonmacher said. “This is going to follow you, and you are going to have the skills you build here for the rest of your career no matter what it is.”
Anastasia Carroll was the fundraising chair and vice president before becoming president of Psi Beta at Brookdale. “As a professional organizer, there isn’t a day that I don’t use what I have learned in the leadership of Psi Beta.”
A candlelight ceremony followed the guest speakers as the new inductees recited the pledge and were presented with a certificate and a Psi Beta pin.
Left to right: Linda Truong, Angela Giamos, Eva Abraham, Kimberly Lopez
In addition, a certificate of appreciation was awarded to Linda Truong, Kimberly Lopez, and Angela Giamos, the three outgoing and graduating officers of Psi Beta, for all they have done over the past two years.
“I have been in the community college culture my entire career,” said Dr. Boylan. “Essex County College before Brookdale now for 20+ years. And this has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. And, I have had a lot of rewarding experiences here at Brookdale but these women and what they have done, their growth and exuberance is what got us all through this past year. They are an incredible team together and amazing individuals on their own.”
Lopez started in the position of Secretary but was shortly convinced by Truong to be on the Executive Board in the opening position of Vice President. Next year, Lopez will be attending Rutgers and was accepted into the Honors Living-Learning Community. “She worked hard over the last year to make programs come to fruition,” said Boylan. “We can thank her for all of the coordination of this evening’s program and our fundraiser this year.”
“I am so proud of how far we have come,” Lopez said. “Specifically, I would like to thank Linda Truong for restarting the chapter here at Brookdale. Without you none of this would have been possible. And Professor Boylan for stepping up and making all of this happen along with being an incredible mentor to me. And Angela for bringing laughter into all the meetings, making the Zoom experience forever memorable.”
Giamos was the chapter’s delegate at all the conferences. “This is the perfect role for Angela,” said Boylan. “She had to interface with people across the country. She is the communications maven, and she takes incredible notes and represented Brookdale at these very high-profile meetings and then came back to report and shared with us what was going on nationally to help us make things happen locally.”
“This whole experience has been so cool and great,” Giamos said. “I have made friends in this society and I have been able to market this club and network and all these cool things.”
When Truong first came to Brookdale, she was an animation major. After two weeks, she realized this was not for her. “I felt very lost and did not know what to do,” she said. Her first semester at Brookdale was in Professor Boylan’s Psych 106 class. “I just loved her enthusiasm about psychology,” Truong said. “Starting Psi Beta gave me the driving force to do Psychology.” Truong is transferring to The College of New Jersey next year.
“I hope all the new inductees inspire future students to become involved and this experience expands your love and knowledge for psychology,” Truong said. “Together you can ultimately create a community of individuals ready to enter the mental health profession.”
An Investiture proceeded for Eve Abraham as the chapter’s incoming President, and the installation of the upcoming chapter of Psi Beta at Brookdale for the 2022-23 academic year.
Inducted into the Psi Beta Honor Society for the 2022-23 academic year are:
Eva Abraham, the chapter’s new President. She is from Freehold, is a Psychology major, with interest in Statistics and Psychological Research and she enjoys reading in her down time. Her goal is to pursue a career in the medical field.
Rebecca Arleth is from Farmingdale. She is a Psychology and Physics major, with interest in Forensic Psychology.
Joie Bauman is from Holmdel. She is a Human Services-Pre-Social Work major, with interest in clinical work and trauma-focused treatment. She is Captain of Brookdale’s Cheer Team, and currently working as a mental health advocate specialist and psychiatrist’s intern. Her future goal is to gain a BSW/MSW from Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Taylor Borkowski is from Matawan and is a Psychology major.
Sophia Giselle Dargis is from Tinton Falls. She is a Psychology and Pre-Social Work major, with interest in Clinical Psychology and would like to blend Fashion with Psychology. Her goal is to be a therapist or professor.
Ryan Delucia is from Neptune, is a Psychology and Pre-Social Work major, with interest in counseling, addiction studies, gender and sexuality with a goal to be a therapist working with recovering addicts in the LGBTQ community.
Sauncherie Greene is from East Hartford, CT and is a Psychology major.
Kayla Miller is the chapter’s new Vice President. She is from Middletown, is a Psychology major, with interest in Clinical Child Psychology. She is a first year Brookdale student and a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Vic Mitterando, the chapter’s new Secretary, is from Fair Haven, and a Psychology major.
Darneisha Morris is from Red Bank. She was a spring 2022 graduate and completed an AA in Psychology. Her interest is in Educational Psychology, and she hopes to work in an elementary school setting after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree.
Sage Short is from Keyport. She was also a spring 2022 graduate and completed an AS in Pre-Social Work.
Lila Trench is from Oakhurst. Her major is Psychology. Her goal is to be a Psychologist, with the hope of transferring to Rutgers University for her Bachelor’s Degree and an eventual Psy. D. Lila will be participating in the Disney College program through Brookdale in the Fall 2022 semester.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has been part of the family lore since before Advaith Balakrishnan was born.
Advaith, a 13-year-old from Hinsdale, Ill., is the same age as when his father, Balu Natarajan, became the first child of immigrants to win the Scripps competition in 1985. Decades later, Atman, Advaith’s older brother, made it to the national bee twice.
Now, it’s Advaith’s turn to walk onto the stage. In an interview, he said he was inspired by the experiences of his family, and that they were supportive of his dream of winning: quizzing him on words, scheduling time to study, and advising him on how to handle the inevitable nerves.
“They keep me motivated to keep spelling because I’m really striving for that trophy and for that win,” he said. The work is time consuming. He wakes at 4 a.m. to study for a few hours before school and devotes many hours on weekends.
Mr. Natarajan, now 50, said that after winning the Bee in 1985, his life was changed. He recalled the fanfare, a blitz of media appearances, and a warm embrace from the South Asian community. But Mr. Natarajan, now a sports medicine doctor, said he hadn’t really talked about spelling with his sons — until the day his eldest, on seeing a photo of his father beaming and hefting a trophy, became curious about it.
Spelling fervor began anew in the family, and Mr. Natarajan said his sons blazed their own trails to the Bee. The competition is much more intense and the studying more rigorous than during his time, he said.
“These are opportunities one can only dream of,” he added. “We know the spelling bee gets harder every year; we are going to give it our best shot. We are really proud.”
For many contestants, the journey to becoming an elite speller involves the entire family.
Rex Dover’s interest in spelling was sparked four years ago, when his older brother, James, now 15, began competing in local contests. After James won his first school spelling bee, Rex said he started thinking he’d like to win one too.
“I’ve always been very competitive so I just kind of want to win,” said Rex, 13, of Belmont, N.C. “I think I’m catching up to him.”
James later competed at the national bee in 2019 and 2021.
Spelling has become a source of fun for the entire family, said his mother, Amy Dover, who quizzes Rex on words while he shoots hoops. Playing word games, completing crossword puzzles, learning quirky word categories like all of the Italian pastas, and even participating in spelling bees have become family pastimes, she said. In 2019, Ms. Dover, 46, won her local library’s spelling bee with the word “abecedarian,” a term she had learned from her son James.
“So when the word got called, his eyes met mine in the audience, and we smiled. I knew the word right away,” Ms. Dover said. (It means arranged alphabetically, relating to the alphabet, or rudimentary.)
Some young spellers have enlisted professional help. Cole Shafer-Ray, 20, draws on his experience as a three-time Bee participant and a runner-up in 2015 to coach students, including last year’s winner, Zaila Avant-garde. This year, he’s helping a roster of 10 spellers.
Through coaching, he said, he can continue nurturing his love for spelling and mentor others.
“Being at the Scripps National Spelling Bee is a lifetime achievement no matter what,” said Mr. Shafer-Ray, a rising junior at Yale University. “Just being there is a huge, huge thing you carry with for your whole life.”
Since 2008, City Of Angels has been helping people deal with addiction and recovery throughout New Jersey. They were instrumental in helping Artie Lange go into rehab.
Many times their founder Kevin Meara will be in studio talking about addiction or co-hosting one of our games only to hit the phone during a commercial break to help an addict trying to get help.
One night he sent chills down our spine when he pulled 23 holy cards out off his pocket representing the funeral he attended that month.
Now City of Angels is expanding to help out veterans with the Fr Vincent R Capodanno Veterans Research and Wellness Initiative at City Of Angels. Meara explains:
“For some time City of Angels has been working on an initiative to enhance our existing veteran’s program -Warrior Down, No Vet Left Behind”.
Kevin with two marines who were on the battlefield when Fr Capodanno was KIA
Kevin with two marines who were on the battlefield when Fr Capodanno was KIA
“We call that enhancement. The Father Vincent R Capodanno Veterans Research and Wellness Initiative at City of Angels or Father Vincent’s. The mission of our Initiative is to drive advances in and access to research and integrative medicine which addresses our veteran’s mental health and substance use disorders. Keeping with the service and sacrifice of Father Capodanno no veteran is denied access due to status, religion, or race.
“Born of our Warrior Down -No Vet Left Behind program, no veteran will ever receive a bill from Father Vincent’s. COA believes that wellness, through initiatives like integrative medicine, is the missing link to addressing mental health and substance use disorders.”
“When COA started in 2008, relapse was inconvenient, but now relapse is deadly. So it’s not rocket science that relapse can be prevented if recovery can be extended. Wellness concepts, including mental, physical and spiritual, can prevent relapse. Integrative medicine such as Hyperbarics and Ketamine Infusions, which promote neurogenesis and are supported by counseling, meditation, massage therapy, nutrition and yoga, are leading-edge.”
Why was it named for Father Capodanno?
“It was something that I have no explanation for other than we were blessed by the Capodanno family, as Vinnie Capodanno (Father Vincent’s namesake and a close friend) suggested we use his uncle’s name.”
“Veteran addiction numbers…more veterans are dying from suicide than combat! This was an extension of our current veteran program Warrior Down, which was initiated when vets were coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. It was simply the right thing to do!”
His father
His father
What can be done to fight mental illness?
‘The number one thing to do is recognition followed by awareness. After that, if things aren’t working, do something different and we believe this is something different. This is leading-edge.”
Vinnie Capodanno
Vinnie Capodanno
How would you like City Of Angels to resemble St Jude’s?
“Every St Jude’s commercial states no child in need will be turned away. We believe every veteran in need should get the help they deserve…it’s basic human compassion!”
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Steve Trevelise only. Follow him on Twitter @realstevetrev.
You can now listen to Steve Trevelise — On Demand! Discover more about New Jersey’s personalities and what makes the Garden State interesting. Download the Steve Trevelise show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.
A trip to New Jersey doesn’t have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.
From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it’s a great workout.
Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners’ suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.
If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.
Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.
You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.
Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.
If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.
Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it’s probably best to save your hike for another day.
I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:
TRENTON – Senators amended a bill that would require schools to provide students access to free feminine hygiene products to exclude boys’ bathrooms from the planned mandate.
The original bill set off a bit of a firestorm because it would have applied to all bathrooms in every school educating students in grades 6 through 12.
The bill, S1221, hadn’t been listed on the Senate Education Committee agenda but was added just before Thursday’s meeting. According to a summary of the amendments read by a committee aide, feminine hygiene products would have to be available in at least 50% of female bathrooms in a school.
‘We heard from the public, and it’s very important that these bills be thoroughly vetted,’
Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, the committee chairman, said he had gotten input on the changes from lawmakers and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, the bill’s lead sponsor.
“I appreciate their feedback and talked to the sponsor for the intent of the bill, and she wanted to make sure the intent was very clear,” Gopal said.
Sen. Michael Doherty, R-Warren, said the amendments are “a positive development, as I consider it” and also make the Legislature’s intent clear to any courts who might review the law in the future.
“I think this is why it’s critical, the committee process, because we heard from the public, and it’s very important that these bills be thoroughly vetted. And I think that was done in this case,” Doherty said.
Under the bill, the state would have to pay for the costs associated with the bill, which is designed to particularly help low-income students with access to needed products.
The bill was also amended to refer to the tampons and sanitary napkins as “menstrual products,” rather than feminine hygiene products.
BEEP BEEP BEEP: These are the 13 types of Wireless Emergency Alerts auto-pushed to your phone
The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system allows government officials to immediately and automatically push messages to all cell phones and mobile devices within a specific geographical area. There are a total of 13 types of messages that can currently be sent as a Wireless Emergency Alert. Nine of them are weather-related warnings, including one that is brand new as of August 2021.
The announcement by Albio Sires late last year that he’s retiring from Congress didn’t present much chance of a contest for his seat in the nation’s capitol. At the same time he declared the end of his political career, he endorsed the beginning of someone else’s: Robert Menendez Jr., son of New Jersey’s senior U.S. Senator.
Prominent Democrats and influential unions soon threw their support behind the younger Menendez, who goes by Rob, making him the clear front-runner in the heavily Democratic 8th Congressional District. The seemingly orchestrated hand-off from Sires to Menendez drew criticism that it smacked of nepotism and all but ensured the Menendez family would strengthen its power in Hudson County.
NJ 8th Congressional District candidates
Democrats
Robert Menendez Jr. has not held public office before but flirted with the idea of running in his hometown of Jersey City before announcing his candidacy for the 8th District. He is a lawyer at Lowenstein Sandler and a commissioner for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
David Ocampo-Grajales is the son of Columbian immigrants and lives in Jersey City. He was most recently director at a company that helped hospitals and universities create accountability for environmental compliance and ensure the safety of workers, patients, and students, his campaign said.
Ane Roseborough-Eberhard is a history teacher at Weehawken High School. She also serves on New Jersey’s Amistad Commission, which contributes to educational programs about the African slave trade and slavery in America.
Marcos Arroyo is reportedly a housing inspector in West New York. He could not be reached for comment.
District makeup
The 8th District is comprised of parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties and stretches across New Jersey’s largest cities: Elizabeth and parts of Newark and Jersey City. It is 51% Hispanic and strongly leans Democratic, with more than 216,000 registered Democrats compared to 41,825 Republicans, according to the Secretary of State’s office. There were 132,965 unaffiliated voters as of May 1, according to the office.
Top issues
Expanding education access; reproductive rights; fighting climate change; investing in affordable housing; public transportation; recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Money raised
Menendez raised nearly $1.1 million and spent $639,995 in the first five months of the year, Federal Election Commission records show. Ocampo Grajales raised $37,433 and spent $30,798 in that same timeframe, according to commission records. The commission had no financial data for Roseborough-Eberhard.
Priorities
Menendez said he would focus on affordability in Congress, particularly increasing affordable housing stock “with a nexus to public transportation.” He’d try to bring down the cost of child care by supporting legislation expanding and extending the Child Tax Credit, capping child care costs at 7% of income for many families and providing universal preschool.
Other priorities for Menendez include codifying the right to abortion into law and preserving access to birth control and supporting gun safety measures, including a federal ban on assault weapons, requiring universal background checks and closing gun-purchasing loopholes.
Ocampo Grahales said he supports the so-called Green New Deal because climate change is an “existential threat.” He would prioritize investing in new affordable housing and repairing existing housing, and wants to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County to relieve traffic and expand public transportation. He also supports Medicare for All.
Roseborough-Eberhard said she’d be committed to “keeping our communities green and clean,” wants to create a Secretary of Culture and would try to make post-high school education free.
In their words
Menendez: “Our nation is grappling with unchecked gun violence as well the impact of the Supreme Court’s likely decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, while our district continues to struggle with affordability, access to child care, and the ongoing assault on organized labor.
I’m running for Congress to solve these issues and create solutions that will provide immediate relief to the residents of the 8th Congressional District. Because to me, they aren’t just voters — they are my family, my neighbors, my teachers, the people who have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am ready to fight for them with everything I have each and every day.”
Ocampo Grajales: “My Dad is a truck driver. My Mom cleaned houses for a long time. I’m running for Congress because, like my parents, people across the district are working hard to make ends meet, but every year it gets harder. Rent goes up while income stays the same. Health insurance gets more expensive, but always covers less. The floods get worse while fossil fuel companies report profits and price gouge at the pump. The residents of NJ-08 deserve a representative who works as hard as they do. They deserve a champion who is fighting for them, not corporate interests.”
Roseborough-Eberhard: “I believe in America and what this country stands for in terms of opportunity. A democracy can never be taken for granted. The systems that are put in place are here to protect us and ensure that our voices are heard. Growing up on Army bases and living in various countries has shaped my ideas on what being an American means to the world. While we are not a perfect society, we are dynamic and by working together we can continue to be the example of what acceptance, diversity and belief in basic freedoms can accomplish.”
Dustin Racioppi is a reporter in the New Jersey Statehouse. For unlimited access to his work covering New Jersey’s governor and political power structure, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Ingvald Lawrence Moe, “Inky,” age 100, and a 72-year resident of 41 Crystal Avenue, West Orange, N.J., passed away peacefully on Friday, May 27, 2022, after a brief run-in with old age. Ingvald was born to Lars and Angelina Moe in Jersey City, N.J. on September 5, 1921. The family later moved to West Caldwell, N.J. where Ink grew up and attended school with his brother, Robert. He graduated from James Caldwell High School in 1939 while the country was in the Great Depression, and subsequently held several jobs, including gas station attendant and delivering coal. When World War II began, Ink tried to enlist in the Marine Corps, but was rejected due to color blindness. He made another attempt with the Army Air Corps with a similar outcome: Ink simply couldn’t tell the difference between red and green (he could drive without apparent difficulty since the red traffic light was always on top and green on the bottom). Inky tried overdosing on carrots and visiting eye specialists to no avail. Not one to give up and accept a color-blind fate while his country was at war, and with the Army in dire need of manpower, Ink finally found a match, and was inducted into the Army Signal Corps in 1942. After a short Army-sponsored electronics training course at Cornell University, he became an expert on radio frequency signals, navigation beacons, and communications, as well as early radars, both land-based and airborne, and early radar countermeasures. He served in the European Theater of Operations, advancing through France, Belgium, and Germany. Because of the technical skills of his unit, they were often selected to sweep through newly — and sometimes not quite — evacuated German bases to retrieve left behind advanced technologies, aircraft parts, jet or rocket fuels, and other engineering and scientific documentation. After the war ended, Ingvald was honorably discharged, and married his pre-war girlfriend, Dorothy Esther Banta of Bellville, N.J. on December 21, 1946. They initially resided in East Orange, N.J., where his first child, George, was born in 1948. Ink worked days and attended The Polytechnical Institute of Brooklyn at night. He eventually earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering Degree in 1951, subsequently embarking on a 50+ year career primarily as a self-employed civil engineer. He designed the support structures for numerous large commercial, government and public buildings in the Essex, Union, Hudson, and Bergen County areas of New Jersey. Ingvald, Dorothy, and son, George, moved to 41 Crystal Avenue, West Orange in 1950, into a house he designed and built for his family. Ink’s second child, Patricia, was born that same year, and his third, Margaret, in 1953. He celebrated his 100th birthday in this home. Ink was never one to sit around and just enjoy leisure time. He was a tinkerer, quasi-inventor, and teacher. For example, he built a seismograph-like contraption, driven by a crystal radio with a 100-foot wire antenna to capture solar flare activity, and designed a prototype air lifting body to determine whether very low energy lift capacity was possible. In short, he was something of a science geek. On one hand, he helped his children develop and construct science experiments that were the coolest in school and on the other, taught them how to fish at 5 AM during summer breaks. But Ingvald’s real forte was his selflessness. He volunteered wherever and whenever there was a need. He worked with the Boy Scouts for years as an adult mentor. When Civil Defense became the watchword in the 1950’s, Ink volunteered and eventually became the Civil Defense Director for the Township of West Orange, N.J. He provided in-patient assistance at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, N.J. with his wife Dorothy for more than 40 years and volunteered for regular duty as part of the West Orange First Aid Squad Ambulance Team. Since Ink had the rarest of blood types (AB neg), he donated whole blood as frequently as possible for nearly 50 years. He was recognized repeatedly as one of New Jersey’s leading blood donors by the American Red Cross. Ingvald is survived by his children, George Moe (Dolores), Patricia Moe, and Margaret Moe (Edward Kuell); grandchildren, Katherine Moe, Thomas Kuell (Lauren), and James Kuell (Morgan); and great-grandchildren, Talley Rae, Kennedy, and Whitley Kuell. He is predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy, his granddaughter Jamie, and his brother Robert. Ink said to the doctors right before passing, “I’ve taken good care of this body for more than 100 years. Now it’s your turn.” It didn’t work out, but he kept his sense of humor until the end. Ingvald Moe: devoted husband, exceptional father, and a very good man. A Celebration of Life for both Ingvald and Dorothy will take place at Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Ave., Roseland, NJ. Date and time to be announced. Shook-Farmer Funeral Home 45 Roseland Avenue Roseland, NJ 07068 (973) 226-1111
Published by The Star-Ledger from Jun. 1 to Jun. 5, 2022.
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