Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is endorsing Rob Menendez in the 8th District congressional race, stating that he’ll ensure the Brick City is well represented in Washington, D.C.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Newark is a city of working families, and Rob has made strengthening families the core of his campaign. With Rob as one of our two members of Congress, Newark will be well-represented in Washington, D.C.,” Baraka said in a statement.
“In Congress, Rob will ensure that Newark benefits from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and he will support Democratic efforts to expand child care, invest in affordable housing, and other legislation that is critical to our city’s success. I look forward to working with Rob on ensuring that Newark’s renaissance continues for years to come.”
The 8th Congressional District includes Newark’s North and East Wards.
“Mayor Baraka has been a transformative leader for the City of Newark and I am honored to receive his endorsement. Our campaign is one that centers on the needs of families in our district, and the people of Newark stand to gain much from the legislation that I will support in Congress,” added Menendez.
“Whether it is expanding the Affordable Care Act or extending the Child Tax Credit so families continue to receive $300 to invest in their children, I will always pursue an agenda that provides real and tangible results for the residents of our district, including those in Newark.”
Baraka was elected to his third term last Tuesday by a landslide, about an 84-16 margin, though voter turnout only hovered around 10 percent. The mayor blamed this on the Essex County Board of Elections moving polling locations in the week leading up to the election.
Meanwhile, Menendez, an attorney, Port Authority commissioner, and the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), looks to succeed U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, who is retiring at the end of this year after eight terms in the House.
He will face off with David Ocampo Grajales and Ane Roseborough-Eberhard in the June 7th primary.
Good Thursday morning!
They say there’s always a Jersey connection. In the case of Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial and Senate primaries, there are actually at least three of them.
It’s well known that potential Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz is, err, I mean, was","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/does-dr-oz-live-in-pennsylvania-20211202.html","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>is, err, I mean, was, a North Jersey resident. We’ll eventually see if Oz is the nominee, but it probably won’t be for a while, as votes are still being counted and his margin against rival Dave McCormick is ultra-thin.
And while nobody has accused Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial nominee, Doug Mastriano, of living in New Jersey, he grew up primarily in New Jersey","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.newyorker.com/news/on-religion/a-pennsylvania-lawmaker-and-the-resurgence-of-christian-nationalism","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850003","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850004","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>primarily in New Jersey. Wikipedia says he was born in New Brunswick and graduated from Hightstown High in 1982, but I didn’t find much about his Jersey background. (Mastriano’s 2020 election denialism is troubling, considering that if he wins the governorship he’ll be in a position to deny the true winner of Pennsylvania in the 2024","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-05-18/how-pa-gop-gov-pick-could-turn-election-lies-into-action","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850005","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850006","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>deny the true winner of Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election if he doesn’t like the result).
Another Jersey connection: The Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Josh Shapiro, worked as an aide to former Sen. Bob Torricelli","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/us/politics/pennsylvania-attorney-general-shapiro-covid.html","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850007","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850008","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>worked as an aide to former Sen. Bob Torricelli.
DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE’S NONPROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE ITS DONORS: 93
WHERE’S MURPHY? — In Massachusetts for the National Governors Association
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m of a mind that says let other towns open first and see how it plays out.” — Princeton Mayor Mark Fredaon the council’s decision to not allow a cannabis dispensary in the town","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.tapinto.net/towns/princeton/sections/government/articles/council-pulls-the-plug-on-pot-shop-proposal","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d850009","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d85000a","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>on the council’s decision to not allow a cannabis dispensary in the town, where 75 percent voted to legalize it
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — O’Toole Scrivo’s Tom Scrivo, PANYNJ’s Jenny Davis, NJ Spotlight News’ Julie Daurio, former Old Tappan Mayor Victor Polce
TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"mailto:mfriedman@politico.com","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d85000b","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d85000c","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>[email protected]
NEED MORE PLAYBOOK? — Sign up here for NJ Playbook PM","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-jersey-playbook-pm","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d85000d","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d85000e","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Sign up here for NJ Playbook PM and get more news in your inbox care of POLITICO’s Jonathan Custodio, minus the snarky headlines
VETERANS HOMES — “More families allege ‘gross negligence’ led to COVID deaths at N.J. veterans’ homes","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.nj.com/politics/2022/05/more-families-allege-gross-negligence-led-to-covid-deaths-at-nj-veterans-homes.html","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890001","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890002","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>More families allege ‘gross negligence’ led to COVID deaths at N.J. veterans’ homes,” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Nearly six months after New Jersey agreed to pay $52.9 million to the loved ones of 119 residents who died in two of the state-operated veterans’ homes during the pandemic, an additional 69 families say they will be filing similar charges of gross negligence and incompetence by administrators. The numbers suggest that the death toll at the facilities in Menlo Park and Paramus could be far higher than the state has ever acknowledged. Attorney Paul M. da Costa of Roseland, who represented many of those involved in the initial settlement, confirmed that tort claims notices have been filed on behalf of dozens more. Of the 69 new cases, he represents 53 of those families, all of whom lost relatives to COVID-19 in the veterans’ homes.”
HEY COLLIGAN MAN! — Murphy proposes licensing program for law enforcement officers","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2022/05/murphy-proposes-licensing-program-for-law-enforcement-officers-00033428?source=email","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890003","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890004","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Murphy proposes licensing program for law enforcement officers, by POLITICO’s Daniel O’Connor: Gov. Phil Murphy proposed legislation Wednesday that would create a licensing program for New Jersey’s law enforcement officers. The proposal would require all police officers to be certified with a professional license in order to practice, giving departments an additional method of disciplining cops for infractions ranging from domestic abuse to membership in hate groups. “Policing is perhaps the only skilled profession left in New Jersey that does not provide individuals with a license that shows beyond any doubt that they have been through rigorous training and are not just expected to, but required to live up to the highest professional standards,” Murphy said at a press conference at the Essex County Police Academy. Members of the Legislature, faith leaders and — crucially — Patrick Colligan, president of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, spoke in support of the idea during Wednesday’s event.”
POLITICO URGES ZOO-OWNING ASSEMBLYMEMBER TO JOIN MILITARY ACADEMY SO HE CAN BE CALLED ‘SPACE CADET’ — “Being an elected official doesn’t always pay the bills. Here are NJ legislators’ day jobs","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2022/05/18/nj-politician-salaries-day-jobs-legislature-members/9702000002/","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890005","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890006","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Being an elected official doesn’t always pay the bills. Here are NJ legislators’ day jobs,” by The Record’s Katie Sobko: “Parker Space is a third-generation small-business owner. Most days he wakes up before dawn to plow fields and care for 500 animals — from jaguars to kangaroos — at Space Farms, the Sussex County zoo his grandfather opened in 1927. After that, he puts on a suit and tie and heads to Trenton, where he has served as a legislator for nearly a decade. ‘With a business like this, if I have to be in Trenton at 10 a.m., I’m at the zoo at 3 in the morning doing what I have to do to make sure things are set for the day,’ Space said. ‘Then oftentimes you come back after. A lot of legislators leave Trenton and go home. I come back to work.’ While Space may be the only legislator running a zoo when he’s not voting on legislation and working for his constituents, he’s not the only one with a day job. The 120 elected officials in the Legislature receive $49,000 per year and no health benefits for their part-time work. Most work a second job.”
CAN’TABIS — Lawmakers propose carveouts to bar some workers from using recreational cannabis,","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2022/05/lawmakers-pitch-carveouts-for-recreational-cannabis-use-00033507","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890007","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890008","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Lawmakers propose carveouts to bar some workers from using recreational cannabis, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Democrat and Republican lawmakers have introduced several bills in recent weeks that seek to bar certain workers from using recreational cannabis while off duty. The bills, which come about a month after New Jersey launched legal recreational sales, don’t entirely come as a surprise. For weeks, lawmakers from both parties have insisted on tweaking the state’s cannabis laws, which currently bar employers from taking punitive actions toward workers who use cannabis on their own time. The conversation has largely revolved around prohibiting law enforcement from cannabis use, although other professions have entered the conversation. At least four different proposals have been introduced.
BUT THEN HOW ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT N.J. IS CALLED ‘THE GARDEN STATE’? — “N.J. cops write 100K license plate frame tickets a year. Knock it off, legislators say","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.nj.com/news/2022/05/more-than-half-a-million-drivers-got-ticketed-for-this-so-2-nj-lawmakers-want-to-change-the-rules.html","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d890009","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d89000a","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>N.J. cops write 100K license plate frame tickets a year. Knock it off, legislators say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Larry Higgs: “New Jersey drivers who bolt a frame around their vehicle’s license plate — to profess their allegiance to a sports team, pets or provide some free advertising for a car dealer — could get a break from annoying traffic tickets if bills proposed by two state lawmakers are passed. According to the state judiciary, 501,699 summonses were issued in the five years between 2017 and 2021 for license plate violations. If there is an indication of how annoying this infraction is, two legislators from two different parties proposed bills in both houses of the state legislature to relax the current law.”
NJ STATE BOARD OF ED: ‘SEX! NOW THAT WE’VE GOTTEN YOUR ATTENTION…’ — “Sex ed only one of the curriculum changes for NJ schools","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2022/05/nj-schools-new-standards-sex-ed-civics-climate-change-controversy/","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d89000b","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d89000c","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Sex ed only one of the curriculum changes for NJ schools,” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Mooney: “New Jersey has been astir lately over some of its new learning standards for sex education and for diversity and inclusion, but they are hardly the only new standards that public schools are weaving into their classrooms going into next fall. After an unprecedented year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, districts are required by this coming fall to have accommodated the state’s latest standards in their curricula for seven of nine content areas — more than double the usual number of content-area revisions for any given year. These new areas are social studies, science, world languages, health and physical education, career readiness and visual and performing arts.”
IT’S CLEAR WHO GOTTHEIMER WOULD PREFER TO RUN AGAINST, AND IT’S NOT DEGREGORIO — “The CD-5 GOP primary and the Trump factor","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.insidernj.com/the-cd-5-gop-primary-and-the-trump-factor/","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d8d0000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d8d0001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>The CD-5 GOP primary and the Trump factor,” by InsiderNJ’s Fred Snowflack: “It looks like Josh Gottheimer wishes he had a vote in the upcoming Republican primary. Gottheimer just sent out a mailer criticizing (sort of) Frank Pallotta, one of two candidates seeking the GOP’s nod to run against him in CD-5. ‘Frank Pallotta rallies for Trump, Not New Jersey’ is the headline. The piece shows a photo of a rally and includes a quote from the former president that Pallotta will be a ‘great congressman.’ The quote apparently is from 2020 when Pallotta ran and lost to Gottheimer by about 32,000 votes. … Pallotta wants another shot at Gottheimer this year, but before that happens, he has to get by Nick DeGregorio, who has the backing of the Bergen County Republican Organization. Which brings us back to Gottheimer’s mailer.”
HIS ENDORSEMENT IS HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER BY SOME CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES — “Former congressional candidate threatened to kill NJ cops, judges","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://nj1015.com/former-congressional-candidate-threatened-to-kill-nj-cops-judges/","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d8d0002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d8d0003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Former congressional candidate threatened to kill NJ cops, judges,” by NJ 101.5’s Michael Symons: “A former Monmouth County resident and two-time candidate for Congress admitted in federal court to making threatening phone calls and sending threatening emails to elected officials, judges, police and lawyers. Eric Hafner, 31, also admitted to phoning in false bomb threats to state and local government offices, a police department, two law firms and a Monmouth County horseracing track. He attempted to extort $350,000 from some of his victims. The threats were made repeatedly between July and September 2016. … The threats began when Hafner was a candidate in the Republican primary for Hawaii’s 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
KILLEN IT — “Ex-municipal court judge publicly censured","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://newjerseyglobe.com/judiciary/ex-municipal-court-judge-publicly-censused/","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d910000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d910001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Ex-municipal court judge publicly censured,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “The New Jersey Supreme Court has publicly censured Guy W. Killen, a former municipal court judge in West Deptford and Vineland, for breaching the judicial code of conduct by failing to recuse from a matter involving the son of the former mayor who backed his appointment. Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct had filed a complaint in 2021 alleging that Killen acted improperly by failing to step back from an August 2020 case involving David Shields Jr., the son of former West Deptford Mayor David Shields Sr. Killen had issued a temporary restraining order and search warrant against the younger Shields after he allegedly got into a domestic dispute with his ex-wife and attempted to stop her and her children from leaving their home by blocking them in with his car. … An officer dispatched to Shields’ home to execute the warrant in search of weapons was told it belonged to the elder Shields. After being advised of the search, the former mayor called Killen and told him about the only weapons in the home were in a large safe inaccessible to his son. Following that conversation, the judge called the officer and told him he was verbally modifying the warrant, rescinding an order to seize all weapons, because the safe was inaccessible.”
CONNER STRONG NAMED NEW INSURANCE BROKER FOR DARLINGTON, ENGLAND GOVERNMENT — “Political journey: British mayor started as Camden ‘corner-store girl’","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2022/05/18/cyndi-hughes-darlington-mayor-camden-west-deptford/9759894002/","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d910002","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d910003","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>Political journey: British mayor started as Camden ‘corner-store girl’,” by The Courier-Post’s Jim Walsh: “Cyndi Hughes has lived through dramatic changes, going from a tragic childhood in Camden to thriving as a teen in West Deptford — and ultimately becoming mayor of a town of more than 90,000 people. But South Jersey residents might be excused for not knowing her political journey: Hughes is the ‘first citizen’ of Darlington, an English borough some 3,400 miles from her local roots. ‘Growing up in South Jersey, I never really thought I’d end up where I have,’ said Hughes. ‘People here … point to my optimism and positive attitude and say that these are really ‘American’ traits,”’ said Hughes, who emigrated to Darlington for love in 1986.”
NO. NEW JERSEY DESERVES MUCH HIGHER — “New Jersey ranked as 14th rudest state. Is it deserved?","link":{"target":"NEW","attributes":[],"url":"https://bronx.news12.com/new-jersey-ranked-as-14th-rudest-state-is-it-deserved","_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d950000","_type":"33ac701a-72c1-316a-a3a5-13918cf384df"},"_id":"00000180-dc09-d353-a3b0-ddfd1d950001","_type":"02ec1f82-5e56-3b8c-af6e-6fc7c8772266"}”>New Jersey ranked as 14th rudest state. Is it deserved?” by News 12’s Brian Donohue: “You can argue whether it’s deserved or not, but New Jerseyans are often stereotyped as loud, brash and, maybe a bit rude. A very, very informal study by the website moneywise.com last week ranked the states by rudeness and placed New Jersey in 14th place. Fourteenth! I’m almost offended by such a milquetoast middle-of-the-road ranking! … I decided to speak to people who know most about the character of our 50 states: truckers”
TOMS RIVER — As a family grieves and rescuers reel from a tragedy, officials are reacting to the death of an 18-year-old visitor Tuesday afternoon by warning others against digging deep holes in the sand.
Levi Caverly, of Union, Maine, and his 17-year-old sister used Frisbees to dig a hole 8 to 10 feet deep on unguarded Ocean Beach 3. The hole collapsed around 4:10 p.m., according to Toms River police.
Caverly appeared to be crouching down when the sand collapsed around them. His sister was standing and was able to be rescued without injuries.
Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Drew Calvo said it was hard to estimate the width of the hole as it had collapsed by the time he arrived.
“There are no words,” their father Todd Caverly wrote on Facebook.
He later wrote that he was on his church’s worship team and the drummer in a teen/young adult band.
“Levi was himself. He was odd. He was quirky. He was not real concerned with what others thought. He knew Jesus Christ,” Todd Caverly wrote. “He was a tech nut and loved to program.”
Rescue effort on Beach 3 in Toms River 5/17/22
The Ocean Beach firefighters who led the rescue effort took it hard, according to Chief Drew Calvo, who said he gave his kids a hug when he got home Tuesday night.
“It’s tough. We’ve got sons, dads, uncles, brothers, grandfathers all in the department. All of us have somebody in the family who can relate to this loss closely. We just keep checking in on each other, I’ve been doing that all morning with my guys. We do have the opportunity to establish critical stress debriefing,” Calvo said.
Calvo discourages digging as the sand can be unpredictable and shift, causing a collapse.
“Not only are they a tripping hazard but also a collapse hazard,” Calvo said. “If you have to dig a hole try to stay away from the waterline.”
Cape May Beach Patrol Capt. Marty Franco said that his lifeguards keep an eye out for digging. He said no hole should be lower than waist deep on the smallest child. Franco also discourages tunneling, which can take a lifeguard’s attention away from the water.
“That’s what people want to do. They want to dig a hole here, dig a hole there and then tunnel underneath and that’s where a lot of the danger comes. It’s like a bridge kind of thing and they just collapse on people.”
Franco said people digging deep holes is a problem at many Jersey Shore beaches although there have not been many serious collapses.
“But sand is sand and what happened in Toms River can happen here in Cape May,” Franco said.
Crowd gathers at Ocean Beach 3 during rescue effort 5/17/22
Toms River police spokeswoman Jillian Messina said that no lifeguard was on duty Tuesday.
At this time of the year, Franco said it is rare for lifeguards to be on duty at private or public beaches. With temperatures in the 90s expected this weekend, Franco said some beaches will lifeguards on duty, but not all.
Toms River Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill said that the collapse is a reminder for beachgoers to be vigilant on both the surf and sand.
“Let us remind all of our beachgoers, visitors and locals to never dig more than knee-deep in the sand. With all of the storms and beach replenishment we’ve had, beach sand is not compact. Some call it ‘sugar sand,'” Hill said.
Levi’s mother Angela Caverly told NJ.com the family was heading home Wednesday afternoon from their first New Jersey vacation. His funeral likely will be at a church in Rockport, Maine, she said.
Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com
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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!
Take a look at the late Whitney Houston’s longtime home and studio in New Jersey, now for sale.
Mom’s told us that price gougers are squeezing parents for all they’ve got, charging more than $130 for what used to be a $45 can of formula.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The national baby formula shortage has brought the good, the bad and the ugly out of people.
On one hand, you have heartwarming stories of moms helping moms, of complete strangers connecting on social media and helping each other find formula to feed their babies. In some cases, in towns hours apart and sometimes even across state lines, moms like Kristen Gabrielli, of Essex County, are finding support — and most importantly, formula thanks to Facebook “mommy groups.”
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NEWARK – Law enforcement officers in New Jersey may soon be required to hold professional licenses, under a proposed bill announced Wednesday with the backing of the governor, lawmakers, community activists and the state’s largest police union.
More than 40 states require police officers to be licensed, but not New Jersey. The state’s Police Training Commission, which sets law enforcement standards, voted two years in favor of a statewide police licensing program, and extensive negotiations in private then followed.
Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey is “finally catching up” but that the state was able to study the systems in other places and take the parts it thinks are best.
“Policing is perhaps the only skilled professional left in New Jersey that does not provide individuals with a license that shows beyond any doubt that they have been through rigorous training and are not just expected to but are required to live up to the highest professional standards,” Murphy said.
Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the changes will have a significant impact.
“Importantly it will protect law enforcement officers by creating a system of uniformity, which is not something we currently have,” Platkin said. “At the same time, it will also ensure that officers who fail to meet standards of professionalism not only lose the right to have that privilege of wearing a badge but they’re also unable to obtain a new badge in a different town or, in some cases, an entirely different state.”
Under the bill, police and corrections officers would have to meet uniform standards to become and continue as an active officer. The Police Training Commission would oversee the licensing and could take actions against officers who engage in illegal or improper conduct, as can be done now for teachers, doctors and more than 50 other professions.
Patrick Colligan, president of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, said New Jersey has the finest group of police officers but that when one does something wrong, they’re all tarnished.
Colligan said the bill codifies many current practices and that among its changes are some that address issues law-enforcement officers have considered unfair.
“I believe that we’ve come to a realization with this bill that this really is nothing to be feared and that it will be a good thing for law enforcement going forward,” Colligan said.
The initiative began as one of many police reforms considered in the wake of high-profile incidents around the country in which police officers killed Black civilians.
“It is long overdue. It is long overdue. And we’re happy to have it be happening today,” said Reva Foster, president of the New Jersey Black Issues Convention.
The standards would include passing a psychological examination, maintaining post-academy ongoing professional training requirements, and not engaging in conduct including social media posts or being an active member of a group that advocates for the violent overthrow of the government or discrimination based on classes protected by the Law Against Discrimination.
Law enforcement agencies would have to tell the PTC of any separation from employment of a licensed officer, and hiring agencies must request from the PTC the reasons why an applicant was separated from any prior law enforcement employment.
Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, called the announcement after years of collaboration “a major step forward for New Jersey.”
“Our communities will be better served and our law enforcement agencies will be better equipped with a licensure framework in place,” Greenstein said.
“It’s good to see the police partnering with the community, with the administration to make our police more – I don’t want to say accountable because they’re already accountable,” said Assemblyman William Spearman, D-Camden, chairman of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
“But this sends a message to the community, to other states, to the nation that here in New Jersey, we do it the right way,” he said. “We work together, and our police are here to protect our community and to work with our community, to make sure that our people are safe, that our children are safe.”
Michael Symons is the Statehouse bureau chief for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at michael.symons@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.
Some are calling it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill New Jersey edition. But actually what New Jersey state Sen. Ed Durr introduced this week goes further than the controversial Florida law.
There, instruction on gay issues or sexual identity is banned in K through 3rd grade. After that, any discussion on LGBTQ matters must be done in an “age-appropriate” and “developmentally appropriate” manner.
Durr’s bill would ban such instruction from kindergarten all the way through grade 6.
Then, any instruction including such gay or transgender issues for grades 7 through 12 could only happen with a consent form being filled out by the parent. Not an opt-out form mind you, but an opt-in form.
Further, the legislation states that the school can be sued if the child takes any class without that parental permission. And that the school could lose state funding. All those details found here.
gay friendly urban crossway in rainbow flag LGBT pedestrian crossing
Now before I come down heavy-handed on Durr (oh, and I will), it should be said I agree with him that the youngest grades are just too young for certain instruction. Even the Florida law stops the ban at 3rd grade. To carry this through grade 6 is problematic.
Not to mention requiring parents to opt in to instruction that by grades 7 through 12 their children need to learn if they’re going to get through this society without dragging their knuckles on the ground. Is raising a caveperson your goal? If you want to pretend gay people and transgender people do not exist then put your money where your hate is and place your kids in private school.
If Ed Durr is so fearful of teenagers learning there are people different from them (or the same as them?) perhaps he should be serving in Iran where homosexuality is illegal and punished by execution.
Rainbow flag and gender lgbt symbol drawn chalk on blackboard
Speaking of life and death, this really is a matter of that. Gay kids attempt suicide 3 and a half times more often than straight kids. Transgender kids 5.87 times more often. And it’s not because they’re gay or trans and “have something wrong with them.” It’s because they are stigmatized and shunned and discriminated against and bullied.
If Sen. Durr is going to make it this difficult to have sexual health classes include information on gay and trans kids why doesn’t he just hand them a loaded gun? That’s the net effect of efforts like this. Another blow to already battered self-esteem. Another reason for these kids to feel unaccepted.
Look, if reading hundreds of books with straight characters and learning about sperm and ovaries didn’t turn gay kids straight then your straight kid reading a book about two boy penguins who love each isn’t going to turn them gay. Relax.
Ironically the same week this poorly conceived legislation was introduced Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted this.
So what are the chances of this bill becoming law while Murphy’s in office? The same as the Senator catching an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Zero.
Ed Durr is a gay kid’s worst nightmare. And if he keeps writing bad bills like this he might as well go back to the Yosemite Sam mud-flaps and drive a truck.
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.
You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.
A district-by-district look at New Jersey’s congressional map following the redistricting done after the 2020 Census.
Dennis & Judi asked their listeners for the nasty nicknames they’ve heard their towns referred to. How many have you heard? Which ones would you add?
In 2017, Gov. Phil Murphy won the election by 14.1 percentage points, a margin exceeding 303,000. His re-election was much closer, an 84,000-vote, 3.2-point victory. He and others talked about a ‘red wave’ of Republican voters in the electorate, and certified results show which counties turned red most.
New Jersey on Wednesday reported 15 more COVID-19 deaths and 3,842 new confirmed positive tests as the nation surpassed 1 million deaths caused by COVID-19, according to data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center.
The United States has the most COVID-19 deaths of any nation at 1,000,207, according to a ranking of coronavirus deaths worldwide.
New Jersey’s seven-day average for confirmed cases increased to 3,994 on Wednesday, up 32% from a week ago and up 134% from a month ago as the virus continues to spread.
There were 846 patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases reported across the state’s 71 hospitals as of Tuesday night, an increase of 15 from the night before. Hospitalizations still remain significantly lower than when they peaked at 6,089 on Jan. 10 during the Omicron wave.
There were at least 151 people discharged in that same 24-hour period ending Tuesday, according to state data. Of those hospitalized, 102 were in intensive care and 38 were on ventilators.
New Jersey’s statewide transmission rate ticked up slightly to 1.28 Wednesday from 1.27 on Tuesday. When the transmission rate is over 1, that means each new case is leading to at least one additional case and the outbreak is expanding.
The positivity rate for tests conducted on Friday, the most recent day with available data, was 13.47%.
The state on Wednesday also reported 1,228 probable cases from rapid antigen testing at medical sites.
The BA.2 strain of COVID-19 has been spreading in New Jersey for weeks, though at much lower rates than the Omicron surge in December and January. Officials have said the Omicron “stealth” sub-variant appears to spread more easily but generally does not cause more severe illness.
For the week ending April 30, BA.2 accounted for 91.4% of the positive tests sampled (slightly up from 89.4% the previous week), while the BA2.12.1 omicron subvariant accounted for 6% of positive tests sampled (down from 6.7% the previous week).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists nine New Jersey counties with “high” transmission rates — Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean and Sussex. Those in high-risk areas are recommended to wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation and stay up-to-date on vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eleven counties are in the medium risk category: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Union and Warren. Cumberland County is at low. Masks are not recommended in the medium and low regions.
New Jersey has reported 2,007,450 total confirmed COVID-19 cases out of more than 17.7 million PCR tests conducted in the more than two years since the state reported its first known case March 4, 2020.
The Garden State has also recorded 327,805 positive antigen or rapid tests, which are considered probable cases. And there are numerous cases that have likely never been counted, including at-home positive tests that are not included in the state’s numbers.
The state of 9.2 million residents has reported 33,586 COVID-19 deaths in that time — 30,528 confirmed fatalities and 3,058 probable.
New Jersey has the seventh-most coronavirus deaths per capita in the U.S. — behind Mississippi, Arizona, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, and West Virginia — as of the latest data reported Tuesday. Last summer, the state still had the most deaths per capita in the country.
The latest numbers follow a major study that revealed even a mild case of COVID-19 can significantly affect the brain. Long COVID — the term commonly used to describe symptoms stemming from the virus long after a person no longer tests positive — has been found to affect between 10% and 30% of those who contract the infection, regardless of whether they have a mild or serious case.
More than 6.89 million of the 8.46 million eligible people who live, work or study in New Jersey have received the initial course of vaccinations and more than 7.8 million have received a first dose since vaccinations began here on Dec. 15, 2020.
More than 3.74 million people in the state eligible for boosters have received one. That number may rise after the FDA on Tuesday approved booster shots for healthy children between the ages of 5 and 11. U.S. regulators authorized the booster for kids hoping an extra vaccine dose will enhance their protection as infections once again creep upward.
For the week ending May 8, with about 59% of schools reporting data, another 8,923 COVID-19 cases were reported among staff (2,461) and students (6,462) across New Jersey’s schools.
Since the start of the academic year, there have been 116,771 students and 34,685 school staff members who have contracted COVID-19 in New Jersey, though the state has never had more than two-thirds of the school districts reporting data in any week.
The state provides total student and staff cases separately from those deemed to be in-school transmission, which is narrowly defined as three or more cases linked through contact tracing.
New Jersey has reported 807 total in-school outbreaks, including 5,671 cases among students and staff. That includes 82 new outbreaks.
At least 9,049 of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, according to state data.
There were active outbreaks at 309 facilities, resulting in 3,268 current cases among residents and 3,020 cases among staff, as of the latest data.
As of Wednesday, there have been more than 524 million COVID-19 cases reported across the globe, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 6.28 million people died due to the virus.
The U.S. has reported the most cases (more than 82.7 million) and deaths (at least 1,000,207) of any nation.
There have been more than 11.4 billion vaccine doses administered globally.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com and on Twitter at @byJackieRoman.
New Jersey on Wednesday reported 15 more COVID-19 deaths and 3,842 new confirmed positive tests as the nation surpassed one million deaths caused by COVID-19, according to data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center.
The United States has the largest COVID-19 toll of any nation at 1,000,207, according to a ranking of coronavirus deaths worldwide.
New Jersey’s seven-day average for confirmed cases increased to 3,994 on Wednesday, up 32% from a week ago and up 134% from a month ago as the virus continues to spread.
There were 846 patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases reported across the state’s 71 hospitals as of Tuesday night. Hospitalizations still remain significantly lower than when they peaked at 6,089 on Jan. 10 during the Omicron wave.
There were at least 151 people discharged in that same 24-hour period ending Tuesday, according to state data. Of those hospitalized, 102 were in intensive care and 38 were on ventilators.
New Jersey’s statewide transmission rate ticked up slightly to 1.28 Wednesday from 1.27 on Tuesday. When the transmission rate is over 1, that means each new case is leading to at least one additional case and the outbreak is expanding.
The positivity rate for tests conducted on Friday, the most recent day with available data, was 13.47%.
The state on Wednesday also reported 1,228 probable cases from rapid antigen testing at medical sites.
The BA.2 strain of COVID-19 has been spreading in New Jersey for weeks, though at much lower rates than the Omicron surge in December and January. Officials have said the Omicron “stealth” sub-variant appears to spread more easily but generally does not cause more severe illness.
For the week ending April 30, BA.2 accounted for 91.4% of the positive tests sampled (slightly up from 89.4% the previous week), while the BA2.12.1 omicron subvariant accounted for 6% of positive tests sampled (down from 6.7% the previous week).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists nine New Jersey counties with “high” transmission rates — Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean and Sussex. Those in high-risk areas are recommended to wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation and stay up-to-date on vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eleven counties are in the medium risk category: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Union and Warren. Cumberland County is at low. Masks are not recommended in the medium and low regions.
New Jersey has reported 2,007,450 total confirmed COVID-19 cases out of more than 17.7 million PCR tests conducted in the more than two years since the state reported its first known case March 4, 2020.
The Garden State has also recorded 327,805 positive antigen or rapid tests, which are considered probable cases. And there are numerous cases that have likely never been counted, including at-home positive tests that are not included in the state’s numbers.
The state of 9.2 million residents has reported 33,586 COVID-19 deaths in that time — 30,528 confirmed fatalities and 3,058 probable.
New Jersey has the seventh-most coronavirus deaths per capita in the U.S. — behind Mississippi, Arizona, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, and West Virginia — as of the latest data reported Tuesday. Last summer, the state still had the most deaths per capita in the country.
The latest numbers follow a major study that revealed even a mild case of COVID-19 can significantly affect the brain. Long COVID — the term commonly used to describe symptoms stemming from the virus long after a person no longer tests positive — has been found to affect between 10% and 30% of those who contract the infection, regardless of whether they have a mild or serious case.
More than 6.89 million of the 8.46 million eligible people who live, work or study in New Jersey have received the initial course of vaccinations and more than 7.8 million have received a first dose since vaccinations began here on Dec. 15, 2020.
More than 3.74 million people in the state eligible for boosters have received one. That number may rise after the FDA on Tuesday approved booster shots for healthy children between the ages of 5 and 11. U.S. regulators authorized the booster for kids hoping an extra vaccine dose will enhance their protection as infections once again creep upward.
For the week ending May 8, with about 59% of schools reporting data, another 8,923 COVID-19 cases were reported among staff (2,461) and students (6,462) across New Jersey’s schools.
Since the start of the academic year, there have been 116,771 students and 34,685 school staff members who have contracted COVID-19 in New Jersey, though the state has never had more than two-thirds of the school districts reporting data in any week.
The state provides total student and staff cases separately from those deemed to be in-school transmission, which is narrowly defined as three or more cases linked through contact tracing.
New Jersey has reported 807 total in-school outbreaks, including 5,671 cases among students and staff. That includes 82 new outbreaks.
At least 9,049 of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have been among residents and staff members at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, according to state data.
There were active outbreaks at 309 facilities, resulting in 3,268 current cases among residents and 3,020 cases among staff, as of the latest data.
As of Wednesday, there have been more than 524 million COVID-19 cases reported across the globe, according to Johns Hopkins University, and more than 6.28 million people died due to the virus.
The U.S. has reported the most cases (more than 82.7 million) and deaths (at least 1,000,207) of any nation.
There have been more than 11.4 billion vaccine doses administered globally.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com and on Twitter at @byJackieRoman.
After two years of outdoor only gatherings, the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market (TPRFM) is going to be held indoors (well, and outdoors, too) coming up on May 21 & 22 at the Cure Arena in Trenton.
The TPRFM is one of the more eclectic gatherings in the Garden State; their website describes the event like this:
The TPRFM is a family-friendly, cultural celebration and DIY craft show that occurs multiple times a year in Trenton and beyond which features hundreds of different DIY vendors and food trucks each day. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. We celebrate inclusiveness, individuality, the arts, music, family, friendships, small businesses, DIY culture and most importantly… community.
So, what can you expect? The TPRFM is held three times a year and the one this Spring will feature over 300 “unique small businesses, artists, and makers” each day, with food trucks and live music, too.
As far as what will be available for purchase? A lot.
Just some of the categories of merchandise include: vinyl, vintage, handmade, original items; interesting curiosities, unique collectibles, horror memorabilia, and (my favorite) taxidermy. Just that alone makes me want to go.
Here are the details if you are planning on going:
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Doyle only.
You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.
UPDATED 4/10: A current list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2022. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.
(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)
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.
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:
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.