ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The world can be a scary place. But it’s also filled with humor, inspiration and beauty. Let’s focus on that second part. Take a look at some recent good news stories in Essex County below. (Click the headlines to read).
MAPLEWOOD — The annual youth fishing derbies are returning to Essex County parks this year, including one at the South Mountain Recreation Complex, not far from Maplewood.
In each derby, children will get prizes for catching the most fish and in various age categories.
On Thursday, May 26, kids can head to the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Orange Reservoir, Paddle Boat area. On-site registration begins at 4:30 p.m. The derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m.
There are also several other fishing derbies around Essex County in May and June. For the complete list, click here.
The derbies are free and open to kids 15 and under. They must be accompanied by an adult and bring a pole, bait, chair, and more.
Each derby may be postponed in bad weather.
For the full list of rules, and more information, click here.
Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Congressional party preference hasn’t moved a lot this year, but the issue picture may be coming into focus with the economy and abortion as the top considerations right now. The importance of abortion coincides with the Supreme Court leak, which means it is hard to tell whether we are seeing a temporary blip or something that will have a major impact in November” – Monmouth University polling director Patrick Murray
TOP STORY: Onyema Ready for an Old West Showdown with Kelly
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 1,984,015 cases and 30,477 confirmed fatalities (and 322,559 probable cases and 3,052 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 4,551 confirmed cases, 1,850 probable cases, 12 lab-confirmed fatalities, and 6 hospital-reported fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.22. There are 727 total hospitalizations, with 41 in intensive care units, and 135 discharges in the past day. There are 6,886,905 people fully vaccinated.
Governor Murphy highlighted his ANCHOR property tax relief initiative.
Former Governor McGreevey’s father, James McGreevey, passed away. A A Marine Corp. veteran, Governor Murphy lauded McGreevey as an ‘example’ who ‘so perfectly represented the selflessness of all who wear our nation’s uniforms’. The LD19 legislators mourned his passing.
A Monmouth University poll finds voters are split on which party they prefer in the midterms, with the economy and abortion the top electoral concerns.
NJ employers are struggling to regulate legal weed in the workplace, according to the Bergen Record.
Environmental groups filed official protests against the $4.7B Turnpike extension widening, according to NJ.com.
Around 70 gas stations will cut prices today to rally support for the self-serve option, according to NJ.com.
Sussex County hired a temporary administrator, according to NJ Herald. The county approved a resolution opposing the state’s new sex ed standards, according to NJ Herald.
Senator Menendez announced he will vote against Federal Reserve Chairman Powell for a second term.
ICYMI: With Roe likely overturning, Murphy announced several proposals to expand abortion access; officials led a rally opposing Roe overturn; Insider NJ’s Who’s Up And Who’s Down; Murphy, Hochul nominated Kris Kolluri as GDC CEO; Murphy says Roe overturn would be ‘enraging‘; advocates took to the streets across the state protesting Roe overturn
Be Ready, the first PAC dedicated to electing black woman, launched yesterday.
A DWI charge against Senator Cunningham was dismissed, according to the Jersey Journal.
In CD4, Rep. Smith, the state’s most veteran congressional incumbent, is facing a dual challenge from the right, according to NJ Spotlight.
In CD10, Rep. Payne was endorsed by IL Rep. Chuy Garcia.
‘America First’ GOP primary candidates Lamb and Fossa challenged Ocean County Commissioners Haines and Kelly to a debate.
ICYMI: Jones made the rounds; CD11 GOP debated; pursuing re-election, Ali jeered ascension of Duarte as Dem chair; Bergen GOP intra-party political flare-up; Morris GOP threatening to sue Rizzo; Roe v. Wade a sleeping giant heading into midterms; in CD5, Schneiderman dropped out; Baraka teases guv run; county parties flush w/ cash; Mastrangelo gets assist from Giants
Lawmakers questioned the top CRC official about cannabis prices nd regulations, according to Politico NJ.
Senate Majority Leader Ruiz lauded EDA investments in child care facilities improvement.
Senator Gill introduced legislation to protect the state from out-of-state abortion restrictions.
The NJCBA delivered testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee on adult-use marijuana sales.
ICYMI: Murphy took action on legislation; Murphy to nominate Schuster as DOC Ombudsman; Schepisi expressed concern about Roe; Platkin announced leadership team; SJ legislators seek clarification from Platkin on cop weed use; Senate GOP expressed concern over cop weed use debate
In Morris Township, GOP Committeeman Mancuso faces a primary challenge in June, as Republicans hope to keep their lone seat on the township committee.
In Newark, West Ward challenger Onyema is ready for the runoff election against Dupre Kelly in June, saying he will maintain his core campaign message. Mayor Baraka announced projects to be built under his Affordable Newark housing initiative.
In Irvington, Mayor Vauss touted his 81% margin of victory.
In Trenton, Mayor Gusciora sent a letter to Council President McBride requesting the resumption of budget hearings.
In Buena, Boro Hall is set to reopen after flooding, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In East Hanover, wild cat policies were again questioned, according to NJ Hills.
In East Orange, Mayor Green delivered the State of the City address, according to TAPinto.
In Hasbrouck Heights, the budget was adopted, according to TAPinto.
In Long Branch, Mayor Pallone and the council incumbents won re-election on Tuesday, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Long Hill, busing interruptions continue at the schools, according to NJ Hills.
In New Providence, the council approved a mental health committee, according to TAPinto.
In North Haledon, Mayor George isn’t giving in and won’t take the ‘hope’ star down from High Mountain, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Ocean Gate, Mayor Kennedy will be removed from office amid corruption allegations, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Old Tappan, residents are racing to save wetlands and a 271-year old home, according to the Bergen Record.
In Ortley Beach, the beaches are set for replenishment, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Paterson, the BOE approved a $801M budget, according to Paterson Press.
In Princeton, the May 17th cannabis meeting is looming, according to TAPinto.
In Ramsey, the schools superintendent is stepping down, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: In Newark, Bankston welcomes showdown in runoff election; West Ward runoff, East Ward runoff, Baraka cruised to re-election in anti-climactic race, Team Baraka blanketed city in celebration, Baraka forces converged in the West; in Paterson, Sayegh secured re-election, saying ‘you cannot keep a good city down‘, Mimms, Davila secured re-election, candidates made high-visibility efforts as Mendez exuded confidence, rival operatives confronted Sayegh, as he fought for re-election, Wimberly made endorsements for council; in Bayonne, Davis secured re-election, proving staying power, and celebrated his win, Davis and Ashe-Nadrowski bumped into each other on Election Day; in Belleville, Melham cruised to re-election; in Irvington, Mayor Vauss secured re-election; candidates pounded pavement in final days; in Newark, McCallum endorsed Kelly, East Ward battle intensifying; in Paterson, Rodriguez endorsed Mendez; in Newark, likely tiny fraction will turn out for election; in West Morris, intensifying curriculum debate
AROUND THE WEB:
GOP senator blocks bill named for slain son of N.J. jurist that aims to protect federal judges
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
And Now For Round Two: How Runoffs Work in Newark Municipal Elections
Mark J. Bonamo and Tom Wiedman, TAPinto Newark
Overflow Zoom crowd cancels Palmer hearing in Bernardsville
Charlie Zavalick, NJ Hills
Delays, price & more: Lawmakers hammer NJ marijuana regulators
Michael Symons, NJ1015
Jersey City Council names asst. BA head of new dept., Katyn supporters protest new plan
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
Anti-abortion advocate decries Murphy’s push to strengthen abortion rights
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
Bungalow Park residents skeptical of Ørsted wind farm maintenance hub
Michelle Brunetti Post, Press of Atlantic City
Gas prices rise to new high ahead of Memorial Day. Here’s why it’s happening
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
Move over, Iowa! N.J. and these other states want early presidential primaries
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Mimms, Davila, Uddin win Paterson at-large council seats
Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times
Our View: Speck of justice for West Wildwood taxpayers reduced further
Bill Barlow, Press of Atlantic City
Sayegh promises much the same after easily winning re-election in Paterson for 2nd term
Jayed Rahman, Paterson Times
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NEWARK, N.J. — Nearly two dozen new affordable housing sites will soon be coming to New Jersey’s largest city.
It’s part of a multimillion dollar investment by the city of Newark to help fight the steep rise in rents.
The Aspen Stratford apartments in Newark were known to be crime-ridden. The smashed-out windows and spray-painted mailboxes are reminders of that, but they will soon be transformed thanks to a $20 million revitalization project.
“Every opportunity we get to get more funding, we’re going to invest it in making sure we reach our goal of about 6,000 new affordable units in the next couple of years,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.
The run-down apartment buildings will make way for 75 new units.
“This investment shows that the people in Newark deserve investment, and that their children deserve a brighter future,” said Vivian Cox Fraser, president and CEO of the Urban League of Essex County.
The homes will be made available to low-income residents who make under $32,000 a year.
“Having people have affordable rental means they can save some money and then they come to the Urban League for home ownership,” Cox Fraser said.
While many in the community appreciate that the condemned building, which has been an eyesore, won’t be there anymore, there are questions about who the affordable housing will be open and available to.
“Affordable to who?” Newark resident Delores Black asked.
Black has lived in Newark for decades but faces eviction at the end of the month. Her affordable housing just isn’t affordable.
“You see unemployment income. How do you still say, oh, OK, we’re going to charge you $1,569 at a market rate rent?” Black said.
She says it’s her hope this investment and others in the pipeline will offer people like her an opportunity to find stability.
“Me being adamant about staying here in Newark is because I want to show that different part. I am that ex-offender, I am that single teen mom, so I beat all of those statistics. So why are we not getting the services? Why are we not provided with those resources after surviving that life?” Black said.
A recent Redfin study found rents in Newark have gone up by a third on average in the last year throughout the city, and the mayor has rolled out nearly two dozen projects like this one to try to counter that rise.
A teacher’s aide at a north New Jersey school has been charged after he was accused of assaulting a 7-year-old student with autism.
Corey D. Foushee, who works at Quitman Street Community School in Newark, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a spokesperson with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday. NJ.com was first to report the news.
The charges stem from disturbing allegations detailed in a notice of claim the child’s mother filed against the Newark Board of Education. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, alleges that on April 13 Foushee “viciously assaulted” the boy, according to NJ.com.
The boy told his mother that Foushee pushed him to the floor, dragged him and then pushed him down the stairs, the news outlet reports. The mother took her son to a doctor who told her to call the police.
Officers wrote in a police report that the child had bruises on his back, chin and arms and had an injury to his tooth “which was bleeding.” The notice of claim states that a teacher witnessed the alleged incident.
The mother plans to sue the board of education for $2.5 million, NJ.com reports. Her attorney and the police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
The board of education said it “cannot and does not comment on pending litigation or on any matter involving an individual student.”
It’s not clear if Foushee has obtained an attorney.
A teacher’s aide at a north New Jersey school has been charged after he was accused of assaulting a 7-year-old student with autism.
Corey D. Foushee, who works at Quitman Street Community School in Newark, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday. NJ.com was first to report the news.
The charges stem from disturbing allegations detailed in a notice of claim the child’s mother filed against the Newark Board of Education. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, alleges that on April 13, Foushee “viciously assaulted” the boy, according to NJ.com.
The boy told his mother that Foushee pushed him to the floor, dragged him and then pushed him down the stairs, the newspaper chain reported. The woman took her son to a doctor, who told her to call the police, it reported.
Officers wrote in a police report that the child had bruises on his back, chin and arms and an injury to his tooth, “which was bleeding.” The notice of claim says a teacher witnessed the alleged incident.
The mother plans to sue the school board for $2.5 million, NJ.com reported. Her attorney and the police did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.
The school board said it “cannot and does not comment on pending litigation or on any matter involving an individual student.”
It is not clear whether Foushee has an attorney.
Mayor Dan Reiman of Carteret announced via social media on Thursday that Jack McGreevey, father of former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey who served from January of 2002 to November of 2004, has passed away.
While no specific information was available as to viewing or funeral arrangements, Mayor Reiman expressed his condolences and prayers to the family. Jack McGreevey was a United States Marine in the Second World War as well as the Korean War and had served as a drill instructor.
Reiman said that McGreevey had “served as Grand Marshall of our Memorial Day parade a few years ago and was an active member of the VFW. He and his wife Veronica were longtime Carteret residents. They met at Seton Hall University and were married for 62 years, until her passing in 2018.”
McGreevey is survived by three children–James, Caroline, and Sharon–and grandchildren Morag, Jacqueline, Christopher, and Catherine.
“I have ordered all flags in the Borough be flown at half-staff in Jack’s honor,” the mayor said, marking the town’s mourning for one of their most prominent families.
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New Jersey’s 11th – Yesterday, during the League of Women Voters (LWV) debate, Pro-Life candidate Toby Anderson offered his plan to introduce his “True Choice” legislation, Notably, primary opponents Tayfun Selen and Paul DeGroot declined to participate in the LWV debate. Toby Anderson renews his challenge for all candidates to participate in a minimum of two debates.
Toby’s plan for the “True Choice Act:”
1. All Abortion providers throughout the US, at the federal government’s expense, will be required to offer and have the ability to deliver bab(ies) prematurely rather than proceed with the abortion, giving the mother a true choice even up to the moments before the scheduled abortion operation.
2. In order to eliminate one of the primary motivations for abortions and to demonstrate an understanding of the difficulties some expectant mothers face, the mother will be released of all financial, legal and personal obligation to the child(ren) when they choose to give birth to them.
3. The federal government will pay for the cost of the birth, NICU care and the fostering of the child(ren) until adoption.
4. The federal government will provide guaranteed loans to clinics to obtain the necessary equipment and supplies needed to add this capability to their facilities.
5. The Federal Government will fund research to make babies viable at even earlier stages of pregnancy with the appropriate care.
6. This legislation will criminalize the sale or use of aborted fetal tissue. Only tissue resulting from a natural miscarriage would be allowed to be used and/or sold for scientific purposes. This is to reduce commercial motivations to encourage abortions.
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