Author: ECCYC

TRENTON – A group of State Board of Education members was rebuffed in its last-minute bid to pause the state’s new health and sex education standards, with the board president saying it’s not clear there’s even a way to do it but that it certainly wouldn’t happen when it wasn’t on the published agenda.

In addition to those procedural concerns, the acting education commissioner and a majority of board members also defended the standards, which were adopted in 2020 but have suddenly become a source of controversy amid changing political winds and their approaching effective date in September.

Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan said she wholeheartedly disagrees with critics who say new health and sex education standards should not be taught in New Jersey schools.

“It is a disservice and actively harmful to deny our students medically accurate, age- and developmentally appropriate information about their bodies and about the personal and interpersonal relationships that shape childhood, adolescence and young adulthood,” she said.

Allen-McMillan said there are some lesson plans and materials she personally wouldn’t select for a classroom as a mother and former teacher, administrator and school board member. But she said it’s up to local districts to decide how to meet the standards and to people to opt out if that’s their choice.

Four board members pushed for the delay, including Mary Beth Berry, who said there needs to be a better solution than telling parents to opt out their children from lessons if they want.

“I’d rather us make sure we get the standards correct, that we have those guidelines in place. And I would really like to see us review this more so that we have a better plan,” Berry said.

Board of Education President Kathy Goldenberg said local school boards decide the appropriate way to meet the standards and has qualms about a community telling districts what they can and cannot teach.

“Are we going to go back to saying the world’s flat, not round? Are we going to go back to say we didn’t have evolution; we were all created equal by a deity?” Goldenberg said.

Board member Ron Butcher said people are appointed to the State Board of Education to do what’s in the best interest of children, not promote a personal ideology.

“We all have our personal opinions. We all have our personal beliefs. But that’s not why we were put on the State Board of Education,” Butcher said.

Vice President Andrew Mulvihill said board members shouldn’t have to put aside their morality and religion in handling this issue. He said lots of people are offended and upset by the standards and feel they aren’t balanced.

“There’s actually a political view. It’s not all science and it’s not all just experts,” Mulvihill said. “There’s a political and a moral view that is being put forth by the state of New Jersey on some of these issues.”

Board member Joseph Ricca says discussion of the issue is seeking to scare parents by focusing on suggested lessons that no schools are teaching.

“To start talking about things like limiting education to topics that make us comfortable or banning books because we don’t like what they say, these are un-American steps,” Ricca said. “These are fear tactics.”

Republican lawmakers criticized the State Board of Education for not pausing the start date for implementing the standards.

“By ignoring the legitimate concerns raised by parents across the state and rubber-stamping the Murphy administration’s agenda-driven priorities, the education commissioner and state board members failed the families of New Jersey,” said Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris.

“From the outreach we’ve gotten from superintendents, teachers, board of education members and parents, it’s clear they feel completely blindsided by the new requirements that have been forced upon their districts with little to no guidance other than inappropriate links on the state’s website,” said Sen. Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen.

On Monday, the Senate Education Committee is due to take up a bill requiring school boards to solicit parental input on sex education curriculum and post curriculum plans online.

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.

PITTSGROVE — There’s fresh grief in the township after a single-car crash that left one teen dead and another injured.

It’s the second teenage fatality here in as many months.

State Police said that 15-year-old Evan D’Anjou, of Pittsgrove, was killed when the Kia Optima he was a passenger in hit a tree near Deer Pen Park on Wednesday morning.

A 16-year-old male was driving the car west on McKishen Road after 6 a.m. when it went through the intersection of Route 553/Buck Road and off the road and struck the tree, police said, as reported by NJ.com.

D’Anjou was a motocross racer and was being mourned by the tight-knit community on social media.

“He was a young man with a big smile, a huge heart and an even larger personality. He was one of the rare individuals in life that leave an indelible mark on yours, from the very first moment you meet.

Although we only knew you for a short time, you and your father touched our lives, by always sharing with us your unmistakably genuine kindness and friendship,” according to Chris Anderson, owner of Millville racing facility NJMP Field of Dreams, in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram and Facebook.

In a letter to the community, Pittsgrove School Superintendent Matthew Carney said the teen lost in the crash was a student at Schalick High School.

Anyone with potential information or who witnessed the crash can call State Police Troop “A” Bridgeton Station at 856-451-0101.

Recent Pittsgrove school losses

Just a month ago, the Schalick High School community lost a 17-year-old student, who was riding a bike when he was struck and killed by a car not far from this week’s crash.

Christopher Jambor, of Elmer, was riding north along the southbound shoulder of Route 621/Lawrence Corner Road near the intersection with McKishen Road when he was fatally struck the evening of April 9, State Police said as reported by Daily Voice.

Last year, Pittsgrove school bus driver and cafeteria worker, Denise Powell, was killed in a bus crash while on her afternoon route from Olivet Elementary School.

The 70-year-old driver of an SUV who had veered into the path of the bus was also killed in the 2021 crash.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Law enforcement is seeking information from the public regarding an active investigation into a sexual assault that occurred in Morristown on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in the afternoon.

On May 3, 2022, at approximately 3:41 p.m., on the Traction Line Recreation Trail in Morristown, two males approached a female and asked for money. When the female victim did not provide money, one of the males pushed the victim to the ground and sexually assaulted her while the other male stood by. Thereafter, both suspects fled the area.

The suspects were unknown to the victim. Both suspects are pictured above and below in a screengrab of surveillance footage.

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office

One suspect is described as a Hispanic male with black hair, approximately 20 years of age, last seen wearing a white polo shirt and blue jeans.

A second suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 20 years of age, last seen wearing a black hat, black hoodie sweatshirt with white lettering on the back, and black pants. One of the suspects was also seen riding a bicycle.

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at 973-285-6200, the Morristown Bureau of Police at 973-538-2200, or Morris County CrimeStoppers at 1-800-SHERIFF (743-7433) or 973-COP-CALL (267-2255).

Persons reporting any information may remain anonymous. Information on how to submit an anonymous tip can be found on the CrimeStoppers Program website. CrimeStoppers tips can be provided by phone, submitted online, or by downloading the app (P3 TIPS).

The traction line in Morristown, NJ is a recreational trail that runs alongside the NJ Transit Morris & Essex Lines in Morris Township and Morristown.

Whereas all moms deserve what appears on the surface to be a break on Mother’s Day,

Whereas moms in New Jersey don’t have enough stress as is by living in the most congested place in the country and trying to make ends meet,

Whereas moms in New Jersey are already used to screaming and other chaos,

I decree that on Mother’s Day all New Jersey moms must be brought to an overcrowded, public Mother’s Day buffet.

Who decided this? It’s been going on forever so this wasn’t one of Gov. Murphy’s executive orders.

But apparently, somebody did. Because year in and year out so many of us flock to overbooked, overcrowded restaurants (that, by the way, on any other day of the year are wonderful eateries) and subject mom and the whole family to a “treat.”

How many times does this treat come with a 40-minute wait for a table you already had a reservation for, and a very limited “special” menu, and a line of the undead waiting for more clean plates to be brought from the kitchen because they can’t keep up with the horde.

Tables with chairs pushed so close together it’s like tight comedy club seating.

Kids having meltdowns dressed in nice clothing they didn’t want to wear that’s itchy on them and making them even more miserable.

Screaming. Oh, the toddlers screaming. Like the screaming of the lambs that Agent Clarice Starling heard.

Look, if you’ve had wonderful, peaceful, well-organized brunches for mom on Mother’s Day I’m happy for you. I’m not saying they can’t exist. I’m just saying I never found one.

But if you tell me you never had even one single Mother’s Day brunch of the overcrowded, chaotic, anxiety-inducing kind I’m describing here then I believe you are either filthy rich and rented the entire place out privately or you were hatched in a lab experiment and don’t even have a mother.

If you really want to treat mom, a single Xanax would be way more relaxing and not nearly as expensive.

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:

A convicted sex offender hiding from state police may be camping out in New Jersey’s state forests.

Theodore Blackson, 34, is currently wanted by law enforcement for violating his parole, according to the state Park Police. He is listed as a Tier 2 Moderate Risk and resides in Lawnside, according to the state sex offender internet registry.

“Blackson often camps in wooded areas along the Batona Trail,” authorities said. “In the past he has been seen pan handling in this area as well.”

The warning includes the area from Tabernacle Township to Bass River Township. It also includes Wharton State Forest and Bass River State Forest.

Blackson is five-feet-eleven-inches tall and weighs around 210 pounds, according to state police. He is known to wear green camo jackets.

Blackson was sentenced to eight years in prison for taking part in the 2009 sexual assault of a teenage girl in Camden County. Blackson, then-Lindenwold resident Brian Sanders, and an unidentified 17-year-old juvenile got the victim drunk and then sexually assaulted her in a Magnolia Little League dugout.

The two adult men each pleaded guilty in 2010 and received eight-year sentences in state prison. After their release, they were added to the state’s list of registered sex offenders under Megan’s Law.

The teenage attacker, who also pleaded guilty, was sentenced to two years in a juvenile detention center.

Anyone with information or who sees Blackson is asked to call the state Department of Environmental Protection hotline at 1-877-927-6337.

9 things New Jersey would rather ban than plastic bags

Two men from the Bayshore area of Monmouth County have been indicted by a Monmouth County Grand Jury for their roles in a double homicide that took place in Neptune Township on January 19, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced on Thursday.

On the night of the double murder in Neptune Township, 18-year old Samore Edwards of Plainfield and 19-year old Isaiah Williams of New Brunswick were found shot dead by police inside of a parked vehicle along the 1300 block of Washington Avenue around 8:15 pm following a reported shooting in the area.

Police said Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting while Williams was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune City, where he died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The investigation into the double murder continued as Neptune Township Police teamed up with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and Keansburg Police which led to 19-year old Gabriel J. Braithwaite of Keansburg and 22-year old Jeron D. Dearin of the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen Township being identified as the suspects.

Both men were arrested without incident in the beginning of February.

Following their arrests, Braithwaite and Dearin were eventually both charged with two counts of first-degree Murder and single counts of first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, two related second-degree weapons offenses, and third-degree Hindering Apprehension.

Acting Prosecutor Linskey said that if Braithwaite and Dearin are convicted of the charges, they will be subject to terms of up to life in state prison.

This case has been assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutors Matthew Bogner and Stephanie Dugan.

If you have any information that can help with this double homicide case, you’re urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Christopher Guy toll-free at 1-800-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Department Detective Darell Harris at 732-988-8000, extension 408.

The most heinous New Jersey murders that shook our communities

Here are New Jersey’s Most Wanted Criminals

New Jersey’s most disgraceful child predators and accused predators

Two Asbury Park residents will soon have a day in court after being arrested for possession of drugs at a traffic stop in Ocean Township, Monmouth County.

Police pulled over 35-year old Shamere J. McClaren of Asbury Park around 12:15 am on Tuesday morning on Route 35 South near East Mall Drive because of some traffic violations.

When officers searched McClaren though during their on-scene investigation, they found crack cocaine.

This discovery led to the arrest of McClaren for possession of CDS.

Then backup police officers from Ocean Township arrived at the scene and then a search of the vehicle was conducted and it led to the discovery of several wax folds containing heroin as well as several pieces of drug paraphernalia, police said.

At that point, 55-year old Beverly Bell of Asbury Park, who was the passenger in the pulled over vehicle, was also arrested.

McClaren and Bell were then brought to Ocean Township Police Headquarters for processing following their arrest at the motor vehicle stop.

Inside police headquarters, McClaren was charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

In addition to those charges, McClaren was also given several motor vehicle summonses.

Bell was charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

In addition to her initial charges, Bell was also issued two motor vehicle summonses.

McClaren and Bell were then released from police custody, pending an initial court appearance.

12 Times Being High Cost NJ Residents & Towns

Ten times drunk driving changed New Jersey Lives Forever

Here are New Jersey’s Most Wanted Criminals

Rutgers Global Health Institute is helping underserved communities in Essex, Mercer and Middlesex counties hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic offer residents accessible vaccination and testing.

The effort, funded by a New Jersey Department of Health grant, is breaking down many barriers low-income and minority populations can face in getting vaccinated and tested, including inaccessible locations, employment conflicts, immigration status, language barriers and cultural norms.

“Our program coordinators live in the communities we serve and speak the languages households primarily speak,” Richard Marlink, director of Rutgers Global Health Institute, said. “We are also going where the need is, providing pop-up clinics people can travel to without a car, and offering evening and weekend hours for people who cannot miss work to get vaccinated and tested.”

The grant has enabled significant expansion of the institute’s Equitable Recovery for New Jersey’s Small Businesses program, which originally launched in New Brunswick, followed closely by Newark.

The program offers a wide range of services to help small businesses in low-income and minority communities that have faced economic and operational challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Services include education and training to help businesses navigate evolving guidance, on-site consultations to assess and address individual business needs and many additional areas of support for employers, employees and their families, such as food assistance, housing support and medical and mental health services.

The Equitable Recovery program has expanded to the city of Trenton. The program’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing services have expanded beyond the city and now include all of Mercer County, as well as Middlesex and Essex counties. In these three counties, vaccination and testing services are being offered in the communities that need the most support.

In Middlesex County, the city of Perth Amboy — where only 33% of the eligible population has received a booster shot, as opposed to 58% countywide — has emerged as a significant area of need. Only 75% of children ages 5 to 11 have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series, compared with 97% of children in Middlesex County.

Rutgers Global Health Institute has partnered with local organizations to host two vaccination events and one COVID-related health and awareness event in Perth Amboy. The institute is also working with these local partners to roll out Equitable Recovery program services in Perth Amboy.

The program offers vaccination and testing clinics in nontraditional locations that are deeply embedded in communities, such as places of worship, schools and restaurants. One weekly clinic in New Brunswick, which is open to the public, is on the stage and in the lobby of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.

Each location has program coordinators who are fluent in both English and Spanish. In Essex County, language support is also available in Haitian Creole, due to the significant Haitian immigrant community in greater Newark.

Program officials plan to continue expanding support to underserved communities in New Jersey, even after the pandemic ends.