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Ten years ago this week, a 17-year-old Bridgeton man was shot and killed in Millville and police are still searching for who pulled the trigger.

Tyler Bassett died on October 10, 2011, after suffering gunshot wounds the night before while on the 700 block of Buck Street in Millville.

Shortly after the shooting, NJ.com reported,

A fight that started with just a few females grew into a brawl between about 60 people on Buck Street … prior to the shooting. Police broke it up. Small crowds of people were left and began to disperse. An hour later, a white van pulled onto the street, the people in the van couldn’t be identified, but there were guns. As the van drove through, an unknown gunmen opened fire on Buck Street at 9:33 p.m.

Bullets that were fired from that van hit Bassett, who, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, was taken to Cooper Hospital in Camden where he later died.

In an interview with NJ.com, Troy Milbourne, Bassett’s stepfather, said he had been out of school due to past criminal activity but had just returned, determined to turn his life around.

Anyone who may remember anything about the night of that shooting is urged to visit the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office website to submit a tip.

Here are the FBI’s Most Wanted for Crimes Against Children

I only lead New Jersey Playbook off with the biggest news. So here we go:

Jack Ciattarelli has gone after Phil Murphy for not being New Jersey enough. For eating pizza badly. For liking the Red Sox. And for just generally being rich and out of touch.

But now New Jersey Democrats are using New Jersey’s (alleged) love of the four letter word to challenge Ciattarelli’s own Jersey credentials.

The Democratic State Committee dug up articles about a 1994 Raritan ordinance Ciattarelli voted for when he sat on its council to ban swearing. Then they put out a “man on the street” style video of people cursing out Ciattarelli.

The ordinance made national news when it passed. There wasn’t much follow up on it after a few years, and so during yesterday’s holiday I was unable to find whether it’s still on the books. I’ll work on that today.

Whatever the case, it’s hard not to laugh thinking about how in New Jersey, not having a potty mouth is considered a political liability. At least among some. Or does this threaten to offend people by playing into crass stereotypes? Say, when was the last time you heard Phil Murphy swear?

“Jack is living rent-free in Governor Murphy’s head,” said Ciattarelli adviser Chris Russell. “Phony Phil from Massachusetts is desperate to ‘act Jersey’ and I guess he thinks feeding into the worst stereotypes about the state is the way to do it. What’s next – auditioning to replace Ronnie on Jersey Shore next season? If so, I suggest he get back to his Italian Villa after he loses and works on that tan.”

WHERE’S MURPHY? At Rowan in Glassboro for his second and final debate with Ciattarelli at 8 p.m.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I have been on every side of the ‘line’ fight — and won each time.” — State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email Katherine at [email protected] HATE MAIL? Email Matt at [email protected].

SPECIAL THANKS to Katherine and Daniel for handling Playbook Friday. Please don’t tell my editors you liked it better that day.

A TOTALLY NON-POLITICAL EVENT — Harris visits New Jersey to build support for child care in reconciliation bill, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: Child care deserts, working moms and a $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill were top of mind for Vice President Kamala Harris as she traveled through North Jersey on Friday to drum up support for the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda. With North Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer causing headaches for progressives over his attempts to decouple the reconciliation bill from a separate $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, Harris used a visit to Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s neighboring 11th Congressional District to spotlight how the Build Back Better legislation would benefit working families in the Northeast. Gottheimer said he is supportive of both bills, and “I’m committed to doing what it takes to get them both across the finish line.”

—“How Phil Murphy is taking full advantage of the power of incumbency in N.J. governor’s race,” by NJ Advance Media’s Matt Arco and Brent Johnson: “Gov. Phil Murphy spent much of Friday crisscrossing Essex County with one of the nation’s most famous officials. Vice President Kamala Harris trekked to New Jersey to discuss child care and COVID-19 vaccinations, with Murphy at her side. And at the trip’s end, they even stopped at a Newark cupcake shop together. It wasn’t technically a campaign event for Murphy, a Democrat who’s up for re-election next month. But it might as well have been … The high-profile appearances are on top of a gubernatorial schedule often peppered with events in which Murphy signs feel-good bills into law.”

—Snowflack: “Murphy, Klobuchar, and ‘the enthusiasm gap’”

THIS MONEY WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON 2,500 LASER POINTERS FOR FOOTBALL COACHES — “Jack Ciattarelli takes aim at Lakewood for its $1 million-a-year school board lawyer,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Joe Strupp: “Two days after Gov. Phil Murphy called school board attorney Michael Inzelbuch’s $1 million annual payout from taxpayers “eye-popping,” GOP opponent Jack Ciattarelli said there was a ‘fundamental problem’ with Inzelbuch’s compensation. ‘That’s excess compensation and that Board of Education needs to be held accountable,’ Ciattarelli said during a meeting with editors Thursday. He later noted that ‘a discussion needs to be had as to what is the right approach to public school financing in Lakewood.’”

—“COVID relief money would build new schools in poor areas, Jack Ciattarelli says”

—“New Jersey GOP candidate vows to ‘declare economic war’ on New York”

HISTORY —“15 things you should know about the new legislative redistricting tiebreaker,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “After Kean won the 1981 gubernatorial election by 1,797 votes, Carchman found himself in the middle of the most consequential event in New Jersey political history as one of the prosecutors investigating allegations of massive voter intimidation. A group funded by the Republican National Committee hired off-duty police officers to wear ‘Ballot Security Task Force’ armbands, place large signs at polling places explaining that people could go to jail for voter fraud, and placing aggressive challengers inside polling locations targeting communities of color. Carchman declined to press criminal charges against those involved in the Trenton ballot security effort, but the event led to the Democratic National Committee alleging Voting Rights Act violations in a federal lawsuit.”

HOW TO ALIENATE TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS — “Ciattarelli isn’t crazy about N.J. legalizing weed. Could he slow things down if elected?” by NJ Advance Media’s Amanda Hoover: “Reversing the referendum would not only prove widely unpopular (67% of voters said yes to the ballot question last year), but isn’t so easily done … In a Democratic-controlled Legislature, getting an anti-legalization question before voters would be all but impossible. … A reluctant governor has hampered the industry before. Former Gov. Chris Christie’s made the medical marijuana program among the more restrictive in the nation after inheriting it from his predecessor Gov. Jon Corzine. Through the state Department of Health, Christie kept the first round of licensing small. And the medical program languished as Christie sought guidance on the clash of federal and state law on marijuana … ‘The governor could severely hamper the nascent cannabis industry if inspired to do so,’ said Fruqan Mouzon, chair of the Cannabis Practice Group at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, and the former general counsel for the state Senate Majority Office.”

LTCS — “Families reach $6.2M settlement in 2018 Wanaque Center outbreak that killed 11 children,” by The Record’s Scott Fallon: “Thirteen families of children who either died or became severely ill from a viral outbreak in 2018 at a pediatric nursing home in Wanaque have reached settlements totaling $6.2 million with the facility’s former owners and other entities. Reached within the past month, the settlements mark a partial end to one of the biggest nursing home disasters in New Jersey history prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven children died and 25 others were sickened at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation from an adenovirus that spread rapidly in part because the facility had poor infection control measures, investigators found. ‘This was a siren call for what the world needed to be prepared for when the pandemic hit,’ said Paul da Costa, an attorney who represents the 13 families. ‘It showed that all long-term facilities needed to take their duty and obligation all the more seriously and remember it is something that should never be betrayed.’”

THEY NEED AN INTRODUCTION — “School nurses: We’re now the ‘de facto health department,’” by NJ Spotlight News’ John Mooney: “School nurses — about 2,500 of them statewide — have long played a big role in New Jersey’s public schools, even in the healthiest of times. But with COVID-19 omnipresent, nurses are now tasked with serving as what one called the ‘de facto health department,’ tracking cases and their contacts. Nurses are facing special stresses and strains — and calling for help. ‘It’s not sustainable,’ said Eileen Gavin, president-elect of the state’s school nurse association and a Monmouth County high school nurse. ‘I have people who are reaching out and saying they are just holding on,’ Gavin said.”

RADIO STATION WITH ALL WHITE ON-AIR ‘TALENT’ TAKES ISSUE — “NJ state agency asks employees to avoid speaking at all-white, all-male panels,” by NJ 101.5’s Erin Vogt: “The New Jersey Economic Development Authority confirmed its existing Event Process and Governing Policy when asked about it by New Jersey 101.5. The policy has been in effect for more than a year. ‘Under most circumstances, NJEDA staff should not participate when the panel/speakers are wholly comprised of white males,’ a spokesperson said in a written response. ‘If staff are asked to participate in such a panel, they should inform the requester of NJEDA’s policy and, if appropriate, may suggest additional, diverse speakers.’”

—NJ Transit looks to advance bridge key to Gateway project

—“COVID-19 deaths means thousands now orphaned”

—“Polistina calls for county to partner with running Atlantic City, more dredging”

R.I.P. — “George Richardson, former Assemblyman first elected in 1961, dies at 90”

—“Report: N.J. Parole Board too often refuses to release inmates, needs oversight”

—“Bail reform pays dividends as number of low-risk defendants jailed pre-trial drops again”

—“Jersey City police union backs Murphy, Fulop”

—Stile: “Ciattarelli steers clear of a big tax cut promise — a break from the GOP playbook”

—Moran: “Offshore wind is coming. It’s Murphy’s legacy accomplishment”

—Steinberg: “The final lap: Ciattarelli and the New Jersey politics of race”

GOT THE LINEHEIMER — Josh Gottheimer is taunting the ‘far left.’ He’s still unlikely to face a serious primary, by POLITICO’s Matt Friedman: The three-term congressman from New Jersey has led a small group of Democrats who have sought to decouple the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a larger $3.5 trillion Democratic-backed spending bill. That went against the legislative strategy not just of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, but of the Biden administration as well. The fight has energized some party activists, who say Gottheimer is ripe for a primary challenge after he’s taken shots at the “far left” for trying to “kill an historic infrastructure bill” — and even Speaker Nancy Pelosi … But by all appearances, Gottheimer is not feeling any heat from the left, even as activists hold protests outside his suburban North Jersey district office, about 25 miles from New York City. No primary opponents have emerged to challenge Gottheimer in 2022, partly because he’s a massive fundraiser who, sitting on $11 million in campaign cash, would dominate the airwaves in the nation‘s most expensive media market … Also working in Gottheimer’s favor is New Jersey’s unique ballot system, which gives sweeping influence over primaries to party leaders and makes the already tough challenge of ousting an incumbent even more daunting.

NOT THE ACTIONS OF SOMEONE WORRIED ABOUT A PRIMARY CHALLENGE — “Rep. Josh Gottheimer hires Republican Ron Desantis staffer to craft his legislative agenda,” by The Intercept’s Sara Sirota: “While Gottheimer refers to Colvin as a ‘former’ Republican who shifted to the Democratic Party after Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, she led DeSantis’s legislative affairs between May 2015 and July 2016, according to her Legistorm profile, as he advocated far-right policies that Trump himself would go on to implement.”

TRUMP SUPPORTERS: MEAN TWEETS ARE DISQUALIFYING — GOP senators target Pentagon nominee over ‘offensive’ tweets, by POLITICO’s Connor O’Brien: “Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday said they were opposed to Pentagon nominee Brenda Sue Fulton, citing her past tweets and statements criticizing the GOP and evangelicals. During a confirmation hearing for a trio of nominees, several Republicans — including Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Rick Scott of Florida, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Dan Sullivan of Alaska — said they would outright oppose Fulton’s confirmation to be assistant secretary of Defense for manpower and reserve affairs. The rocky session was reminiscent of the rough reception GOP senators gave Colin Kahl, whom President Joe Biden nominated to be the Pentagon’s top policy official, over his tweets. Kahl was later confirmed … Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, followed by other Republicans, noted a January 2018 tweet labeling the GOP ‘racist’ for not calling out racism. “Let’s be real,” Fulton wrote. “When one of our two national political parties is unable to call out racism, our system is broken. It’s not a political statement to say the GOP is racist; it’s a moral statement, and one backed up by an increasing mountain of evidence. #FixThis.”

FWEEDOM — Senators call on DOJ to decriminalize marijuana, by POLITICO’s Mona Zhang: Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D.N.J.) are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to decriminalize marijuana. The pair sent a letter to Garland this week, asking him to remove marijuana from the federal controlled substances list. The senators are calling on Garland to use his authority under the Controlled Substances Act to remove marijuana as a scheduled drug in consultation with the HHS secretary. “Decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level via this descheduling process would allow states to regulate cannabis as they see fit, begin to remedy the harm caused by decades of racial disparities in enforcement of cannabis laws, and facilitate valuable medical research,” the senators wrote.

—“Feds interview residents, staff at two NJ veterans homes where 194 died from COVID-19”

—Testa: “Congress needs to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill”

HOW TO EMOTIONALLY SCAR YOUR CHILD — “Beachwood father refused to bring COVID-exposed child home, yelled at staff: police,” by The Asbury Park Press’ Nicholas Fernandez: “A borough man screamed at Beachwood Elementary School staff Thursday and refused to bring his child home after being told the student was required to quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19, police said. John Wehrle showed up at the school and started screaming at staff members in the main office, demanding to speak to the vice principal, after receiving a call from the school nurse that he needed to pick up his child due to exposure to the virus, according to officials … The parent entered the building without approval, following behind contractors who had just been buzzed in, according to police … Wehrle continued to refuse to take the student home, but later agreed after Meissner said he would call the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, according to authorities.”

—“Disastrous flooding, pollution threaten Navesink, Shrewsbury rivers”

—“Rescues say they’ll take N.J. zoo animals caught in Ida floods. County still assessing zoo’s future”

TIME FOR SOME GAMBLING PROBLEMS IN FORT LEE — “At the George Washington bridge casino, your bets are a bike ride away,” by The New York Times’ David Waldstein: “You can spot them, especially on autumn Sundays, sitting by their bicycles, scooters and Vespas on the New Jersey side of the bridge, staring at their phones as they process the numbers on their screens … New York legalized online sports gambling in April, but until the state negotiates a deal with an operator — which is likely to take months — bettors cannot wager on sporting events on their phones within the state lines. They could go to a handful of brick-and-mortar sports books upstate, but the closest one to Manhattan is hours away. The entrance to the George Washington Bridge, on the other hand, is close to thousands of people who live in Upper Manhattan and even the Bronx. Cooper’s home is only 18 blocks from the entrance to the bridge, and like other savvy Manhattan and Bronx residents, he hops on his bike — avoiding the toll of up to $16 for cars — and crosses the imaginary boundary separating the two states. Once a person’s phone confirms they are officially in Fort Lee, N.J., they can legally bet on applications such as DraftKings and FanDuel.”

I DON’T KNOW, BUT THE FINAL WORD ON COLD CUTS WILL BE WRITTEN BY PETE GENOVESE — “Will the final word in the biggest ‘cold case’ in N.J. history be written by this man?” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “With the stunning order this past week by the New Jersey Supreme Court to reconsider its controversial split 3-3 decision on whether the evidence was sufficient to convict Lodzinski of the murder in the death of her 5-year-old son some three decades ago, the senior judge of the Appellate Division was temporarily assigned to hear renewed arguments in the case. That role will fall to Judge Jose L. Fuentes. Assuming none of the six justices on the high court are swayed one way or another in a new round of oral arguments later this month, Fuentes would be the tie-breaker in the high-profile case of a woman who was found guilty in the death of her young boy almost a quarter century after she first reported him missing in 1991.”

AND VOORHEES IS PROBABLY JASON’S ANCESTRAL HOME — “Inside New Jersey’s spooky connection to a horror movie classic, ‘Halloween’,” by The Courier-Post’s Tammy Paolino: “While the iconic Halloween slasher film is set in a fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, it is inspired, at least in part, by the upbringing of the late cinematographer Debra Hill, who was born in Haddonfield, in Camden County, and later moved to Philadelphia.”

—“New Jersey’s tidal wetlands could disappear because of sea rise, says Rutgers study”

—“Vicious beatings, fence crucifixions. N.J. corrections officer turned prison kitchen into ‘Fight Club,’ feds, prisoners say”

—”Still not the season to be jolly: After the CDC flubs COVID holiday guidance, businesses and public health experts are wary about the holidays“

—“‘No end in sight’: Coalition argues $1.5B in NJ beach replenishment has been a waste”

—“‘Shopping sheet’ gives New Jersey college students a true financial loan picture”

REMINDER: Today is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election. But if you’re interested enough in New Jersey politics to read this far into the newsletter, then there is zero chance you’re not registered already.

Nurses have been on the front line of pandemic response since the beginning. There have been countless stories of fatigue, burnout and even symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Unless you have seen it for yourself, how can you relate?

That’s the idea behind a new helpline for nurses being launched by Rutgers. It’s called Nurse2Nurse.

In partnership with the New Jersey Nursing Initiative, the hotline will be staffed with retired or former nurses who have been specially trained in mental health support.

The American Nurses Foundation released a survey that more than half of all nurses are feeling anxious or irritable, 6-in-10 feel overwhelmed and nearly three-quarters are experiencing exhaustion all due to the pandemic.

Barbara Brilliantine is a nurse and one of the peer counselors who will be working the hotline. “As nurses, it can be hard to share what’s going on with us,” she says, “So we keep it inside.” Brilliantine called the hot line a “sacred space” for nurses to get the mental help they need.

All calls are anonymous.

Nurses, and thier families, can access the peer help Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by calling 844-687-7301. Additional support and resources are available at www.nurse2nursenj.com.

NJ towns and their nicknames

FAR HILLS – It will be well worth waiting a year for.

The 100th running of the Far Hills Race Meeting, also known as “The Hunt,” the premier autumn social and charity event in Central Jersey, was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

But the event is in the starting gate for Saturday and Guy Torsilieri, the longtime chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting, already knows who the winners will be – charity.

The steeplechase races, which attract 30,000 spectators to Moorland Farm on Route 202, have raised close to $20 million for Central Jersey health care organizations.

“Our community’s health care organizations have been vital resources during the pandemic and need our support to provide crucial care for locals,” said Torsilieri, who has been chairman since 1979. “We’re excited to welcome racegoers back to support these wonderful causes and experience our new race-day offerings.”

This year’s six beneficiaries are Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Crossroads4Hope, The Arc of Somerset County, Community in Crisis, LifeCamp and Bonnie Brae School. 

“Our beneficiaries have been tasked with caring for our community’s most vulnerable, and we’re honored to support them while also treating the community to this beloved tradition at the 100th running,” said Ron Kennedy, the other chairman. “It will be wonderful to see guests again after last year’s postponement for a day of thrill-seeking races.”

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Advance sales have been strong, Torsilieri said, with the best tailgating spots already gone. He said he expects same-day ticket sales to be strong.

“People are really tired of COVID and ready to come back,” he said.

To celebrate the 100th running, new this year will be the Centennial Tent at the finish line where a gourmet buffet will be open all day.

There will also be an open bar with Penelope Bourbon, which was started by Basking Ridge natives Mike Paladini and childhood next-door neighbor, Danny Polise. Guests can sip on race-day themed bourbon cocktails such as the Race Meeting Mule, Centennial Cider and Penelope’s Mint Julep. Additionally, Bedminster’s Burnt Mills Cider will be serving a special edition.

Far Hills Race Meeting:‘Drunken bro fest’ has been sobered, says racegoers

The richest day in American steeplechase racing has a $400,000 purse for its six races, including $150,000 for the feature race, the Grand National.

Pari-mutuel wagering will be available for the races but only through a smartphone app, 4NJBets, powered by TVG. There will be no pari-mutuel clerks on sight.

Torsilieri encourages bettors to download the 4NJBets app before the first race starts at 1:20 p.m. Bettors can also visit tvg.com/farhills250.

The races will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2 as part of Saturday’s edition of America’s Day at the Racing. The program, produced by the New York Racing Association, will alternate showing races between Far Hills and Belmont Park.

Larry Collmus, famed for calling the Triple Crown and the Breeder’s Cup, will be calling the Far Hills races.

The main sponsors of the event are Open Road Auto Group and Peapack-Gladstone Bank. Instead of having a raffle for a luxury car, the races will have a 50-50 raffle.

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The Far Hills Race Meeting traces its origins to the Essex Hunt, a fox hunting event founded in Montclair in 1870. In 1913, the organizers of the Essex Hunt incorporated as the Essex Fox Hounds.

The Essex Fox Hounds then created an event to thank the farmers and landowners who allowed them to hunt on their property. The Farmer’s Day Race Meeting, as it became known, included the New Jersey Hunt Cup Steeplechase — a race that remains on the Far Hills Race Meeting card today.

In 1916, the event moved from the original club site to the Grant B. Schley estate — today known as Moorland Farm. Eventually becoming the Far Hills Race Meeting, the races have been continually run – with the exception of a short hiatus during World War II – on the same site.

The day at the races

Gates open at 8 a.m. Post time for first race is 1 p.m. and the last race will be at about 4:30 p.m.

Admission tickets are sold race day at the gates for $220.

Races will run rain or shine. The forecast, as of Monday afternoon, is for temperatures in the 70s under partly cloudy skies.

Spectators are not permitted to bring any alcohol through the pedestrian gates. All admission tickets are electronically scanned as you enter the grounds.

Pets are not permitted on the grounds.

Everyone 14 and over entering Moorland Farm must have an admission ticket. Children under 14 are admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult

All attendees are responsible for cleaning up their space.

Take the tracks to the track

Once again, NJ Transit will be offering special rail service between Hoboken and Far Hills for the races. The Far Hills Station on the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines is located directly across Route 202 from Moorland Farm.

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Trains will depart Hoboken at least once per hour from 7:31 a.m. until 11:20 a.m., with more frequent service between 8:39 a.m. and 10:35 a.m.

Trains will depart Summit at least once per hour from 8:14 a.m. until 1:14 p.m., with more frequent service from approximately 9:10 a.m. until approximately 11:20 a.m.

Trains from Far Hills will leave from 3:59 p.m. until 7:03 p.m. Trains may depart Far Hills as they are filled, but the last train of the day will not depart Far Hills before 7:03 p.m.

There will be no rail service to or from the Peapack and Gladstone stations. Frequent shuttle bus service, operated by Lakeland Bus Company, will operate between Gladstone, Peapack and Far Hills throughout the day. Buses will operate at least every 30 minutes but may operate more frequently if customer demand warrants.

Outside the times shown above, Lakeland buses replace Gladstone Branch rail service between Gladstone and Summit.

To avoid lines, customers are strongly encouraged to purchase round-trip tickets in advance. Customers boarding at Far Hills without a valid ticket or pass will be required to purchase a special ticket prior to boarding the train for $20. The special ticket is valid until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 16 only for travel between Far Hills and any NJ Transit rail station.

Customers are required to wear masks while inside waiting rooms and on board all trains and buses.

NJ Transit will also be enforcing the ban on any beverages, including alcohol, in open or closed containers, on any train or bus.

Parking will be prohibited at Far Hills Station between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday.  The parking lot will be used for Far Hills Race Meeting transportation operations.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

NEW JERSEY — Below you will find the most up-to-date information on coronavirus news impacting New Jersey. You can find additional resources and coverage on our coronavirus page.

Vice President Kamala Harris visits NJ day care, vaccination site

Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss the state’s latest vaccination efforts. She visited a day care center to highlight child care provisions in the president’s spending proposal as well as a vaccination site at Essex Community College.

Children will feel impact of pandemic on mental health for years: UNICEF report

UNICEF released a critical report on Friday, Oct. 8, which found that children and young people could feel the impact of the pandemic on their mental health for many years to come.

COVID vaccine for kids: Doctor answers your questions

The Pfizer vaccine for kids could be on the market in about a month after the drug maker filed for FDA authorization Thursday, Oct. 7, for their shot for kids ages 5 to 11.

However, many parents still have questions about the children’s COVID vaccine. Dr. Sallie Permar, the head of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, joined the PIX11 Morning News on Friday, Oct. 8, to share more information and answer some of the biggest questions.

Pfizer’s request to OK shots for kids a relief for parents

Parents tired of worrying about classroom outbreaks and sick of telling their elementary school-age children no to sleepovers and family gatherings felt a wave of relief Thursday, Oct. 7, when Pfizer asked the U.S. government to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 to 11.

US hits 700,000 COVID deaths just as cases begin to fall

The United States reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone Friday, Oct. 1, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief.

NJ leaders take on ‘Mayors Vaccine Challenge’

Two New Jersey mayors are going head-to-head in an effort to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s all part of the ongoing vaccination campaign in the Garden State that has already propelled it as one of the nation’s leaders in the fight against COVID-19. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is squaring off with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in what the state is calling the “Mayors Vaccine Challenge.”

New Jersey surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases

As of Tuesday, Sept. 28, more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Jersey since the pandemic reached the state in 2020.

Pfizer submits data to FDA

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced they have submitted initial data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the Phase 2/3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11.

In the trial, which included 2,268 participants 5 to 11 years of age, the vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile and elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses using a two-dose regimen of 10 μg doses. 

NJ offers $500 ‘return to work bonus’ to unemployed residents

Unemployed New Jersey residents could earn a $500 bonus to return to the workforce as part of a new program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, Sept. 27. The “Return and Earn” initiative will offer the one-time bonus to folks who secure a job through the program, including positions that require on-the-job training.

Is it safe to trick-or-treat this Halloween? CDC weighs in

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Face the Nation that kids can trick-or-treat safely this year, adding, “If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely.”

CDC director overrules panel, backs booster for all adults in high-risk jobs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, Sept. 23, endorsed booster shots for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendations from a panel of advisers, but then overnight added one more the panel had rejected.

The panel had voted against saying that people ages 18 to 64 can get a booster if they are health-care workers or have another job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.

Walensky disagreed and put that recommendation back in, noting that such a move aligns with an FDA booster authorization decision earlier this week. 

FDA OKs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for 65 and older, high-risk Americans

The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger people with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high-risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.

J&J booster shot 94% effective 2 months after 1st dose

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, Sept. 21, said new data shows a second dose — or a booster shot — of their one-shot COVID vaccine was found to be 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 when given two months after the initial dose.

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11

Pfizer said Monday, Sept. 20, its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.

Child care facilities

Gov. Phil Murphy said all child care workers and facility employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face regular weekly testing. As of Sept. 24, all employees, students and children in a facility’s care ages two and up will need to wear masks indoors, with limited exceptions.

Moderna vaccine is most effective against hospitalization from COVID-19: study

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared how effective each of the three COVID-19 vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from the virus. The CDC reported that effectiveness was higher for the Moderna vaccine (93%) than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88%) and the J&J vaccine (71%).

New Jersey surpassed as state with highest rate of COVID deaths

Mississippi has surpassed New Jersey as the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with roughly 1 of every 320 Mississippians having succumbed to the coronavirus.

COVID-19 is ‘getting better’ at becoming airborne virus

Recent COVID-19 variants are much more adept at airborne transmission than the original version of the coronavirus, according to a new study. University of Maryland researchers analyzed the Alpha variant first identified in the United Kingdom and discovered that carriers breathe out 43 to 100 times more infectious viral aerosols than those infected with the original strain.

U.S. panel backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters only for 65 and over, high-risk

An influential federal advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to most Americans, but it endorsed the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.

COVID outbreaks in NJ schools

As of Wednesday, Sept. 15, there were six outbreaks in New Jersey schools, according to Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. An outbreak is defined as at least three cases that are epidemiologically connected and not from the same household.

The cases are a mix of students and staff, Persichilli said. More information will be released on the state Health Department website in the coming days.

EU removes US from safe travel list

The European Union recommended that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there.

COVID-19 variants significantly reduce protection of vaccines, prior infection: study

A new study confirms that vaccinations and even prior COVID-19 infection provide significantly less protection against newer variants. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University say in order to protect against the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta variants, these findings stress the importance of doubling down on both vaccinations and public health measures during the pandemic.

Mask debate moves from school boards to courtrooms

The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders in the name of keeping kids safe.

Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey’s statewide rent moratorium expires at the end of the year.

These foods are extra hard to find right now because of shortages, supply chain issues

Notice your grocery store shelves looking a little bare lately? You’re definitely not the only one. Supply chain issues have created shortages of highly specific ingredients.

‘It’s up to us’: Fauci says pandemic could possibly end by spring 2022

The nation’s top infectious disease expert believes the pandemic’s end is near as long as the U.S. follows the right protocols to contain COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s only open if the country’s 80 million to 90 million unvaccinated people are convinced to get the shot.

Comirnaty: What’s the story behind the new Pfizer vaccine name?

Comirnaty, who? It’s the same exact mRNA vaccine Pfizer has been producing through the emergency use authorization, but now it’s being marketed under a new name.

Is an earache a new COVID-19 symptom?

Doctors say they’re seeing a new COVID-19 symptom in some patients. According to experts, an earache has been reported more frequently by those testing positive for COVID. Earaches can cause pain, a feeling of blockage and sometimes muffled hearing.

NJ COVID hospitalizations top 1,000 for the first time since May: Gov. Murphy

For the first time since May, more than 1,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Jersey on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Gov. Phil Murphy said. There were 1,012 people hospitalized with COVID, 92 of whom were on ventilators, according to state Health Department data. The last time the state had more than 1,000 COVID hospitalizations was over three months ago on May 11, Murphy said.

Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine booster provides ‘rapid, robust’ response

Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, Aug. 25, announced new data the company said supports the use of its COVID vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with their single-shot vaccine.

J&J said the new data showed that a booster shot of their vaccine generated a “rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.”

NJ to require teachers, state workers be fully vaccinated

All school personnel and state workers in New Jersey will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, Aug. 23.

Will COVID booster shot have the same side effects as the first two shots?

The Biden administration said Wednesday, Aug. 18, that COVID booster shots will soon be available, but how will the Sept. 20 rollout work, and what side effects should Americans expect?

Lambda and B.1.621: New COVID variants could be the worst yet, doctor warns

At least two new COVID-19 variants have hit the United States and they could be worse than the delta variant in their infectiousness and ability to stand up to vaccines, according to a top medical authority.

U.S. health officials call for booster shots for all to battle COVID-19

U.S. health officials recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The announcement was made on Aug. 18.

August child tax credit payments issued: Here’s why yours might be delayed

The second installment of expanded child tax credits was issued on Aug. 13 to millions of eligible families, but some payments will likely be delayed due to a technical glitch, the U.S. Department of Treasury said.

Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards

The Senate’s top Democrat says federal law enforcement officials need to crack down on fake COVID-19 vaccination cards being sold online.

COVID claims more young victims as deaths climb yet again

The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation’s unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.

NJ county opens COVID booster shot appointments

Health care officials in a northern New Jersey county began offering COVID-19 booster shots to qualified residents on Aug. 14. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said appointments for a third shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine were open at vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark.

Concerts, outdoor events still risky as delta variant surges, experts say

Concerts and outdoor events are returning, and many are requiring proof of vaccination as part of new safety protocols designed to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. But while experts say being outdoors is less risky in general, they continue to recommend additional precautions for those visiting crowded outdoor venues.

Biden weighs stiffer vaccine rules as delta variant spreads rapidly across U.S.

When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that’s what it took to get shots in arms. But as new COVID infections soar, he’s testing a tougher approach.

Who doesn’t need the COVID-19 vaccine?

It has been eight months since the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers nationwide. Since then, the vaccine has become available to anyone over the age of 12. Experts explain the few instances in which a person would not qualify for, or should delay getting vaccinated.

Extra COVID shot OK’d for immunocompromised individuals

The FDA has approved an extra, third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for transplant recipients and others with severely weakened immune systems.

Fake COVID vaccine cards worry college officials

With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards.

COVID vaccines would be required for military under new plan

Members of the U.S. military would be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Sept. 15, under a plan announced by the Pentagon on Aug. 9 and endorsed by President Joe Biden.

What to do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccine card

Don’t worry if you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccine card, there are several ways you can get it replaced. No matter where you got your shots, getting a replacement card is possible.

Will NJ reinstate a travel advisory?

Gov. Murphy said on Aug. 9, a new travel advisory is not off the table, but for now he encouraged mask wearing, which is mandatory in all airports and on flights, and other COVID safety protocols. “You gotta use your head,” he added.

Will NJ mandate masks indoors?

Despite CDC data showing New Jersey falls under its guidance to wear masks indoors, Gov. Murphy said he will not yet mandate face coverings but added, “we leave all options on the table.”

COVID transmission levels call for indoor masking under CDC guidelines

Indoor masking is advised in areas with COVID transmission rates considered “substantial” or “high” under recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Aug. 8, all of New Jersey falls under those categories.

How do you know if you have the delta variant of COVID-19?

So you’ve tested positive for COVID – but which COVID exactly? Is there a way to tell if you have the highly transmissible delta variant? There is a way to tell, but there’s not really a way for you to tell.

COVID breakthrough cases: Is one vaccine better than others?

COVID-19 breakthrough cases are rising, and now people want to know which vaccine offers the best protection from the coronavirus.

Are kids more vulnerable to the delta variant of COVID-19?

Hospitals around the United States, especially in the South, are starting to fill back up again as the delta variant tears though the country. With previous waves of infection, we’ve been most worried about the elderly being vulnerable. Now, it’s younger people – even children – starting to show up in hospital beds.

U.S. averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day as delta surges

The United States is now averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day, returning to a milestone last seen during the winter surge in yet another bleak reminder of how quickly the delta variant has spread through the country. The U.S. was averaging about 11,000 cases a day in late June. Now the number is 107,143.

NJ schools mask mandate: Teachers’ union backs, Republicans slam Murphy decision

New Jersey Republicans have largely trashed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Aug 6 that masks will be required in all schools in the upcoming academic year.

Gov. Murphy mandates masks in schools

In a reversal of plans, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Aug. 6 a mandate for masks in schools for the upcoming academic year.

NJ health care workers must be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19

Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Aug. 6 mandating that all workers in state and private health care facilities either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested for it twice a week.

50% of U.S. population is fully vaccinated, White House says

The United States reached a vaccination milestone on Aug. 6: 50% of the population, all ages, were fully vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 data director confirmed.

CDC says people who’ve had COVID should get shot or risk reinfection

Even people who have recovered from COVID-19 are urged to get vaccinated, especially as the extra-contagious delta variant surges — and a new study shows survivors who ignored that advice were more than twice as likely to get reinfected.

‘You have lost your minds’: Murphy lashes out at anti-vax protesters

Gov. Phil Murphy ran out of patience for protesters against the COVID-19 vaccine at a bill signing in Union City on Aug. 4.

Warning of more delta mutations, Fauci urges vaccinations

The White House COVID-19 response team said the delta variant continues to surge across the country. During a briefing on Aug. 5, Dr. Anthony Fauci called on Americans to take precautions to stop the virus from mutating. “The ultimate end game of all this is vaccination,” he said.

Moderna says vaccine 93% effective after 6 months

Moderna said its COVID vaccine has 93% efficacy six months after the second shot, according to a report released on Aug. 5.

Can I get ‘long COVID’ if I’m infected after getting vaccinated?

It’s unclear, but researchers are studying the chances of long-term symptoms developing in anyone who might get infected after vaccination.

What is the delta plus variant of COVID?

The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is fueled by the highly contagious delta variant first identified in India late last year. Now, a variation of that variant is beginning to generate headlines. Here’s what we know about the COVID sub-strain being called delta plus.

Vaccine mandate for state colleges?

Currently, some state colleges in New Jersey are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students and staff and some have made it optional. Murphy said a universal mandate “is certainly an option,” but for now individual universities can make their own call.

More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Aug. 1 that more “pain and suffering” is on the horizon as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.

Walmart requiring COVID vaccination, masks for many employees

In a memo, Walmart announced that associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Walmart also required associates, including those fully vaccinated, to wear masks in its stores.

Iconic NJ restaurant The Fireplace closes after 65 years

A popular restaurant in New Jersey closed its doors after 65 years of service.

The Fireplace, like many other restaurants across the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily shuttered its doors before reopening in May, when they implemented drive-thru, takeout and curbside pickup followed by indoor dining in October.

New delta variant research makes strong case for vaccination

A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the delta variant is more dangerous and fast-spreading than first thought. The findings also made clear why efforts to get more people vaccinated are vital.

CDC data shows delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new information on July 30, saying the coronavirus delta variant can spread as easily as chickenpox.

Pfizer: COVID vaccine protective for at least 6 months

The effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but it remains strongly protective for at least six months after the second dose, according to company data released on July 28.

Disney World requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status

Beginning July 30, Disney World required all visitors ages 2 and older to wear a face covering while indoors as well as in Disney buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.

NJ mask guidance

Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli strongly recommended that both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents wear masks in indoor settings when there is increased risk.

CDC mask guidance: Vaccinated people should wear face coverings in public indoor settings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.

U.S. headed in ‘wrong direction’ on COVID-19, Fauci says

The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said on July 25.

Doctors warn about slightly different symptoms with delta variant of COVID

As concern grows regarding the COVID-19 delta variant, health leaders are warning about somewhat different symptoms that come with it.

Most unvaccinated Americans unlikely to get COVID-19 shots, new AP poll finds

A new poll shows that most Americans who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they are unlikely to get the shots. About 16% say they probably will get the vaccine.

Is asking about someone’s COVID vaccine status a HIPAA violation?

HIPAA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 during a time when medical records were being computerized. It was created to simplify the administration of health insurance and to prevent unauthorized access to peoples’ medical histories.

In fact, HIPAA doesn’t block anyone from asking another person about their health status, according to Alan Meisel, law professor and bioethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh.

Gov. Murphy holds off on reinstating mask mandate

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s not ready to reinstitute mask requirements, now or when schools are back in session in September. Murphy says he “is comfortable where we are” on mask mandates but is also closely monitoring developments.

Child tax credit checks: Will they become permanent?

The parents of an estimated 60 million American children began receiving child tax credit payments from the IRS in a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?

Biden grapples with ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’

President Joe Biden is confronting the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his ability to combat the persistent vaccine hesitance responsible for the summer backslide.

Child tax credit: When to expect payments, how it may impact tax returns

Payments for the highly anticipated expanded child tax credits were being sent to families in the tri-state area, and the rest of the nation, for the first time in mid-July. While the additional money may be very helpful for some families across the economic spectrum, the overall tax credit situation is complicated.

Common cholesterol drugs may significantly reduce risk of death from COVID-19: study

Statins, a common medication for lowering cholesterol, may be saving lives among patients with COVID-19. A new study reveals hospitalized coronavirus patients who take statins are much less likely to die from the illness.

WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak

The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said he is asking China to be more transparent as scientists search for the origins of the coronavirus.

Wildfire smoke linked to increased COVID-19 risk, study says

A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

What can I do if I didn’t get my child tax credit payment?

The official disbursement date for the first child tax credit payments from the Internal Revenue Service was July 15, but parents may not see the cash right away.

Delta now dominant COVID variant in New Jersey

The highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said on July 12. The governor urged New Jersey residents to get vaccinated against COVID if they haven’t already done so.

Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate

The global death toll from COVID-19 eclipsed 4 million in July as the crisis increasingly becomes a race between the vaccine and the highly contagious delta variant.

99 percent of U.S. COVID deaths are unvaccinated people: Fauci

America’s top infectious disease expert says about 99.2% of recent COVID-19 deaths in the United States involved unvaccinated people. And Dr. Anthony Fauci says “it’s really sad and tragic that most all of these are avoidable and preventable.”

There’s more to the worker shortage than pandemic unemployment, experts say

The workforce shortage is a combination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift in the economy, and changes in the workforce demographics, experts say.

Free health insurance included in stimulus benefits for unemployment recipients

Along with $1,400 stimulus checks and monthly child tax credit payments, the American Rescue Plan has another important benefit available to people who qualified for unemployment assistance this year: free health care.

Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?

Yes, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses. Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.

Workers enjoy the upper hand as companies scramble to hire

With the economy growing rapidly as it reopens from the pandemic, many employers are increasingly desperate to hire. Yet evidence suggests that as a group, the unemployed aren’t feeling the same urgency to take jobs.

Vaccine freebies

New York, New Jersey and several companies nationwide are offering incentives for those who get vaccinated, including free food and drinks.

Latest official indicators

As of Monday, there have been 1,018,600 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,806 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.

COVID-19 timeline: How novel coronavirus spread

Tips to protect yourself and others amid coronavirus outbreaks

An Egg Harbor Township man is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting three girls that he was babysitting.

29-year-old George Getty III was arrested, according to Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill, and charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, three counts of second-degree child endangerment, and one count of third-degree endangering of a child due to possession of child sexual abuse material.

Shill’s office says Getty III sexually assaulted three girls, ages 8, 10, and 13.

He was taken into custody last Saturday.

BreakingAC.com reports Getty III had been working as a kindergarten aide at Atlantic Christian School in the township.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Here are the FBI’s Most Wanted for Crimes Against Children

New Jersey’s most disgraceful child predators and accused predators

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – There’s a saying that goes something like this, “Nothing is ever truly deleted from the internet.”

Today, the Essex County Educators Association found that out. After Shore News broke a story on Monday about the Garden State Equity Ball that featured unmasked teachers and Governor Phil Murphy, the ECEA deleted its tweet and the photos.

Later, on Monday, the ECEA deleted the tweet and its photos from Twitter.

Related: Governor Phil Murphy parties indoors with maskless teachers union leaders while your kids are forced to mask up

“Murphy’s Law in the state of New Jersey declares that all faculty, students, and staff must wear face masks while in school. It requires them to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and the New Jersey Department of Health. Murphy’s Law also declares that those same teachers can party the night away indoors, maskless and without social distancing if the event includes Governor Phil Murphy and is without children. Murphy recommends that if you are unsure of the vaccination status of those around you, facemasks should be worn,” our original report stated.

Murphy and the NJEA leadership of the Essex County Educators Association attended the Garden State Equality Ball at the Asbury Lanes, a popular music venue in Asbury Park.

In photos shared on various social media platforms, few, if any of the attendees at the indoor portion of the event were photographed wearing face masks.

“Our 2nd VP Chris Cannella along with our LGBTQ+ Committee Chair Micah Gary-Fryer enjoyed the Garden State Equality Ball last night along with NJEA leadership and staff,” the ECEA tweeted about their leadership’s attendance at the event.

We reached out to Governor Phil Murphy’s office and Garden State Equality and did not receive any immediate response.

WOOLWICH — A township man was shot to death in his own home by his step-son, prosecutors announced Monday.

Woolwich Township Police responded to a 911 call Saturday after 4 p.m., according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officers found 43-year-old Dennis McKenzie at his Cottonwood Road home, dead after being shot in the head and back, authorities said.

McKenzie’s step-son, Christian Smith, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested at the scene.

An autopsy by the Gloucester County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed manner of death as homicide.

Smith, 23, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a weapon without a permit to carry.

He was being held at Salem County Jail, pending a detention hearing.