Political Predictions for 2018

National  Politics:

Defying historical trends and mainstream media polling, the Republican Party will expand its majority in the both U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.  Congressman Frank Pallone will not become a Committee Chairman.

President Donald Trump’s personal approval ratings will hover between 35-45%.  His job approval rating will exceed 50% nationally and in NJ as the economy continues to grow and as threats from ISIS and North Korea are neutralized. Read the rest of this entry »

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First-responders save Golden Retriever who’d fallen through ice in Howell

Police officers, emergency management personnel and firefighters sprang to action Thursday afternoon to rescue a pet dog that had fallen through the ice of a partly frozen pond in Howell Township. A resident of the Villages development called 911 around 1:30 p.m. and reported that her nine-year-old Golden Retriever, “Duke,” was struggling in the frigid water… Read the rest of this entry »

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Apple apologizes for slowing iPhones, offers discounted batteries

Apple on Thursday apologized to its customers for slowing down performance of older iPhone models and said it would discount replacement batteries for some of its handsets. The move by Apple responded to an uproar from iPhone users — and a series of lawsuits — after news of the battery problems stoked concerns the company was… Read the rest of this entry »

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The IRS has spoken. Can you deduct your 2018 property tax prepayments?

Taxpayers are scrambling to prepay their 2018 property taxes and municipal clerk offices are adding hours to cope with the demand as homeowners look to save money before new limits on state and local tax deductions kick in. It’s not entirely clear yet, however, whether all of those efforts will pay off. Here’s what local government… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, December 29-31, 2017

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, December 29

• The Big Holiday Show (Middletown) – MORE INFO
• Winter Solstice: Artisan Crafts Holiday Market (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Visit 1883 Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO
• Collingwood Indoor Flea Market (Farmingdale) – MORE INFO

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Christie orders N.J. towns to accept 2018 property tax prepayments

Any New Jersey homeowner rushing to town hall to pay next year’s property tax bills before the new federal tax law kicks in Monday no longer needs to worry about being turned away. Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday issued an executive order requiring that all municipalities in the state accept 2018 property tax payments and allow… Read the rest of this entry »

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10 years later, Christmas Eve slaying still haunts authorities, widow

There are nearly two-dozen cold cases in Monmouth County since 1990. But for the authorities here, the death of Cesar Torralba in 2007 stands out. “Some cases are just so senseless and gut-wrenching that it demands special attention,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said. Torralba, 35, left his home on Sixth Street in Asbury Park in… Read the rest of this entry »

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Pardoned by Christie, Shaneen Allen pushed for change to U.S. gun laws

The handgun that Shaneen Allen was carrying when she was pulled over on a New Jersey highway could have sent her to prison for years if not for a pardon from Republican Gov. Chris Christie. Now the legal saga that kept the Pennsylvania mother of two in jail for 48 days has helped inspire a measure… Read the rest of this entry »

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Trump Cuts Funding To U.N, After Israel Vote

The U.S. will cut its 2018 contributions to the United Nations by $285 million—nearly 25 percent—an announcement that comes days after more than 120 nations criticized the United States for its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Ambassador Nikki Haley made the announcement Sunday, but blamed the world body for its budgetary excesses… Read the rest of this entry »

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Good news for Sandy victims: House limits FEMA ability to demand disaster repayments

WASHINGTON — U.S. House legislation to help victims of the most recent hurricanes also would help some of those who suffered losses under Hurricane Sandy. The hurricane relief bill, which awaits Senate passage, would limit to three years the time the Federal Emergency Management Agency can demand repayments from disaster victims. Thousands of letters have been… Read the rest of this entry »

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