Santa gets his reindeer permit just in time for Christmas

IThe U.S.Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a movement permit to Mr. S. Claus of the North Pole yesterday, just in time for Claus’s annual global voyage, according to an announcement by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue.

We are pleased to report that @USDA_APHIS has issued a movement permit to a Mr. S. Claus of the North Pole to allow entry and exit of reindeer during the evening hours of December 24th and early morning hours of December 25th.

Official announcement: https://t.co/mHpTlmFbJF

— Sec. Sonny Perdue (@SecretarySonny) December 22, 2017

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Fair Sentence for Asbury Park Thug

James Fair

James Fair of Asbury Park won’t be going home for Christmas anytime soon.  Maybe never.

The 29 year old ringleader of the Bloods criminal street gang was sentenced to 82 years in state prison on Thursday.  Judge Joseph W. Oxley ordered that Fair serve 50 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

On September 27, 2017, Fair was found guilty on 78 charges following a summer-long trial, including charges of first degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first degree Racketeering Conspiracy, second degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, first degree Robbery, weapons offenses, and drug offenses. Read the rest of this entry »

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Christmas RAINES for thousands of New Jersey children

Over three hundred volunteers showed up at the former K-Mart on Route 35 in Hazlet last night.  37 of the men donned Santa suits, whitened their brows and reddened their cheeks.  50 or elves dressed in red and green got off the shelf to join the Santas and the other volunteers in loading up the fire trucks and vans with toys and bicycles that they had donated, sorted, wrapped and assembled over the prior two weeks.  Then they all headed out in 37 different directions to deliver the gifts to 340 Bayshore families, from South Amboy to Highlands, and a side trip to Long Branch.  Over 800 kids received gifts from Santa and his RAINE dears last night. Read the rest of this entry »

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Local governments could “weaken” if this property tax law dies, ratings agency says

Counties and municipalities will feel a budget crunch if the state Legislature doesn’t renew a 2 percent cap on the salaries police and firefighters can win through arbitration, a Wall Street Rating agency warned Wednesday. Echoing local government officials who’ve warned of impending tax hikes and spending cuts if the cap expires Dec. 31, Fitch Ratings… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie move will force a big boost in pension price tag for Phil Murphy

A small tweak to New Jersey’s pension system made by Gov. Chris Christie’s administration could create a huge headache for incoming Gov.-elect Phil Murphy, who will find state and local governments’ bills for public worker pensions jacked up by hundreds of millions of dollars. The state treasurer cut how much the state should assume it will… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, December 22-24, 2017

By Greg Kelly

Friday, December 22

• The Nutcracker at Axelrod PAC (Deal) – MORE INFO
• Winter Solstice: Artisan Crafts Holiday Market (Belmar) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Gift Gallery at Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Holiday Music Madness Hunt (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Visit 1883 Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters on Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Atlantic Cinemas Movie Night (Atlantic Highlands) – MORE INFO

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Congressman Chris Smith Votes ‘No’ on Tax Reform Legislation

Congressman Chris Smith

Congressman Chris Smith issued the following statement explaining his vote against the Tax Reform Legislation which passed the House of Represented and U.S. Senate on Tuesday: Read the rest of this entry »

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Curley Harassment Probe Cost $24K

Freeholder John P. Curley

The investigation into disgraced Freeholder John P. Curley’s harassment of Monmouth County employees cost taxpayers $24,075.00, according to documents obtained by MMM via OPRA request.

Former Acting Associate Supreme Court Justice Mary Catherine Cuff commenced the investigation by reviewing the County’s Anti-Discrimination policy on June 15, 2017, according to her invoice dated November 14, 2017.   Judge Cuff conducted four interviews in July and three interviews in August.   She spent 7.25 hours reviewing tape of Board meetings during the month of August. Read the rest of this entry »

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Disgraced Asbury Park cop to spend 10 years in prison for tipping off gangs

A former Asbury Park police officer was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in state prison for his role in a criminal organization that prosecutors say terrorized the city. A jury in September found Keith German, 49, guilty of three counts of official misconduct, including hindering the apprehension of gang members. German, a 16-year veteran of the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Arnone Report : Engaging Monmouth County’s youth for a happy holiday and bright future

By Tom Arnone, Monmouth County Freeholder

Freeholder Tom Arnone and students of Academy Charter High School

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has been having a happy and healthy holiday season while keeping warm.

It’s clear – winter is here. I would like to thank all of our County employees who assisted in the preparation and cleanup of the recent snow events we had here in Monmouth County. I know our County employees are prepared for what may come our way the rest of the season. Read the rest of this entry »

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