$9.6M worth of heroin seized in ‘record-level’ New Jersey drug raid

Authorities arrested four men and seized $9.6 million in heroin following a month-long investigation into drug distribution, New Jersey State Police announced. Investigators seized 120 kilos of heroin, as well as methamphetamine, fentanyl and a huge haul of Percocet tablets in raids in Bergen and Burlington counties. State police and members of the North Bergen Police… Read the rest of this entry »

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Colts Neck Woman Turns Cancer Diagnosis Into A Mission

Long Branch, NJ  – “I didn’t expect to have cancer. I didn’t have any symptoms,” says Michele Battista, Jersey Shore Undy Run/Walk volunteer and fierce colon cancer advocate. This year marks Battista’s five-year “Cancer-versary,” as she calls the day when she was diagnosed
with cancer. Checking off her list of things to do once she turned 50, she made an appointment with Red Bank Gastroenterology for a routine colonoscopy. It was during that appointment, she was diagnosed with stage 3c colon cancer at the age of 50.

“It’s bittersweet. Today seems so far away from when I first heard the words ‘you have cancer’, five years ago,” says Battista as she reflects on her Cancer-versary. She is now cancer-free and continually advocating for colon cancer patients and survivors through her work with Colon Cancer Alliance, an organization dedicated to knocking colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers by championing prevention, funding cutting-edge research and providing the highest quality patient support services.

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NJ State Government Shuts Down

Without a budget from the Democrat controlled State Legislature, Governor Chris Christie ordered non-essential government operations to cease.

In an Executive Order issued at the midnight June 30 deadline for a State Budget, Christie declared a state of emergency and ordered that State Police, state correctional facilities, key child welfare services, state hospitals and treatment facilities, NJ TRANSIT, and operations linked to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, including certain environmental and health monitoring will continue to operate.

Gambling is essential to the operation of New Jersey. The state lottery will not be affected by the closure. Atlantic City Casinos and racetracks will remain open with state oversight.

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Christie Press Conference on Budget Impasse

Governor Chris Christie called a press conference for 4PM this afternoon, presumably to make an announcement regarding the State Budget impasse between the Christie, the State Senate and the General Assembly.

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Guadagno calls on Murphy to intervene in budget showdown

Kim Guadagno

With New Jersey’s state government on the verge of shutting down because the Democrat controlled legislature has failed to pass a budget, Lt.Governor Kim Guadagno, the GOP nominee for Governor, has called on her Democrat opponent, former Goldman Sachs banker Phil Murphy, to intervene in the impasse.

“What is happening with the state budget is a disgusting display of Trenton politics that threatens to grind our state to a halt,” Guadagno said. “With so many problems in New Jersey from property taxes to healthcare, our leaders should be communicating with each other to pass a budget that puts the taxpayers of New Jersey first and separate the Horizon bill from negotiations so it can be thoroughly reviewed. Phil Murphy – as the head of his party – should immediately call his political bosses who are orchestrating this and tell them to stop playing politics with the lives of the people who will be hurt by a government shutdown.”

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Legislature won’t pass budget Thursday as Assembly speaker digs in

TRENTON — The state Legislature won’t pass a budget on Thursday as talks over key components of a deal remain deadlocked. That brings New Jersey right up against the midnight Friday deadline for a state budget. Without a spending plan, Gov. Chris Christie has the option to shut down state government. More than half of the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Man tried to lure kids at Quick Chek with fidget spinners, cops say

OLD BRIDGE — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man they say attempted to lure two kids into his car with snacks and fidget spinners at the Quick Check in the Laurence Harbor section of the township Thursday. The man approached the kids inside the store on Cliffwood Avenue, police said on… Read the rest of this entry »

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Hazlet Boy Scout’s Eagle Project Saves RAINE Foundation $4K Per Year

Kyle Mulvey

A Hazlet teenager’s leadership and commitment to his community will have a lasting impact on the RAINE Foundation, the all volunteer local charity that delivers thousands of toys to hundreds of Bayshore families at Christmas and supports families in crisis everyday.

Kyle Mulvey, a Raritan High School junior and a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 66 of the Twin Lights District of the Monmouth County Council, Boy Scouts of America led 80 volunteers….fellow scouts and members of the Raritan wrestling and football teams..in building a new operations center for RAINE. The project, which is part of Mulvey becoming an Eagle Scout, consisted of acquiring a storage trailer, securing a location and rigging it with shelving and solar powered lighting.  RAINE will use the facility to store the supplies it uses to help families in need.

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OPINION: SENATE VOTE NEXT LOGICAL STEP IN OBAMACARE REPEAL

By Laurie Ehlbeck

Obamacare has been, to put it mildly, burdensome for small businesses in New Jersey. Soon, the Senate will have a chance to do something about it.

Year after year, when the National Federation of Independent Business surveys its members, they say their number one priority is healthcare, but the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, has made things more difficult for them. Its onerous taxes and mandates have increased costs and reduced choices.

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Sheriff Golden Warns Of Dangers of Fireworks

Sheriff Shaun Golden

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is urging all residents and visitors to enjoy their 4th of July holiday celebrations while staying safe from the dangers of illegal fireworks.

“The result of fireworks being handled in the wrong way can cause serious injuries,” said Sheriff Golden. “It’s important to know that the danger is not only limited to general Fourth of July fireworks. Even sparklers should be kept away from children, as they can easily cause harm.”

Fireworks are dangerous, illegal and should only be handled by the professionals, Golden said.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 230 people on average are treated for fireworks related injuries on a daily basis during the month around the July 4^th holiday.

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