N.J. lawmakers want to reinstate death penalty in ‘extreme’ cases

TRENTON — Two state lawmakers are looking to reverse New Jersey’s landmark ban on the death penalty and restore the punishment for serious crimes. On Monday, Senators Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) and Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) introduced a bill that would restore capital punishment in certain murder cases, citing recent terror attacks and fatal ambushes of… Read the rest of this entry »

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Self-proclaimed pedophile convicted, faces a possible 61 years

Gary Wolchesky

Gary Wolchesky, 28, of Middletown, acted as his own attorney in defending himself against 21 counts related to the sexual assaults of the boys, including two counts of first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault and four counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Manufacturing Child Pornography.  He was found guilty by a Monmouth County Jury in Freehold last week and faces a possible 61 years in State Prison when sentenced by Judge Richard English on March 2, 2017, according to a statement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

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O’Scanlon’s Prescription Cost Savings Bill Becomes Law

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon that will save an estimated $200 million per year on government employees’ prescription drugs was passed by the State Assembly  and signed into law by Governor Chris Christie today.

S2749/A4328 expedites the process in which the state selects contracts and controls costs for state worker prescription drugs.

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Monmouth County: A FINANCIAL FORCE MULTIPLIER

By Freeholder Lillian G. Burry

Freeholders Tom Arnone and Lillian Burry complete the purchase of Ft. Monmouth with Noreen Dresser, Chief of Real Estate, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, NY Distirct

Anyone living in Monmouth County is likely to be aware of the many good things County government provides including our roads, parks and library system.  One of the most important and valuable things the County provides, however, is known to relatively few residents. That’s the role the County plays in enhancing the financial resources of others and it’s a role that’s played quietly, sometimes indirectly, and always with unwavering expertise.

Sometimes it takes the form of a direct payment, providing the County share of the price for preserving farmland that brings far larger amounts of state dollars to a deal. At other times it’s providing a mix of funding and in-kind staff resources as a match for Green Acres dollars used to acquire or develop additional open space or some other worthy grant funded project. And sometimes it’s taking advantage of the AAA bond rating of the County – a rating held by fewer than two dozen of the more than three thousand American counties – to help others borrow money through the Monmouth County Improvement Authority (MCIA) at interest rates that can save significant amounts of dollars in interest payments over the life of a loan.

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Beck agrees to co-sponsor bill that would require special prosecutor to investigate Christie

Senator Jennifer Beck has signed on to a bill that would require the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate any criminal complaint against New Jersey’s governor.

Mike Hughes, Beck’s Chief of Staff, verified the story first reported by Politico.  “The Senator’s thinking is that the legislation makes sense for the public’s trust,” Hughes said. “The Attorney General and the County Prosecutors are appointed by the Governor.  Criminal complaints should be investigated independently.”

Hughes noted that if passed, the legislation to would apply to all future governors, not just Governor Chris Christie. Read the rest of this entry »

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Long Branch joins post-Sandy high water mark program

LONG BRANCH – As Hurricane Sandy was closing in on the Jersey Shore, Darrell Wordelmann – the general manager of Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant – watched surveillance video footage of the Atlantic Ocean splashing increasingly closer to the popular upscale restaurant until the power to the cameras eventually went out. The restaurant, which is slightly elevated and… Read the rest of this entry »

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Asbury Park marchers demand equality in era of Trump

ASBURY PARK — A group of about 100 people marched through the city’s downtown Sunday in hopes of spreading the message of “fair and equal representation” for all citizens. The group’s organizers stressed the march, dubbed the “Asbury Park Unity March,” was not an anti-Donald Trump protest, but they conceded the group was formed in light… Read the rest of this entry »

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Asbury Park police captain demoted for leaving scene of Seidel shooting

ASBURY PARK — A hearing officer upheld the demotion of an Asbury Park police captain who left an active crime scene involving a Neptune police sergeant who had shot and killed his former wife in front of their young daughter. Capt. Marshawn Love has acknowledged leaving the scene of former Neptune police Sgt. Philip Seidle’s shooting… Read the rest of this entry »

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7 things to know about Trump Bedminster golf club, center of political world right now

BEDMINSTER — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to spend the weekend holding meetings with his transition team at his upscale private golf club in the bucolic hills of Somerset County. Here are five things to know about Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster: 1. The property once belonged to another celebrity mogul. Much of the course… Read the rest of this entry »

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Middletown North blanks Summit in N2G4 semis, reaches sectional final for first time since 1996

MIDDLETOWN – Middletown North was balanced on offense and relentless on defense Friday night and the second-seeded Lions (8-2) advanced to the North 2, Group 4 finals with a dominating 20-0 victory over third-seeded Summit. Middletown North will play Sayreville, which ousted defending sectional champ Middletown South on Friday night, in the sectional final. North will… Read the rest of this entry »

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