Former Miss New Jersey dies 1 week after crash

A former Miss New Jersey winner critically injured in a crash last week died this morning at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. Cara McCollum, 24, of Margate, died at 4:31 a.m. Monday, according to a Facebook group, “Prayers for Cara,” which has provided periodic updates about her condition. McCollum was driving a 2014 Ford Mustang convertible… Read the rest of this entry »

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Why the great gas decline of the past year is nearing an end

The decline in gas prices has slowed as prices dropped just two cents in the past week, and some gas stations with the cheapest prices could actually see prices start to increase. If there… Read the rest of this entry »

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Mystery solved: Where do puffins spend the winter? Off the coast of N.J.

Researchers say they’ve found an answer to the long-standing question of where Maine’s Atlantic puffins spend the winter: far off New Jersey and New York. Puffins are the colorful seabirds of the auk family that are graceful in the water and awkward on land and air. The birds spend the spring breeding season and summer in… Read the rest of this entry »

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Physicians Assistant Charged With Selling Phony Scripts

Frank Campione, a 45 year old physicians assistant with a home office in Brick Township, was arrested by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office this week on charges of selling prescriptions for opiates and other drugs, according to an announcement by Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

A four month long investigation revealed that between January 2015 and January 2016 Campione met with individuals in public places and sold them prescriptions for oxycodone and Xanax and other dangerous drugs.

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Monmouth GOP endorses Brent Sonnek-Schmelz to challenge Pallone

Brent Sonnek-Schmelz

Freehold Township- The Monmouth County Republican Committee endorsed Brent Sonnek-Schmelz, a member of the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education, to challenge Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr in the November 8, 2016 election last night during their annual nominating convention at iPlay America.

Sonneck-Schmelz, 39, is an Eagle Scout, attorney, Wharton educated MBA and entrepreneur who announced to the world that he likes to wear short shorts in the summer when he won $100,000 as a contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.  He currently works as the General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer of The Soccer Post, a family owned franchise system of soccer stores with 33 locations nationally, and as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of City Sports, a Boston based sports apparel retailer that he is working to relaunch.

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Howard Birdsall Pleads Guilty To Pay To Play Crimes

Howard Birdsall, 72 of Brielle, pleaded guilty today to corporate misconduct for his role in a criminal scheme in which more than $1 million in corporate political contributions were illegally made through employees of his now defunct engineering firm, Birdsall Services Group, in violation New Jersey’s pay-to-play law, according to an announcement by the NJ Attorney General’s Office.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Birdsall be sentenced to four years in state prison. He also must pay $49,808 to the state, representing forfeiture of the political contributions that he made on behalf Birdsall Services Group that were reimbursed by the firm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22.

“As the CEO and largest shareholder of Birdsall Services Group, Howard Birdsall reaped major profits from the millions of dollars in public contracts his firm secured each year – contracts that should have been off limits based on the illegal campaign contributions made by the firm,” said Acting Attorney General Hoffman. “This plea should serve as a warning to any corporate officials who would engage in this type of criminal scheme to skirt our pay-to-play law and skew public contracting in their favor.”

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Middletown Recognizes Richard Saker As A Distinguished Citizen

Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, Laura Saker and Richard Saker

Middletown– Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD. and the Township Committee awarded Richard Saker the Distinguished Citizen Award at the Township Committee meeting on February 15.

Saker, the head of Saker ShopRites, Inc., was honored for his ongoing and significant contributions to the township’s Cultural and Arts Council, the Middletown Arts Center, and Middletown Day. He’s a major sponsor of many township outreach programs including the Welcome Home Picnic for Vietnam Veterans and the Mayor’s Food Basket. He’s also dedicated member of the Economic Development Committee, explained Mayor  Scharfenberger.

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‘It’s been a rough 50 years,’ says sister of cold case victim

FREEHOLD — It’s been a rough 50 years for Frances Klinksky, not knowing who killed her younger sister, Mary. Frances, 71, was only 20 years old when Mary Agnes Klinksky was killed on Sept. 15, 1965. “Even after 50 years, its like it just happened yesterday,” Frances Klinksy said by phone Wednesday evening, having just read… Read the rest of this entry »

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Feds fight news media request to unseal Bridgegate records

NEWARK — The U.S. Attorney’s Office is asking a federal judge to maintain the seal and redactions on certain records the government gathered in the George Washington Bridge lane closure criminal case, court records filed Tuesday night show. In particular, the brief filed by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman’s office states that news outlets covering the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie’s Budget Address: Mixed Message to State’s Democratic Lawmakers

More money for education and the public-employee pension system. A continuation of an increased tax credit for the state’s lowest wage earners. And a call for a “reasonable agreement” on renewing New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund. Though the tone of Gov. Chris Christie’s budget message yesterday may have been combative at times, the… Read the rest of this entry »

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