4 N.J. residents, 4 others lied to get Sandy funds, authorities say

TRENTON — Eight people, including four New Jersey residents, were charged on Tuesday with filing fraudulent applications in order to receive federal Hurricane Sandy recovery funds, state authorities said. Seven of those charged allegedly claimed that vacation or second homes they owned on the Jersey Shore were their primary residences when Sandy hit in 2012, making… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Seinfeld Cast Makes Dying Man’s 67th Birthday One To Remember (WATCH)

For a television show about nothing, the cast members sure know how to give a little something to a dying man in celebration of his 67th birthday. Jim Calder had been battling lung cancer for two years leading up to this November birthday. His son, James Calder, felt inspired to throw a virtual party and began… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Holiday Giving List: Hurting and Helping

By Greg Kelly

My father once told that when you make a charitable donation to a worthy cause, “it should hurt a little.” Meaning the gift or contribution should bring about a significant sacrifice on your part.

Although charities certainly welcome big donations, it’s the smaller donations, when added together, that allow them to function. Kindness and generosity is the spirit of our holiday season. And with most charities needing financial support to keep their cause going, now is the season to make an impact.

The many Monmouth County-based charitable/volunteer organizations listed below work hard every day to help those less fortunate or for causes that improve the human condition. Please help them to help others this holiday season.

(And remember, a nice gift to your local police, fire, first aid and/or public works departments is both a supportive and wise contribution.)

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Is Christie coming home?

Chris Christie sounded an awful like the Republican governor of New Jersey this afternoon when he addressed the NJ Business and Industry Association Public Policy Forum in East Winsdor.

He almost sounds like he’s in 2010 form, ready to fight with the Democratic Legislature and their union patrons.

Christie said he is ready to lead the fight to keep New Jersey affordable “so that our people can get great jobs, raise their families and live the kind lives they want to live in this state. ”

That would be a welcome development.

Cheak out the videos and transcript that his office sent:

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

The Arnone Report: Shop Local, $32.4 million bid for county nursing homes

By Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone

Freeholder Tom Arone

Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us. We’ve been extremely fortunate as the weather has been mild thus far, allowing many of us to continue to enjoy the outdoor activities we love to do throughout our beautiful county – from the beaches and parks, to local tree and menorah lightings, to shopping in our beautiful downtowns and local shopping centers.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to shop local, I encourage all of you to do some this holiday season when buying gifts for your loved ones. I was happy to join our Lieutenant Governor, Kim Guadagno, on Small Business Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving), along with my fellow Freeholder, Serena DiMaso, on a tour of several local businesses in the Red Bank region. We were pleased to see these businesses thriving on that start to the holiday shopping season, as well as the crowds we saw on the bustling sidewalks throughout the downtown.

It’s a proven fact that independent and locally-owned businesses recirculate more revenue locally. The spending done by a local business to operate (including inventory, utilities, equipment and salary to employees) directly impacts the economy within our own community. In addition, the indirect impact happens as employees and business owners spend their income within our local economy, recirculating dollars through their earned money.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Sweeney pushes forcing bigger N.J. pension payments by changing constitution

Senate President Steve Sweeney. file photo by Art Gallagher

TRENTON — State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney introduced legislation Monday that would cement state officials’ promises to fund government workers’ pensions in the New Jersey constitution. Such a constitutional amendment requiring the state to make payments into the public retirement fund was the expected to be the next step after the state Supreme Court this summer… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Holiday season is also Holiday Express season

Holiday Express, in a concert setting. This holiday season, Holiday Express will bring high-spirited holiday music to 81 homeless shelters, psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers and other places where live music is seldom heard. And it won’t charge the facilities a penny. About 150 musicians donate their services to make those 81 shows happen – about 50… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Pryor contests Neptune City election

Michaela O’Brien, 18 of Neptune City. “Every vote counts…I prove it.”

Election result rests with first time voter

Neptune City Councilman Richard Pryor has lodged a contest of the November 3 general election in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Pryor, a Republican, was leading his race for reelection by one vote following the counting of provisional ballots on November 9.  In the November 24 recount, Democrat Michael Skudera picked up three votes while Pryor picked up one.  Skudera now leads Pryor by one vote, 602-601.

At issue in the contest, which was filed by Jason N. Sena, Esq of the Manalapan law firm Cutolo Mandel, LLC, is one of the two provisional votes that was disqualified by the Board of Election on November 9.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Monmouth Poll: Cruz surges to the lead in Iowa

Christie doubles his support from 1% to 2%

A Monmouth University Poll released this morning puts Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the lead of the 2016 Republican Iowa Caucus with the support of 24% of Iowa voters likely to attend the February 1st caucus.

Cruz’s support appears to have come at the expense of Dr. Ben Carson, who dropped from 32% in an October Monmouth poll to 13% today.  Cruz was at only 10% in November.

Donald Trump and Florida Senator Marco Rubio are within 2 points of each other for second in today’s poll.  Trump has 19% and Rubio 17%.

Evangelical voters, who make up about half of the Iowa GOP caucus electorate, back Cruz (30%) over Trump (18%), Rubio (16%), and Carson (15%).  In October, Carson held the advantage with this group – garnering 36% support to 18% for Trump, 12% for Cruz, and 9% for Rubio.

Cruz also has an edge among voters who call themselves tea party supporters.  He commands 36% support among this group, compared to 20% for Trump, 17% for Carson, and 11% for Rubio.  In October, this group gave their vote to Carson (30%) over Trump (22%), Cruz (17%), and Rubio (8%).

There is a notable gender difference among caucusgoers’ preferences.  Men prefer Cruz (29%) and Trump (24%) over Rubio (12%) and Carson (12%).  Women support Rubio (23%) and Cruz (19%) over Carson (15%) and Trump (14%).

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Masked gunman robbed $3K from poker game at Union Beach firehouse, police say

UNION BEACH — A gunman clad in dark-colored clothing and a ski mask robbed a poker game being held at the Union Beach firehouse on Saturday night, police said. Police Chief Charles Ervin said at around 8:45 p.m. a man entered the side door of the firehouse on Union Avenue, displayed a gun and fled with… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet