A decorated pilot with dreams of running the Air Force, four-star general Mark R. Naird (Steve Carell
Two businessmen have been charged in the District of Rhode Island with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than a half-million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
David A. Staveley, aka Kurt D. Sanborn, 52, of Andover, Massachusetts, and David Butziger, 51, of Warwick, Rhode Island, are charged with conspiring to seek forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA, claiming to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business entities when, in fact, there were no employees working for any of the businesses.
Staveley and Butziger are charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to make false statement to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, Staveley is charged with aggravated identity theft. Butziger is charged with bank fraud.
“Every dollar stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program comes at the expense of employees and small business owners who are working hard to make it through these difficult times,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out abuse of the important relief programs established under the CARES Act.”
“Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island. “Attorney General Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to coronavirus and COVID-19, and we are doing just that.”
“As alleged, David Staveley and David Butziger tried to capitalize on the coronavirus crisis by conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than half a million dollars in forgivable loans that were intended to help small businesses teetering on the edge of financial ruin,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Office. “Thankfully we were able to stop them before taxpayers were defrauded, but today’s arrests should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will aggressively go after bad actors like them who are utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to commit fraud.”
“The alleged actions of defendants Staveley and Butziger are criminally reprehensible,” said Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Defrauding a government program designed to provide financial assistance to small business owners during the Coronavirus pandemic is tantamount to taking money directly out of the pockets of those who need it most. Today’s arrests exemplify the hard work, dedication and efficiency of IRS-CI and the entire investigative team.”
“This is a critical time for our nation’s small businesses. It is well known that fraudsters prey upon those in vulnerable positions,” said SBA Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “As this result shows, SBA-OIG and its law enforcement partners are actively working together to root out fraud in SBA’s programs and bring those responsible to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their leadership and dedication throughout this investigation.”
According to court documents unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island, the fraudulent loan requests were to pay employees of businesses that were not operating prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and had no salaried employees, or, as in one instance, to pay employees at a business the loan applicant did not own.
Allegedly, Staveley and Butziger discussed via email the creation of fraudulent loan applications and supporting documentations to seek loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It is alleged that Staveley posed as his brother in real estate transactions.
It is alleged that Staveley claimed in loan applications requesting more than $438,500 that he had dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned, two in Warwick, Rhode Island, and one in Berlin, Massachusetts. An investigation determined that one of the Rhode Island restaurants, the former Remington House, and the Massachusetts restaurant, On The Trax, were not open for business prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the time the loan applications were submitted, or at any time thereafter. Moreover, Staveley did not own or have any role in the second Rhode Island restaurant, Top of the Bay, for which he was seeking financial relief.
According to court documents, Staveley’s Massachusetts restaurant was closed by March 10, 2020, when the town of Berlin revoked the business’ liquor license for numerous reasons, including that “Sanborn” allegedly misrepresented that his brother owned the restaurant. Investigators obtained information that Staveley/Sanborn allegedly used his brother’s personal identifying information in other real estate transactions as well.
According to court documents, it is alleged that on April 6, 2020, Butziger filed an application seeking a $105,381 SBA loan under the PPP as owner of an unincorporated entity named Dock Wireless. Butziger claimed in documentation filed with the bank and in a telephone call with an FBI undercover agent posing as a bank compliance officer that he had seven full-time employees on Dock Wireless’ payroll, including himself. Butziger falsely represented to the agent that he brought the employees on full-time on Jan. 1, 2020, and laid them off at the end of March. Butziger claimed the employees continued to work without being paid through April 2020, and that he would use SBA PPP funds to pay them.
The Rhode Island State Department of Revenue provided information to the IRS of having no records of employee wages having been paid in 2020 by Butziger or Dock Wireless. Agents interviewed several of the supposed Dock Wireless employees who reported that they never worked for Butziger or Dock Wireless.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
Staveley and Butziger are the first individuals in the nation charged with allegedly defrauding the CARES Act SBA Paycheck Protection Program.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant Chief Lawrence Atkinson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker for the District of Rhode Island are prosecuting the case.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the FBI, IRS-CI, SBA Office of Inspector General, and the FDIC, Office of Inspector General for their efforts investigating this mater.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Stock Photo by Connor Smith on Unsplash
WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald J. Trump is once again calling out opposition “RINOS”, Republicans In Name Only within his own party. “A group of RINO Republicans who failed badly 12 years ago, then again 8 years ago, and then got BADLY beaten by me, a political first timer, 4 years ago, have copied (no imagination) the concept of an ad from Ronald Reagan, “Morning in America”, doing everything possible to get even for all of their many failures. You see, these loser types don’t care about 252 new Federal Judges, 2 great Supreme Court Justices, a rebuilt military, a protected 2nd Amendment, biggest EVER Tax & Regulation cuts, and much more,” Trump said. “I didn’t use any of them because they don’t know how to win, and their so-called Lincoln Project is a disgrace to Honest Abe. I don’t know what Kellyanne did to her deranged loser of a husband, Moonface, but it must have been really bad. John Weaver lost big for Kasich (to me). Crazed Rick Wilson lost for Evan “McMuffin” McMullin (to me). Steve Schmidt & Reed Galvin lost for John McCain, Romney’s campaign manager (?) lost big to “O”, & Jennifer Horn got thrown out of the New Hampshire Republican Party. They’re all LOSERS, but Abe Lincoln, Republican, is all smiles!”
Flashback to 2016…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ABcG0FlcTc
TRENTON, NJ – Across the Garden State this weekend, for the most part, New Jersey residents, locked in their homes for 45 days displayed an excellent performance of social distancing, but if you check out the news media reports from the weekend, parks were apparently overrun and social distancing was not adhered to. New Jersey State Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan’s account of the weekend was much different than that of the fake news media. Media reports were stirred by reports by the New Jersey Parks Service that said some parks were at capacity, which was 50% of normal capacity. Some parks were closed due to capacity, but no official state agency or individual report verified any claims made by the media, more specifically Patch. Shore News Network refuted that claim early on after reports from our readers told a much different story.
TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan today thanked and praised New Jersey residents for their overwhelming compliance with social distancing rules at newly opened parks and beaches this weekend.
Law enforcement in all 21 counties of New Jersey reported that, while there were challenges occasioned by the large crowds visiting many parks and beaches, there were no significant enforcement issues, and the re-opening of recreational areas came off largely without incident.
Police dealt with huge crowds at state, county, and local parks, which required the closure of some parks to additional visitors after they quickly reached capacity. In addition, some people had to be reminded that picnicking is not allowed under the emergency orders, and that, consistent with CDC guidelines to avoid the spread of COVID-19, team sports and the use of playgrounds are also prohibited.
Nonetheless, law enforcement reported that the vast majority of people were compliant with social distancing rules, once they were told what they could and could not do.
“After a month of staying at home, it was no surprise that families needed some fun in the sun and quickly filled parks to capacity, creating challenges for law enforcement,” said Attorney General Grewal. “What is heartening is the overwhelming degree of compliance reported by police, who found people social distancing and needing only gentle reminders to fold up their picnic blanket or keep their children off of beckoning swings and slides. People kept safety in mind this weekend, and I encourage everyone to keep up the great work so that we continue on this road to recovery.”
“New Jersey residents continue to serve as a national model for best social distancing practices, and that could not have been more apparent than this past weekend when the vast majority of our residents enjoyed our state parks and beaches responsibly,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The very reason we have been able to begin reopening is because our citizens have chosen to put the greater good of the public first, but the only way we will be able to keep moving forward is if we continue to stay the course.”
NEW JERSEY – The Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday morning for a missing kayaker in the Raritan Bay.
At 3:12 p.m. on Saturday, Coast Guard Sector New York command center watch standers received a call from citywide 911 that three kayaks, each with one person on board, had all overturned in Raritan Bay. A nearby good Samaritan had picked up two of the kayakers from the water, but the third was still unaccounted for. None of them were wearing life jackets.
Within minutes of receiving the call, Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook launched a response boat that arrived on the scene and began searching with partner agencies for the third kayaker. Shortly after, an MH-65 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City joined the search. They were later joined by the Coast Guard Cutter Shrike, who searched through the night. An Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 helicopter conducted the final first-light search.
“Suspending a search is never an easy decision to make,” said Capt. Jason Tama, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York. “We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends who have been impacted by this tragic incident.”
The Coast Guard utilized three boat crews and three helicopter crews in addition to multiple NYPD and FDNY assets in the search.
Involved in the search were:
- Coast Guard Sector New York
- Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City
- Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod
- Coast Guard Cutter Shrike
- Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook
- New York Police Department Aviation
- New York Police Department Harbor Rescue
- New York Police Department Dive Teams
- New York Fire Department Marine Rescue
The Coast Guard search is suspended pending the development of new information.
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ – Shorebeat – Seaside Heights, home to one of New Jersey’s more popular boardwalks is now saying the borough may take a wait-and-see approach to reopening its boardwalk, according to a story in Shorebeat. The borough just a few weeks ago was asking the state for a $2 million public bailout because of losses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “I want to open with caution,” said Vaz in the article. “I want to make sure that, first, the stay-at-home order is taken off the books. Once the governor’s office takes away that stay-at-home order, it’s saying people can go about their business, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be restrictions.”
Find out more about this story at the Seaside Shorebeat website.
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, woman today admitted defrauding the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Janeide Chillis, 53, of Irvington, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by teleconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging her with one count of making false statements and committing fraud to obtain federal workers’ compensation.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Chillis was a U.S. Postal Service employee. In March 2006, she signed and filed under penalty of perjury a form with the U.S. Department of Labor claiming she suffered disabling injuries from a slip-and-fall accident at work. Chillis also provided a letter from a New Jersey doctor who claimed that Chillis was “temporarily totally disabled.” As a result of those representations, Chillis began receiving workers’ compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor. For the next several years, in order to maintain such benefits, Chillis periodically submitted additional forms certifying that she was unemployed and would report any income or other information that affected her receipt of benefits. Notwithstanding those representations, from 2011 through the present, Chillis earned extra income and traveled extensively, including to Africa and France, all of which she did not report to the U.S. Department of Labor.
During the same time period, Chillis also received reimbursement payments for home health aide services. Beginning in 2013, she stopped receiving home health aide services, but continued receiving reimbursement based on false representations she made to the U.S. Department of Labor.
In total, Chillis received $686,588 in federal benefits from her fraud.
The count of making false statements and committing fraud to obtain federal workers’ compensation benefits is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2020.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office Matthew M. Modafferi; the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka; the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John Grasso; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Laura J. Perry, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Haber of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division, Newark.
Photo by Pope Moysuh on Unsplash
TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man will have his initial appearance today for possessing a machine gun as a previously convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Davon Harley, 30, of Neptune City, New Jersey, appeared by video conference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zahid M. Quraishi and was detained without bail. Harley was arrested by local authorities on Feb. 8, 2020, and charged with state offenses. He is now charged by federal criminal complaint with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a machinegun.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In February 2020 a Neptune City Police officer confronted Harley, a previously convicted felon, who was arguing with others in the yard of an apartment complex. Harley fled through the apartment complex into neighboring properties and discarded a handgun that, upon inspection, had been altered to fire exclusively in fully automatic mode. The weapon had a magazine capable of holding 31 rounds of ammunition. Members of law enforcement, assisted by the Neptune Township and Asbury Park police departments located Harley and recovered the machine gun and the magazine that Harley had discarded.
The felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; officers of the Neptune City Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Matthew Quagliato; officers of the Neptune Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police James M. Hunt Jr.; officers of the Asbury Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police David Kelso; officers of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Shaun Golden; and detectives of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni, with the investigation leading to the charges. This case was brought as part of Project Stop the Violence, a comprehensive strategy to combat gun crimes in Monmouth County.
The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Matthews of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
FREEHOLD – An offer of a ride for four juveniles turned into the sexual assault of at least three of the juveniles and the arrest of a pair of Asbury Park brothers, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. Wilson Cesaire, 21, and Wilfrid Cesaire, 28, brothers, are charged with multiple offenses including Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Endangering Another Person and Cruelty and Neglect of Children. In the early morning hours of April 22, 2020, four juveniles were reported missing from Millstone Township. The juveniles were located later that same day in Asbury Park and Neptune Township. An investigation by the Asbury Park Police Department revealed that a vehicle, occupied by the Cesaire brothers, approached the juveniles as they were walking and offered them a ride. The juveniles were brought to a QuickChek convenience store in Manalapan and ultimately to the residence of the Cesaire brothers on Asbury Avenue in Asbury Park. The Cesaire brothers provided the juveniles with marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol. Three of the minors reported being sexually assaulted.
Wilson Cesaire, 21, and Wilfrid Cesaire, 28, were arrested Friday and each charged with 4 counts of first degree Kidnapping, 4 counts of fourth degree Cruelty and Neglect, and 4 counts of fourth degree Endangering Another Person. Additionally, Wilson Cesaire was charged with 2 counts of second degree Sexual Assault and 1 count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Wilfrid Cesaire was also charged with 4 counts of second degree Sexual Assault and 2 counts of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
“This must be repeated over and over again – you do not take rides from strangers. There are predators who will obviously take advantage of any situation as it presents itself. We will prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law,” said Prosecutor Gramiccioni.
If convicted, the defendants are facing up to life imprisonment and would be subject to Parole Supervision for Life and required to register under Megan’s Law.
The Cesiare brothers are being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending their detention hearing scheduled for May 6.
Investigators are seeking additional information about the Cesaire brothers’ activities and are looking to identify other possible victims or suspects. Anyone with any information please contact Detective Lemar Whittaker of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-775-2578.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android), or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com
JACKSON, NJ – David Wildstein, editor of the New Jersey Globe reported today that tonight’s special council meeting in Jackson is to announce the resignation of Trump appointee Barry Calogero. Wildstein, a former executive of the New Jersey Port Authority and a senior official of former Governor Chris Christie’s administration is a high-level New Jersey political insider. Speculation of Calogero’s impending resignation has been swirling for weeks since the councilman called upon Governor Phil Murphy to deploy National Guard troops to neighboring Lakewood Township to quell what Calogero described as lawlessness and the perception that the community on whole was not adhering to the Governor’s stay-at-home orders.
“The conventional wisdom was that Calogero was fanning the flames of anti-Lakewood sentiment after numerous incidents of Lakewood residents refusing to adhere to Murphy’s social distancing guidelines,” Wildstein wrote. “Calogero, a Trump administration appointee, will hold on to his day job as state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture New Jersey Farm Service Agency.”
Calogero would be the second resignation in six months within the embattled Jackson GOP. In November, NJ State PBA lobbyist and Governor Corzine appointee Rob Nixon resigned from the council. Other high ranking members of the Jackson Republican Party have also been accused by the Orthodox Jewish community of anti-semitism including GOP County Committee Chairwoman Clara Glory and Jackson GOP President Todd Porter. The two were chastised by RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel for anti-Semitic postings on social media.
Calogero, who is no fan of Shore News Network once accused Shore News Network of extortion after a series of articles outlining his political corruption and pay to play activities in the township. Calogero has routinely appointed high-powered political campaign donors to six-figure public contracts since taking office. In return, Calogero was awarded with a lucrative job in the USDA NJ Farm Services Bureau through his political ties in New Jersey politics. Calogero, a New York City native, likely never stepped on a farm before becoming executive director of the farm agency. Many local farmers were upset over Calogero’s selection due to his lack of knowledge of the needs and problems facing New Jersey’s farming industry.
Calogero also announced that he is suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s disease at a recent council meeting.
The resignation of Calogero would be the latest fiasco in a year-long string of bad news for Ocean County GOP Chairman Frank Holman, who until this week, had been hiding out from the New Jersey coronavirus pandemic in Kansas. Holman recently was shunned by the national GOP party and was not selected to be a national delegate for President Donald J. Trump. Instead, the GOP chose Joanne Gilmore, the wife of Holman’s arch-nemesis, former GOP Chairman George Gilmore. Holman’s mercenaries are also now under fire in Toms River, including Greg McGuckin, who is now being accused of political corruption and extortion of a Toms River MUA director. Prior to that a Holman led coup of the Toms River Republican Club fell flat. In that failed coup, Holman allies Toms River Mayor Mo Hill, Greg McGuckin and Dara Clarke marched into stiff opposition and were defeated by rank and file Republicans.
In March, the Holman faction, who took nearly $13,000 in political donations from former Burlington County Freeholder Kate Gibbs in exchange for a political endorsement lost both the 3rd Congressional District and U.S. Senate nominations after underdogs Hirsh Singh and David Richter took the floor vote away from Holman’s establishment elitists.
The Ocean County GOP remains split into two camps these days, the ever-shrinking group Holman loyalists and party elites, anchored by NJ RNC Chairwoman Virginia Haines, 84, and those, now seemingly the majority of rank and file Republicans who oppose Holman’s regime.
A woman turns the table on a phone scammer trying to get her bank account information and she went into character as Amazon’s Alexa. The scammer then falls for her scam and explains how his scam works.
https://www.facebook.com/OCPoliceBlotter/videos/3016153131834516/
JACKSON TWP, NJ – Residents of the Crystal Brook in Jackson celebrated May the 4th in style on Monday. Check it out.
https://www.facebook.com/wvafides/videos/10100916719663817/
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – It’s not safe out there anymore. If the coronavirus doesn’t get you, murder hornets might. If you can survive those two formidable foes, now, the squirrels in New Jersey are rising up. One Washington Township man became patient-zero as squirrels could be the new menace to mankind in the Garden State. Police said the man was just outside of his home, taking his garbage out, enjoying a few moments of fresh air when it happened. A squirrel attacked him, causing lacerations to his face. Here’s how the 911 dispatch went down. The squirrel could possibly be suffering from the same coronarage that is going around New Jersey where people are becoming increasingly angry and intolerant over the smallest of infractions by others. (scroll down to hear audio from this call)
“28-year-old male…attacked by a squirrel has bites to the face,” the 911 dispatcher said. “He is requesting to be seen because it was a wild animal.”
“Just to confirm, that I heard you right, he was assaulted by a squirrel?” A first responder asked the dispatcher.
“That’s correct,” the dispatcher replied. “He believes it ran back to a nest that is nearby the apartment.”
“Apparently a 28-year-old male was taking his garbage out and was attacked by a squirrel,” one voice on the radio said.
“Be advised, is the scene safe or is the perpetrator still on scene,” asked another responding unit.
Moments later, arriving units reported that the scene of the crime was safe and the squirrel was gone, but the victim gave a good description to responding units.
There is good news for those who are being menaced by attacking squirrels. Murder hornets might soon be on their way and they could be the answer we need to fight the growing population of rabid and aggressive vermin. Check out the video below to watch as a murder hornet fights a field mouse.
https://www.facebook.com/OCPoliceBlotter/videos/234323854652981/
https://www.facebook.com/OCPoliceBlotter/videos/234323854652981/
The Asian giant hornet, aka vespa mandarinia, aka, the murder hornet, American beekeepers fear are starting to colonize the Pacific Northwest. Murder hornets get their name from their body count. In Japan alone, 50 people each year die from murder hornet attacks. Last fall two murder hornets were confirmed in Washington State and at least one beekeeper believes the destruction of his honey bees came at the hands of these two-inch long hornets. They are the world’s largest hornets and are also nicknamed the yak-killer hornet. A story in the New York Times today put the Asian giant hornet back on the radar in America.
According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, in December 2019, the agency received and verified four reports of Asian giant hornet near Blaine and Bellingham.
“These are the first-ever sighting in the United States. Canada had also discovered Asian giant hornet in two locations in British Columbia in the fall of 2019,” the department said. “While they do not generally attack people or pets, they can attack when threatened. Their stinger is longer than that of a honeybee and their venom is more toxic. They can also sting repeatedly. If it becomes established, this hornet will have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State.”
Asian giant hornet attacks and destroys honeybee hives. A few hornets can destroy a hive in a matter of hours. The hornets enter a “slaughter phase” where they kill bees by decapitating them. They then defend the hive as their own, taking the brood to feed their own young. They also attack other insects but are not known to destroy entire populations of those insects.
The USDA reported the Washington detection followed the eradication of a murder hornet nest in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada on September 18, 2019. These were the first detections of the Asian giant hornet in North America. Beekeepers have reported other observations dating back to October through public outreach campaigns by Washington State and British Columbia.
“Eradication of this species focuses on eliminating queens. Strategies to achieve this vary depending on the time of season. Queens can be directly trapped and killed in the early spring and late fall. During the summer, nests can be located and destroyed,” the USDA said. “Nests are formed in the ground and are challenging to locate. Methods for locating nests involve labor intensive strategies.”
If the idea of a bee colony killer lurking in the Pacific Northwest isn’t already a horrifying prospect for American beekeepers, it gets worse. Typical protective clothing worn by beekeepers will not prevent murder hornet sting injuries, so beekeepers on the front lines of this battle will have to upgrade their protective suits to thicker material. So far, the Asian giant hornets have only been confirmed at a few locations in Washington State and farmers and beekeepers are working aggressively to trap and kill the invasive species before any real damage could be done.
Photo by I. Kenpei, GFDL,Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.1 Japan License, Wikimedia.
J.Crew Group, Inc. today announced it has reached an agreement with its lenders holding approximately 71% of its Term Loan and approximately 78% of its IPCo Notes, as well as with its financial sponsors, under which the Company will restructure its debt and deleverage its balance sheet, positioning J.Crew and Madewell for long-term success.
Under the terms of the Transaction Support Agreement (“TSA”), the Company’s lenders will convert approximately $1.65 billion of the Company’s debt into equity.
To facilitate the restructuring contemplated by the TSA, the parent company of J.Crew Group, Inc., Chinos Holdings, Inc. and certain affiliates, have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The Company has secured commitments for a debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing facility of $400 million and committed exit financing provided by existing lenders Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C., GSO Capital Partners and Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP, among others. Subject to Court approval, the DIP financing, combined with the Company’s projected cash flows, is expected to support its operations during the restructuring process.
As part of the TSA, Madewell will remain part of J.Crew Group, Inc. Libby Wadle will continue in her role as CEO of Madewell.
“This agreement with our lenders represents a critical milestone in the ongoing process to transform our business with the goal of driving long-term, sustainable growth for J.Crew and further enhancing Madewell’s growth momentum,” said Jan Singer, Chief Executive Officer, J.Crew Group. “Throughout this process, we will continue to provide our customers with the exceptional merchandise and service they expect from us, and we will continue all day-to-day operations, albeit under these extraordinary COVID-19-related circumstances. As we look to reopen our stores as quickly and safely as possible, this comprehensive financial restructuring should enable our business and brands to thrive for years to come.”
“J.Crew and Madewell are two classic American brands with deeply loyal customers. We look forward to supporting Jan, Libby and the management team to recognize their full potential. The significant deleveraging contemplated by this agreement, coupled with J.Crew Group’s strategy to strengthen its robust e-commerce platform to drive continued growth in its direct-to-consumer segment, will position the Company for future success,” said Kevin Ulrich, Chief Executive Officer of Anchorage Capital Group.
The Company has filed a series of customary “first day” motions with the Bankruptcy Court seeking to maintain its operations during the restructuring process to help facilitate a smooth transition into Chapter 11.
For additional information about J.Crew Group’s restructuring, including access to Court filings and other documents related to the court-supervised process, please visit www.omniagentsolutions.com/chinos, call (866) 991-8218 (U.S. & Canada) and (818) 924-2298 (International), or email [email protected].
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is serving as legal counsel, Lazard is serving as investment banker and AlixPartners, LLP is serving as restructuring advisor to J.Crew Group, Inc. Anchorage Capital Group and other members of an ad hoc committee are represented by Milbank LLP as legal counsel and PJT Partners LP as investment banker.
Don Shula wasn’t only the greatest coach in Miami Dolphins’ history, he was also the NFL’s most winningest coach ever. Shula passed away on Monday at the age of 90. Throughout his career, Shula won 347 games as head coach, an NFL record. He also holds the NFL’s only undefeated season when in 1972, his Miami Dolphins finished the season with a 17-0 record, winning Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins 14-7. Shula also coached the Baltimore Colts before joining the Dolphins.
“Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years,” the Miami Dolphins said today. “He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami in the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne, and Mike.”
“Coach Shula will truly be missed. He embodied the definition of ‘greatness.’ He brought that winning attitude with him every day and made everyone around him better. I want to thank him for always believing in me. He made me a better player and person. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Shula family,” said NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino who played 17 seasons with the Dolphins.
Dolphins great, hall-of-fame running back Larry Csonka said of Shula, “I was saddened and surprised to hear of Coach Shula’s passing. He was always a source of strength and motivation for me, and it’s hard to believe he’s gone.” Csonka played on back to back Super Bowl championship teams with the Dolphins in 1972 and 1973.
“The Shula family thanks all those who have shared their sorrow over the passing of Our Coach. He was an inspiration to us all for his Faith, love of Family & Community. He is remembered as a great leader who shaped many lives by his example. He left us Still Undefeated!,” his family said in a statement today.
https://www.facebook.com/MiamiDolphins/videos/565313694391568/
Creator Greg Daniels
The series has a lot of potential for success and aside from some explicit sexual situations, it could have also been a complete family favorite, but because of a few scenes in some of the episodes, you might want to keep the kids away from this otherwise perfect family sitcom, which earned it a TV-MA rating. The theme is similar in many Amazon
At times, the sexual scenes go even to far for some adults, “Constant nudity, a child that cussed like a sailor and women completely objectified,” said one view, Connie, who reviewed the show. “Really getting tired of all the nudity and sex in Amazon Prime Originals. It doesn’t add ANYTHING to the storyline. Thing is, this could definitely have been an interesting show. I liked the premise and the underlying mystery that he may have been murdered, but this might as well have been [censored]ography at times.”
“I’m a sci-fi
If you liked the Office and Parks and Rec, then, of course, you will love Upload, but if you came here looking for a nice show for the family, begrudgingly, this is not it…as much as it could have been. That aside, once the kids go to bed (probably at 4 am under coronavirus time), it’s a great show for the adults. It’s a basic and simple comedy with a light plotline that will keep you entertained.
Upload stars Robbie Amell
FLINT, MI – A Michigan security guard is dead today after he was murdered for trying to enforce Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order to force customers to wear face coverings while shopping. Calvin James Munerlyn, 43, was working security at the East 5th Avenue Dollar General store when at approximately 1:40 pm on May 1st, Munerlyn got into a verbal altercation with Sharmel Lashe Teague to wear a facemask while inside the store. Teague began yelling at Munerlyn and spit at him. Officer Munerlyn asked Teague to leave the store and instructed the cashier not to ring up her order.
Teague left the store and returned a short time later with two men, Larry Teague and Ramonyea Bishop. The men entered the store and confronted the security guard about the earlier altercation with Sharmel Teague. According to police, Bishop pulled out a gun and shot Munerlyn in the back of the head. Bishop is the son of the Teague’s who are husband and wife. Munerlyn was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Hurley Medical Center.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help Munerlyn’s family.
“Duper [Munerlyn] was a hard working, father and husband who lost his life while doing his job securing the place of business and asking all customers to wear a mask for our own safety as well as others. He leaves behind 8 amazing kids, a super loving wife, & his wonderful mother,” said Courtney Cabine.
Prosecutor David Leyton held a press conference, scroll down to see that video. All three suspects have been charged with murder.
https://www.facebook.com/ProsecutorDavidLeyton/videos/810025716192282/
Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center is warning patients not to ignore stroke or heart attack symptoms in fear of contracting COVID-19.
Hospitals across the nation are seeing an increase of people ignoring life-threatening symptoms and staying home, instead of going to the emergency department. Many patients are arriving to the hospital when it’s too late, losing critical time to receive life-saving treatments. This is especially true of patients suffering from heart attack or stroke symptoms.
“When it comes to treating a heart attack, seeking immediate care is critical,” said Matthew Saybolt, M.D., interventional cardiologist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “The longer the blockage is preventing blood flow, more of your heart tissue dies. If things progress where you go into cardiac arrest, there’s a small window of time to get your heart beating again.”
Like a heart attack, every minute matters when treating a stroke. “We often say time is brain because the longer your brain is without oxygen due to a stroke, the higher your chances for disability or death,” said Stephen Martino, M.D., neurologist at the medical center. “If someone is having a stroke, they may arrive at the hospital unable to move half their body, but if we catch it in time, we can provide treatment that can increase their chances of having a good neurological outcome. If people wait too long, those deficits can become permanent.”
According to the academic medical center located in Neptune, N.J., the following are emergent warning signs that should never be ignored:
Heart attack
• Chest discomfort – pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body like the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Other signs including cold sweats, nausea or lightheadedness
Stroke
• Balance issues
• Vision problems
• Facial drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
Born in Denmark, and now living in American for more than 10 years, supermodel Nina Agdal is now online helping women around the world stay fit and in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Agdal now has a workout app that outlines her own workout, lifestyle and nutritional advice. The interactive workout service helps women fine tune their workout. As gyms around America have closed, many have taken working out into the basements and garages around the country, but many are lacking the guidance of a personal trainer.
“I’m so excited I can now workout with you on NinaAgdalApp.com,” she said. “Sculpt at home, treadmill intervals, my nutrition guide and so much more coming soon! The best part is you can message me through the app and make recommendations about what you would love to see more of from me!?”
You can workout with Agdal through her app on her website and right now, there’s $1 first month signup special going on.
“It was important for me to create a lifestyle that focuses on longevity and maximizing energy and mindset every day,” Agdal said. “A lifestyle where I routinely feel and look my best. After years of trying different types of workouts and nutrition advice, I put together a method that is helping me to shape my best life, and I am excited to share that with you today.”
In the past 40 days alone, food banks have seen a 40% increase in food requests. To help our neighbors as best as we can, we’re working with Fulfill to run a food drive beginning Fri., May 1st. Drop off daily between 10am-4pm at Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Point Pleasant or The Mill Lakeside Manor in Spring Lake Heights.Here are the most needed items:
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· Canned vegetables
· Any type of canned meal
· Macaroni and cheese
· Shelf-stable milk
· Oatmeal packets
· Diapers
· Baby wipes
· Feminine products
· Deodorant
· Toothpaste
· Shampoo and conditioner
We’re also accepting monetary donations that go straight to Fulfill. $1 covers 3 meals! Checks are acceptable, payable to Fulfill. Or you can donate directly at fulfillnj.org/donate/
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For more details, contact Jackie at [email protected] or call 732-948-6671. Thank you for giving what you can!
TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has followed in the footsteps of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and closed public schools for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year. The move comes after Murphy was lobbied by educational groups who had formed a coalition to promote the closure of schools through June.
“This is a difficult decision and I know that many students, parents, and staff would like to be able to return to school,” Murphy said. “However, I have been unwavering on the message that we need to make decisions based on science, not emotion. And while New Jersey is making great strides in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, science tells us that at this point, we can’t safely re-open our schools.”
Last week, a coalition of public workers unions, administrative associations, PTO’s and the New Jersey School Board Association are lobbying Governor Phil Murphy to keep schools in the Garden State closed for the remained of the 2019-2020 school year. The group claimed reopening schools presents serious challenges that are far more complex than even those involved in closing schools and moving to online instruction. These include, but are certainly not limited to, readjusting curriculum, designing remediation for students who may have fallen behind during the closure, and accommodating social distancing and other preventive measures in the classroom, in cafeterias and gymnasiums, on school buses, and during extra-curricular activities.
“Our organizations, which represent all stakeholder groups in K-12 public education, are in complete agreement with the cautious, data-centered approach to reopening the state’s businesses and services as reflected in “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” released on April 27. Considering the six principles/metrics in the plan and current data on the incidence of COVID-19, the LEE group does not believe that districts will be in the position to reopen during the current school year,” the coalition said. “We are especially concerned about recent statements indicating that schools may still reopen this spring. It sends a mixed message to students, parents and educators and is at odds with the sound reasoning behind “The Road Back” blueprint.”
#BREAKING: ALL SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED for in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year – to protect the health of our children, our educators, and their families.
Guided by safety and science, this is the best course of action. pic.twitter.com/PI5xFxPlVZ
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 4, 2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the investigational antiviral drug remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease. While there is limited information known about the safety and effectiveness of using remdesivir to treat people in the hospital with COVID-19, the investigational drug was shown in a clinical trial to shorten the time to recovery in some patients.
“FDA’s emergency authorization of remdesivir, two days after the National Institutes of Health’s clinical trial showed promising results, is a significant step forward in battling COVID-19 and another example of the Trump Administration 
The emergency use authorization allows for remdesivir to be distributed in the U.S. and administered intravenously by health care providers, as appropriate, to treat suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease. Severe disease is defined as patients with low blood oxygen levels or needing oxygen therapy or more intensive breathing support such as a mechanical ventilator.
“From day one, the FDA has been committed to expediting the development and availability of potential COVID-19 treatments. Today’s action is an important step in our efforts to collaborate with innovators and researchers to provide sick patients timely access to new therapies where appropriate, while at the same time supporting research to further evaluate whether they are safe and effective,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. “There’s tremendous interest among all parties to identify and arm ourselves with medicines to combat COVID-19, and through our Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program, the FDA is working around-the-clock and using every tool at our disposal to speed these efforts.”
Based on evaluation of the emergency use authorization criteria and the scientific evidence available, it was determined that it is reasonable to believe that remdesivir may be effective in treating COVID-19, and that, given there are no adequate, approved, or available alternative treatments, the known and potential benefits to treat this serious or life-threatening virus currently outweigh the known and potential risks of the drug’s use.
The EUA also requires that fact sheets that provide important information about using remdesivir in treating COVID-19 be made available to health care providers and patients, including dosing instructions, potential side effects and drug interactions. Possible side effects of remdesivir include: increased levels of liver enzymes, which may be a sign of inflammation or damage to cells in the liver; and infusion-related reactions, which may include low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and shivering.
Following the declaration by the Secretary of HHS that circumstances exist justifying the emergency use of unapproved products, the FDA may issue an emergency use authorization to allow unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in an emergency to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions caused by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
The issuance of an EUA is different than FDA approval. In determining whether to issue an EUA, the FDA evaluates the available evidence and carefully balances any known or potential risks of any unproven products with any known or potential benefits of making them available during the emergency.
The EUA was issued to Gilead Sciences Inc. The FDA previously allowed for study of the investigational drug under clinical trials, as well as expanded access use for individual patients and through a multi-patient expanded access program coordinated by Gilead.
The EUA will be effective until the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biologics for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 is terminated and may be revised or revoked if it is determined the EUA no longer meets the statutory criteria for issuance.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Stock Photo by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash
Grocery shopping still a necessity for you during the COVID-19 pandemic? Worried about safety? Here are 12 tips that can help to restore confidence. Given the many questions people have about grocery shopping safety, the FDA has posted a video, 12 Tips for Grocery Shopping During the PandemicExternal Link Disclaimer, to advise consumers.
BRIELLE, NJ – If you’re visiting the Brielle area and want a slice of the Jersey Shore, Pat’s Deli is still offering takeout and curbside delivery of it’s great deli delights. If you call ahead, they will bring your order to your car. Last week, Pat’s Deli gave back to the community by donating sandwich platters to the emergency room staff at Brick Medical Center.
About #SupportTheShore
Support the Shore was started by Wingman Planning CEO Tom Mirabella whose company is a full-service marketing firm located in Manasquan to offer free video services to help local businesses get the word out about their status to the public. In return for the video, Wingman Planning asks that those businesses make a small donation to local fire, police, EMS or frontline emergency workers.
“The pandemic hit, and our full-service marketing agency moved from working as a team of 12 in Manasquan to working from home,” Mirabella said. “I didn’t want to furlough or let anyone go, even though our clients have been impacted which in turn impacts us. I was watching companies all around us struggle and turn to layoffs and realized that we could help these businesses spread the word about what services they were offering to their customers.”
Check out Wingman Planning to learn more about their #SupportTheShore initiative.
https://www.facebook.com/StopPhilMurphy/videos/234614480982050/