A South Korean actress has accused award-winning film director Kim Ki-duk and a top actor of rape, as the country’s nascent #MeToo movement begins to spiral. The fresh allegations against Kim come after his presence at this year’s Berlin Film Festival caused controversy following a fine for physically assaulting a different actress. In the latest case…
Jimmy Kimmel aimed so many barbs at President Donald Trump during Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony, you would think he’d want a bit of a break from that activity. Instead, Kimmel is continuing to center his comedy around the president. It seems the late-night host was a little shaken by criticizing the atrocious ratings of the…
*SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. – Lucasfilm announced today that they are joining forces with six of the world’s most well-known brands – Denny’s, Esurance, General Mills, Nissan, SOLO Cup and Symantec – for the launch of an extensive worldwide promotional campaign in support of “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” opening on May 25. “Our six promotional…
“Star Wars” legend Mark Hamill was immortalized on Hollywood’s iconic Walk of Fame Thursday in front of scores of fans, some of whom had waited hours to glimpse the actor. The 66-year-old Californian has appeared in some 70 movies which were nothing to do with Lucasfilm’s space opera, not to mention almost 200 TV shows, but…
Veteran filmmaker Jon Favreau is to write and executive produce a live-action series based on the “Star Wars” films for Disney’s forthcoming streaming service, executives said on Thursday. Disney, which owns “Star Wars” production house Lucasfilm, has a decade-long history with the 51-year-old, who has directed, produced or appeared in several superhero movies made by another…
If you did not stop believing, here, at long last, is your reward. A long-rumored “Sopranos” prequel has been given the green light, Deadline reports. “The Many Saints of Newark,” a screenplay from “Sopranos” creator David Chase, has been picked up by New Line Cinema, the report says. The story is reportedly set in 1960s Newark,…
Bones found on a remote South Pacific island that were originally believed to be those of a man may in fact be those of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, who disappeared in the area in 1937, according to a new study. Richard Jantz, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Tennessee, used modern bone measurement analysis…
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156331289569756&set=a.111498344755.93280.656279755&type=3&theater
LONG BEACH ISLAND-When you can’t surf the Ocean because of a Nor’easter, why not take your board to the bay and give it a shot? Here’s a photo of Long Beach Island Surfer Mark Temme surfing the bay during the March 3rd Nor’Easter.
How did Temme do it?
“A good wetsuit, knowledge of the bay and putting safety third,” he posted on Facebook. “I’ve wanted to do this since first seeing breaking waves in the bay during Gloria with Craig Sicola. I dedicate this session to him.”
Photo by Jay Mann, Facebook.
TRENTON-The NJEA today released a notice confirming the end is near for PARCC standardized testing in the Garden State.
Below is what the NJEA had to say on what could be the end of the disliked standardized testing system.
From the NJEA:
In a memo released yesterday to chief school administrators, Acting Commissioner of Education Lamont Repollet announced that the New Jersey Department of Education is beginning the process of transitioning away from the use of PARCC assessments in New Jersey’s public schools. Repollet promised that the development of a successor assessment tool will involve collaboration with educators, parents and other public education stakeholders. NJEA’s officers commended the governor and the acting commissioner for keeping a key campaign promise made by Murphy to students, parents and educators long frustrated by the costly, time-consuming and ineffective assessment tool.
“We are glad to know that PARCC’s days are numbered in New Jersey,” said NJEA President Marie Blistan. “From the beginning it was a poorly planned, poorly executed fiasco that undermined real teaching and learning in New Jersey’s classrooms. No one understands better than educators what our students need in order to succeed. I’m very pleased that we will be involved in developing a better, smarter assessment system that benefits students and allows educators to do our jobs more effectively.”
“This is a big win for parents and students,” noted NJEA Vice President Sean M. Spiller. “Across New Jersey, families voted with their feet by refusing to subject their children to PARCC. They knew that the tests did more harm than good and they refused to be intimidated. Involving parents in developing a replacement will help ensure that the needs of children come before the interests of testing companies.”
“Educators across New Jersey are celebrating this announcement,” declared NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty. “We know that our students lost out on too many educational opportunities because of the burden that PARCC put on the school year. We look forward to moving on from that failed experiment and focusing on what we do best: providing a world-class education to every student who comes through the doors of our schools.”
Is the media fair to President Trump? A new study finds that 91% of recent network coverage of Trump was negative. Raymond Arroyo shares his take on ‘The Ingraham Angle.’
Mom calls the police on her own son. Panel debates the mother’s parenting strategy.
An eighth-grade Manchester Middle School teacher was struck by lightning during a winter storm as she helped prepare for dismissal at the school Wednesday, authorities said. The 33-year-old teacher reported tingling to her hand and arm after the strike around 2:30 p.m., according to police Capt. Todd Malland. She was alert and conscious, and taken to…
Fire crews on Wednesday battled a fast-spreading blaze at a Lakewood building, at least the second major fire that came as a powerful winter storm brought snow and lighting to the region. The blaze at the Cross Street small business complex, near Damiano Way, continued to burn around 4:30 p.m., about two hours after authorities received…
by Charles Webster, MCPO
FREEHOLD-Two Long Branch men pleaded guilty to charges of Attempted Murder after admitting they fired multiple shots into a vehicle at a West Long Branch hotel in 2017, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. Due to their prior criminal convictions, both men face a potential sentence of Life in a New Jersey state prison.
Rayshawn Jones, 27, of Long Branch, and Michael Seward, 30, of Long Branch, each pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of first degree Attempted Murder, two counts of second degree Aggravated Assault, one count each of second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons, and fourth degree Refusal to Provide a DNA Sample. The pleas were entered on the eve of trial and encompass all charges brought against the defendants by the State for their roles in the shooting outside of the LaQuinta Inn in West Long Branch on January 13, 2017.
A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and West Long Branch Police Department determined Jones and Seward each fired multiple shots into a GMC Yukon striking the two Long Branch men sitting in the vehicle. Both defendants then fled the area on foot before encountering police a short time later. The shooting was captured on a nearby surveillance camera. The victims were both transported to Monmouth Medical Center where they were treated and released for their respective injuries.
While pleading guilty before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Richard W. English, Jones and Seward both admitted firing multiple shots into the vehicle with the intent to kill the two occupants. In response to questioning from Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Joshua D. Detzky, Rayshawn Jones also admitted he was a member of the Fruit Town Brims set of the violent Bloods criminal street gang.
Due to their prior criminal records, both men face a potential sentence of Life in prison when they return for sentencing before Judge English on May 4, 2018.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Joshua D. Detzky.
Jones is represented by Shane Paugh, Esq., of Middletown, and Seward is represented by Carlos Diaz-Cobo, Esq., of New Brunswick.
by Todd Malland
MANCHESTER-A 33-year-old middle school teacher from Manchester Middle School was struck by lightning while tending to bus duty outside of the building on Wednesday afternoon. The 8th grade teacher from Toms River was working bus duty at the end of the school day when the umbrella she was holding was struck by lightning. The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 PM when school personnel were preparing for dismissal. The teacher was standing on the sidewalk in front of the school with other staff members when the strike occurred. After the incident, she was escorted into the school building by two other teachers and taken to the nurse’s office. Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded as did EMTs from the Manchester Volunteer First Aid Squad. Upon arrival, the teacher, who was alert and conscious but reporting tingling to her hand and arm, was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center, in Neptune for treatment and evaluation of non-life threatening injuries.
STAFFORD TWP-On March 7, 2018, Stafford Township Police arrested 7 male students of the Stafford Township Intermediate School and charged each of them with making Terroristic Threats. The arrests were the result of two separate incidents in which the male students made threats to shoot up the school and stating that they were going to become active shooters.
In one incident, School officials were notified of the comments through an in-district electronic notification system in which students can make reports to school officials of incidents such as harassment, intimidation and bullying circumstances. They received the alert at the time the students were being dismissed for the day. School officials were able to intercept the student named in the report who was alleged to have been making the threats and remove him from his school bus.
Of the seven male juveniles, all are Stafford Township residents. Four students are 11 years of age, and three students are 12 years of age.
The investigating officer is Ptl. Joseph Mrazek, who was assisted by Ptl. Christopher Fritz.
Stafford Township Police Chief Thomas Dellane and Stafford Township School Superintendent George Chidiac would like to reiterate to all parents that there is ZERO TOLERANCE for any threat of violence in our schools or anywhere else. All reports will be fully investigated, and all threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Stafford Township Police and Stafford Schools continue to take proactive steps to educate students of the consequences of making any type of threat, and encourage all students to “see something, hear something, SAY SOMETHING”. We strongly encourage parents to reinforce this at home and speak with their children regarding this type of behavior.
On Saturday, March 3rd, 17 students from Hooper Avenue, North Dover, and Walnut Street Elementary Schools performed in the 35th Annual Elementary Choral Festival presented by the South Jersey Choral Directors Association (SJCDA).
The students were selected by their music teachers, Mrs. Simone, Mrs. Strouse, and Mrs. Coe, based on their musical skill and enthusiasm for participating in their school’s chorus program.
The students and teachers practiced before school and during recess to prepare for this event. The young musicians had a great time and gave a fantastic performance with over 150 other students from South Jersey!
Continuing New Jersey’s efforts to protect investors from fraud in the cryptocurrency market, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs today announced that the Bureau of Securities (“the Bureau”) has issued an emergency order to stop bitcoin, an online cryptocurrency-related investment entity, from fraudulently offering unregistered securities in the state.
In a Summary Cease and Desist Order issued today and effective immediately, the Bureau found that bitcoin a/k/a Bitocoiin B2G (collectively, “bitcoiin”) is violating the State’s Uniform Securities Law by offering investors unregistered securities in its Initial Coin Offering (“ICO”) of its own cryptocurrency – known as bitcoin 2nd Generation, bitcoin 2Gen, or B2G – and in its “bitcoin Staking Program.”
The Bureau also found that bitcoiin violated the law by failing to disclose key material facts to prospective investors, including the identities of its principals, the physical address of its business, and the risks associated with the bitcoin investments. bitcoin further violated the law by failing to disclose key information about its “brand ambassador,” a known movie and television actor, including how much he is being paid to promote the bitcoiin investments and whether he owns any bitcoin coins, the Bureau found.
“The Bureau’s actions today are a reminder to investors that while celebrity endorsements can add to the excitement and hype of cryptocurrency-related investments, they do not guarantee that an investment is sound or even legal,” said Attorney General Grewal. “As the online cryptocurrency-related investment market continues to evolve, the Bureau will vigilantly monitor the market to protect New Jersey investors from the high risk of fraud associated with these largely unregulated products.”
Cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange that are created and stored electronically in the blockchain, a distributed public database that keeps a permanent record of digital transactions. Current common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Unlike traditional currency, these alternatives have no physical form and typically are not backed by tangible assets. They are not insured or controlled by a central bank or other governmental authority, cannot always be exchanged for other commodities, and are subject to little or no regulation.
“Investing in cryptocurrencies carries a significant risk that requires individuals to be extra vigilant in vetting offers before deciding to invest,” said Sharon M. Joyce, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Alarm bells should go off when investors are asked to transmit funds to an unidentified online entity that fails to disclose who is behind its investment products, the financial status of its business, and the physical location of its operation.”
Bitcoiin, not to be confused with the better known Bitcoin, through its website at www.bitcoin.com and other social media, announced an ICO of its B2G coins starting on or about March 26, 2018. bitcoiin claims it is offering B2G to raise capital to build a “self-sufficient” ecosystem that includes the opportunity to purchase B2G, provide wallet staking, and to trade B2G, altcoins, and fiat currencies “on a secure, comprehensive platform.”
bitcoin claims that to finance its “project” it is conducting a crowd sale with an ideal financing amount of $250 million that would allow bitcoin “to implement the project quicker and also include a larger marketing manufacturing, technical development team.” The website claims that pre-ICO investors can purchase single B2Gs at a discounted price of $5 – half of what the launch price will be – and projects the coins will be worth $388 each by next December.
The second investment product being offered on the bitcoin website is the “bitcoin Staking Program” which offers potential investors in New Jersey the opportunity to purportedly earn “guaranteed” interest of 1 percent a month or 12 percent each year. According to the bitcoin website, to invest in the “bitcoin Staking Program” an investor need only purchase B2G and hold it in their “in-ecosystem wallet” which is accessible on the bitcoin website. The interest that is generated for the investor is purportedly derived from bitcoin’s mining operation. Potential investors also have the opportunity to earn commissions based on their recruitment of “affiliates” by promoting bitcoin investments through social media, videos, and websites.
The website’s landing page features a large photo of a known celebrity, touting him as the “official ambassador of bitcoin B2G.”
A bitcoin press release describes that the celebrity met with the organizers of bitcoin 2Gen and after reviewing their new business plan decided to endorse the bitcoin 2Gen ICO.
A small disclaimer at the bottom of the bitcoin website states that its “Celebrity spokesman holds no ownership interest in bitcoin B2G,” but Bitscoiin does not disclose what expertise, if any, the celebrity has to ensure that the investment is appropriate and in compliance with federal and state securities laws.
Additionally, there are no disclosures as to the nature, scope, and amount of compensation paid by bitcoin in exchange for the celebrity’s promotion of bitcoin 2Gen.
“When it comes to offering cryptocurrency-related securities in New Jersey, no one is above the law,” Christopher W. Gerold, Chief of the Bureau of Securities. “We will continue to protect investors by actively monitoring the internet to identify and stop dubious entities like bitcoin from flouting our securities laws.”
The Bureau’s action was handled by Deputy Bureau Chief Amy Kopleton, Director of Examinations Stephen Bouchard and Legal Officer Delfin Rodriguez of the Bureau of Securities, within the Division of Consumer Affairs.
The Bureau is charged with protecting investors from investment fraud and regulating the securities industry in New Jersey. It is critical that investors “Check Before You Invest.” Investors can obtain information, including the registration status and disciplinary history, of any financial professional doing business to or from New Jersey, by contacting the Bureau toll-free within New Jersey at 1-866-I-INVEST (1-866-446-8378) or from outside New Jersey at (973) 504-3600, or by visiting the Bureau’s website at www.NJSecurities.gov. Investors can also contact the Bureau for assistance or to raise issues or complaints about New Jersey-based financial professionals or investments.
SEASIDE HEIGHTS-After receiving approval from the borough planning board, the architectural firm MODE has unveiled their concept for a beachfront Cabana Club and Beach Bar.
According to renderings of the project, the facility will include a beachfront pool with private cabanas, lounge chairs, and beach access. And indoor pavilion is shown with a deck that can host private functions such as a wedding, depicted in one of the renderings.
The project will also involve the rebuilding and reimagination of the Beach Bar lost to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and subsequently demolished shortly afterward.
“We are very excited to finally share our vision of the Seaside Heights boardwalk. After months of design and preparation the redevelopment plan received unanimous approval from the Planning Board,” the company said. “Now the real work begins!!! First Phase includes kiosks and pop-up bar scheduled to open summer 2018. Cabana club and new Beach Bar building to open summer of 2019.”
Toms River officials celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Regency Memory Club of Toms River. Mayor Thomas Kelaher delivered a certificate of congratulations for their milestone.
In Berkeley Township, the Irish Flag was raised in honor of St. Patrick. Mayor Carmen Amato read a Proclamation and presented it to Russ Steenweg, Sr., the President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division I Ocean County.
Special thanks to Council members John Bacchione and Judy Noonan for joining in the flag raising, along with members of the Irish-American community and past AOH members including Rich Ryan, Jack Brennan, Timothy Lynch and Jim Lowney.
gh School North students Vidhi Jain and Ved Jain, founders of Share A Smile USA, traveled to the Dominican Republic over Presidents Day weekend to volunteer their time at medical camps they helped to organize in conjunction with the Lions Club.
The Jains founded Share A Smile USA about four years ago with the hopes of helping people living in impoverished areas get basic medical care, including vision care.
On this trip, they were accompanied by their friend and fellow classmate Arjun Sobti. The three students helped at the medical camps by providing screenings and information on diabetes and vision care. They also distributed over 400 pairs of eyeglasses to people of all ages.
The Jains look forward to planning their next medical camp and bringing more smiles to people across the world.