Kenny Bachman made the mistake of drunkenly taking an $1,600 Uber from West Virginia to New Jersey. Now, he’s asking you to help him pay for it. Bachman, whose late-night tale has become a national story after NJ Advance Media first wrote about it last Wednesday, has launched a GoFundMe page to help him foot the…
WASHINGTON — The American Action Network, a nonprofit that keeps its donors secret, is up with a new television and digital ad campaign supporting Rep. Tom MacArthur for supporting the Republican tax bill signed by President Donald Trump. In all, AAN announced plans to spend $1 million on ads in 24 congressional districts after earlier spending…
by Todd Malland
MANCHESTER-On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at approximately 5:09 pm, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Route 37 and Northampton Boulevard to investigate the report of an erratic driver who was said to be swerving and who nearly struck the Jersey barrier near Bimini Drive in Toms River. While checking the area, Ptl. Matthew Juralewicz located the suspected vehicle just after it had driven into the woods on Commonwealth Boulevard near Third Street in the Pine Lake Park section of the Township.
Upon arrival, officers observed a brown, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up off of the roadway into several trees. The vehicle had extensive front end damage and had several road signs pinned underneath of it.
The initial investigation revealed that upon entering Manchester Township from Toms River, the Dodge Ram continued west on Route 37 through the intersection of Commonwealth Boulevard. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle turned onto First Street at which point the driver lost control of his vehicle and collided head with a 2017, Buick Encore which was parked in the street. The driver then fled the scene, turning left onto Commonwealth Boulevard. Once on Commonwealth, the driver left the roadway and drove onto the front lawn of a residence where he struck and destroyed a brick mailbox. The vehicle then reentered the roadway and continued north on Commonwealth Boulevard. At the nearby sharp right curve in the road, the driver failed to maintain his lane and ran off of the roadway taking down multiple street signs before colliding into several trees.
The driver of the Dodge, identified as 60-year-old, Richard Mosca of Manchester, was alert and conscious when officers arrived and had to be helped from his vehicle. He was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and both front and side curtain air bags deployed. Mosca sustained significant head injuries as a result of the crash and was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment and evaluation. As of last evening, he was listed in stable condition. Officers conducting the investigation determined that Mosca was impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the crash. Additionally, he was also found to be in possession of heroin. As a result, appropriate charges were filed by Ptl. Juralewicz. The roadway was closed for several hours while officers conducted their investigation and the scene was cleared.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs from Manchester Volunteer First Aid Squad, paramedics from MONOC, and detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Ian Bole of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.
MOUNT HOLLY-The National Weather Service has issued an advisory for the storm passing through the area tonight and this evening.
A dangerous nor`easter producing heavy, wet snow, will have high impact and potential for numerous new power outages and some tree damage from eastern Pennsylvania into northern and western New Jersey.
A compact but powerful nor`easter will skirt the New Jersey coast this afternoon before heading toward Cape Cod this evening. It will produce periods of heavy precipitation.
All locations along and west of the Interstate 95 corridor are vulnerable to heavy snow, with the greatest uncertainty within 20 miles east of Interstate 95.
Otherwise, there is very high confidence that this storm will make travel difficult or nearly impossible at times late this morning and this afternoon across much of eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, basically from near Philadelphia, west and north to the New York state border and beyond.
Highest snow accumulations will be in the hilly areas. Unnecessary travel is not recommended today. Thereafter, communities will need tonight and Thursday morning to dig out. Caution is advised for those with heart problems as overexertion removing wet snow could prompt a heart attack.
Plan on slippery road conditions, including during the evening commute. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times. Snowfall rates of nearly 2 inches an hour are expected at times through 7 PM. If the snow is wet and clings to trees and wires, then branches would break and power outages would result.
Here’s the latest NWS weather forecast…
An Assembly panel approved legislation Monday its supporters said would protect patients from getting socked with bills from out-of-network doctors and hospitals — a $1 billion problem lawmakers have failed to settle for nearly a decade. The legislation would protect thousands of New Jerseyans covered by state-regulated health plans from “balance-billing,” or paying what an insurance…
The man accused of killing Livingston native Brendan Tevlin three years ago in a terror-inspired slaying abruptly pleaded guilty during jury selection Tuesday to fatally shooting the Seton Hall Prepatory School graduate at a traffic light in West Orange. During the same hearing, Ali Muhammad Brown, 34, of Seattle, Washington, admitted killing three other men in…
JACKSON-Six Flags isn’t exactly crediting President Trump with a new employee pay hike, but the company has just announced it will be increasing the wages of seasonal jobs at its Great Adventure theme park by $2 per hour this season.
Kristin Fitzgerald, spokeswoman for the park said their effort this year is geared towards hiring more local and domestic employees. In past years, the park relied more heavily on international workers, housing them at the park’s large dormitory type facility onsite.
“We are working diligently to generate awareness for our early opening and the job opportunities it brings,” Fitzgerald said. “We are focused on domestic recruiting this year, while in past years there has been more of a focus on international workers. They only comprise about 3% of our staffing, while decades ago it was has high as 20%.”
As for this action having anything to do with the President’s recent corporate tax incentives, Fitzgerald said, “Good question, but no.”
Six Flags Issues Press Release for 2018 Season Jobs
Six Flags Great Adventure today announced that it is has raised the wages of key park positions for the 2018 season, which kicks off March 24. Jobs in culinary services, ride operations and park services (janitorial) begin at $10 to $10.50 per hour for day shift and $10.50 to $11.50 for night shift, an approximate $2 per hour increase over 2017.
“This wage increase is a demonstration of our commitment to being the employer of choice for central New Jersey,” said Christine Parker, Six Flags’ director of human resources and administration.
Recently named one of the Nation’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® by The National Association for Business Resources for the second year in a row, Six Flags offers a wide variety of positions and paid internships, and provides team members many benefits including advancement opportunities, reward and recognition programs, educational scholarships, free park admission, incentives from area businesses and much more.
New applicants can walk into the Employment Center without an appointment during regular operating hours, or visit one of two spring job fairs. The park will host its final job fair prior to the March 24 season opening on March 11. New applicants are encouraged to visit www.sixflagsjobs.com to complete an online pre-employment application, and rehires can complete their online rehire packet.
Six Flags Spring Hiring Events:
Where to Apply:
Available Positions:
Ride operations, retail, games, park services, culinary services, admissions, guest relations/VIP services, market research, loss prevention, security, landscaping, safari guides, lifeguards, entertainment performers and show technical support, accounting, cash control, corporate alliance brand ambassadors, public relations and human resources.
More information is available at www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Jackson PD
JACKSON-The Jackson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect of a residential burglary which took place on Monday March 5, 2018.
In the afternoon of Monday March 5, 2018, Police Officer Sean Greenberger responded to a residence on Cedar Swamp Road which is located between West Fish Road and West Pleasant Grove Road on the report of a burglary which took place at approximately 11:56 am on this date. The residents returned home and discovered that several rooms of the house had been ransacked. Various pieces of jewelry, cash and guitars with a value in excess of $5,000.00 were reported stolen.
The homeowner did have a video surveillance system and images of the suspect and his vehicle were recorded and are attached with this release. The suspect is described as a black male with short black hair and a longer beard, wearing a dark colored sweatshirt and pants and light colored gloves. The suspect vehicle is described as a dark colored BMW 4 door SUV.
The suspect was first observed pulling into the driveway at approximately 11:38 am and knocking on the door of the residence. After several minutes of waiting, he drove away but returned at 11:56 am and walked toward the area of a first floor window which was discovered to be open with the screen removed. He was then observed leaving the residence at approximately 12:09 pm after placing items from the residence inside the SUV and then driving away.
Please share the attached images of the suspect and anyone who may have witnessed anything or who may have knowledge of the suspect’s identity is asked to contact Jackson Police Det. Robert Reiff at 732-928-1111.
TOMS RIVER-A diesel fuel spill has shut down traffic around Main and Water Street this morning. Firefighters and police are on the scene.
MANCHESTER-An Ocean County man has been charged in connection with the theft of approximately 500 bronze grave marker vases from Whiting Memorial Park. John H. White, 46, with addresses in Manchester, Jackson, and Lakewood was charged with theft, desecration of venerated objects, and criminal mischief after a nearly month-long investigation.
On February 14th, staff members from Whiting Memorial Park, located on Route 530, reported missing bronze grave marker vases to Ptl. Thomas Dill of the department’s Patrol Bureau. While taking the initial report, staff members reported to Ptl. Dill that approximately 700 bronze vases had been stolen. The total value of the stolen vases is estimated to be approximately $175,000.
Following the initial report, Detective Craig Beaulieu was assigned to investigate the case. Utilizing electronic law enforcement databases, Detective Beaulieu discovered that John H. White sold almost 3,000 pounds of bronze (equating to approximately 494 vases) to two local scrap yards. It is believed that the theft of the vases occurred during a month-long period beginning January 24, 2018. Approximately 450 vases were recovered as a result of this investigation.
A state Senate panel Monday backed legislation that requires New Jerseyans to buy insurance or pay a fee — a mandate the Trump administration will end in 2019. The move is a step toward protecting the health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The federal landmark health care law requires…
A 1,200-page dossier containing the names of 34 ‘actively gay’ priests and six seminarians in Italy has been sent to the Vatican by the archdiocese of Naples. The allegations were compiled by Francesco Mangiacapra, a gay male escort who told local media he couldn’t put up with the priests’ “hypocrisy” any longer. “The aim is not…
by Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders
TOMS RIVER-The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders unveiled its 2018 budget that comes with a small decrease in the county property tax rate while funding core services like senior programs.
“This Board is following through on our commitment to lower the county property tax rate as we recover from the losses of the great recession and Superstorm Sandy,” said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as the architect of the County budget. “Last year we decreased the tax rate by 1/10th of a cent and this year we will decrease it by half a cent to 34.7 cents per $100 of equalized value.
“This is the direction we would like to follow,” he said in presenting the proposed budget to the Board on Feb. 28. “As our ratables rise we will gradually reduce the tax rate.”
The freeholders are scheduled to introduce the $416,092,260 spending package during their March 7 meeting at the Ocean County Administration Building, here. A public hearing and adoption of the budget is scheduled for April 4.
Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said the spending measure is under the 2 percent state imposed spending cap.
“This is a fiscally responsible budget,” Little said. “It is fiscally prudent.
“It will allow us to maintain our AAA bond rating, funds our programs and services and allows us to invest in our infrastructure,” he said.
The $416,092,260 budget is up $8.1 million. The amount to be raised by taxation is $346,491,117, up 1.29 percent.
Property values in the county have increased by 2.74 percent to $99.8 billion.
“And while we are seeing those values gradually increase, we are still $9 billion below the 2009 values when the economy took a downturn,” Bartlett said. “Coupling that with Superstorm Sandy three years later, we saw a major loss in the County. That is now beginning to turn around.”
Bartlett added the budget was $6 million below the two percent spending cap.
“We don’t need a cap,” he said. “We are better than that.”
Bartlett said the County’s surplus in 2018 is $55.4 million. The proposed budget includes about $22 million from surplus.
“In order to maintain our AAA bond rating, it’s imperative we keep a surplus balance that is equal to about 10 percent of the budget,” Bartlett said. “Having the highest bond rating possible helps us tremendously when we need to bond for capital projects.
“In addition a strong surplus balance is necessary in times of natural disasters and emergencies as we all saw after Superstorm Sandy,” Bartlett said.
“We have to build one year’s budget with an eye toward what it means for the future,” Bartlett said.
For instance, Bartlett noted that the 2018 budget returns to using more cash – $25 million – for capital.
He said that by doing this the County is not bonding for items such as trucks or heavy equipment and can pay for major infrastructure upgrades.
“This provides for flexibility in future budgets,” Bartlett said.
Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety, said it was imperative the county look at its long range plans when preparing the budget.
“The budget process takes place throughout the year – 52 weeks,” Kelly said. “We don’t come to the end of the year and ask what did you spend and why?”
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to Ocean County’s large senior population, said the board was continuing its commitment to the almost 170,000 seniors living in the County by funding key programs like the senior nutrition program and home delivered meals.
“This is more than just a meal for our seniors, this is a lifeline,” he said of the more than 1,100 meals delivered daily. “We are committed to helping our most frail, needy and vulnerable citizens. Our senior programs are second to none and we have pledged this help now and into the future.”
Vicari noted the Board is also continuing its commitment to higher education by appropriating funds to the County vocational technical schools and Ocean County College.
“Education is a priority for this Board of Freeholders,” Vicari said. “We offer quality educational opportunities here in Ocean County that serve as a cornerstone for the future of many of our young citizens.”
Freeholder Virginia E. Haines said the Freeholders are committed to providing government services and programs that are affordable to the taxpayer.
She added the Board works together to develop a budget that is fiscally responsible and that meets the needs of the county’s residents.
“Our process is one of cooperation, not confrontation,” Bartlett said. “We are moving in the right direction. We don’t play games with the budget.”
A chance of snow, mainly before 3am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
TOMS RIVER-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little announce an active investigation into the death of a male, 30 years of age, of Brick, NJ, at the Hampton Garden Apartments in Toms River.
On Monday (3/5) at approximately 9:20 pm, the Toms River Police Department and local EMS responded to a 911 call at the Hampton Garden Apartments, 26 James Street, Building “D. Upon their arrival, they found the above unresponsive victim of a gunshot wound. Victim was subsequently pronounced deceased at 10:34 pm at the scene. The officers immediately secured the scene and contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CIU to respond.
An autopsy is being conducted this morning to determine the cause and manner of death. There will be no more information released until it is complete. Media and the public can be assured addition details will be provided once confirmed.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation can contact OCPO Major Crime Detective John Carroll Jr. at 732-929-2027 Ext. 3964 or TRPD Criminal Investigation Bureau Detective Louis Santora 732-349-0150 Ext. 1276. All information will be kept completely confidential and can be reported anonymously.
BERKELEY TWP-On March 1st, at approximately 7:50 am Berkeley Police responded to a Forte De France Ave home in reference to an alleged Robbery.
The victim reported that several men were in his residence when he arrived home early this morning.
A fight then ensued at which time the victim was struck in the head. The suspects fled the scene. The victim was treated for minor injuries. Items were reported stolen from the home.
Berkeley Detectives and the Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit responded to process the scene and to further investigate.
At this time the investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Berkeley Township Detective Bureau at 732-341-1132 x611.
NEWARK- The Division of Consumer Affairs (“the Division”) today announced that it will not further pursue its appeal from a decision of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, which ruled that the Division has authority to reevaluate how marijuana is classified under state law.
In withdrawing its appeal to the state Supreme Court, consistent with the Appellate Division’s decision, the Division will embark on a process to revisit whether the currently accepted uses for medical marijuana warrant any change in its classification. While the Appellate Division in no way dictated that marijuana should be rescheduled, it did conclude that the time was “certainly ripe” to evaluate its current status under the law.
The Division is the agency authorized to classify or “schedule” drugs for regulation under the New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. The Division schedules controlled dangerous substances on a scale from I to V, and how a drug is scheduled determines how strictly it is regulated. Schedule I—the most strictly regulated category—is reserved for substances that have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use for treatment in the United States (or without accepted safety for in treatment under medical supervision).
Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. The Appellate Court’s October 2017 decision does not change how marijuana is classified under state law, and it does not require the State to change marijuana’s classification. Today’s decision not to pursue an appeal also does not change how marijuana is classified.
Rescheduling a drug is different than legalizing or decriminalizing it. Although rescheduling a drug can affect how strictly it is regulated, any action by the Division to reschedule marijuana will not result in its legalization or decriminalization.
The Appellate Court’s ruling in Kadonsky v. Lee came in response to a 2014 decision by the former Director of the Division to deny a petition to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule IV or V drug. The former Division Director had determined that he lacked the authority to reclassify marijuana because the federal government has listed the drug as a Schedule I substance under federal law since 1970.
In a decision delivered by Judge Michael A. Guadagno, the court found that the Division Director does have the authority to reclassify marijuana without any change in federal law.
The medical benefits of marijuana weren’t recognized in 1971 when New Jersey first adopted the federal government’s classification of the drug, the court stated, but more recent scientific research suggests that marijuana has “potential therapeutic value” for pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation, among other medicinal benefits.
Consistent with the court’s decision, the Division soon will initiate a process for reviewing marijuana’s continued classification as a Schedule I substance in New Jersey. The Division intends to consider evidence of marijuana’s potential for abuse and accepted medical uses, among other things.
As part of its evidence-based decision-making process, the Division intends to solicit input from members of the public. Additional information about the process will be announced in the coming weeks.
TOMS RIVER-Police are investigating a homicide after a man was found shot and killed at the Hampton Gardens Apartments on James Street. The Asbury Park Press is reporting that the man was found near an entrance to one of the buildings.
Neither the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office nor Toms River Police Department have issued a public statement on the presumed murder and it is unknown at this time if the shooter had been found.
MANCHESTER-On Monday, March 5, 2018, at approximately 2:10 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Central Drive and Manor Court in the Pine Acres Manor section of the township to investigate a single vehicle crash.
Upon arrival, officers observed a silver, 2014 Chevrolet Spark with extensive front end damage on the left-hand side of Central Drive up against a parked vehicle. The front end damage was the result of the vehicle striking a tree, a road sign and a 2002 Dodge Ram pick-up which was parked in the street. The initial investigation revealed that the Chevrolet was traveling west on Central Drive when it failed to negotiate the curve in the road near the intersection of Manor Court and veered off of the left portion of the roadway. In doing so, the vehicle collided with a small tree and a road sign before striking the parked Dodge Ram head-on. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 67-year-old, Judith M. Oliveri of Manchester, was unresponsive when officers arrived on scene and was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. Oliveri was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash and both of her front airbags had deployed during the collision. Although the investigation is pending, it is preliminarily believed that Oliveri suffered a medical episode prior to the collision.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs from Quality Medical Transport and paramedics from MONOC as well as representatives from the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit. The crash is being investigated by Patrolman Ian Bole of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.
JACKSON- At approximately 11:15 pm, Jackson Police Officers Mabey, Stybe and John Roth responded to a residence on Claridge Drive on the report of a possible burglary in progress. At the location, the officers discovered a 1999 GMC Van which had been driven into the backyard of the residence. After testing was done, the 34 year old male driver of the van was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was processed and also charged with reckless driving and careless driving. He was released on summons pending a court appearance. It was determined there was no attempted burglary.
JACKSON-On Saturday, at 6 pmm Jackson Police Officer Reiff responded to a residence on Ridge Avenue on the report of an unknown male who had appeared to overdosed in the caller’s backyard. The male was treated for an apparent overdose and transported to an area hospital for treatment. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department was notified and the subject was turned over to their custody when it was discovered there was an outstanding arrest warrant out of Ocean County for him
JACKSON-On Saturday afternoon, Jackson Police Officer Michael Kelly conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2005 Lexus on Cross Street for observed violations. While speaking with the driver and passenger, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Police Officer Joseph Pante arrived on scene to assist and a search was conducted of the vehicle which led to the recovery of marijuana, crack cocaine, a digital scale and approximately $7,000.00 in cash. A 23 year old and a 25 year old male were placed under arrest and charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, intent to distribute marijuana and intent to distribute cocaine. They were charged on summons complaints and released pending a court appearance.
Police did not release the names of the suspects.
JACKSON- On Saturday, Jackson Police Officers Morizio and Reiff responded to a residence on Lewis Lane on the report of a dispute. The investigation resulted in a teenaged male being detained and charged with simple assault and harassment. The male was processed and later lodged in the juvenile detention center in Toms River.
On Saturday morning, Jackson Police Officer Crinnian responded with first aid and medics to a residence on Vath Street on the report of a 31 year old male who had reportedly overdosed. The male was treated with narcan and transported to an area hospital for treatment as it appeared he had ingested prescription medication.
On Friday, at about 7:45 pm, in response to a call regarding erratic driving where the vehicle was described as being all over the road, Police Officers Reiff and Reynolds conducted a motor vehicle stop with a 2000 Jeep on Cedar Swamp Road. During the investigation, the 45 year old male driver was placed under arrest and later charged with driving while intoxicated. The male was released on a summons pending a court appearance after being processed.