Six Flags Great Adventure celebrates 2017’s opening weekend April 1 and 2. Guests can enjoy their favorite attractions such as Kingda Ka, El Toro, Nitro and Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom. On the Safari Off Road Adventure, guests can see the park’s three adorable baby giraffes for the first time. Xena, Charly and Eddie roam the Afrikka section with their mothers, weather permitting.
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News from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Beyond.
Officials Seeking Contractor Who Stole $1.5 Million from Hurricane Sandy Victims
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato is asking media outlets in a number of towns and states listed below to post the attached picture of Jamie Lynn Lawson, age 42, a Super Storm Sandy contractor wanted for fraudulent activity by the Ocean County Prosecutor. Lawson has been a fugitive since December 14, 2016. He is currently under indictment for theft and money laundering related to 14 victims of contractor fraud totaling $480,000. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will be superseding that indictment to include 34 victims totaling approximately $1.5 million. Its alleged Lawson took money from the thirty-four homeowners in Ocean & Monmouth Counties and then did either no work or less than contracted services on their homes. He allegedly used the money for vehicles and personal expenses.
Jamie Lynn Lawson is believed to have been in the following areas since December of 2016:
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Addison, TX
Denton, TX
Irving, TX
Houston, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Rowland, NC
Fairmount, NC
Lumberton, NC
Bishopville, SC
Greenville, TN
Siloam, GA
Livingston, AL
Sedalia, MO
St. Louis. MO
Tulsa, OK
Quapaw, OK
Mendenhall, MS
Brandon, MS
Florence, MS
Jackson, MS
Magee, MS
Lawson moved to New Jersey shortly after Superstorm Sandy and made application to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor. The State registered Lawson based upon his material misrepresentations on the application including his failure to disclose his prior criminal convictions. Shortly thereafter, he began taking contracts to perform Sandy related renovations and new home construction.
The specific counts of the original Indictment include Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) – Second Degree (more than $75,000), six counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Second Degree (more than $75,000), nine counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Third Degree (more than $500 and less than $75,000), Tampering with Public Records for submitting a fictitious Home Improvement Contractor Application Third Degree and one count of Unregistered Home Improvement Contracting – Fourth Degree. Superior Court Judge Patricia B. Roe, J.S.C. set bail on the Indictment Warrant at $150,000, restricted him from engaging in home improvement & building contracts and required him to surrender his passport.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted in cooperation with the Brick Police Department, Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Anyone with information regarding Lawson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Economic Crime Unit
Chadwick Island Bridge to be Replaced
Originally built in the 1950s, the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge has served the residents of the island well providing access from their homes to Route 35. It even weathered Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
But age has taken its toll on the timber span and Ocean County will now oversee a study to determine the best course of action for rehabilitating or replacing bridge located on the northern barrier island in Toms River Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees approved $325,000 in federal funds for the study at its March meeting.
Funding for the study is provided through the Local Concept Development Phase of the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2018 Local Capital Project Delivery Program. The Local Capital Project Delivery Program awards grants to NJTPA member counties and cities to investigate all aspects of a project, including environmental, right of way access, design and feasibility issues. The NJTPA Board approved a combined $2.76 million for studies in FY 2018 and FY 2019 at its March 13 meeting in Newark.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari extended his appreciation to the NJTPA for providing the funds for the study.
He noted the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge is used by many bicyclists and pedestrians especially in the summer months.
The two-lane bridge on Strickland Boulevard crosses the Barnegat Bay, connecting Chadwick Beach Island and its 300 homes to Route 35.
In 1985, new deck boards, pile caps and railings were installed. The timber bulkheads and load-bearing piles are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The bridge’s width and sidewalk do not meet current standards.
According to the NJTPA, Local Concept Development is the first phase of the Local Capital Project Delivery Program, which guides projects from initial concepts all the way to construction.
During the initial phase, the County will identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies and select a preferred alternative. Projects that complete this initial investigative work may be eligible for eventual construction with federal funds. More information on the program can be found at www.njtpa.org.
N.J.'s largest hospital chain and Aetna may split, spurring patient bills to soar
TRENTON — Aetna, the second-largest health insurance company in New Jersey, notified 45,000 policy holders this month that unless contract negotiations improve soon with the state’s largest hospital network, patients will have to pay a lot more to use these facilities. The two-year contract between RWJBarnabas Health and Aetna will expire April 22, according to the…
The 'Religious Left' Is on the Move
With President Donald Trump’s election to office, Christian progressives have taken a more vocal stance on issues such as climate change and social justice — while conservative Christians are holding their ground. “Although support for the religious left is difficult to measure, leaders point to several examples, such as a surge of congregations offering to provide…
Yankees season preview: Rebuilding with youngsters
It was a quiet offseason for the New York Yankees, unless you consider all the talk about young players in the minor leagues who are on the verge of making the majors to be noise. For the Yankees, they’re hoping the talk eventually leads to positive results for a team that has grown stale and boring…
Trump Declines to Throw Out First Pitch on Opening Day
We know Donald Trump loves Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, who will visit the White House on April 19 to celebrate their Super Bowl title, but what does the president think of America’s Pastime? We know he played in high school, and he’s been spotted at Mets and Yankees games over the years. In…
Five Best Baseball Movies to Usher in a New Season
This year’s baseball season officially kicks off April 2, but excitement is already in the air. The sport, of course, is as synonymous with America as apple pie and July 4th. The cracking of a baseball against a bat marks the impending season summer — and sunshine. Baseball teams carry with them a level of loyalty…
1 drunk man with 33 fake IDs tried to buy $10K in flooring, report says
SOUTH HACKENSACK — A 60-year-old New York man was arrested after police found him with 33 fake IDs and 13 credit cards, CBS New York reported. Anand Clifton Persaud reportedly attempted to buy $10,000 in flooring at Lumber Liquidators in South Hackensack with a fake California ID and a matching Chase Visa card. He was drunk…
Authorities searching for inmate who escaped Trenton facilty
LAWRENCE — Authorities were searching for a man who walked away from a halfway house Tuesday night, a spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections said. Robert Jace, 35, was seen in Lawrence in the 2500 block of Brunswick, local police said in a 7 p.m. electronic alert. He is white, 5’11”, with a thin build, brown…
Wild turkey crashes through windshield of N.J. family's car
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. — An Emerson family returning from a trip to visit Notre Dame University was involved in a gruesome collision with a 30-lb. wild turkey, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. As the Taraboczhias were travelling west on US 20, the tom flew into the windshield of their rented vehicle, the…
At least 27 victims claim abuse by former Pingry teacher
A popular teacher and Boy Scout leader at a prestigious prep school is believed to have abused at least 27 boys over six years in the mid 1970s, according to an inquiry by an investigative firm commissioned by the Pingry School. The investigation also revealed alleged sexual misconduct by two other teachers, including a music teacher…
Man accused of stabbing hiker reportedly pleads not guilty to attempted murder
NEWTON — A Sussex County man who allegedly stabbed and robbed a hiker last year has pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with attempted murder and robbery, New Jersey Herald reported. Philip Tintle, 27, of Vernon, was indicted last month on charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree…
Sheriff: No plans for immigration crackdown but considering federalizing deputies
HANOVER — Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, who recently urged municipalities in his jurisdiction to reject the sanctuary city label, said Tuesday his department will not have a role in enforcing federal immigration laws. “At this juncture, unless there’s a change in the need — no,” Gannon said in response to a question from Morristown Mayor…
N.J. jail is scanning the inside of inmates
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Correctional Institution is the first correctional facility in New Jersey to purchase and operate a full-body X-ray device to detect concealed objects on inmate, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said in a press release that the goal of the equipment is to prevent the…
Former N.J. high school valedictorian among 2 killed in avalanche
A doctor who was the valedictorian of her high school class in New Jersey 15 years ago died in an avalanche in Canada earlier this month, according to reports. Lauren Zeitels, 32, and her friend Victor Fedorov, a fellow internal medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital were killed March 12 at Banff National Park in Alberta,…
Police shoot alleged armed robber in exchange of gunfire, report says
PATERSON – Police responding to a report of an armed robbery early Wednesday fired shots at the suspect, apparently wounding him, according to media reports. The robbery occurred about 12:15 a.m. in the intersection of Market and Carroll streets when the man allegedly stole a cellphone, according to 7online.com. The alleged robber was chased by Paterson…
Robber sentenced for shooting that ended veteran cop's career
NEWARK — A man who shot a Newark police officer as the veteran cop helped thwart a store robbery was sentenced to more than 40 years in state prison, officials said Tuesday. Donald Easterling, 30, must serve 85 percent of his 45 year sentence before he is eligible for parole, according to an Essex County Prosecutor’s…
Teenage armed robbers’ last sight on Earth was a 23-year-old with an AR-15
Males aged 16, 17, 18 years old are dead after they attempted to break into the wrong home in Broken Arrow, Okla., as a 23-year-old resident responded to sounds of a break-in by arming himself with an AR-15 and opening fire. It happened after midnight on Monday at a home in Wagoner County. Watch the video…
Army National Guard Conducting Artillery Training at Joint Base Friday through Sunday
Heads up, MDL! Units from the New Jersey National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve will be conducting heavy and light weapons training beginning today through the weekend. Training is slated to run between approx. 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.