HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Howell Township Police Department expressed gratitude to the residents of Pine View Estates at Howell for their participation and warm welcome at a recent fraud presentation.
The presentation alerted seniors to the different types of fraud schemes occurring recently and how to prevent being the next victim of fraud.
The event, which took place earlier today, featured presentations by Detective Ortenzi and Detective Robertiello. Additionally, Traffic Officers Bush and Silvani were on hand to address all traffic-related inquiries. The police department used their Facebook page to extend thanks to all attendees and officers involved in the event.
- Most of New Jersey’s Democrat Delegation Voted to Keep Stock Trading in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Stop Insider Trading Act on Thursday by a 232-198 vote, advancing legislation that would prohibit members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing individual stocks while imposing new disclosure requirements for stock sales.
The vote exposed a sharp divide within New Jersey’s congressional delegation. All four Republican members voted in favor of the bill, while seven of the state’s eight Democratic representatives voted against it. Rep. Josh Gottheimer was the only New Jersey Democrat to support the legislation.
Related: Congress stock trading ban, Stop Insider Trading Act, New Jersey congressional delegation, House vote
How New Jersey lawmakers voted
The legislation received “yea” votes from Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), and Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ).
Voting against the measure were Reps. Herbert Conaway Jr. (D-NJ), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Analilia Mejia (D-NJ), Robert Menendez Jr. (D-NJ), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).
Nationally, the bill passed with bipartisan support, although a majority of House Democrats opposed the measure.
Mikie Sherrill’s Stock Trading Scandal
She’s now the governor, but as a representative in Congress, Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) faced scrutiny and was fined for late financial disclosures under the STOCK Act.
The primary elements of the controversy include:
In 2021, Sherrill was fined by the House Ethics Committee for failing to properly disclose up to $350,000 in stock sales, missing the 45-day reporting deadline required by the STOCK Act. Her office attributed this to an administrative oversight and stated she proactively paid the fine.
Much of the couple’s portfolio growth stems from the career of her husband, Jason Hedberg, an executive at a New York investment bank. His compensation package included UBS stock, which they regularly sold off.
Critics pointed to Sherrill trading stocks in defense companies (such as Airbus) while serving on the House Armed Services Committee. However, reviews of her trades by political watchdog groups found that these were block selloffs and did not suggest the timing was tied to undisclosed, privileged intelligence.
What the bill would do
The Stop Insider Trading Act would generally prohibit members of Congress, as well as their spouses and dependent children, from purchasing individual stocks and other covered investments.
Before selling a covered investment, lawmakers would be required to file a public notice with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate between seven and 14 days before the transaction. Those notices would be published online, and if a planned sale does not occur, the notice must be withdrawn.
The bill exempts certain investments, including broadly diversified mutual funds, widely held investment funds, and qualifying trust holdings.
Penalties for violations
Members who violate the law by purchasing prohibited investments would be required to divest those holdings and pay a financial penalty.
Under the legislation, violators would owe the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction’s value, plus any net gains realized during a specified period. The bill also prohibits lawmakers from using campaign funds or official congressional allowances to pay those penalties.
Certain transactions by spouses or dependent children remain exempt, including trades made on behalf of another person or as part of compensation from an employer.
What happens next
Having passed the House, the Stop Insider Trading Act now heads to the Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature or veto.
The measure has drawn bipartisan support from lawmakers and government ethics advocates who argue members of Congress should not be able to trade individual stocks while having access to nonpublic information and influence over federal policy. Opponents have raised concerns about implementation, constitutional questions, and the impact on lawmakers’ families, although many have said they support stronger ethics rules in principle.
- One killed in Keansburg shooting
Homicide detectives investigate fatal Monday night shooting
FREEHOLD, NJ — A burst of gunfire cut through a Keansburg neighborhood Monday night, leaving one man dead and launching a homicide investigation that remains active as detectives work to determine who was responsible for the fatal shooting.
At approximately 8:56 p.m. Monday, officers with the Keansburg Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting in the 40 block of Carr Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Tuesday that the death is being investigated as a homicide.
The investigation is being conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Keansburg Police Department. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity or announced any arrests.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joseph Mason at 732-431-7160, ext. 2189, or Keansburg Police Department Detective Michael Sheehan at 732-787-0600.
Key Points
- An adult man was fatally shot Monday night in the 40 block of Carr Avenue in Keansburg.
- The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
- The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Keansburg Police Department are investigating the homicide and seeking information from the public
- Rainy Week Gives Way to Picture-Perfect Weekend at the Jersey Shore
Toms River, NJ – Residents across New Jersey will need to keep umbrellas handy through Wednesday as rounds of showers and thunderstorms continue to move across the state. The unsettled weather is expected to clear by Thursday, setting the stage for a sunny and comfortable weekend at the Jersey Shore.
Tuesday will remain cloudy with a high near 83 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon before becoming more widespread overnight, when some storms could produce heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
Storms linger through Wednesday
Rain and thunderstorms will continue into Wednesday, with scattered afternoon storms possible before a cold front pushes offshore. High temperatures will reach the mid-80s before cooler, drier air begins moving into the region Wednesday night.
Forecasters expect skies to clear overnight, with temperatures dropping into the mid-60s and humidity decreasing significantly.
Sunshine returns for the weekend
Thursday marks the beginning of a much-improved stretch of weather, featuring sunny skies and a high near 79 degrees. The pleasant conditions continue into Friday with sunshine and highs around 81.
The forecast looks especially favorable for beachgoers heading to the Jersey Shore this weekend. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 79 degrees, while Sunday brings mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing into the low 80s. Overnight lows in the 60s will provide comfortable evenings for outdoor dining, boardwalk visits, and summer events.
After a stormy start to the week, New Jersey residents can expect ideal midsummer weather to close out the week, with sunshine, lower humidity, and excellent beach conditions forecast from Thursday through the weekend.
- Wall Township traffic stop ends with weapon arrest
Motorist faces unlawful weapon possession charge after police stop.
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A traffic stop at the intersection of State Highways 33 and 34 resulted in the arrest of a New Egypt man on a weapon charge, according to Wall Township police.
Police said Patrolman Danielle D’Ambrosio arrested Ryan Eckardt, 27, of New Egypt, on Monday.
Eckardt was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon following the stop.
Police processed Eckardt before releasing him on a summons.
The arrest was included in the department’s weekly arrest blotter.
Key Points
- New Egypt man arrested after traffic stop.
- Charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.
- Released on a summons after processing.
- South Toms River man jailed after cocaine arrest and outstanding warrants
Drug investigation lands suspect in Monmouth County jail.
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A South Toms River man was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after Wall Township police said an investigation uncovered cocaine, drug paraphernalia and multiple outstanding warrants.
According to the Wall Township Police Department, Patrolman Danielle D’Ambrosio arrested Nico Rodriguez, 33, on Sunday.
Police charged Rodriguez with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers also determined he was wanted on warrants issued by Branchburg and Wall Township.
After processing, Rodriguez was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
The arrest was reported in the department’s weekly arrest blotter.
Rodriguez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- South Toms River man arrested Sunday in Wall Township.
- Police charged him with cocaine and drug paraphernalia possession.
- Outstanding warrants resulted in his transfer to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
