LATHAM, NY – Major Dennis Schager, Commander of Troop G, led a memorial service today at the Troop G Headquarters in Latham. The ceremony was held to honor the memory of fallen officers and to support the families they left behind.
During the event, Major Schager emphasized that the fallen heroes are not forgotten and remain an integral part of the State Police family and the esteemed long grey line. The State Police used their Facebook page to reflect on the significance of the ceremony and to reaffirm their commitment to remembering their lost colleagues.
- Lucky Queens minimart sells winning winning lottery ticket
East Elmhurst player scores major New York Lottery payday in Monday evening drawing
EAST ELMHURST, N.Y. — One lucky New York Lottery player is celebrating a major cash win after a TAKE 5 ticket worth more than $30K was sold in Queens during Monday night’s drawing.
Lottery officials announced that the top-prize winning ticket for the May 18 TAKE 5 Evening drawing was sold at Galaxy Station & Minimart, located at 85-05 Astoria Blvd. in East Elmhurst.
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The winning ticket is worth $30,309.
TAKE 5 drawings are held twice daily at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., with numbers selected from a field of one through 39.
Lottery officials said TAKE 5 prizes may be claimed for up to one year from the drawing date.
The identity of the winning player has not been released.
Key Points
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- A TAKE 5 ticket worth more than $30K was sold in East Elmhurst
- The winning ticket was purchased at Galaxy Station & Minimart on Astoria Boulevard
- The ticket matched all five numbers in the May 18 Evening drawing
- Lacey and Manchester Former Rite Aid Stores Slated for Retail Redevelopment
OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. — Two vacant former Rite Aid properties in Ocean County could soon see new life after TFE Properties announced Monday that it acquired retail sites in Manchester Township and Lacey Township as part of its continued push into redevelopment-focused commercial investments.
The properties, both located along heavily traveled commercial corridors, include an 11,206-square-foot building at Route 70 and Ridgeway Road in Manchester Township and a 10,908-square-foot former Rite Aid on Route 9 and South Main Street in Lacey Township. TFE Properties said the locations will be marketed to retailers, medical operators, and service-oriented businesses seeking high-traffic storefronts in growing parts of Ocean County.
The acquisitions arrive as former pharmacy properties across New Jersey continue drawing interest from investors looking to reposition vacant big-box retail space in established shopping corridors.
High-Traffic Locations Draw Redevelopment Interest
The Manchester Township property sits at a signalized intersection with substantial daily traffic counts. According to TFE Properties, Route 70 carries about 26,000 vehicles per day, while Ridgeway Road sees roughly 16,000 daily drivers.
Company officials said the surrounding area has experienced ongoing residential and commercial growth, strengthening the site’s long-term redevelopment potential and visibility for future tenants.
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The Lacey Township acquisition includes approximately 1.76 acres at the corner of Route 9 and South Main Street, another signalized intersection in a major retail corridor. The site also sees roughly 26,000 vehicles daily, according to the company.
The property carries Commercial C-150 zoning, allowing flexibility for multiple retail and commercial uses.
Former Rite Aid Sites Continue Finding New Uses
Vacant Rite Aid properties have become increasingly attractive targets for redevelopment firms following widespread pharmacy closures nationwide. Their locations often include established infrastructure, direct highway access, existing parking, and visibility in densely traveled retail corridors.
TFE Properties said both Ocean County sites fit its broader investment strategy focused on repositioning underutilized retail assets in strong suburban markets.
“These acquisitions represent another step in TFE Properties’ continued investment strategy focused on well-located retail assets with strong redevelopment and repositioning opportunities,” Carey Tajfel, president of TFE Properties, said in a statement.
“Both sites are located within growing Ocean County communities and offer excellent frontage, traffic exposure, and long-term value,” Tajfel added.
Key Points
• TFE Properties acquired former Rite Aid properties in Manchester and Lacey townships
• Both sites sit along major Ocean County retail corridors with about 26,000 daily vehicles
• The company plans to market the properties to retailers, medical users, and service businesses
Ocean County Retail Corridors Continue Expanding
Both acquisitions place TFE Properties in rapidly developing sections of Ocean County, where residential growth has fueled continued retail demand and commercial redevelopment activity.
The Manchester Township location benefits from direct frontage along Route 70, one of the county’s key east-west transportation routes connecting residential communities with shore destinations and regional shopping areas.
In Lacey Township, the Route 9 corridor remains one of the township’s primary commercial districts, supporting a mix of national retailers, restaurants, healthcare providers, and local businesses.
TFE Properties did not disclose financial terms of the acquisitions or identify potential tenants currently in negotiations for either site.
The company said it plans to actively market both properties for future leasing opportunities, targeting businesses seeking established retail locations with high visibility and strong traffic exposure.
At this stage, both former Rite Aid buildings remain vacant while redevelopment and leasing efforts move forward.
- New Jersey Bill Would Force Restaurants to Clearly Disclose Mandatory Gratuity Fees
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey lawmakers moved forward Thursday with legislation that would require restaurants to prominently disclose mandatory gratuity charges before diners receive their bill, responding to growing consumer frustration over unexpected service fees added at checkout.
The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee advanced Assembly Bill 3256 with amendments that would give restaurants six months after enactment to comply with the new disclosure rules. Businesses that fail to notify customers about automatic gratuity charges could face fines starting at $1,000 for a first violation and climbing to $5,000 for repeated offenses.
Restaurants Would Need Multiple Fee Disclosures
Under the amended bill, restaurants that impose mandatory gratuity charges would have to clearly display those fees in several places, including menus, restaurant entrances, customer bills, and company websites if the business operates online.
Lawmakers said the disclosures must appear in a “prominent manner,” though the bill does not specify exact formatting requirements.
The legislation targets situations where diners only learn about automatic service charges after receiving the final check — a practice that has sparked complaints nationwide as restaurants increasingly add fees tied to labor costs, large parties, or operational expenses.
The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee reported the measure favorably on Feb. 12 during the 2026-2027 legislative session.
Fines Increase for Repeat Violations
Restaurants that violate the disclosure requirements would face escalating financial penalties under the proposal.
The bill sets penalties at:
• $1,000 for a first offense
• $2,500 for a second offense
• $5,000 for a third or subsequent offenseLawmakers also included provisions for ongoing violations, meaning restaurants could face additional penalties for every day they remain out of compliance.
Enforcement would occur through civil actions under New Jersey’s “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” according to the committee statement.
Lawmakers Push for Transparency in Dining Costs
The proposal reflects a broader push by lawmakers and consumer advocates to increase transparency around added restaurant fees that customers may not expect when ordering meals.
Mandatory gratuity policies became more common in recent years as restaurants adjusted pricing structures and labor compensation practices, particularly after rising operating costs and staffing challenges across the hospitality industry.
Critics of undisclosed service fees argue customers should know the full cost structure before ordering food, while some restaurant operators maintain automatic gratuities help stabilize employee income and offset business expenses.
The committee statement did not indicate whether the bill would limit or prohibit mandatory gratuities. Instead, the legislation focuses solely on requiring businesses to clearly disclose the charges before payment.
Amendment Delays Implementation by Six Months
Committee members amended the original bill to change the effective date, giving restaurants six months after enactment to implement the required disclosures.
The committee statement also noted the bill had been prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 legislative session pending technical review. Lawmakers incorporated those technical revisions into the version advanced Thursday.
Key Points
• New Jersey restaurants would have to prominently disclose mandatory gratuity fees under Assembly Bill 3256
• Violations could trigger fines from $1,000 to $5,000, with daily penalties for ongoing noncompliance
• The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee amended the bill to take effect six months after enactment
What Happens Next
Assembly Bill 3256 now moves forward in the New Jersey Legislature for additional consideration. Lawmakers have not yet announced a final floor vote schedule.
If enacted, restaurants across New Jersey would need to update menus, billing systems, entrance signage, and websites to comply with the new consumer disclosure requirements before the six-month implementation window closes.
- NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill Retreats From World Cup Tax Hikes After Backlash Across State
Trenton, NJ — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and top Democratic lawmakers are backing away from a controversial plan to raise taxes and impose temporary surcharges during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after weeks of political backlash and growing resistance inside their own party.
The proposal, designed to help offset an estimated $300 million in public safety and logistical costs tied to the tournament at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, would have temporarily increased sales taxes in the Meadowlands district while adding hotel, ride-share, and sports betting surcharges across parts of the state. But with lawmakers divided and support collapsing ahead of the legislative deadline, Sherrill acknowledged the broad package is unlikely to move forward.
Instead, the administration is pivoting toward tourism and local business initiatives tied to the World Cup, including state-sponsored fan zones and reduced transit pricing aimed at attracting visitors without imposing new costs on residents and businesses.
Political Blowback Forced a Shift
The original plan, backed by Democratic legislative leaders including Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo, proposed a temporary 3% increase on taxable purchases in the Meadowlands district during the tournament. That would have raised the combined sales tax rate in the area to 9.625%.
Lawmakers also floated a 2.5% hotel occupancy surcharge in most New Jersey counties outside shore destinations, a 50-cent fee on Uber and Lyft rides tied to the Meadowlands area, and a 10% tax on World Cup-related corporate sports betting revenue.
Supporters argued the fees would primarily affect tourists attending the global soccer event while helping the state recover massive security and infrastructure costs associated with hosting matches.
But the proposal quickly became politically toxic.
Republicans attacked the plan as a tax increase during a period of already high living costs, while several Democrats privately raised concerns about voter backlash. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer publicly opposed the proposal, warning it could hurt New Jersey families and businesses.
Governor Sherrill later signaled the legislation lacked enough support to pass.
Key Points
• New Jersey leaders are backing away from proposed World Cup-related tax hikes and surcharges
• The plan included higher sales taxes, hotel fees, ride-share charges, and gambling surcharges
• Gov. Mikie Sherrill is instead promoting fan zones, lower train fares, and extended bar hours
Focus Turns to Tourism and Local Revenue
With the tax package stalling, the Sherrill administration is now emphasizing economic activity tied to the 2026 World Cup rather than new temporary taxes.
State officials said New Jersey plans to create fan zones and community events across multiple regions to encourage tourism spending at local restaurants, bars, hotels, and retail businesses during the tournament.
The administration also announced reduced NJ Transit pricing tied to World Cup travel. Train fares connected to tournament service were lowered to $98 from an earlier projected cost of roughly $150, according to state officials.
Sherrill additionally issued a formal proclamation allowing municipalities to temporarily extend alcohol sales hours during the World Cup. The order gives local governments the ability to approve later closing times for bars and hospitality businesses during FIFA events.
The proclamation states that extended operating hours could help businesses capitalize on increased tourism while supporting local economic activity tied to one of the world’s largest sporting events.
A copy of the proclamation released by the governor’s office highlighted the state’s expectation that millions of visitors could travel through New Jersey during the tournament, particularly around the Meadowlands region where MetLife Stadium will host matches.
Security Costs Still Loom Over State Planning
Despite the rollback on taxes, New Jersey still faces major financial obligations connected to hosting the World Cup.
State officials previously estimated security, transportation, emergency response, and infrastructure demands could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. MetLife Stadium is expected to host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the tournament final.
Lawmakers originally framed the temporary taxes and surcharges as a way to avoid placing long-term financial burdens on taxpayers while capturing revenue from tourists and event-driven spending.
The proposal also included tax credit provisions intended to reimburse New Jersey residents for some added costs. But critics argued the plan remained confusing, politically risky, and potentially harmful to businesses already struggling with inflation and operating expenses.
The debate exposed growing divisions among Democrats over how aggressively the state should pursue new revenue sources tied to major international events.
For now, state leaders appear focused on maximizing tourism spending and business activity rather than pushing through a politically divisive tax package ahead of the 2026 tournament.
The proposed temporary tax increases and surcharges have not advanced through the legislature, and Gov. Mikie Sherrill has indicated they are unlikely to move forward in their current form.
- Massive search underway after swimmer vanishes off busy New Jersey beach
Coast Guard and state police join urgent hunt near Ocean City’s 10th Street Beach
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — A large-scale search remained active Monday evening after a swimmer disappeared in the waters off Ocean City’s 10th Street Beach, authorities said.
Emergency crews from the Ocean City Fire Department and Ocean City Police Department rushed to the beach around 4:52 p.m. following reports of a swimmer in distress.
Officials said rescue teams immediately launched an intensive search operation in the water and along the shoreline.
Police drones were deployed as part of the search effort while additional resources were requested from the United States Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police.
Authorities said the swimmer had not been located as of Monday night.
Officials have not released the identity of the missing swimmer or details about what may have led to the emergency.
The search remains ongoing.
Key Points
- Emergency crews launched a major search for a missing swimmer off Ocean City’s 10th Street Beach
- The Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police joined the active rescue operation
- Authorities said the swimmer had not been located as of Monday evening
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