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Orioles fan gets grand slam of his own with $136K lottery win

FALLSTON, Md. — A Delaware resident using the alias Orioles Fan hit it big with a $136,810 jackpot on the Maryland Lottery’s FAST PLAY Home Run Riches Bases Loaded ticket — claiming the final progressive top prize just as the game closed. Key Points Loyal player lands surprise windfall The retired nurse and former Harford County resident regularly purchases Home Run Riches tickets to enter into the Contestant of the Game second-chance promotion tied to Orioles baseball. On Monday, he intended to buy four $5 tickets but received only two when the store’s machine halted. He considered visiting another location

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No charges for cops in deadly Hamilton shootout, grand jury rules

TRENTON, NJ — A New Jersey state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against two Hamilton Township police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Vincent Correa, 44, during a gunfire exchange that left one officer wounded on March 8, 2024. Key Points Domestic call escalated to gunfire The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) investigated the incident and presented evidence to a state grand jury under the 2019 Independent Prosecutor Directive. According to investigators, Hamilton Township police responded to a 911 call on Orchard Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. on March 8. The caller, located outside

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Pro-Palestine protesters shut down NYC’s Grand Central Station during Netanyahu visit

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Pro-Palestine demonstrators temporarily shut down Grand Central Station on Monday in a disruptive protest coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, according to the New York Police Department and protest organizers. Key Points Protest began at UN Headquarters The demonstration, organized by the group Within Our Lifetime, began outside the United Nations headquarters before protesters marched to Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Videos posted online show crowds blocking entrances and holding banners inside and outside the station. According to the NYPD, station access was restricted due to the size of

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Jackpot hit at gas station as winning lottery ticket sold in Grand Island

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. — A TAKE 5 top-prize ticket worth more than $38,000 was sold at a local Speedway gas station in Grand Island, the New York Lottery announced Saturday. Key Points The prize-winning ticket was for the April 4 evening drawing of the TAKE 5 game, which pulls numbers from 1 through 39 and is drawn twice daily — once at 2:30 p.m. and again at 10:30 p.m. According to the New York Lottery, the ticket matched all winning numbers in the drawing, securing a top prize of $38,143. The lucky ticket was sold at the Speedway at 1898

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Bojangles Brings Southern Charm to Piscataway with Grand Opening of First New Jersey Location

Piscataway, NJ – The wait is almost over for New Jersey fried chicken enthusiasts as Bojangles, the iconic Southern fast-food chain, will open its doors next month. The new restaurant brings the brand’s signature Cajun-spiced chicken, flaky buttermilk biscuits, and Legendary Iced Tea to Middlesex County, delighting locals eager for a taste of the South. The 2,800-square-foot eatery, complete with a convenient drive-thru, replaces a former Exxon station at the bustling Stelton Road site, a location praised for its proximity to major retailers like ShopRite, Target, and Walmart. The restaurant’s arrival is part of a broader expansion plan by franchisees

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State Grand Jury Decides on Paterson Police Shooting Incident

State Grand Jury Decides on Paterson Police Shooting Incident

**Trenton, NJ** – A state grand jury concluded its deliberations with a decision not to file criminal charges against Paterson Police Officers Anzore Tsay and Jose Hernandez following the police-involved shooting of Najee Seabrooks on March 3, 2023. This decision came after a thorough investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) which presented extensive evidence, including video footage, ballistics reports, and witness testimony.

The investigation revealed that officers responded to a distress call early on March 3, 2023, and encountered Seabrooks behaving erratically in a Paterson apartment. Despite efforts from negotiators and the Emergency Response Team, the situation escalated when Seabrooks, armed with knives, set a fire and threw objects at officers. Officers Tsay and Hernandez discharged their weapons after Seabrooks exited a bathroom with at least one knife, leading to his death.

In response to incidents like this, Attorney General Platkin took steps to transform the Paterson Police Department in 2023 by appointing new leadership and introducing department reforms. These initiatives aimed to rebuild trust and improve community policing, supported by various

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NYPD Seeks Subway Perv Who Performed Lewd at on 5 Train Near Grand Central

NEW YORK, NY — Police are searching for a man accused of committing a lewd act aboard a southbound “5” train near Grand Central Station last week. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, as the train was approaching the 42nd Street-Grand Central Station stop, according to the NYPD. Authorities said an unidentified male engaged in a public lewdness act while on the train. No injuries were reported, and police have not disclosed whether any witnesses were present during the incident. The NYPD has released images of the suspect in hopes that the public can help

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Orange County grand jury releases report on absentee ballot malarkey in village election

ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. — A grand jury report has detailed how absentee ballots were mishandled in a village’s 2023 election, outlining procedural failures and recommending steps to prevent similar issues in the future. The report follows a civil lawsuit alleging that 14 unregistered individuals improperly cast absentee ballots, while another 16 applied for and received ballots before registering to vote. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office presented evidence to the grand jury, which examined election procedures and made recommendations to strengthen transparency and efficiency. The report found that the village clerk required repeated guidance from the Orange County Board of

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Queens woman charged with grand larceny in $500K elder fraud scheme

QUEENS, N.Y. — A Kew Gardens Hills woman has been charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly scamming elderly victims out of more than $500,000 in a nationwide fraud scheme, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. Lise Rossopoulos, 59, is accused of working with a co-conspirator who posed as a government official and convinced victims to wire money to bank accounts in her name. One victim, a 92-year-old Hawaii resident, was told her identity had been stolen and wired $446,000 to a Chase bank account between February and July 2023. Another victim, an 83-year-old Kentucky

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State Grand Jury Makes Decision on Fatal Accident Involving NJ Trooper

State Grand Jury Decision on Fatal Accident Involving NJ Trooper

**TRENTON, NJ** — A state grand jury has voted against filing criminal charges in the case of Raul L. Diaz, a 59-year-old cyclist from Long Valley, New Jersey. The incident involved a collision with a New Jersey State Police officer on February 5 just after 6:00 a.m. in Hackettstown.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) conducted an investigation, presenting findings to a grand jury in line with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. Evidence reviewed included surveillance and body-worn camera footage, radio transmissions, a crash report, photographs, and autopsy results. On February 24, the grand jury decided not to indict NJSP Sergeant First Class Kesene Grier.

According to the investigation, Sergeant Grier was driving an unmarked state police SUV and collided with Diaz on an electric bike at the intersection of Willow Grove Street and Brook Hollow Drive. The collision occurred when Diaz applied the brakes abruptly, causing him to overturn and be struck by Grier’s vehicle.

Following the crash, Sergeant Grier alerted dispatch and provided assistance to Diaz until emergency services arrived. Diaz was pronounced dead at Hackett

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Off-duty NYC Department of Education employee arrested for grand larceny in Midtown

NEW YORK — An off-duty New York City Department of Education employee was arrested Saturday evening in Midtown Manhattan on charges of grand larceny and possession of forged instruments, police said. Lavar Morris, 33, was taken into custody at approximately 5:46 p.m. within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct. Morris faces charges of grand larceny and three counts of possession of a forged instrument. Authorities did not provide further details on the alleged offenses. The investigation is ongoing.

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Grand jury declines to charge New Jersey cop in fatal 2023 crash

TRENTON, N.J. — A state grand jury has declined to file criminal charges against an Elizabeth police officer in connection with a December 10, 2023, crash that killed two people, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced Friday. The crash, which claimed the lives of Juan Carlos Alvear, 54, and Ysabel Gonzalez, 63, both of Elizabeth, occurred when a vehicle driven by Jamie Fernandez, 21, ran a red light and collided with a taxi at the intersection of Grand Street and Routes 1&9. Authorities said Officer Michael White had been following Fernandez’s vehicle in response to reports of

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Elderly woman among two beaten, phone stolen during altercation near Grand Central

NEW YORK, N.Y. — A late-night dispute over a vehicle collision escalated into a violent assault and robbery near East 42nd Street and Madison Avenue early Sunday, police said. At approximately 1:35 a.m., a 70-year-old woman and a 34-year-old woman were involved in a verbal altercation with an unidentified man and a female suspect. The argument turned physical when the man and woman assaulted the victims, according to police. The 70-year-old woman was struck in the face, while the 34-year-old woman was pulled by her hair. During the incident, the male suspect allegedly stole the 34-year-old woman’s cellphone before fleeing

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Off-duty NYCHA employee arrested for attempted grand larceny in Manhattan

NEW YORK, N.Y. — An off-duty New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) employee was arrested Monday afternoon in Manhattan’s 5th Precinct, police said. Elijah Jones, 20, was taken into custody at approximately 1:05 p.m. and charged with attempted grand larceny in the fourth degree. Authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the alleged incident leading to the arrest, which remains under investigation. Jones is employed by NYCHA, though the agency has not yet commented on the matter or indicated whether disciplinary action will follow.

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Brick Township welcomes Palms Hair Salon with grand opening celebration

BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ — Mayor Lisa Crate joined Council Vice President Vince Minichino, Councilwoman Heather deJong, and Councilman Steve Feinman on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of Palms Hair Salon with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event. The salon, located at 11 Princeton Avenue, officially opened its doors as members of the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce and local officials welcomed the business to the community. “We are thrilled to welcome Palms Hair Salon to the Brick business community,” officials said during the event. The addition of Palms Hair Salon highlights the township’s continued support for small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

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Grand jury declines charges in fatal South Brunswick officer-involved shooting

TRENTON, NJ — A state grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges against members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in the fatal shooting of Shamar Leggette, 41, of Brooklyn, New York, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced. The shooting occurred on January 24, 2024, during an attempted arrest at a motel on Route 1 South in South Brunswick. Task Force officers were executing an arrest warrant for Leggette, wanted in New York and Rhode Island for armed robbery, and a female suspect wanted in Pennsylvania on drug distribution

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Police seek suspect in groping incident aboard 6 train near Grand Central Station

NEW YORK — Police are searching for a man accused of groping a woman on a southbound 6 train near the 42nd Street–Grand Central station on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. as the 27-year-old woman stood on the train. Authorities said an unidentified man approached her from behind and grabbed her buttocks. The victim exited the train at Grand Central and went upstairs, while the suspect remained on the platform before fleeing to an unknown location. No injuries were reported, police said. The suspect is described as a male approximately 50 years old with a medium complexion,

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Christmas Eve stabbing spree at Grand Central leaves victims stranded without help as Penny Effect takes hold

NEW YORK — If you ride the New York City subway system, don’t expect anyone to help you if you’re getting attacked. They’re calling it the “Penny Effect,” where once-ready bystanders who would jump in to stop a threat are now just sitting and watching, not wanting to be the next good samaritan brought up on criminal charges by District Attorney Alvin Bragg. A random stabbing spree at Grand Central Terminal on Christmas Eve has left victims shaken and questioning why no one stepped in to help during the violent attacks. Jason Sargeant, 28, is accused of slashing a man

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State Grand Jury Declines Charges in Paterson Police Custody Death

State Grand Jury Declines Charges in Paterson Custody Death

**TRENTON, NJ** — A state grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges following the death of Rosita Diaz, 57, in Paterson Police Department custody on February 18, 2022. The case was presented to the grand jury by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) in line with the 2019 Independent Prosecutor Directive.

The investigation conducted by OPIA involved witness interviews, a review of body-worn camera and surveillance footage, and examination of medical records, autopsy, and toxicology results. The grand jury reviewed this evidence and concluded deliberations on Monday, choosing not to file charges against any officers involved.

Ms. Diaz was arrested on February 17, 2022, for alleged narcotics possession and was taken to a hospital multiple times before being found unresponsive in a police holding cell. At approximately 5:55 p.m. on February 18, 2022, she was discovered, and after EMS was called, she was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m. Toxicology revealed the presence of fentanyl, para-flouro-fentanyl, and cocaine in her system. Her

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NYC Police search for suspects in subway robbery at Grand Avenue station

QUEENS, N.Y. — The NYPD is seeking two suspects involved in the robbery of a 55-year-old man at the Grand Avenue subway station in Queens on Thursday night. According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 9:08 p.m. after the victim exited a northbound ‘R’ train onto the mezzanine level of the station, located within the 110th Precinct and Transit District 20. The first suspect placed the victim in a chokehold while the second suspect removed the victim’s wallet, cellphone, and passport from his pocket. Both suspects fled the station in an unknown direction. The victim did not report any

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New Retro Arcade Hosts Grand Opening in North Jersey

Bloomfield, New Jersey, just got a major nostalgia upgrade with the grand opening of Hometown Arcade at 85 Washington Street. This retro gaming haven is the brainchild of Aash Bansal, a local entrepreneur who transformed his childhood love for video games into a vibrant community space. Stepping inside Hometown Arcade feels like a delightful time warp. The venue boasts over 50 classic arcade games, including fan favorites like Donkey Kong, Frogger, and Asteroids. Pinball enthusiasts can flip out over six pinball machines, while those seeking friendly competition can enjoy Skeeball, bubble hockey, and air hockey. Modern gamers aren’t left out

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Grand Jury Declines Charges in Manchester Township Police Shooting

Grand Jury Declines Charges in Manchester Township Shooting

**TRENTON, NJ** – A state grand jury voted not to file criminal charges related to the death of Shannon Rose, a 39-year-old from Manchester Township. Rose was shot on December 5, 2023, in a police encounter in Ocean County.

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) investigated Rose’s death, presenting findings to a state grand jury. The investigation included witness interviews, video footage analysis from body cameras, ballistics testing, and autopsy results. The grand jury concluded no charges would be filed against Officers Nicholas Greenwood and Michael Anderson.

On December 5, 2023, at about 8:28 p.m., the Manchester Police Department responded to a distress call concerning Rose, who reportedly had a semi-automatic rifle. Following a vehicle crash involving Rose’s van, officers located him in a wooded area and attempted negotiations for about twenty minutes. After Rose refused to disarm, Officers Greenwood and Anderson discharged their firearms. Rose was later confirmed deceased, with ballistic evidence showing a discharged casing from his rifle.

Released recordings include a police body-worn camera and two 911 calls. Under New Jersey law, any death involving law enforcement officers requires

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State grand jury declines to charge Cranford officers in fatal Parkway shooting

TRENTON, N.J. — A state grand jury has decided not to file criminal charges against Cranford Police Officers Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry in connection with the fatal shooting of a Perth Amboy man on the Garden State Parkway in December 2023, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced on Friday. The incident, which occurred during a police pursuit, led to the death of 40-year-old Kevin Harlfinger after an exchange of gunfire with the officers near Exit 131 in Woodbridge. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation determined that Harlfinger, who had been driving a stolen vehicle,

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Grand jury says no charges against New Jersey cops in 2023 shooting

CRANFORD, N.J. — Chief Ryan Greco of the Cranford Police Department expressed gratitude and relief following a grand jury’s decision not to file criminal charges against two officers involved in a December 2023 shooting incident. The announcement comes after a thorough investigation by the New Jersey Office of Attorney General’s Shooting Response Team. In his statement, Chief Greco thanked the Attorney General’s team for their detailed examination of the case involving Officers Ryan McSharry and Christopher Folinusz. He also acknowledged the quick actions of the Woodbridge Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Colonia First Aid Squad, and medical staff at

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NYPD seeks public’s help identifying suspects in Roosevelt Avenue grand larceny

NEW YORK — The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two individuals wanted in connection with a grand larceny that occurred at the 74th Street-Roosevelt Avenue subway station in Queens earlier this month. The incident was reported to have taken place at approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024, inside the “7” train station located in the confines of the 115th Precinct and Transit District 20. A 33-year-old man was approached by two unidentified individuals who removed the victim’s wallet before fleeing on foot. The suspects later used the victim’s credit card

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