Holidays

Montgomery County Police Target DUIs During Holidays

Montgomery County Police Target DUIs During Holidays

**Montgomery County, MD** – The Montgomery County Police Department has announced that its Alcohol Holiday Task Force will focus on addressing alcohol-related offenses throughout the holiday season.

In the week of Monday to Thursday, task force officers arrested 43 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The arrests are part of an intensified effort to ensure roadway safety as holiday activities increase.

These figures exclude additional arrests made by routine patrol officers during their standard duties. Consequently, the total number of DUI arrests in the county for this period is higher than the reported 43.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed about public safety efforts via the Montgomery County Police Department’s official channels. They can follow ongoing initiatives using hashtags #MCPNews, #ImpairedDrivingEnforcement, and #NHTSA on social media platforms.

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New Jersey Police and Firefighters Give Up Their Family Days to Make Sure Your Holidays are Safe

As the crisp chill of December lurks across the Garden State, New Jersey transforms into a whirlwind of holiday cheer. From twinkling lights strung across the boardwalks to the packed malls that make Route 17 feel like an obstacle course, the season is both magical and chaotic. And through it all—through the traffic jams on the Turnpike, the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at holiday markets, and the constant hustle of community events—there’s a group of unsung heroes quietly making it all possible. New Jersey’s police officers and firefighters, this is your standing ovation. While the rest of us are juggling shopping lists

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Marion lottery player wins $20K on Home for the Holidays scratch-off

MARION, OH — The holiday season turned extra lucky for one Ohio Lottery player in Marion, who won $20,000 playing the new Home for the Holidays scratch-off game. The winning ticket was purchased at Marion Motomart #4125, located at 1297 S. Prospect Street. After mandatory state and federal tax deductions totaling 28%, the winner will take home approximately $14,400. Home for the Holidays is a $10 scratch-off game with a top prize of $500,000. As of November 22, seven of those top prizes remain available, along with other chances for players to win. Lottery officials remind all players to check

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Howell Township announces road closures for High Holidays pedestrian safety

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Two sections of roads in Howell Township will be closed this evening to ensure the safety of pedestrians observing the High Holidays, the Howell Township Police Department announced Thursday. Kent Road will be closed near the south end, close to the Lakewood border, while Brook Road will be closed from Oak Glen Road to the Lakewood border. The closures will be in effect from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during this time. The roads have since been reopened.

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Silver Spring Resident Wins $50,000 on Scratch-off at Local Market Ahead of Holidays

SILVER SPRING, MD — A routine grocery shopping trip turned into a remarkable windfall for a Montgomery County man, who won $50,000 on a Cash Boom scratch-off. The winner, who opted for anonymity and referred to himself as “Nikko,” purchased the winning ticket at Giant #301 in Silver Spring. “Nikko” was with his wife, buying dinner items, when he followed his usual habit of buying lottery scratch-offs. He chose four $5 Cash Boom tickets. The couple, who enjoy the excitement of playing scratch-offs together, found that the third ticket won $10. The fourth ticket, scratched by his wife — considered

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Local Resident Donates Handmade Quilts to Hospitalized Children for the Holidays

FREEHOLD, NJ – Sgt. Michael Grochwoski and P.O. Thomas Parise of the local police department facilitated a heartwarming gesture earlier this week, delivering handmade quilts to Centre State Hospital in Freehold. The quilts, crafted by Mary Ann Campagna, a resident of Jackson Township, were donated to bring comfort to children admitted to the hospital during the holiday season. Campagna dedicated her spare time to create these quilts, showcasing a selfless act of kindness. Her generosity aimed to provide warmth and comfort to young patients during their hospital stay. The donation reflects the community’s spirit of giving and compassion, especially during

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New Jersey Isn’t Good Enough For Phil Murphy to Spend the Holidays at Home

TRENTON, NJ – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in New Jersey. The lights are hung and the shopping malls are buzzing. Traffic is gridlocked on most major highways and as he does most years, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is leaving New Jersey for a better destination. That destination wasn’t disclosed, but Murphy has given Lt. Governor Tahesha Way an early Christmas present, the title of acting Governor of New Jersey until he and his family return on New Year’s Day. Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy departed New Jersey on the morning of December

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More People Are Driving Drunk on Newark Roads, Police Say as Holidays Approach

NEWARK, NJ – The Newark Police Department is asking the public to be cautious about driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, especially during the holiday season. This warning comes after a series of DUI-related incidents this weekend. Within a 24-hour period, Newark Police arrested five drivers for DUI, three of whom were involved in crashes. One notable incident involved a driver on New London Avenue driving the wrong way, hitting a parked car, and overturning the vehicle. There were no injuries. Two other incidents resulted in property damage. One particularly reckless case involved a driver speeding at about

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38% of New Jersey Residents Do This During the Holidays But Won’t Admit It

NEW YORK, NY — A recent study by DodoBurd.com has uncovered a surprising aspect of the festive economy: the thriving market of regifting and selling unwanted presents, with New Jersey’s regifting economy valued at a remarkable $435 million. The study revealed that 38% of New Jerseyans admit to regifting or selling unwanted gifts. Nationally, this trend contributes to a staggering $17 billion festive exchange market, with the average value of regifted or sold items being $123. California leads the nation with a $2 billion regifting market, while Delaware’s market is the smallest at $17 million. Interestingly, Rhode Island emerged as

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This New Jersey Bar Transforms Into a Christmas-themed oasis for the Holidays

FREEHOLD, NJ – When it’s not the holiday season, it is The Loaded Spoon on 108 Schanck Road in Freehold, inside the holiday-theme iPlay America. The bar has transformed into Miracle, a global brand of pop-up Christmas bars. Miracle, a Christmas-themed pop-up bar, opened its doors in Freehold, bringing a unique holiday experience to the area. The concept and original bar, known for its festive atmosphere and specialty cocktails, was initially launched in New York City in 2014. Since then, it has expanded globally, reaching numerous cities across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Central America in pop-up bar

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PNC Bank Arts Center Lights Up Holidays with Drive-Through Spectacle

HOLMDEL, NJ — The Magic of Lights, a drive-through holiday lights experience, is currently open until December 30 at the PNC Bank Arts Center, located at Exit 116 on the Garden State Parkway. This festive event showcases holiday scenes and characters using advanced LED technology and digital animations. For a starting price of $20 per carload, visitors can enjoy the holiday tradition from the safety and comfort of their vehicles. The journey through the Magic of Lights offers a unique way to celebrate the season, featuring a dazzling array of lights and animations that captivate and delight. This event is

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Turtle Back Zoo Illuminates Holidays with Festive Lights Display

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Turtle Back Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland this holiday season, featuring over 50 illuminated winter and animal characters. The Holiday Lights event, running from 5 pm to 9 pm on select dates, starts November 17 and continues through December 31, excluding December 24 and 25. Visitors can enjoy this free event, which includes activities like carousel rides, touch tank exploration, and face painting, though some may require additional fees. Guests are encouraged to contribute to the community by donating non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats. The event offers a unique experience, allowing

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New Jersey’s Funny Highway Signs are Back for the Holidays

A year after being ordered to remove cheeky signs from New Jersey’s state highways, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is back with more of the same in time for the holiday season. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic New Jersey DOT signage along the state’s highways read, “Don’t be a knucklehead.” Last year, the DOT rolled out “puns” of new messages on the state’s network of digital message billboards. “We’ll be blunt, don’t drive high,” one said. “Get your head out of your apps,” read another. “Nice car, does it come with turn signals,” yet another said. It’s a

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New Jersey’s Cake Boss Brings Signature Cakes Nationwide Through Walmart Ahead of Holidays

Buddy Valastro, renowned as the “Cake Boss,” has expanded his culinary reach by launching a new line of specialty cakes at over 3,000 Walmart stores across the United States. This nationwide rollout offers a variety of cakes from New Jersey to California, making Valastro’s famous confections more accessible than ever. Valastro’s collaboration with Walmart introduces three new specialty cakes and cake slices, including Every Buddy’s Birthday Cake, Every Buddy’s Chocolate Cake, and Every Buddy’s Fall Cake, along with classic slices like Vanilla Rainbow, Chocolate Fudge, Red Velvet, and Carrot Cake. “I’m thrilled to bring my signature cakes to fans across

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CBP, HSI Cautions on the Real Dangers of Counterfeit and Prohibited Goods Ahead of Holidays

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – In advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations joined Tuesday to caution the public about the real dangers of purchasing goods that may be counterfeit, restricted or prohibited. This joint engagement with local media is designed to make the public aware of the real dangers of such products and how these products are part of a larger transnational criminal enterprise.  “The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren’t always obvious. There are economic impacts, legal implications, and health and safety risks that are important for you to

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Florida Sheriff Announces Sheriff on a Shelf for the Holidays

POLK COUNTY, FL – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has introduced a unique initiative this holiday season: Grady Judd, the ‘Sheriff on a Shelf.’ Mirroring the popular ‘Elf on the Shelf’ concept, this initiative involves a figurine of Sheriff Grady Judd, intended to oversee children’s behavior and report back to Santa Claus. Unlike traditional elves, this Sheriff figurine does not require daily movement around the house and can be a year-round fixture in homes, serving as a constant reminder for children to maintain good behavior. Priced at $20 each, all proceeds from the sale of these figurines will benefit Polk

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Amazon’s playbook for happy holidays: discounts, same-day delivery – and AI

By Arriana McLymore NEW YORK (Reuters) – Generative AI will be Amazon’s secret weapon this holiday season, leveraging data from its more than 160 million Prime subscribers to improve ad targeting and allowing merchants to produce promotions quickly. Apart from fast shipping and the usual discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the company is betting that targeted ads, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), will draw more shoppers and advertisers to its platform. Amazon Chief Executive Andy Jassy said on a call Thursday with analysts that machine learning is helping the company present more relevant ads to shoppers. “When (advertisers)

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Walmart staffed up for holidays; US retailers cautious about economy

By Siddharth Cavale NEW YORK (Reuters) – Walmart signaled it has enough staff for the holidays, in another sign that top U.S. retailers, fearing a seasonal shopping slowdown, are holding off on the typical hiring sprees for the peak period. “We’re staffed and ready to serve the customers this holiday season,” Maren Dollwet Wagonner, senior vice-president of people, said in a LinkedIn post last week. “We’ve been hiring throughout the year to be sure we are ready to serve customers however they want to shop.” Stores needing extra hands will offer workers additional hours and hire more as necessary, a

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Thousands of tourists visit Macau, Hong Kong during Golden Week holidays

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hundreds of thousands of visitors have flocked to the Chinese-controlled regions of Macau and Hong Kong since Sept. 29, data shows as China wraps up its Golden Week holiday, although the figures amounted to just about 85% of pre-pandemic levels. In the world’s biggest gambling hub of Macau, about 900,000 visitors swarmed narrow cobblestoned streets, many to punt in dozens of glitzy casinos, while others took selfie photographs at historic spots such as Senado Square. During the eight-day national holiday, which runs until Friday, the number of daily visitors has surged more than five times from last

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New Jersey Synagogue Bomb Threat As High Holidays Approach

FAIR LAWN, NJ – A bomb threat was reported at Congregation Ahavat Achim at 18-25 Saddle River Road this evening, later deemed to be a “swatting” call. At approximately 8:01 PM, the Fair Lawn Police Department received a phone call alerting them to the threat. Rapid response protocols were immediately activated, and the location, as well as surrounding areas, were secured. The County Bomb Squad and other resources responded to the scene and conducted a thorough check, ultimately finding no bomb or credible threats. In addition, all other houses of worship in the area were inspected. Tonight’s bomb threat wasn’t

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Baltimore County Police Prepare for Upcoming High Holidays

PIKESVILLE, MD – As the Jewish community prepares for the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Baltimore County Police Department is also gearing up for increased activity. The department expects more vehicle and foot traffic in the greater Pikesville area during these times and is urging caution for both drivers and pedestrians. The department asks drivers to slow down and be alert for pedestrians, while pedestrians are urged to use sidewalks and cross at designated intersections. Extra officers will be deployed throughout the area to enhance community safety and offer increased accessibility to law enforcement services. Rosh

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Police In Baltimore County Meet with Jewish Leaders Ahead of Holidays

BALTIMORE, MD – Local police have joined hands with Jewish community leaders to bolster security ahead of the High Holy Days. Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) recently met with synagogue and faith leaders to discuss safety measures. The consultation aims to ensure secure environments for worship centers during the upcoming Jewish holidays. The High Holy Days are significant in the Jewish calendar and have been marked by increased attendance at synagogues. They start with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and culminate ten days later with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Amid growing concerns of attacks on religious communities

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Airbnb cracking down on parties at the jersey Shore during summer holidays

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ – Airbnb, a popular online marketplace for short-term lodging, has announced new measures to curb disruptive and unauthorized parties during the upcoming summer holidays in New Jersey. These actions are part of Airbnb’s ongoing commitment to crack down on parties and promote responsible travel. The central element of this initiative involves blocking certain one-night and two-night reservations for entire home listings in New Jersey and across the United States over Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend. By implementing these heightened defenses, Airbnb aims to target bookings that are deemed potentially higher-risk, reinforcing their existing party

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Del Rio Sector Agents Arrest 2 Child Sex Offenders During Holidays

DELRIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector arrested two convicted child sex offenders, recently. Dec. 28, agents assigned to the Del Rio immigration checkpoint arrested a Guatemalan national, Mario Alberto Garcia-Mejia, 28, who had two previous felony convictions. Record checks revealed Garcia-Mejia was convicted of two felony sexual abuse of a minor charges, in California, in 2021. He was sentenced to four days confinement and 36 months probation for the first offense and 180 days confinement and 36 months probation for the second offense. Dec. 29, Brackettville agents encountered four subjects attempting to avoid detection

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Philadelphia School District Orders Kids To Mask Up For Two Weeks After Holidays

Reagan Reese on December 15, 2022 PHILADELPHIA, PA – Fox 29 News reports that Philadelphia schools will once again require students and staff to wear masks during the school day after the holidays. According to Fox 29 News, the School District of Philadelphia, the eighth-largest school district in the county, is implementing a mask mandate for two weeks after the holiday break. Tony Watlington announced the mandate on Wednesday as a “proactive measure” since many of the educators and students will be participating in a number of social gatherings in the upcoming weeks. The school district is also providing free

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