TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The Toms River Municipal Band will hold its last performance in the 2024 Ocean County Carousel of Music concert series tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean County Library. The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine, offering attendees a final opportunity to enjoy the band’s music this season.
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP, NJ — On July 21, the Evesham Police Department carried out comprehensive active shooter training drills at the municipal building, enhancing their preparedness for potential emergency situations. The drills are a critical component of training for law enforcement and emergency responders, aimed at refining their skills in neutralizing threats and managing high-stress situations effectively. Through simulated scenarios involving actors as both shooters and civilians, the exercises tested and improved response protocols, communication strategies, and coordination among participants. This proactive training approach ensures that responders are well-equipped to protect lives and minimize harm, should a real active shooter incident
TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Township Government has announced the opening of the Toms River Municipal Pool today, providing a refreshing retreat for families during the hot summer days. Located at 1810 Warren Pointe Road, the pool is open from 11 AM to 6 PM. The pool is open during the year’s worst heat wave, where heat indexes across town hit the 100-degree point on Friday, and the same is expected through Sunday. Residents are invited to enjoy the facilities and cool off in the pool throughout the summer. The township wishes everyone a fantastic summer season filled
TOMS RIVER, NJ (UPDATE) – The Toms River Township Council has voted on the first reading to move the 2024 township municipal budget on first reading. That budget delivers a 0% tax increase for the community. There will be a second reading on adopting the budget at the next township council meeting. Facing across-the-board salary increases, double-digit increases in healthcare costs, global inflation, and the end of the American Rescue Plan’s federal funding, Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick announced a 0% tax increase for 2024 last week, “It wasn’t easy,” the mayor said. This year, for the first time in
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Election Task Force (ETF) will be activated for the municipal primary election starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23. Polling location complaints and reported infractions of the Pennsylvania Election Code will be thoroughly investigated by ETF prosecutors, DAO Detectives in collaboration with partners at the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Voters who encounter irregularities at their polling location can call the DAO Election Task Force hotline at 215-686-9641. Additionally, voters can contact the national nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. Questions regarding the election
TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Township announces the sale of season badges for the municipal pool, exclusive to residents and their guests. The badges are available at multiple locations throughout the township. The township this year has stressed that the municipal pool is open to Toms River residents and their guests, only. Residents can purchase their pool season badges at the Toms River Recreation Center on 1810 Warren Point Road, the Senior Center located at 652 Garfield Ave, or at the Tax Office at 33 Washington Street. Day passes will also be available at the pool for those looking
TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority has hired the firm of Van Cleef Engineering Associates, LLC, where former Toms River Township Engineer Robert Chankalian serves as Senior Professional Engineer. Chankalian previously served as the Township Engineer for Toms River before being fired by Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick. The contract with the Jackson MUA is valued at approximately $300,000 annually for the firm. Chankalian earned $142,000 per year in Toms River before his termination. The hire was facilitated by MUA chairperson Todd Porter. Porter, also a former Toms River Township employee was recently fired by Rodrick.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – Robbinsville Municipal Court and Township offices announced a delayed opening for January 16, 2024, due to inclement weather conditions. The court will open at 11:00 AM, following a two-hour delay. Residents are advised to exercise caution while driving and to plan their commute accordingly. The Robbinsville Township Police Department emphasizes the importance of safety during these weather conditions.
By Tatiana Bautzer NEW YORK (Reuters) – Citigroup has decided to close its municipal underwriting and market-making activities, according to a memo seen by Reuters. “The economics of these activities are no longer viable given our commitment to increase the firm’s overall returns,” said the memo, signed by Citigroup’s head of markets Andy Morton and Peter Babej, interim head of banking. The memo added that the bank will unwind the unit in the first quarter and that most people working there will leave. Discussions about the future of the unit led to a team of bankers leaving for Jefferies last month.
(Reuters) – A team of bankers focused on healthcare at Citigroup has left for rival Jefferies Financial after the firm’s executives mulled closing the municipal banking department altogether, Bloomberg News reported on Monday. The group of about 10 bankers departing for Jefferies included managing directors Brian Carlstead, Ben Klemz and Katherine Meyers, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. Citi declined to comment to a Reuters request. CEO Jane Fraser has been weighing whether to shutter the bank’s municipal-bond trading and origination business. Citi’s municipal offering business has been under scrutiny from Texas attorney general, who in January
New Jersey is a state teeming with bustling cities, quaint small towns, and sprawling suburbs. Yet, within its intricate geography lie several anomalies: landlocked towns, municipalities entirely surrounded by a single neighboring town. These unique geographical entities defy the norm and raise questions about how they function, their histories, and what sets them apart. Here, we delve into some of New Jersey’s most notable landlocked towns. Lakehurst Lakehurst is best known for the Naval Air Station Lakehurst. Despite its relatively high profile, Lakehurst remains entirely enclosed by Manchester Township. Its landlocked status has not hindered its growth, thanks in part
By Ismael Lopez SAN JOSE (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department on Saturday sanctioned 100 Nicaraguan municipal officials accused of participating in human rights violations for their roles in the closure of a popular university and jailing of a prominent bishop. The sanctions include a ban on travel to the United States. The officials are accused of repressing civil society and closing civic spaces such as the Central American University (UCA), a Jesuit school that was seized by the government this week. The government a year ago imprisoned Bishop Rolando Alvarez, a fierce critic of President Daniel Ortega who was
By Li Gu and Tom Westbrook SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) – China’s promise of a “comprehensive” package to address local debt issues has triggered a rush into bonds issued by local government financing vehicles (LGFV) as investors sense an implicit state guarantee for these provincial firms. Yields on LGFV bonds, which account for half of China’s corporate bond market, have dropped to their lowest levels this year, even as a debt crisis in the property sector that most of them are exposed to deepens. Data from Chinabond, a platform that’s part of the China Central Depository and Clearing, shows spreads on one-year
TOMS RIVER, NJ – Anne M. Hammil-Pasqua, who serves as the President of the Republicans for Toms River GOP political party, which supported Mo Hill for Mayor in the June primary election, has been appointed by the town council as the newest member of the municipal bench in Toms River. The council, stacked with Hill loyalists voted to confirm her nomination as a municipal court judge. The council voted in favor of hiring Pasqua, who has deep political ties with Hill and his council running mates. So much so that Council President Josh Kopp abstained from voting on a resolution
TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Township Council has announced that the leader of the Republicans For Toms River political club, aligned with Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill, will be installed as a municipal court judge on Wednesday. According to a resolution on the township agenda, “The Township Council Of The Township Of Toms River, County Of Ocean, State Of New Jersey Consenting To The Appointment Of Anne Hammill-Pasqua, Esquire As A Judge Of The Municipal Court Of The Township Of Toms River.” The appointment raises concerns. That’s because Hammil-Pasqua is the political boss for the Republican club formed
TOMS RIVER, NJ – With Good Friday and the Passover holidays, the Toms River Township Department of Public Works announced there will be no trash pickup on Friday. The Toms River Township Department of Public Works and the Recycling Convenience Center will be closed on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. Friday’s sanitation collections will be picked up on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Photo by Toms River Township.
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s municipal utilities expect up to 15% of their clients to default on payments because of high gas prices, the head of local utilities organisation VKU told Funke Media group. About 900 such companies, called Stadtwerke, distribute two-thirds of all gas and also provide power, water, heat, waste disposal and broadband. The companies have been purchasing gas at very high prices which they expect to pass on to consumers through planned gas levies from October. “There are municipal utilities that calculate defaults of up to 15%,” VKU Managing Director Ingbert Liebing told Funke in an interview. Liebing
ST. LOUIS – The former municipal prosecuting attorney for Jefferson County, Missouri pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges and admitted having sexual contact with a defendant and then lying about it to the FBI. James Isaac “Ike” Crabtree, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts: deprivation of rights under color of law, namely the woman’s right to bodily integrity, and making false statements to the FBI. Crabtree admitted in court that on March 8, 2021, he engaged in sexual contact with a woman who had multiple pending cases in front of the municipal court. He also admitted lying to FBI agents
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Defendant Victor Cruz-Quintero pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López to one count of misappropriation of government funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. On or about October 28, 2014, defendant Victor Cruz-Quintero used his position as the director of finance of the Municipality of Toa Baja to make an unauthorized transfer of $2,538,164.41 from HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program funds into the municipality’s general fund. These funds were
From the Desk of NJ Senator Steven Oroho Trenton – The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton and Senator Steven Oroho (R- Morris/Sussex/Warren) would permit a municipality to include volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within the municipal eligible employee group under the small employer health benefits plan statutes. “Volunteer emergency responders provide an invaluable service to their communities without financial compensation,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “This bill would provide these selfless volunteers with access to certain health benefit plans, which is one way we can show our appreciation for their service.”
TRENTON, NJ – If you have been avoiding your local municipal property taxes, Republicans in Trenton want to dock your next income tax return in order to pay for your liability. According to New Jersey Senator Anthony Bucco, municipalities may soon be able to reduce property taxes by using an individual’s income tax refund to cover the cost of their delinquent property taxes. Bucco is sponsoring a bill that will allow your town government to take your income tax return to pay your bill. “New Jersey’s antiquated tax laws regarding delinquent property taxes have consistently led to higher property taxes
LAKEWOOD, NJ – Instead of easing or eliminating bureaucratic red tape in municipalities overburdened by COVID-19 lockdown backlogs, Ocean County State Senator Robert Singer wants to allow municipal governments to more than double their registrar staffing. “Registrars struggling with a glut of paperwork demands in the state’s largest municipalities could get relief from legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and endorsed today by the Senate,” Singer said, instead of introducing a bill or forming a committee to see what the root cause of the sudden increase in workload is caused by. “Municipalities with more than 100,000 residents would be authorized