New Jersey News Archives

Police plan to file charges against several bouncers who were videotaped beating two men outside a nightclub co-owned by hip-hop star Jay Z . A video was shot by a disc jockey who had just finished performing early Saturday inside the 40/40 Club and shows about nine security guards kicking and punching two men in a parking lot.

Two-Year Extension for Recycling Coordinator Certification

Senator Michael Doherty, R-Warren/Hunterdon, said he is pleased that his legislation giving municipalities a two-year extension on requirements to train a certified recycling coordinator has been signed into law.

“Many recycling coordinators are volunteers or part-time employees who get little or no extra pay for ensuring that their towns are in compliance with recycling laws,” Doherty stated. “A recession is the wrong time to force cash-strapped towns to pay the extra expense of training and increased compensation to meet new certification requirements.” ...

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s bill calling for a constitutional amendment to end raids on the state unemployment insurance fund advanced today in the Assembly Labor Committee.

The bill calls for a statewide referendum on whether the state should be able to balance its budget or finance unrelated spending by raiding funds collected solely by taxes taken from employers or employees’ paychecks...

On November 3, 2009, former U. S. Attorney Christ Christie became the first Republican to be elected governor of New Jersey in twelve years.

Ron Williams pushed his empty plate toward the center of the table and leaned back in his chair, surveying the sleekly modern dining room of the Gladstone Tavern, where he and 39 other veterans were enjoying a festive holiday meal.

It was not on the ballot, nor was it a top-tier issue in the New Jersey governor's race this fall, but the push to legalize same-sex marriage in the state could become a casualty of the election results.

Today is Friday, December 4, the 338th day of 2009. There are 27 days left in the year.

Earlier this year T&M Associates, a New Jersey engineering firm with millions of dollars in municipal contracts around the state, pumped more than $121,000 into local and county political races.

New Jersey wines are like Rodney Dangerfield: They get no respect. But a recent tasting of 18 red wines from 17 wineries showed that the quality has taken a giant leap forward during the past two decades.

One lucky New Jersey Lottery player has won the Mega Millions second prize of $250,000 for the Friday, November 20 drawing.

One New Jersey lawmaker wants to add a new attraction to amusement parks along the Jersey shore: windmills.

New Jersey urban radio, it's time for your close up. Shaina and Denise of the Rutgers University WRSU Don Mamas Radio are set to host a celebration of New Jersey hip-hop radio tonight at Club Abyss in Sayreville.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the New Jerseyan who has everything? How about a beach tag for his or her favorite seashore resort.

F our years ago, Rami Even-Esh, also known as Kosha Dillz, was still scrounging spare change and working pizza-delivery jobs to self-release his vinyl debut.

Maps have been around for as long as human civilization. Early cartographers drew maps on animal skins or carved them into clay tablets to help hunters and traders find their way.

The New Jersey Youth Chorus, under the direction of Patricia Joyce, will hold its Annual Holiday Concert at the Bernards High School Performing Arts Center, 25 Olcott Avenue in Bernardsville on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3 p.m. A short reception will immediately follow the concert.

A new poll found New Jersey voters oppose gay marriage, arriving at the opposite conclusion of a poll released in April.

Sommelier Susanne Lerescu, left, wine collector Gary Borntrager, center, and John Foy, the Star-Ledger's wine columnist, tasted 24 wines in the Star-Ledger's test kitchen earlier this month.

Former CNN host Lou Dobbs is seriously considering running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey in 2012 as a stepping stone to a possible White House bid -- a congressional matchup that would pit one of illegal immigration's biggest critics against a champion for immigrant rights.

Early holiday travelers found the New Jersey Turnpike to be relatively smooth going Wednesday, but problem areas were sprouting up as the day progressed.

Despite the New Jersey legislature's previously stated intention to pass a bill legalizing gay marriage, the prospects for passage have dimmed in the wake of the gubernatorial election, as some Democrats in the Democrat-controlled body have begun to "waver." Their reasons are not altogether convincing, but that's not surprising when you're talking ...

The number of people with flu-like illnesses in New Jersey has declined for a second week, the state Health Commissioner said Tuesday, but the state has recorded its 29th death since the swine-flu epidemic began.

The Battleship New Jersey will celebrate "Black Dragon Friday" by offering free commemorative prints and retail discounts.

Senator Joe Kyrillos, senior Republican on the Senate Economic Growth Committee, noted the New Jersey Business and Industry Association’s annual survey of current economic conditions shows business owners don’t believe that recovery will come in 2010. More importantly, survey respondents gave “record low marks to New Jersey as a place for expansion of their business facilities.”

“It’s time for Trenton to listen and respond to the pleas of the beleaguered business owners that New Jersey depends on to create jobs and economic growth,” Kyrillos said. “Business owners not only expect no growth in 2010 – business people are saying that New Jersey is a bad place to grow if they could expand.” ...

Republican Michael Doherty, born in Point Pleasant and raised in Glen Ridge, became the senator of the people of District 23 today at a State House ceremony attended by his family, friends and supporters. Senator Doherty, 46, pledged that he will represent his constituents with energy, character and honor.

Mike Doherty being sworn-in as the new Senator representing the 23rd legislative district in the New Jersey Senate on November 23, 2009. “I am humbled and honored by the trust that the people of District 23 have put in me,” Senator Doherty said. “It is their interests that I will represent in Trenton, and their interests alone.” ...

The following statement was released by State Senator Joe Pennacchio (R – Morris/Passaic):

“Both Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, while blindly and enthusiastically following their party’s leadership, have failed in putting New Jersey and in particular its senior citizens first. Their vote to move the Senate’s ‘Health Care Bill’ will hurt our states finances but more importantly reduce the quality and quantity of care given to our senior citizens through Medicare...

Senator Gerald Cardinale, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced today that he would oppose any effort to weaken the drug-free school zones law.

“It is clear that children need more rigorous protection against the predators that turn school yards into open air drug markets,” Cardinale stated. “Weakening the laws that protect students would send the wrong message to the students, educators and the community at large...

Republican Conference Leader Robert Singer (R-30) thanked the members of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee for advancing S-2711, a bipartisan, common-sense bill that would make it easier and more efficient to reassess property values in New Jersey. Singer and Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) are the primary sponsors of the legislation.

“Dramatic changes in property values require a forceful and prompt response,” Singer said. “Without common sense reform, our property tax system will be both overwhelmed and unfair. This bill allows assessors to ensure fairness and efficiency in property valuation.” ...

As pro-gay marriage Corzine exits and anti-gay marriage Christie steps up, hundreds of New Jersey gays rally at State House.

The New Jersey Legislature kicked off the lame duck session Monday with Democrats picking new leaders but both houses failing to advance a gay marriage bill that will die with the Republican governor-elect unless it's signed before his Jan.

There will be a sharp decline in the number of New Jerseyans who travel for their turkey and stuffing this Thanksgiving.

TRENTON - Police officers in New Jersey now can use stun guns under limited circumstances.

More than 18,000 current state contracts are now available for public inspection through a new online database unveiled today by Gov.

Yesterday, we posted an item about six law libraries closing in Connecticut. Today, via this article from the Newark Star-Ledger. we read about two courthouse law libraries closing in New Jersey.

More than 20 years after New Jersey's mandatory minimum sentences went into effect for dealing drugs near schools, state legislators are taking aim at a law that has created a sharp divide between cities and rural areas like Warren County.

Since the latest debate over comprehensive health care reform began more than two years ago, AARP has been fighting for health reform that provides stable, affordable health coverage options for all Americans and protects Medicare for older adults and for future generations.

Goofball Galaxy to Premiere at New Jersey Meadowlands Environmental Center, December 11th and 12th By Goofball Galaxy 11/22/2009 Goofball Galaxy is a place where children live before they are born on earth.

When it comes to finding a cure for cancer, no price tag is too high. Two Central Jersey forces dedicated toward helping the youngest of patients afflicted with cancer and blood disorders have joined together because they believe that wholeheartedly.

Frank Cannone is a member of the executive committee for the New Jersey/Italy Trade Council.

Interesting developments in the fight for marriage equality in New York and New Jersey in the last few days.

The first order for Graham Lustig when he took over as artistic director of the New Brunswick-based American Repertory Ballet, or ARB, in 1999 was to deliver a new "Nutcracker.'' It's always a good idea to start out small in a new job.

Faces in the News is a weekly feature that takes an up-close look at a person who recently was in the news.

"Supporters of gay marriage may find New Jersey more hospitable than many other states, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released today.

New Jerseyans surveyed narrowly favor allowing gay marriage, while 1 in 8 are undecided on the issue.

All Stars Project of New Jersey Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary By All Stars Project of New Jersey 11/19/2009 Out of the Box and Into the Garden: Jersey Youth Leads the Way, the All Stars Project of New Jersey's 10th anniversary benefit dinner was held on November 9, 2009 at the Newark Club.

While Park Slope is busy giving disabled birds ironic nicknames , New Jerseyans are doing right by our avian friends.

As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney General.

New Jerseyans are paying $1.3 million in pensions to 62 retirees who work for private groups at a time when the state's pension system is on the financial brink.

Police say a man who drove his car into a New Jersey cyclist had been sending a text message about a drug deal.

Adults with autism would be specifically covered by anti-discrimination laws under one of two new measures designed to assist people who have the disorder, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts said today.

Emergency management officials fanned out along the southern New Jersey coast on Tuesday, cataloguing damage to dunes, beaches and property from last week's nor'easter - even as local towns tallied tens of millions of dollars of their own damage claims.

Rumors of the death of news may have been greatly exaggerated. According to a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll, Garden State residents get their news from a variety of sources, with television and print media used about equally.

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit from Sussex Commons against Barbara Kelly of Frankford.

Senator Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement regarding Governor-Elect Chris Christie’s choice for the next Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services:

“I first want to commend Commissioner Howard for the fine job she has done during her tenure at the Department of Health. During her term at the department Commissioner Howard has accomplished many things that are good for the future of New Jersey. In particular, she was instrumental in expanding NJ Family Care...

Governor-elect Chris Christie and his team got their first hands-on look at New Jersey's already bleak state finances Monday and he says it's even worse than he realized.

A New Jersey airport security guard accused of threatening to shoot President Barack Obama has pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment in a deal with prosecutors.

New Jersey State Police troopers from the Woodstown barracks responded to 14 residential alarms during the period of Nov.

Bill Authorizes Gold Star License Plates for Parents of Soldiers Killed Overseas

Senator Sean Kean stood with Gold Star families and representatives from military organizations at a press conference to highlight legislation he has sponsored in honor of New Jersey military families that would authorize a special Gold Star Family license plate for families of servicemen and women who have lost their lives while on active duty for the United States...

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI Associated Press Writer TRENTON - One lawmaker said the state can save money and reduce recidivism by ex-prisoners by implementing a series of administrative and legislative reforms.

A state report titled "Fire in New Jersey 2008," available at nj.gov/dca/dfs, is a treasure trove of all things fire, from the day and the month most fires occur to an examination of fire fatalities.

Gov. Jon Corzine declared states of emergency Sunday in six New Jersey counties battered by the recent nor'easter, one of the most damaging coastal storms in state history.

New Jersey's fiscal problems must be attacked quickly, even if results will take time to show.

TRENTON Legislation that would embrace several findings of a task force that reviewed the state's one-gun-per-month law will be introduced in the Assembly shortly, Assemblyman John Burzichelli said.

By SETH GROSSMAN Political Columnist "Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance." Lou Adler, business recruiter and author of "The One Question Interview," 2004 Last week we elected Republican Chris Christie as governor.

Since its inception, New Jersey's Highlands Act held out the hope that landowners who suffer property devaluation through restrictive watershed zoning would get some relief.

Dinner with Socrates Hosted by The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, December 6 By The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 11/13/2009 The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will hold an exciting and unusual food and wine event featuring noted author, food historian and television personality Francine Segan on Sunday, December 6 at the Park Avenue ...

Nearly half of New Jerseyans polled in a new survey want Gov.-elect Chris Christie to cut taxes quickly, and a majority are optimistic it will happen.

Wind and rain have begun to ease on the New Jersey coast, and bridges are reopening as flood waters fall.

Declaring a fiscal emergency in New Jersey is one option open to Gov.-elect Chris Christie as he searches for a way out of the state's deep financial deficit, the head of his transition team said.

This truly dispiriting gubernatorial campaign has finally come to an end. I congratulate Chris Christie on his hard fought victory.

New Jerseyans e-filed a record 2.78 million federal income tax returns during 2009 for tax year 2008, up nearly 8 percent from last year's total of 2.58 million e-filers.A About two out of three New Jersey taxpayers, 65 percent, e-filed this year; out of the 4.2 million returns filed.

A week after voters declined to give him a second term, Gov. Jon Corzine today said he is working with the man who defeated him, Gov.-elect Chris Christie, to make the transition "as smooth as possible." "I want the governor-elect to be successful, because the people of New Jersey need a successful governor," Corzine said.

No More Double-Dipping Pensions

Senator Bill Baroni (R-14) has drafted pension reform legislation that is designed to prevent excessive government payouts from state pension funds to those who continue in post-retirement public service employment.

The legislation would help shore up distressed state pension funds by preventing individuals who work in full-time positions from collecting both a paycheck for public employment and a pension check simultaneously...

The defeat of pro-equality NJ Gov. Jon Corzine probably means that marriage equality in that state has to be approved swiftly--or delayed for years A Nov.

On Saturday, Nov. 7, The Miss Gloucester County Scholarship Organization will present "A Tribute to the Emerald City" as they crown the 2010 Miss Gloucester County and the very first Miss Gloucester County's Outstanding Teen.

One of the two winning tickets for Tuesday night's $77 million Mega Millions jackpot was sold in northern New Jersey.

The parade is from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM and it starts at 6th Street and goes to 11th Street on Asbury Avenue.

MOUNT LAUREL a ' Although New Jersey's election produced an about-face in the governor's office on the gay marriage issue, both sides of the debate have been readying for a post-election battle in the Legislature.

The owner of a now-defunct New Jersey wedding photography business has pleaded guilty to theft for failing to deliver photos, albums and videos to hundreds of customers and failing to pay photographers for their work.

Assemblyman Jack Conners, chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, today issued a multimedia package documenting his 8th Annual POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremony.

New Jersey is more than four years behind schedule in finishing a plan to combat invasive plants, animals and other organisms that threaten our environment.

New Jersey's next governor says Attorney General Anne Milgram will not be part of his Cabinet.

Five northern New Jersey communities that received swine flu vaccine over the weekend didn't get enough syringes.

OK, here's what should be the nail in the coffin for conservative claims that ACORN is poised to steal the New Jersey governor's race through rampant voter fraud.

Noveda Technologies, the leader in web-based energy monitoring systems, today announced that it has received $3.3 million in funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities under the state's new Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund .

Last Tuesday, Chris Christie was elected the 55th governor of New Jersey a ' the first Republican to be elected to statewide office since Christine Todd Whitman in 1997.

Nearly two-thirds of New Jerseyans believe there is "a lot" of political corruption in the state, according to a new poll.

For the first time, New Jersey consumers can access detailed information on patient safety at hospitals throughout the Garden State.

The conventional wisdom is that you just can't beat a superior bankroll. That might have proven true for the Phillies, but it certainly wasn't the case for Chris Christie.

Two years after New Jersey legalized civil unions for same-sex couples, nearly half of the state's residents surveyed favor allowing gay people to marry, a new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll has found.

Thousands of unemployed New Jerseyans will not need to file paperwork with the state to qualify for additional jobless benefits.

Plainfield's UNICO at Meet the President Night at the Venetian in Garwood, New Jersey By UNICO 11/7/2009 A sell-out crowd of UNICANS showed up at the Venetian in Garfield, New Jersey on October 27th to meet and greet their new National President, Andre' DiMino, and First Lady Jenny.

Highlights of Tuesday's elections in New Jersey: GOVERNOR: Republican Chris Christie won the bitterly contested race over Democratic Gov.

New Jersey's next governor vowed Friday to veto any tax increase the Legislature sends to his desk in the coming year.

New Jersey's amusement industry had its first summer free of major injuries in more than a decade.

Some Democrats take a hit, but it's not necessarily a trend. November 06, 2009 6:44 AM ODESSA AMERICAN Tuesday's election results may not signal that the Republicans are back as a party capable of putting together a winning national coalition, and the result in New York's 23rd congressional district might presage a bitter intraparty squabble.

In Camden, President Obama campaigns for Gov. Corzine at the Susquehanna Bank Center.

A A A' Did you hear the one about the best way to identify public officials in New Jersey? Check for the handcuff marks on their wrists.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean welcomed the announcement by Governor Corzine that he is taking steps to save an additional $400 million in this year’s budget.

“Governor Corzine is making the tough, necessary decisions to ensure that the state budget remains in balance throughout the remainder of the current fiscal year. It is encouraging that he moved quickly to address the revenue shortfall...

Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset) continued to call on Governor Jon Corzine today to release the results of a Rutgers study provided to the State Planning Commission that projects future population, employment and housing numbers in New Jersey. "These numbers are extremely important and will have a significant impact on the future development of New Jersey," Bateman stated. "I can not understand why the Corzine Administration wants to withhold this study. We are talking about jobs, open space preservation, affordable housing and a whole host of other important issues that will impact the everyday lives of New Jersey's residents." ...

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for a few thousand New Jerseyans -- and it's to tell them some good news.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean today called on Governor Jon Corzine to immediately impound all unspent funds. This year’s budget is running almost $1 billion behind in anticipated revenues. A projection by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates the structural budget deficit for FY 2011 to be almost $10 billion. Impounding funds is using legal authority to set aside appropriated monies.

“It is vitally important that the Corzine Administration ensures that a portion of unspent funds are immediately impounded. Revenue collections for the current budget are running more than $1 billion behind, in the current fiscal year...

Republican Chris Christiea s election as New Jersey Governor stymied plans by the Democratic Legislature to raise the fourth-lowest gasoline taxes in the U.S. to finance the statea s depleted highway trust fund.

Christie TRENTON-Now that Republican Chris Christie has beaten incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine for the governor's seat in New Jersey, the commercial real estate industry in the state is awaiting his policy initiatives.

Republicans swept governors' races in New Jersey and Virginia as voters worried about jobs and the economy punished Democrats.

Amid this recession, families across New Jersey are struggling to keep up with basic needs, including securing the education of our children, yet the state chooses not to do all it can to assist private education in this crucial endeavor.

A federal magistrate has agreed to let New Jersey's governor join a lawsuit that seeks to overturn a federal ban on sports betting in New Jersey and 45 other states.

When all was said and done, New Jerseyans again decided to spend more green to be more green.

Chris Christie's Next Case: Who Stole My Election? By JOHN FUND The race for governor in New Jersey is so close in final polls that it may well end up in a recount -- the 1981 election did and was decided by less than 1,800 votes.

New Jerseyans' 12-for-12 record of approving open-space ballot questions dueled with concerns about state debt and the economy Tuesday, when voters decided whether to approve borrowing $400 million for state preservation programs.

Voters in two states, New Jersey and Virginia , are electing governors. a 'The New Jersey race has centered on the economy and the state's highest-in-the-nation taxes.

Funding for open-space preservation and acquisition was put before New Jersey voters Tuesday in what was expected to be a barometer of attitudes about the state's fiscal woes.

Finishing his morning coffee with three friends - like him, all retirees and registered Republicans - Leonard Reisner let it slip that he would be voting to re-elect Jon S. Corzine , the Democratic incumbent governor.

Governor John Corzine laughs as President Barack Obama speaks at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.

Fearing a potentially devastating Democratic loss, the highly controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now group and its affiliated organizations are gearing up to tip the scales and re-elect embattled incumbent in the hard-fought New Jersey gubernatorial race, sources tell Newsmax.

New Jersey's candidates for governor darted through the state on the last day of a campaign being billed as a vote on President Barack Obama's popularity.

As the independent candidate in New Jersey's race for governor, Chris Daggett says he's discovered how tough it is for third-party candidates to compete in an entrenched two-party political system.

New Jersey voters have approved a dozen open-space preservation ballot questions during the past five decades, but they've never been asked one under economic conditions quite like today's. With the economy and voters' revived willingness to reject ballot questions in the background, environmental groups are running a $600,000 campaign to support ...

One of New Jersey's most significant environmental areas may soon get new protections that probably would limit development projects.Dismal Swamp _ which covers about 660 acres in the central Jersey communities of Edison, Metuchen and South Plainfield _ is one of the last remaining New Jersey wetland ecosystems in a highly urbanized area.

A horse trailer was stolen this past weekend from Congress Hill Farm in New Jersey.

New Jersey gubernatorial candidates, from left, Republican Chris Christie, Independent Chris Daggett and Democrat incumbent Gov.

President Barack Obama is making a last-minute campaign appearance for New Jersey Gov.

Earlier today in New Yorks 23rd, Republican Dede Scozzafava packed up her Congressional race and went home.