Archive for April, 2009

TRENTON –An Elizabeth man pleaded guilty to racketeering for his role in a Newark-based ring that distributed millions of dollars a year in illegal prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni announced today.  According to Gramiccioni, Will T. Jordan, 38, of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty to... »

TRENTON –Five New Jersey residents have confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, which has been commonly referred to as ‘swine flu,’ according to test results from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All five individuals were listed as probable cases as a result of testing conducted at the New Jersey Public Health... »

STATE –   Over 8.5 million New Jerseyans – everyone except residents of Cape May County – live in metropolitan areas that received failing grades in the American Lung Association’s tenth annual State of the Air report, released Tuesday.   The report ranks cities most affected by three types of widespread and dangerous pollution:... »

TRENTON—New Jersey Transit riders won’t face a fare increase this year, despite a cutback in state operating support for the agency, Executive Director Richard Sarles said Tuesday. The agency will balance its budget by cutting administrative expenses by $22.5 million to partly offset the shortfall, as well as benefit from federal funds made available... »

 WOODBRIDGE—The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter will host the Walk to Defeat ALS fund raiser in Woodbridge on Sunday, May 3, starting at 11 a.m. at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park (Sewaren Peninsula off Cliff Road). The walk is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Before and after the walk there will be family friendly... »

LINDEN—Pingry boys’ varsity swimming head coach Bill Reichle, a resident of Linden, has been inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association’s (NJSCA) Hall of Fame. He was one of 38 inductees on March 29, out of almost 8,000 head varsity coaches in the state.  He has been coaching swimming for more than 40... »

SUMMIT– Schering-Plough Corporation welcomed local and state officials, and a class of fifth graders, to celebrate the completion of a 1.7 megawatt solar energy system on Wednesday. With panels located atop seven buildings at the company’s Summit site, the system is one of the largest photovoltaic rooftop installations in New Jersey and North America.... »

STATE—The Department of Health and Senior Services opened a toll-free, 24-hour hotline today to answer questions about swine flu from the general public and New Jersey health care providers. The hotline number is 1-866-321-9571 and is open as of today. “We understand that New Jersey residents are concerned about the outbreak of swine flu... »

PERTH AMBOY – FBI agents raided the homes of former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas and his former aide Melvin Ramos on April 23 last week.  The agents carried out several boxes from both homes at the end of the multi-hour search. The scene attracted a small crowd of onlookers who lined the sidewalk... »

UNION COUNTY – Crime in Union County climbed 10 percent last year, according to State Police statistics released last week by the Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow. Elizabeth, which is home to nearly a quarter of the county’s population, accounted for more than 40 percent of the overall crime last year. Thirteen of the... »

UNION COUNTY – Two reputed high-ranking members of a drug distribution ring remained at large Monday after authorities arrested 15 people allegedly connected to the ring over the weekend, according to Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow. Authorities arrested 15 people, recovered more than 3 kilograms of cocaine, $80,577 in cash and several guns, including... »

Linden Business Sponsors Boxing Tournament—Conoco Phillips Bayway Refinery has agreed to be the main corporate sponsor of the New Jersey State Finals of the Diamond Glove Boxing Tournament.  Tournament finals will be held at Linden High School on Friday, Nov. 13.  Presenting a check on behalf of Conoco Phillips is J. Michael Kenney, Bayway... »

A Sticky Fundraiser—On Thursday, April 9, the Rahway High School Class of 2009 held a fundraiser to benefit upcoming senior activities by providing an opportunity for a sticky situation.  The fundraiser, led by Class of 2009 student officers with the help faculty advisers Pelligrina Perrone and Rachel Munuz, was also made possible by several... »

STATE—While New Jersey had no confirmed cases of the swine flu as of Tuesday morning, state health officials identified five probable cases in people who had recently traveled to Mexico or California. Officials declined to give details about the cases, but said that the patients were from several counties and had mild forms of... »

STATE – While he served as U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Christopher Christie authorized the tracking of individuals through their cell phones without first obtaining a warrant, the American Civil Liberties Union said last week. “Big Brother is tucked away in our cell phones, and the man behind the curtain is Chris Christie,” said... »

RAHWAY—The Rahway River Association will hold its second annual conference, “State of Biodiversity upon an Urban Landscape” on Friday, May 8, at 8:30 a.m. at the Rahway Library, 2 City Hall Plaza.  The day-long conference is open to the public for a $40 fee, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, registration materials, and a one... »

ELIZABETH—The fifth annual Play Ball for Miracles went into full swing at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, in Warinanco Park, Elizabeth.   Play Ball for Miracles began in 2005, shortly after Patrick Macnab was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder so rare that it still has no name.  The tournament benefits Children’s Miracle Network,... »

Wonderful Ethnic Education Day—On April 21, Madison Elementary School in Rahway celebrated W.E.E. Day, Wonderful Ethnic Education Day. Students transformed the school’s hallways into a showcase of world culture.  The school was opened to parents, grandparents, friends and our community friends.  Visitors enjoyed food, music, dance, clothing, arts & crafts, and literature from around... »

SPRINGFIELD—AAA New Jersey reminds parents, grandparents and caregivers to keep children seated, safe and secure when riding in motor vehicles. “Studies show that more than 80 percent of children are improperly secured in motor vehicles,” says Michele Mount, director of public affairs for the Florham Park-based Club, certified child passenger safety instructor and chair... »

STATE—In response to a swine flu virus that has caused illness in individuals in five states and Mexico, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has increased its statewide surveillance of influenza activity. To date, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed cases of swine influenza A... »