Archive for February, 2010

ELIZABETH – Dollar General recently opened a new store at 190 Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth and will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 8 a.m. »

Cigarettes are the means of distribution and consumption of an addictive drug called nicotine and they kill 400,000 people a year. I gained 50 pounds when I stopped smoking, so I can attest that it is hard to give 'em up. If you don't smoke, then try to understand that kicking the habit... »

TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie said that New Jersey is in a “state of financial crisis” and outlined cuts to address a $2.2 billion gap in this year’s budget before a joint session of the Legislature this morning. »

UNION COUNTY—A politically-connected former police officer who resigned in disgrace is said to be getting ready to have his criminal record erased so he can land a county job that will preserve his taxpayer-funded pension benefits. »

Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Donohue, who is the brother-in-law of Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, a top deputy to Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and a political power broker, cannot ethically sit in judgment of Genarro Mirabella, who is the brother of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella and son of former Elizabeth Police Chief Gene Mirabella. »

ELIZABETH – Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) urged federal regulators to approve an acquisition to save a struggling Elizabeth bank whose officers included contributors to his campaigns. »

UNION COUNTY—Sledding was on the agenda for many of Union County’s children, who were off from school for a second day. For smaller children, the small slopes in Briant Park in Summit and Lenape Park in Cranford were enough. »

STATE—New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of the New York Blood Center (NYBC), is calling upon the community to please donate blood and platelets, to replace nearly 1,500 donations expected to be lost during the recent winter snowstorms. Healthy people of all blood types and ethnicities are encouraged to donate this week. »

ELIZABETH -- A Jersey City man was found dead on Irvington Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 10, less than 24 hours after police shot and killed a suspected car thief, and an off-duty Newark police officer was shot in the leg outside his girlfriend's house on Adams Avenue. »

CLARK – The efforts of a group of concerned parents may be enough to keep St. Agnes School open after all. »

RAHWAY—Roosevelt School in Rahway collected $1 donations and has hung over 500 “hearts” in the front hall. All proceeds will be forwarded to Haiti relief organizations. »

ELIZABETH--The Benedictine Academy Varsity Track Team has made immense strides this season, breaking some state records and winning competitions. Led by Coach Eddie Greene, the team won its first girls title at the New Jersey Catholic Track Conference Championships, held at the Jersey City Armory on Feb. 7. »

NEW BRUNSWICK – Middlesex County Freeholder H. James Polos announced that the county will save $100,000 when it installs a new HVAC system at the County Archives Building in North Brunswick as a result of being accepted into PSE&G’s Direct Install program. »

MONROE -- Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County is creating a new socialization group called the Lunch Club, which is being offered for socially isolated seniors to enjoy kosher lunch and socialize with peers. »

RAHWAY—Registration is now open for spring classes for adults, teens and children at Arts Guild New Jersey (formerly The Arts Guild of Rahway). Spring classes begin the week of March 22. »

WOODBRIDGE ­– Les Jumelles Jazz will kick off the “Red, White & Blues: Jazz & Blues from the Garden State,” concert series at The Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge on Friday, March 5, at 8 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Reservations are required and are... »

SOUTH ORANGE -- Former New Jersey City University women’s volleyball standout JACQUELINE LeBLANC (Westfield, NJ/Westfield), who in her four-year career was instrumental in an unprecedented stretch of success for the program, has been honored as NJCU’s 2008-09 New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year. »

Legal Services Offers Help For Haitians Seeking Temporary Protected Status »

MADISON, Wis. – Recovering alcoholics may benefit in the battle over the bottle if they practice mindfulness meditation. »

LINDEN -- The Department of Public Property and Community Services is currently accepting applications for nominations for this year's annual outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year. The purpose of the award is to recognize the Linden senior citizen who has displayed exceptional service to the community. »