State's Urban Communities To See Most State Aid
-- The Christie administration has released the breakdown of state aid for New Jersey towns and cities, and urban communities will be getting the bulk of it. Acting Community Affairs Commissioner L...
Mayors Say Proposed Cuts In Municipal Aid Will Cause Job Losses
Figures released Thursday show that state aid to area municipalities will be cut by $14.5 million in fiscal 2011, prompting mayors to say they likely will have to lay off workers. Gov. Chris Chris...
Central Jersey Towns Would Lose More Than Millions In State Aid
On Thursday, they learned exactly how much less. The proposed drop in state aid to Middlesex County alone is more than $27 million, ranging from the loss of $36,573 in Helmetta to $5,972,818 in Woodbr...
Nj Assembly Panel Oks Pension Reform Bills
— An Assembly panel on Thursday approved legislation making public worker pension and health care benefits less generous, a move designed to put the state retirement system on sounder financial ...
New Jersey Same-sex Couples Sue For Equal Marriage Rights
Lewis v. Harris [decision text], which said same-sex couples should have "full rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples," is not being followed adequately with civil unions. The pla...
State Gets More Time To Amend Shark Fishing Regulations; Moratorium Lifted Until July
New Jersey shark fishermen got a reprieve from the federal government Thursday with news that the state will be given more time to conform to management measures. The state faced a moratorium on sh...
State Workers Protest Cuts In Southern New Jersey
Amy Palm, a vice president on the CWA executive board, said the governor's budget cuts will not solve the state's financial problems and could hinder the group's contract negotiations scheduled for ne...
Central Jersey Towns Face Deep Cuts In State Aid Under Budget
— Towns across Central Jersey now know how much help they could draw from state tax revenues to continue providing services to their residents. And for many, it's a bigger loss than they expecte...
Somerset Park Board Reaffirms Tobacco Ban
— The Somerset County Park Commission Thursday reaffirmed a previous ban on the sale of tobacco products at its facilities, dashing a recent proposal to sell cigars at five golf courses it manag...
Christie Vetoes Nj Turnpike Authority Contracts
Christie announced his decision Thursday, saying the deals - which totaled nearly $5.1 million - ignored state guidelines for negotiating fair and reasonable fees.
Trial Begins For Elizabeth Man Accused Of Fatal South Plainfield Shooting
— The man accused of fatally shooting a South Plainfield man during a botched home invasion robbery in April 2008 is on trial in Superior Court, New Brunswick.
Nj School Boards Ask For Help With Budget Squeeze
— School districts reeling from unexpectedly large cuts in state aid are asking state officials for faster help in shifting health benefits costs to employees and teachers to agree to freeze sal...
Piscataway School District Hosting Career Day For Students
The district on Saturday will host Career Capades, an interactive event featuring live performances, art exhibits and workshops. Presenters will include professional artists, alumni, community members...
Nine Candidates Seek Three Council Seats In Perth Amboy
Nine candidates filed petitions by Thursday's deadline to run in the May 11 nonpartisan election. And it's an eclectic group that includes the leaders of both the Perth Amboy Democratic and Republican...
Motor-vehicle Agency To Move From East Brunswick To South Brunswick
It will replace the MVC agency located in a strip mall on Route 18 in East Brunswick, which will close permanently at the end of the business day on Thursday, March 25. The move will let customers per...
Med-school Students Meet Their "match" With Residency Acceptances
Soon-to-be graduates of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School took part in the annual "Match Day" ceremony Thursday. On Match Day, med-school senior...
State Releases 2011 Municipal Aid Budget
— The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today released municipal states aid figures for the Fiscal Year 12011 totaling $1,459,203,000.
Hillisborough High To Send Beanie Babies To Soldiers
— More than 100 Beanie Baby dolls and other small stuffed toys have been collected by Hillsborough High School staff and students to send to troops overseas.
Missing Nj Police Dog Found, Reunited With Handler
— A police dog that escaped from its outdoor kennel as a nor'easter pounded New Jersey has been found safe, although he did suffer a leg injury.
Christie Shoots Down $5.07 Million In Contracts Approved By Turnpike Authority
Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the minutes of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Thursday, raising questions about five contracts totaling $5.07 million approved by the authority's board of commissioners l...
Producer Files $30m Suit Against Lady Gaga In Nyc
NEW YORK (AP) -- A songwriter and music producer who claims he helped launch pop star Lady Gaga says she squeezed him out of her lucrative career after he co-wrote some of her songs, came up with her ...
Bpu Cuts $97 Million From Clean-energy Programs
The state agency that oversees utility companies and electric rates plans to slash nearly $100 million in clean-energy programs this year, including "cool cities" grants and assistance to manufactu...
Central Jersey Cwa Workers Protest Proposed Budget
Rank-and-file members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) picketed state-office sites around Central Jersey and the state to vent their anger at Gov. Chris Christie's proposals to cut their...
Nj Walmart Making Changes After Racial Comment
— Changes are being made at a Walmart in southern New Jersey where someone used the public-address system to announce that blacks should leave the store.
Conan In Talks With Fox For Late Show
Fox as its late-night leading man, when the network's program lineup for next season is officially unveiled. Rumors and reports that O'Brien was likely headed for Fox were almost instantly set swirlin...
Calif. Board To Study Requiring Condoms In Porn Films
— California's worker safety board voted Thursday to further study a proposal that would require porn actors to wear condoms during sex scenes.
Fess Parker, Tv's 'davy Crockett,' Dies At 85
— Actor Fess Parker, who became every baby boomer's idol in the 1950s and launched a craze for coonskin caps as television's Davy Crockett, died Thursday of natural causes. He was 85.
Jesse James Apologizes To Sandra Bullock, His Kids
— Jesse James says he's sorry for the pain and embarrassment he's caused his wife Sandra Bullock and his three children from previous relationships.
Middletown School Board Plans Public Meeting On Budget Tonight
— The Board of Education is scheduled to discuss and hear public comments regarding their 2010-11 budget at their 7:30 p.m. workshop meeting tonight in the cafeteria of Bayshore Middle School.
* New Jersey Says Mgm Has Ties To Chinese Mob
REUTERS, LOS ANGELES Friday, Mar 19, 2010, Page 10 MGM Mirage, accused by New Jersey authorities of having links to the Chinese mob, has sealed a plan to exit the weakened Atlantic City market in ...
Ex-candidate For City Council Gets Prison Time
-- A former candidate for the Jersey City City Council who admitted taking bribes has been sentenced to a year in prison. Lavern Webb-Washington pleaded guilty in October to a federal charge of con...
Two Candidates For Edison Council To Go Before Democratic Committee
— Councilman Robert Karabinchak, who is filling the seat left vacant by former Councilwoman AnnMarie Griffin-Ussak, and newcomer Joseph Coyle are the only two candidates screening before the Dem...
Casino Night Benefits North Brunswick Schools
— The North Brunswick Educational Foundation's seventh annual Casino Night is set for Saturday at Our Lady of Peace Parish Center, 1740 Route 130.
Edison Temple To Host Prominent Rabbit This Weekend
— About 100 members of Temple Emanu-El of Edison are expected to attend the "Scholar in Residence" program, being held today and tomorrow, which will feature Rabbi David Saperstein, described by...
Principal Of Haddonfield Catholic School Accused Of Theft At Cherry Hill Mall
The principal of a Catholic school in Haddonfield is accused of pulling off a two-part theft worth almost $600 at a Cherry Hill Mall store, authorities say.
Nj Man Will Plead Not Guilty In Child's Death
— The lawyer for a South Jersey man charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of a 3-year-old boy says his client intends to plead not guilty.
Influential Big Star Member Alex Chilton Dies
— Singer and guitarist Alex Chilton, who topped the charts as a teen with "The Letter" and later became a cult hero with Big Star, died Wednesday. He was 59.
Nasa, Cruise Line Got Flu Shots
ATLANTA (AP) -- Last fall, as swine flu cases mounted and parents desperately sought to protect their kids, the hard-to-get vaccine was handed out in some surprising places: the Royal Caribbean cruise...
Owners Threaten To Shut Down Nuke Plant
-- Owners of the nation's oldest nuclear power plant are threatening to shut it down rather than build cooling towers mandated by New Jersey environmental regulators. Exelon Corp. says the $800 mil...
Workers Across Southern New Jersey Protest Governor Chris Christie's Proposed Budget Cuts
Amy Palm, vice president of CWA local 1038, along with other members of the Communications Workers of America, protested Governor Christie's proposed budget cuts in front of the State office building ...
Former Middlesex County Prosecutor Warren Wilentz Dead At 85
Wilentz was the son of former Attorney General David Wilentz, and brother of the late Robert Wilentz, former chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Wilentz was the Middlesex County Prosecutor ...
"taste Of Branchburg" On Sunday
More than 30 restaurants are expected to participate in the event with offerings ranging from appetizers and entrees to desserts.A silent auction preview will be held at 12:45 p.m. with the event itse...
Somerset Valley Ymca In Somerville Celebrates Campaign Success
At a recent reception at The Somerville Elks, Peter Schoberl and Steve Emr, volunteer chairs of the 2010 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, announced the campaign's success in raising more than $105,602 to su...
Racist Announcement In New Jersey Store Triggers Inquiry
Victoria Arter was stunned by the loudspeaker announcement."Attention, Wal-Mart shoppers," she recalled hearing the calm male voice begin. "Will all the black people please leave the store. Thank you....
New Jersey Gay Marriage Battle Back In Court
TRENTON, N.J. — Gay couples who sued New Jersey for the right to marry once before are taking their case back to court. Six couples plus the surviving partner from a seventh filed a motion Thur...
2 Arrested In Toms River Drug Raid
On Friday, detectives from the Prosecutor's Special Operations Group and Toms River police executed a search warrant at a home on Edgewood Drive in Toms River, Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said today...
Court Records Illuminate Viacom-youtube Battle
That bit of intrigue was among the confidential information to come out in court documents unsealed Thursday as part of a 3-year-old lawsuit. The material had been kept under wraps since Viacom sued Y...
2 Charged With Off-road Vehicle Theft
— Two 18-year-old Forked River men were arrested in connection with the theft of a Honda ATC250R three-wheeler from a trailer parked at a residence.
Emergency Officials Tour Bound Brook, Manville
— Teams of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives as well as state, county and local officials today are surveying flood damage in Bound Brook and Manville.
Green Brook's State Regional Center Clients Remain At Woodbridge Facility
— The 85 adult clients of the township's State of New Jersey Regional Center remain in residence at the Woodbridge Developmental Center nearly a week after a nor'easter hit Central Jersey, leavi...
Linden Man Arrested, Charged With Attempting To Steal Vehicle
Around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 police responded to a report of a burglary at the rear of 23 East Elizabeth Ave.The 37-year-old owner of Meson Tropical Restaurant told police he was closing the b...
None Reportedly Hurt In Blaze At Three-family House In Franklin
— The fire has been extinguished at a three-family house at 1380 Easton Avenue and an inside lane along Easton Avenue has reopened, Franklin police said.
Obama Signs Jobs Bill, Says More Must Be Done
In a sunny Rose Garden ceremony, Obama said the legislation will help the private sector start hiring again. It is the first of several jobs measures promised by Democrats this year. Obama called it e...
Bullock Leaves Her Home And Maybe Husband
— Sandra Bullock canceled her appearance at the London premiere of "The Blind Side" days after Internet reports alleged she was having trouble in her marriage and that she had left the couple's ...
T.s. Eliot's 'cocktail Party' Is Worth Attending
— If you've ever known a psychiatrist who thinks he or she is godlike, then T.S. Eliot's 60-year-old play, "The Cocktail Party," would be an absolute tonic for them. In the smart, amusing off-Br...
Art Dealer To Admit To Stealing $100 Million From Clients
Attorney Charles Ross says former gallery owner Lawrence B. Salander expects to plead guilty Thursday to grand larceny and scheme to defraud. Victims include tennis great John McEnroe and the estate o...
Charlie Gillett, World Music Champion, Dies At 68
— Charlie Gillett, a DJ and music historian who helped bring music from around the world to wider attention, has died at the age of 68, his employer, the British Broadcasting Corp. said Thursday...
Viacom-youtube Secrets To Be Exposed In Lawsuit
— Viacom and YouTube likely will be forced to expose business secrets and other previously confidential information Thursday when reams of court documents are expected to be unsealed.
Norteno Star Ramon Ayala Says Her Was Tricked
— Latin Grammy winner Ramon Ayala said the lights went out, people started running and he and his band hit the floor when the Mexican military raided a drug cartel's holiday party in December.
French Tv Show Stirs Controversy As Contestants Appear To Eletrocute A Man
— A state-run TV channel is stirring controversy with a documentary about a fake game show in which credulous participants obey orders to deliver increasingly powerful electric shocks to a man, ...
Pablo Picasso Portrait, Once Center Of Dispute, For Sale
— Christie's auction house said Wednesday that it will sell a celebrated Pablo Picasso portrait that was the subject of a dispute about its Nazi-era ownership.
Sony Bets Mj Fans Haven't Had Enough
— The man who spearheaded the record-breaking deal in which Michael Jackson's estate will get up to $250 million in the next seven years said Tuesday that Sony Music Entertainment bought a treas...
Charlie Sheen Back At Work On 'two And A Half Men'
His agent, Stan Rosenfield, says Sheen returned to the Warner Bros. set in Burbank, Calif., on Tuesday morning. The 44-year-old actor voluntarily entered a rehab facility "as a preventative measure" t...
'alice' Sparks Debate Over Dvd Release
— Disney's plan to quickly release the blockbuster "Alice in Wonderland" on DVD is sparking new heat in a debate between Hollywood studios and movie theaters over how quickly films move from the...
Espn Reporter Erin Andrews' Stalker Gets 2-1/2 Years In Prison
— An Illinois insurance executive who secretly shot nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was sentenced Monday to 2-1/2 years in prison after giving a tearful apology that was harshly rebuke...
Girlfriend Of Michael Douglas' Son Cameron Sentenced In Ny
— The girlfriend of actor Michael Douglas' son has been given no new jail time at her sentencing in New York City in a case stemming from Cameron Douglas' drug woes.
Oprah Winfrey Must Defend Ex-headmistress's Suit
— Talk show host Oprah Winfrey must defend a defamation suit over remarks she made about a headmistress at her girls' school in South Africa after a sex-abuse scandal erupted there, a U.S. judge...
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Misses Stolen Art Work 20 Years Later
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum disguised as police officers and bound and gagged two guards using handcuffs and duct tape. For the next 81 minutes, they sauntered around the ornate galleries, removin...
Wall Twp. Man Arrested, Charged With Burglaries
— Police arrested a township man early Wednesday in connection with burglarizing the same commercial business on Route 34 twice -- earlier this week.
Judge Oks Settlement In Deadly Lear Jet Crash Involving Musicians
— A judge approved a multimillion-dollar legal settlement Tuesday involving the wife and young son of Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker's former assistant, who was killed in a 2008 plane crash in ...
Abigail Breslin Makes 'miracle Worker'
One of the most beloved 20th-century plays in America is William Gibson's "The Miracle Worker," the story of how Annie Sullivan taught Helen Keller the meaning of words.
Sheen Pleads Not Guilty In Domestic Violence Case
Charlie Sheen pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges on Monday, nearly three months after his wife told Colorado police in a 911 call he put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her.
Elvis' Vs. Media At Dc's Newseum
They detested his voice and thought his moves were unfit for family publications, all while teenagers went wild. It's that shocking style and clash with the media that also will make Elvis the subject...
No Prison For Ex-jailer In Girls Gone Wild Case
— A former sheriff's employee in Nevada will serve no prison time after admitting her part in a bribery scheme to give special treatment to Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis while he was jaile...
Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall Bring Films To Tribeca Film Fest
The annual festival announced the bulk of its lineup Monday. Making its U.S. premiere will be Neil Jordan's "Ondine," starring Colin Farrell as a fisherman who reels in a mermaid. Duvall stars in "Get...
Filmmaker Tim Burton Gets French Cultural Honor
Burton, wearing a dark suit and his trademark fuzzy hairdo, says he has always loved France and felt a special connection with the French public. Burton says "I feel much more at home here than I do i...
Impossible' Star Peter Graves Dies In La
— Peter Graves, whose calm and intelligent demeanor was a good fit to the intrigue of "Mission Impossible" as well as the satire of the "Airplane" films, has died.
Vincent Van Gogh's 'the Bedroom' Being Restored
One of Vincent van Gogh's most famous paintings, "The Bedroom," has been taken away for restoration, but art lovers don't have to miss it. They can follow the cleanup on a blog on the
Man's Body Found In Bay At Sandy Hook
A woman walking in the area around 3 p.m. spotted the partially submerged body near Skeleton Hill Island at the Gateway National Recreation Area, said State Police Detective Brian Polite.The State Pol...
Upper Freehold Church Food Pantry Floods
Probably one of the last places one would expect a basement to flood. But that is what this past weekend's storm brought to the church. Water found its way to the basement. With electricity knocked ou...
Hbo's Miniseries 'the Pacific' Starts Tonight
The unsparing and visceral depiction of battle in their World War II collaborations is revisited by "The Pacific," a 10-part, $195 million miniseries debuting 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO. Also intact is thei...
Self-described 'jihad Jane' Pleads Not Guilty In Terror Plot
The suburban Philadelphia woman who authorities say dubbed herself "Jihad Jane" online pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court to a four-count indictment charging her in an overseas terrorist plo...
Nj Public Workers Decry Program Cuts, Plan To Protest Christie Budget
The Communications Workers of America union is organizing over 20 separate demonstrations in front of state agencies. State CWA director Hetty Rosenstein says Christie's plan would devastate the state...
Oyster Creek Threatens Shutdown If Forced To Build Cooling Towers
— Owners of the nation's oldest nuclear power plant say they will shut it down rather than build cooling towers mandated by New Jersey environmental regulators.
Asian Casino Magnate Denies Organized Crime Ties
MGM Mirage decided to sell its 50 percent interest in Atlantic City's top casino after the state forced it to choose between New Jersey and the lucrative Chinese gambling market. MGM has a partnership...
Mountain Lions Sighted In New Jersey
Sean Adams reports from Freehold It's the great riddle of the New Jersey woods. Are there truly any mountain lions in the Garden State. They haven't really been east of the Mississippi for gener...
Former Seton Hall Player Faces Arraignment Today
-- Former Seton Hall basketball player Robert Mitchell faces arraignment Thursday on robbery, burglary and kidnapping charges. The 23-year-old is accused of robbing eight people in a house in South...
Tonight's Watchung Hills Regional High School District School Board Meeting Canceled
— A special meeting of the Watchung Hills Regional High School District Board of Education scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for Monday.
Construction Of Center Median Begins On Mountain Boulevard In Warren
— The contractor has returned to Mountain Boulevard in Warren to resume installation of a center median between North at Washington Valley roads and Old Stirling Road.
Franklin Police Blotter
ROBBERY, March 15. Township resident Timothy Lewis, 18, is in Somerset County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail after he was charged with robbing $78 from a cab driver March 15. According to an affidavit f...
Woodbridge Residents, You Have A New Place To Discuss Your News
— The daily Home News Tribune, the weekly Community Tribune newspapers and our 24/7 Web site, MyCentralJersey.com, have one common thread: Local news, all day, all the time.
Possumtown Volunteer Fire Company In Piscataway Holds Breakfast To Benefit Veteran Firefighter
The Bunny willbe there to greet the children as always, but this year all the proceedsare going to benefit a 25-year Possumtown volunteer veteran firefighter, Assistant Chief Tom Crowley as he battles...
Water And Ice Gift Cards For Readington Residents Without Power
— The Readington Police Department has issued an advisory to all residents that $5 gift cards for the purchase of water and ice at the ShopRite located at 272 Route 202-31 in Flemington are avai...
Dep Head Approves First Bear Hunt Since 2005
Acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin has approved the Fish and Game Council's black bear management policy, setting the stage for New Jersey's first bear hunt since 20...
Gov Chris Christie Promises Solutions To Flooding
Christie flew in a helicopter Wednesday to inspect damage caused by floodwaters along the Passaic River Basin. The governor promised to investigate complaints that the way flood gates are operated at ...
1.2 Million High Chairs Recalled Due To Fall Hazard
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall Thursday involving the product made by Graco Children's Products, Inc., of Atlanta. The regulatory agency said "screws holding the...
Many Other States Also Face Staggering Financial Problems
— New Jersey isn't alone in facing serious financial problems. States from Washington to Maine are slashing spending and cutting services to cope with the worst financial crisis since the Great ...
Watch The Birth Of Bald Eagles Via Web Cam
— Through a Web camera installed on the property of Duke Farms, the public can witness the birth of bald eagles expected within weeks inside their nest.
Study Grades Nj Counties On Web Site Openness
— A new study gives high grades to Hunterdon, Camden and Sussex counties for openness in "e-governance,'' providing constituents information via the Internet.
Investigation Yields 149 Drug Arrests In Newark
Mayor Cory Booker and Police Director Garry McCarthy announced the arrests Wednesday outside the Academy Spires apartment complex. Twenty-eight arrests were made Wednesday morning and were the culmina...