Day: April 13, 2020

Howell, Lakewood, Lincroft, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Trenton, West Windsor

Smith: College Students, Schools in NJ04 get $24M in CARES Act Emergency Funds

Mercer County Community College – $3,851,115, West Windsor, Mercer County

Ocean County College – $4,265,169, Toms River, NJ

Brookdale Community College – $ 6,334,411, Lincroft, Monmouth County

April 13, 2020

More than $24 million has been approved for institutions of higher learning and career institutes in the Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer areas of Rep. Chris Smith’s Fourth Congressional District to help these schools and their students overcome the costs and the impact of the coronavirus, said Smith today.

   The $24 million on its way to educational facilities in or bordering Smith’s district is part of a broader $238 million award to colleges across the state which was announced today by the U.S. Department of Education—following a bipartisan letter by the New Jersey congressional delegation which Rep. Smith cosigned with his NJ colleagues in the House and which was led by NJ’s two senators.

   Smith said the funding—$24,147,003 which will help pay for the impact of COVID-19 of the higher education system—comes from the comprehensive, bipartisan $2 trillion stimulus bill to help communities devastated by the coronavirus pandemic which Smith supported and was signed into law by President Trump March 27.

   “Our students and colleges have seen immense financial challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak across America,” said Smith (NJ-04), who spoke on the floor in support of quick passage of the CARES Act. “This funding will help stabilize the higher education system which has been turned upside down in this health crisis. It’s good news from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for our higher learning educational system in New Jersey.”

   Among the recipients are Brookdale County College which will receive $6.3 million, Ocean County College $4.2 million, Mercer County College $3.8 million, Beth Medrash Govoha of America $5.8 million and Georgian Court nearly $1.7 million.

   Numerous learning institutions in the Fourth District area Rep. Smith serves are receiving funds, including:

  • Advantage Career Institute – $41,609, Eatontown, Monmouth County
  • Bais Medrash Mayan Hatorah – $46,377, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Bais Medrash Toras Chesed – $68,038, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Beth Medrash Govoha of America – $5,899,593, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Beth Medrash of Asbury Park – $109,145, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Brookdale Community College – $ 6,334,411, Lincroft, Monmouth County
  • Georgian Court University – $1,690,335, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Medical Career Institute – $332,030 Ocean Twp., Monmouth County
  • Mercer County Community College – $3,851,115, West Windsor, Mercer County
  • Ocean County College – $4,265,169, Toms River, NJ
  • Saint Francis Medical Center – $23,963, Trenton, Mercer County
  • Seminary Bnos Chaim – $255,559, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Talmudical Academy – $122,458, Adelphia, Monmouth County
  • Yeshiva Bais Aharon – $64,039, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshiva Chemdas Hatorah – $112,892, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshiva Gedola Tiferes Yerachmiel – $179,422, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah – $229,239, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel – $85,372, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshiva Toras Chaim – $347,751, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah   $73,641, Lakewood, Ocean County
  • Yeshivas Emek Hatorah     $56,454, Howell, Monmouth County

    The CARES Act is the third and the largest phase of the federal response enacted into law. Smith supported Phase I, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020—which provided $8.3 billion for treatment and prevention measures in NJ. Phase II, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act—provided paid sick leave, family medical leave, free testing, and expanded unemployment benefits among other provisions to help working Americans.

     The CARES Act is also providing direct financial assistance of $1,200 for individuals making under $75,000 per year, $100 billion in grants to hospitals to address coronavirus-related financial damage, $150 billion to assist state and local governments, $600 extra per week to unemployment benefits for four months, and $16 billion to assist in the procurement of medical supplies for the Strategic National Stockpile.

Photo of Mercer County Community College from MCCC Facebook Page
Mercer County Community College will receive $3,851,115, West Windsor, Mercer County. Photo of Mercer County Community College from MCCC Facebook Page
Burlington, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Trenton

April 13, 2020 COVID-19 Stats Update

April 13, 2020

World: Cases: 1,912,923 Deaths: 118,854 Recovered: 448,053 (as of 6:05 pm ET)

United States of America: Confirmed Cases: 577,307 Deaths: 23,219 Tests Performed: 2,935,006 Recovered: 42,924 (as of 6:05 pm ET)

Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 Tracker Here

New Jersey: Confirmed Cases: 64,584 Deaths: 2,443

We now have 64,584 confirmed #COVID19 cases.
• Atlantic: 267
• Bergen: 10,092
• Burlington: 1,155
• Camden: 1,401
• Cape May: 164
• Cumberland: 187
• Essex: 7,634
• Gloucester: 566
• Hudson: 7,879
• Hunterdon: 325
• Mercer: 1,646
• Middlesex: 5,987
• Monmouth: 3,875
• Morris: 3,225
• Ocean: 3,593
• Passaic: 5,950
• Salem: 66
• Somerset: 1,809
• Sussex: 508
• Union: 6,636
• Warren: 416
• Under Investigation: 1,203

We’ve now lost 2,443 New Jerseyans to COVID-19.
• Atlantic: 8
• Bergen: 482
• Burlington: 24
• Camden: 35
• Cape May: 9
• Cumberland: 3
• Essex: 433
• Gloucester: 9
• Hudson: 236
• Hunterdon: 11
• Mercer: 53
• Middlesex: 204
• Monmouth: 127
• Morris: 162
• Ocean: 141
• Passaic: 136
• Salem: 4
• Somerset: 85
• Sussex: 38
• Union: 217
• Warren: 24
• Unknown: 2

Covid-19 Total Cases (3632) In Ocean County:

Total as of Monday, 4/13/2020 at 10:00 am

Effective as of March 28, 2020, the data represented below identifies the municipality or mailing address which was self-reported by the resident at the time of testing. It may not necessarily represent the municipality of residence.

Town NameNumber of Cases
Barnegat112
Barnegat Light2
Bay Head4
Beach Haven5
Beachwood55
Berkeley264
Brick444
Eagleswood1
Harvey Cedars0
Island Heights3
Jackson319
Lacey102
Lakehurst11
Lakewood1075
Lavallette8
Little Egg Harbor46
Long Beach Township12
Manchester213
Mantoloking0
Ocean Gate5
Ocean Twp. (Waretown)22
Pine Beach4
Plumsted22
Point Pleasant Beach22
Point Pleasant Borough81
Seaside Heights18
Seaside Park3
Ship Bottom5
South Toms River42
Surf City4
Stafford116
Toms River608
Tuckerton4
Total Positive Cases: 3632

Monmouth County has 3,875 positive cases 
of COVID-19

FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley have announced that, as of April 13, the State is reporting 3,875 positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County.

As the following breakdown accounts for 3,858 cases, it is important to note that agencies report COVID-19 information at different times every day, and verification can also result in discrepancies in the reported numbers.

The breakdown by municipality is as follows:

  • Aberdeen: 110
  • Allenhurst: 2
  • Allentown: 2
  • Asbury Park: 75
  • Atlantic Highlands: 14
  • Avon-by-the-Sea: 10
  • Belmar: 8
  • Bradley Beach: 15
  • Brielle: 20
  • Colts Neck: 48
  • Deal: 22
  • Eatontown: 112
  • Englishtown: 15
  • Fair Haven: 15
  • Farmingdale: 10
  • Freehold Borough: 112
  • Freehold Township: 322
  • Hazlet: 149
  • Highlands: 14
  • Holmdel: 126
  • Howell: 342
  • Interlaken: 1
  • Keansburg: 54
  • Keyport: 47
  • Lake Como: 11
  • Little Silver: 24
  • Loch Arbour: 1
  • Long Branch: 210
  • Manalapan: 296
  • Manasquan: 21
  • Marlboro: 277
  • Matawan: 101
  • Middletown: 313
  • Millstone: 45
  • Monmouth Beach: 14
  • Neptune City: 22
  • Neptune Township: 209
  • Ocean: 163
  • Oceanport: 41
  • Red Bank: 78
  • Roosevelt: 2
  • Rumson: 23
  • Sea Bright: 7
  • Sea Girt: 9
  • Shrewsbury Borough: 22
  • Shrewsbury Township: 6
  • Spring Lake: 6
  • Spring Lake Heights: 15
  • Tinton Falls: 67
  • Union Beach: 26
  • Upper Freehold: 27
  • Wall: 133
  • West Long Branch: 40
  • Unknown: 4

Monmouth County news updates and information regarding the COVID-19 situation are posted at www.visitmonmouth.com.

Latest available from Mercer County

EAST WINDSOR TWP

Population 2010: 27,190  Pop/SqMi: 1,737

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 13  Total Cases: 222

EAST WINDSOR TWP

Population 2010: 27,190  Pop/SqMi: 1,737

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 5  Total Cases: 228

EWING TWP

Population 2010: 35,790  Pop/SqMi: 2,302

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 19  Total Cases: 141

EWING TWP

Population 2010: 35,790  Pop/SqMi: 2,302

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 11  Total Cases: 154

HAMILTON TWP

Population 2010: 88,464  Pop/SqMi: 2,199

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 26  Total Cases: 285

HAMILTON TWP

Population 2010: 88,464  Pop/SqMi: 2,199

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 24  Total Cases: 320

HIGHTSTOWN BORO

Population 2010: 5,494  Pop/SqMi: 4,360

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 5  Total Cases: 39

HIGHTSTOWN BORO

Population 2010: 5,494  Pop/SqMi: 4,360

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 1  Total Cases: 41

HOPEWELL BORO

Population 2010: 1,922  Pop/SqMi: 2,669

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 0  Total Cases: 2

HOPEWELL BORO

Population 2010: 1,922  Pop/SqMi: 2,669

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 0  Total Cases: 2

HOPEWELL TWP

Population 2010: 17,304  Pop/SqMi: 294

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 0  Total Cases: 39

HOPEWELL TWP

Population 2010: 17,304  Pop/SqMi: 294

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 3  Total Cases: 41

LAWRENCE TWP

Population 2010: 33,472  Pop/SqMi: 1,524

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 5  Total Cases: 60

LAWRENCE TWP

Population 2010: 33,472  Pop/SqMi: 1,524

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 5  Total Cases: 65

PENNINGTON BORO

Population 2010: 2,585  Pop/SqMi: 2,665

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 0  Total Cases: 2

PENNINGTON BORO

Population 2010: 2,585  Pop/SqMi: 2,665

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 0  Total Cases: 2

PRINCETON

Population 2010: 28,572  Pop/SqMi: 1,552

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 0  Total Cases: 52

PRINCETON

Population 2010: 28,572  Pop/SqMi: 1,552

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 1  Total Cases: 53

ROBBINSVILLE TWP

Population 2010: 13,642  Pop/SqMi: 663

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 3  Total Cases: 39

ROBBINSVILLE TWP

Population 2010: 13,642  Pop/SqMi: 663

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 3  Total Cases: 42

TRENTON CITY

Population 2010: 84,913  Pop/SqMi: 10,317

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 29  Total Cases: 327

TRENTON CITY

Population 2010: 84,913  Pop/SqMi: 10,317

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 35  Total Cases: 365

WEST WINDSOR TWP

Population 2010: 27,165  Pop/SqMi: 1,035

Report Date: 4/10/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 4  Total Cases: 80

WEST WINDSOR TWP

Population 2010: 27,165  Pop/SqMi: 1,035

Report Date: 4/11/2020, 8:00 AM

Daily Cases: 3  Total Cases: 84

Monday April 13, 2020 – Governor Phil Murphy holds his coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial, with Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Department of Health Communicable Disease Service Medical Director Dr. Edward Lifshitz, and State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Monday April 13, 2020 – Governor Phil Murphy holds his coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial, with Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Department of Health Communicable Disease Service Medical Director Dr. Edward Lifshitz, and State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Monday April 13, 2020 – Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli speaks during Governor Phil Murphy’s coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial. (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Monday April 13, 2020 – Governor Phil Murphy holds his coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial, with Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Department of Health Communicable Disease Service Medical Director Dr. Edward Lifshitz, and State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Press Pool Coverage by Michael Mancuso, NJ Advance Media
Hamilton, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Trenton

AG Grewal and Colonel Callahan Issue Daily Update on Charges Filed Against Violators of Governor Murphy’s COVID-19 Executive Orders

April 13, 2020

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the following recent enforcement actions against violators of Governor Murphy’s Emergency Orders related to COVID-19: 

  • Newark Enforcement.  The Newark Police Department’s COVID-19 task force issued 85 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered seven non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12.
  • Deja M. Lewis , 28, of Salem City, was charged on Saturday, April 11, by the Salem City Police with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency.  Lewis was arrested on warrants.  While at police headquarters, she began to cough in close proximity to the arresting officers who were processing her.  As she was coughing, she claimed that she was diagnosed COVID-19 positive and the health department had been to her apartment.
  • Terrell Coley, 30, of East Orange, was arrested on April 7 by the Newark Police for allegedly punching and spitting at an emergency medical technician (EMT) at the Exxon Gas Station at 481 Central Avenue.  Coley is charged with throwing bodily fluid at an EMT who was on duty (4th degree), aggravated assault on an EMT who was on duty (4th degree), and obstruction (disorderly persons offense).  Coley rode his bike in front of the emergency vehicle driven by the EMT, almost causing a collision.  Coley began yelling at the EMT and followed him into the gas station.  While the EMT was getting gas, Coley allegedly approached him and spat on him.  Coley also allegedly stuck the EMT in the face with his fist.  Coley drove away, but police were able to identify and arrest him.
  • Alycia D. Roman, 37, of Camden, was arrested on Sunday, April 12, by the Brooklawn Police Department on charges of robbery (2nd degree), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (3rd degree), shoplifting (disorderly persons offense), and violation of the emergency orders.  Police responded to a report of shoplifting at the ShopRite in Brooklawn.  Store employees followed Roman to her vehicle after she allegedly walked out of the store with various items without paying for them. When one employee tried to recover the items, Roman argued with him and allegedly spat on his shirt.  She then drove in reverse, allegedly striking another employee.  As she drove away, that second man  had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck again.
  • Stephen Breza, 70, of Toms River, was arrested twice on Saturday, April 11, by the Toms River Police in incidents at different Wawa stores.  Shortly before 11 a.m., Breza allegedly became belligerent when he was told to wear a mask inside the Wawa store at 179 Route 37 East.  He allegedly started screaming, flailing his arms, and cursing at employees.  He allegedly threatened a customer in the store that he was going to hit him with a pipe. When police arrived, he screamed at officers and resisted arrest.  Shortly after 1:30 p.m., he went to a second Wawa at 1600 Route 37 East, where he again refused to wear a mask. He allegedly punched a male customer in the face, and when the victim left the store, Breza allegedly went to his car and retrieved a pipe, which he wielded menacingly.  Breza was arrested again and lodged in jail.  In each case, he was charged with violating the emergency orders, disorderly conduct, and failure to submit to fingerprinting.  In the first case, he also was charged with resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense).  In the second case, he also was charged with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
  • Lagbeh Tulay, 29, Tinnoh Blayee, 21, and Jonathan Payne, 25, all of Trenton, and Fomba Tulay, 23, of Hamilton, were arrested by the Trenton Police on Friday, April 10.  Police responded to the residence of Lagbeh Tulay and Tinnoh Blayee in the first block of Vine Street on a noise complaint.  Police found approximately 15 people inside the residence playing loud music.  There were numerous food trays and empty and full bottles of alcohol.  The four defendants were arrested when they refused to provide identification or comply with directions from officers.  All four were charged with obstruction and resisting arrest, both disorderly persons offenses.  Lagbeh Tulay was also charged with violating the emergency orders.
  • Joseph C. Davenport, 34, of Penns Grove, was charged late Saturday night, April 11, by the Penns Grove Police with violating the emergency orders.  Police on patrol found a group of approximately six people gathered outside and not practicing social distancing.  When police approached the group, Davenport allegedly became verbally abusive to the officers.
  • Thong Quoc Tran, 44, of Fairless Hills, Pa., was charged by the Hamilton Township Police (Mercer County) on Saturday, April 11, with violating the emergency orders for opening his business, Diamonds Nail Salon at 2200 South Broad Street.  Police determined that he was  allowing customers in through the rear of the business to receive salon services.
  • Shakeem Sanders, 23, of Paterson, was charged on Saturday, April 11, with violating the emergency orders for operating his recording studio at 463 Grand Street in Paterson.  Police responded early Saturday to a report that Sanders had been attacked and wounded by an unknown assailant while operating the studio.  The investigation of the attack is ongoing.
  • Brendan R. Vidulich, 34, of Hewitt, has a recording studio on the same floor as Sanders’ studio at 463 Grand Street in Paterson (see previous case).  He was also charged on Saturday, April 11, with operating his studio in violation of the emergency orders.
  • Paulina B Kashirsky, 35, of Jersey City, was charged by the Long Beach Township Police on Friday, April 10, with violating the emergency orders for renting a condominium she owns on Long Beach Island for 10 days.  She also was charged with obstruction (disorderly persons offense) for falsely claiming to have rented it for 30 days.
  • Frank Medina, 37, of Spotswood, was charged by the East Brunswick Police with violating the emergency orders, theft by unlawful taking (3rd degree), and criminal trespass (disorderly persons offense).  He was arrested on Saturday, April 11, for allegedly stealing tires from an industrial park on Connerty Court in East Brunswick.
  • Chris Giddle, 21, of Randolph, was arrested Friday night, April 10, by the Denville Township Police and charged with eluding (2nd degree), resisting arrest (4th degree), and violating the emergency orders.  Giddle allegedly attempted to elude an officer who signaled for him to stop his vehicle.  He allegedly crashed into multiple vehicles and attempted to flee on foot.
  • Dionicia Zapoteco, 36, of Bridgeton, was arrested Saturday, April 11, by the Bridgeton Police on charges of DWI, resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders.  She allegedly was involved in a hit and run accident on Bank Street in Bridgeton.
  • Gina F. Fabrico, 29, of Gloucester Township, was charged on Saturday, April 11, by the Gloucester Township Police with violating a restraining order (4th degree) and violating the emergency orders for traveling to the home of a relative who has a restraining order against her.

 “Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis.  Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” said Attorney General Grewal.  “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law.  Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”    “Law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of this battle to protect the citizens of New Jersey from the COVID-19 virus, and we cannot stress enough how important it is that each person follow the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.” Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.  However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses. Last week, Attorney General Grewal announced enhanced charges against six individuals who were charged with assaulting law enforcement officers and violating the emergency orders.  Specifically, those enhanced charges included making terroristic threats during a state of emergency, which is a second degree offense and carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.  Defendant Deja Lewis is similarly charged for her conduct against law enforcement officers. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout New Jersey to deter non-complaint behavior. No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas.  COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes.  Please report bias crimes at 1-800-277-BIAS.

  • Monday April 13, 2020 – During his coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial, Governor Phil Murphy memorializes Patterson Police Officer Francesco Scorpo, who died from the coronavirus. State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan is at right. (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Press Pool Coverage by Michael Mancuso
Middlesex County, Plainsboro

Car Strikes Building In Plainsboro, Occupant Of Building Transported With Traumatic Injures.

April 13, 2020

PLAINSBORO, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–A car lost control in the 100 Block of Hampshire Drive and crashed into a home. The Painsboro Police, Plainsboro Fire Departments and EMS responded and found a vehicle into the building and the occupant of the home was injured. Since there was heavy damage to the structure additional aid was called from Princeton Rescue 168 and Monroe Station 57 to help shoring up the building.

EMS transported the occupant of the home with traumatic injures and the driver was transported to the hospital under custody with possible DWI.

Firefighters and rescue squad help shore up and secure a building after a car drove though it causing structure damage and injuring the occupant of home.
Freehold, Monmouth County

Hong Kong Human Rights Group Sends PPE to CentraState Medical Center Freehold

April 13, 2020

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Hong Kong human rights advocates who have worked with Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) on protecting Hong Kong freedom from Chinese government oppression have donated 4,000 high-quality surgical masks to CentraState Medical Center. 

     Anna Cheung, founder of New Yorkers Supporting Hong Kong (NY4HK) and the non-government organization Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC) in Washington helped organize the donation of personal protection equipment, or PPE.

  “We Hong Kongers are very grateful for Congressman Smith’s tireless work and support, not just for the Hong Kongers but the Chinese Dissidents, Tibetans and Uyghurs as well,” Cheung said. “We want to take this opportunity to thank Congressman Smith and the medical staff for their hard work.” 

Cheung said Amanda and Johnny Ho of Freehold, NJ donated 2,000 masks, and Andrew Duncan of New York also donated 2,000 masks on Friday to CentraState Medical Center, which was grateful for the supplies.

   “Thank you to Amanda and Johnny Ho and Andrew Duncan for donating these much needed surgical masks,” said Smith, Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC). “The staff at CentraState—who like other hospitals across New Jersey and across America—is working long hours at risk to themselves to protect those stricken by COVID-19. And I know that that the international Hong Kong community—who like Americans struggle to contain this outbreak—are our good friends. They face their own struggles with the outbreak and with China. For them to show this gesture to CentraState workers is very much appreciated.”

Smith is a commissioner on the Congressional Executive Commission on China, which he chaired for two terms.

 HKDC is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting democracy and human rights in Hong Kong led dominantly by people from Hong Kong living in the US. The group focuses on the challenges facing Hong Kong and US-Hong Kong relations and Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Only last month, Smith was recognized by the HKDC for his years of work to enact the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, which President Trump signed into law late last year.

  • Two thousand of the masks were donated by Amanda and Johnny Ho of Freehold, NJ, shown delivering the masks on April 10 at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold.
  • Four thousand masks were donated Friday, April 10 to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ in Rep. Chris Smith’s 4th District.
Burlington, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Cable and Telecommunications Providers from Terminating Internet and Voice Service

April 13, 2020

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 126, prohibiting cable and telecommunications providers from terminating Internet and voice service due to nonpayment until 30 days after the current public health emergency has ended. The order also mandates that all service downgrades, service reductions, or late fees due to nonpayment are prohibited unless they are imposed in accordance with a policy approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Additionally, any Internet or voice service that was disconnected after March 16 due to nonpayment must be reconnected.“Most of our service providers voluntarily took these steps, in accordance with FCC policy, to protect their customers during this difficult time, and we are grateful for their partnership,” said Governor Murphy. “However, these policies have been implemented inconsistently among companies, so today we are prohibiting the termination of Internet and voice services due to nonpayment during this time. Our children need Internet access for remote learning, our workforce needs the resources to telework, and families need to be able to keep each other informed. It is critical for our New Jersey residents to maintain these connections and not have their ability to communicate with the outside world severed.”“Thank you, Governor Murphy for issuing this order to ensure that residents will have access to internet and phone service during this crisis,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President of the Board of Public Utilities. “I would like to again thank all of the electric and gas utilities and our water companies for their continued cooperation in voluntarily suspending all shut-offs and trying to help folks get through this very difficult situation. It is important that we all work together in a spirit of good citizenship during this unusual time.”Governor Murphy’s executive order directs the following:

  • No cable or telecommunications provider that provides residential internet and voice services to New Jersey residents shall terminate such internet and voice service due to nonpayment as long as this Order remains in effect. 
  • A cable or telecommunications provider that provides residential internet and voice services to New Jersey residents may downgrade or otherwise reduce the quality of residential internet or voice services provided due to nonpayment only if acting pursuant to a policy approved in writing by the Board of Public Utilities as long as this Order remains in effect. 
  • A cable or telecommunications provider that provides residential internet and voice services to New Jersey residents may collect 1) a fee or charge imposed for late or otherwise untimely payments that become due from the date of this Order for residential internet or 2) a fee or charge imposed for voice service reconnections, other than what is described below, only if acting pursuant to a policy approved in writing by the Board of Public Utilities as long as this Order remains in effect. 
  • Any cable or telecommunications provider that provides residential internet and voice services to New Jersey residents shall, upon request of the customer, and at no cost to the customer beyond any actual costs incurred by the provider in reconnecting the service, reconnect any residential internet or voice service that was discontinued due to nonpayment after March 16, 2020, including where the disconnection was for unpaid bills incurred prior to March 16, 2020. 

The order will take effect immediately and remain in effect until 30 days following the end of the public health emergency.For a copy of Executive Order No. 126, click here.

  • Monday April 13, 2020 – Governor Phil Murphy holds his coronavirus briefing in the George Washington Ballroom in the Trenton War Memorial, with Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Department of Health Communicable Disease Service Medical Director Dr. Edward Lifshitz, and State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan (Pool photo by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
Burlington, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Trenton

Governor Murphy, Governor Cuomo, Governor Lamont, Governor Wolf, Governor Carney, Governor Raimondo, Announce Multi-State Council to Get People Back to Work and Restore the Economy

April 13, 2020

Council Will Include One Health Expert, One Economic Development Expert and Respective Chiefs of Staff from Each StateCouncil Will Develop a Fully Integrated Regional Framework to Gradually Lift the States’ Stay at Home Orders While Minimizing the Risk of Increased Spread of the VirusNew Effort Builds on the States’ Ongoing Regional Approach to Combatting COVID-19  

Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Delaware Governor John Carney and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo today announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.The coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus. The council will create this framework using every tool available to accomplish the goal of easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread – including testing, contact tracing, treatment and social distancing – and will rely on the best available scientific, statistical, social and economic information to manage and evaluate those tools.

Governor Phil Murphy said, “No one has given more thought or is more eager to restart our economy than I am, but if we don’t get the sequencing right, we put more lives at risk. The only path to a sustainable economic recovery is through a strong healthcare recovery. Then, and only then, do we position ourselves to fully ignite our economy and get the residents of our state back to work while minimizing the danger of this disease. A coordinated, regional approach, informed by a multi-state council of experts, will help us avoid a major setback with potentially disastrous consequences. I look forward to the day when the facts on the ground allow us to ease our restrictions and move our regional economy forward.”“We have been collaborating closely with our neighboring states to combat this pandemic through a uniform approach to social distancing and density reduction and it has been working well. Now it is time to start opening the valve slowly and carefully while watching the infection rate meter so we don’t trigger a second wave of new infections,” 

Governor Cuomo said. “This is not a light switch that we can just flick on and everything goes back to normal – we have to come up with a smart, consistent strategy to restart the systems we shut down and get people back to work, and to the extent possible we want to do that through a regional approach because we are a regional economy. New York is partnering with these four states to create a multi-state council that will come up with a framework based on science and data to gradually ease the stay at home restrictions and get our economy back up and running.”

Governor Ned Lamont said, “One thing that’s undeniable is that this virus does not stop at the border of any county, state, or country, but the impact is the same when it comes to our respective economies and healthcare systems. Working as a regional coalition to make the right decisions will lead to the best public health results for all of our residents. We must solve these problems together.”

Governor Tom Wolf said, “Our highest priority remains protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. While my administration continues to take critical steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I also recognize that we must look ahead and take a measured, careful approach to prepare for the future while ensuring that we don’t undo all of our efforts. Pennsylvania will work collaboratively with our partners both in state and in surrounding states to develop a comprehensive strategy that first focuses on health but also addresses the need to gradually restore our economy.”

 Governor John Carney said, “We still have a situation in Delaware that is getting worse. Infections of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are rising. Delawareans should stay home. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Don’t visit Delaware unless you need to see a doctor, or care for a family member. You’ll only increase everyone’s risk. At the same time, we need to look forward. We need a consistent approach for moving our states out of this crisis, when that day comes. I’m grateful for the partnership of my fellow Governors in the region. They are all working around-the-clock to prevent surges in COVID-19 cases, protect hospital capacity for the most critically-ill patients, and save lives. We’ll get through this by working together.”

Governor Gina Raimondo said, “States are taking the lead as we fight to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives. I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken, and I’m constantly thinking about what it will take to safely reopen our economy. But we know that this virus does not recognize borders, and it’s clear we need a strong, coordinated regional approach to avoid a second wave of this disease. I’m grateful to my fellow governors for their leadership during this crisis and I’m confident that this new partnership will support our efforts to get Rhode Islanders — and all Americans — back to work safely.”