EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Trooper Brandi Slota from The New Jersey State Police, Public Information Unit told MidJersey.News that Troopers responded to a multi motor vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound outer lane at milepost 65.5 in East Windsor Twp at approximately 6:28 a.m. The preliminary investigation revealed that a Freightliner tractor semi-trailer was traveling south on the New Jersey Turnpike outer Roadway in East Windsor Township, Mercer County. A Nissan Rogue was traveling south, directly behind the Freightliner. A second Freightliner tractor semi-trailer was disabled on the right shoulder of the roadway. In the area of milepost 65.5, the front of the Nissan collided with the rear of the first Freightliner traveling directly in front of it and subsequently the rear of the second Freightliner disabled on the right shoulder. As a result, the driver of the Nissan, identified as Peter J. Pascalli Jr., 23, of Iselin sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.
This morning’s breaking news story here:
February 7, 2022
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–A serious crash occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of mile post 65.5 south bound outer lanes around 6:37 a.m. It appears that a car rear ended a tractor trailer, and one was entrapped in the wreckage. Firefighters from Robbinsville Township Fire Department and Hightstown Fire Company extricated the occupant of the vehicle in about 30 minutes. Tow truck operators from Treats Garage – Mackey’s Towing in the Windsor Section of Robbinsville helped use their truck to pull the car back enough to help in the extrication. Robbinsville EMS, Cranbury EMS and Hightstown EMS along with Captial Health Paramedics were also on scene. There were reports that NJSP escorted the ambulance to the Trauma Center at Captial Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. NJ State Police are investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
Frontier Airlines flies daily from TTN Trenton-Mercer County Airport. Spirit Airlines flies daily from Atlantic City International Airport. Both Frontier and Spirit Airlines fly from Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport to multiple destinations.
DENVER, Colo. and MIRAMAR, Fla., Feb. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spirit Airlines, Inc. (“Spirit”) (NYSE: SAVE) and Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (“Frontier”) (NASDAQ: ULCC), parent company of Frontier Airlines, Inc., today announced a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine, creating America’s most competitive ultra-low fare airline.
Together, Frontier and Spirit expect to change the industry for the benefit of consumers, bringing more ultra-low fares to more travelers in more destinations across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, including major cities as well as underserved communities. The stronger financial profile of the combined company will empower it to accelerate investment in innovation and growth and compete even more aggressively, especially against the dominant “Big Four” 1 airlines, among others.
William A. Franke, the Chair of Frontier’s Board of Directors and the managing partner of Indigo Partners, Frontier’s majority shareholder, noted that Indigo has a long history with both Spirit and Frontier, and is proud to partner with them in creating a disruptive airline. “We worked jointly with the Board of Directors and senior management team across both carriers to arrive at a combination of two complementary businesses that together will create America’s most competitive ultra-low fare airline for the benefit of consumers.”
“We are thrilled to join forces with Frontier to further democratize air travel,” said Ted Christie, President and CEO of Spirit. “This transaction is centered around creating an aggressive ultra-low fare competitor to serve our Guests even better, expand career opportunities for our Team Members and increase competitive pressure, resulting in more consumer-friendly fares for the flying public. We look forward to uniting our talented teams to shake up the airline industry while also continuing our commitment to excellent Guest service.”
“This combination is all about growth, opportunities and creating value for everyone – from our Guests to our Team Members to the flying public at large,” said Mac Gardner, Chairman of the Board of Spirit. “We’re a perfect fit – our businesses share similar values, including our longstanding commitment to affordable travel. At the same time, we have complementary footprints and fleets, including one of the youngest and greenest fleets worldwide. Together, we will be even more competitive for our Guests and our Team Members, and we are confident we can deliver on the benefits of this combination to consumers.”
“Together, Frontier and Spirit will be America’s Greenest Airline and deliver more ultra-low fares to more people in more places,” said Barry Biffle, President and CEO of Frontier. “I couldn’t be more excited for our team members, customers, partners, the communities we serve and our shareholders.”
Consumers Win With More Ultra-Low Fares to More Places
The combined airline is expected to:
Deliver $1 billion in annual consumer savings.
Offer more than 1,000 daily flights to over 145 destinations in 19 countries, across complementary networks. Expand with more than 350 aircraft on order to deliver more ultra-low fares.
Increase access to ultra-low fares by adding new routes to underserved communities across the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Deliver even more reliable service through a variety of operational efficiencies. Expand frequent flyer and membership offerings.
Team Members Win With Expanded Opportunities and Increased Stability
By 2026 Spirit and Frontier expect to add 10,000 direct jobs and thousands of additional jobs at the companies’ business partners.
Given the growth of the combined company, it is expected that all current team members will have an opportunity to be a part of the combined airline.
Team Members of the combined airline will have better career opportunities and more stability as part of the most competitive ultra-low fare airline in the United States.
Sustainability Wins With America’s Greenest Airline
Frontier and Spirit will be America’s Greenest Airline, providing nationwide access to sustainable and affordable air travel. The combined airline will have the youngest, most modern and fuel-efficient fleet in the United States, featuring the largest fleet of A320neo family aircraft of any airline in the country. The combined airline is expected to achieve over 105 seat miles per gallon by 2025.
Shareholders Win With Superior Value Creation
The combination of Spirit and Frontier is expected to deliver enhanced value to shareholders of both companies.
On a combined basis, the company would have annual revenues of approximately $5.3 billion based on 2021 results. Once combined, Frontier and Spirit expect to deliver annual run-rate operating synergies of $500 million once full integration is completed, which will be primarily driven by scale efficiencies and procurement savings across the enterprise with approximately $400 million in one-time costs.
The combined airline is expected to have a strengthened financial profile, with a cash balance of approximately $2.42 billion as of the end of 2021 on a combined basis.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Spirit equity holders will receive 1.9126 shares of Frontier plus $2.13 in cash for each existing Spirit share they own. This implies a value of $25.83 per Spirit share at Frontier’s closing stock price of $12.39 on February 4, 2022, representing a premium of 19% over the February 4, 2022, closing price of Spirit, and a 26% premium based on the 30 trading-day volume-weighted average prices of Frontier and Spirit. The transaction values Spirit at a fully diluted equity value of $2.9 billion, and a transaction value of $6.6 billion when accounting for the assumption of net debt and operating lease liabilities.
Upon closing of the transaction, existing Frontier equity holders will own approximately 51.5% and existing Spirit equity holders will own approximately 48.5% of the combined airline, on a fully diluted basis, providing both Frontier and Spirit equity holders with substantial upside potential.
Bringing Our Airlines Together – Governance and Timing to Completion
The Board of Directors for the new airline will be comprised of 12 directors (including the CEO), seven of whom will be named by Frontier and five of whom will be named by Spirit. Mr. Franke will be Chairman of the Board of the combined company.
The merger is expected to close in the second half of 2022, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including completion of the regulatory review process and approval by Spirit stockholders. Frontier’s controlling stockholder has approved the transaction and related issuance of shares of Frontier common stock upon signing of the merger agreement. The combined company’s management team, branding and headquarters will be determined by a committee led by Mr. Franke prior to close.
Governor Will Also Extend the Statewide Public Health Emergency
February 7, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Noting the significant decline of statewide COVID-19 metrics, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers effective March 7, 2022.
“I must thank the overwhelming majority of students, parents, administrators, educators, and support staffers who have worn their masks without problem or protest since our schools reopened for in-person learning. Thankfully, we have reached a point where we feel confident that we can take another step toward normalcy for our kids,” said Governor Murphy. “Given the continued drop in new cases and hospitalizations, projections indicating a continued decline over the coming weeks, and the continued growth of vaccinations for our school-aged population, we believe that we can responsibly end the universal mask mandate.”
School districts and childcare facilities can continue to implement universal masking policies after the mandate is lifted in March. Schools that do not impose universal masking should revise their COVID policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask. Prior to the mandate being lifted, the Department of Health will release guidance to help school districts update their policies to align with the risks and unique needs of their setting and student population to ensure safe learning environments.
“The Department will develop guidance that incorporates all aspects of safety in schools while children are unmasked,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “We know that every parent wants to do what’s best for their children.”
Governor Murphy and the Department of Health continue to encourage parents of school-aged children age five and over to vaccinate children against COVID-19.
Governor Murphy will also sign an Executive Order before the Public Health Emergency expires on February 10, 2022 which will extend the Public Health Emergency declared on January 11, 2022 by Executive Order No. 280 for 30 days. The Public Health Emergency allows the state to continue vaccine distribution, vaccination or testing requirements in certain settings, the collection of COVID-19 data, implementation of any applicable recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent or limit the transmission of COVID-19, staffing and resource allocation, and other critical components of the State’s COVID-19 response.
Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, the Public Health Emergency will expire after 30 days, unless renewed. State COVID-19 metrics will be reevaluated at the time of expiration to determine if an extension will be needed.
MidJersey.news file photo from September 24, 2020 protest at the NJ State House about vaccines and masks
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township firefighters along with Trenton firefighters participated in ice water rescue training this morning on Gropp Lake. Firefighters performed several different rescue techniques during the training in case someone falls though the ice.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–A serious crash occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike in the area of mile post 65.5 south bound outer lanes around 6:37 a.m. It appears that a car rear ended a tractor trailer, and one was entrapped in the wreckage. Firefighters from Robbinsville Township Fire Department and Hightstown Fire Company extricated the occupant of the vehicle in about 30 minutes. Tow truck operators from Treats Garage – Mackey’s Towing in the Windsor Section of Robbinsville helped use their truck to pull the car back enough to help in the extrication. Robbinsville EMS, Cranbury EMS and Hightstown EMS along with Captial Health Paramedics were also on scene. There were reports that NJSP escorted the ambulance to the Trauma Center at Captial Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. NJ State Police are investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
FLORENCE TWP (BURLINGTON)– Firefighters from multiple departments battled a house fire in Florence Township tonight.
Multiple fire departments responded to the 300 block of Pigott Drive just after 9:00 pm after a caller dialed 911 and reported that their basement and first floor were filling with smoke. Florence Fire Department arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from the front door, and the first alarm was placed.
Crews stretched a 1 3/4 inch hose line to the basement to quickly extinguish the fire. It was placed under control just after 9:30 pm.
Responding companies were as follows: Florence Fire Department, Consolidated Fire Association, Derby Fire Company, Burlington Twp Fire Department, Franklin Fire Company, Burlington City Fire Department, Willingboro Fire Department, and Delran Fire Department.
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