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Obituaries
Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies
Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies Sparta is mourning the loss of a local business owner after what loved ones call a “difficult medical battle.” Hratch Kechishian died Saturday, July 15, his obituary says. He was 63. An integral part of Sparta’s business network, Hratch was the owner of The Leather Zone in Sparta — a business “he put his whole heart and resources into,” reads a GoFundMe launched by Melissa Prestipino for his family’s support. “Hratch was a generous man who would donate the shirt off of his back,” Prestipino writes. “He gave the community and healthcare workers many of his own supplies during the pandemic…

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by Valerie Musson
Real Estate
One Of NJ's Youngest Ice Cream Truck Owner Rolls Through Hard Times One Of NJ's Youngest Ice Cream Truck Owner Rolls Through Hard Times
One Of NJ's Youngest Ice Cream Truck Owner Rolls Through Hard Times Gabbie Truppi almost makes it look easy. She's got customers following her bubblegum pink truck to all of its events. She's got lines out the door of her 2-year-old Flemington ice cream shop, Humdoo.  And on slow business days, she dances in the rain. But the 24-year-old Hunterdon Central Regional grad's road to success was far from smooth.  Truppi dropped out of college (twice). COVID hit just as she'd hit her stride with her ice cream truck, Scoops on Wheels, and she had a fully-booked summer of events ahead. Then, just as she was getting ready to open her Flemington storefront, the t…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Cotton Candy Heaven: Newswoman Finds Sweet New Calling With Jersey Shore Biz Cotton Candy Heaven: Newswoman Finds Sweet New Calling With Jersey Shore Biz
Cotton Candy Heaven: Newswoman Finds Sweet New Calling With Jersey Shore Biz Have a hankering for cotton candy? You're in luck. Billie Rama of The Asbury Park Cotton Candy Co. is leasing a new production space exclusively for cotton candy lovers. Until now, Rama has been mobile only, operating a cotton candy table at parties, movies, and special events. Here is what Billie Rama's cotton candy table looks like when she "spins" at special events.Provided/ Billie Rama She organized this GoFundMe page to help defray the costs of setting up a permanent facility to expand and streamline her production. She started production at 909 Asbury Ave. Unit D on Thursday, Ma…

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by Jon Craig
Lifestyle
Do Not Use These COVID-19 At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns: FDA Do Not Use These COVID-19 At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns: FDA
Do Not Use These Covid-19 At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns: FDA Americans have been advised by federal officials to stop using and dispose of specific COVID-19 at-home tests that could have potentially harmful bacteria inside the kits. SD Biosensor, Inc. announced on Friday, May 5, that the company is requesting that consumers stop using “Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Tests” due to contaminants found in the tube with liquid inside, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The tube with the liquidFDA The affected tests can be identified by the lot number on the outer packaging (see below) and should be discarded in the trash. The liquid should n…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
'Bruce Springsteen Day' Declared Official In NJ 'Bruce Springsteen Day' Declared Official In NJ
'Bruce Springsteen Day' Declared Official In NJ Sept. 23 has long been a day of celebration for Bruce Springsteen fans in The Garden State. On Saturday, April 15, Governor Phil Murphy made it official. Murphy announced Sept. 23, Bruce Springsteen's birthday, will officially be known as "Bruce Springsteen Day" in New Jersey.  Bruce Springsteen is one of the most iconic and influential musicians – and New Jerseyans – of all time, period.And so, I am both honored and proud to announce @springsteen's birthday, Sept. 23, will officially be known as Bruce Springsteen Day in the Garden State. pic.twitter.com/Ux5B54jdlB — Governor Phil Murph…

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by Sam Barron
News
COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In NJ COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In NJ
Covid-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant Detected In NJ A new COVID-19 variant first detected in New York in January has now been identified in 27 states, including New Jersey. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of Omicron to date.  Shortly after the World Health Organization began monitoring the variant in late March, cases had been reported in about two dozen countries. The WHO says Arcturus is a "recombinant" of COVID subvariants BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75. In addition to New York, XBB.1.16 has also been confirmed in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pen…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
NJ's Oldest Bus Line Ceases NYC Commuter Service NJ's Oldest Bus Line Ceases NYC Commuter Service
NJ's Oldest Bus Line Ceases NYC Commuter Service The wheels on New Jersey's oldest bus line won't be going round and round for commuters much longer. Citing ridership declines that have lingered since the COVID-19 pandemic, DeCamp Bus Lines will only offer charter and casino services as of April 7, the company announced in a customer notice. DeCamp Bus Lines started as a stagecoach in 1870, and has seven commuter routes: 33, 66,/66R/44, 99, 88, 32 and 100. "It is with a heavy heart that we announce that DeCamp Bus Lines will be ceasing commuter services to and from New York City. . ." the company said. "DeCamp Bus Lines has str…

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by Jon Craig
News
COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus
Covid-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus A past COVID-19 infection provides "durable" but temporary protection against getting severely sick no matter the variant, according to a brand-new study. Researchers from the University of Washington say it's the most comprehensive data compiled so far showing national immunity protection against the virus. The findings were released Thursday, Feb. 16 in the peer-reviewed journal, The Lancet. The research identified and analyzed 65 studies from 19 different countries.  "Our meta-analyses showed that protection from past infection and any symptomatic disease was high for (COVID-19) an…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Superintendent Resigns After Controversial Comments On Jersey Shore Teen's Suicide Superintendent Resigns After Controversial Comments On Jersey Shore Teen's Suicide
Superintendent Resigns After Controversial Comments On Jersey Shore Teen's Suicide The superintendent of an Ocean County school district resigned Saturday, Feb. 11 after comments he made on a 14-year-old student's suicide surfaced. Officials at Central Regional High School announced Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides's resignation on its website, hours after a funeral was held for Adriana Kuch — who died by suicide on Feb. 3, days after a video of her being beaten in the halls of the school went viral. Parlapanides's resignation comes after the Daily Mail leaked an email he sent saying the teen's behavior was a result of her father's affair that began in middle school. Dail…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
NJ Deli Fraud Scheme Mastermind Arrested In Thailand: Feds NJ Deli Fraud Scheme Mastermind Arrested In Thailand: Feds
NJ Deli Fraud Scheme Mastermind Arrested In Thailand: Feds An international company chairman charged over a purported scheme to manipulate the stock market — one that resulted in a bogus $100M valuation for a Gloucester County deli despite minimal sales — was arrested in Thailand, the feds confirmed. Peter Coker Jr., 54, had been a fugitive since September when prosecutors filed 12 federal charges against him, his father, Peter Coker Sr., 80, and associate James Patten, 63. The trio allegedly boosted the share prices of Hometown International Inc. and another firm, E-Waste Corp. Matthew Reilly, a spokesperson for the New Jersey US Attorney’s Offic…

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by Jon Craig
News
ABC News Producer Dax Tejera Dead At 37 ABC News Producer Dax Tejera Dead At 37
ABC News Producer Dax Tejera Dead At 37 ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" producer Dax Tejera died suddenly on Friday, Dec. 23. He was 37 years old. The Chevy Chase native is survived by his wife, Veronica, and their daughters, Sofia and Ella. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dax Tejera (@daxtejera) Tejera joined the ABC News team in 2017 and worked as a senior producer in Washington DC. He helmed the Sunday show since just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, Tejera was the executive producer of Jorge Ramos' program with ABC-Univision and worked fo…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Cancer Misdiagnosed As COVID For NJ Nursing Student Who Finished School From Hospital Bed Cancer Misdiagnosed As COVID For NJ Nursing Student Who Finished School From Hospital Bed
Cancer Misdiagnosed As COVID For NJ Nursing Student Who Finished School From Hospital Bed Angela Meister was weeks away from finishing nursing school when she woke up with flu-like symptoms one day in late October. The 29-year-old Bergenfield resident was achey and had a fever, but wanted to push through and finally finish the 16-month accelerated nursing program she started. Her symptoms came and went, and she figured that was because she wasn't letting herself rest. But after 11 days with a fever, Meister went to the ER. Doctors told her she had a bad case of COVID and sent her on her way, encouraging rest and Tylenol. Meister spent the following month in and out of urgent c…

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by Cecilia Levine