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Pandemic

Business
116-Year-Old Jersey Shore Market Abruptly Closes, Accused Of Unpaid Debts In Lawsuits 116-Year-Old Jersey Shore Market Abruptly Closes, Accused Of Unpaid Debts In Lawsuits
116-Year-Old Jersey Shore Market Abruptly Closes, Accused Of Unpaid Debts In Lawsuits A Monmouth County market that abruptly closed after more than a century of business is facing several lawsuits for unpaid debts, according to court filings. Sickles Market closed its grocery store in Little Silver in early March. The store had been open on Harrison Avenue since 1908. The market's website had a statement explaining the sudden closure. "It is with heaviest hearts that we have closed the doors on our 116-year-old business at this time," the statement said. "We have been so lucky to have all of you by our side on this long journey, from friends near and far, to our incredible …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Popular South Jersey Burger Joint Closes: 'Bittersweet' Popular South Jersey Burger Joint Closes: 'Bittersweet'
Popular South Jersey Burger Joint Closes: 'Bittersweet' A hot dog and burger restaurant that was born as a creative response to the pandemic and quickly became a staple in South Jersey will be closing its doors this weekend. Burgertime NJ, located in Audubon, will flip its last patty on Saturday, Oct. 14. The W. Merchant Street joint is owned by Dane DeMarco, who also runs Gass & Main in Haddonfield. Burgertime sold a creative variety of hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches, along with simple classics and sides.  DeMarco announced the restaurant's closing on social media, noting the decision wasn't an easy one. Dear friends and loyal cu…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Viral Smash Burger Tacos Have Customers Flocking To This Family's LBI Cafe Viral Smash Burger Tacos Have Customers Flocking To This Family's LBI Cafe
Viral Smash Burger Tacos Have Customers Flocking To This Family's LBI Cafe "It's like a Big Mac on a taco." That's how Kristin Mailhiot describes the menu item that's been driving traffic to her LBI cafe — both online and IRL. Mailhiot opened Jersey Girl Grill on Long Beach Boulevard 16 summers ago with her husband, Shawn. They now have help running the place from their college-age kids. Mailhiot, who grew up in Philadelphia and Jenkintown, PA, launched the smash burger taco this summer after seeing a chef's fancier take on it on social media last winter.  Once she nailed her own recipe, Mailhiot posted a photo of the finished product to Instagram, and things t…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Scathing Report Says Nurses At This NJ Hospital Wouldn't Feel Safe Being Treated There Scathing Report Says Nurses At This NJ Hospital Wouldn't Feel Safe Being Treated There
Scathing Report Says Nurses At This NJ Hospital Wouldn't Feel Safe Being Treated There A scathing report released by the largest union representing healthcare workers in New Jersey reveals how nurses feel working at one Jersey Shore hospital — and it's largely not great. It all came to a head for Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center nurses during the pandemic, when they found themselves fighting their employer for protection all while working on the front lines under already stressful conditions, the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) report says. "Working conditions at Jersey Shore University Medical Center during the pandemic led to many …

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
New Eatery Featuring Southern Dishes Opens In Camden County: Report New Eatery Featuring Southern Dishes Opens In Camden County: Report
New Eatery Featuring Southern Dishes Opens In Camden County: Report A new restaurant serving Southern food, fancy drinks and live music has opened in South Jersey, NJ Advance Media reports. Essie's, owned by Mike and Cherie Gillespie, is located at 1 Garfield Ave. in Clementon. Essie'sFacebook/ Essie's Its opening was fraught with delays due to the pandemic and a roof collapse caused by a snowstorm in 2017, the outlet reports. The eatery features cajun and creole dishes like hot wings, fish tacos, fried oysters, hush puppies and more, its menu says. Fans of the long-awaited restaurant posted about their anticipation on Facebook.  Fans looked forwa…

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by Jon Craig
News
Feds: Postal Supervisor In NJ Sold 400 Vax Cards That She Printed At Work Feds: Postal Supervisor In NJ Sold 400 Vax Cards That She Printed At Work
Feds: Postal Supervisor In NJ Sold 400 Vax Cards That She Printed At Work A U.S. Postal Service supervisor from New Jersey openly sold 400 bogus COVID vaccine cards that she printed at her job -- while claiming that a graphic design degree was "paying off" for her, federal authorities charged. Lisa Hammell, 39, of the South Jersey town of Turnersville, sold the cards for from $20 to $100 after advertising them on social media, an indictment returned by a grand jury in U.S. District Court in Newark says. Two of the buyers were from New Jersey and another was a federal employee in Virginia whose mother needed the card because she worked in a hospital and had to be …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Business
Iconic NJ Deli Reopening After Pandemic Shutdown Iconic NJ Deli Reopening After Pandemic Shutdown
Iconic NJ Deli Reopening After Pandemic Shutdown A family-owned New Jersey deli is gearing up for a long-awaited reopening, originally reported by NJ Advance Media. Hobby's Delicatessen, in Newark, announced in an April Fool's joke "We are open... ing soon." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hobby's Delicatessen (@hobbysdeli) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hobby's Delicatessen (@hobbysdeli) The Kosher-style deli — whose website says it was "established before you were born" — was bought by Sam Brummer in 1962. His tw…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US
Covid-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US With the new “stealth” COVID-19 sub-variant emerging from the shadows in the US and overseas, researchers are concerned that one subset of Americans could potentially lead to a possible new surge of infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Omicron, which is known as B.1.1.529, has three sub-variants: the original BA.1 that remains the dominant strain, the “stealth” BA.2, which is picking up steam, and the more elusive BA.3. The new “stealth” variant - named for its difficulty to identify due to a lack of certain genetic characteristics - has been becoming more of a co…

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by Zak Failla
News
NJ Resumes COVID Early Inmate Release Program NJ Resumes COVID Early Inmate Release Program
NJ Resumes COVID Early Inmate Release Program As many as 1,200 New Jersey prison inmates and at least 10 sex offenders could be freed during another round of early pandemic releases, state corrections sources say. No public notice was given by Gov. Phil Murphy’s office of the latest releases, which corrections officials said resumed Thursday with 260 inmates freed. These come at a time when “violent crime me in some of our cities has gotten so bad” that “many urban mayors who supported bail reform are demanding a new law that would keep dangerous criminals in jail until trial,” state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) said. An estimated 40%…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Schools
Cliffside Park HS Teacher, Students To Discuss Assignment Turned Memoir On NBC Nightly News Cliffside Park HS Teacher, Students To Discuss Assignment Turned Memoir On NBC Nightly News
Cliffside Park HS Teacher, Students To Discuss Assignment Turned Memoir On NBC Nightly News A Cliffside Park teacher and some of his students who together published a memoir on what it's like living through the COVID-19 pandemic as a teen will be discussing the book Tuesday evening on NBC. Shawn Adler asked his 49 students to document what it's like to be living through a pandemic. Adler and the students took their emotional stories and compiled them into a memoir titled "The Class of COVID-19: Insights from the Inside." "This book touches on all aspects of what it's like to be a teenager during a global plague -- from the young men and woman who have lost the most," the book's …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Hard Rock Hotel Gives Bonuses Worth $1M To 2,200 Atlantic City Casino Workers Hard Rock Hotel Gives Bonuses Worth $1M To 2,200 Atlantic City Casino Workers
Hard Rock Hotel Gives Bonuses Worth $1M To 2,200 Atlantic City Casino Workers More than 2,100 casino workers at Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel got some good pandemic news on Tuesday.  Grateful for its workers' efforts despite new challenges from COVID-19, the company announced that its front-line team members will receive individual cash bonuses ranging from $250 to $1,000. Jim Allen, Hard Rock International's chairman and CEO, said Tuesday that the company is giving out bonuses to thank workers for providing good customer service. But they also are an acknowledgment of the extra challenge posed by the pandemic. “The dedication of our team members ha…

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by Jon Craig
News
Beach Passes Already Sold Out For This Jersey Shore Town Beach Passes Already Sold Out For This Jersey Shore Town
Beach Passes Already Sold Out For This Jersey Shore Town Beach passes for the 2021 season are already sold out for one Jersey Shore town. The 5,500 passes that were allotted for this year were on sale for $110 in December, NJ.com reports.  Not many knew the passes were on sale, as they had been announced last month in a newsletter, read mostly by locals. Even more frustrating to residents, more than half of the passes were allegedly sold to out-of-towners. An announcement on the Spring Lake website says the borough reached its sales total, which equate to the numbers sold during Summer 2020. "Due to the uncertainty of the ongoing Pandemic…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
NJ Reports Single-Day Record For New COVID Cases, Figures Listed By County NJ Reports Single-Day Record For New COVID Cases, Figures Listed By County
NJ Reports Single-Day Record For New COVID Cases, Figures Listed By County New Jersey health officials on Thursday reported a single-day record of 6,314 new confirmed positive COVID-19 test results in the state – only the third time the number has exceeded 6,000 since the pandemic began. Hudson and Middlesex counties each topped 600 new confirmed positives. Bergen, Essex and Monmouth each exceeded 500. Passaic, Ocean and Camden counties each had 400 or more. Nine counties each had less than 200. The good news: Hospitalizations are beginning to drop again. The numbers reported Thursday increased the seven-day average for new confirmed positives in New Jersey to 4…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Stop & Shop Hiring For More Than 5,000 Positions Stop & Shop Hiring For More Than 5,000 Positions
Stop & Shop Hiring For More Than 5,000 Positions Stop & Shop is looking to fill more than 5,000 regional positions. The available positions across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are permanent and include store roles in bakery, deli, grocery, seafood, produce, front end, night crew and online pickup.  Stop & Shop is also hiring home delivery drivers and shoppers, as well as selectors at its distribution centers. These 5,000 new positions are in addition to the 5,000 Stop & Shop sought to fill at the start of the pandemic in March.  In total, Stop & Shop has invested more than …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Murphy Addresses Restaurant Hecklers With Compassion For Those Stressed By Pandemic Murphy Addresses Restaurant Hecklers With Compassion For Those Stressed By Pandemic
Murphy Addresses Restaurant Hecklers With Compassion For Those Stressed By Pandemic Gov. Phil Murphy said he was largely unaffected by the group of women who harassed him and his family over the weekend while dining out Saturday in Red Bank. The governor addressed the 36-second encounter that began circulating Sunday afternoon on social media during Monday's COVID-19 briefing. "I would say, one, that I'm a big boy and I have thick skin," Murphy said. "It doesn't impact me at all." The only part that seemed to bother him, though, was that the women involved his family. "Leave my family out of it," he said. The governor, his wife Tammy Murphy, and their four children were…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
NJ COVID-19 Scammer Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans, Feds Charge NJ COVID-19 Scammer Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans, Feds Charge
NJ Covid-19 Scammer Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans, Feds Charge A North Jersey businessman fraudulently secured nearly $2 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic loans he wasn't entitled to, then diverted the money into accounts held by family members, including his young children, federal authorities charged. Rocco A. Malanga, 48, of Hackettstown, “used a variety of false statements to fraudulently obtain approximately $1.8 million in federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said Thursday. He then diverted the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) money to “accounts under the control of his …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
COVID-19: CDC Updates Thanksgiving Guidelines COVID-19: CDC Updates Thanksgiving Guidelines
Covid-19: CDC Updates Thanksgiving Guidelines The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has updated previously released guidelines for Thanksgiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Unfortunately, the COVID-19 epidemic is worsening, and small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases," the agency said in a statement released Monday, Nov. 9. "Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu." The CDC says "the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is with people in your household." 'If you…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Murphy Announces New COVID-19 Restrictions, Says Vaccine Coming Spring 2021 Murphy Announces New COVID-19 Restrictions, Says Vaccine Coming Spring 2021
Murphy Announces New Covid-19 Restrictions, Says Vaccine Coming Spring 2021 Gov. Phil Murphy announced new COVID-19 restrictions in the midst of New Jersey's second wave. Murphy also said he spoke with Dr. Anthony Fauci over the weekend, who was "unequivocal" when he said a vaccine will be ready in April or May. "We're in a sprint for the next six months," Murphy said. The governor remained hopeful a vaccine would be ready for wide distribution in Spring 2021, as long as "all the tires have been checked. "A vaccine doesn't mean we're back to where we were," Murphy said. "But it [will be] a hugely different environment. We've got to use that. "We have a plan rea…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Holidays Via Zoom? More Restrictions Ahead In Philadelphia Where COVID Cases Hit Record High Holidays Via Zoom? More Restrictions Ahead In Philadelphia Where COVID Cases Hit Record High
Holidays Via Zoom? More Restrictions Ahead In Philadelphia Where COVID Cases Hit Record High Cases of COVID-19 hit an all-time high in Philadelphia Friday, prompting city officials to consider new restrictions to help mitigate the spread.  City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley was not specific during Friday's briefing, but said officials are looking at a range of options on restrictions that would slow the virus down. He also recommended families hold upcoming holiday celebrations over video conference. "Family gatherings right now are simply very dangerous, particularly around a meal," he said. Regarding new restrictions, he said: "Everything is on the ta…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
COVID-19: Murphy Extends NJ's Health Emergency Another 30 Days COVID-19: Murphy Extends NJ's Health Emergency Another 30 Days
Covid-19: Murphy Extends NJ's Health Emergency Another 30 Days Gov. Phil Murphy has extended New Jersey's public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic another 30 days, for the 7th time since March. If not extended by the governor, the emergency declaration expires. The extension does not reverse any reopening steps, rather, keeps executive orders in place. “As we have mentioned before, today’s action means that we continue to be vigilant and prepared, and ready to act should there be a new outbreak,” Murphy said Friday during the most recent coronavirus briefing.  “It also continues the authority of the Department of Health to coordinate…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Neiman Marcus Markdown Store Among 17 Closing Across U.S. Neiman Marcus Markdown Store Among 17 Closing Across U.S.
Neiman Marcus Markdown Store Among 17 Closing Across U.S. Neiman Marcus has announced the closure of four department stores and 17 of its "Last Call" locations across the U.S. including one in Paramus. The luxury department store chain filed for bankruptcy in May. The Paramus store at Bergen Town Center, the 16 other markdown stores and the four department stores are expected to close by the fall of this year. The other "Last Call" locations closing are in New York, Florida, Washington, California, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland and Nevada. “As part of our Chapter 11 proceedings, we provided to the court a list of Neiman Marcus st…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Rave-Ready Post-Coronavirus Suit: The Future Of Concerts? Rave-Ready Post-Coronavirus Suit: The Future Of Concerts?
Rave-Ready Post-Coronavirus Suit: The Future Of Concerts? If you’re hoping to someday enjoy nightlife again, a design firm that no one had ever heard of has just the thing. The hottest "socially responsible solution" to rockin' in the post-coronavirus world is the Micrashell. Inspired by true events, this hazmat suit of a costume aims to have club- and concert-goers “safely socialize in times of a pandemic” while looking like Comic Con gate crashers. The Micrashell, designed by Los Angeles/Spain-based Production Club, has everything to keep you from feeling lost in space:  N95-filtered air; high-quality speakers in a mostly see-through helmet;…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
'Champion': President Of NJ Firefighters Association Dominick Marino Dies Suddenly 'Champion': President Of NJ Firefighters Association Dominick Marino Dies Suddenly
'Champion': President Of NJ Firefighters Association Dominick Marino Dies Suddenly Dominick Marino, the president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, died suddenly at home on Tuesday, fire officials said. The cause of death was not immediately released. Marino served as a firefighter for the North Bergen Fire Department and North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue for more than 25 years. He retired from active service in 2011 and held multiple leadership positions. "‪Dominick Marino didn’t just run into burning buildings, he knocked down walls to protect his fellow firefighters," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said.  "He put his heart and soul into ev…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
CRACKDOWN: Handpicked Paterson Police Unit Pursues Coronavirus Violators CRACKDOWN: Handpicked Paterson Police Unit Pursues Coronavirus Violators
Crackdown: Handpicked Paterson Police Unit Pursues Coronavirus Violators A specialized group of Paterson police officers has begun combing the Silk City around the clock, busting large gatherings, loiterers and operators of non-essential businesses that remain open in violation of a state order, authorities warned Thursday. The handpicked COVID-19 Compliance Unit fielded more than 40 different calls on Wednesday  reporting civilians or merchants violating Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order directing residents to say home and non-essential businesses to remain closed, authorities reported. They shut down four businesses and issued several summonses, May…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Lifestyle
TRUE HERO: Gulf War Vet, Park Ridge Cop-Turned-Nurse Fights Coronavirus In Second Career Battle TRUE HERO: Gulf War Vet, Park Ridge Cop-Turned-Nurse Fights Coronavirus In Second Career Battle
True Hero: Gulf War Vet, Park Ridge Cop-Turned-Nurse Fights Coronavirus In Second Career Battle A former Park Ridge police officer is on the front lines of the coronavirus war just three months into his new career, armed with new expertise.  After retiring from law enforcement after 25 years, Laughton recently started a new career in nursing with a 2019 degree from Bergen Community College. Lisa Catalano Cifalino, his manager at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, launched a Facebook series about COVID-19 heroes. Laughton is her first HERO, which was shared by Park Ridge police.   "Please keep him, his co-workers, and all health care workers in your thoughts and prayers. T…

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by Jon Craig
News
Asbury Park Distillery Swaps Spirits For Hand Sanitizers Asbury Park Distillery Swaps Spirits For Hand Sanitizers
Asbury Park Distillery Swaps Spirits For Hand Sanitizers Many businesses have had to substantially alter their day-to-day operations due to closures and restrictions amid the COVID-19 crisis, and breweries are no exception. Food and alcohol are still the main focus, but some breweries — including Asbury Park Distilling Co. — have halted their spirit production in favor of hand sanitizer. Founded by Fair Lawn native Andy Karas, APDC is offering two free 2-ounce bottles of its hand cleaner to “current retailers and restaurants who remain open to serve the community,” the company wrote in an Instagram post. “If you’re a current partner, please fee…

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by Valerie Musson