Overcast 73°
News
These NJ Healthcare Facilities Will See Stricter Vaccination, Testing Regimes Come September These NJ Healthcare Facilities Will See Stricter Vaccination, Testing Regimes Come September
These NJ Healthcare Facilities Will See Stricter Vaccination, Testing Regimes Come September Stricter vaccination and COVID-19 testing guidelines are coming for some New Jersey healthcare workers, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday. All employees in certain healthcare facilities and other high-risk congregate settings will be required to either complete a full vaccination course or undergo regular testing at a minimum of once to twice each week. The following facilities must be in full compliance of the regulations by Sept. 7: The above employers must require employee vaccinations or regularly subject them to COVID-19 tests.NJ Office of the Governor The news comes as the Delta …

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
NJ County Prosecutor Resigns Amid Allegations, Lawsuits, Probe NJ County Prosecutor Resigns Amid Allegations, Lawsuits, Probe
NJ County Prosecutor Resigns Amid Allegations, Lawsuits, Probe Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner has resigned amid ethics complaints, lawsuits and allegations of misconduct. First Assistant Prosecutor Cary Shill was sworn in as the county's acting top law enforcer after Gov. Phil Murphy's office announced Tyner's resignation. “We thank Damon Tyner for his service to Atlantic County and the State of New Jersey, and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” a Murphy spokesperson said in a statement. Tyner has been the subject of allegations from various quarters -- among these, that he directly supervised his brother, an investigator, retaliated …

SHARE

by Jerry DeMarco
Schools
COVID-19: Murphy Lifts School Mask Mandate As Hot Temperatures Linger COVID-19: Murphy Lifts School Mask Mandate As Hot Temperatures Linger
Covid-19: Murphy Lifts School Mask Mandate As Hot Temperatures Linger Gov. Phil Murphy listed the state COVID-19 mask mandate in schools on Wednesday. Murphy left the mask policy is up to individual school districts, particularly during heat waves, he said during Wednesday's press briefing. Several school districts had already decided to lift mask mandates. The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District announced on that its mask mandate was lifted for students as well as vaccinated teachers, and Point Pleasant followed suit. Point Pleasant Schools Superintendent Vincent S. Smith said the masks were operational “regardless of the temperature" …

SHARE

by Jon Craig
News
State Report On 'Widespread' Prison Abuse Triggers NJ Corrections Commissioner's Resignation State Report On 'Widespread' Prison Abuse Triggers NJ Corrections Commissioner's Resignation
State Report On 'Widespread' Prison Abuse Triggers NJ Corrections Commissioner's Resignation A scathing report on alleged problems within the New Jersey prison system prompted Tuesday's resignation of the state Corrections Commissioner, officials said.  Gov. Phil Murphy, at a press briefing, said he was very disturbed by the report, which focused on assaults by prison guards at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Union Township, Hunderdon County. Hicks was a 14-year employee of the state Department of Corrections who was appointed to the top prison job early last year. State legislators have been pushing for improvements within the state prison system, and even…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
News
Murphy Closing Edna Mahan Women's Prison, Releases Report Into Violent Cell Extractions Murphy Closing Edna Mahan Women's Prison, Releases Report Into Violent Cell Extractions
Murphy Closing Edna Mahan Women's Prison, Releases Report Into Violent Cell Extractions New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced he would be closing the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women amid a series of abuse and rapes. “Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women has a long history of abusive incidents predating our Administration, and we must now commit ourselves to completely breaking this pattern of misconduct to better serve incarcerated women entrusted to the State’s care. Murphy also released an investigative report detailing cell extractions at the facility that occurred on Jan. 11, calling them "disturbing and horrific." The 75-page document maintain…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
2nd Arrest Made, 3rd Victim Dies In South Jersey Birthday Party Shooting 2nd Arrest Made, 3rd Victim Dies In South Jersey Birthday Party Shooting
2nd Arrest Made, 3rd Victim Dies In South Jersey Birthday Party Shooting A second person was arrested and a third victim died following a birthday party shooting over the weekend in Cumberland County, authorities announced. Darrell Dawkins, 30, of Bridgeton, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun days after Kevin Dawkins, 36, was arrested on similar charges, New Jersey State Police said. The younger Dawkins was not believed to be a shooter in the incident, in which 14 people were struck by gunfire. Braylin Holmes, 19, of Millville City, died of injuries sustained in the shooting and was pronounced dead Monday night at Cooper University Hospital, pol…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
Ditch The Face Mask, Hit The Dance Floor: NJ Relaxes COVID Guidelines Ditch The Face Mask, Hit The Dance Floor: NJ Relaxes COVID Guidelines
Ditch The Face Mask, Hit The Dance Floor: NJ Relaxes COVID Guidelines Social distancing and face mask requirements are so last year -- at least in New Jersey. Come this Friday, face masks will no longer be required at most public indoor spaces in the Garden Sate, and social distancing will no longer be required, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday. Dance floors at bars and restaurants will also be allowed to reopen come and alcohol can be served at bars again on May 28, Murphy said. On Friday, June 4, all indoor and outdoor gathering limits will be lifted. The new regulations come several weeks after the CDC relaxed their face mask guidelines.  "I am proud t…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
'Birthday Party Turned Deadly': Arrest Made In South Jersey Mass Shooting, 2 Victims ID'd 'Birthday Party Turned Deadly': Arrest Made In South Jersey Mass Shooting, 2 Victims ID'd
'Birthday Party Turned Deadly': Arrest Made In South Jersey Mass Shooting, 2 Victims ID'd A 36-year-old man was arrested in a mass shooting that left two people dead and 12 others injured at a South Jersey birthday party over the weekend, authorities said Monday (scroll to bottom for video of full press briefing). Kevin Dawkins, of Bridgeton, was charged with multiple weapons offenses in connection with the Saturday night shooting during a party with hundreds of people in Cumberland County, state and county officials announced. Kevin Elliot, 30, and Asia Hester, 25 -- both of Bridgeton -- were killed in the shooting, with one of the other 12 people shot in critical condition, a…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
'We Need More Time On The Clock': Murphy Won't Be Ditching Face Masks So Soon 'We Need More Time On The Clock': Murphy Won't Be Ditching Face Masks So Soon
'We Need More Time On The Clock': Murphy Won't Be Ditching Face Masks So Soon New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy proved he isn't a follower. While state leaders in Connecticut, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania are allowing fully-vaccinated individuals to ditch face masks inside in accordance with the CDC's new guidelines, Murphy says "not yet." "This is not forever and always," the governor said during Monday's COVID-19 press conference. "We just need more time on the clock." Citing Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Biden, Murphy said that the premature, widespread removal of mask mandates especially indoors could reignite the virus. There…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
These Towns Rank Worst In Coronavirus Vaccine Rates, Murphy Says These Towns Rank Worst In Coronavirus Vaccine Rates, Murphy Says
These Towns Rank Worst In Coronavirus Vaccine Rates, Murphy Says Want to know where it's presumably safer to live, work and dine in New Jersey? Gov. Phil Murphy released a ranking of the lowest vaccination rates among Garden State cities and townships on Monday, along with a new "Operation Jersey Summer" campaign to reach underserved communities. The governor focused on 16 communities with 10,000 or more residents -- where less than 40% of those eligible got an initial shot. Lakewood Township, which met the most initial resistance to wearing masks, has the lowest vaccination rate, at 10%, according to Murphy. Irvington and Pemberton townships tied for…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
News
COVID-19: NJ Announces 'Aggressive' Reopening Steps Effective This Month COVID-19: NJ Announces 'Aggressive' Reopening Steps Effective This Month
Covid-19: NJ Announces 'Aggressive' Reopening Steps Effective This Month Life will look even more normal this month, as New Jersey will lift some of its biggest COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday. Come May 7, the prohibition on indoor bar seating will be lifted as long as social distancing is in place; prohibition on buffets and and other self-service foods will be lifted along with other self-service foods at restaurants. As of May 19, restaurants can operate at whatever capacity allows them to continue with social distancing in place. Also on that day, the 50 percent capacity limits for indoor and outdoor settings and businesses governed…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
Popular Wildwood Bar Banned From Serving Alcohol During Summer Over COVID-19 Violations Popular Wildwood Bar Banned From Serving Alcohol During Summer Over COVID-19 Violations
Popular Wildwood Bar Banned From Serving Alcohol During Summer Over Covid-19 Violations A popular Wildwood bar will not be serving alcohol this summer over repeated violations of COVID-19 restrictions, state officials said. Shamrock Beef and Ale (Shamrock), on Pacific Avenue, agreed to stop serving alcohol between May 1 and Sept. 30 under a settlement between the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Tommy G’s Shamrock, LLC (Tommy G’s) -- the bar's holding company, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. Two other venues operating under the Tommy’ G’s license at that location – Castaway’s Pirate Bar and Club Amnesia – must also cease serving alcohol during the suspens…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine