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New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Police & Fire
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials A massive wildfire that scorched 350 acres in Jackson Township was ignited by an illegal shotgun round that authorities said was fired by a 37-year-old Brick Township man. Authorities charged Richard Shashaty, 37, with arson after an investigation revealed that magnesium shards from a prohibited Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the blaze on Nov. 6, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The fire, known as the Shotgun Wildfire, erupted shortly after noon on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. Investigators determined that the incendi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Brush Fire Ravages 19 Acres On Palisades: Firefighters Battle Blaze Amid Statewide Restrictions Brush Fire Ravages 19 Acres On Palisades: Firefighters Battle Blaze Amid Statewide Restrictions
Brush Fire Ravages 19 Acres On Palisades: Firefighters Battle Blaze Amid Statewide Restrictions Firefighters are battling a 19-acre brush fire that erupted Thursday night, Nov. 7, on the cliffs of the Palisades Interstate Park.  Visible from across the Hudson River, the blaze has turned the scenic cliffs into an intense battle zone, with flames licking at the steep, rocky terrain and sending plumes of smoke billowing into the evening sky. The fire, fueled by dry brush and challenging cliffside conditions, remains only 30% contained as of Friday morning, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Crews from Fort Lee, Englewood, Ridgefield, Leonia, Edgewater, and more have jo…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Company Hired To Replace 18,000 Lead Pipes In Newark Faked Work, Billed For It Anyway: Feds Company Hired To Replace 18,000 Lead Pipes In Newark Faked Work, Billed For It Anyway: Feds
Company Hired To Replace 18,000 Lead Pipes In Newark Faked Work, Billed For It Anyway: Feds Two people hired by the City of Newark to replace 18,000 lead pipes are facing federal charges after they intentionally left the pipes in the ground, hid them from officials, and then collected payment for work that they didn't properly perform, federal officials said. Michael Sawyer, 57, of Burlington, and Latronia "Tee" Sanders, 55, of Roselle, are each charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said (click here for the complaint). Citing charging documents, NJ Advance Media says JAS Group Enterprise Inc. (JAS), the company in which Sa…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey
Two West Nile Virus-Related Deaths Among Six New Cases Reported In New Jersey New Jersey health officials are reporting an additional six cases of West Nile Virus including two deaths, and two presumptive viremic blood donor (PVD) cases in the state.  The six new WNV cases are residents of Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Hudson, Mercer, and Middlesex counties (one 50+, two 60+, one 70+, two 80+). The two individuals who died were older adults from Cumberland and Mercer counties, the DOH said. Two human cases of WNV were reported earlier this year in Middlesex and Union counties. Seven out of the eight cases were hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, includi…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
High Bacteria Levels Shuts Swimming At NJ Beach For Rest Of Season High Bacteria Levels Shuts Swimming At NJ Beach For Rest Of Season
High Bacteria Levels Shuts Swimming At NJ Beach For Rest Of Season Swimming along one New Jersey beach has been closed for the rest of the season due to high bacteria levels, officials said. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection said only that a water sample from Beachwood Beach West exceeded the water quality standard. In a statement shared to the Beachwood website, the mayor and council said, "you may still sit and take in the lovely view of the scenery but no one will be permitted to swim."

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by Cecilia Levine
News
55-Year-Old Dad Drowns In NJ Reservoir: 'Giving Heart, Crazy Antics' 55-Year-Old Dad Drowns In NJ Reservoir: 'Giving Heart, Crazy Antics'
55-Year-Old Dad Drowns In NJ Reservoir: 'Giving Heart, Crazy Antics' A 55-year-old New Jersey father who drowned over the weekend in a Burlington County reservoir is being remembered for his good humor and good nature. Frank Guadagnini, of Point Pleasant Borough, was pulled by divers from the water in the Whitesbog section of Pemberton Township, according to Caryn Shinske, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Environmental Protection. Firefighters, EMS units, and dive teams responded to the water used for local cranberry operations within the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest around 7:35 p.m., Saturday, June 22, where Guadagnini's body was recovered by Man…

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by Jon Craig & Cecilia Levine
Weather
Air Quality Alert Issued Across These NJ, PA Counties Air Quality Alert Issued Across These NJ, PA Counties
Air Quality Alert Issued Across These NJ, PA Counties An air quality alert has been issued for several areas across New Jersey and Pennsylvania  through late Friday, June 14. The most serious alert, an Air Quality Action Day, has been issued from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. across Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, and Union counties. An Air Quality Action Day means that Ground Level Ozone within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Friday for North Central and Southwestern, NJ, along with Middlesex, Mercer, Camden, and G…

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by Cecilia Levine