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Garden State

Lifestyle
Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan Save NJ Singer Nearly Sent Home On 'The Voice' Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan Save NJ Singer Nearly Sent Home On 'The Voice'
Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan Save NJ Singer Nearly Sent Home On 'The Voice' It was nearly over for Mara Justine, until Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan came to her rescue. The 21-year-old native lost in one of the knockout rounds on last week's episode of "The Voice" on NBC: Hailey Mia was crowned the winner of the challenge. But coaches Stefani and Horan each used a remaining steal with minutes to spare keeping Justine in the runnings, sending Caleb Sasser home. John Legend called Justine's rendition of Harry Nilsson's "Without You" her best performance on the show yet.  While Stefani pled her case to be Justine's next coach, the Garden State native ultima…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
Nosh It Off: Gov. Murphy Spent Nearly $1K On Snacks At MetLife Taylor Swift Concert: Report Nosh It Off: Gov. Murphy Spent Nearly $1K On Snacks At MetLife Taylor Swift Concert: Report
Nosh It Off: Gov. Murphy Spent Nearly $1K On Snacks At MetLife Taylor Swift Concert: Report Gov. Phil Murphy certainly enjoys entertaining guests at MetLife Stadium, according to a report from Politico.  New Jersey's governor spent $12,000 on food and drinks at MetLife in 2018 and 2019, using an expense account funded by taxpayers, Politico said, after obtaining the invoices via the Open Public Records Act. Events include a Taylor Swift concert, Hot97's SummerJam concert and a Jets v. Cowboys game.  Jennifer Sciortino, a spokeswoman for Gov. Murphy's office, said Murphy intends to have the state Democratic party reimburse the Garden State for the costs.  "Because t…

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by Sam Barron
Schools
More NJ Schools Close Early Due To Extreme Heat (UPDATE) More NJ Schools Close Early Due To Extreme Heat (UPDATE)
More NJ Schools Close Early Due To Extreme Heat (Update) An early-September heatwave is closing schools across the Garden State. With temps expected to near 100 degrees in the first week of the 2023-24 school years, several districts have altered schedules. Below is an updated list of area schools that have shortened in-person classes as of Wednesday evening, Sept. 6: Bridgewater-Raritan: Four-hour session day for Thursday; no after-care programs. Camden: Half-day schedule Thursday. Dover: Early dismissal Thursday. Gloucester Township: Half-day schedule for remainder of the week. Hamilton Township: One session day Thursday and Frida…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
NJ's Newest Chick-fil-A Sets Opening Date NJ's Newest Chick-fil-A Sets Opening Date
NJ's Newest Chick-fil-A Sets Opening Date New Jersey is getting a new Chick-fil-A. The popular fried chicken chain, Chick-fil-A West Pond, is coming to Route 9 in Woodbridge, on Thursday, Sept. 7. Chick-fil-A, Inc. has selected Amanda Halligan as the independent franchised Owner/Operator of the restaurant. Chick-fil-A West Pond will be open for dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out and third-party delivery from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Known for their waffle fries, chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed Sundays nationwide. The West Pond restaurant joins seven other Chick-fil-…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89) Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89)
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89) Couldn't get tickets to see Taylor Swift's The Era Tour in person? You're very much not alone. But don't worry, Swifties, there's a way to experience the pop culture juggernaut. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" will be premiering at AMC Theatres throughout the Garden State starting on Friday, Oct. 13 (obviously) with tickets going on sale Thursday, Aug. 31. Showtimes will run Thursdays to Sundays.  Standard showings are priced at $19.89 (cute!) for adults and $13.13 for seniors and children (of course).  The concert film, which will run 2 hours and 45 minutes long (or short),&…

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by Sam Barron
Neighbors
Doctor Who Helms 30 EMS Agencies Across NJ Recognized With National Award Doctor Who Helms 30 EMS Agencies Across NJ Recognized With National Award
Doctor Who Helms 30 EMS Agencies Across NJ Recognized With National Award Matthew Letizia has always wanted to help people in their most vulnerable time of need. The 48-year-old Mahwah emergency medical physician was named the 2023 EMS Medical Director of the Year by NAEMT- Bound Tree Sarnova. Letizia will be honored at a ceremony next month in New Orleans. "What I enjoy most is helping those in need who are not able to help themselves," Letizia tells Daily Voice.  "To be able to stand there with the family and I know I did what's best for their loved one and gave them the best chance of survival. How can I help people when they feel the most vulnerable?" Afte…

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
NJ's Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Mourned As Trailblazer NJ's Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Mourned As Trailblazer
NJ's Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Mourned As Trailblazer Sheila Oliver, the lieutenant governor of New Jersey, died on Tuesday, Aug. 1, her family announced. She was 71 years old. Oliver, who was born and raised in Newark and lived in East Orange, had been serving as acting governor while Gov. Phil Murphy was vacationing in Italy. She was taken to a hospital on Monday, July 31 for an undisclosed medical issue. In a statement, Murphy said he and his family were "incredibly saddened and distraught" to hear of her passing. "When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of…

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by Sam Barron
News
NY Dealer Gets 11 Years, No Parole, For Moving Fentanyl, Meth, Coke By The Pound Into NJ NY Dealer Gets 11 Years, No Parole, For Moving Fentanyl, Meth, Coke By The Pound Into NJ
NY Dealer Gets 11 Years, No Parole, For Moving Fentanyl, Meth, Coke By The Pound Into NJ A dealer who admitted flooding four North Jersey counties with massive quantities of fentanyl, meth and coke is headed to federal prison for more than a decade. Juan Carlos Merced Moreno, 45, of Manhattan must serve out just about all of his plea-bargained 11-year sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Moreno and his partners operated a fentanyl mill in Washington Heights that supplied traffickers in New Jersey with at least 25,000 pills that were distributed throughout the Garden State, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Authorities disco…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Business
Shaq Bringing Booming Chicken Chain To NJ With 6 Locations In The Works Shaq Bringing Booming Chicken Chain To NJ With 6 Locations In The Works
Shaq Bringing Booming Chicken Chain To NJ With 6 Locations In The Works Think Big. New Jersey native NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal is bringing his booming chicken restaurant to his home state. The first of six new New Jersey locations is expected to open in Middlesex Borough. All will be run by Garden State business partners Chad and Aditya Patel. Other areas being eyed by Big Chicken are in Livingston, Mercer County, Somerset County and South Jersey, according to a spokeswoman. "The franchisees are still in negotiations," she said. "We currently do not have a timeline for opening, and will know more when individual leases are signed for each location."…

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by Jon Craig
Schools
Rutgers’ First Blind Pianist To Pursue Doctorate In Classical Performance Gets Support Rutgers’ First Blind Pianist To Pursue Doctorate In Classical Performance Gets Support
Rutgers’ First Blind Pianist To Pursue Doctorate In Classical Performance Gets Support The first blind and partially deaf pianist to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Classical Piano Performance from Rutgers University is getting a wave of community support. Yerko Difonis had a full scholarship at Rutgers from 2020 through 2022, according to a GoFundMe launched by Jerry Falk for the masterful musician’s student loan debt. Difonis is now striving for a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Classical Piano Performance, and if successful, he “may also be the first blind and partially deaf person in the United States to achieve such a feat,” Falk writes. But Difonis, a Chilea…

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by Valerie Musson
Legal
Former NFL Great From NJ Al 'Bubba' Baker Battles It Out With 'Shark Tank' Star Daymond John Former NFL Great From NJ Al 'Bubba' Baker Battles It Out With 'Shark Tank' Star Daymond John
Former NFL Great From NJ Al 'Bubba' Baker Battles It Out With 'Shark Tank' Star Daymond John The dismissal by a federal judge in Newark of a complaint by a former Garden State-grown NFL star against “Shark Tank” regular Daymond John hasn’t slowed an ongoing battle between them. John is seeking both a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against Al “Bubba” Baker and his daughter, Brittani, to stop them from trashing him over what they say has been a “nightmare” experience since their appearance on the ABC reality show. The Bakers -- including Bubba's wife, Sabrina -- contend that John and some of his cronies fleeced them after they cut a deal on “Shark Tank” to …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Notorious NJ Serial Killer To Plead Guilty To Murders Of Five Long Island Women: Report Notorious NJ Serial Killer To Plead Guilty To Murders Of Five Long Island Women: Report
Notorious NJ Serial Killer To Plead Guilty To Murders Of Five Long Island Women: Report The number of brutal murder confessions continues to mount for imprisoned New Jersey serial killer Richard Cottingham, who reportedly is scheduled to plead guilty to five more killings, all of women on Long Island. Cottingham, now 76, has been serving multiple life sentences in South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, NJ, for more than four decades for killing six Garden State women between 1967 and 1980. He's spent a considerable part of that time lately claiming he's committed several other killings. “For a long time now I have been trying to understand the darkness that enveloped my soul…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
These Are The Wealthiest Counties In NJ, Study Says These Are The Wealthiest Counties In NJ, Study Says
These Are The Wealthiest Counties In NJ, Study Says Somerset, Morris and Bergen counties rank among the wealthiest in the Garden State, according to a new study. The recent study from SmartAsset assessed wealth in U.S. counties by comparing them across three categories: the amount of investment income residents receive, median home value and per capita income.  Somerset County's per capital investment income averaged $18,409. Its median home value averaged  $510,305 And its per capita income averaged $112,825. Morris County's per capital investment income averaged $18,676  its median home value averaged $556,843 and its per c…

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by Jon Craig
News
‘Miracle On Hudson’ Called To Mind As Woman, Boy Are Killed, Others Rescued After Boat Capsizes ‘Miracle On Hudson’ Called To Mind As Woman, Boy Are Killed, Others Rescued After Boat Capsizes
‘Miracle On Hudson’ Called To Mind As Woman, Boy Are Killed, Others Rescued After Boat Capsizes A woman and a 7-year-old boy were killed when a private boat from New Jersey capsized near Manhattan on Tuesday, bringing to mind for many the “Miracle on the Hudson.” UPDATE: Police ID Boy, Woman Killed In Capsized Boat On Hudson River. “My heart breaks for all those involved in today’s tragic boating accident,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a news conference on the Manhattan side of the river. “This is a devastating moment for their families and our city.” The 50-year-old adult and boy were pulled from beneath the boat and taken to Mount Sinai and Bellevue hospitals, where they …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Business
Fast Food Chicken Joint Opening 23 New Jersey Locations Fast Food Chicken Joint Opening 23 New Jersey Locations
Fast Food Chicken Joint Opening 23 New Jersey Locations Get your napkins ready: A new fast-food chicken joint will soon open nearly two dozen restaurants throughout the Garden State. Super Chix — known for serving “the last true chicken sandwich” — signed a development deal for 23 stores in North Jersey, according to BoozyBurbs. In addition to fresh-never-frozen fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, the premium poultry chain features chicken fingers, churned frozen custard, several flavors of french fries, green salads, and more. Our top of the line filets & tenders delivered fresh, never frozen. We don't even own a freezer! It's the b…

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by Valerie Musson
Lifestyle
NJ Socialites Wanted For Reality TV Show With 'Real Housewives' Ties NJ Socialites Wanted For Reality TV Show With 'Real Housewives' Ties
NJ Socialites Wanted For Reality TV Show With 'Real Housewives' Ties Big personalities, big families and big dreams. Got those? You could be the next reality TV star on a network with ties to the "Real Housewives of New Jersey." Nina Malek, of ITV America, made the announcement seeking socialites from the Garden State on an Instagram post. Malek did not say which show she is casting for, however, her network partners with the company that produces "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" for Bravo, Sirens Media. “Do you have an amazing, full life that you’ve always wanted to share with the world?” the post says. “Do you have a strong, funny and outspoken persona…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Hollywood Movie 'Eileen' Films In NJ Hollywood Movie 'Eileen' Films In NJ
Hollywood Movie 'Eileen' Films In NJ A new Hollywood movie is using New Jersey as its set. "Eileen," featuring Anne Hathaway and Whigham Shea, has popped up in Metuchen and South Amboy, according to social media posts. Anne HathawayWikipedia Metuchen Mayor Jonathan N. Busch said on Twitter that South Main Street was transformed into 1960s New England. The film is based on a novel by the same name by Ottessa Moshfegh. Mayor Jonathan M. Busch's tweetTwitter/ Jonathan M. Busch Hathaway, a native of Short Hills, has been known to star in the Garden State for other films including "The Dark Knight Rises." 

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by Jon Craig
News
Pagans Leader From Long Island Gets Nearly 3 Years For Gun Found In NJ Stop Following PA Party Pagans Leader From Long Island Gets Nearly 3 Years For Gun Found In NJ Stop Following PA Party
Pagans Leader From Long Island Gets Nearly 3 Years For Gun Found In NJ Stop Following PA Party UPDATE: The former national president of the Pagans was sentenced Thursday to a plea-bargained 33 months in federal prison for having a gun while returning home through New Jersey from a party in Pennsylvania. Keith Richter – a 62-year-old ex-con known as “Conan the Barbarian” – was returning to his Bay Shore (Suffolk County) home from a Pagan's Motorcycle Club party in Lancaster, PA when he was stopped in Mercer County this past February. Police found him carrying a loaded .45-caliber Ruger P345 handgun, Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said. Rather than risk trial, Ri…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Politics
Obama, Jill Biden Stump For Murphy In NJ's Push For Early Voting Obama, Jill Biden Stump For Murphy In NJ's Push For Early Voting
Obama, Jill Biden Stump For Murphy In NJ's Push For Early Voting Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Jill Biden are making guest appearances in New Jersey ahead of Gov. Phil Murphy's bid for re-election. Obama will appear with Murphy at a rally in Newark on Oct. 23, coinciding with the opening day of "early in-person voting" in the Garden State. This Friday, First Lady Jill Biden plans a campaign stop on behalf of Murphy. Murphy is being challenged by Republican Jack Ciattarelli. They two had their second and final debate Tuesday night as reported here by NJ Advance Media. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, visited on Murphy's…

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by Jon Craig
News
Newest Tesla Dealership Destination: Jersey Shore Newest Tesla Dealership Destination: Jersey Shore
Newest Tesla Dealership Destination: Jersey Shore A new Tesla dealership is coming soon to a Jersey Shore town, reports say.  The electric car manufacturer plans to open its first store in Monmouth County, according to the Asbury Park Press. The newest Tesla dealer will replace the vacated Funtime America on Route 35 in Eatontown. An opening date has not been announced. The project was approved by the Eatontown Zoning Board of Adjustment several months ago, according to news reports. The Eatowntown dealership will have 10 electric vehicle charging stations and a public standalone parking space for charging visitors' vehicles, APP.…

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by Jon Craig
News
Pagans Motorcycle Gang Leader From Long Island Takes Plea On NJ Gun Charge Following PA Party Pagans Motorcycle Gang Leader From Long Island Takes Plea On NJ Gun Charge Following PA Party
Pagans Motorcycle Gang Leader From Long Island Takes Plea On NJ Gun Charge Following PA Party The former national president of the outlaw Pagans motorcycle gang took a guilty plea in federal court on Wednesday after police caught him with a gun in New Jersey while returning to his Long Island home from a party in Pennsylvania. Keith Richter – a 62-year-old ex-con known as “Conan the Barbarian” – was returning to his Bay Shore (Suffolk County) home from a Pagan's Motorcycle Club party in Lancaster, PA when he was stopped in Mercer County on Feb. 20. Police found him carrying a loaded .45-caliber Ruger P345 handgun, Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Rachael A. Honig said. Rath…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
COVID-19: 6 RWJBarnabas Health Workers Lose Jobs Due To Unvaccinated Status, Reports Say COVID-19: 6 RWJBarnabas Health Workers Lose Jobs Due To Unvaccinated Status, Reports Say
Covid-19: 6 Rwjbarnabas Health Workers Lose Jobs Due To Unvaccinated Status, Reports Say Half a dozen workers at RWJBarnabas Health, one of the Garden State’s largest healthcare systems, have lost their jobs due to their unvaccinated status, several news outlets report. RWJBarnabas Health, which employs upwards of 35,000 people and has 9,000 doctor affiliations, ended the employment of six workers — all supervisor levels or above — after they did not follow the company’s requirement to get vaccinated by June 30, according to a report by NJ.com. “Regrettably, six staff at the supervisor level and above have not complied with the mandate and are no longer employees,” the company …

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by Valerie Musson
News
NJ Forest Fire: State Responder Critically Injured, Homes, Businesses Damaged, GSP Closed NJ Forest Fire: State Responder Critically Injured, Homes, Businesses Damaged, GSP Closed
NJ Forest Fire: State Responder Critically Injured, Homes, Businesses Damaged, GSP Closed UPDATE (w/VIDEO): A firefighter with the New Jersey Forest Fighter Service was critically injured while responding to what became a destructive forest fire on Sunday, authorities said. The wildfire jumped the entire width of the Garden State Parkway from Lakewood into Brick Township, damaged homes, office buildings and commercial businesses on and around Route 70 and forced the evacuations of a hotel, businesses and an entire neighborhood. Of 29 homes damaged in the Brick Lake Park area, three were deemed uninhabitable, Brick Mayor John Ducey said. Remaining residents were allowed to retur…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Camden County Man, 33, Arrested In US Capitol Riots, Reports Say Camden County Man, 33, Arrested In US Capitol Riots, Reports Say
Camden County Man, 33, Arrested In US Capitol Riots, Reports Say A 33-year-old man from Camden County is the latest New Jersey resident charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, according to multiple news reports. Lawrence Stackhouse of Blackwood was arrested on Monday and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, and disorderly or disruptive conduct, according to USA Today. Stackhouse was identified to law enforcement by co-workers, after he had called out from work on Jan. 5 and 6, the Courier Post reported. He reportedly had been reprimanded for violating his company's policy by displaying politica…

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by Jon Craig
News
NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature
NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature Doobie, doobie, done: New Jersey lawmakers were in a Garden State of mind when they approved an historic bill Thursday that sets rules and regulations for recreational pot sales.  All it needs to become law is Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature and a mechanism to oversee ganjapreneurs. If the governor signs off, 70% of the state sales tax revenue from pot purchases and a tax on growers in New Jersey will be directed to minority Garden State communities ravaged by drugs. The State Legislature also approved a bill ending arrests for possessing less than six ounces of marijuana or selling up …

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by Jerry DeMarco