Violent crime jumps 18 percent in 2011, first rise in nearly 20 years
Published October 18, 2012
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Violent crimes “unexpectedly” jumped 18 percent last year, the first rise in nearly 20 years, and property crimes rose for first time in a decade. But academic experts said the new government data fall short of signaling a reversal of the long decline in crime.
The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported Wednesday that the increase in the number of violent crimes was the result of an upward swing in simple assaults, which rose 22 percent, from 4 million in 2010 to 5 million last year. The incidence of rape, sexual assault and robbery remained largely unchanged, as did serious violent crime involving weapons or injury.
Obama campaign accepted foreign Web donation — and may be hiding more
By ISABEL VINCENT and MELISSA KLEIN
Last Updated: 10:11 AM, October 21, 2012
Posted: 12:34 AM, October 21, 2012
The Obama re-election campaign has accepted at least one foreign donation in violation of the law — and does nothing to check on the provenance of millions of dollars in other contributions, a watchdog group alleges.
Chris Walker, a British citizen who lives outside London, told The Post he was able to make two $5 donations to President Obama’s campaign this month through its Web site while a similar attempt to give Mitt Romney cash was rejected. It is illegal to knowingly solicit or accept money from foreign citizens.
Walker said he used his actual street address in England but entered Arkansas as his state with the Schenectady, NY, ZIP code of 12345.
’NET PROFIT: President Obama and Hillary Clinton are joined at a 2011 state dinner by Robert Roche (to Clinton’s right), who registered the site Obama.com, which directs visitors to a donation page.
’NET PROFIT: President Obama and Hillary Clinton are joined at a 2011 state dinner by Robert Roche (to Clinton’s right), who registered the site Obama.com, which directs visitors to a donation page.
“When I did Romney’s, the payment got rejected on the grounds that the address on the card did not match the address that I entered,” he said. “Romney’s Web site wanted the code from the back of card. Barack Obama’s didn’t.”
In September, Obama’s campaign took in more than $2 million from donors who provided no ZIP code or incomplete ZIP codes, according to data posted on the Federal Election Commission Web site.
The Obama campaign said the FEC data was the result of “a minor technical error.”
“All the ZIP codes and numbers are real and can be verified,” spokesman Michael Czin said.
The Obama campaign’s apparent lack of safeguards makes it possible to violate the law, says a report released by the Government Accountability Institute, a Florida-based watchdog group.
The report found that one Obama site — Obama.com — gets almost half of its traffic from foreign computer addresses. The site directs users to an Obama donation page.
Sportscaster, Len Berman Monday at Bookends October 22nd at 4:00pm
Emmy Award Winning Sportscaster, Len Berman will sign his new book: The Greatest Moments in Sports: Upsets & Underdogs
Actress Jane Seymour Monday. at Bookends October 22nd at 7:00pm
Emmy Award & Golden Globe winning Actress Jane Seymour will sign her new books: Open Hearts Family and Good King Wenceslas
Books available Oct. 2nd
Bookends is a legendary New Jersey Landmark! We are known for our incredible author events and have hosted well over
1,000 authors in the past 15 years!
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to insure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
Salute to Our Nation’s Veterans
Fri, October 26, 2012
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church, Intersection of W. Ridgewood Avenue and S. Monroe Street
The season opening concert will feature the Rutgers University Symphony Band and guest soloist Jason Ham (Euphonium, U.S. Military Academy Band). John Philip Sousa IV will be a special guest at the concert.
Valley , Englewood start new challenge to HUMC North hospital opening
Thursday, October 4, 2012
BY STEPHANIE NODA
STAFF WRITER
Northern Valley Suburbanite
ENGLEWOOD — Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and Valley Hospital of Ridgewood continued efforts to block the opening of HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley at a recent Appellate Division of Superior Court meeting on Sept. 23, saying the county is already well served by existing non-profit hospitals.
“Amidst ongoing challenges of healthcare reform, declining patient admissions, reduced hospital reimbursement, a tough economy, and low population growth in Bergen County, a new acute-care hospital is unnecessary and wrong for the healthcare system in Bergen County,” said Maria Margiotta, director of Marketing and Communication for Englewood Hospital, in a statement.
A certification of need – a state law that decides whether there is an inherent need for a health care facility – was approved for the new Westwood-based hospital by Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary O’Dowd on Feb. 27. The Westwood location will act as a satellite facility for Hackensack University and Medical Center and have 128 beds.
Ever since the certification of need was approved by O’Dowd in February, Hackensack Hospital has been diligently preparing for the reopening of the hospital, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 2013, said Chad Melton, CEO of HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, in a statement.
“The overwhelming majority of area residents are very supportive and welcome the improved access to essential healthcare services it will provide,” said Melton. “We are continuing to work closely with the communities in the Pascack Valley and Northern Valley to ensure that much needed access to healthcare returns to this region.”
Sports authority still gridlocked over impact of American Dream on traffic
The state authority reviewing the American Dream Meadowlands project does not yet have a timetable for its decision in the fight over the proposal’s traffic impact, its head said today.
The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority met publicly today for the first time since a contentious three-hour hearing last week, during which board members heard vastly different estimates of how much traffic the project would add on game days for the New York Jets and Giants. Experts for the teams, which oppose an expansion of the project, said nearly 8,000 new cars would be on the road in the peak hour after a game, while developer Triple Five said that total is closer to 60. (Burd, NJBIZ)
Ridgewood Police: Safety tips to protect your mobile device
October 12,2012
Smartphone Users Should be Aware of Malware Targeting Mobile Devices and Safety Measures to Help Avoid Compromise
Ridgewood NJ, The IC3 has been made aware of various malware attacking Android operating systems for mobile devices. Some of the latest known versions of this type of malware are Loozfon and FinFisher. Loozfon is an information-stealing piece of malware. Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out e-mail. A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user’s device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device’s phone number.
FinFisher is a spyware capable of taking over the components of a mobile device. When installed the mobile device can be remotely controlled and monitored no matter where the Target is located. FinFisher can be easily transmitted to a smartphone when the user visits a specific web link or opens a text message masquerading as a system update.
Loozfon and FinFisher are just two examples of malware used by criminals to lure users into compromising their devices.
Safety tips to protect your mobile device:
When purchasing a smartphone, know the features of the device, including the default settings. Turn off features of the device not needed to minimize the attack surface of the device.
Depending on the type of phone, the operating system may have encryption available. This can be used to protect the user’s personal data in the case of loss or theft.
With the growth of the application market for mobile devices, users should look at the reviews of the developer/company who published the application.
Review and understand the permissions you are giving when you download applications.
Passcode protect your mobile device. This is the first layer of physical security to protect the contents of the device. In conjunction with the passcode, enable the screen lock feature after a few minutes of inactivity.
Obtain malware protection for your mobile device. Look for applications that specialize in antivirus or file integrity that helps protect your device from rogue applications and malware.
Be aware of applications that enable geo-location. The application will track the user’s location anywhere. This application can be used for marketing, but can also be used by malicious actors, raising concerns of assisting a possible stalker and/or burglaries.
Jailbreak or rooting is used to remove certain restrictions imposed by the device manufacturer or cell phone carrier. This allows the user nearly unregulated control over what programs can be installed and how the device can be used. However, this procedure often involves exploiting significant security vulnerabilities and increases the attack surface of the device. Anytime an application or service runs in “unrestricted” or “system” level within an operation system, it allows any compromise to take full control of the device.
Do not allow your device to connect to unknown wireless networks. These networks could be rogue access points that capture information passed between your device and a legitimate server.
If you decide to sell your device or trade it in, make sure you wipe the device (reset it to factory default) to avoid leaving personal data on the device.
Smartphones require updates to run applications and firmware. If users neglect this, it increases the risk of having their device hacked or compromised.
Avoid clicking on or otherwise downloading software or links from unknown sources.
Use the same precautions on your mobile phone as you would on your computer when using the Internet.
Ridgewood Real Estate : Local real estate conditions are changing
October 21,2012
Michael Fidanza
Ridgewood NJ, Local real estate conditions are changing and your Market Insider provides valuable, up-to-date information about the communities important to you.
Market Area: 07450 Listing Price $922,430 Listing Price Trend + 0.05% Sold Price $776,670 Sold Price Trend + 2.83%
Just a fraction of what’s happening…
Buying or selling a home involves many factors. Stay on top of current community trends by viewing these listing and sale prices, demographics, school performance, area comparisons, and more. Of course, you can always call or email for help understanding what this information really means for you.
As always, thank you for your time and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.The Nuber Team ,Keller Williams Village Square Realty , Office phone: 201.445.4300 x 307
Cell / Text: 201.248.6605 , Email: Michael@YourNorthJerseyHome.com, Website: YourNorthJerseyHome.com
Reminder: Irene Habernickel Family Park Dedication – Today Sunday, October 21 at 3PM
IRENE HABERNICKEL FAMILY PARK
OPENING AND DEDICATION
Join Mayor Paul Aronsohn and the Ridgewood Village Council, as we dedicate and celebrate the opening of our newest park, The Irene Habernickel Family Park, located at 1037 Hillcrest Road, on Sunday, October 21st.
Sponsored by the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation, the event will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Festivities will include a nature scavenger hunt, guided walking tours by the Ridgewood Wildscape Association and a special photography exhibit and book signing by Doug Goodell and Jim Wright, authors of “Duck Enough to Fly”. In addition participants can enjoy live music and refreshments. Adults may take home a tree sapling while children can choose a pumpkin donated by Ridgewood Press.
Rain or shine, stop by to celebrate this newly developed 10-acre park which will provide a natural wildlife setting and an area for passive and active recreational needs for generations to come.
Please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation with any questions or if special accommodations are needed at 201-670-5560.
Barack Obama and the Crisis of Liberalism
Julia Shaw
October 19, 2012 at 10:30 am
Barack Obama calls himself a “progressive” or “liberal,” and we should take him at his word. He had the distinction of being the most liberal member of the United States Senate when he ran for President in 2008. The title had been conferred by National Journal, an inside-the-Beltway watchdog that annually assigns Senators (and Congressmen) an ideological rank based on their votes on economic, social, and foreign policy issues.
But what does it mean anymore to be a liberal?
Charles R. Kesler reveals the answer in his latest First Principles Essay, “Barack Obama and the Crisis of Liberalism.”
Modern liberalism, he argues, spread across the country in three powerful waves, interrupted by wars and by rather haphazard reactions to its excesses. Each wave of liberalism featured a different aspect of it—call them, for short, political liberalism, economic liberalism, and cultural liberalism—and each deposited on our shores a distinctive type of politics—the politics of progress, the politics of entitlements, and the politics of meaning.
These waves were so powerful that the 20th century can be described as the liberal century. But there’s another complicating factor: Liberalism is in crisis.
This kind of crisis is probably not their favorite kind—an emergency that presents an opportunity to enlarge government—but one that will find liberalism at a crossroads, a turning point. Liberalism can’t go on as it is, not for very long. According to Kesler, it faces difficulties both philosophical and fiscal that will compel it either to go out of business or to become something quite different from what it has been.
What will it mean to be a liberal then?
JUST SOLD! 279 Prospect Street Ridgewood NJ
Michael Fidanza
Oct 15 (4 days ago)
Are you looking to sell your home? Thinking about it but not sure with all of the uncertainty in the market? Let Marilyn and me guide you through this process. We’ll help you every step of the way!
Contact me now for a free consultation to determine the value of your home and find out the advantages of working with The Nuber Team.
The Office Bar & Grill Hosts 7th Annual Bike Show to benefit the Tomorrow’s Childrens Fund
The Office Beer Bar & Grill invites you to the 7th Annual Ridgewood Fall Motorcylcle Classic to benefit Tomorrow’s Childrens Fund, TCF on Sunday, October 28, 2012 from 1-4pm.
6 years ago, The Office Beer Bar & Grill teamed up with Bergen Harley Davidson, small businesses and members of the community to build awareness for TCF.
Chestnut St, Ridgewood, NJ will be closed off to traffic to welcome the entire community to come and support TCF and enjoy the motorcycles, music, food and fun.
Dad’s Night Band will entertain you with music, T-shirts sold with proceeds going to the charity.
For more information call Hew Cohen, General Manager of The Office Beer Bar & Grill at 201-652-1070.
New Jersey case may upend home loan discrimination rules
The remaining structures form a patchwork amid vacant lots, where once there were row upon row of houses built for New Jersey’s returning World War II veterans and their growing families.
Some boarded-up homes have red signs tacked on the front saying “Owned by Mount Holly Township — NO TRESPASSING.” Others have signs, in the style of a real estate agent’s, that say “This House NOT For Sale.”
A fight between the government and residents of what remains of Mount Holly Gardens has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which may decide in the next several weeks whether to take up a case with nationwide implications for the housing industry. The court deferred action on the case today.
Civil rights advocates are battling the industry over whether the 1968 Fair Housing Act authorizes discrimination suits even without allegations of intentional bias. Lower courts have said suits can claim that a government policy or company lending practice has a discriminatory effect, known as “disparate impact,” even if that wasn’t the intent. (Doughety, Stohr and Dopp, Bloomberg)
In South Jersey, manufacturing inches up, but jobs still falling
Manufacturing activity at South Jersey firms expanded in October after five straight months of contraction, though employment in the industry fell to its lowest point in three years, an economist said.
The latest Business Outlook survey today released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicated nearly 30 percent of manufacturers saw business activity increase through Oct. 16, outpacing the 23 percent reporting a decline.
But Michael Trebing, an economic analyst for the bank, said “the fact that orders and shipments have not changed much suggest things are still somewhat flat.” (Eder, NJBIZ)
Hillary Clinton trashes women whiners
By KEVIN ROBILLARD | 10/18/12 1:58 PM EDT Updated: 10/18/12 5:23 PM EDT
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says in a new interview that she can’t stand “whining” by women who are unhappy with the work and family choices they’ve made in life and complain that they have no options.
Clinton, in the interview with Marie Claire, was discussing Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former director of policy planning at the State Department who left in 2011. This summer, Slaughter wrote a much-discussed cover story in the Atlantic — “Why Women Still Can’t Have It all” — about leaving her job because of the difficulty of balancing her work at State with the needs of her two teenage boys.
