A New Jersey mother is suing the hospital where she gave birth, claiming nurses gave her the wrong newborn to breastfeed.
Melissa Richman, 39, of Ridgewood, says The Valley Hospital failed to double-check identification bracelets when maternity ward staff retrieved her hours-old baby for a 4:30 a.m. feeding. Twenty minutes into breastfeeding the infant, Richman says the nurse came back with shocking news.
“She actually said there was a terrible mistake. This was not your baby.”
In their lawsuit against The Valley Hospital, Melissa Richman and her husband David say the breastfeeding mixup deprived their newborn daughter of colostrum, the nutrient-rich milk produced by a new mother in the hours immediately following childbirth.
January provided a roller-coaster timetable for consumers: They could sign up for subsidized health insurance through the 31st, if they were eligible.
Yet a new president took office Jan. 20, and one of his first actions was to sign an executive order aimed at withdrawing support of the Affordable Care Act.
Television and radio commercials that had always aired during the last week of enrollment to warn procrastinators of the upcoming deadline were cancelled – then reinstated after protest.
There is usually a surge of about 700,000 people signing up on the federal Obamacare website, healthcare.gov, at the last minute. This year, however, that number was cut nearly in half, to 375,000.That meant an overall drop in the number of Americans who now purchase their policies through the federal marketplace.
Nationally, roughly 12.2 million signed up for Obamacare in 2017, versus 12.7 million in 2016 through the federal marketplace and state-run exchanges.
In New Jersey, though, the situation was markedly different.
The pace of new enrollments dropped once Trump took office, but by the close of the open enrollment window, 295,067 New Jersey residents had acquired insurance through the federal marketplace.
That’s a about a two percent increase over last year’s enrollment of 288,573.
By Claude Brodesser-Akner | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 09, 2017 at 9:28 AM, updated February 09, 2017 at 1:56 PM
TRENTON — A new poll that has the potential to shake up this year’s race for New Jersey governor shows still-undeclared Joe Piscopo is just six points behind Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno among Republican primary voters.
The Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind poll released on Thursday found at least half of Republican and Democratic primary voters in the state haven’t made up their minds about who to support in this very early going.
But it gives Guadagno, the Republican frontrunner, just an 18 percent to 12 percent edge over comedian Piscopo. State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Somerset) and Nutley township commissioner Steve Rogers each got support from 2 percent of GOP voters.
Cross Honoring Remains in Effect between NJ TRANSIT’s services
February 9, 2017
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT anticipates the continuation of regular weekday service on its rail, bus and light rail systems for the remainder of the service day on Thursday and into Friday’s morning commute. Access Link in north and central New Jersey remains suspended for Thursday. Cross honoring remains in effect for rail, bus and light rail until further notice.
Customers are strongly advised to monitor the status of the system by checking njtransit.com frequently. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for My Transit Alerts, which provide customized notifications via email or text message based on a customer’s preferred mode of travel. My Transit alerts can be accessed by creating a free account on njtransit.com. In addition, customers are advised to monitor NJ TRANSIT’s social media feeds on Twitter and Facebook, as well as tune in to broadcast traffic reports for the latest information.
Through a combination of preparation and hard work,
NJ TRANSIT operated the majority of its regular weekday service through the height of the winter storm. Some delays were experienced on rail and bus lines due to the weather and localized road conditions. Some bus lines were truncated due to road conditions. Ridership across the system was diminished as many customers chose to stay at home or work remotely.
NJ TRANSIT continues to have personnel and assets in position in order to address any issues that may arise during the aftermath of the winter weather.
NJ TRANSIT’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open and continues to monitor any impacts the storm has on the system. The EOC will remain active overnight and into Friday.
NJ TRANSIT utilized roaming crews to conduct snow removal operations at rail and light rail stations as well as at bus terminals and facilities. Rail operations activated its jet powered snow blowers to clear switches at major rail yards.
Travel Advice:
Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Customers are encouraged to sign up for the My Transit alert system on njtransit.com, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone.
Allow extra time getting to and from your destination. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks or station platforms and when boarding trains and buses.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or
NJ TRANSIT staff.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Only 39 percent call media “truthful” in Emerson College survey, compared to 49 percent for new White House
Brian Flood | February 9, 2017 @ 8:37 AM
at the Trump administration is “truthful,” while only 39 percent feel that way about the news media. Worse, for the so-called “opposition party,” 53 percent of those surveyed described the media as “untruthful.”
The poll, released on Tuesday, also showed that Americans are divided on Trump’s performance so far — 48 percent of registered voters approve of the job that Trump is doing, compared to 47 percent who disapprove.
A majority of Europeans would support a Trump-style ban on further migration from mainly Muslim countries, according to a poll of more than 10,000 people in 10 countries.
An average of 55 percent of those surveyed for London-based think tank, Chatham House, agreed that immigration from Muslim-majority countries should be halted.
The poll released Tuesday comes after a bruising 18 months that have seen a string of terrorist massacres linked to radical Islam as well as record-setting levels of migration that have created social tensions across the continent.
Migrants wait to receive free food during a snowfall outside a derelict customs warehouse in Belgrade, Serbia on Jan. 9, 2017. Marko Djurica / Reuters, file
Majorities in all but two of the 10 countries polled supported a ban, ranging from 71 percent in Poland, to 53 percent in Germany, 47 percent in the United Kingdom and 41 percent in Spain. In no country did the percentage that disagreed surpass 32 percent.
American school kids became more stupid under the Obama administration, according to rankings released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
They recently released the results of a worldwide exam administered every three years to 15-year-olds in 72 countries. The exam monitors reading, math and science knowledge.
Based on their findings, the United States saw an 11-point drop in math scores and nearly flat levels for reading and science.
The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, fell below the OECD average – and failed to crack the top ten in all three categories.
In other words, thanks to the Obama administration’s education policies, kids in the Slovac Republic are more proficient in multiplication.
For the fifth year in a row, New Jersey has the highest average auto insurance costs in the country.
The figures are from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Christine O’Brien, president of the Insurance Council of New Jersey, says this is a result of New Jersey being such a densely-populated state.
“The chances of accidents are high. The frequency is high, the severity can be high. The cost to repair your car, to pay for your medical bills while in an accident, are all high in New Jersey.”
O’Brien says we have the good fortune of owning fairly decent cars in New Jersey, but they cost a lot to maintain.
“We also have a number of them on the road in record numbers,” she adds.
O’Brien says the average premium runs about $1,200 a year. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners report said Jersey drivers pay an average of $1,263 a year as of 2014. They say the national average for auto insurance is $866.
By Mark Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 08, 2017 at 8:38 AM, updated February 08, 2017 at 10:18 AM
Peter West, an avowed supporter of President Donald Trump, doesn’t shrink from calling it as he sees it.
Posting on Facebook and Twitter up to a dozen times a day, he has repeatedly railed against Muslims, calling moderate Islam “a myth” and voicing strong support for the president’s travel ban, which temporarily barred immigrants from seven majority-Muslim countries before a judge issued a stay last week.
West has assailed millennials as “snowflakes” who attend “cry-ins” and described liberals as “smug and arrogant” people who find solace in puppies and Play-Doh.
He has called Hillary Clinton an “evil witch” and former President Barack Obama a “bum,” at one point sharing a post that challenged Obama’s authenticity as an African-American because he wasn’t raised by a poor single mother in the inner city.
Inability to replenish ‘rainy day’ savings account is significant problem for Garden State
Missed revenue projections have sent Gov. Chris Christie scrambling to close sizable budget shortfalls in recent years, and a new report recommends several key policy changes that New Jersey could enact to help insulate itself against forecasting problems in the future.
Some of the suggestions follow basic rules of commonsense, like being more transparent and putting aside more money each year so that unexpected budget problems don’t have a major impact on important programs and services.
But other recommendations take on the budget-forecasting process itself, including suggesting the Christie administration should consider consensus forecasting, where input is taken from legislative staff and outside economic advisors, and also updating annual projections more regularly to keep tabs on any problems as they develop during the fiscal year.
Ridgewood NJ, Due to the impending snowstorm, the Village will not be picking up recycling or solid waste on Thursday. This means the parts of the west side will not be picked up until Tuesday, Feb. 14th. In addition, from Friday through the following Wednesday, Feb. 15th, we are requesting that all recycling and solid waste be brought to the end of your driveways, near the curb, but not in the street, for the safety of our Village staff.
Trenton NJ, on Wednesday February 8 the state of New Jersey announced that Due to the impending severe winter storm, the State of New Jersey has authorized the closing of state offices on Thursday, February 9, for all non-essential employees. Essential employees should report to work on their regular schedule.
The winter storm is expected to continue throughout the day, bringing heavy snow, gusty winds and reduced visibility throughout the State. Current road conditions are available at the New Jersey Department of Transportation website at www.NJ511.org.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense. There are approximately 500 fatalities in the United States per year due to icy road conditions.
Winter Driving Tips
Drive slow (at or below the posted speed limit) and adjust your speed for the changing road conditions.
Turn on your headlights, using low beams when traveling in snow.
Increase your following distance. In winter weather, travel at least eight to 10 seconds behind the car in front of you.
Give snowplows plenty of room to work. Don’t tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution in doing so. Remember, a snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see him, but they don’t always see you.
If you skid, don’t brake or accelerate. Remove your foot from the gas, and gently steer your car in the direction of the skid (the direction the rear of your vehicle is sliding.) When your car starts heading in the desired direction, carefully straighten the wheel.
Slow down before exiting the highway. Exit ramps often have icy patches, sharp curves and stalled or stopped vehicles.
Have a personal safety kit easily accessible in your vehicle that includes: an ice scraper/brush; shovel; jumper cables or battery starter; blanket; sand, salt or kitty litter for traction; lock de-icer; flashlight and new batteries; extra windshield wiper fluid; safety flares/warning device; cell phone with spare battery; water and non-perishable food (i.e., granola or protein bars); and paper towels or a cloth.
If your vehicle does become disabled, pull off the road as far as possible and turn on your emergency flashers. Remain with your vehicle until help arrives. If you can’t get your vehicle off the road and are uncertain about your safety, do not stay in your vehicle or stand behind it. Proceed carefully to a safe location away from traffic.
Ridgewood NJ, Mayor Susan Knudsen administered the oath of office individually to six (6) new Ridgewood PD patrol officers during a Village Council meeting held on Wednesday, 02/08. Oaths of office were also administered by the Mayor individually to recently promoted Police Lieutenant Brian Pullman, and the Village’s new Police Patrol Division Captain, William Amoruso. The six (6) new Patrol Officers are: Douglas Busch, Douglas Christopher, Brandon Donnelly, Jack Knudsen, Zachary Knudsen, and Kyle Scarpa.
(Walnut lot aside town garage employee spaces less than 33 percent used 330 pm weds feb 8 2017)
Reader says , The commuters are generally the largest class of taxpayers with little voice as proven by the rushed misinformed December hail mary screw job just in time for the January to march slow season store wise.There needs to be accountability here to the homeowners commuters.we got screwed and the merchants did not deliver any actual volume employee pass wise.just parked this morning aside the town garage one employee parked car vs commuters slammed into the bank customers only aisle closer in Theres no accountability as usual. The $1000 vip pass should resign.cover up studies underway rope a dope..what a disgrace to taxpayers…
