AAA Mid-Atlantic: N.J. gas prices rise sharply
Saturday July 20, 2013, 11:57 AM
Associated Press
TRENTON — Motorists are still seeing sharply higher prices at the pumps in New Jersey.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.60, up 18 cents from last week. That’s also much higher than the price from a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.45.
Meanwhile, the national average price also rose by 12 cents to $3.67. That’s also much higher than the national average from a year ago, when motorists were paying $3.44.
Rep. Issa calls out Justice inaction on tax snooping, sees dangers in health care law
House oversight committee Chairman Darrell E. Issa said Thursday he’s baffled that the Justice Department declined to prosecute a government employee who apparently knowingly pried into tax records of a political candidate or donor, and said there should be a way for victims to know their rights have been violated.
He also said letting state officials have access to federal tax records can be dangerous, and that’s one reason to try to rein in the health care law, which will expand access to states that plan on running their own insurance exchanges.
Mr. Issa made the comments after The Washington Times reported this week that the Treasury inspector general for tax administration had found at least four cases in which a candidate’s or donor’s tax information was accessed improperly.
In one case, the investigator said the violation was willful and referred it to the Justice Department, which declined to pursue the case — a move Mr. Issa said was worrisome.
Is it time to reconsider the militarization of American policing?
By RADLEY BALKO
On Jan. 4 of last year, a local narcotics strike force conducted a raid on the Ogden, Utah, home of Matthew David Stewart at 8:40 p.m. The 12 officers were acting on a tip from Mr. Stewart’s former girlfriend, who said that he was growing marijuana in his basement. Mr. Stewart awoke, naked, to the sound of a battering ram taking down his door. Thinking that he was being invaded by criminals, as he later claimed, he grabbed his 9-millimeter Beretta pistol.
The police say that they knocked and identified themselves, though Mr. Stewart and his neighbors said they heard no such announcement. Mr. Stewart fired 31 rounds, the police more than 250. Six of the officers were wounded, and Officer Jared Francom was killed. Mr. Stewart himself was shot twice before he was arrested. He was charged with several crimes, including the murder of Officer Francom.
The police found 16 small marijuana plants in Mr. Stewart’s basement. There was no evidence that Mr. Stewart, a U.S. military veteran with no prior criminal record, was selling marijuana. Mr. Stewart’s father said that his son suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and may have smoked the marijuana to self-medicate.
75% of the net proceeds of your ticket purchase will be donated by the PGA Tour to YWCA Bergen County – — USE PROMO CODE LEFTY13 when purchasing tickets.
25% of the net proceeds will be donated by the PGA Tour to the First Tee of Metropolitan New York.
Click the Link below for more information on tickets and Pricing.
San Jose State suspends collaboration with online provider
San Jose State suspends its project with Udacity to offer low-cost, for-credit online courses after many students fail to pass them.
By Carla Rivera
July 18, 2013, 10:23 p.m.
San Jose State University is suspending a highly touted collaboration with online provider Udacity to offer low-cost, for-credit online courses after finding that more than half of the students failed to pass the classes, officials said Thursday.
Preliminary results from a spring pilot project found student pass rates of 20% to 44% in remedial math, college-level algebra and elementary statistics courses. In a somewhat more promising outcome, 83% of students completed the classes.
The San Jose State experiment with online education was being closely watched by other universities as they begin to step farther into the virtual classroom.
Udacity, a private Silicon Valley education group, and San Jose State announced jointly that they have agreed to pull the courses this fall to examine results in greater detail and fine-tune many aspects of the project.
Shirley Jones ,Tuesday, July 23rd @ 7:00pm At Bookends
Star of The Partridge Family, Shirley Jones, will sign her new book: Shirley Jones: A Memoir Books available July 23rd.
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 ensure 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
U.S. News & World Report Names The Valley Hospital Among the Best in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro Area
July 16, 2013
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital has once again been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2013-14 in northern New Jersey and the New York metro area by U.S. News & World Report. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 24th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients.
The Valley Hospital also ranked in the specialty care areas of Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Gynecology, Orthopedics, and Urology.
U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse staffing levels and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of the best hospitals in our region,” said Audrey Meyers, president and chief executive officer of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This would not be possible without the relentless dedication, expertise and commitment to clinical quality and patient satisfaction of our entire staff, physicians and volunteers.”
U.S. News evaluates hospitals in 16 adult specialties. In most specialties, it ranks the nation’s top 50 hospitals and recognizes other high-performing hospitals that provide care at nearly the level of their nationally ranked peers.
“A hospital that emerges from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “Only about 15 percent of hospitals are recognized for their high performance as among their region’s best. Just 3 percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty.”
The specialty rankings and data were produced for U.S. News by RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Using the same data, U.S. News produced the state and metro rankings.
About The Valley Hospital
The Valley Hospital, a 451-bed, acute care, not-for-profit hospital located in Ridgewood, NJ, is part of Valley Health System, which also includes Valley Home Care and Valley Medical Group. Valley is an affiliate of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. These include 10 consecutive recognitions for service excellence by J.D. Power and Associates for inpatient and emergency department care, and two major awards for patient safety and quality care from the Leapfrog Group, which ranked Valley among the top hospitals in the nation. Valley is ranked No. 1 in NJ by Healthgrades for overall cardiac services, cardiac surgery, and coronary interventional procedures. Valley has also been honored twice with “Magnet” designation – the nursing profession’s highest honor. Key services include cardiology, oncology, women’s and children’s services, emergency care, orthopedics, and neurosciences. For more information please visit www.ValleyHealth.com
We know you’re busy and finding time to grab lunch or a light dinner isn’t always easy. That’s why we’re offering you a 10% discount on your next visit.
Stop in and enjoy one of our 13 signature salads, 6 daily original recipe soups or a fusion or panini sandwich.
Go to Saladworks.com to check out the menu and click on the link below for your 10% off coupon.
On July 23, 2013, voter registration will be conducted in the lobby of the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is the final opportunity for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the August 13, 2013 Special Primary Election to fill the late Senator Lautenberg’s seat.
All residents of Ridgewood who are at least 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States are eligible to vote. Residents who have recently moved to Ridgewood, as well as those who have moved within Ridgewood, must re-register to vote even if they were previously registered at another address.
Readers ask “How is the Valley Expansion good for Ridgewood?”
All those hours, all those “experts”, all those pages, all those concerns to address and Valley has yet to even attempt to answer the question “How is this expansion good for Ridgewood?”
Primarily because in both the short and long run it is not. Instead of trying to hit a “home run” and keep up with Hackensack at the very high expense to the residents of Ridgewood, maybe they should come up with a plan that makes a little more sense.
I wonder if this “expert” that gave the summation the other night was the one who did the same for the hospital in Princeton. You know, the plan that got rejected.
Yes, the expert said something like, “look, see, the princeton hospital got rejected and moved out of town…”
To Plainsboro. Right next door. Where they have plenty of space. And….the hospital and the town agreed it was the right thing to do. Now they have a beautiful hospital, got everything they wanted/needed, and didn’t bother anybody. And it’s still close to Princeton.
I’ve been espousing this as the right thing to do for Valley for several years. The Princeton hospital is a perfect example of a collaboration between the town and the hospital, and is a win-win for everyone.
NJT Holds Fares Stable for Fourth Consecutive Fiscal Year
NJ TRANSIT ADOPTS FISCAL YEAR 2014 OPERATING, CAPITAL BUDGETS
July 11, 2013
NEWARK, NJ — The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved a Fiscal Year 2014 (FY 2014) operating budget that calls for no fare increase for the fourth consecutive fiscal year, as well as a capital program that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and improve the overall customer experience.
“Thanks to NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to operate as efficiently as possible, as well as a stable mixture of state, federal and other funding sources, we are able to put forth an operating budget that keeps fares unchanged for the fourth consecutive fiscal year,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson. “Through NJ TRANSIT’s Scorecard initiative, the agency continues to position itself to better respond to the transit needs of New Jersey residents while being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.”
“This budget will enable us to maintain and enhance New Jersey’s robust transportation system while responding to the needs of the customers who rely on our service to conduct life’s daily business,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein. “We made a commitment to continue to hold the line on customer fares, and we are delivering on that commitment by implementing sustainable and fiscally responsible operating and capital programs.”
The Board approved a $1.941 billion operating budget and a $1.228 billion capital program for the fiscal year that started July 1, 2013.
Nearly half of the revenue in the FY 2014 operating budget comes from fares ($920.6 million), with the balance from a combination of commercial revenues ($113 million) and state operating assistance ($73.2 million) as well as other state and federal reimbursements ($834.2 million).
The capital program funds continued state-of-good-repair investments in transit stations and infrastructure supports an ongoing fleet modernization program and advances service reliability, safety and technology initiatives.
Operating Budget
The FY 2014 operating budget reflects a stable level of state, federal and other reimbursements, which will enable NJ TRANSIT to hold fares stable this fiscal year. Approximately 58 percent of the operating budget is dedicated to labor and fringe benefits costs, which are being effectively managed by departments throughout NJ TRANSIT by strategically evaluating both staffing levels and functions. Other services include contracted transportation services, fuel and power, and materials which together compromise approximately 28 percent of the operating budget.
This year’s operating budget reflects a $26.4 million or three percent growth in passenger revenue. This is the result of incremental growth in both base ridership and the addition of new contracted route bus service. Overall passenger revenue and commercial revenue represents 53 percent of the total FY 2014 operating program.
Capital Program
The FY 2014 capital program continues to prioritize investment in infrastructure to maintain an overall state of good repair, while also enhancing reliability and safety. The program increased by more than $70 million when compared to FY 2013, representing increases in the federal formula program under the new MAP-21 federal authorization.
Highlights of the program include continued investment in rolling stock renewal, infrastructure replacement and Northeast Corridor (NEC) improvements. The NEC is allocated $60 million in FY 2014 as part of NJ TRANSIT’s five-year, $600 million Northeast Corridor investment strategy that includes construction of a new midline loop and station, Portal Bridge replacement early action, Amtrak Joint Benefits projects and station rehabilitation at Newark Penn and Elizabeth stations.
Funding is also provided for technology upgrades and accessibility, including construction of high-level platforms at Perth Amboy and Lyndhurst stations
Tawana Brawley rape allegations From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tawana Brawley (born 1972) is an African-American woman from Wappingers Falls, New York. In 1987, at the age of 15, she received national media attention in the United States for falsely accusing six white men, some of whom were police officers, of having raped her. The accusations soon earned her notoriety, which was inflamed by Brawley’s advisers (including the Reverend Al Sharpton and attorneys Alton H. Maddox and C. Vernon Mason), the statements of various public officials, and intense media attention.[1] After hearing evidence, a grand jury concluded in October 1988 that Brawley had not been the victim of a forcible sexual assault and that she herself may have created the appearance of an attack.[2] The New York prosecutor whom Brawley had accused as one of her alleged assailants successfully sued Brawley and her three advisers for defamation.[3]
Brawley initially received considerable support from the African-American community.[4] Some scholars suggested that Brawley was victimized by biased reporting that adhered to racial stereotypes.[5][6] The mainstream media’s coverage drew heated criticism from the African-American press and leaders for its treatment of the teenager.[7] The grand jury’s conclusions decreased support for Brawley and her advisers. Brawley’s family has maintained that the allegations were true.
Obama urges nation to grapple with race
David Jackson, USA TODAY 5:12 p.m. EDT July 19, 2013
President Obama said Friday that all Americans should respect a jury’s acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin, but white Americans should also understand that African Americans are pained by Trayvon’s death and continue to face racial discrimination.
“Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago,” the nation’s first African-American president said during a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room.
Obama, who last year said the 17-year-old Florida shooting victim could just as easily have been his son, talked about how he has been subjected to casual prejudice. He also said African Americans need to address the problems of violence in their own communities.
African-American males know they are more likely to be both “victims and perpetrators of violence,” Obama said, and “somebody like Trayvon Martin was probably statistically more likely to be shot by a peer than he was by somebody else.”
The problem is that so many people paint with a “broad brush” and see all black young men as potential criminals, Obama said.
Union Fears ‘Destructive Consequences’ From Obamacare
By Kris Maher
Mr. O’Sullivan concluded: “Approximately 3 million laborers, retirees, and their families now face the very real prospect of losing their health benefit
The laborers union has added to organized labor’s drumbeat of dissatisfaction with the Affordable Care Act.
In a letter sent to President Barack Obama on Thursday, Laborers International Union of North America President Terry O’Sullivan wrote that the law has “destructive consequences” for the types of health plans that cover millions of unionized construction workers and their family members.
The letter follows a separate one written last week by the heads of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United Food and Commercial Workers and Unite Here, expressing similar concerns to Congress’s top Democrats, Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers took out print ads raising alarms about the law last week as well.
Neighbors, colleagues puzzled by apparent suicide of ex-Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy
Friday, July 19, 2013 Last updated: Friday July 19, 2013, 1:36 PM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG AND KIBRET MARKOS
STAFF WRITERS
The Record
Related: Former Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy fatally shoots himself, authorities say
Jay Fahy left his home Wednesday afternoon carrying a piece of paper and a gun. Everything about it seemed odd. Fahy walked outside and turned east, not west. He walked quickly, his head down, jaw set. He did not wave hello.
“It was all so weird,” said Al Raffanello, 56, Fahy’s back-yard neighbor in Rutherford for the past seven years. “He never walks this way — everything he does is to the west. Plus, he always seemed so friendly and happy. But not this time. Wherever he was going, he was determined.”
Bill Cosby: George Zimmerman Acquittal Not About Race
Comedian Bill Cosby says the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Florida teen isn’t about racism.
Cosby, an outspoken voice on cultural issues, says the recent trial did not prove that Zimmerman had racist motives at any point during his confrontation with Martin. That means race shouldn’t be a part of the conversation regarding the case.
“Let’s not go into a racial discussion unless we really have something there,” he told radio hosts Domenick Nati and Nate Foutz.
