Saddle Brook NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of KRISTEN AQUINO (DOB: 8-23-1977; single; and self-employed) of Saddle Brook, New Jersey on a charge of Witness Tampering. The arrest came about as the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Saddle Brook Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Kugler.
On Monday, January 8, 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that two victims of a sexual assault investigation were being coerced to recant allegations previously made to law enforcement officers. As a result of the information received, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Saddle Brook Police Department initiated an investigation during which several individuals were interviewed regarding possible witness tampering.
As a result of the investigation, Kristen AQUINO was arrested and charged with one count of Witness Tampering, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5a.(1), a 3rd degree crime. After being processed for arrest, AQUINO was released pending a first appearance at the Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
Prosecutor Grewal states that this charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would like to thank the Saddle Brook Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announces the expansion of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office’s (“BCPO”) Community Affairs Unit (“CAU”) and the designation of a new press contact. Prosecutor Grewal created the CAU in June 2017 with a mission to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community, increase public safety, and deter crime through developing programs that increase community engagement, build public trust, and promote transparency. These programs include a two-week Youth Police Academy which is run in cooperation with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, multi-disciplinary conferences, a quarterly Community/Clergy Academy, and partnerships with local and county law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations. The CAU also supports and promotes local law enforcement community programs, education initiatives, and day-to-day operations through social media and public promotion.
This model has proven successful, and the BCPO is committed to prioritizing positive relations between law enforcement and the community. Under the direction of Assistant Prosecutor (“AP”) Section Chief Elizabeth Rebein and Lieutenant Jeff Angermeyer, six administrative, creative, and Detective personnel have been assigned to staff the Unit. Along with the expansion of the Unit, Prosecutor Grewal has restructured certain duties, including AP Rebein as the point of contact for all media inquiries.
The BCPO’s community initiatives and programs will appear on the BCPO social media accounts, namely Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the username @BCPONJ. Additionally, many events will be live-streamed using these social media platforms to broadcast segments online, as they happen, where they happen.
Ridgewood NJ, The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for outstanding work assisting customers impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The award is presented to EEI member companies to recognize an outstanding response in assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s Winter Board and CEO Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In the wake of Irma, PSE&G dispatched 154 employees and 84 vehicles to assist Florida Power & Light power restoration efforts. The PSE&G contingent included line workers, managers, engineers and support personnel.
“When disaster impacts a region, electric companies from across the nation are called on to assist impacted companies in need – mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “When Hurricane Irma struck, PSE&G answered the call to help. PSE&G’s assistance to restore service to impacted customers is a terrific example of mutual assistance in action.”
PSE&G’s Senior Vice President of Electric and Gas Operations John Latka said, “We were fortunate to be in a position to assist FPL. We know the importance of getting the lights and power back on as quickly as possible so people can begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”
Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer says Glen Rock Welcomes People from shithole countries,
Packer at the Glen Rock REOG meeting said , “I had mentioned in my speech at the reorg meeting that I would like to see the council reconsider the Welcoming Community Resolution. To those who say it is not necessary, because we obviously welcome everyone, I would suggest that you probably would have said the same thing about our country. You know, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free…” and all that. Nothing about exclusions for shithole countries.That is what our country used to stand for and what Glen Rock still stands for.This is not a partisan statement but this is what patriotism should look like.We can’t assume that everyone is willing to welcome one and all when the elected leader of our country does not. I’d love to see our local leadership send that clear message and we will include it on a future agenda for discussion. I am a true believer that, as Martin Luther King Jr said, “Silence is Complicity” and I could not stay silent after seeing what was said.”
The law suit alleges the famed “double dipper” and “party changer” Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino retaliated against Frank Carrafiello and other officers who investigated the soil remediation project. The suit names not only Saudino, but the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office , the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bergen county government .
The suit claims that Sheriff Saudino demoted officers, forced others to retire and changed the assignments of those officers who investigated the remediation.
The New Jersey Sierra Club and Mahwah officials outlined the contamination at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute. They also said the county allegedly announced lead bullet casing and other potentially toxic materials to be dumped on the site for about a year.
Jeff Tittel, executive director of the Sierra Club, said the materials oxidized and broke down, possibly seeping into the groundwater and nearby streams, the Ramapo River and the Ramapo Aquifer, which provides drinking water to thousands of people.
A Bergen County spokeswoman claims in April that County Executive James Tedesco’s administration “took swift and immediate action upon learning of the potential environmental issue at the Law and Public Safety Institute shooting range located in Mahwah.”
Ridgewood NJ, while Ridgewood Water has been upgrading the pipes in Ridgewood and the rest of its service area you may have noticed addition road work around the county by SUEZ Water North Jersey . According to Suez , “Two weeks of frigid weather has resulted in an increase in water main breaks and SUEZ crews have been working around the clock to make repairs, but did you know that before we can begin digging, we are required by law to wait for mark-outs from other utilities? Locating gas lines, sewer lines, telephone, cable or traffic control systems before we dig ensures the safety of the community, our employees and other responders. When you are impacted by a water main break, please be assured that our crews are working to restore your service as quickly and safely as possible – even in the harshest weather conditions”
Ridgewood NJ, With cryptocurrencies continuing to attract headlines, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Bureau of Securities, which is within the Division of Consumer Affairs, today reminded New Jersey investors to be cautious about investments involving cryptocurrencies.
“Cryptocurrencies may be the new rage when it comes to investments, but there are significant risks associated with transactions involving these predominantly unregulated currencies,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Investors should fully understand the types of currency and transactions being pitched to them before agreeing to invest.”
Cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange that are created and stored electronically in the blockchain, a distributed public database that keeps a permanent record of digital transactions. Current common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Unlike traditional currency, these alternatives have no physical form and typically are not backed by tangible assets. They are not insured or controlled by a central bank or other governmental authority, cannot always be exchanged for other commodities, and are subject to little or no regulation.
A survey of state and provincial securities regulators by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which the Bureau of Securities is a member, shows 94 percent believe there is a “high risk of fraud” involving cryptocurrencies. Regulators also were unanimous in their view that more regulation is needed for cryptocurrency to provide greater investor protection.
“Because of the high risk of fraud and some projections of huge returns, investors must be on alert and not be tempted to invest in cryptocurrency-related investments without first vigorously vetting any transaction,” said Sharon M. Joyce, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Understanding what is being sold is the best armor an investor has against fraud.”
Last month, NASAA identified Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrency-related investment products as emerging investor threats for 2018. Unlike an Initial Public Offering (IPO) when a company sells stocks in order to raise capital, an ICO sells “tokens” in order to fund a project, usually related to the blockchain. The token likely has no value at the time of purchase. Some tokens constitute, or may be exchangeable for, a new cryptocurrency to be launched by the project, while others entitle investors to a discount, or early rights to a product or service proposed to be offered by the project.
“Transactions involving cryptocurrency are often complicated and confusing with an unproven track record. They are not designed for investors with a low tolerance for risk or volatility,” said Christopher W. Gerold, Chief of the Bureau of Securities. “The best advice we can give is for investors to be completely aware of the risks before investing and act accordingly.”
NASAA offers a short animated video to help investors understand the risks associated with ICOs and cryptocurrencies. NASAA and its members first alerted investors of the risks associated with cryptocurrencies in 2014.
Common Cryptocurrency Concerns
The following are some common concerns investors should consider before investing in any offering containing cryptocurrency:
Cryptocurrency is subject to minimal regulatory oversight, susceptible to cybersecurity breaches or hacks, and there may be no recourse should the cryptocurrency disappear.
Cryptocurrency accounts are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures bank deposits up to $250,000.
The high volatility of cryptocurrency investments makes them unsuitable for most investors, especially those investing for long-term goals or retirement.
Investors in cryptocurrency are highly reliant upon unregulated companies, including some that may lack appropriate internal controls and may be more susceptible to fraud and theft than regulated financial institutions.
Investors will have to rely upon the strength of their own computer security systems, as well as security systems provided by third parties, to protect purchased cryptocurrencies from theft.
Common Red Flags of Fraud
The Bureau of Securities also reminds investors to keep watch for these common red flags of investment fraud:
“Guaranteed” high investment returns. There is no such thing as guaranteed investment returns, and there is no guarantee that the cryptocurrency will increase in value. Be wary of anyone who promises a high rate of return with little or no risk.
Unsolicited offers. An unsolicited sales pitch may be part of a fraudulent investment scheme. Cryptocurrency investment opportunities are promoted aggressively through social media. Be very wary of an unsolicited communication—meaning you didn’t ask for it and don’t know the sender—about an investment opportunity.
Sounds too good to be true. If the project sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for exaggerated claims about the project’s future success.
Pressure to buy immediately. Take time to research an investment opportunity before handing over your money. Watch out for pressure to act fast or “get in on the ground floor” of a new tech trend.
Unlicensed sellers. Many fraudulent investment schemes involve unlicensed individuals or unregistered firms. The Bureau of Securities can help investors research the background of those selling or advising the purchase of an investment.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood and Glen Rock Host 36th Annual Martin Luther King Day Observance is a Free Community Program will Feature The Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson, Student Speakers and Outdoor March .The Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson will deliver remarks addressing the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now!” as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee of Ridgewood and Glen Rock hosts its 36th annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy.
The community is invited to attend this free event, which will take place on Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., in Ridgewood, New Jersey, starting at 10 a.m.
Rev. Sampson, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in New York, will be the guest speaker during an interfaith worship service, which will be followed by a march through downtown Ridgewood and a light lunch. The program also will feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir, Men of Umoja chorus and The Young Voices of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Rev. Sampson has served as President of the Westchester County chapter of Operation PUSH, which was founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1971 to improve the economic status of African Americans. Rev. Sampson also was chairman of the Westchester Church Community Campaign of the United Negro College Fund, and has been the host of the “Westchester Church News” radio broadcast on WVOX. He holds a Bachelors degree of Divinity and a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling from New York Theological Seminary, and received the LLD (Doctor of Laws for pastoral work in the ministry) from Lynchburg College.
“During the past year, there has been a growing sense of urgency around our country’s continued struggle for racial and social justice,” said Alice Newton, committee co-chair. “In Dr. King’s words, ‘This is no time for apathy or complacency,’ and we welcome Rev. Sampson’s insights and inspiration at a time when deliberate and thoughtful action is needed to achieve progress.”
The annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. celebration began in 1983 in an effort to unite area residents, regardless of faith or ethnic background, in worship and action as they work towards peace and justice for all. More than 20 religious groups, local government and civic organizations participate in and support the event each year. For more information contact Alice Newton at 201-951-9903; email [email protected]; or follow Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Glen Rock/Ridgewood, N.J. on Facebook.
The committee also is co-sponsoring “Going Deeper: Exploring African-American Experiences, Challenges and Contributions in Ridgewood and Vicinity,” which will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ridgewood. The community is invited to join this important open dialogue led by Rev. Mack Brandon, Metropolitan AME Zion Church, and Rev. Lemuel Brown, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Ken Gill of Emmanuel Baptist Church will moderate the discussion, which will be preceded by a Community Pasta Dinner at 6 p.m. To reserve a seat at the dinner, please call 201-444-7300
New Jersey’s career politicians, like the Clinton Speech writer Gottheimer and out of touch elitist Phil Murphy are playing games, using gimmicks and illusions to take the eyes of the public off the true issue in New Jersey, the grotesquely high taxes it squeezes out of its very own citizens. They want to deflect the blame to D.C. and take the voter’s attention off their fellow Democrats. My friends, the citizens of New Jersey are not that stupid, our people want the politicians to cut the ever ballooning taxes that plague our state.
What needs to be done requires strength, intelligence and an uncompromising will to reduce spending in this state. It requires the leadership that will reverse this state’s anti-business climate to increase the tax base while reducing the tax burden. Sadly, I do not see any of this in Trenton. I see the grandstanding we are all accustomed to, not the leadership we so desperately need.
Gottheimer, who faces a challenge this November, may have gotten this idea from his former employers, the Clintons. Maybe his next suggestion is to have the Clinton foundation administer the charity.
The municipal, county and state officials should do what taxpayers want them to really do — cut taxes, cut spending — not come up with tax loopholes that either won’t pass muster or won’t be sustainable.
Gottheimer said, “The tax hike bill Congress passed last year is a ticking time bomb for New Jersey,” we are proudly declaring that New Jersey won’t shy from a fight. We won’t be America’s piggy bank.” I say to him, I no longer want to be Trenton’s piggy bank and the only ticking time bomb you need to worry about is the mad as hell citizens that want real tax reductions, not a pass the potato blame game.
“This is not partisan,” Mr. Murphy said. “This is a smart versus not smart.” I say, this is lazy and opportunist verses hard diligent work and tenacity. New Jersey is done with tricks and gimmicks, bring us change or resign! Pension reform, re-working the school funding formulas and instituting a pro-business environment is needed now.
Ridgewood Nj, according to Valley Hospital ,outbreaks of influenza are on the rise as flu season enters full swing. Thirty-six states (so far NJ is not among them) have already reported widespread influenza activity to the federal Center’s for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. Check out these tips from the CDC to protect yourself and your family from the flu.
Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines, 2017-18
Primary Changes and Updates to the Recommendations
This report updates the 2016–17 recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines (MMWR Recomm Rep 2016;65[No. RR-5]). Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications. A licensed, recommended, and age-appropriate vaccine should be used.
For the 2017–18 season, quadrivalent and trivalent influenza vaccines will be available. Inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) will be available in trivalent (IIV3) and quadrivalent (IIV4) formulations. Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) will be available in trivalent (RIV3) and quadrivalent (RIV4) formulations. Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) is not recommended for use during the 2017–18 season due to concerns about its effectiveness against (H1N1)pdm09 viruses during the 2013–14 and 2015–16 seasons. Recommendations for different vaccine types and specific populations are discussed. No preferential recommendation is made for one influenza vaccine product over another for persons for whom more than one licensed, recommended product is available.
Updates to the recommendations described in this report reflect discussions during public meetings of ACIP held on October 20, 2016; February 22, 2017; and June 21, 2017. New and updated information in this report includes the following:
Vaccine viruses included in the 2017–18 U.S. trivalent influenza vaccines will be an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus, an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008–like virus (Victoria lineage). Quadrivalent influenza vaccines will contain these three viruses and an additional influenza B vaccine virus, a B/Phuket/3073/2013–like virus (Yamagata lineage).
Information on recent licensures and labelling changes is discussed, including licensure of Afluria Quadrivalent (IIV4; Seqirus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia); Flublok Quadrivalent (RIV4; Protein Sciences, Meriden, Connecticut); and expansion of the age indication for FluLaval Quadrivalent (IIV4; ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada), previously licensed for ≥3 years, to ≥6 months.
Pregnant women may receive any licensed, recommended, age-appropriate influenza vaccine.
Afluria (IIV3; Seqirus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia) may be used for persons aged ≥5 years, consistent with Food and Drug Administration–approved labeling.
FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4; MedImmune, Gaithersburg, Maryland) should not be used during the 2017–18 season due to concerns about its effectiveness against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in the United States during the 2013–14 and 2015–16 influenza seasons.
This report focuses on the recommendations for use of vaccines for the prevention and control of influenza during the 2017–18 season in the United States. A Background Document containing further information and a summary of these recommendations is available. These recommendations apply to licensed influenza vaccines used within Food and Drug Administration–licensed indications, including those licensed after the publication date of this report. Updates and other information are available at CDC’s influenza website (Influenza (Flu)). Vaccination and health care providers should check CDC’s influenza website periodically for additional information.
***SEEKING PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN HIT AND RUN INVESTIGATION***
January 7, 2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Moonachie NJ , Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Moonachie Police Department are requesting information from the public regarding a hit and run collision which resulted in a pedestrian sustaining fatal injuries.
At approximately 5:50 am on Friday, January 5, 2018, the Moonachie Police Department received a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway on Route 46 East near the intersection of Industrial Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed a deceased male victim lying in the roadway. The victim’s injuries were consistent with having been struck by a motor vehicle. The victim, later identified as Brian P. Rossi (DOB 7/15/1989) of Teaneck, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Evidence at the scene indicates that the victim was struck by more than one vehicle, all of which fled the scene traveling eastbound on Route 46.
Anyone with information regarding this hit and run collision is requested to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit at 201-226-5595, or the Moonachie Police Department at 201-641-9100. All calls will remain confidential.
Washington DC, The Department of Justice today issued a memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy announcing a return to the rule of law and the rescission of previous guidance documents. Since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970, Congress has generally prohibited the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana.
In the memorandum, Attorney General Jeff Sessions directs all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and to follow well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to marijuana activities. This return to the rule of law is also a return of trust and local control to federal prosecutors who know where and how to deploy Justice Department resources most effectively to reduce violent crime, stem the tide of the drug crisis, and dismantle criminal gangs.
“It is the mission of the Department of Justice to enforce the laws of the United States, and the previous issuance of guidance undermines the rule of law and the ability of our local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners to carry out this mission,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “Therefore, today’s memo on federal marijuana enforcement simply directs all U.S. Attorneys to use previously established prosecutorial principles that provide them all the necessary tools to disrupt criminal organizations, tackle the growing drug crisis, and thwart violent crime across our country.”
Ridgefield NJ, NJSP Troop D Turnpike Patrol Division investigated a tractor trailer fire that took place on a ramp associated with the Vince Lombardi Service Area in Ridgefield on Friday afternoon, 01/05. The fire was extinguished by Ridgefield Fire Department personnel. The tractor’s driver escaped the fully engulfed rig unharmed. A heavy duty tow truck removed the charred remains from the roadway.
Fair Lawn NJ , Apparently the “Tax the Rich” philosophy of New Jersey lawmakers only applies to when Trenton taxes the rich and not anyone else . The “Taxing the Rich” mantra has driven the state to fiscal suicide and has become a euphemism for taxing everyone on everything .
Today, in a desperate last ditch attempt to prop up Trenton, Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Governor-elect Phil Murphy have joined together to offer a new Tax Plan for New Jersey. Murphy and Gottheimer’s “Hail Mary” Tax Bill looks to restore State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction by providing a tax deduction for taxpayers who make charitable contributions to their state or other local governments.
The two will be joined by Congressman Bill Pascrell and the mayors of Fair Lawn, Paramus and Park Ridge who all expressed support for the plan and their eagerness to implement it, with state support, in their communities. The Tax Hike Bill took a two-by-four to the State of New Jersey, gutting the State and Local Deduction (SALT), sharply limiting New Jersey’s property tax deductions, and imposing a massive Tax Hike on Jersey families and businesses. The Tax Hike Bill was largely paid for on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers and, according to experts, will bring property values down by as much as twenty percent and send businesses and jobs to other states.
Plan restores the value of the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction by providing a tax deduction for taxpayers who make charitable contributions to their state or other local governments. States and local governments can establish or support funds that pay for local services, including schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure. Taxpayers can make “voluntary contributions” to these funds, for which they will receive an offsetting tax credit. The contributions will be deductible for federal tax purposes under existing law, even for those who pay the alternative minimum tax. This structure effectively restores the benefit of the lost state and local tax deduction to the extent of the contributions for most taxpayers who itemize.
The plan also does not to restore any level of fiscal sanity to the state on New Jersey .
Glen Rock NJ, A BMW SUV slid off of Harristown Road in Glen Rock on Friday, 01/05 and crashed through a fence. No injuries were reported by the vehicle’s adult male driver. Glen Rock Police responded. The seemingly undamaged BMW was removed from its predicament by a hydraulic lift tow truck.
![Kristen_Aquino[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/01-12-18_Kristen_Aquino1.jpg "SADDLE BROOK WOMEN CHARGED WITH WITNESS TAMPERING")
