Sho Chandra
Sales at U.S. retailers declined in December to wrap the weakest year since 2009, raising concern about the momentum in consumer spending heading into 2016.
The 0.1 percent drop matched the median forecast of 84 economists surveyed by Bloomberg and followed a 0.4 percent gain in November, Commerce Department figures showed Friday in Washington. For all of 2015, purchases climbed 2.1 percent, the smallest advance of the current economic expansion.
Expanding gaming to North Jersey could force more casinos to close in Atlantic City, Moody’s Investors Service warned Wednesday, adding that such a result would increase the likelihood that the ratings agency would downgrade the resort town’s credit. Andrew Seidman, Inquirer Read more
Ridgewood NJ, sources say Bergen County Sheriff Mike Saudino aka the “double dipper in chief” is about to change his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. This puts Saudino Bergen County’s top double dipper, $267,987 – $138,000 salary + $129,987 pension as an Emerson Borough police retiree in Democrat hands .
The anticipated party switch came as no surprise, given recent history. In 2014, Saudino back stabbed incumbent Republican County Executive Kathe Donovan and made known his preference for the Democratic candidacy of challenger James Tedesco.
Tedesco ultimately won the County Executive office and Democrats in Bergen armed with Union money have bucked national trends further consolidated power in Bergen under the leadership of Bergen County Democratic Committee Chairman Lou Stellato.
Early this year Saudino claimed “I think I have shown that I am not a political guy,” Saudino told PolitickerNJ. “I don’t intend to change. I don’t want to be a political guy. I understand that I am in an elected position but I want to keep politics as much as I can out of it. There is no place for politics in law enforcement. I try to maintain that attitude. To me, it is not about the party. It is about who the best people are, who has the best ideas.” ( https://politickernj.com/2015/12/bergen-sheriff-saudino-there-is-no-place-for-politics-in-law-enforcement/ )
Well I guess this proves there is room for Politics in law enforcement after all and the question remains is will his new affiliation instill confidence from his new boss County Executive James Tedesco giving his disloyal history?
Threatening message puts Waldwick Middle School-High School on Lock Down
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, A threatening message found written on a bathroom wall at the Waldwick Middle School-High School triggered a response from several northwest Bergen County police departments on Thursday morning, 01/14. Personnel from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office also responded. The school was completely locked down while a search of the entire facility was conducted. No immediate threat was located. Anxious parents waited outside in the frigid weather for their children to be released from the building.
file photo by Boyd Loving
JANUARY 13, 2016, 11:02 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016, 7:30 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
New Jersey road deaths fell a bit less than 1 percent to 554 last year — a near record low — but those who rely on bicycles or let others drive for them won’t find much comfort in year-end fatality figures for 2015.
Cycling deaths ballooned 64 percent to 18 last year, the most since 2008, and passenger fatalities rose to 95, almost a 19 percent rise, according to preliminary New Jersey State Police figures. On a more positive note, motorcycle deaths dropped to a record low 49 and pedestrian fatalities fell to 163, but that figure remained well in excess of the previous 10-year average of 152.
“We’re pleased, but we think we can do even better,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
States like New Jersey and New York, where overall road fatalities have declined substantially since the 1980s, have been struggling to extend these safety benefits beyond drivers to walkers and cyclists, whose combined death counts have remained stubbornly high. Garden State totals showed 172 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in 2005 compared with 81 in 2014, a 5 percent increase. During the same period, all traffic deaths declined more than 25 percent — from 748 in 2005 to 556 in 2014.
This week, the Legislature sent a bill to Governor Christie that would focus on these mostly preventable incidents — the kind that killed 1,517 people on foot and 143 people on bicycles from 2005 to 2014. The legislation, which unanimously passed both houses, would create a 15-member commission to recommend strategies for making improvements in road design, laws and behavior that traditionally favor vehicles over people, said Cindy Steiner of Montclair, executive director of the New Jersey Bicycle and Walking Coalition.
“More people are walking and riding bicycles than ever,” said Steiner, whose group supports the bill — A-3888 in the Assembly and S-2521 in the Senate. “But for the first time, this commission would put all the parties together who have a stake in the problem — from bicyclists and drivers to police, motor-vehicle executives, transportation officials and even the health commissioner.”
By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 14, 2016 at 6:45 AM, updated January 14, 2016 at 8:02 AM
While the three jackpot winning tickets sold for Wednesday night’s approximately $1.6 billion Powerball drawing weren’t sold anywhere near New Jersey, at least two Garden State residents will take a home a nice consolation prize.
Two tickets sold in New Jersey matched five numbers, but not the Powerball. One of those ticketholders plucked down an extra $1 to take the Powerplay option so his or her ticket is worth $2 million before taxes. The other ticket is worth $1 million.
State lottery officials will reveal where those tickets were sold later Thursday.
Other $2 million tickets were sold in Arizona, Florida Iowa, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Besides New Jersey, $1 million tickets were sold in New York, Pennsylvania and 20 other states.
The winning numbers drawn Wednesday night were: 8, 27, 34, 4, 19. The Powerball was 10 with a Powerplay of 2x.
The odds of a ticket matching five numbers (but not the Powerball) are 11,688,053.52 to 1.
JANUARY 10, 2016, 4:41 AM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2016, 12:48 PM
BY JOSH FUNK
ASSOCIATED PRESS
OMAHA, Neb. — Disappointed you didn’t win the Powerball jackpot this weekend? Don’t be.
Lottery officials say the estimated $1.3 billion prize is the world’s largest. Ever.
No one matched all six Powerball numbers Saturday night, leading to the astronomical prize, which is all but certain to grow before the next drawing Wednesday as others buy tickets, said Kelly Cripe with the Texas Lottery.
The odds to win are one in 292.2 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs Powerball. Cripe said 75 percent of all 292.2 million combinations were bought before Saturday’s drawing.
The jackpot has ballooned since its Nov. 4 starting point of $40 million.
The winning numbers — 16-19-32-34-57 and Powerball number of 13 — did gain some people a little wealth: 25 tickets won $1 million by matching five numbers, and three other tickets won $2 million because they paid extra to multiply smaller prizes.
The record jackpot lured an unprecedented frenzy of purchases. Anndrea Smith, 30, said Saturday that she already had spent more than she usually does on Powerball tickets.
“I bought four yesterday, and I usually never buy any,” said Smith, manager of Bucky’s gas station and convenience store in Omaha, Nebraska.
Powerball is played in 44 states as well as the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/powerball-jackpot-world-s-largest-ever-at-1-3-billion-1.1488801
Dewane Parker has over 30 years of experience in Law Enforcement and as a Security Specialist. As a former Federal Agent and Personal Protection Commander he has exceptional knowledge and personal protection skills in various environments. Dewane Parker has served three U.S. Presidents (Reagan, Bush, and Clinton) and these unique experiences significantly enhanced his overall background to be a positive contributing member of Law Enforcement and around the world. He also volunteers and advocates for at risk youth to ensure that they are provided services to enhance their leadership, education and job opportunities in the future.
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Born in a corrupted world full of sin, yet commissioned to restore order and bring peace to it. Harnessing the pain of being tattooed by Satan himself; this fuels his desire to bring justice to all who choose to engage in crime. This is the life and everyday struggle of Operative Stacy Mays. He is constructed by the government to inflict massive punishment with no fear of death. Yes, his life is not his own. After all, why should it be? He was Born Dead…
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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Linwood Ave to be closed from 1/11-1/14 from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM for utility work. Expect delays; Follow posted detour.
Linwood Avenue to be closed from 1/11/2016 to 1/14/2016 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm due to utility work. Traffic will be directed by detour signs. Expect heavy traffic delays during detour
JANUARY 9, 2016, 11:46 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2016, 12:04 AM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD
Word bubbled up in November at a Democratic conclave in East Brunswick that state lawmakers were considering new rules on how to configure the state’s legislative map, but they offered no details and quickly moved on to other topics.
Then, just days before a harried year-end session in Trenton, a formal proposal to overhaul the process for redrawing New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts was circulated to Republican members of committees that would have to advance the plan. The proposal was to create at least 10 “competitive” districts using results from selected elections. An Assembly panel approved it in 20 minutes after hearing one public comment, and its chairman did not allow questions from any of its members.
The once-a-decade ritual required by the state constitution to redraw New Jersey’s legislative map has always been a political exercise. Democratic and Republican leaders each appoint five of their members to a commission to draw the maps; they always deadlock on which version is fairest and the deciding vote is cast by someone appointed by the state Supreme Court’s chief justice.
But this year’s push — the first in more than50 years — to significantly alter the process through a constitutional amendment has drawn the most criticism, if not sheer outrage, from the people who will be directly affected by any changes: the legislators themselves.
Depending on how it is drawn, the map could help to determine who is elected to the Legislature and which party holds power in Trenton. That would determine who controls what bills are posted, who gets assigned to what committees and who has final say over judicial and Cabinet-level nominations. Democrats have held the majority in the Legislature since 2004.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-plan-for-revamp-of-voting-districts-remains-vague-1.1488593
JANUARY 8, 2016, 1:33 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016, 9:12 AM
BY JOHN BRENNAN AND JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Governor Christie on Friday waded into an increasingly inflammatory battle over how to extend casino gambling to North Jersey, siding with state Senate President Steven Sweeney in his escalating war of words with Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.
Christie, who has been campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, blamed “infighting” between the two legislative leaders, both of whom are Democrats, for the fact that a push for a statewide referendum on the matter appears to have stalled in the waning days of the legislative session, which ends Tuesday.
The governor endorsed Sweeney’s proposal, which would restrict bidding for two North Jersey casino licenses to companies with a majority interest in an Atlantic City casino. Christie echoed the assertion that Sweeney made earlier in the day that Prieto’s competing plan, which would allow one of the licenses to be issued to a newcomer, does not have enough support to clear the Assembly before the new session starts.
JANUARY 8, 2016, 5:39 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016, 5:42 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Former Waldwick police officer John Robert Marion was sentenced Friday to 364 days in county jail for fraudulently collecting $321,000 in disability pension payments from the State of New Jersey while working full-time as an officer in Georgia, acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said Friday.
Marion, 44, was immediately taken into custody to begin serving the jail term in Mercer County, which is a condition of the four years’ probation also imposed on him by state Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw in Mercer County.
Marion, a Valdosta, Ga., resident, pleaded guilty on Nov. 12 to a charge of third-degree theft by deception, Hoffman said. He must pay full restitution of $321,008, and is permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey. Marion turned over a $100,000 check to the court to count towards that restitution
JANUARY 8, 2016, 7:04 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016, 12:23 AM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
A media frenzy that ignited after a Fair Lawn student was questioned about comments she made online about a “pro-Israel girl” in her school has left in its wake a worried family, a divided community, and a school that has been hammered by negative attention from around the world in an incident that some local residents say was misconstrued.
Bethany Koval
The controversy unfolded after high school junior Bethany Koval wrote, in detail, online, about being questioned by administrators over a tweet cheering that a pro-Israel student had “unfollowed” her on Twitter and her sharing the student’s name in a private message to a friend. She believed she was targeted by school administrators, she said, because of her anti-Israel political opinions on Twitter.
On Friday, Koval, 16, continued to draw wide support online as people viewed the incident as an attempt to stifle free speech and criticism of Israel. Locally, some residents defended the school, saying officials were only doing their duty to investigate a bullying allegation that a student had lodged against Koval.
Powerball Drawing: Clues From Previous Lottery Winners
By MEGHAN KENEALLY
Jan 9, 2016, 6:07 AM ET
If you were disappointed that you had to go back to work earlier this week rather than being able to quit and start living a lavish lifestyle after winning the Powerball jackpot, never fear. There is another drawing tonight.
Even though there was no grand prize winner on Wednesday night, there were quite a few people who still got a piece of the winnings. According to the Powerball website, some winners will take home $1 million or $2 million (before tax) because they had five of the six winning numbers (the $2 million winners paid a little more for the “power play” option). Non-jackpot prizes totaled $65,947,617.
But there is plenty more where that came from: the jackpot has now reached an estimated $800 million, far surpassing the previous record set by the 2012 Mega Millions jackpot of $656 million.
The jackpot is expected to grow even larger. Want to win? If history is any indicator, here are some ideas.
Leave the Number Picking to the Computer
Rather than picking numbers based on birthdays, anniversaries or other meaningful dates, lottery organizers note that the majority of past winners have left the big decisions up to the computer.
About 70 percent of past winners used Quick Picks, the computer system that spits out numbers, according to the official Powerball website.
“Does this mean that you are more likely to win with a computer pick ticket? Maybe,” the site states.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/powerball-drawing-clues-previous-lottery-winners/story?id=36143401
Nj senate president Steven Sweeney
In our judiciary committee hearing yesterday I point out the utter hypocrisy of Democratic Party leaders holding a public hearing on an unprecedented four constitutional amendments while keeping the public in the dark and refusing to answer questions. ( Rep. Holly Schepisi New Jersey GOP)
Academics, others slam Democrats’ redistricting amendment
By MATT FRIEDMAN 2:24 p.m. | Jan. 7, 2016follow this reporter
TRENTON — It’s not just Republican lawmakers who oppose redistricting changes that could secure Democrats’ electoral advantage for decades to come.
Two New Jersey academics who have extensively studied how the state draws its legislative districts gave scathing testimony Thursday against the proposed constitutional amendment.
Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said wording of the amendment is deliberately misleading to voters, who must decide whether to approve it.
“This is a bald-faced attempt to pull the wool over voters’ eyes; making them complicit in a process that will only serve to increase their cynicism about politics,” Murray told a Senate committee.
