Why can’t the insurance companies wake up and quit reimbursing these idiots? I quite well know that the word idiot is unacceptable and not politically correct. Any adult with a brain who has been told over and over that thieves steal unlocked cars, especially with the keys inside and still hasn’t figured out that leaving your car that way is not a positive action, has to be seriously mentally challenged or looking to get reimbursement for their car and possessions because they don’t want them anymore. No one who can pass a driver’s exam could possibly be so stupid and there really isn’t an excuse for deliberately leaving a car in a stealable condition. So then it logically would seem it is a conscious action on their part.
Ridgewood NJ, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their partners remind people that even though the holiday season has arrived, it is not too late to get your flu vaccine.
According to new estimates published today, between 291,000 and 646,000 people worldwide die from seasonal influenza-related respiratory illnesses each year, higher than a previous estimate of 250,000 to 500,000 and based on a robust, multinational survey.
“These findings remind us of the seriousness of flu and that flu prevention should really be a global priority,” says Joe Bresee, M.D., associate director for global health in CDC’s Influenza Division and a study co-author.
So far the ten counties in New Jersey have been reporting high levels of flu activity this month: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Ocean, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Union.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications from the flu. Those at high risk include:
* Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
* People 65 years of age and older
* Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after end of pregnancy
* American Indians and Alaskan Natives
* People who have medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes
Flu vaccination should also be a priority for those persons who live with or care for persons at higher risk for influenza-related complications. This includes healthcare personnel and household contacts of children less than six months of age, since these children are too young to receive the flu vaccine.
For the 2017-2018 season, the CDC is recommending only injectable flu shots be used. The nasal spray flu vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV) should not be used based on concerns about its effectiveness.
NIVW provides an opportunity for public health and health care professionals, health advocates, communities and families across the country to work together to promote flu vaccination. Consider conducting some of the following activities in your community:
* Distribute flu educational materials at local community events
* Share flu prevention messages through social media outlets
* Work with your local health department, clinics, and hospitals to promote neighborhood clinics
* Expand the flu clinic hours to reduce wait times and to eliminate access barriers
* Encourage educational institutions, businesses, and organizations/community partners to
participate in the New Jersey Influenza Honor Roll,
https://www.nj.gov/heal…/…/documents/vpdp/ihr_application.pdf
Flu vaccines are safe and effective and are offered in many locations including doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, urgent care centers, and pharmacies. For general flu information and to find a flu shot near you, please visit the Department’s website at https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml.
For additional information and resources to promote NIVW, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/.
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital is proud to announce that it has a received a four-star rating from Hospital Compare, a program run by the federal government designed to provide consumers with information regarding the quality of care provided at hospitals throughout the United States.
In this latest release, as a result of its commitment to quality and patient safety, Valley moved from a three-star to a four-star hospital.
The hospital ratings, which were released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today, range from one to five stars. The most common overall rating is three stars, according to the CMS. Valley was one of only 16 hospitals in New Jersey to achieve a four- or five-star rating.
The star ratings combine performance on more than 50 measures of hospital quality into a single rating of one to five stars (with five stars being the best). Quality measures that factor into the star ratings include those related to safety, readmission, patient experience and mortality. The overall rating shows how well each hospital performed, on average, compared to other hospitals in the U.S.
“We understand that patients today have options when it comes to choosing a healthcare provider and it is our goal to be the hospital of choice for the communities we serve,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This recognition of quality excellence is a wonderful reflection of the standard of care we provide to all our patients and a testament to the priority Valley staff and physicians place on quality and patients safety, while delivering the most compassionate care.”
The new hospital ratings, which range from one to five stars, can be found on the CMS hospital comparison site: www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare.
Ridgewood NJ, earlier this month Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced commitments to fund 100 percent of their respective share of the new Gateway tunnel. The agreement follows a 2015 framework agreement in which the federal government agreed to fund 50 percent of the project.
The agreement for a combined $5.5 billion states that the State of New York will contribute $1.75 billion with NJ Transit committing $1.9 billion and the Port Authority contributing $1.9 billion.
But the Trump administration through cold water on the idea on Friday . In a letter to New York and New Jersey officials, a top Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator Jane Williams signaled that the Trump administration would not recognize the agreement struck under former President Barack Obama that called for the federal government to pay half the cost of the project.
The letter stated that ,“There is no such agreement,” and “We consider it unhelpful to reference a nonexistent ‘agreement’ rather than directly address the responsibility for funding a local project where nine out of 10 passengers are local transit riders,”
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is offering extra service for New Year’s Eve and early morning New Year’s Day to give customers additional travel options as they enjoy the festivities to ring in 2018 with family and friends.
NJ TRANSIT’s money-saving Family SuperSaver fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying customer, remains in effect. Usually limited to weekends, the Family SuperSaver Fare has been extended and will be in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.
“This is traditionally a time to enjoy special events in our region and many visitors are using NJ TRANSIT to get where they need to go,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “NJ TRANSIT is pleased to offer the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows our customers to stretch their holiday budgets just a bit. So leave the car behind and use NJ TRANSIT to go the mall, get into New York City or gather at a loved one’s home during this busy season.’’
IMPORTANT NOTE: NJ TRANSIT is prohibiting all beverages on all of its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Sunday, December 31, 2017, and the early morning hours of Monday, January 1, 2018. This policy will be strictly enforced.
For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.
“The Commuter Tool Kit – The Tools You Need for a Better Travel Experience’’ is a colorful campaign designed for both the everyday commuter and visitor travelling on
NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus, light rail and Access Link systems. Several features such as the mobile app, trip planner, ticket purchase options, travel information and travel savings are highlighted in the campaign. The brochure is printed in both English and Spanish.
The Commuter Tool Kit is available in brochure form, on the NJ TRANSIT website, in digital displays and delivered through the agency’s social media channels.
Customers can also take advantage of other ways to save money. NJ TRANSIT works with promotional partners throughout the year to offer discounts to many entertainment venues. Customers can go to njtransit.com/deals for special offers on show tickets, admission costs and travel this holiday season.
Today Saturday, December 30, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule with extra inbound service to New York. Consult timetable or visit njtransit.com to view the Bus Holiday Service Guide for details. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River LINE will operate on a weekend schedule. Consult njtransit.com for more information.
On New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. In the evening, there will be extra train service to New York. Extra train service will be in place to New York and Hoboken from approximately 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. Meadowlands service will be in place for the Giants vs. Redskins game at 1 p.m. Special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning are available at njtransit.com. Rail travel information for New Year’s Eve is also available via the Trip Planner and Station-to-Station features on njtransit.com.
Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule with additional early evening service inbound and extra outbound service from PABT after midnight on selected routes. Customers are advised to consult timetables or visit njtransit.com to view the Bus Holiday Service Guide for more details.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule with additional trips operating between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken beginning at approximately 5 p.m. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. River LINE will operate on a Saturday schedule. River LINE and Hudson Bergen Light Rail will both operate additional service after the New Year festivities during the early hours of January 1. Specific trip information will be available on njtransit.com.
After midnight (early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on most rail lines with one-seat ride service available on certain Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line trains until approximately 5 a.m. Some trains that normally depart New York/Hoboken/Newark between midnight and 1 a.m. are cancelled and will be replaced with later trains. After 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule after. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details, including special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning. Expanded bus service will be provided from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) until approximately 2 a.m. Some routes will be departing from alternate areas within the PABT. Visit njtransit.com to view the Bus Holiday Service Guide for specific schedule details and departure gate assignments.
On New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, after 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule. Bus service will vary by route. River LINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Bus service will vary by route. Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.
Ridgewood Nj, the National Weather Service is warning Motorist that the leading edge of an area of light snow across New Jersey and Northeastern Pennsylvania will overspread the region through 9 am. Untreated and secondary roads will become quickly snow covered and slippery. Visibilities will quickly drop down to 2 to 3 miles.
Motorists are advised to use caution and slow down this morning. 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected today, highest south and east, making for slippery travel conditions.
Windchills as low as 10 to 15 degrees below zero are likely New Year Eve Night into New Year Day morning, and possibly also for Monday
Night into Tuesday morning.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Forbes magazine the No. 1 College 2017 is Harvard University, followed by Stanford and Yale. The highest-ranking public school (nonmilitary) is the University of California, Berkeley; the U.S. Naval Academy is the top military academy. The University of Chicago is the premier institution in the Midwest and Duke University is the best school in the South.
The goal of the Forbes List is to showcase the colleges and universities that deliver the best return on your education investment dollars.Forbes pointed out that College may be the best years of your life but they may also be among the most expensive as costs continue to escalate. According to the College Board, tuition, fees, room and board for the 2016-17 school year was $20,090 annually for public schools for in-state students, a rise of 2.7% over 2015-16. It was $35,370 for out-state students and $45,370 for private schools for 2016-17, both up 3.4%. Americans now owe $1.4 trillion in student loan debt, according to The Federal Reserve. It’s been estimated that student loan borrowers from the Class of 2016 hold just north of $37,000 per student on average.
Forbes also pointed out that STEM or specialized-focus schools fare considerably better this year. The California Institute of Technology makes the top 10 for the first time (No. 6), jumping up 33 spots, and Harvey Mudd College climbs 41 spots (see profile of Harvey Mudd College here). Babson College, which only offers degrees in entrepreneurship, lands at No. 74 (up from No. 104), and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is No. 116 (up from No. 183).
Here are the top ranked schools I New jersey
#4 Princeton University NJ
#156 College of New Jersey NJ
#158 Rutgers University NJ
#180 Stevens Institute of Technology NJ
#281 Seton Hall University NJ
#299 New Jersey Institute of Technology NJ
#301 Drew University NJ
#365 Rowan University NJ
#399 Montclair State University NJ
#429 Stockton University NJ
#444 Rider University NJ
#494 Fairleigh Dickinson University NJ
TRENTON – The New Year’s holiday is traditionally a time for parties and nights out on the town, but state officials are urging motorists and pedestrians who will be traveling to use caution if they will be drinking while enjoying the festivities.
“New Year’s Eve is always a time for family, friends and looking forward,” said Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. “But the good times can turn tragic in an instant, so drivers should take smart steps and make alternative plans for travel if they plan on drinking alcohol.”
“Motorists should never drink and drive, but that message takes on extra urgency during the holidays,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Those who break the law by driving while impaired risk terrible consequences. Not only are they endangering themselves and their passengers, they also put other drivers and pedestrians in harm’s way.”
State and local police will be conducting patrols to spot impaired drivers. The Division’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs from December 8, 2017, to January 1, 2018. More than $850,000 in grants has been distributed to 166 law enforcement agencies throughout the state to crack down on drunken driving. During the 2016 campaign, 1,605 DWI arrests were made.
There were 10,497 deaths from alcohol-related crashes during 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of close to 29 deaths per day. Nearly 10 percent of those killed in alcohol-related crashes were 14 years old and under.
During the 2016-2017 New Year’s holiday weekend, there were four motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey, three of which involved impairment, according to New Jersey State Police statistics.
Those out for an evening of fun should practice moderation when they consume alcohol, said David Rible, Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
“The message for revelers this New Year’s holiday is to practice moderation and designate or hire a sober driver,” said David Rible, Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. “We urge all those celebrating to make the holiday memorable for all the right reasons – family, friends and fun – rather than for a preventable tragedy.”
The Division of Highway Traffic Safety offers the following road safety tips to keep pedestrians safe on New Year’s Eve: For Pedestrians: Cross at intersections only Never cross between parked cars Before crossing, look left, right and left again, and listen for traffic If there is no sidewalk available, walk as far off the roadway as possible on the side of the road, facing oncoming traffic Obey all traffic signs and signals Tips for Motorists: Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Failure to do so carries a $200 fine, plus court fees and a two-point penalty Watch for pedestrians when turning on red. Obey posted speed limits Do not block or park in crosswalks. Keep your windshield clean (inside and out) for maximum visibility. Be alert for pedestrians at all times. The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control also offers tips for New Year’s Eve revelers: Use mass transit, a cab or car service to get to and from their destination. Immediately report drunk drivers and drunk pedestrians you may see on the road to law enforcement. Never let a friend drive drunk. If you know someone is about to drive while impaired, take his or her keys and arrange for a ride home. Buckle-up, every ride.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police once again report that on December 20, a burglary into an unlocked motor vehicle was reported to have occurred on Wickham Way. The victim reported an individual was observed fleeing from a vehicle which was parked in the driveway. After inspecting the vehicle, the victim reported nothing was missing.
Ridgewood NJ, Is New Jersey a hotbed of UFO activity ? According to the National UFO Reporting Center New Jersey has had 2161 UFO sightings and/or alien contacts. This includes one reported sighting in Ridgewood on Wednesday August 9th ,2017 at 06:53 . The sighting lasted for 15 seconds .
the report reads as follows : Metallic egg craft with a shadow circle orb around it.
On the morning of Wednesday 9. I was driving to work at approximately 6:53 AM.
As I was exiting the highway to go over the overpass. I looked up to the sky way up in front of me and this object caught my eye immediately. It’s seem to be about a mile away.
I quickly determined that it was not moving. It was not a plane or helicopter or anything I’ve seen. It was very very still. It wasn’t very big. If you held a dime in front of you it looked that big, but mile away.
The belly of this object was dark. On the top of the roof of it, I could see the sun reflecting off it. I could tell that the roof of it was metallic.
It was shaped like a saucer but more rounded. The strangest thing about it was that it had an orb around the craft. I could see the space between The craft and the black shadowy orb that and in-circled it.
I only had about I only had about 100 yards till I had to make my right turn. The rest of my drive to work had trees that blocked my view from further seeing this UFO.
I wish I had stopped right away to take a picture. I was mesmerized by this site. I couldn’t stop on the overpass anyway and I only had a few more minutes to get to work. It was a really cool sight to see.
The National UFO Reporting Center is an organization in the United States that investigates UFO sightings and/or alien contacts. NUFORC has been in continuous operation since 1974. It was founded in 1974 by Robert J. Gribble. It has catalogued almost 90,000 reported UFO sightings over its history, most of which were in the United States. In addition to record keeping, the center has provided statistics and graphs to assist others looking for information.
Ridgewood NJ, CANCELLED – Planning Board Meeting – January 2, 2018 – The Planning Board’s regularly scheduled meeting, on January 2, 2018, has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board will be held on January 16, 2018.
Ridgewood NJ, Valley Health System reminds everyone to dress properly . It’s very cold out today and it’s expected to stay this cold into next week! Make sure to limit your time outdoors and to dress properly when you leave the house. It’s also crucial to recognize the signs of frostbite and hypothermia, so we are sharing this great infographic from the CDC to help keep you and your loved ones safe!
The two key things one should remember when choosing winter clothing are materials and layers. Certain materials work better to keep one warm and dry than others, and knowing how to dress in layers is key to remaining comfortable in the cold.
Wool, is an ideal insulator even when wet. This is why it is still considered a prized material for winter weather underlayers – even with the creation of a range of useful synthetics. Merino wool in particular is used as an underlayer because it is both comfortable and warm.
Synthetics are perfect for outer layers. They can shed water and snow so well that one can remain completely dry in most circumstances – unless one falls in water or sits on snow so long it melts and soaks through the material.
With an understanding of materials, it is easy to start creating layers. A base layer is always recommended, such as long underwear made out of merino wool or a synthetic material. Then comes more layers – the number depending on how severe the weather will be. Warm footwear should also always be a priority, with waterproofing if possible.
Ridgewood NJ, despite repeated warnings from the Ridgewood police and articles on this blog on December 24, a Laurel Road resident reported being the victim of a fraud and theft by deception. The victim reported while attempting to purchase a vehicle listed on ebaymotors.com, the seller convinced the victim to make payments by purchasing eBay gift cards as payment for the vehicle. The victim reportedly purchased the gift cards and provided the seller the gift cards online before realizing the fraud. The victim notified the eBay internet crime complaint center of the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that a Lynn Street resident reported being the victim of criminal mischief on December 22. The victim reported an unknown person damaged and removed Christmas decorations outside of the residence. The amount of damage is unknown at this time.
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service advised tax professionals and taxpayers today that pre-paying 2018 state and local real property taxes in 2017 may be tax deductible under certain circumstances.
The IRS has received a number of questions from the tax community concerning the deductibility of prepaid real property taxes. In general, whether a taxpayer is allowed a deduction for the prepayment of state or local real property taxes in 2017 depends on whether the taxpayer makes the payment in 2017 and the real property taxes are assessed prior to 2018. A prepayment of anticipated real property taxes that have not been assessed prior to 2018 are not deductible in 2017. State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed.
The following examples illustrate these points.
Example 1: Assume County A assesses property tax on July 1, 2017 for the period July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018. On July 31, 2017, County A sends notices to residents notifying them of the assessment and billing the property tax in two installments with the first installment due Sept. 30, 2017 and the second installment due Jan. 31, 2018. Assuming taxpayer has paid the first installment in 2017, the taxpayer may choose to pay the second installment on Dec. 31, 2017, and may claim a deduction for this prepayment on the taxpayer’s 2017 return.
Example 2: County B also assesses and bills its residents for property taxes on July 1, 2017, for the period July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018. County B intends to make the usual assessment in July 2018 for the period July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. However, because county residents wish to prepay their 2018-2019 property taxes in 2017, County B has revised its computer systems to accept prepayment of property taxes for the 2018-2019 property tax year. Taxpayers who prepay their 2018-2019 property taxes in 2017 will not be allowed to deduct the prepayment on their federal tax returns because the county will not assess the property tax for the 2018-2019 tax year until July 1, 2018.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that a number of provisions remain available this week that could affect 2017 tax bills. Time remains to make charitable donations. See IR-17-191 for more information. The deadline to make contributions for individual retirement accounts – which can be used by some taxpayers on 2017 tax returns – is the April 2018 tax deadline.
IRS.gov has more information on these and other provisions to help taxpayers prepare for the upcoming filing season.
![nyc-times-square-new-year-eve[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/nyc-times-square-new-year-eve1.jpg "New Jersey Transit Will Offer Extra Service For New Year's Celebrations!")
