San Francisco Ca, Jose Inez Garcia Zarate, the illegal immigrant who shot and killed Kate Steinle in San Francisco in 2015 as she walked on a pier with her father, has been found not guilty of murder. The San Francisco jury only found him guilty of a single gun possession charge.
Garcia Zarate, 45, a felon with 7 prior convictions related to heroin possession and manufacture, had been deported from the U.S. 5 times, yet kept sneaking back in. He was actually released from custody by San Francisco authorities just 2 months before the shooting, despite an order from federal immigration authorities requesting the city keep him in custody so they could pick him up and deport him.
San Francisco is a “sanctuary city” that does not cooperate with federal authorities on locating and deporting illegal immigrants. Garcia Zarate admitted to going to San Francisco to take advantge of its sanctuary city status. The case sparked national outrage and debate over sanctuary cities as well as border security.
He had faced 15 years to life on a second-degree murder charge in the Steinle shooting, though jurors, 3 of which were immigrants themselves, were also allowed to consider first-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. His defense argued that the gun, which he claims to have found in a dumpster, had gone off accidentally. The gun was later found to have been stolen.
Ridgewood NJ, Bone treats are real bones that have been processed, sometimes flavored, and packaged for dogs. Giving your dog a “bone treat” might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet.
Many dog owners know not to toss a turkey or chicken bone to their dog; those bones are just too brittle. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the risk goes beyond that, especially when it comes to the “bone treats” you may see at the store.
What’s a Bone Treat?
FDA has received about 68 reports of pet illnesses related to “bone treats,” which differ from uncooked butcher-type bones because they are processed and packaged for sale as dog treats. A variety of commercially-available bone treats for dogs—including treats described as “Ham Bones,” “Pork Femur Bones,” “Rib Bones,” and “Smokey Knuckle Bones”—were listed in the reports. The products may be dried through a smoking process or by baking, and may contain other ingredients such as preservatives, seasonings, and smoke flavorings.
So if you’re planning to give your dog a stocking full of bone treats this holiday season, you may want to reconsider. According to Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian in the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the FDA, “Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet.”
Illnesses Reported
Illnesses reported to FDA by owners and veterinarians in dogs that have eaten bone treats have included:
Gastrointestinal obstruction (blockage in the digestive tract)
Choking
Cuts and wounds in the mouth or on the tonsils
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bleeding from the rectum, and/or
Death. Approximately fifteen dogs reportedly died after eating a bone treat.
The reports, sent in by pet owners and veterinarians, involved about 90 dogs (some reports included more than one dog). In addition, FDA received seven reports of product problems, such as moldy-appearing bones, or bone treats splintering when chewed by the pet.
Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe
Here are some tips to keep your dog safe:
Chicken bones and other bones from the kitchen table can cause injury when chewed by pets, too. So be careful to keep platters out of reach when you’re cooking or the family is eating.
Be careful what you put in the trash can. Dogs are notorious for helping themselves to the turkey carcass or steak bones disposed of there.
Talk with your veterinarian about other toys or treats that are most appropriate for your dog. There are many available products made with different materials for dogs to chew on.
“We recommend supervising your dog with any chew toy or treat, especially one she hasn’t had before,” adds Stamper. “And if she ‘just isn’t acting right,’ call your veterinarian right away!”
To report a problem with a pet food or treat, please visit FDA’s Web page on “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.”
Ridgewood NJ, In cooperation with the Ridgewood High School Social Studies department, Ridgewood Historical Society proudly presents:
“LETTERS FROM HISTORY” Contest!
Open to all RHS students. We challenge students to write a letter inspired by local history and the current exhibit at the Schoolhouse Museum.
• Write a 1-page letter about a war or revolution from the exhibit and an artifact on display. The letter must be from the perspective of a fictional person involved in some aspect of the historic time to a relative back in Ridgewood.
Examples: a soldier in World War I writing to parents; a Civil Rights worker writing to a sibling; a soldier in Vietnam writing to a friend. It should involve emotions people would have experienced—loneliness, fear, excitement, etc.—in the context of the specific time.
The museum is open Saturdays 1pm-3pm, Sundays 2pm-4pm, and Thursdays 1pm-3pm.
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Bergen Record ,Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Murphy said Tuesday that he is “confident” his proposal to increase taxes on New Jersey’s millionaires will go through, even as Democratic leaders in the Legislature have cooled on the idea in light of GOP tax plans being considered in Congress.
Murphy and his Democratic allies say that the bill would increase taxes on income over $1 million from a top rate of 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent. The Fantasy is that the new tax could generate up to $600 million for the state, which Murphy claims the state will use to increase funding for New Jersey’s public schools.
The are going to need it ,again according to the Bergen Record there will be $1.2 billion less revenue available next fiscal year than the current year. Specifically: $700 million in one-time revenues are in the current budget . The two largest being $300 million in legal settlements principally related to environmental claims and $321 million for sale of public broadcasting assets. And, the continued phase out of the estate tax, a decrease in the sales tax rate and exclusions/deductions in the income tax will result in $520 million less revenue from these sources.
The remaining tax base will yield $1 billion at best and that ‘s not sufficient to cover the lost revenue and address normal program growth. How to address this “squeeze” will be a challenge.
The current year or 2018 looks equally disturbing, the current budget has only a $409 million surplus that’s barely 1 percent of spending. There is no money in the Rainy Day Fund.
An none of this is taking into account greater outmigration according to Jordan Amin, a tax partner at EisnerAmper, “I think where some of these provisions that are affecting New Jersey harder than some other states — like the repeal of the state and local tax deductions — the incoming governor wants to increase the highest income tax rate in the state, currently 9 percent, to 10.75 percent, and I think that that may meet some opposition, now that some of the state taxes are not going to be deductible at the federal level. And we have all read about people supposedly fleeing New Jersey for other low-tax or no-tax jurisdictions, such as Florida. I think that there is some concern (the tax) … could cause a greater migration outward.”
Photo Tamara Baldesweiler, R.N., a member of the Specialty Care Transport Unit team, demonstrates the Twiage app.
November 29,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital, an acute care, not-for-profit hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey expanded its use of Twiage, a mobile app that lets first responders instantly communicate with the emergency room.
After an initial pilot phase, Valley has expanded the use of Twiage to 12 local EMS services in Bergen County, NJ, and Rockland County, NY.
The 451-bed hospital, which serves the northern New Jersey area, began using Twiage last year. During the initial phase, hospital teams found that Twiage helps emergency department providers better prepare for incoming patients by having advanced notice of their care needs and estimated time of arrival. It also helps reduce ambulance turnover time, getting them back on the road faster.
“Using Twiage, we have been able to get better notification from our EMS providers about who they are bringing in, what those patients likely need, and when a patient will arrive,” says Caitlin Burke, Emergency Department Clinical Supervisor at The Valley Hospital. “It puts us one step ahead in terms of preparedness and patient care.”
Twiage, a HIPAA-compliant prehospital communication platform that has received innovation awards from the American Medical Association and American Heart Association, can be used to share information such as patient vital signs, symptoms and demographic information via secured photos, videos, voice memo and texts between EMTs, doctors, and nurses. The platform offers emergency department staff real-time situational awareness with live patient data and updates, and GPS-tracking of incoming ambulances.
“Twiage offers us an operational advantage,” says Lafe Bush, EMS Director, Valley EMS. “We started small when we launched it, but the technology is working so well that we are expanding its use to all EMS providers who serve this hospital.”
“We are really excited to be using the Twiage app,” says Milton Kohlmann, Chief of Paramus EMS. “It helps us give some advanced notice to the hospital about what we are dealing with out in the field and when we’ll get that patient to them. If it saves them time and helps them prepare for incoming patients, it’s going to lead to better patient care and make our jobs easier!”
Initially designed to help hospitals more efficiently manage resources for patients who have experienced a stroke, heart attack, sepsis, or trauma, Twiage allows EMS and hospital-based providers to better communicate and share data about all patients, which means a more timely response and better use of resources.
“I believe this program can be of great benefit to achieve our duties as Emergency Medical Technicians,” commented Murray Yang, Captain, Ridgewood EMS previously. “Every second matters in achieving a positive outcome for a patient who’s in need of emergency medical care.”
The current participating EMS agencies include Fair Lawn VAC, Franklin Lakes VAC, Hatzolah EMS, Mahwah EMS, Midland Park Ambulance, NJ Mobile HealthCare, Oakland FAS, Paramus EMS, Pearl River Ambulance, Ramsey Ambulance, Ridgewood Emergency Services, Valley EMS and Wyckoff VAC.
About Twiage
Twiage is an advanced cloud-based platform that uses best-in-class security technology to put telemedicine at the fingertips of emergency first responders and physicians to accelerate live-saving patient care. By giving hospitals a complete picture of all incoming ambulances, Twiage helps hospitals efficiently manage resources and save time, save money, and save lives.
Ridgewood NJ, Law enforcement officials from the Village of Ridgewood will be cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” statewide campaign. Beginning December 8, 2017 and continuing through January 1, 2018, local and state law enforcement officials will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.
The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education.
Last year, 20% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving crashes. The societal cost associated with these crashes is estimated to be $37 billion annually.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2017 Year End Holiday Crackdown offer the following advice for the holiday season:
• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
Hackensack NJ , Steve Lonegan picked up a key supporter in his quest to break his losing streak and pick up the CD5 House of Representative seat . State Senator Gerry Cardinale, (R-Bergen), today announced his support for conservative Republican Steve Lonegan in his campaign for congress in New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District.
“Steve Lonegan has been a tireless champion of the Republican Party when no one else would step forward to take on the tough battles,” Sen. Cardinale said. “I’m pleased to be the first state legislator to announce my support for his campaign.”
In announcing his support for Lonegan, Sen. Cardinale said it is imperative that Republicans unite to take back the Fifth Congressional District in 2018.
“Prior to 2016, North Jersey had not elected a Democrat congressman since the Depression,” Sen. Cardinale said. “To defeat the incumbent, we need a candidate who is committed to the principles of the Republican Party, courageous in campaigning, and battle-tested. Not only is Steve Lonegan the only candidate in North Jersey who fulfills those criteria, his opponent, John McCann, comes up woefully short.”
Sen. Cardinale, who was first elected to the State Senate in 1981, has long been recognized as the most influential Republican leader in Bergen County and one of the most respected Republican leaders in New Jersey.
“Senator Cardinale has been at the forefront of every worthwhile conservative cause,” Lonegan said. “I’m honored to have earned his endorsement, grateful for his consistent service, and excited by the momentum behind our campaign to take back the Fifth District.”
Lonegan is the only candidate who has been endorsed by the National Republican Congressional Committee having satisfied significant qualifying criteria that only the most elite candidates nationwide are able to do.
Ridgewood NJ, Murphy transition maintained a pretty low profile during Thanksgiving week, and the governor-elect himself made just one photo op feeding the down and out and less fortunate.
But there is plenty to be done behind the scenes: speeches to write, interviews to conduct, names to vet for jobs and Phil Murphy needs you to help out.
Phil Murphy rolled out his transition website, complete with a “Help Wanted ” sign and many job opportunities. Much like the official governor’s website, the transition site contains news and biography information for Murphy and his leadership team. But it was announced on Tuesday with a focus on finding people to fill out the functions of his administration.
“New Jersey’s greatest asset is its people,” Murphy said in a statement. “I call for all those interested in serving our administration to visit the Transition2018 website and submit their résumé for consideration. We will put an administration together that reflects New Jersey’s rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to making those opportunities open to all.”
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey scientists are urging the state to impose a strict limit on a chemical that has been linked to cancer, developmental problems, and changes to the human immune system in the latest move to curb the presence of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in drinking water.
The Drinking Water Quality Institute will this week consider a recommendation to set a limit of 13 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as the level at which human health would be protected over a lifetime of exposure.
The limit, proposed by the DWQI’s health effects subcommittee, would be the strictest set by any state, and would build on New Jersey’s growing status as a national leader in the regulation of a family of chemicals that are found at higher concentrations in New Jersey’s drinking water than in most other places.
The plan to regulate PFOS follows similar recommendations for two related chemicals, PFNA and PFOA, which are being assigned “Maximum Contaminant Limits” (MCLs) by the Department of Environmental Protection after research by DWQI scientists over the past three years.
PFOS and other PFCs were made for consumer products like fabric coatings and nonstick cookware over more than 50 years and were phased out by the main U.S. manufacturer in the early 2000s because of concerns about their health effects.
According to Ridgewood Water , “PFOA and PFNA are contaminants that belong to a class of man-made chemicals called PFASs. PFASs are not found in the natural environment and have historically been used in nonstick cookware, upholstery, carpets, waterproof materials, fire-fighting materials, and food packaging. PFASs do not break down easily and remain in the environment for a long period of time. ”
Ridgewood Water has been participating in DEP unregulated contaminant testing for PFASs since 2009. Ridgewood Water has been proactively working to introduce treatment for PFASs in our system long before this announcement, beginning with the decommissioning of the Carr wells in Ridgewood in January 2017, which possessed the highest level of PFOA in the system. Ridgewood Water is scheduled to install a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter to strip the water supply of PFASs, and we expect that the Carr facility will be back online producing treated water by the last quarter of 2018. Ridgewood Water will be initiating a robust testing protocol by the end of 2017 to determine if other system locations require treatment.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Kerry McDonald is a Senior Contributor for Intellectual Takeout , ” Parents are fed up. As mass schooling becomes more restrictive, more standardized and more far-reaching into a child’s young life, many parents are choosing alternatives. Increasingly, these parents are reclaiming their child’s education and are refocusing learning around children, family, and community in several different ways.”
It started as a trickle but now over two million U.S. children will be avoiding the school bus altogether in favor of homeschooling, an educational choice that has accelerated in recent years among both liberal and conservative families.
On top of homeschooling, an additional two million children will be educated this fall in charter schools. According to recent U.S. Department of Education data, the number of students currently enrolled in charter schools increased from 0.9 million in 2004 to 2.7 million in 2014, while the number of children enrolled in traditional public schools declined by 0.4 million during that same period. Taxpayer-funded but administered by predominantly private educational organizations, charter schools allow parents flexibility in choosing a school that is better aligned with their expectations and their child’s needs. Charter schools are often exempt from district policies and collective bargaining agreements that can halt innovation and experimentation, allowing them more instructional and organizational freedom. Demand for charter schools often outweighs current supply, with statewide charter caps, admissions lotteries, and long waiting lists leaving many parents discouraged and angry.
When Gov. Chris Christie leaves office , one of his clear legacies will be the growth of charter schools in New Jersey, with school enrollment more than doubling in his eight years in office.In July , his administration finished the job, announcing the final approval of five more schools to open this fall. That brings to 89 the number of charters that will be open when Christie steps down in January.
There will be close to 50,000 students enrolled in charters this fall, according to the state, up from less than 25,000 when he took office. More than 56,000 seats will be authorized with the latest approvals.
Advancing technology has also played a key roll . As online learning improves and expands, more parents are choosing virtual schools for their children over traditional public schools. Data from the non-profit organization, International Association for K-12 Online Learning, find that 310,000 young people in grades kindergarten through 12th grade participated in fully online programming in 2013, up from 200,000 in 2010. In addition to homeschoolers, charter school students, and virtual learners, more than four million children will avoid a traditional district school this fall to attend a U.S. private school.
Ridgewood NJ, More people are leaving the New York region than any other major metropolitan area in the country. The New York Metro region includes Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, the lower Hudson Valley and Long Island .The out flow has in one year swelled from 187,034 in 2015 to 223,423 in 2016. Records also show the number of international immigrants settling in the tristate area dwindled from 181,551 to 160,324 over the same period.
Over 1 million people moved out of the New York area to other parts of the country since 2010, a rate of 4.4 percent, that’s the highest negative net migration rate among the nation’s large population centers, US Census records show.
Its partially the same old story Americans have been increasingly relocating from the eastern US and the Rust Belt to warm weather cities in Florida, Texas and the quite of the Northwest. A better nationwide economy has also attracted a lot of talent to lower cost destinations.
Trenton NJ, according to Michael Lilley in the article New Jersey Public Unions, Ascendant https://www.city-journal.org/html/new-jersey-public-unions-ascendant-15568.html ,
“New Jersey’s public-pension system currently holds less than 38 percent of what the state owes its retirees, which amounts to a $135 billion shortfall. Adding to this unfunded liability, the state also owes retirees $67 billion for future health-care payments, and has set aside no money for that obligation. That’s a combined tab of $202 billion. The entire state budget, by contrast, is $35 billion. To fund its obligations properly, the state would have to put aside $4.8 billion a year, or almost 15 percent of the budget; those costs are expected to grow to $11.3 billion by 2027. Unreformed, the cost of these benefits is unsustainable. During his campaign, Murphy promised to fix the pension system by fully funding it, though he wouldn’t give specifics.”
A very ugly reality for the governor elect , but even uglier for taxpayers is the fact that ,” Murphy’s problem, however, is that his biggest allies, especially the teachers’ union, contributed mightily to the pension mess over the years by winning plush benefits, acquiescing to accounting gimmicks that made the system look well-funded, and fighting against cost-saving reforms. Murphy has already proposed $1.3 billion in new taxes, and without making the changes to the pension system that the unions oppose, the state’s taxpayers face years of additional tax increases and spending cuts to pay the pension bill.”
Lilley goes on , “Murphy’s pledge helped win endorsements from the NJEA and other public-sector unions. By law, public school teachers must join the NJEA or, if they decline, pay a so-called agency fee to the union representing 85 percent of dues. The money is deducted from their paychecks, which are largely funded by local property taxes. Last year, the NJEA took in over $120 million in union dues and agency fees. Since 1994, the union has collected $1.85 billion, and it has invested much of this money in New Jersey politics: since 1994, the NJEA has spent $874 million on political activities, or about 56 percent of its annual operational expenditures, an average of $38 million a year.”
A beholden bought ad paid for politician and a massive pension short fall can mean only one thing ,massive new taxes .
The 2017 Thanksgiving holiday period begins on Wednesday, November 22, at 6:00 p.m. and ends on Monday, November 27 at 6:00 a.m.
November 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
West Trenton NJ, Millions of Americans will hit the road today and battle the holiday traffic on one of the busiest travel days of the year. At the end of the journey awaits a freshly carved turkey and all of the fixings, but you have to get there first. A few preparations and a little bit of planning could be all the difference between a hot plate of turkey or a cold sandwich. Motorists can increase travel safety by following these tips:
· Fill up your gas tank
· Check fluids (including windshield washer fluid and antifreeze)
· Check tire pressure
· Bring a mobile phone charger
· Carry a flashlight with new batteries
· Bring bottles of water and nonperishable snacks
· Don’t drive drowsy. Symptoms of driving tired are similar to those of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Use service areas to rest, stretch your legs, or grab a cup a coffee
· Let someone know your travel plans
· Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly
· Plan to leave yourself more time to get where you are going
During the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday period, there were six fatal crashes that resulted in seven deaths on New Jersey roadways. Drug or alcohol impairment was found to be a contributing factor in two of the crashes. These types of tragedies can be easily avoided by having a designated driver, using a taxi or transportation application such as Uber or Lyft, or making plans to stay with friends or family.
The New Jersey State Police will have more than 130 additional troopers statewide during the holiday period in addition to normal patrols. Troopers will focus their efforts on speeding, aggressive driving, seatbelt usage, cell phone violations, distracted driving, and DWI.
“We are doing our part by having extra troopers on patrol to help keep our roads safe, but we cannot do it alone,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Getting behind the wheel while impaired is like playing Russian roulette with not only your life, but the lives of your passengers and innocent motorists. So please don’t drink and drive and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”
Ridgewood NJ, Twenty Three Ridgewood Taekwondo athletes faced a major challenge at the Garden State Championships, which drew over 300 competitors from the tri-state area on November 5. The results were stellar: 30 Gold, 11 Silver, and 5 Bronze.
Taekwondo All In, an instructional school for the Korean martial art, continues to establish itself as a premier school for the sport. The school received the “Best School” designation at the New Jersey Tournament several years running.
Youngmin Kim, a Taekwondo master and head instructor noted, “We have an amazing group of kids at Taekwondo All In. Their dedication and hard work is truly inspirational. Our goal at the school is to teach our students not only the martial art, but life lessons on grit, focus and hard work, which will benefit them in all aspects of their lives.”
The students and their medals earned are as follows:
Jenna Slota, Kate Minn, Ryan Kam, Kaylin Lee, Tony An, Audrey Kim, Sunghyun Kim, Timothy Lee, Lianne Shin, Emily Kam earned Two Gold Medals
Lucas Woods, Liam Woods, Elliott Yi, Tyler Minn, Maximilian Jimenez, Jack Raines, Ricardo Merino earned one Gold and one Silver medal.
Grace Chi, Elias Chi, Donhyun Kim earned one Gold and one Bronze medal.
Julia An, Isaac Yi earned Two Silver Medals.
Abraham Lee earned Two Bronze medals.
PHOTO : First Row Left : Audrey Kim, Ryan Kam, Tyler Minn, Maximilian Jimenez Elliott Yi, Jack Raines, Lucas Woods, Second Row Left – Emily Kam, Kaylin Lee, Jenna Slota, Julia An, Kate Minn, Lianne Shin, Timothy Lee Coach Seongki Kim. Third Row Left- Isaac Yi, Donghyun Kim, Head Coach Youngmin Kim, Tony An, Sunghyun Kim, Liam Woods.
A very good point was made by Fishbein, he and his administration are responsible for monitoring a powerful device that is put in the students hands (smartphone) by the parents. When are we going to start holding parents accountable for their kids and what they do? Also, I have heard so many complaints of the BOE not doing their jobs in taking a stand (which I highly disagree with – my kids who are at 3 different schools in the district have been coming home talking about their bully – HIB presentations since I can remember), but I have yet to hear anyone come forward with what they think should or can be done in addition to what is already being done. Anyone? I bet if more parents were policing their kids and their phones, this would help the administration A LOT. They can’t’ do it alone, and they shouldn’t be held entirely accountable for 6,000 kids and their actions. This is a group effort people. Teaching our kids accountability for their OWN actions is an amazing life lesson. Placing blame has not benefit to anyone – not helpful.
![Valley-EMS-and-Twiage-1cropped[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Valley-EMS-and-Twiage-1cropped1-1.jpg "Valley Health System Enhances Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Using Novel Communication Technology")
