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Teachers skip Back to School Night over stalled contract, report says

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Because of unresolved contract negotiations, Tenafly teachers boycotted Back to School Night, The Record reported.

welcomebackPictured, a file photo of a 'Welcome Back' sign. (Jerry McCrea/The Star-Ledger) 

TENAFLY -- Parents at Tenafly Back-to-School night on Wednesday were welcomed not by teachers but by the superintendent and other administrators as part of a union boycott, The Record reported

The teachers are currently negotiating a new contract to replace one that expired in June, the newspaper reported. Officials told the newspaper two heated issues are healthcare contributions and the salary guide.

Parental feelings on Wednesday ranged from support to annoyance, The Record reported.

Similar job action was taken in 2014 in Jersey City, when many of the 3,000 teachers in the large school district boycotted a Back-to-School festival amid stalled contract talks. 

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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United Water to sell old headquarters for senior living development, report says

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United Water moved out of its Harrington Park site in 2014 to Mack-Cali Centre VI in Paramus.

united-water-paramus-0724.jpgUnited Water moved to Mack-Cali Centre VI in Paramus in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Mack-Cali)  

HARRINGTON PARK--A St. Louis company plans to build a senior living community at United Water's old headquarters, The Bergen Record reported.


RELATED: United Water to move headquarters 


United Water is under contract to sell its nine-acre Harrington Park property to Allegro Senior Living, which is seeking to build a 135 to 195 senior rental units.

United Water moved out of its Harrington Park site in 2014 to Mack-Cali Centre VI in Paramus.

Kathryn Brenzel may be reached at kbrenzel@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiebrenzel. Find NJ.com on Facebook

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Meadowlands megamall lands 2 major department stores

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The two will set up shop in the multi-billion dollar project in the Meadowlands, still slated to open in summer of 2017

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Two big names in retail, rumored to open in long-stalled North Jersey complex, have officially committed to the American Dream, the mall's developer announced Friday.

Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue will set up shop in the multi-billion dollar project in the Meadowlands, still slated to open in summer of 2017, according to Triple Five. Saks will also open a 30,000-square-foot outlet store, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.


PLUS: Macy's to close dozens of stores in early 2016

The mall's developers estimate 40 million people, half tourists, will visit the mall and entertainment complex annually. Aside from the shops, the American Dream will feature an indoor water park, Imax theaters, amusement park, ski park and aquarium in the three million square-foot complex.

The project, renamed from Xanadu to the American Dream Meadowlands, recently received millions of dollars in tax breaks from the state as the developers aim to finalize all the financing this fall.

Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue will be located in luxury area of the mall, "The Collections," and Saks Off 5th will open on the third level off-price district, according to Triple Five.

Saks closed its location in the Shops at Riverside late last year.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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No injuries in plane crash at Morristown airport

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Morristown Municipal Airport spokeswoman Maria Sheridan said the nose gear collapsed on the aircraft as it was landing, but neither of the two occupants were injured.

airplane.jpgNo one was injured in a small airplane crash at Morristown Municipal Airport Thursday, an official said. Pictured, a file photo of a small plane. 

MORRISTOWN -- No one was injured Friday morning when a small aircraft crash-landed at Morristown Municipal Airport, authorities said.

At 11:55 a.m., airport operations advised the Morris County Communications Center of an aircraft emergency, Morristown police Lt. Stuart Greer said in a news release.

The pilot--flight instructor James Forrey, 25, of Glen Rock--had radioed air traffic control shortly after takeoff that he had experienced an issue with the retraction of the front wheel on a Piper Seminole aircraft, Greer said.

Forrey had requested an emergency return to the airport because he was unsure of whether or not the front wheel would be able to lock in place, he said.

In accordance with the emergency response plan, emergency crews responded from Morristown Airport Fire Rescue, Morristown Fire Department, Morris Township Fire Department, Hanover Township Fire Department, Morristown Police, Hanover Township Police, Morristown E.M.S., Cedar Knolls E.M.S and Atlantic Health Paramedics, he said.

After first responders were in place, the aircraft landed but the front wheel didn't lock so the gear collapsed and the aircraft came to a rest on its front nose, he said.Forrey and his passenger--Harrison Martin, 24, of Flemington--were not injured in the crash and were able to exit safely, Greer said. Fire units also took measures to prevent a fire breaking out, he said.

As of 12:30 p.m., the aircraft was still in the process of being removed, Morristown Municipal Airport spokeswoman Maria Sheridan said.

The aircraft was owned by A.T.P. Flight School at Morristown Municipal Airport.

Earlier this week in Somerset County, a 62-year-old Chester Township man was killed in a small aircraft crash that wasn't discovered until Thursday afternoon.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Actress who uses a wheelchair a likely first for Broadway

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Ali Stroker, an actress raised in Ridgewood, may be the first person who uses a wheelchair to ever debut on Broadway. She is starring in a special production of "Spring Awakening," now in previews.

RIDGEWOOD -- Ali Stroker may be the first person who uses a wheelchair to be in a Broadway production, ever. 

The 28-year-old Ridgewood-raised singer, actress and philanthropist says "it's the ultimate dream come true" to star in a special production of "Spring Awakening"--a musical, by Deaf West Theatre, that is also performed in American Sign Language. 

"I have dreamt of this since I was 7 years old (and saw "Beauty and the Beast"). I have wanted to be on Broadway my whole life," said Stoker, who now lives in New York. "A lot of the Broadway theaters are not (wheelchair) accessible back stage. There were many sorts of obstacles I feel like, but obviously, when I got this opportunity, it felt like everything aligned in the most perfect way."

MORE: 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' preview: Star isn't waiting to live


Stroker, who was 2 years old when her spinal cord was damaged in a car accident, is a "trailblazer" and likely the first person on Broadway who must use a wheelchair permanently, said Howard Sherman, a spokesman for the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts--a group which documents actors with disabilities.

Sherman said both Orson Welles (in "King Lear" in 1956) and Danny Kaye (in "Two by Two" in 1971) used wheelchairs in their parts, but only because they had temporarily injured themselves.

"(Ali is) absolutely a trailblazer. Absolutely, to the best of our knowledge, the first person to do it. It's incredibly impressive," Sherman said.

Representatives of several organizations, including the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, The Actor's Fund, and The Actors' Equity Association said they did not have information about any actors who required use of wheelchairs and preceded Stroker. 

When Stroker learned she was going to Broadway, she was in South Africa with a team teaching a story-telling class to HIV-positive teenagers for the organization "Arts Inside Out."

"I cried," she recalled. "I told my kids. They were like 'What's Broadway?'... I was like, 'It's the best kind of theatre.'"

The new show features a cast of both non-deaf actors like Stroker and deaf actors, who have non-deaf actor counterparts. Stroker, who learned sign language for the part, will play the teen "Anna" in the musical, which is about a group of teenagers navigating teenage sexual and intellectual awakenings.

In previews since Tuesday, the official opening night is Sept. 27 for a limited engagement ending Jan. 9. Tickets are currently on sale for the show--the original Broadway production of which won eight Tonys, including Best Musical, in 2007.

"Someone might say it's impossible to put a deaf person in a musical, (but) they're using it to heighten the musical," Stroker said.

She pointed out that another lead in the show is currently overcoming breast cancer.

"Hopefully, this will pave the way for more people to be on Broadway with different disabilities," she said.

Not new to making history, Stroker was the first graduate in a wheelchair from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts drama program. She also had a breakout TV experience as the runner-up on the "Glee Project" reality competition show based on the popular TV series "Glee." She gained thousands of Twitter followers from the show.

Later, she debuted her one-woman show "Finding Glee" at Bergen Community College and has since had a recurring role on MTV's "Faking It" as a high school student/political campaign manager.

Stroker, who was president of Ridgewood High School president during her senior year, also starred in several high school productions including as Maria in "West Side Story," and Cosette in "Les Miz."

"It's like 'Oh my God, I've been making my Broadway debut,' but there's so many people, especially in Ridgewood, who have been a part of my journey," she said.


RELATED: From parish to prison, N.J. actress Beth Fowler can't escape the convent


Since high school, Stroker has worked as an anti-bullying advocate, pairing up at one point with the family of a fellow Ridgewood High School grad, the late Tyler Clementi. 

After her preview, Stroker tweeted on Wednesday "Was last night a dream?"

Going forward, the actress hopes to continue her diverse pursuits, and maybe one day have a role written just for her.

"People in wheelchairs exist in our world. Why don't they exist on stage and on TV?" she said. "I feel like things are changing; people who didn't have a voice and are not in the public eye are now really getting the opportunity to shine and be heard."

"It's time."

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Pepper-spraying thieves robbed liquor store, cops say

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Three suspects are being sought by police after they allegedly used pepper spray to steal from a liquor store in Leonia on Thursday night.

police lights file photo.jpgLeonia police are seeking three suspects they believe stole from liquor on Thursday night. (File photo) 

LEONIA -- Three suspects are being sought by police after they allegedly used pepper spray to distract employees at a Leonia liquor store on Thursday night while they stole booze.

They discharged the pepper spray in Andres Wine and Spirits at 322 Broad Avenue at approximately 9:40 p.m. to distract two store employees before stealing about six bottles of liquor, Leonia police Capt. Scott Tamagny said.

The suspected pepper spray was not sprayed in anyone's eyes, but "if it's discharged in an enclosed area it will affect your breathing and your eyes," Tamagny said. The two employees are now alright, he said.

"It was not sprayed directly at anyone," he said. "We don't know if it was to intentionally harm the employees or if it was a distraction... While (the employees) were complaining about the odor in the store, they were stealing the liquor."


RELATED: Car crashes into Leonia home, police say (PHOTOS)


The suspects, a man and two women, fled in a car with the bottles, with a total value of about $200, Tamagny said.

Police have video of the incident, and investigators may be able to release detailed descriptions of the suspects later, Tamagny said.

Anyone with information can contact Sgt. Christopher Garris at 201-592-5766 or Cgarris@leoniapd.org, or Detective Michael Jennings at 201-592-5781 or Mjennings@leoniapd.org.

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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N.J. DEP published faulty drought data

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State agency's drought indicators wrongfully indicated no water issues in northeastern New Jersey, when it was clear there was a growing problem.

Everyone except the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection seemed to know that mounting precipitation deficits were becoming a problem for New Jersey's most populous region.  

By several measures of the National Weather Service and the New Jersey State Climatologist, precipitation deficits in northeastern New Jersey, prior to Thursday's rains, were operating between four and six inches below normal. The U.S. Drought Monitor, a national collective of academics, placed northeastern New Jersey in a "moderate drought" designation. United Water, which provides water to more than 800,000, called for voluntarily water restrictions after its reservoirs fell to about 45 percent of capacity, following a scorching and dry August. 

But visit the DEP's drought monitoring site, and a different story is being told: 

Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.29.08 PM.pngThe DEP's measures incorrectly state that there are few water issues facing northeastern New Jersey.  

The agency's drought monitoring site has stated that precipitation, reservoir and ground water levels all remain near or above normal. The only problem is, there's no data available from any local, state or federal agency, that supports this claim.

For an undetermined amount of time, an analytical error has led the state agency to use and publish erroneous information about the state's water situation, a topic that affects virtually every facet of life in New Jersey, from farming to day-to-day residential water usage.  

After initially rejecting an NJ Advance Media inquiry about the seemingly faulty information, the DEP acknowledged that a recent conversion from one National Weather Service product to another had led to an inaccurate processing of information.  

"The problem with the precipitation indicators on the web site is being fixed," said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the agency. "We did not realize that there was a problem when we shifted from the (Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center) data collection system to the more precise Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System."

Hajna said accurate information would begin appearing Monday, when the site is next scheduled to be updated.

The DEP's reservoir level data also conflicts with the company, United Water, that manages it in much of northeastern New Jersey.  While United Water said their reservoirs had fallen below 50 percent capacity last week, on the same day, the DEP published figures that state United's reservoirs were well about 60 percent. 

Steve Goudsmith, director of communications for the company, said the DEP likely includes a water source, Lake Deforest in New York, which the company has some but not considerable access to as a primary water source.  

"We have a limited allocation that comes out of Lake Deforest, so we do not use it when measuring our reservoir capacity," Goudsmith said. "Drought can begin at any moment but you don't know you're in one until you have been for some time. One rainstorm isn't going to fix this. We're not out of the woods yet." 

New Jersey is not on the precipice of a water emergency yet, and Thursday's rains certainly will help a region that has barely seen a drop of water in three weeks.  But the flubbed data raises questions about how the state agency tasked with overseeing the state's water supply operates, seemingly ignoring a chorus of information that runs counter to their own analysis. 


RELATED: More than five inches of rain falls in South Jersey, causing flooding.


"It doesn't matter how you look at it, that part of New Jersey has been dry," said David Robinson, the state climatologist at Rutgers University when initially confronted with the anomaly Wednesday. "I'm sort of left scratching my head. They have their own criteria, but I'm not sure what they're using to come up with their figures ... We're talking about an area that's seen, over the last two months, 30 to 40 percent of their normal rainfall. That's the story."

Screen Shot 2015-09-11 at 1.30.00 PM.pngEven after Thursday's rains, parts of New Jersey still have 90-day precipitation deficits of two to five inches.  

It's unclear if use of the correct information would have changed decision making at the DEP. In 2010, the agency issued a drought watch in northeastern New Jersey when reservoir levels were markedly higher, though the watch was issued in August, a month earlier in peak water usage season.

Hajna said the DEP will continue to monitor the drier than average conditions and said it has become increasingly concerned with the situation in northeastern New Jersey. About one to two inches of rain fell across much of the state Tuesday, according to data from the National Weather Service. 

"It was a substantial rain. We're still dry, but it helps," Robinson said. 

Already, farmers around the state are reporting that a very dry August is having a significant impact on fall crops, like pumpkins and corn.  

But the DEP, Goudsmith and Robinson all said the concern isn't so much for the coming fall and winter, but the spring and summer that follow. 

"You don't want to be in a hole heading into the growing season," Robinson said. "This is typically the time of year that the reservoirs replenish themselves. If you don't go into the spring and summer with a nice cushion, you can find yourself in trouble very quick."

Stephen Stirling may be reached at sstirling@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @sstirling. Find him on Facebook.

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26 charged following dawn NJ heroin ring bust, authorities say

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Twenty-four people were taken into law enforcement custody following Thursday morning narcotics raids across New Jersey, authorities say.

NEWARK -- A Thursday afternoon announcement by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray confirmed an earlier NJ Advance Media report of several narcotics raids by authorities across north and central New Jersey.

Following the raids, 24 people were taken into law enforcement custody in connection to the investigation of the Newark-based heroin distribution ring, authorities confirmed.


PREVIOUS: 48 charged in gang-fueled drug trade bust, officials say

All 26 now face various drug-related charges, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession and conspiracy. Another three suspects sought by police in connection to the investigation remain at large, authorities said.

Investigators seized $8,000 in cash, two firearms and over 200 bricks of heroin after executing search and arrest warrants in Essex, Middlesex and several other counties, authorities said. The seized heroin has an estimated street value of $100,000, authorities said.

This was the second takedown of a sprawling, Newark-based heroin ring in as many months. In July, officials arrested 48 people in connection to an Essex County Narcotics Task Force investigation of a heroin ring allegedly led by members of the Bloods street gang.

The ring targeted Thursday operated in a similar fashion, supplying customers from outside of Essex County from its base near the intersection of Foster Street and Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, Murray said Thursday.

The raids began early Thursday morning, as teams of officers including New Jersey State Police SWAT teams, Essex County Prosecutor's Office officials and other county law enforcement officials executed the search and arrest warrants.

Several officers could be seen bursting through the doors of two separate Newark residences. The officers appeared to take two suspects -- one male and one female -- into custody outside an apartment residence in the 100 block of Spruce Street in Newark.

At a similar raid at a home in the 100 block of Hobson Street, authorities led a male suspect wearing handcuffs into a waiting car while neighbors looked on.

In Rahway, investigators could be seen removing bags and boxes after a team of officers entered a town home in the 400 block of Hancock Street. Hours later, authorities led a man from the home in handcuffs.

In a released statement,  Newark Mayor Ras Barakapraised the efforts of the joint-task force.

"According to the Prosecutor's Office, this ring was based in Newark, but its tentacles spread into eight other communities, oozing crime and violence across the state, destroying neighborhoods and lives," the statement read. "We will not tolerate Newark being a cesspool or a center for criminals and illegal activity."

Anthony Ambrose, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives, said the collaboration is example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement stands together.

Multiple Essex County police departments assisted in the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Morris and Monmouth County Prosecutor's Offices and NJ State Police, authorities said.

"These dealers are not operating in an insulated environment," said New Jersey State Police spokesman Lt. Brian Polite. "The drug dealers don't operate within jurisdictional lines, so we as law enforcement have to worker together."

Full list of the arrested suspects: 

  • Alshariek Morgan, 33, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute, distribution, possession with intent to distribute
  • Elijahwan Green, 24, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute and unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and convicted felon
  • Shaquan Reeds, 21, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Pablo Genao, 23, of the Bronx New York: Charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute and possession.
  • Alexandre Marques, 36, of Kenilworth: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Joseph Molok , 36, of Union Beach: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Angel Torres, 35, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Dong Seok, 30, of Palisades Park: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Felix Perez, 45, of Perth Amboy: Conspiracy to Distribute
  • Clifton Moore, 57, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Timothy Smith, 35, of Woodbridge: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
  • Christina Naussner, 37, of Woodbridge: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
  • Juan Middleton, 62, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
  • Kerry Garner, 38, of Long Branch: Conspiracy to distribute, possession, possession with intent to distribute
  • Ismael Bimbow, 38, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
  • William Harrison, 48 of Piscataway: Conspiracy to distribute and possession
  • Jacqueline Fairley, 52, of Newark: Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession for unlawful purpose and possession
  • Thomas Jaegel, 41, of Bedford: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Raquan McKenith, 25, of Newark: Outstanding warrants
  • Jay Park 28, of Palisades Park: Possession
  • Gina Park, 65, of Palisades Park: Possession
  • Ji Lee, 21, of Palisades Park: Possession
  • The following suspects remain at large and are fugitives from justice
  • Altariq McCoy, 25, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute
  • Khalil Simpson, 25, of Newark: Conspiracy to distribute

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.


WATCH: 100s of revving motorcyclists start 500-mile trek

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Oradell's Cool Beans coffee shop is the launching point for the East Coast Gypsy Bike Run, a 500-mile journey with no admissions fees that more than 500 motorcyclists will undertake this weekend. Watch video

ORADELL -- An eclectic local coffee shop might not seem like a place you'd expect to expect hundreds of leather jackets, muscled tattoo sleeves and full beards, but it was on Thursday morning.

Oradell's Cool Beans is the launching point for the East Coast Gypsy Bike Run, a 500-mile journey with no admissions fees that more than 500 motorcyclists will undertake this weekend. They will start with 250 miles on Friday, ending in a campsite in the Catskills.

According to the event website, everyone is invited "as long as you have your (expletive) together, enjoy being around like minded folks and like to ride."


RELATED: Gooch's Garlic Run revs its way from Morris to Newark (PHOTOS)


According to Fair Lawn resident Walter Gemeinhardt, the event's organizer and the owner of Kickstart Cycle Supply in South Hackensack, there is no event quite like this for motorcyclists anywhere else. Gemeinhardt, who has 250 cases of beer to distribute (for free) during the run, is friends with the owner of Cool Beans, he said.

The run has been going on since 2007, and he took over several years ago, he said. This year, it attracted professionals and blue-collar men and women (including lawyers, welders, a logistics manager, doctors, a physicist, and electricians), some hailing from as far as London and Canada, he said.

"Most motorcycle events, you ride to one event and buy a T-shirt," Gemeinhardt said. "(This) is about riding. It's about hanging out with people who have the same interests...I have met some of the best people I've ever met through motorcycles."

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 
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Will Garrett's Planned Parenthood stance help force fed government shutdown?

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U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett and other members of the House Freedom Caucus said they would not support a government spending bill that included funding for Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett and other members of the conservative Freedom Caucus said Friday that they would not vote for a spending bill that includes funding for Planned Parenthood, a position that could lead to the second federal government shutdown in three years.

Garrett (R-5th Dist.) is a founding member of the caucus of House Republicans and opposed the re-election of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

"Given the appalling revelations surrounding Planned Parenthood, we cannot in good moral conscience vote to send taxpayer money to this organization while still fulfilling our duty to represent our constituents," the caucus said in a statement. "We must therefore oppose any spending measure that contains funding for Planned Parenthood."

The lawmakers were responding to videos released by an anti-abortion group that allegedly showed the women's health care provider violating federal law by selling parts from aborted fetuses for medical research. The group is allowed to receive reimbursement for the costs of handing and shipping fetal tissue.


RELATED: Charges that Planned Parenthood sold fetal tissue 'unsubstantiated,' Pallone says


Garrett spokesman Chris Carofine did not respond to a request for comment.

An investigation by the House Energy and Commerce Committee has found no evidence so far to support the charges, according to the panel's ranking member, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6th Dist.).

The probe is continuing and a hearing is scheduled next week, said John Byers, a spokesman for Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.), another member of the committee.

The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and Congress must pass a spending bill by then or else government again will have to close for lack of funding.

House Republicans do not have the clout to enact legislation that ends federal funding for Planned Parenthood. While Republicans could pass such a bill in their chamber, they do not have the votes in the Senate to overcome Democratic opposition nor enough strength in either chamber to override an expected presidential veto.

A similar stance against funding the Affordable Care Act led to a 16-day partial federal government shutdown in 2013. House Republicans at the time refused to pass any spending bill that included funding for the law, which has provided health coverage to millions of Americans, including 170,000 in New Jersey.

Planned Parenthood clinics in New Jersey received $5.2 million in federal funds last year. They offer health and contraceptive services in 14 of the state's 21 counties.

Garrett became the most vulnerable New Jersey incumbent, according to ratings by two Washington publications that follow congressional races, following published reports that he told other Republicans that he would not contribute to House GOP's fundraising arm because it supported gay candidates.

MORE POLITICS

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Bergen prosecutor brings charges against 4 lawyers

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Attorneys accused of continuing to practice after suspensions, misuse of funds and other offenses

HACKENSACK-- The white-collar crimes unit of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office has brought charges against four disbarred or suspended attorneys for offenses including theft and the unauthorized practice of law, the agency announced Friday.

The four men -- Lawrence Jaskot, Leonard Adoff, Jonathan Greenman and William Gahwyler -- were arrested following complaints from the public and based on information from the state Office of Attorney Ethics.

Authorities allege that Jaskot, 66, of Lodi, used more than $75,000 from his attorney's trust account for personal expenses. In one instance Jaskot, who was disbarred Jan. 7, represented the seller in a property sale in April 2014, receiving $56,500 reserved for a trust for unpaid taxes. Jaskot, however, failed to pay those taxes, authorities said.

Adoff, a 59-year-old Keyport resident and another disbarred attorney who lost his license last October, allegedly used $73,000 from an attorney trust account to pay off illegal gambling debts. Adoff referred to the payments as "commissions" on checks in an attempt to conceal the true nature of the payments, authorities said.

A 37-year-old Fair Lawn resident, Greenman continued to practice law after his license was suspended in February, the prosecutor's office said. He also received money for a deed transaction last October that was never completed, authorities also said.

Gahwyler, 53, of Wyckoff, also continued to practice law after his license was suspended, in February 2013, the prosecutor's office said. He also allegedly used funds intended for a trust account for personal expenses instead, $15,000 he received in connection with a landlord-tenant issue in May 2014.

Jaskot has been charged with one count of misapplication of entrusted funds and one count of theft by deception. He was released pending a Sept. 24 court appearance.

Adoff was charged with one count of misapplication of entrusted property and was being held on $15,000 bail at the Bergen County Jail.

Greenman was also being held at the jail for an identical bail amount after being charged with theft by failure to make lawful disposition and unauthorized practice of law.

Gahwyler was also charged with the unauthorized practice of law, as well as theft by deception and misapplication of entrusted property. He was released pending a court appearance later this month.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

 

2 suspects in Leonia pepper-spray robbery caught; 3rd at large

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Trio made off with bottles of liquor Thursday night, police said

LEONIA -- Two of the three suspects wanted in connection with a robbery at a liquor store Thursday have been arrested, police said in a statement.


RELATED: Robbers used pepper-spray in liquor store heist, police say


Two women and a man entered Andres Liquor Store on Broad Avenue around 9:40 p.m. before one of the women used pepper spray in an apparent attempt to distract or injure employees, police said. The trio took several bottles of liquor and fled.

police lights file photo.jpg(File photo). 

A witness obtained the license plate of the suspects' vehicle, which was found Friday on Staten Island following an investigation by Det. Sgt. Christopher Garris, Det. Michael Jennings and Officer Sihoon Chung, the department said. The two women, Staten Island residents Nikyia Smith, 27, and 26-year-old Samantha James, were found in the vehicle with a bottle of liquor from the robbery, police also said. The women were captured with the help of the NYPD.

They have been charged with robbery and were being held on $100,000 bail in New York City pending extradition.

The third suspect, Jamell Carmona, 28, of Staten Island, was still at large Friday. He is described as black, standing 6'2" and weighing 215 lbs. with long, braided black hair.  

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

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2 charged with meth possession after Cliffside Park stop

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An ounce of the drug and cash allegedly found in vehicle

HACKENSACK-- Two people have been charged after crystal methamphetamine was found in the vehicle they were traveling in, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said in a statement Friday.

09-10-15 Zarina Adilova.jpgZarina Adilova (Bergen County Prosecutor's Office)  

A 37-year-old Guttenberg man, Arthur Karapetyan, and a New York City woman, Zarina Adilova, 25, were pulled over Tuesday in Cliffside Park as part of an ongoing investigation by the county's Narcotics Task Force. After obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle Wednesday, an ounce of meth as well as $3,610 was retrieved, authorities said.

Adilova, who was driving, has been charged with  possession with intent to distribute and was released pending an initial court appearance Thursday. Karapetyan was also charged with possession with intent to distribute and was being held on $75,000 bail.  

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

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Teacher-bashing 'unfortunate' after back-to-school boycott, official says

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After teachers boycotted Back-To-School Night over their contract, the criticism teachers received was "unfortunate," said Tenafly Board of Education President Edward Salaski.

SPJETSA file photo of a "welcome back" sign. (Jerry McCrea)

TENAFLY -- News of a Back-to-School teachers union boycott led to some dissatisfied parents in Tenafly, and some negative comments directed toward teachers, but the teacher-bashing is "unfortunate," a school official said.

"The public will begin to criticize the teachers for things that are not at all related to what's really going on. I think that's unfortunate," Tenafly Board of Education President Edward Salaski said.

Contract negotiations have stalled over concerns about salaries and healthcare contributions, officials said. As a result, the board and the union are receiving the help of a state mediator, who met with them in July, Salaski said. The contract expired in June.

"The board is very much interested in not getting caught up in rhetoric... but really just getting together, speaking with the teachers association, and getting a new contract negotiated," Salaski said.


RELATED: Teachers skip Back-to-School Night over stalled contract, report says


"We definitely recognize the very, very high value that our teachers provide to the district and to the children," he said. "Of course the board is disappointed that the teachers chose to not participate in Back-To-School Night but I don't think that's a reason that (people) should start hurling insults at teacher or denigrating the job they do."

According to Jackie Wellman, president of the Tenafly Education Association, what the public and some parents may not realize is that teachers have been working longer hours as a result of additional mandates, and yet they are still taking less money home, because healthcare contributions are increasing.

This year, she said, the top-earners making $101,000 will be paying $9,000 to $10,000 a year in contributions, instead of around $6,500. Some other schools offer top salaries around $110,000.

"The problem really has been that the past four years, not our salaries but our actual take-home pay has significantly decreased," Wellman said. "People are at the top of the guide are paying anything from 32 to 35 percent of the cost of the insurance."

People are going from paying $640 a month for healthcare to $940, Wellman said. Teachers at the top of the guide have paid for a master's degree plus 32 credits, and "to get to the top of the guide takes 19 years," she said.

"Our parent community knows that Tenafly is one of the highest educationally ranking districts in the state. They assume that our district is one of the highest-paying districts in the state. That's not the case," she said, pointing out that many parents support the teachers. "I think we're ranked 30 out of approximately 75 districts in Bergen County... (which is) one of the most expensive counties to live in."

The district superintendent has not returned a request for comment.

According to New Jersey Department of Education spokesman David Saenz, there is "no state statute or regulations compelling teachers to attend (Back-To-School Night)." Conditions addressing this issue could however be in the teachers' contract with the district, he said.

The previous contract, Salaski said, included raises for teachers, but he was unable to comment on whether it included a stipulation about Back-to-School Night. He said the administrators, who were present at Back-To-School Night to offer parents "a lot of valuable information about the school," believed it was not a "voluntary" activity; the teachers disagreed.

He said that the district, struggling with the state-mandated 2 percent property tax cap, is trying to look at its resources and see what it can give teachers, while accounting for major, uncontrollable expenses, like special education costs and infrastructure repairs. He said what the board is proposing "is comparable" to other districts' settlements.

"We have to be able to be fiscally responsible," Salaski said. "The money has to come from somewhere."

UPDATE: Wellman said on Saturday that Back to School Night is not in the contract and it is not an "obligation" for teachers. She said the union informed the superintendent in the middle of June, prior to leaving for the summer, that if a settlement was not reached by the scheduled state-mediated negotiation session on July 23, teachers would not attend Back-To-School Nights in September.

"At the end of August, prior to school starting, I reminded her of our position once again.  I had a third conversation with her on September 1st, reiterating our position. I was extremely clear and gave the Superintendent/Board of Education ample notice to our intentions," Wellman said.

The average teacher pay in the district is $75,000, she said, and over the past several contracts "four steps" were added to the pay guide, and teacher pay was frozen in 2009-2010.

Salaski has not yet responded to a Saturday inquiry about the board's notice of the Back to School Night boycott.

Correction: A previous version of this story said it takes 16 years to get to the top of the guide. It takes 19 years. We regret the error.

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Woman killed by NJ Transit train in Glen Rock

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The woman was apparently trespassing at an interlocking just east of Ridgewood — where the Bergen and Main lines intersect — at about 8 a.m. when she struck by Main Line train 1857, NJ Transit spokeswoman Jennifer Nelson said.

large_nj transit train montclair.JPGA woman was killed by a NJ Transit train Saturday morning, authorities said. 

GLEN ROCK -- A woman was killed Saturday morning after she was struck by a Waldwick-bound train, authorities said.

The woman was apparently trespassing at an interlocking just east of Ridgewood -- where the Bergen and Main lines intersect -- at about 8 a.m. when she struck by Main Line train 1857, NJ Transit spokeswoman Jennifer Nelson said.

The train, which had departed from Hoboken at 7:19 a.m., was carrying 13 passengers and three crew members on board at the time, Nelson said. No one on board the train was injured, she said.

Service on the train line was suspended after the incident, but it resumed again at about 10 a.m., Nelson said.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Driver under the influence killed 65-year-old man in parking lot, authorities say

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Authorities say a New York man was under the influence of heroin when he fatally struck a 65-year-old man in the parking of the Walgreen's pharmacy on Broadway Friday evening.

Troy SaucierTroy Saucier, 24, of Suffern, N.Y. 

ELMWOOD PARK -- Authorities say a New York man was under the influence of heroin when he fatally struck a 65-year-old man in the parking of the Walgreen's pharmacy on Broadway Friday evening.

Troy Saucier, 24, of Suffern, N.Y., was operating a 2003 Jeep Liberty in the Walgreen's parking at about 6:41 p.m. when he drove on to the sidewalk, striking 65-year-old Rasim Hida, of Elmwood Park, as he was walking in front of the Walgreens, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli and Elmwood Park police Chief Michael Foligno said in a joint news release.

Hida was taken St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, Molinelli and Foligno said.

Saucier, who was unresponsive in his Jeep when police arrived, was believed to be under the influence of heroin and was revived using Narcan, they said. Authorities didn't say in the news release whether it's believed that Saucier passed out prior to the crash.

A search of Saucier's vehicle led to the discovery of drugs and drug paraphernalia, authorities said.


MORE: 2 arraigned in hit-and-run that killed Union City man, injured brother

Saucier has been charged with vehicular homicide, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. He was also issued a summons for reckless driving and driving under the influence.

Saucier was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail with no 10-percent option. He's scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 15.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 
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Marching bands showcase talents at annual festival in Edison (PHOTOS)

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Marching bands showcase their talents at annual Edison Festival of Marching. Watch video

EDISON --Marching band enthusiasts enjoyed an evening of entertainment as 11 high school marching bands from across New Jersey, including one from Pennsylvania, performed in the Edison Festival of Marching at the school's Matthew J. Drawl Stadium.

The premier event, hosted by Edison High School kicks-off the the marching band season in New Jersey, showcasing many of the area's top marching bands.  The Edison Marching Eagles are back-to-back USBands State and National Champions for 2013 and 2014.


RELATED: Edison High School marching band wins nationals


According to Michelle Kasperski, President, EHS Band Parent Organization, this competition is a clinic so there is no best in show but rather a 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each group.  Each band has 10-12 minutes to perform its show.  

The judges are looking for musical talent, visuals and overall effect as the kids walk around the field and act out the performance. "This event is extremely important to us since it is the season opener," Kasperski said.  "It also helps fund the organization for the rest of the marching season." 

The bands entertained the crowd with music, marching, and colorful uniforms.

The family event featured a festive atmosphere with an assortment of food and baked goods.


Patti Sapone may be reached at psapone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @psapone. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Woman killed by NJ Transit train ID'd as Wayne resident

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Officials identified the woman struck and killed by a train near the Ridgewood train station Saturday as a Wayne resident.

large_nj transit train montclair.JPGA woman was killed by a NJ Transit train Saturday morning, authorities said. (File Photo) 

GLEN ROCK -- Officials identified the woman struck and killed by a train near the Ridgewood train station Saturday as a Wayne resident.

Svetlana Zabolotski was 52, said Jennifer Nelson, a spokeswoman for NJ Transit.

A Waldwick-bound train struck and killed Zabolotski at about 8 a.m., Nelson said. She was on the tracks just east of the Ridgewood train station.

No one on the train was hurt, Nelson said.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Nearly 2,000 lose power in Bergen County, officials say

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A transmission line failure knocked out power Sunday morning to more than 9,000 PSE&G customers in Bergen County, officials said.

WALDWICK -- A transmission line failure knocked out power Sunday morning to about 2,000 PSE&G customers in Bergen County, officials said.

Crews are working to repair the outage, Kate Vossen, a spokeswoman for PSE&G, said.

The outage has mainly affected Hillsdale, Westwood and parts of Woodcliff Lake, Vossen said. The outage was caused by equipment failure at the Waldwick substation, she said.

Power should be restored to most customers by about 1:30 p.m., Vossen said.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

House-shaking blasts sparked Waldwick fire, residents say

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Residents heard two explosions before a fire broke out at a PSE&G substation in Waldwick, sending a black plume of smoke high into the air.

WALDWICK -- Residents heard two explosions before a fire broke out at a PSE&G substation in Waldwick, sending a black plume of smoke high into the air.

"It shook the pictures on the wall," Mike Pendergast, a resident of Smith Street, said.

Firefighters evacuated Pendergast, 33, and residents of streets immediately abutting the power station.

Mario Ritondale, 58, said the noise scared his wife. He heard the blasts, then saw the smoke shoot up outside his window.

"I just hope they get it under control," he said. "I don't want any damage."

The fire broke out about 10:30 a.m. and was still going three hours later. The fire was started by an equipment failure at the substation, Kate Vossen, a spokeswoman for PSE&G, said.

The failure knocked power out for nearly 2,000 PSE&G customers, Vossen said, It has since been restored for most, according to the company website.


RELATED: Nearly 2,000 lose power in Bergen County, officials say

Residents have not been told when they'll be allowed back into their homes. Waldwick Police did not return a request for comment.

"I work six days a week, today's my day off," Pendergast said. "I can't even stay inside for it."

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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