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Tag: New Jersey

  • New Jersey Bill Would Ban Automotive Feature Subscriptions

    New Jersey Bill Would Ban Automotive Feature Subscriptions

    New Jersey lawmakers are taking aim at automakers that charge customers a subscription to unlock features.

    Feature subscriptions have become an increasingly popular tactic among automakers looking to nickel and dime their customers. New Jersey lawmakers are looking to ban the practice with a bill that has been introduced by Assemblymen Paul Moriarty and Joe Danielsen.

    Read more: Want to Use Your BMW’s Heated Seats? That Will Cost $18 Per Month.

    The bill specifically targets subscriptions to activate hardware that is already installed:

    This bill prohibits a motor vehicle dealer or manufacturer of motor vehicles sold in this State from offering to a consumer a subscription service for any motor vehicle feature that utilizes components and hardware already installed on the motor vehicle at the time of the vehicle’s purchase or lease; and would function after activation without ongoing expense to the dealer, manufacturer, or third-party service provider. The provisions of this bill do not apply to any third-party service provider that offers features such as satellite radio or in-car Wi-Fi.

    BMW is one of the worst offenders, charging users in some countries as much as $18 per month to have heated seats. To be clear, the cars ship with heated seats, but BMW charges customers the subscription for the “privilege” of accessing a feature they have already paid for.

    Hopefully, the bill will pass and inspire similar efforts throughout the US, sending a clear message to automakers to stop trying to rip off their customers.

  • Multiple States Investigating TikTok’s Impact on Children

    Multiple States Investigating TikTok’s Impact on Children

    TikTok is the latest social media platform in the crosshairs, as multiple states are investigating its impact on children.

    TikTok is one of the fastest growing social media platforms, and has taken off during the pandemic. Despite its popularity, the platform has not been without controversy, especially in regard to minors.

    According to ABC News, TikTok is drawing all new scrutiny, with attorneys general for California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont joining forces to investigate the platform.

    “Our children are growing up in the age of social media — and many feel like they need to measure up to the filtered versions of reality that they see on their screens,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release. “We know this takes a devastating toll on children’s mental health and well-being.”

    TikTok has repeatedly been under fire over privacy concerns and how the platforms handles information about minors. The company settled a privacy suit in the US for some $92 million, while the EU has warned it about its data practices. TikTok has repeatedly been accused of violating the privacy of children, or failing to protect it. The company was also accused of telling moderators to “suppress uploads from users with flaws both congenital and inevitable,” including “‘abnormal body shape,’ ‘ugly facial looks,’ dwarfism, and ‘obvious beer belly,’ ‘too many wrinkles,’ ‘eye disorders,’ and many other ‘low quality’ traits.”

    With that kind of history, combined with its popularity, it’s no wonder so many AGs want to better understand the impact the platform is having on minors.

  • Massachusetts Set to Ban New Gasoline Vehicles by 2035

    Massachusetts Set to Ban New Gasoline Vehicles by 2035

    Massachusetts is joining California and New Jersey in its efforts to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

    California became the first state to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in September. New Jersey soon followed with a recommendation by its governor that the state implement a similar ban by 2035.

    Massachusetts has now taken a similar step, according to Car and Driver, implementing a ban nearly identical to California’s. The state’s goal is to achieve net-zero fossil-fuel emissions by 2050. Since 27% of emissions in the state come from passenger vehicles, the ban will be a big step toward that goal.

    The bans coincide with a number of major automakers setting the 2030s as their goal for exclusive electric vehicle (EV) production. Bentley announced its plans to build only EVs by 2030, Subaru has announced it will sell only EVs by the mid-2030s and numerous other manufacturers are accelerating their own transitions.

  • Google Now Facing Third Suit, As 30 State Sue Over ‘Illegal Monopoly’

    Google Now Facing Third Suit, As 30 State Sue Over ‘Illegal Monopoly’

    Google is being sued by 30 states, as the company faces its third lawsuit over abusing its monopoly in search and online advertising.

    Google is already facing lawsuits by the Department of Justice (DOJ), as well as a coalition of 10 states. The new lawsuit is led by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, and includes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.

    “Our economy is more concentrated than ever, and consumers are squeezed when they are deprived of choices in valued products and services. Google’s anticompetitive actions have protected its general search monopolies and excluded rivals, depriving consumers of the benefits of competitive choices, forestalling innovation, and undermining new entry or expansion,” Weiser explained. “This lawsuit seeks to restore competition.”

    The scope of this lawsuit goes beyond the previous two, accusing Google of “engaging in a multi-pronged effort to maintain its monopolies.” In particular, “Google’s acquisition and command of vast amounts of data obtained because of consumers’ lack of choice has fortified Google’s monopolies and created new barriers to competition and consumer value.”

    The states have filed a motion to join their case with the DOJ’s case, which could significantly expand the scope of the DOJ’s case.

  • Chris Christie Wants to Stop New Jersey to Cuba Flights

    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to ground flights from his state to Cuba.

    The reason? He wants a woman convicted of killing a state trooper extradited to the United States.

    “It is unacceptable to me as Governor to have any flights between New Jersey and Cuba until and unless convicted cop-killer and escaped fugitive Joanne Chesimard is returned to New Jersey to face justice,” Christie wrote in the letter sent to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman John Degnan.

    “I will not tolerate rewarding the Cuban government for continuing to harbor a fugitive.”

    The incident he’s referring to took place about four decades ago. Chesimard was convicted of the murder of Werner Ferster in 1977. The killing took place in 1973.

    Chesimard fled to Cuba before she began her life sentence, and has been living in the country ever since under an assumed name.

    Dengen has responded, saying,

    “I understand Gov. Christie’s strongly expressed concerns and will commence an immediate review of the agency’s role in the proposed flight between Newark and Cuba. I expect that review will be completed in a matter of days.”

    United Airlines, who is looking to begin flights from Newark to Cuba, appears to have rejected Christie’s plea, saying,

    “We remain very interested in serving Cuba as soon as we are able to do so, and believe United’s service would benefit the airport and the region.”

    In other Christie news, he also got in on the “Back to the Future Day” “fun” with a tweet about Social Security spending.

  • Sheryl Crow Fake Concert Bilks Jersey Out of Tens of Thousands of Dollars

    Sheryl Crow had to get word out to her fans in New Jersey that, despite what they had heard, she was not coming to do a concert there.

    A company called KBR Promotions, and a woman named Kelly Brian of Burlington, New Jersey, is accused of advertising and selling tickets to a completely fictitious Sheryl Crow concert.

    The concert was advertised as happening August 15th at the Flying W Airport in Medford, New Jersey. When police in the area heard about the upcoming event, they set about making the usual public safety plans to handle traffic and such. In the course of doing so, they contacted Sheryl Crow’s people and were shocked at what they were told.

    Medford Police Chief Richard Meder said, “The Lumberton Police Department reached out to Sheryl Crow’s reps and determined that she was not coming.”

    But by this time, police say Kelly Brian had sold 300 tickets at $60 each. They say she had fliers printed and sponsorships in place. Police tracked Bryan down and arrested her for fraudulently selling tickets to a Sheryl Crow concert.

    “I’m kind of disappointed. We were looking for a nice little event that was reasonable. I mean, we should have known,” local resident Cindy Potts said.

    But Potts also revealed that she had been contacted and given a refund before Kelly Brian was arrested.

    “I guess someone must have tipped her off or she got scared. I was going to be out $300 bucks – $260 some dollars,” said Potts.

    Kelly Bryan is being held at the Burlington County Jail on $100,000 bail. Local police determined that the total dollar amount of the fraud is over $30,000.

    Sheryl Crow’s reps posted a message to her fans on her Facebook page.

    Dear Fans;

    It has been brought to our attention that someone named KBR Promotion and Booking Agency,LLC is claiming to have booked Sheryl for a show to be held at the Flying W in Medford NJ on August 15th. This claim is absolutely FALSE.

    Dear Fans;It has been brought to our attention that someone named KBR Promotion and Booking Agency,LLC is claiming to…

    Posted by Sheryl Crow on Saturday, May 9, 2015

  • Pedestrian Lodged in Windshield Dies

    Pedestrian Lodged in Windshield Dies

    A pedestrian who was hit by a car in southern New Jersey, and then stuck in the windshield as the driver continued down the highway for over a mile has died.

    Ocean County prosecutors said Kenneth Moeller, 61, of Lanoka Harbor, died Monday night, a week after he was hit on a highway shoulder. The driver of the vehicle was Marcos Ortega, 33, who kept moving for roughly 1.5 miles after the collision, before being pulled over by police. The incident occurred on November 10 in Ocean Township.

    Ortega, of Little Egg Harbor, was initially charged with leaving the scene of an accident and causing serious bodily injury to another while driving under the influence. Since Moeller has died, Ortega now faces more serious charges, and is being held on $250,000 cash bail, with no ten percent option. It is unclear if Ortega has hired an attorney.

    Prosecutors said that authorities had received reports of a man driving erratically, with what looked like another man lying on the hood of his car. When police finally pulled Ortega over, Moeller was discovered to be lodged half way into the windshield. Blood samples were taken from Ortega at the scene, and the results are pending.

    DUI and alcohol-related vehicular incidents cause an estimated $45 billion in damages every year. A blood alcohol content assessment in excess of a state’s given threshold dictates a criminal offense with no need to prove impairment. In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he or she operates a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or greater.

    One can be arrested for operating an animal while intoxicated as well. A Boulder, Colorado man was arrested after riding his horse, Dillon, while under the influence last September. Drunken horse rider Patrick Schumacher was arrested on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty, prohibited use of weapons and reckless endangerment. Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident.

  • Ebola Quarantine Acceptable to New Jersey Voters

    A poll conducted in New Jersey revealed that most voters agreed with Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to quarantine a nurse from Maine who had recently spent time in West Africa.

    Doctors Without Borders member Kaci Hickox returned from Sierra Leone on October 24, and was involuntarily quarantined at New Jersey’s University Hospital. At the time, a slightly feverish Hickox protested that she felt vilified, and was allowed to travel to her Fort Kent, Maine home on October 27. She was ordered to remain inside her house and monitor herself for symptoms, under threat of legal action.

    In the poll conducted by Monmouth University, roughly two-thirds of voters agreed with Christie’s decision to quarantine Hickox. Only 27 percent of the respondents disapproved of Christie’s actions, and Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, commented, “Gov. Christie has made a good read of how uneasy the public is with the seemingly uncertain response from the feds. The Ebola issue has offered him an opportunity to take on the mantle of leadership.”

    Christie said that Hickox was sent to the hospital after touching down at Newark Liberty International Airport because she had a fever, but Hickox has insisted that she developed no Ebola symptoms the entire time she was held in New Jersey.

    Manifestation of Ebola begins with a sudden onset of an influenza-like stage characterized by general malaise, fever with chills and chest pain. Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting are also common symptoms. Regarding the central nervous system, victims experience severe headaches, agitation, confusion, fatigue, depression, seizures and sometimes coma.

    Those who contract Ebola typically die of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to fluid redistribution, hypotension, weakened intravascular coagulation and focal tissue necrosis. The hemorrhaging that comes with the disease is typically not the cause of death.

    Healthcare workers are especially susceptible to catching the Ebola virus, and CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden commented that moving patients has the potential to do more harm than good.

    Of the 802 voters surveyed, 88 percent said they were well aware of the Ebola issue, though only 26 percent said they felt like the virus was a significant public health hazard.

  • Ebola in New Jersey? Not If Christie Has a Say

    Three people have now been diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. and one of them has died. The small outbreak seems to have been contained to just one Dallas hospital, but fear of the virus spreading is high. The U.S. has stringent measures in place to prevent infection, but stories of cruise ship passengers and Bostonians possibly exposed to the virus have fueled fear throughout the country.

    This week New Jersey Governor Chris Christie sought to reassure his state’s citizens that they are safe from Ebola. Christie announced on Wednesday that an Ebola preparedness plan has been activated in the state. The plan will direct New Jersey state departments, hospitals, and security to undertake measures to prevent Ebola from entering the state.

    The plan was put in action through Executive Order 164, which created an Ebola Virus Disease and Respone Team (EVD-JRT) for New Jersey. The team is composed of six members including the state’s attorney general; the state’s director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness; and the superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. The EVD-JRT will coordinate New Jersey’s public health response to the Ebola outbreak.

    “My first and primary mission as Governor always is to protect the public health and safety of every resident of our state,” said Christie. “Ebola also presents the challenge of defeating overreaction and fear in the public, and we can do that by creating a coordinated response and using a team of individuals already highly tested and experienced in dealing with public emergencies in our state. This should reassure the public that we are doing all in our power to protect against the arrival or spread of Ebola in New Jersey.”

    No cases of Ebola have been diagnosed in New Jersey and the state is not at immediate risk from the virus. Christie stated that a traveler from West Africa who landed at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday was taken to University Hospital in Newark, but was not found to have any symptoms of Ebola.

    New Jersey’s preparedness plan is one of the most elaborate yet announced by a U.S. state. Christie is expected to be a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. president in 2016 despite the political difficulties he encountered earlier this year.

    The current Ebola outbreak is the most widespread seen in human history. More than 4,800 people have died from the virus since the outbreak began in March. Most of those deaths have come in three West African countries: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Liberia has been particularly hard hit, with its capital, Monrovia, nearly crippled by Ebola.

  • Man Killed By Bear While Hiking, Say Police

    Many people mistakenly think of black bears as harmless.

    They are much smaller than grizzly or polar bears, however this fact does not negate the reality that black bears are far from helpless.

    They can cause harm to humans in certain situations.

    As a recent tragedy demonstrates, a black bear attack can also prove fatal.

    Police revealed on Monday that a man was killed by a bear late Sunday afternoon while hiking in northern New Jersey.

    Darsh Patel and four friends were hiking in a heavily wooded area when they encountered a black bear. The horrified hikers soon realized that the animal was following them.

    The group scattered.

    When the hikers later regrouped, it was realized that the 22-year-old Edison, New Jersey native was missing.

    The police were notified and nearly two hours later the body of the victim was discovered.

    Law enforcement officials stated that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that Patal was the victim of a fatal bear attack.

    A black bear found at the scene of the incident was shot and killed.

    What’s most startling about this tragic situation is that it marks the first time a man has been killed by a black bear in the state of New Jersey since 1852.

    A total of 63 people in North America have been killed by black bears since 1900.

    One study suggests that the black bears most likely to engage in fatal attacks are predatory males.

    In fact of all the predatory black bears responsible for fatal attacks on humans, 92 percent were male.

    Black bears tend to be seen by members of the public as garbage-raiding pests; hilarious clowns more likely to recline in your backyard hammock than express aggressive and dangerous behavior.

    This story will serve as an unfortunate reminder that it’s important to always watch out for potentially dangerous wild animals if you’re in an area they inhabit.

    Though black bears tend to fear and flee from humans, it’s important to NEVER underestimate their wild nature.

  • Trump Taj Mahal Closing? Atlantic City Casino To File For Bankruptcy

    Could the Trump Taj Mahal close?

    Reuters reported that Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc, which operates Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, is set to file for bankruptcy. The news is yet another blow to the Casino industry in Atlantic City. Within a month, 8,300 people will lose their jobs with the announced closings of Showboat, Revel, and the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. If the Trump Taj Mahal joins them, the situation will just become worse.

    2,800 people depend on the Trump Taj Mahal for employment. “What happened to Atlantic City, there’s a lot of competition from a lot of other locations,” Donald Trump told Bloomberg News, “It’s happening all over.” Trump has no active role in the company, and he is even looking to remove his name from the whole thing. “It’s not that we’re demanding rights,” he said, “We just want the name taken off the building. We have the hottest hotel portfolio in the world right now. They are not operating the hotel in accordance with our very high standard.”

    According to the Record, the owners of the casino filed a report with New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement. “If the Company is unable to achieve significant revenue increases and improvements in its operating results, the Company will have difficulty funding its operations and meeting its payment obligations, unless the Company is able to obtain additional sources of liquidity or restructure its business and/or its indebtedness and other obligations,” it said, “There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve such revenue increases or that it will be successful in obtaining additional sources of liquidity.”

    The rumors are already circulating. CBS 3 Eyewitness News claimed sources informed them that the Trump Taj Mahal will close, but no official announcement has been made yet.

  • Cop: Obama Doesn’t Obey Constitution, Neither Do We

    Special Police Officer Richard Recine had been employed at the Franklin, New Jersey police force for 36 years, but it was what he said when he was caught on camera that shot his career in the foot; he resigned on Thursday after the video went viral.

    In a dispute with resident Steve Wronko concerning the right to shoot film and take pictures in a public place, Recine, a part time police officer who retired from full time work in 2006, disagreed, stating:

    “Obama has decimated the friggin’ Constitution. So I don’t give a damn, so if he doesn’t follow the constitution, we don’t have to.”

    On Monday, Wronko, who was filing public record requests, took the video at the borough’s municipal building. Wronko and his wife are seeking to reform the borough’s animal shelter; the couple was given a sick and underage puppy by the shelter, resulting in thousands of dollars in veterinarian bills.

    Recine was dispatched to the scene after municipal workers were concerned about Wronko shooting film indoors. Wronko and his wife were asked by police to stop taking videos and pictures outside of the animal shelter twice before this week’s incident.

    “I tried to explain to him that since 9/11 you just can’t walk into a place and take videos,” Recine, 59, said Thursday in an interview with MyCentralJersey.com. “All he kept on doing was saying he had civil rights, and the Constitution, and he didn’t have to give me information. And I kind of like lost my temper.”

    The video’s viral journey started off on Wednesday, where it was first shown on MyCentralJersey.com. On Thursday morning, the story was picked up by the Drudge Report and became the top story on Reddit. Numerous readers expressed disgust with Recine’s comments, stating that they were dismissive of civil rights, and that as a public servant, he should know better about the law he enforces.

    Recine, a registered Democrat, stated his concern about the impression that he gave off and how it speaks for police as a whole:

    “I don’t want to give a black eye to law enforcement. People are saying some really nasty stuff about cops. I don’t want all officers painted with the same brush.”

    In concerns of whether he really meant it or not, Recine explained he was just really riled up and was being “sarcastic.”

    “It was just a stupid statement on my part. He got me riled and I said it.”

    “I don’t believe that at all. I’m the most patriotic person in the world. I believe in God, the flag, country, the Constitution.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Anaconda Loose in New Jersey Lake

    A green anaconda is loose in Lake Hopatcong in Jefferson Township, situated in northern New Jersey, and reptile expert Gerald Andrejcak revealed that state wildlife authorities told him to “keep his mouth shut” regarding the actual species of the snake.

    The snake was initially described as a boa, which a green anaconda technically is, but state officials wanted to avoid causing a panic in the area. “I was sworn to keep my mouth shut by local officials to avoid causing a panic,” Andrejcak commented, adding, “Now that there’s a panic, I’m going on the record.”

    Andrejack positively identified the snake on Thursday as a 16-foot-long green anaconda, after spotting it by the lake. The snake had vanished by the time animal care workers arrived to attempt to wrangle it.

    The green anaconda, or Eunectes murinus, is native to South America, and has been confirmed to grow to more than 22 feet long, and can weigh over 215 pounds. Though, a $50,000 reward stands for anyone who can capture a green anaconda measuring 30 feet long, and historical records indicate that the snake, which lives in remote areas of rain forests, can grow to 40 feet long, and weigh over 550 pounds.

    The green anaconda’s only known predator is man, and can take down large prey including deer and cattle.

    As a side note, behold Jon Voight’s continuous mean-mugging from the 1997 J.Lo thriller Anaconda:

    Andrejack, an employee of Common Sense for Animals, remarked that he is frustrated by the lack of response from wildlife officials, and hopes to find the snake before someone kills it.

    Tony Colantonio, who lives by the lake, commented, “If someone can kill it and get out of here, that’s fine. I want proof that it’s gone.”

    Here is a video Colantonio captured of the snake:

    Colantonio added, “There’s kids swimming in the lake, there’s going to be people in the water this weekend, and my kids can’t go in their backyard. It’s a green anaconda, a predator, hunting all day every day. It’s not a python that lives 80 percent of its life on land and only needs to eat once a month. It’s one of the most aggressive snakes out there. It’s been two weeks and (the township and state) have done nothing. Everybody I call just blows me off.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Chris Christie: Jimmy Fallon Helps Him Dance Past Bridge Scandal

    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie appeared to use Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon and a whole lot of humor to help him move past his recent bridge scandal. The governor appeared on the late night show on Thursday night and poked fun at himself while garnering loads of laughs from the audience. Since then a video of Christie dancing with Jimmy Fallon has gone viral, adding even more laughter–as well as a few unsavory comments–to the mix.

    The potential Republican presidential contender can actually dance. And he did so in an effort to show off dorky dad dances while wearing his pleated khaki pants and a polo shirt. The comedy bit called ‘The Evolution of Dad Dancing’ even featured a portion called ‘This Bridge is Closed,’ during which Chris Christie appears to walk off stage for good, leaving Jimmy Fallon doing his dad dance solo. However the jovial governor returns to finish the dance and to chat with Fallon, too.

    During their conversation Chris Christie said the dance sketch was no doubt far more humiliating to his family than the entire bridge lane closing scandal “because I actually did that.”

    It took only minutes for videos of Christie’s appearance on The Tonight Show to start flying around the Internet. The website Gawker said the governor danced “like a buffoon that makes you want to scrub your eyes with bleach.” Business Insider said the video would “blow your mind.”

    The governor’s office eagerly promoted the appearance, and almost immediately sent out a news release to the media on Friday that read, “The Gov & Fallon Dance, Dish, And All Around Embarrass The Kids on The Tonight Show.”

    Mike DuHaime is Chris Christie’s campaign strategist. He says his appearance on The Tonight Show showed the governor as a “down-to-earth” guy who can have fun at his own expense. He doesn’t believe it can hurt him at all should he actually throw his hat in the ring as a presidential candidate.

    “I think the fact that he has got a sense of humor, I think people appreciate that,” DuHaime said. “I think he was out there enjoying it, and if somebody wants to attack his dancing for political reasons, so be it. I’m not too worried about that.”

    Comments on Governor Christie’s dance ran the gamut between outright praise and downright disgust on his Facebook page.

    “I watched this on Jimmy Fallon last night. I loved it, and yes you CAN dance. I enjoyed it so much that I watched it a few more times on here. Good luck in 2016!!!” one follower wrote.

    “I have to question your judgment for appearing on that stupid skit with The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. You gave your political enemies the ammunition they will need to humiliate you as a serious presidential candidate. Actions speak louder than words,” another wrote.

    As with anyone in public office, Chris Christie will have those who love him and those who hate him. And if he truly is considering that run for the Republican nomination, he’d best develop an even thicker skin. The ability to laugh at oneself is always a plus in any kind of situation. And since his performance with Jimmy Fallon everyone can plainly see he doesn’t lack anything in that arena.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • ‘Mob Wives’ Bar Becomes A Murder Scene

    ‘Mob Wives’ Bar Becomes A Murder Scene

    Abdoul Cisse, 47, was found dead outside the Drunken Monkey Bar and Grill on Sunday. Police reports said that Cisse was trying to stop a fight when he was struck in the face. He fell backwards, hit his head on the pavement, and cracked his skull. The incident happened at 3:40 in the morning. Cisse was unresponsive and unconscious by the time help arrived at the scene.

    The bar, located in Staten Island, is famous for appearing on the VH1 show Mob Wives. Angela “Big Ang” Raiola, one of the show’s stars, is related to the bar’s owner. She also said that she knew Cisse.

    “He was not just a customer, but a gentle giant that I loved. I personally share my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, and we too are feeling this loss in our drunken monkey family,” Raiola said on Twitter.

    The authorities are now looking for two suspects who fled the scene in a dark vehicle.

    Cisse was in Brooklyn at the time of the incident, as she was filming for the fifth season of her show.

    Bartender Diana Marino spent the entire morning cleaning up Cisse’s blood from the sidewalk. She said that Cisse was one of her most beloved customers. “I was upset when I realized it was him. He was a beautiful man,” she said.

    Drunken Monkey Bar and Grill is regularly featured in Mob Wives. The show is about a group of women from Staten Island who have fathers or husbands imprisoned for criminal activity connected to the Mafia.

    Another bartender said that he knew that Cisse was from Nigeria. He also said that the bar was not a typical place for fights, as they cater to a mature crowd. A Staten Island resident who lives near the bar said otherwise. “Sometimes you hear the people and the fights. It’s very loud,” the resident said.

    Big Ang Gets Whacked At The Drunken Monkey

    Image via biggangvh1 Instagram

  • Tracy Morgan Fighting For Life After Car Wreck

    Tracy Morgan is reportedly in intensive care on Saturday following his limo’s involvement in a fatal car pileup.

    According to police, the actor/comedian was riding in a limousine when the vehicle became one of six vehicles involved in a multi-vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike.

    The series of crashes occurred on the area of the turnpike located near the Cranbury Township at about 1:00 am on Saturday.

    The Associated Press reported that there were six others riding with Morgan in the limousine.

    In addition to the limo, the other vehicles involved in the multi-vehicle pileup include two tractor-trailers, two cars, and an SUV. An investigation into the cause of the crash is currently ongoing.

    According to a statement given by Sgt. First Class Greg Williams, one person was killed as a result of the accident. The fatal crash occurred in the northbound lanes near the 71.5 mile marker. The person’s identity has not yet been released to the public.

    The identity of Morgan was revealed by a spokesman for the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Center.

    It was confirmed that a man was checked into the New Brunswick, New Jersey hospital under the name “Tracy Morgan”. The patient was listed as in critical condition, though nothing beyond that has been shared with members of the press.

    As the situation is currently developing, there is limited information as to the state of various injuries caused during the devastating series of car crashes.

    Authorities stated that following the pileup, the New Jersey turnpike was closed for a period of approximately five hours. It was reopened to motorists at around 6:30 am.

    Fans of Morgan know the comedic actor for his roles on hit shows like Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Morgan said that he began to do comedy as a teen in order to help support his family.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Whitney Houston: E.R. Doctor Buys Late Singer’s Home

    Whitney Houston designed her ultra-modern 1987 mansion. She married Bobby Brown there, too. The home has been for sale in Mendham, New Jersey since about two years after the singer’s death in February of 2012, and it has finally–after a number of price reductions–sold. A fan, who is also an emergency room doctor, is the buyer.

    Dr. Matthew Krauthamer is a 33-year-old physician who is now the proud owner of the late, great Whitney Houston’s five bedroom, six bathroom home. Also a part-time real estate investor, he has assured Whitney’s surviving family members that he won’t exploit the singer or her home by giving in to one of the several film makers eager to either rent the place out or buy it from him. The doctor is preparing to move into the home himself–putting his present home on the market.

    Krauthamer says he has long been a fan of Whitney Houston’s music. It was devastating to him–as it was to many of her fans–when her life spiraled out of control because of drug use. Her talent was second to none. It was sad to see it wasted.

    “She got, obviously, some bad press at times, but one thing that she was was a very kind and generous person,” he said. “She took care of the people that were closest to her and that’s something that’s always stuck in my mind.”

    Whitney Houston’s home isn’t the first one Krauthamer has owned that has a unique history. The home he just listed on the market is known as the Chapel Hill Manor. It was originally built for former Mendham, New Jersey mayor William Cordingley.

    Whitney’s now former home boasts a wall of curved windows, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and two jacuzzis–in addition to many other amenities. For Dr. Krauthamer, however, it seems like the fact that Whitney Houston owned the home and once lived there herself, was the strongest selling point of all.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Chris Christie Looking Slimmer, Ready To Campaign?

    Chris Christie is looking slimmer and a little more fit these days! Could this be to squash those who criticize the heavyweight politician for being to unhealthy to run for president?

    Experts estimate that Christie has lost about 85 pounds. After admitting in May of last year that he had undergone lap band surgery, Christie’s cardiologist said that the governor is helping by keeping “a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise regimen.”

    Since the now-infamous “Elephant in the Room” Time cover, and even before, Christie has garnered criticism for his overweight appearance and his resulting bad health.

    Michael Kinsley writes on Bloomberg View on September 29th, 2011, “Look, I’m sorry, but New Jersey Governor Chris Christie cannot be president: He is just too fat.”

    However, Christie had supporters out there like Jonathan Chait of New York magazine who argued that Christie’s weight is completely irrelevant to his presidential campaign ambitions. He said that “American elites view obesity with disgust, and they’re repulsed at the notion that a very fat guy could rise to a position of symbolic leadership.”

    Christie is now reportedly shedding that weight for a much more important reason. His family.

    “This is a hell of a lot more important to me than running for president,” Christie says when the news of his surgery goes public. “This is about my family’s future.”

    Back in October of 2013, a report from Christie’s doctor stated that, “Governor Christie has normal blood work … He has no medical limitations and is fit to serve as the Governor of the state of New Jersey.”

    Or to serve as president. Obviously it wouldn’t hurt the confidence of the American people that his chances of dying in office should he become president would be….slimmer.

    But should his weight be this big of an issue to people? Who is more correct in their assesment of the Chris Christie weight issue, Michael Kinsley or Jonathan Chait?

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Snowy Owls Coming South For Food, Say Experts

    Some people as far south as Tenessee might be surprised to see an unusual bird in their backyards this spring. Great Snowy Owls have been spotted this year in some very extraordinary places, thanks to what experts are saying is a perfectly normal occurrence in nature, according to CBS.

    There has been an especially wild influx of the beautiful creatures in New Jersey. They have been attracting large crowds to the Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge in Galloway Township just outside Atlantic City.

    “It’s certainly a special big year for snowy owls,” Donald Freiday with the US Fish and Wildlife Service said of the phenomena. “We think that the reason there are so many snowy owls in New Jersey… is because they had a really good year this year up in the Arctic where they breed. And when that happens, they produce lots of offspring. There’s competition for food among them and they come south as a result.”

    Amateur birdwatchers, lovers of nature, and simply curious spectators have had a great time waiting with cameras and binoculars for a peek at the Snowy Owls.

    “It’s actually pretty special to have snow owls in New Jersey,” Freiday said late last year, when the owls first started showing up. “We normally in a given winter will have between none and three. This year, the whole state there are as many as 30.”

    According to National Geographic, the Snowy Owl has a definite preference for lemming. In fact, it states that an adult “may eat more than 1,600 lemmings a year, or three to five every day. The birds supplement their diet with rabbits, rodents, birds, and fish.”

    The competition for food is really the driving force for the unusual migration, he said. “It’s certainly a special big year for snowy owls,” Freiday said. “We think that the reason there are so many snowy owls in New Jersey… is because they had a really good year this year up in the Arctic where they breed. And when that happens, they produce lots of offspring. There’s competition for food among them and they come south as a result.”

    If you live up north, keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars handy. You just might get a peek at one of these majestic creatures in your own backyard!

    Image Via YouTube

  • Pulaski Skyway Closure: Making It Less Painful

    This is the reality: The closure of the Pulaski Skyway begins a two year commuter hell of the worst kind.

    You’re going to have to suck it up and deal with this inconvenience in the best possible terms for the agonizing duration.

    When it comes to getting where you need to without the Pulaski Skyway, nothing beats good planning.

    Take the following tips into consideration if you want life during this closure to be as painless as possible.

    Prepare To Leave Very Early To Arrive On Time

    You need to have a good idea how much time you will need to get from Point A to Point B when using any new route.

    Some people often plan their routes based on the distance between their departure and arrival locations alone. This is the kind of mistake that results in you being stuck in hours of heavy traffic. If you have to drag yourself out of bed at 3 am to get a jump on things than so be it. Would you rather be an early morning zombie or have your soul-crushed in bumper to bumper misery? Think about it.

    When looking at alternative routes, plan for traffic. It would be ideal to take a day where you have no obligations to travel alternative routes in order to get a feel for them. Note any issues you have along the way such as long traffic waits. Timing the trip is probably a good idea.

    When you can give yourself a sensible amount of time to plan your daily commutes, it will cut down stress levels considerably.

    Plan For Gas Expenses And Fares

    Seastreak is a ferry operator in Atlantic Highlands that is expected to offer commuters an alternative to road congestion. It is set to begin to offer services at Paulus Hook in Jersey City and the Hoboken Terminal shortly.

    The fare for travelers will be $12 each way.

    This is an example of the sort of expenses you may need to take into consideration when finding an alternate way to your destination(s) during the Pulaski Skyway closure.

    How much gas money are you going to be spending? How much for public transportation fares? In addition to planning for time spent traveling, you should know how much you will need to set aside to cover travel costs.

    Do you have any tips to share with unhappy drivers impacted by the Pulaski Skyway closure? Please share in the comments!

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Pulaski Skyway Northbound Lanes Closed for Two Years

    Commuters are being urged to use alternate routes while the northbound lanes of the Pulaski Skyway are closed beginning on Saturday and will remain closed for the next two years.

    Repairs to the Manhattan-bound side of the three-and-a-half mile bridge include replacing roadway decks, railings, and drainage systems.

    The project is expected to cost an estimated $1 billion.

    Approximately 40,000 commuters travel each day toward Jersey City and the Holland Tunnel into Manhattan, and about 74,000 vehicles total travel daily both ways across the 81-year-old Skyway.

    Transportation Commissioner James Simpson says the shutdown is going to have a ripple effect on the region.

    Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop says that it is highly likely he will declare a state of emergency for the start of the project because traffic effects are expected to be severe.

    Fulop believes the declaration will allow him greater flexibility to deal with lane closures. He will be able to deploy police officers as necessary and change traffic signals and patterns without having to get prior approval from the City Council.

    Officials are urging commuters to take alternate routes and use mass transportation to help ease gridlock. The effects of the shutdown may not be felt until after next week, as traffic is expected to be lighter with the observation of Passover and Easter holidays this week.

    The steel truss Pulaski Skyway bridge, opened in 1932, is sound, but has been “structurally deficient” for 35 years and in need of repair, Simpson said.

    Once the northbound lanes are rebuilt, southbound traffic will be shifted to those lanes.

    The Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project has been divided into ten contracts, and work on the bridge is expected to continue into the year 2020.

    Drivers can call 511 for real time traffic alerts.

    Commuters can also check the New Jersey Department of Transportation website for detailed information, updates, and transportation alternatives.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons