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Morristown Minute
West Nile Virus Outbreak in New Jersey Sparks Urgent Precautions
MORRISTOWN, N.J. - The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has confirmed the first human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state for 2024. Two individuals, a senior from Union County and a minor from Middlesex County, tested positive for the neuroinvasive disease with symptom onset in early July. Both patients were hospitalized and have since been discharged. Additionally, an asymptomatic WNV-positive blood donor was reported in Somerset County.
Contaminated Cannabis: Green Medicine NJ Issues Recall
MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Green Medicine NJ, a cannabis cultivator, has issued an immediate recall of certain cannabis flower products sold under the tradename "Green Joy." This action follows a complaint and subsequent investigation by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC), which revealed violations of the state's safety and sanitation regulations for cannabis products.
Guilty: Paterson Man Faces 20 Years for Cocaine Distribution
PATERSON, N.J. - Luis Cepeda-Capellan, 27, from Paterson, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Cepeda-Capellan entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court.
NJ Man Convicted in Large-Scale Fentanyl & Heroin Trafficking
NEWARK, N.J. -A Middlesex County man, Kenneth Strickland, 57Kenneth Strickland, 57, from New Brunswick, has been convicted of his involvement in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Strickland was found guilty on July 29, 2024, of all six counts in a superseding indictment.
Four NJ Men Charged in Illegal Firearms Trafficking
NEW JERSEY - James Hyres, 38, Dennis McMickle, 35, James Opalenik, 51, and Edward Trost, III, 36, all residents of New Jersey, have been charged with conspiracy to traffic in firearms and related offenses, according to U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. The charges stem from an alleged scheme to manufacture and sell illegal firearms, including privately made handguns, known as "ghost guns."
Fugitive Arrested in 2009 Armed Robbery - Woodbridge, NJ
WOODBRIDGE, N.J. - A long-time fugitive, Kofi Edwards, 51, of Trinidad and Tobago, has been apprehended in California and charged with his involvement in the 2009 armed robbery of a steakhouse in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Edwards, who was indicted in 2014, faces charges of conspiracy to commit armed Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
NJ Settles with Cameo Over Consumer Protection Violations
NEW JERSEY - Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with 29 other Attorneys General, has announced a settlement with Baron App, the company behind Cameo, regarding potential consumer protection and FTC Endorsement Guideline violations. Cameo, a platform allowing users to hire celebrities for personalized video messages, was investigated for not providing appropriate disclosures for business endorsements and mishandling refunds.
Liquor License Suspension Linked to Owners Charges of Kidnapping & Sexual Assault
Attorney General Platkin seeks to suspend the licenses of four Trenton establishments following serious criminal charges of aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping against owner Gerald Araya.
Delays: Downed Traffic Signal and Construction in Morris County
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. - As of this morning, drivers in Morris County are experiencing multiple disruptions along US 46 and other major roads due to ongoing construction and a downed traffic signal. The most significant of these incidents occurred on US 46 eastbound at NJ 53 in Denville Township, where a traffic signal failure resulted in the closure of all lanes as reported at 11:57 am.
Former Dean & Staff Guilty of $1.3M Embezzlement from NJ Grad School
NEWARK, N.J. - Three former employees of an Essex County graduate school have pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1.3 million from their employer, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Life Sentence for Man Sex Trafficking Minors into NJ
NEWARK, N.J. - An Essex County man has been convicted of multiple charges related to sex trafficking and prostitution, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Amin Sharif, 49, of Newark, was found guilty on July 25, 2024, of attempted transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking of a minor, use of an interstate facility to promote unlawful activity, transporting a victim with intent to engage in prostitution, and persuading a victim to travel to engage in prostitution. The verdict followed a seven-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court.
NJ State Trooper Admits to Punching Handcuffed Woman in the Face
NEW JERSEY - A New Jersey State Police trooper from Gloucester County has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after punching a handcuffed woman in the face with a metal flashlight. The incident occurred on September 7, 2022, while the woman was detained in the backseat of a police vehicle awaiting a medical evaluation.
7-Year Prison Sentence for Morris Plains Man's Fatal Overdose Role
MORRISTOWN, NJ – Morris County authorities have concluded a significant legal proceeding against Anthony Dello-Russo, 28, from Morris Plains, who has been sentenced to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges linked to a fatal drug overdose. This sentence, handed down by Superior Court Judge Ralph Amirata on July 26, includes strict terms under New Jersey's No Early Release Act.
NJ DOE Updates 2024 Every Student Succeeds Plan
NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is inviting public comment on the 2024 Draft of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan. Building on the initial plan approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USED) in 2017 and last updated in 2023, the proposed updates introduce several changes aimed at better-capturing student progress and enhancing school accountability.
NJ Residents Gain Free Tax Filing Option in 2025
TRENTON – July 24, 2024: Governor Phil Murphy and U.S. Department of the Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo have announced that beginning in Filing Season 2025, New Jersey residents will be able to use Direct File to submit their federal tax returns. More than 1.3 million New Jerseyans will be eligible to use this free online filing tool next filing season.
$249M Investment in EV Charging for NJ, CT, DE, and MD
NJ and Three Other States Receive Funding to Support Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Charging on Interstate-95 Corridor. NEW JERSEY – July 22, 2024: The Biden-Harris Administration has announced over $4.3 billion in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to support community-driven climate solutions, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America's transition to clean energy. Among the recipients are New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland, awarded $249 million for the Clean Corridor Coalition project. This initiative aims to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles along the Interstate-95 freight corridor and adjacent roadways.
New Jersey Career Accelerator Offers Nearly 580 Paid Internships
NEW JERSEY – July 25, 2024: The Murphy Administration has announced that 133 New Jersey-based employers have received grants through the Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program ("Career Accelerator") to provide 574 paid summer internships to New Jersey college students. These internships are open to students who currently attend or graduated from an in-state college or university in the last 12 months or are New Jersey residents attending college out-of-state.
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