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New Jersey Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management Urge Residents to Prepare for Emergencies During National Preparedness Month

New Jersey Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management Urge Residents to Prepare for Emergencies During National Preparedness Month

The New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) are reminding residents to prioritize preparedness during National Preparedness Month. Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington emphasized that unexpected emergencies, including extreme weather and communicable diseases, can significantly impact communities. Jeanne Hengemuhle, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Acting State Director of Emergency Management, highlighted preparedness as a shared responsibility, stressing the importance of proactive steps by families. The State Health Department's Division of Disaster Preparedness, Resiliency and Emergency Medical Services collaborates year-round with NJOEM and local officials to ensure resident safety. Residents are encouraged to create emergency plans, build emergency kits, stay informed, and know where to seek help. Specific advice includes planning for various emergencies, safeguarding homes against carbon monoxide and mold, and staying...

Bergen County Sheriff's Office Warns Public About Sophisticated Phone Scam Impersonating Law Enforcement

Bergen County Sheriff's Office Warns Public About Sophisticated Phone Scam Impersonating Law Enforcement

A sophisticated phone scam is targeting New Jersey residents, with callers falsely claiming to be from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office. These scammers attempt to convince individuals to pay money to avoid arrest. One such incident involved social media influencer Lindsay Angio, who received a call from a man identifying himself as Lieutenant Damian Pope. The caller possessed personal information about Angio, including her name, address, social security number, and even details about her vehicles, making the scam appear credible. Angio was sent a fake arrest warrant, signed by a deceased judge, alleging she failed to appear in court. She was instructed to remain on the phone and bring cash for bond to the sheriff's office. The situation became suspicious when the instructions changed, prompting Angio to go directly to the sheriff's office, where the real Lieutenant Pope confirmed it was a scam. The Bergen County Sheriff, Anthony Cureton, emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request ...

Gas Line Rupture Near Mesa Homes Prompts Evacuations in Santa Barbara

Gas Line Rupture Near Mesa Homes Prompts Evacuations in Santa Barbara

Residents of four homes on the Mesa in Santa Barbara were temporarily evacuated following a gas line rupture on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred when an excavator struck an underground gas line at 1509 Shoreline Drive. Santa Barbara city firefighters and other first responders arrived at the scene, where an estimated 60 construction workers building a new home had already self-evacuated. People in two other nearby homes were instructed to shelter in place and keep their windows closed due to the gaseous odor, which was detectable at least half a block away. Firefighters worked to stem the flow of gas by pinching the line shut, and authorities successfully turned off the gas after drilling down to reach the line, allowing evacuees to return home and traffic to resume on Shoreline Drive by early afternoon.

Sinkhole in Socorro, Texas, Exposes Gas Pipelines Amid Heavy Rainfall

Sinkhole in Socorro, Texas, Exposes Gas Pipelines Amid Heavy Rainfall

A significant sinkhole has emerged in Socorro, Texas, near Horizon Boulevard and Nancy Drive, following days of heavy rainfall. The sinkhole, which formed in a large dirt area, is attributed to erosion caused by the continuous precipitation. This event has exposed gas pipelines underneath the affected area. Crews from Texas Gas Service were dispatched to the site to inspect the pipelines. The company confirmed that there was no damage to the gas infrastructure and subsequently backfilled and encased the pipelines to prevent further erosion. Residents in the area have reported frequent flooding, with large puddles often obstructing roads and making passage difficult for vehicles. The City of Socorro has stated that it will assess the roadway and develop a repair plan once Texas Gas Service completes its assessment and provides clearance.

New Jersey Assemblyman David Bailey, Jr. Introduces Bill to Regulate 'Flock' License Plate Readers

New Jersey Assemblyman David Bailey, Jr. Introduces Bill to Regulate 'Flock' License Plate Readers

Assemblyman David Bailey, Jr. (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland) has introduced Bill A5483 in New Jersey, aiming to establish privacy protections and clear limits on the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), often referred to as 'Flock' cameras. These AI-equipped surveillance cameras identify, track, and share license-plate data through a centralized database. The proposed legislation would prohibit private individuals and entities from operating ALPRs and would regulate how government and law enforcement agencies can utilize this technology and the data it collects. Assemblyman Bailey expressed serious concerns about ALPR cameras compromising New Jerseyans’ right to privacy, stating that unregulated AI surveillance should not track the everyday movements of normal citizens or collect data that can be indefinitely stored and shared. He emphasized the need for a balance that allows legitimate law enforcement use for public safety while ensuring robust oversight and protections against misuse.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew Calls for NJ Board of Public Utilities Resignation Amid Atlantic City Electric Overbilling Audit

Rep. Jeff Van Drew Calls for NJ Board of Public Utilities Resignation Amid Atlantic City Electric Overbilling Audit

Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02) has renewed his call for the resignation of the entire New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) following a federal audit of Atlantic City Electric (ACE). The audit identified five areas of financial noncompliance, including overbilling customers and errors related to federal tax law. Van Drew stated that for years, residents of South Jersey have complained about high electricity costs, and the audit confirms these concerns. He emphasized that the overbilled costs, particularly at the transmission level, are passed directly to ratepayers, and affected families deserve immediate refunds. Van Drew had previously sent letters to ACE and NJBPU demanding a full accounting of the financial issues and refunds for overcharged ratepayers. He criticized the NJBPU for approving continuous rate increases without adequately scrutinizing ACE's financial practices, asserting that the board failed in its duty to protect the public. The congressman is demanding that ACE provide trans...

Wilmington Star-News

Brunswick city residents question if new flood rules are enough

Brunswick city residents question if new flood rules are enough

A Brunswick County city now requires new homes to be built higher, but residents say the change is too late.

NJ Transit Faces Internal Operational Challenges Despite Budget Increase, Report Finds

NJ Transit Faces Internal Operational Challenges Despite Budget Increase, Report Finds

A new report by the Garden State Initiative (GSI), titled 'NJ Transit: An Economic Analysis of Reliability, Funding, and Reform,' indicates that NJ Transit's declining mechanical reliability is primarily due to internal operational and fleet management issues, rather than solely Amtrak-owned infrastructure. Authored by GSI Contributor and Seton Hall Associate Professor of Economics Danielle Zanzalari, the report analyzed NJ Transit performance data from 2020 to 2024. It found that despite a roughly 20% increase in the operating budget during this period, and a record $3.5 billion FY2027 budget (46% higher than in 2020), mechanical reliability significantly declined. The report emphasizes that increased funding alone has not led to more reliable service and suggests that the agency needs to focus on how transportation resources are managed, rather than just the amount spent. This analysis highlights a critical disconnect between financial investment and operational outcomes within the commuter rail system.

Hoquiam secures $35M for flood protection project

Hoquiam secures $35M for flood protection project

The city of Hoquiam, Washington, has been awarded nearly $35 million in funding from FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to construct a 4.7-mile flood protection system. This project, which includes levees, floodwalls, raised roadways, and upgraded pump stations, aims to protect over 5,000 properties and thousands of residents from recurring floods. The funding follows a legal victory by Washington's Attorney General's Office, which successfully challenged FEMA's earlier decision to terminate the BRIC program. The project is part of a broader regional effort to mitigate flood risks in Hoquiam and neighboring Aberdeen, areas that have experienced 22 federally declared disasters since 1964. Additional state grants of $5.8 million will also support the North Shore Levee West project.

Flooding impacts New Haven after heavy rainfall

Flooding impacts New Haven after heavy rainfall

New Haven, Connecticut experienced significant flooding after receiving at least 3 inches of rain on Sunday morning. The heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to water accumulation on streets and in basements. A notable incident involved a driver attempting to cross floodwaters, highlighting the dangers of such conditions. In nearby Glassboro, New Jersey, a basement sliding door succumbed to rising water levels, further emphasizing the widespread impact of the storm. The region's weather conditions were influenced by a cluster of hurricanes in the Pacific, fueled by El Niño, which has primed areas for tropical activity. Source time: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:06:00 GMT.

Flash Flooding Disrupts Northeast US, Strands Motorists and Runners

Flash Flooding Disrupts Northeast US, Strands Motorists and Runners

Flash flooding has impacted parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, causing significant disruptions. The flooding has led to water rescues, stranded motorists, and challenges for participants in a half-marathon event. Images from the affected areas show cars partially submerged in floodwaters, highlighting the severity of the situation. The flooding is part of a series of extreme weather events that have been observed this summer, which also included record-breaking heat, droughts, and wildfires. The events have raised concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather patterns, potentially linked to climate change. Source time: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT.