Obama Visits the Jersey Shore, Says 'Work is Not Over'

President and Gov. Christie greet cheering crowd in rain.

President Obama checked out a record-breaking sand castle, played a football boardwalk game and "high-fived" lots of kids during a short visit to Point Pleasant Beach early Tuesday afternoon before speaking in Asbury Park. The message from Obama and Gov. Chris Christie was clear: The Jersey Shore is back and open for business, but there is more work to be done. "I came back to let people know we're going to keep going until the job is done," Obama said in a short speech to the crowd who gathered along the boardwalk and beachfront in Asbury. Obama delivered his remarks in front of Convention Hall. "When I was here seven months ago, Sandy had just hit, but you kept going...The Jersey Shore is back in business, but the work is not over," …

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S.G.

5:58 am on Friday, May 31, 2013

Off topic, but if you are looking for ANYTHING that Michelle Bachman has done that is incredibly dangerous, just consider her anti-immunization comment. Of course, the fact checkers and comedians love Bachman almost as much as they loved Palin.   more ›

5 Billion Gallons of Sewage Overflowed to N.J. Post-Sandy, Report Says

18 of 20 largest sewage spills in the northeast were reported in New Jersey and New York.

New Jersey saw approximately 5.1 billion gallons of untreated or partially treated sewage flow into waterways in the weeks and months following Superstorm Sandy, according to new data released by Climate Central. In total, the eight states hardest-hit by the storm had 11 billion gallons flow into canals, rivers and bays. "To put that in perspective, 11 billion gallons is equal to New York’s Central Park stacked 41 feet high with sewage, or more than 50 times the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The vast majority of that sewage flowed into the waters of New York City and northern New Jersey in the days and weeks during and after the storm," the Climate Central report said. Data included in the report was compiled from state agencies and …

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Report: FEMA Reimburses County for Sandy Costs

Freeholder says county receives notice of first check for $1.5 million.

An Essex County freeholder said the county received the first federal government check to reimburse it for Superstorm Sandy costs, according to a Montclair Times report Friday. Freeholder Brendan Gill, who represents Montclair, said the county has received notice of a $1.5-million payment coming from Washington, D.C.  "It's a big win for the county," Gill told the paper. "It's the first step with what will be a series (of payments)." The $1.5 million will be used to reimburse the county for costs in the wake of Sandy, which struck the area in late October and early November last year, Essex County Administrator Ralph J. Ciallella said. Those expenditures include the removal of debris from county parks and roads, repairs to county buildings…

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Chris Christie: The New Boss?

Governor hailed as hero following Sandy, says he's 'more ready' to consider presidential run.

Gov. Chris Christie has been considered by some legislators and constituents to be somewhat of a hero for his response and leadership following Superstorm Sandy. But now that the storm has passed, the governor is looking toward the future and a potential run for presidency, according to a Time magazine article, "The Boss," about the state's leader. As Republicans look to place a strong candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Christie may be their choice. But state Democratic leaders said there is much the governor has still not delivered on during his tenure. Despite rumors that he was planning to run for president in 2012, Christie publicly announced several times over that he did not have intentions to run. Now months later, after …

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Patriot

6:03 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

Ditto to that!   more ›

Weird NJ Brings Sandy Fundraiser to West Orange

The Weird NJ crew will be presenting a night of music and food.

Weird NJ is bringing a special fundraiser to West Orange this weekend in order to raise money for those affected by Superstorm Sandy. The Restore Our Shore fundraiser will be held at the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh on Jan. 19, from 7 p.m. to midnight.  All funds raised will benefit the following charities:  The fundraiser will provide relief to those residents whose homes were destroyed.  In addition, the Weird NJ crew is looking to help the businesses who were affected by the storm. Weird NJ publishers Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran will be guest hosting the event.  Local bands such as The Poor Man’s Opera, The Will O’Connor Live Acoustic Show, and special musical guests will be performing for the crowd, while local restaurants and …

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Hurricane Sandy

Volunteers Still Needed To Help With Sandy Relief Efforts

The Salvation Army is looking for people to help at its call center in Union as well as distributing goods in Hazlet and other locations.

As The Salvation Army continues to provide long term recovery for Hurricane Sandy survivors, volunteers are needed to assist with relief efforts. The newest Salvation Army volunteer opportunities include receiving intake and distribution of goods to clients at its emergency assistance center in Hazlet, supporting its call center in Union and sorting at its Hillside and Trenton warehouses. “People out there still need assistance, and The Salvation Army is doing all it can to reach those in need, but we still need the help of the army behind the Army, our fantastic volunteers,” said a member of The Salvation Army’s Community Relations Team. These volunteer opportunities will be available into the foreseeable future. Interested volunteers …

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Sandy 'Wreaked Havoc' on 65 Percent of NJ, Poll Says

One in five residents said they felt forced out of their homes by the storm.

Superstorm Sandy made an impact on approximately two-thirds of the state, according to results from a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Tuesday. An even higher percentage (94 percent) of the 1,228 polled New Jersey residents reported that they lost power at some point during or after the storm. About 65 percent of those polled said they remained without power for at least five days.  "Two-thirds of New Jersey residents were affected when Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on the Garden State three weeks ago," a press release about the poll said. Approximately one in five residents said they were forced out of their homes by the storm, with about 6 percent of residents telling pollsters they were still not able to permanently return. "We already …

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