New Jersey Real-Time News

Breaking Local News from New Jersey

EAST ORANGE -- An unidentified man was struck and killed by an NJ Transit train just outside the East Orange rail station early this evening, officials said. The victim was apparently standing on the tracks just outside of the East Orange stop around 5:40 p.m. when he was struck by an express passenger train traveling along the Morris-Essex rail line,... Full story »

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg today wrote President Barack Obama requesting his approval to declare New Jersey's southern counties as federal disaster areas after the massive snow storm in February, according to a report by DailyRecord.com. The snow storm left more than two feet of snow in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean... Full story »

LODI -- Police arrested a Lodi man who sent alarming fake messages warning of a sexual attack of a child, according to a report by NorthJersey.com. John LaForgia, 26, was charged with creating false public alarms, the report said. LaForgia is accused of going online and using his cell phone to send e-mails, instant messages and text messages about a... Full story »

NORTH BERGEN -- N.J. blogger Hal Turner is facing a third trial for allegedly threatening federal judges in Chicago, according to a report by NorthJersey.com. The report said Turner recently filed for bankruptcy, with nearly $100,000 in debt, after his two trials. Previous coverage: • Judge declares second mistrial for N.J. blogger accused of threatening federal judges • N.J.... Full story »

The blood, urine samples stored in a refrigerator at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center had been saved as evidence from past child sex assault investigations Full story »

TRENTON — The state Senate today confirmed two of Gov. Chris Christie’s cabinet nominees, including Bret Schundler as education commissioner. Senators voted 35-2 to approve Schundler after his nomination was released without recommendation — a mild rebuff — from the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate today also confirmed James Simpson, 38-0, to head the state Department of Transportation. Simpson,... Full story »

MORRIS TOWNSHIP -- A state appellate court today dismissed an appeal by the Morris County jail’s union president who claimed he was harassed by the lockup’s former top administrator. The decision upholds two prior rulings, issued by a state Superior Court judge and a municipal court judge, dismissing harassment charges filed by corrections officer Donald Del Vecchio, president of... Full story »

EDISON -- Two more of the Edison police officers who were demoted by Mayor Antonia Ricigliano this year — a move that sparked controversy — are suing the mayor and township. Gregory Formica and Frank Todd are seeking to be reinstated to the positions of captain and lieutenant, respectfully, according to the lawsuit, filed in Middlesex County Superior Court in... Full story »

SOMERSET COUNTY -- The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is teaming up with outside agencies to offer $5,500 in reward money leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting around the county. The collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States and Crime Stoppers of Somerset County comes on the heels of a dog fighting... Full story »

Katherine Huether sent a text message to a friend at 3 p.m. last Thursday: She said she was at a trailhead, going for a short hike and would be back at her Portland, Ore., home by 8 p.m. That was the last anyone heard from the 24-year-old Huether, an aspiring forest ranger who grew up in Franklin Township, Somerset... Full story »

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS -- Four clammers have been cited by state environmental officials on charges they harvested clams from contaminated water near Atlantic Highlands. Conservation Officer Tracy Jones was on routine patrol on land shortly after 8 a.m. on Feb. 23 when he spotted a clammer in a closed area of the Atlantic Highlands Harbor off First Avenue, said Darlene Yuhas,... Full story »

NEWARK -- A 15-year-old youth was struck by an NJ Transit bus in Newark today, and managed to escape with only a wound to his face, police said. The teen, whose identity was withheld, was improperly crossing the street on Clinton Avenue near Lincoln Park after 5 p.m. when he was struck by the bus, said city police Detective Hubert... Full story »

The TSA employee has been on administrative leave since the Jan. 3 incident Full story »

MONMOUTH COUNTY — Police and wildlife officials are searching wooded areas and neighborhoods along the Manalapan and Marlboro after two people reportedly spotted a cougar prowling along a roadway early this morning, authorities said. Shortly before 7:30 a.m., a man was driving on Robertsville Road in Manalapan when he saw what he described as a mountain lion following a deer... Full story »