New Jersey

Chinese government tried to stop New Jersey township from raising Tibetan flag, mayor says

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2024

Chinese government tried to stop New Jersey township from raising Tibetan flag, mayor says

BELLEVILLE, N.J. — The mayor of Belleville, New Jersey says a representative of the Chinese government tried to stop him from showing solidarity to the Tibetan people and honoring a member of his community.

Tibet has been an autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China since 1950, but many Tibetan exiles in the U.S. and around the world say their religion and culture has been stifled under communist control.

Yangchen Nodong, 74, said her escape from Tibet to Nepal, then to India in 1960 brings back painful memories. She was a 10-year-old orphan when she escaped with her aunt and brother.

“One time we had to cross the glacier. We couldn’t cross all the way so we had to sleep on the glacier. It was cold. I never forget that part,” said Nodong.

This year, the Tibetan New Year falls on the same day as the Chinese Lunar New Year. Nodong was elated when Mayor Michael Melham agreed to raise the Tibetan flag after her son made the request.

“It means so much to us that the mayor was kind enough to raise the flag even though we are a small town. I never heard of any mayor doing this. It’s so great. Thanks mayor from the bottom of my heart,” said Nodong.

“We are grateful to the mayor of Belleville for affirming our Tibetan identity here and standing up to the Chinese communist government,” said Pema Nodong, her daughter.

But the mayor, who put information on his social media, said China’s vice consul in New York reached out right before the ceremony to try and stop him from raising the flag.

“They were urging us to cancel and reconsider and my township attorney, my township manager, police chief all said to me what are you going to do? And I said the flag is going to fly at noon,” said Melham.

The Tibetan flag is banned in Tibet by the Chinese government because it’s become a symbol of freedom for exiles like Nodong who continue to demonstrate to keep their culture alive.

“As we continue to try to exert our independence and our identity, our Tibetan Buddhist identity, they would oppress the people,” said Nodong’s daughter.

“We want to stand in solidarity with the people of Tibet and let them know that we stand up for everything they stand up for,” said Melham.

The mayor said his decision was not political and that he sent a respectful letter back to China’s vice consul saying the flag went up because his diverse community respects all voices.

Christine Sloan

Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS 2 New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS 2 New York from 2004 to 2016.

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New Jersey

NJ Lottery Pick-3, Pick-4, Cash 5, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Friday, March 6

Published

10 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

The New Jersey Lottery offers multiple draw games for people looking to strike it rich.

Here’s a look at March 6, 2026, results for each game:

Pick-3

Midday: 2-6-8, Fireball: 6

Evening: 3-8-5, Fireball: 2

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick-4

Midday: 8-3-0-5, Fireball: 6

Evening: 2-7-0-2, Fireball: 2

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Jersey Cash 5

01-06-14-22-27, Xtra: 01

Check Jersey Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

04-10-29-48-50, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Quick Draw

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Cash Pop

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the New Jersey Lottery drawings held?

Cash4Life: 9:00 p.m. daily.
Pick-3: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily.
Pick-4: 12:59 p.m. and 10:57 p.m. daily.
Jersey Cash 5: 10:57 p.m. daily.
Pick-6: 10:57 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Jersey Sr Breaking News Editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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New Jersey

From Belmar to Asbury Park, here’s why NJ goes all-in for St. Patrick’s Day

Published

22 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

From Belmar to Asbury Park, here’s why NJ goes all-in for St. Patrick’s Day

I almost take the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the celebration of my Irish heritage for granted. I said almost.

I am fortunate to ride in New Jersey’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Belmar-Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will now run on Saturday, March 28, 2026. It was postponed because of the Jersey Shore snowstorm that dumped a couple of feet of snow.

Photo via vadimguzhva

I am also fortunate to serve as the Grand Marshall in 2015 and continue to ride in the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will step off this Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 1 p.m.

New Jersey 101.5 (Canva Edit)

Just those parade experiences alone are filled with so many people lined up to catch the parades, the pipes and drums, the marchers, along with having fun and enjoying the experience.

2024 Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights

2024 Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights (Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee)

There are many other parades up and down the Jersey Shore and all over New Jersey celebrating the wearing of the green.

There are a considerable number of exceptionally good Irish pubs, bars, and restaurants sprinkled all over the Garden State. A fan favorite is Irish dancers and Irish music at big venues like the Count Basie in Red Bank.

Highlands St.Patrick’s Day parade

Highlands St.Patrick’s Day parade (Highlands Business Partnership)

All those festivities and the celebration have made New Jersey the number one state in the country for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

According to new data released by BETMGM, the company analyzed Google Trends search data across categories such as alcohol and drinkware, green clothing, costumes, party supplies, Irish artists, Irish music, and miscellaneous topics over the past three years.

Jon Polunas poses with Women of Irish Heritage members on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 2021 in Belmar. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

The data showed that New Jersey still grew with celebration intensity. As a result, New Jersey claimed the top shillelagh in the country. Indiana, Iowa, Georgia, and Illinois fared well, too.

I found it interesting that Irish music has gained the biggest leap in popularity with an 82% of all states compared to the previous two years.

(Gloucester City Irish Events)

Alcohol and drinkware are on the down trend along with green clothing and costumes on a national basis.

New Jersey likes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it is a celebration of unwinding, having a little fun and enjoying the atmosphere of the great New Jersey tradition. Enjoy, see you in the parades.

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Grab that weird bendy straw you bought with your Chuck. E Cheese tokens, because we’re sluprin’ up these definitive flavors of the ’90s.

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The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.

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New Jersey

Pesce Youth Clinic | New Jersey Devils

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

NewJerseyDevils.com is the official web site of the New Jersey Devils, a member team of the National Hockey League (“NHL”). NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

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