New Jersey

New permit requirements cause New Jersey minister to pause charitable giveaways days before Thanksgiving

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2024

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A New Jersey minister who has spent over two decades helping people experiencing homelessness says his efforts have been put on hold right before Thanksgiving.

Minister Steven Brigham, president of the nonprofit Destiny’s Bridge, and volunteers provide food and supplies to those in need in Lakewood, including on holidays.

“I would come out here to the town square twice a week and set up tables, and we would give out clothing and food to the poor,” Brigham said.

Lakewood resident Darlene DiDonato told CBS News New York she’s been struggling with homelessness for years, but says Brigham helps ease some of the burden.

“It’s not easy to be out here,” she said.

“I think it’s trying to force the homeless out of the town”

Brigham says when he came out earlier in November, however, there was a sudden change.

“The captain of Lakewood P.D. came up to me and said, ‘Minster Steve, you need a permit to be out here.’ I said, ‘I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and I haven’t needed one in the past,’ and he said, ‘Well, you need one now.’ So I was a little upset,” Brigham said. “I think it’s trying to force the homeless out of the town.”

Brigham reached out to an attorney, who has been in touch with the township.

Township asks organizations to fill out contract to use town square

The township now wants all organizations to fill out a “Hold Harmless Agreement” – a contract – in order to use the town square. The mayor says there have been issues.

Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles said in a statement:

“Lakewood township prides itself on looking out for the welfare of all our residents. We have teams out daily working with the homeless and others in need. We have a robust housing rehab program and our homeless prevention programs help keep folks in their homes when they are going through tough times or need a hand to keep their homes habitable. We are the fourth largest town in NJ and have one of the lowest eviction rates in the state.
“We always work with organizations who wish to help those in need. All we ask is that they help us schedule their efforts to ensure that we know who is using our facilities and help prevent anyone who may wish to exploit the most vulnerable among us.
“We also have a responsibility to our residents and employees to make sure they have a safe environment and do not encounter any form of harassment while they go about their day.
“To paraphrase Dicken’s, this is the time year that want is felt most keenly. Lakewood is committed to providing those in need with a safe place to lay their heads and will work with anyone who seeks to provide help to those who need it.”

The mayor told CBS News New York Brigham is welcome to set up in the meantime, but Brigham is not convinced.

“I want something in writing to make sure that we’re going to be able to come out here and the other organizations are going to be able to come out here … I’ve got a lot of clothes and a lot of blankets that I want to get out here, and they need it,” Brigham said.

He would normally be out on Wednesday, but he says he’s going to hold off until he gets legal input. He hopes to return next week.

Jenna DeAngelis

Jenna DeAngelis is an Emmy award winning journalist. She joined CBS News New York as a general assignment reporter in March 2018.

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New Jersey

Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper

An alleged drunk, wrong-way driver was arrested following a crash on Interstate 80 in Warren County, officials said.

Robert Felegi was driving a pickup truck west in the eastbound lanes in Knowlton when he crashed head-on into a New Jersey State Trooper’s vehicle near milepost 1.4 around midnight Tuesday, State Police said.

The trooper had emergency lights and sirens activated while trying to alert motorists of a hazard ahead, authorities said.

The trooper suffered minor injuries, while Felegi was not hurt.

Felegi, 67, of Middleport, Pennsylvania, was charged with assault by auto and driving under the influence.

He was brought to the Warren County jail ahead of a detention hearing. An attorney for Felegi is not listed in court records.

investigation, and no additional information is available.

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New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

17 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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New Jersey

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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