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Federal judge rules on NYC congestion pricing; interpretation differs between parties

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Federal judge rules on NYC congestion pricing; interpretation differs between parties

A federal judge issued a partial ruling on Monday in the battle between New York and New Jersey over New York City’s controversial congestion pricing, finding the Empire State took most of the necessary steps to impose a plan to charge a toll on drivers entering the center of Manhattan.

The judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Court Judge Leo M. Gordon, also called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review and provide an explanation of certain aspects of the congestion pricing program.

While Gordon asked the FHWA for more information, he did not explicitly state whether the program should proceed as planned on Jan. 5, 2025.

Despite this, officials from New York and New Jersey claimed victory after Gordon issued his decision.

MTA BOARD APPROVES DEMOCRATIC GOV. HOCHUL’S MASSIVE NYC CONGESTION PRICING TOLL REBOOT

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FILE – Traffic enters lower Manhattan after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 indefinitely delayed implementation of a plan to charge motorists big tolls to enter the core of Manhattan, just weeks before the nations first “congestion pricing” system was set to launch.  (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

“The program will move forward this weekend,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

Also weighing in was Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, who said the MTA is “gratified” with Gordon’s decision.

“We’re gratified that on virtually every issue, Judge Gordon agreed with the New York federal court and rejected New Jersey’s claim that the Environmental Assessment approved 18 months ago was deficient,” Lieber said. “Most important, the decision does not interfere with the program’s scheduled implementation this coming Sunday, January 5. On the two remaining issues where the Judge requested that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provide additional data – information that was not yet before the Court in this proceeding – we’re confident that the subsequent Federal actions, including the approval of the revised, reduced toll rates, did put those issues to rest.”

NY’S DEM GOVERNOR INDEFINITELY HALTS CONGESTION PRICING PLAN, PUTTING PARTY OVER CLIMATE

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MTA Chair at March meeting

UNITED STATES -March 1: MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, speaks to the media during a break from a public hearing on congestion pricing Friday, March 1, 2024 in Manhattan, New York.   (Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Despite Hochul and the MTA declaring a win in imposing the congestion pricing, Attorney for the State of New Jersey Randy Mastro interpreted Gordon’s decision differently, in that congestion pricing is on hold pending further clarification from federal officials.

“We welcome the court’s ruling today in the congestion pricing lawsuit. Because of New Jersey’s litigation, the judge has ordered a remand, and the MTA therefore cannot proceed with implementing the current congestion pricing proposal on January 5, 2025,” Mastro said. “The judge determined that the Federal Highway Administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in approving the MTA’s plan, that the FHWA’s decision provided no rational explanation of mitigation commitments, that New York changed its tolling scheme significantly after it gained federal approval, and that more consideration is needed before the current congestion pricing proposal may take effect. 

“New Jersey remains firmly opposed to any attempt to force through a congestion pricing proposal in the final weeks of the Biden Administration,” he added. “There could not be a worse time to impose a new $9 toll, escalating over time to $15, on individuals who are traveling into downtown Manhattan for work, school, or leisure.”

NEW YORK GOV. KATHY HOCHUL CALLS TRUMP SUPPORTERS ‘CLOWNS’ IN HER OWN ‘BASKET OF DEPLORABLES’ MOMENT

Pedestrians and traffic in New York City

FILE – Pedestrians cross Delancey Street as congested traffic from Brooklyn enters Manhattan over the Williamsburg Bridge, March 28, 2019, in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, indefinitely delayed implementation of a plan to charge motorists big tolls to enter the core of Manhattan, just weeks before the nation’s first “congestion pricing” system was set to launch.  (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

According to the judge’s decision, the FHWA has until Jan. 17, 2025 to provide feedback.

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Last month, the MTA approved Hochul’s congestion pricing in a 12-1 vote.

Congestion pricing would commence in January, and institute a video-enforced toll on newly-built gantries surrounding the city’s core. Traffic moving below 60th Street and Central Park, and entering from New Jersey, Brooklyn or Queens — except for via the RFK Triboro Bridge and George Washington Bridge — would be subject to the toll.

Hochul previously said she would like to see a slightly lower price point than the original $15 — around $9, citing inflation — and Lieber suggested he was open to seeing whether a lower toll could achieve the same revenue goals.

Ultimately, the MTA agreed to a phased-in congestion pricing plan that will result in Manhattan drivers getting hit with a higher-priced toll by 2031.

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President-elect Trump has indicated his intentions to scrap congestion pricing once he returns to the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2025, a move that could be more complicated if the program is already in place.

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Massachusetts

Here's what the largest lottery prize won in Mass. in 2024 was

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Here's what the largest lottery prize won in Mass. in 2024 was


The largest lottery prize won in Massachusetts in 2024 came from a ticket given to the winner as a birthday gift, which they called “the best birthday present ever.”

There were at least 150 players who won between $1 million and $15 million — and one player won even more.

The top prize won in Massachusetts in 2024 was worth $1 million a year for life.

The prize was from “Lifetime Millions,” a $50 scratch ticket game released on Feb. 6, 2024. As of Jan. 3, there are still two $1 million a year for life grand prizes remaining to be claimed, along with three $2 million prizes and seven $1 million prizes.

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The top lottery winner of 2024 claimed their prize through the Merjon Tangovan Nominee Trust of Boston, represented by trustee Greg Racki, on July 10, 2024.

The winner received $15.4 million after Racki selected the cash option instead of annuity for the grand prize. They told Racki they plan on buying a new car, traveling and helping their family with the cash.

The winning ticket was bought at Northside Market & Liquors, located at 44 North Rd. in Bedford. The store received a $50,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Here’s the complete list of the top 10 largest lottery prizes won in Massachusetts in 2024:

  1. $1 million a year for life prize claimed from the “Lifetime Millions” scratch ticket game on July 10. The winner opted to receive their prize as a one-time payment of $15.4 million, and bought their $50 ticket at the Northside Convenience shop in Bedford. There’s still two grand prizes left to be claimed.
  2. $15 million prize claimed from the “$15,000,000 Money Maker” scratch ticket game on Aug. 15. The winner bought their $30 ticket in Lynn at the One Stop Mart. As of December, there’s just one grand prize left to be claimed in the game.
  3. $15 million prize claimed from the “300X” scratch ticket game on June 13. The winning $30 ticket was purchased at the Country Farms store in Topsfield. This was the first and only grand prize claimed in the game as of December, with two more grand prizes left to claim.
  4. $10 million prize claimed from the “$10,000,000 Cash Blast” scratch ticket game on Oct. 3. The winner bought their $20 ticket at the Star Liquor store in Shrewsbury. It was the first and only grand prize claimed in the game as of December, with two more grand prizes left to claim.
  5. $10 million prize claimed from the “$10,000,000 Cash King” scratch ticket game, also on Oct. 3. This winner bought their $20 ticket in Boston at Jobi Liquors, Inc., leaving no grand prizes left to be claimed.
  6. $10 million prize claimed from the “$10,000,000 Bonanza” scratch ticket game on Sept. 4. The winning $20 ticket was sold in Raynham at Coletti’s Market, and was the only grand prize claimed in the game as of December, with two more grand prizes left to claim.
  7. $5.37 million jackpot prize won during the “Megabucks” drawing on May 4. The winning numbers for the drawing were 4, 11, 15, 26, 30 and 40, and the winning ticket was purchased in Northborough at Lowe’s Variety Mart.
  8. $5 million prize claimed from a “$5,000,000 100X Cashword 2024″ scratch ticket on Oct. 2. A hot week for lottery players in the state, this $20 winning ticket was sold at From Brazil Restaurant in Peabody. There’s just one grand prize left in the game as of December.
  9. $5 million prize claimed from a “$5,000,000 100X Cashword” scratch ticket (released in 2023) on June 18. The winning ticket was sold at the Price Chopper in Pittsfield, and was the last grand prize left in the game.
  10. $2.64 million prize won during the “Megabucks” drawing on Aug. 24. The winning numbers for the drawing were 5, 6, 8, 9, 24 and 32, and the winner bought their ticket while at the Hillcrest Country Club in Leicester.



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New Hampshire

12-year-old boy dies after crashing into tree while skiing in New Hampshire

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12-year-old boy dies after crashing into tree while skiing in New Hampshire


A 12-year-old has died in a horrific accident after plowing into a tree while skiing in New Hampshire, said officials.

The young boy had been skiing at the Cranmore Mountain Resort on New Year’s Eve when he crashed into the tree, said Conway Police Department Thursday.

North Conway Fire and Rescue responded to the accident at the popular ski resort late morning after receiving reports of an unconscious boy on Skimobile Road in North Conway.

The child, who remains unidentified, had been skiing down The Bandit trail, which is listed as an intermediate run.

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CPR was quickly initiated at the scene and he was rushed to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.

“When rescue personnel arrived on scene, the 12-year-old male was being treated by Cranmore Mountain Ski Patrol who had transported the boy to the base of the mountain,” the police said in a statement.

“He was then transported by Action Ambulance to Maine Health Memorial Hospital in North Conway where he passed as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision,” officials added.

“On behalf of the Conway Police Department, and all the first responders who assisted, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family members of the 12-year-old boy,” said Conway Police Chief Christopher Mattei.

When approached for comment a Cranmore Mountain Resort spokesperson told The Independent: “On behalf of Cranmore Mountain Resort, our thoughts, and prayers go out to the family. The entire Cranmore family grieves this tragic loss.”

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When asked to comment on the number of incidents that have occurred at the Cranmore resort, the spokesperson did not respond.

Last March a 14-year-old boy died after crashing into a tree while snowboarding down a beginner trail on Dercum Mountain in Colorado.

Levi Inama had been a student at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument when the ski patrol was called then to a “serious incident.” The teenager died days later after being taken off life support at a Denver hospital, reported The Colorado Sun.

The Independent contacted the Conway Police Department for further information.



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New Jersey

Monday’s snowstorm impacts are uncertain, but 4 to 8 inches can’t be ruled out

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Monday’s snowstorm impacts are uncertain, but 4 to 8 inches can’t be ruled out


There’s no question a huge winter storm system will be criss-crossing the nation during the next few days. What’s unknown is the storm’s track — and how much snow may be piling up in New Jersey when the system arrives here late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Weather forecasters say there’s still a high degree of uncertainty over the storm’s impacts on our region, because computer guidance models don’t have a good handle on whether the bulk of the storm will move south of New Jersey or push closer to our area.

If the bulk of the storm coming from the Central Plains tracks farther south, it would limit the amount of snow in North Jersey and bring only light or moderate accumulations to South Jersey late Sunday night through Monday evening, forecasters said on Friday.

A more northern storm track, closer to the Garden State, would boost the snow totals for our region.

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As of now, the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office says “snowfall accumulations are possible across the entire forecast area, with the greatest amounts most likely near and/or south of the Philadelphia metro area into Delmarva and southern NJ.”

Weather forecasters say moderate to heavy snow is possible in the southern half of New Jersey late Sunday night through much of the day on Monday, leading to the possibility of dangerous road conditions.National Weather Service

The weather service stresses there’s a high degree of uncertainty in the snow forecast, but said it anticipates “a 4- to 6-inch snowfall event for areas on a line from I-76 to I-195 and points south, including the Philadelphia
metro.”

Within that area, it’s possible heavy bands of snow could fall in isolated places and pile up as high as 6 to 8 inches, the weather service noted in its latest forecast.

At the same time, those numbers could be knocked down if the snow mixes with sleet or rain.

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In areas between Interstate 80 and the Interstate 76/Interstate 195 corridor, the weather service is calling for snow totals ranging from 2 to 4 inches, with less than 2 inches expected in areas north of I-80.

“There will be a sharp northern gradient to the snowfall due to confluence and dry air off to the north, so some of these totals may be slightly too high,” the weather service noted.

Snow is expected to begin late Sunday night in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, continuing through Monday morning and Monday afternoon before winding down as light snow or flurries Monday night, the weather service said.

NJ snowstorm forecast for Sunday night and Monday

Weather forecasters say moderate to heavy snow is possible in the southern half of New Jersey late Sunday night through much of the day on Monday, leading to the possibility of dangerous road conditions.National Weather Service

If heavy snow does materialize, drivers will have to contend with “snow-covered roads and difficult travel Sunday night through Monday,” the weather service said.

Forecasters from AccuWeather are predicting 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulations in South Jersey, 1 to 3 inches of snow in Central Jersey and virtually no accumulating snow in far northern sections of New Jersey.

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Officials in Atlantic City said they are hoping for light snow but preparing for heavy snow.

“This event could cause a lot of trouble,” Scott Evans, the city’s fire chief and emergency management coordinator, told the Press of Atlantic City. “Once we get above two inches, we have to get the plows out. We’re preparing for the worst-case scenario if we get eight inches. But we’re hoping for the best scenario, which would be just a couple inches.”

NJ snow forecast for Sunday-Monday winter storm

Forecasters from AccuWeather are predicting 3 to 6 inches of snow accumulations in South Jersey, 1 to 3 inches of snow in Central Jersey and virtually no accumulating snow in far northern sections of New Jersey late Sunday night, Jan. 5, through Monday evening, Jan. 6, 2025.AccuWeather

Smaller storm on Friday

Meanwhile, parts of South Jersey are getting a light coating of snow from a smaller storm system that arrived from the west Friday afternoon.

Because the snow could create slippery roads, a winter weather advisory is in effect now until 10 p.m. Friday in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous,“ the weather service noted, urging drivers to ”slow down and use caution while traveling.”

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Depending on how the next storm system shapes up, new winter weather advisories or winter storm watches could be issued in New Jersey this weekend.

Current weather radar

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.





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