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

Bruins 4, Devils 0 | HIGHLIGHTS | New Jersey Devils

Published

6 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Bruins 4, Devils 0 | HIGHLIGHTS | New Jersey Devils

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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New Jersey

Husband dies after killing wife, shooting self at NJ nursing home, police say

Published

18 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Husband dies after killing wife, shooting self at NJ nursing home, police say

A man has died of self-inflicted injures, officials said, a day after he shot and killed his estranged wife at a New Jersey nursing home on Monday.

According to police, on Tuesday morning, Brandon Alexander, 35, of Minotola, New Jersey, succumbed to self-inflicted injuries at a New Jersey hospital after he shot and killed his wife, Victoria, 38, also of Minotola, NJ, at Excelcare Rehabilitation Facility in Egg Harbor Township.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

That shooting, officials said, happened at about 6 a.m. at the nursing home, located along the 6800 block of Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township.

Follow up investigation determined that the shooting happened after Alexander waited in the parking lot of the nursing home for his estranged wife to show up at work, where she was employed as a nurse, on Monday morning, officials said.

Once she arrived, officials said, Alexander maneuvered his vehicle to block in her car and he then entered her vehicle, before leaving a pair of suicide notes on the dashboard.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

However, as this happened, a food truck driver pulled up and asked Alexander to move his vehicle, police said.

At that time, police said, Alexander exited his wife’s car and followed her into the nursing home building where he shot her several times before turning the gun on himself.

Victoria Alexander was pronounced at the scene and, officials said, her estranged husband was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to self-inflicted injuries on Tuesday morning.

An investigation into this incident, officials said, remains ongoing.

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New Jersey

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for April 13, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

APP.com Digital Desk
| Asbury Park Press

Powerball winning numbers are in for the Monday, April 13 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $45 million ($20.5 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Monday’s drawing are 38, 43, 59, 63, and 64, with Powerball number 15. The Power Play number is 3.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
Match 4 White Balls: $100
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
Match 3 White Balls: $7
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
Match Powerball: $4
Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.

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