New Jersey

Chris Christie says he saw drones above his home amid reports of strange lights in NJ, other states

Published

1 year ago

December 15, 2024

Chris Christie says he saw drones above his home amid reports of strange lights in NJ, other states

Add former Gov. Chris Christie to the list of New Jersey residents reporting mysterious “drone” sightings outside of their homes.

As reports of strange lights seen in the sky in New Jersey and other Northeast states have sparked questions and concerns across the country, Christie said during an interview Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” he believes he saw a drone outside his own home last week.

“That was a drone over my house, and I’ve never seen anything like that before and I’ve been living at that house for 30 years,” Christie said.

The sightings have raised concerns about potential public safety threats, with Christie and others saying more needs to be done to investigate. Christie said he wants the state police to have authority to “bring those drones down and find out why they’re doing what they’re doing.”

“You can see why people are concerned, and it’s a lack of communication from the government at the federal and state level that’s at fault here,” Christie said.

Federal authorities have tried to reassure Americans that the objects don’t appear to be operating nefariously. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have said such sightings mostly appear to be not drones at all.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Majorkas also said on ABC’s “This Week” that the federal government is helping the New Jersey State Police investigate the drone issue.

“I want to assure the American public we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities,” Majorkas said.

Federal authorities have found no evidence of foreign involvement in the drone flights, Majorkas said.

While acknowledging concerns about the drones, Majorkas noted there are more than one million registered in the United States and thousands flying every day, implying such activity is normal and frequent. He also noted that the Federal Aviation Administration changed the rules in 2023 so drones can fly at night.

Majorkas said some of the sightings are actually manned aircraft but added “there’s no question that drones are being sighted.”

Christie noted that drones have become an important part of commerce, law enforcement and other areas, adding: “We need to be able to operate in a safe way and we’re not doing that.”

President-elect Donald Trump joined the drone conversation with a recent social media post, calling on the government needs to give more information.

“Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” Trump wrote.

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

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New Jersey

New Jersey swim team left without pool after Wayne Community Center abruptly ends agreement

Published

11 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

New Jersey swim team left without pool after Wayne Community Center abruptly ends agreement

WAYNE, New Jersey (WABC) — A swim team in New Jersey says it’s getting kicked out of its pool.

The Rebels Aquatic Team says the Wayne Community Center told them the team can no longer use the facility, leaving more than 100 youth swimmers without a pool in the middle of the season.

The team has been using the pool for practices and meets.

The organizers thought they had a five-year commitment based on the contract but found out this week it was not enough to save them a space to use the pool.

The swim club was told this week that they have to shut down on June 24, but their swim season does not conclude until August 5.

The organizers began this effort to get kids into swimming at the height of the COVID lockdowns, and it has grown ever since.

Parents went online after getting word about being booted from the community pool and expressed a lot of frustration.

They have a practice Thursday afternoon and feel their kids are not getting a fair shake from the town.

Eyewitness News reached out to the mayor’s office and the Wayne Department of Recreation, who said they had no comment about this pool controversy.

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New Jersey

Older NJ residents consider leaving as costs rise, survey shows

Published

23 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Older NJ residents consider leaving as costs rise, survey shows

New survey data released May 13 suggests affordability pressures are increasingly shaping whether older New Jersey residents stay or leave the state.

More than one-third of residents age 45 and older – 35% – said they have considered leaving New Jersey in the past year, according to a new AARP New Jersey “Vital Voices” survey. Among those weighing a move, 67% said the high cost of living is a primary reason.

The findings come as state lawmakers continue discussions centered on property taxes, utility costs and policies aimed at helping residents age in place.

“New Jersey should be a place where people can afford to grow older, not a place they feel forced to leave,” Chris Widelo, state director of AARP New Jersey, said in a statement. “Right now, rising costs are pushing people out.”

NJ property taxes, utilities driving concern

Affordability pressures extend across multiple key household costs.

Property taxes remain a central concern, with 53% of respondents citing them as a factor in considering leaving the state. The survey also found strong support for the Stay NJ program, which provides eligible homeowners with up to $6,500 in annual property tax relief.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they support keeping the program intact, including maintaining the full benefit.

Rising utility costs are also a growing concern. About 89% of respondents said they are worried about increasing electricity bills, including a majority who said they are “very concerned.”

Support for caregiving relief, transparency

The survey highlights financial and logistical pressures facing caregivers, as more residents provide unpaid care for aging relatives.

More than half – 54% – of adults age 45 and older said they have served as unpaid caregivers. A majority said caregiving costs are a financial concern, and 86% expressed support for a caregiver tax credit.

Respondents also backed greater oversight of long-term care facilities. Strong majorities said they support requirements for nursing homes to disclose ownership, staffing levels and financial arrangements, along with greater transparency in how Medicaid funding is spent.

What it means for NJ budget talks

The findings underscore a broader policy debate in Trenton over how to address affordability challenges while maintaining services.

AARP New Jersey is urging state leaders to prioritize policies that reduce financial strain on older adults, including property tax relief, utility affordability and support for caregivers.

“This survey sends a clear message,” Widelo said. “If New Jersey wants to remain a place where people can age with dignity, we must focus on making it more affordable to stay.”

This story was created by reporter Joe Martino, jmartino@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.

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New Jersey

24-year-old elected mayor of NJ town as incumbent faced backlash in wake of massive warehouse fire

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

24-year-old elected mayor of NJ town as incumbent faced backlash in wake of massive warehouse fire

BELLEVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) — Frank Vélez, a 24-year-old town councilman, was elected as the new mayor of Belleville, New Jersey, on Tuesday.

Vélez may be young, but he has years of experience after he became involved in politics at 19 because his sister has special needs.

He has served on the school board in Belleville and the town council, and he was on the staff of former congressman Bill Pascrell.

Vélez said his win is a testament to hard work.

“We ran on getting back to the basics, the quality of life. Talking about responsible development and just talking about getting back to the priorities of working people,” Vélez said.

Incumbent Michael Melham faced backlash for his handling of a massive warehouse fire that shut down schools for more than a week.

There has been growing pessimism in town, highlighted by the massive 14-alarm warehouse fire this month that caused residents to evacuate and schools to shut down for days.

Parents and educators wrote a joint letter critical of Melham and school leadership for failing to communicate with parents during the emergency.

“In the hours and days following the fire, our community was left navigating uncertainty with little or no official instruction, resorting to group chats and scavenging social media for guidance or information, both of which should have been provided by the government that we entrust for such tasks,” the letter read in part.

Vélez said he’s ready to get to work.

“I feel grateful. I am humbled, and I’m just- just so ready to get to work as the next mayor of Belleville. And I’m so grateful to everyone for support. This was a resounding victory,” Vélez said.

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