New Jersey
Firefighters in New Jersey talk about burnout battling back-to-back wildfires:
Seeing the flames and plumes of smoke from above is one thing, but seeing the wildfires on the ground is a whole different story for firefighters.
“To see those massive clouds of smoke and flames moving through the woods towards the houses, it’s just as awe-inspiring for us. It’s something we don’t battle every day,” said Eamonn Fitzpatrick-Ruth, who works for Evesham Fire-Rescue.
Evesham Fire-Rescue has been assisting and offering resources and manpower to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in battling the Bethany Run Wildfire, which is burning close to 400 acres near Kettle Run Road.
“The Forest Fire service is operating in and down the state of New Jersey, so obviously in a dry situation like this, they are working numerous fires at the same time, so the use of local resources is really critical to allow them to do what they need to do,” said Deputy Chief Scott Freedman.
Evesham Fire-Rescue said they helped keep the flames from reaching homes, which included clearing leaves, brush, and anything that could fuel the fire even more. They also had to check on residents.
“We have to make sure if it’s occupied or unoccupied, if it is, we need to brief them quickly on what’s occurring, what may occur, and what they can do in the meantime,” said Captain Mike Chambers.
The firefight is far from easy. At times it can be exhausting especially during a drought.
“We are hanging in there. It’s definitely been a long and dry season,” Fitzpatrick-Ruth said.
“They have a mission focus mindset,” said Chambers. “We are go-getter people, so we are going to be hard to admit that we need a break.”
Firefighters said while it’s been a busy season, they are hoping to get some rain soon.
New Jersey
10 hospitalized, including some students, after crash involving school bus in New Jersey
MOORESTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) — Ten people, including several students, were hospitalized Tuesday after a school bus crash in Burlington County, New Jersey.
The collision happened around 3 p.m. at Borton Landing and Hartford roads in Moorestown.
Township officials said in a Facebook post that a car and school bus collided at the intersection, injuring six students, the bus driver and three occupants of the passenger vehicle. All injuries appear to be minor, officials said.
“We have been made aware of a bus accident on one of our routes. There are no significant injuries for our students,” Moorestown Township Public Schools said in a statement.
The remaining students on the bus were taken to a nearby school, where they were picked up by family members.
School counselors will be available this week to provide additional support to students.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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New Jersey
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.
New Jersey
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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