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LIVE UPDATES: Blizzard-like conditions, power outages impact New Jersey

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LIVE UPDATES: Blizzard-like conditions, power outages impact New Jersey


Major snowstorm grips New Jersey with blizzard-like conditions

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WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm

11:17 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.

WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Middlesex County during major winter storm

11:17 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Middlesex County as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.

DoorDash temporarily suspends operations in New Jersey due to snowstorm

9:56 PM: DoorDash says it has temporarily suspended operations across New Jersey as of 9 p.m. Sunday as a major winter storm moves across the state.

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The food-delivery company says that the suspension will last until at least noon on Monday.

The suspension also impacts Philadelphia.

“We’re suspending operations across impacted areas to keep our community safe. This is a serious storm — we’ll resume when it passes,” said DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley.

The company says it will monitor the conditions to determine when service can resume.

WATCH: Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks about snow conditions in Lacey Township

9:56 PM: Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks with News 12 about the snow conditions in the township. A major winter storm is impacting the New Jersey coast.

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A look at the snow conditions outside News 12’s studio

9:27 PM: News 12’s Eric Landskroner is outside the News 12 studio in Edison to check on the snow conditions in the area.

Landskroner also speaks with Les – a snowplow driver who has been clearing out the roads and parking lots near the studio for the past 30 years.

Mandatory travel restriction now in effect; NJ Transit rail service suspended

9 PM: Mandatory travel restrictions are now in effect for New Jersey.

The restrictions prohibit all non-exempt vehicles from traveling on state, county, municipal and interstate roadways. The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.

Violators may face penalties if they are caught on the roadways during this period.

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The restrictions will stay in place until 7 a.m. Monday.

NJ Transit has now suspended all rail service. Bus, light rail and Access Link services were suspended at 6 p.m.

“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.

JCP&L spokesman joins News 12 to discuss winter storm impacts

7:44 PM: JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig joins News 12 to discuss the latest impacts of this major winter storm on New Jersey and how utility crews are dealing with outages.

WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm

7:26 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.

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WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Edison during major winter storm

7:25 PM News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Edison as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.

NJ Transit to suspend rail service by 9 p.m.

5:30 PM: New Jersey Transit says that rail service will be suspended by 9 p.m. due to the potential blizzard impacting the state.

“Some service will end prior to 9 p.m. however no trains will begin a new trip after 9 p.m. from their origin point,” NJ Transit officials wrote in a statement.

All bus, light rail and Access Link services will be suspended at 6 p.m.

“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.

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WATCH: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joins News 12

6: 14 PM: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joined News 12 to discuss the major winter storm impacting New Jersey.

The mayor urged residents to stay indoors and to keep their cars off the street so that crews can plow

Newark residents urged not to park in the street; City Hall to be closed Monday

5:24 PM: Newark residents are being told not to park on the street tonight as a major snowstorm moves into the state.

Double-parked cars and cars parked on streets with “No Parking When Road Is Snow Covered” signs will be towed at the owner’s expense, according to officials.

Newark officials say that all city buildings, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday due to the storm. All non-emergency municipal services will also be suspended.

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SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

4:00 PM: We want to see your winter storm pictures and videos. Send them in, as long it is safe to do so, to News 12. You may see them in the show.


MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF TALKS STORM PLAN

3:45 PM: News 12 talked with Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden on how they are preparing for the storm. Monmouth County has over 300 DPW crews and 200 plow vehicles.


MIDDLETOWN MAYOR DISCUSSES STORM PREP

3:20 PM: News 12’s Jack Ford spoke with the mayor of Middletown about how the city is preparing to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to 24 inches of snowfall expected.


EDISON MAYOR TALKS STORM PREP

2:40 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally spoke with Edison Mayor Sam Joshi about the township’s storm preparedness. Edison has over 130 crews and 85 vehicles and plows ready to be deployed, according to Mayor Joshi.


UNIVERSITY CLOSINGS

2:05 PM: Monmouth University offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. All classes will be conducted remotely.

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Montclair State University will be fully remote on Monday, Feb. 23, due to the winter storm.


NJ TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE

1:45 PM: NJ Transit is suspending bus, light rail and Access Link services beginning 6 p.m. Sunday. Trains are currently running but service adjustments are expected later Sunday evening.


VEOLIA WATER RELEASES BLIZZARD RESPONSE PLAN

1:27 PM: Veolia Water is preparing crews and alerting customers to resources should they lose service during the approaching blizzard. The water company serves approximately 1.1 million NJ residents.


AIRLINES ISSUE TRAVEL ADVISORIES

12:57 PM: Air India has issued a travel advisory for the Tri-State area Sunday and Monday, with all flights from New York and Newark cancelled on Monday. 

JetBlue will temporarily suspend operations at several Northeast airports during the periods listed below. Customers traveling during this time should expect significant disruptions and cancellations.

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New York (JFK)
February 22 at 1:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA)
February 22 at 4:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM


GOV. SHERRILL PRESS CONFERENCE

12:30 PM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill held a press conference Sunday afternoon to update the state on the major winter storm descending on New Jersey.

All 21 counties in the state are under a blizzard warning for the first time in 30 years, Sherrill said. The governor warned that this is likely to be the worst storm in New Jersey since 1996. There is a 90% likelihood of the whole state getting a foot of snow or more.

The governor said the worst is expected Sunday night into Monday morning.

“These are considerably worse conditions that we are facing,” compared to the winter storm that hit the state last month, Sherrill said.

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A speed restriction of 35 mph on state highways will be in effect as of 3 p.m. NJ Transit buses, Access Link and light rail trains will run until 6 p.m., when service will be suspended.

A total of 101,000 tons of salt is ready for the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, and 350,000 tons for other state roads.

NJ Transit trains are expected to run into the evening, but will likely be suspended tonight pending a later announcement, said Sherrill.

“Don’t travel tonight. It’s dangerous,” she said.

Power outages are also expected around the state.

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“We also anticipate that wet, heavy snow will cause power outages throughout the state as branches and trees fall,” said Sherrill.

State offices are closed on Monday.


HOUR-BY-HOUR WEATHER FORECAST

9:40 AM: A potentially historic snowstorm with blizzard conditions is in the forecast for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut through Monday. Isolated spots in the tri-state area could see up to 2 feet of snow. News 12 meteorologist Alex Calamia is here with an hour-by-hour forecast to show you when impacts could be at their worst and most dangerous.


Gov. Sherrill appears live on News 12, warns of life‑threatening blizzard

8:48 AM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill said New Jersey is prepared for the approaching blizzard as a state of emergency begins at noon Sunday. Sherrill said blizzard conditions are expected in all 21 counties. “We’re anticipating an incredibly dangerous storm, the likes of which we have not seen since 1996,” she said. Forecasts show two to three inches of snow an hour overnight in some areas, along with heavy, wet snow and winds up to 50 mph, especially along the coast.

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STORM RESOURCES


COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS

8:50 AM: Commercial vehicles will face travel restrictions on multiple N.J. Interstate highways starting at 3 p.m. Sunday due to a severe winter storm forecast, says NJDOT Acting Commissioner Priya Jain.


AAA warns of power outages and dangerous travel as nor’easter approaches

8:30 AM: AAA Northeast is urging drivers to stay home as snow and blizzard‑like conditions move into the Northeast late Sunday into Monday. The storm brings the possibility of power outages, and drivers are encouraged to charge phones, portable chargers and other essential items before the worst conditions arrive. Road travel may become difficult, and drivers are advised to stay off the roads during and after the storm when possible.


8:40 AM: Mayor James Solomon says Jersey City is bracing for major winter storm


Rider University is closed Sunday and Monday, with no classes held.


FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

8:10 AM: Flight cancellations are piling up in the area due to the snowstorm. Newark Liberty Airport has hundreds of delays and nearly a dozen cancellations already. Airlines are gearing up for the storm, but it’s likely to get worse. If you’re flying, check with your airline for updates


NJ TRANSIT UPDATE

8:10 AM: NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri says trains and buses will keep running Sunday, but Monday’s morning rush is still up in the air. No official cancellations or changes are announced yet, but that’s likely to change given the storm forecast.

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Here are current service changes:

  • Bus route 197 will originate and terminate at Greenwood Lake Park and Ride due to the inclement weather. NJ Transit rail will accept NJ Transit bus tickets and passes on Port Jervis Line trains to and from Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg stations. Short Line Bus will accept NJ Transit tickets and passes in Orange County.
  • Rail service (except ACRL) is operating on the Portal Cutover weekend schedule. Midtown Direct service will operate to/from PSNY with no diversion to Hoboken. No cross honoring in Hoboken.

SHARK RIVER CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC

7:50 AM: The Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River is closed to all marine traffic between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea. The channel is being closed so the bridge can be lowered and secured ahead of the winter storm.


TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE SHOVELING

7:45 AM: As the region prepares for significant snowfall, safety experts are reminding residents to take simple steps to avoid injuries while clearing walkways and driveways.

Many of the most common winter injuries happen during shoveling, which can strain muscles and increase risks for people with existing health issues. Officials say a few small habits can make the process much safer.

  • Stretch before you start to reduce the chance of muscle strain.
  • Take rest breaks every few minutes, especially during heavy or wet snow.
  • Don’t overexert yourself — stop immediately if you feel pain or shortness of breath.
  • Be careful when walking on snow and ice, which can be extra slippery under fresh accumulation.
  • Offer to help neighbors who may have difficulty clearing snow on their own.
  • If you have a heart condition, be extra careful and consider asking someone else to shovel for you.

7:30 AM: PSEG’s tips for power outage safety:

  • Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines
  • Create an emergency kit
  • Stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food
  • Charge your phone before the storm hits




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Devils Out to Rattle the Leafs | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils

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Devils Out to Rattle the Leafs  | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils


THE SCOOP

The Devils began their season-high seven-game homestand with a decisive victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The win was their second consecutive victory after picking up a win in St. Louis earlier in the week. 

There’s not a lot of runway left in the season, and stringing together a run of victories is at the top of their minds. New Jersey is 11 points out of the final Wild Card spot, and 13 out of third in the Metropolitan Division. Tuesday will mark the Devils final game before the NHL Trade Deadline, which is on Friday at 3 p.m.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a down year, based on where the expectations were set heading into the season. The Leafs have struggled to gain any traction in their season and sit just two points ahead of New Jersey with 64. Toronto is 12 points out of third in the Atlantic Division, and nine points out of a Wild Card spot. 

The Leafs have a tendency to give up an abundance of shots to their opponents, ranking first in the league in shots against, per game with 31.8, which bodes will for a Devils team that averages 29.4 shots per game, ranking sixth in the league. Despite their overall struggles, the Leafs do have the league’s fourth-best penalty kill, working at an 83.1 percent efficiency.

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Former Lumberton, New Jersey, mayor Gina LaPlaca pleads guilty to 2025 DUI, sentenced to treatment program

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Former Lumberton, New Jersey, mayor Gina LaPlaca pleads guilty to 2025 DUI, sentenced to treatment program


A former mayor in Burlington County, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to DUI and child endangerment charges after a 2025 traffic stop, according to prosecutors.

Lumberton Township committee member Gina LaPlaca, 46, was indicted last spring on child abuse charges after county prosecutors said she was observed driving drunk with her young child in the car, while serving as the township mayor. 

Police arrested her at her home after reviewing video from a witness showing her swerving out of her lane and nearly hitting a utility pole. Lumberton police discovered her blood alcohol concentration was .30%, over three times the legal limit of .08%.

On Monday, LaPlaca was sentenced to three years in a diversionary program for first-time offenders after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and a fourth-degree child abuse charge. As part of the plea deal, LaPlaca will avoid jail time as long as she abides by the terms of the program.

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Under the terms of the Pretrial Intervention or PTI program, she must attend regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and comply with any requirements set by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

Judge Craig A. Ambrose also ordered LaPlaca to have an ignition lock device on her car that will prevent it from starting up if the driver has consumed alcohol. She said in court she had already installed one in October 2025, the county prosecutor’s office said.

If LaPlaca violates the terms of the PTI program, she could be prosecuted for the child abuse charge.  

LaPlaca completed an intensive treatment program in May 2025 and said in a statement that she is “fully committed to my recovery” and is doing the “daily, intentional work” that comes with it. She apologized to Lumberton residents while acknowledging a private struggle with alcohol addiction that was no longer private.

“The weight of my actions is something I carry deeply,” she said in a statement shared on social media. “What I did was wrong. It was dangerous. It was inexcusable. I drove while intoxicated with my child in the car — a choice that could have caused irreversible harm. That reality is something I will live with, and learn from, for the rest of my life.”

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LaPlaca served as mayor through 2025 but remains on the township committee. Terrance Benson was sworn in as mayor of Lumberton this year.



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Newark-bound United flight returns to LA airport for evacuation after reported fire

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Newark-bound United flight returns to LA airport for evacuation after reported fire


NEWARK, New Jersey — A United Airlines flight headed to Newark, New Jersey returned to the Los Angeles airport Monday about 40 minutes after taking off for an emergency evacuation after a reported fire, authorities said.

All flights at the LAX International Airport were ordered to remain on the ground for about half an hour during the flight’s return and evacuation, according to advisories from the Federal Aviation Administration. No injuries were reported.

The flight, which was en route to Newark Liberty International Airport returned to LAX to address an issue with one of the engines, the airline said in a statement. There was no mention of a fire, but the LA Fire Department said it responded and there was a fire that was contained as of an hour after the plane’s landing.

The flight took off at 10:43 a.m., began to turn around at about 11 a.m. and landed again at 11:19 a.m., according to flight tracker FlightAware.

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The LA Fire Department said they assisted with the evacuation of more than 250 passengers and crew. Passengers exited the plane on the taxiway using slides and stairs and were taken to the terminal, the airline said.

The airplane was a Boeing 787-9, a variant of the popular line of 787 Dreamliner long-haul aircraft.

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