New Jersey
New Jersey school apologizes for anti-Israel Ramadan letter
A New Jersey school district issued an apology after a letter on Ramadan with anti-Israel content had been sent by an assistant principal, NBC New York reported earlier this week.
According to the report, the assistant principal of Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey shared a widely circulated note, which offered seemingly innocent information regarding the month of Ramadan, but also included some anti-Israel comments.
Against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, the letter stated the US is “co-conspiring” with the Jewish State to bar “Muslim Palestinians from partaking in Ramadan.”
The letter further noted that “the Israeli Zionist occupation enacts a genocide against” Palestinians.
The note incurred severe criticism and parents’ complaints.
New Jersey school responds to Ramadan letter incident
“The document was not reviewed or approved by any district office or personnel,” school Superintendent Dr. Kevin Gilbert said later in response.
“While the intention of sharing the document was to provide a resource, serious content was overlooked,” he added.
“This resource contained language that, at any time, would be inflammatory but, particularly now, is deeply problematic and inappropriate for our schools.”
“The language in the document does not reflect what we believe creates a community that values inclusivity and belonging,” Gilbert concluded.
New Jersey
NJ air quality alert: High levels of ground level ozone predicted Sunday for Jersey Shore
1 minute read
Air pollution impacts some Americans more than others. Here’s why.
Four out of 10 Americans breathe polluted air every day, and some are bearing that burden more than others. Here’s why.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
High levels of ground level ozone will lead to an air quality alert in New Jersey from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 7, according to the National Weather Service.
The region will be under a “Code Orange Air Quality Action Day” as breathing outdoors will become unhealthy for some vulnerable groups of people, according to the Mount Holly station of the weather service.
The Air Quality Index for much of central and southern New Jersey, including Monmouth and Ocean counties, is predicted to be over 100 on Sunday. People with asthma, young children, elderly adults and outdoor workers are among the groups who may experience symptoms from breathing ozone-contaminated air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Breathing ozone can lead to coughing and sore throats, pain with breathing and lung inflammation, according to the federal agency. Exposure can aggravate lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and lead to more frequent asthma attacks, according to the EPA.
Ground level ozone is created when sunlight, heat and pollution from gas-powered cars, factories and power plants interact. Even low levels of ground level ozone can be harmful, according to the EPA.
To limit the affects, stay indoors, avoid outdoor exercise and activity mid-day, or move activities to the early morning or evening hours, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 15 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.
New Jersey
From Imperial Porters to NE IPAs, here’s the most-loved beers in New Jersey
One of NJ’s premiere breweries gets a facelift
Ocean Township’s Kane Brewing underwent a major renovation and here’s what the new tasting room looks like
Brian Johnston, Asbury Park Press
Want to taste the highest-rated beers in New Jersey?
They are pitcher perfect.
The Garden State has become a mecca of frothy, golden goodness over the years. And According to the Brewer’s Guild of New Jersey, there are more than 100 breweries around the state today.
So which beer IPA or Lager is the best?
To determine which beer has the highest-rate, Stacker.com released a report that compiled the best beers in New Jersey by using rankings from BeerAdvocate.com.
BeerAdvocate.com is a consumer-based website that uses a point-value rating system comprised of five ratable attributes, such as aroma and appearance, that gets calculated amongst a weighted rating system.
Below are the top 21 rated beers from in New Jersey.
Highest-rated beer in New Jersey
A maximum of five beers per brewery were included in the rankings, says Stacker.com.
Sunday Brunch: No. 1
- Brewery: Kane Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.55 (858 ratings)
- Type: Imperial Porter
- ABV: 9.20%
Mexican Brunch: No. 2
- Brewery: Kane Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.55 (613 ratings)
- Type: Imperial Porter
- ABV: 9.20%
Sunday Brunch, Bourbon Barrel-Aged: No. 3
- Brewery: Kane Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.57 (130 ratings)
- Type: Imperial Porter
- ABV: 11.00%
Mexican Brunch, Bourbon Barrel-Aged: No. 4
- Brewery: Kane Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.51 (79 ratings)
- Type: Imperial Porter
- ABV: 11.40%
A Night To End All Dawns: No. 5
- Brewery: Kane Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.41 (631 ratings)
- Type: American Imperial Stout
- ABV: 12.20%
Cafe Y Churro: No. 6
- Brewery: Carton Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.41 (243 ratings)
- Type: Cream Ale
- ABV: 12.00%
St. Kitts Coffee: No. 7
- Brewery: Carton Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.4 (47 ratings)
- Type: Cream Ale
- ABV: 12.00%
Gravitational Waves: No. 8
- Brewery: Conclave Brewing
- Rating: 4.37 (64 ratings)
- Type: New England IPA
- ABV: 6.84%
Ramstein Winter Wheat Eisbock: No. 9
- Brewery: High Point Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.35 (76 ratings)
- Type: Eisbock
- ABV: 11.50%
Epitome: No. 10
- Brewery: Carton Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.29 (326 ratings)
- Type: Black IPA
- ABV: 10.30%
Imperial Cold Side: No. 11
- Brewery: Magnify Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.39 (30 ratings)
- Type: New England IPA
- ABV: 8.50%
Peak Oil: No. 12
- Brewery: Magnify Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.3 (93 ratings)
- Type: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 9.00%
077XX: No. 13
- Brewery: Carton Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.26 (1,450 ratings)
- Type: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 7.80%
Peak Of Ripeness: No. 14
- Brewery: Magnify Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.29 (64 ratings)
- Type: New England IPA
- ABV: 6.50%
All Orange Everything: No. 15
- Brewery: Carton Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.25 (140 ratings)
- Type: Imperial IPA
- ABV: 10.50%
Heady Jams: No. 16
- Brewery: Brix City Brewing
- Rating: 4.3 (45 ratings)
- Type: New England IPA
- ABV: 8.00%
Kalashnikov: No. 17
- Brewery: Icarus Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.38 (21 ratings)
- Type: Russian Imperial Stout
- ABV: 14.50%
Gravitational Pull: No. 18
- Brewery: Conclave Brewing
- Rating: 4.37 (22 ratings)
- Type: American IPA
- ABV: 6.60%
Up Up & Away: No. 19
- Brewery: Magnify Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.3 (41 ratings)
- Type: New England IPA
- ABV: 8.50%
Maine Event: No. 20
- Brewery: Magnify Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.25 (92 ratings)
- Type: New England IPA
- ABV: 6.50%
Mexican Morning: No. 21
- Brewery: Conclave Brewing
- Rating: 4.3 (36 ratings)
- Type: Sweet/Milk Stout
- ABV: 5.00%
New Jersey
Can you smoke weed in public? What you need to know in New Jersey
NJ legal weed: Recreational marijuana dispensary locations, rules
Planning on buying legal marijuana during your visit to New Jersey this summer? Here are a few tips to make your experience a smooth one.
Ryan Ross and Mike Davis, Asbury Park Press
As summer rolls in, more people are out and about, and you might notice the distinct smell of pot wafting through the air. Cannabis, whether you call it weed, pot, dope, grass, herb, or reefer, goes by many names. But before you light up, there are a few things you should know.
Recreational marijuana is legal in New Jersey. But what does that really mean? Can you smoke weed in public?
According to NJ’s Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization (CREAMM) Act, the sale and use of weed and other cannabis products is legal for adults over 21.
However, the law doesn’t give users free range to light up anywhere.
Can you smoke weed in public in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s laws on marijuana say it’s illegal to use weed in public places where smoking is prohibited by the New Jersey Smokefree Air Act (NJ SFAA).
So, restaurants, schools, gyms and libraries are clearly pot-free spots. But where else should you not be smelling someone else’s recreational marijuana?
- Parks and recreational areas such as Liberty State Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, or any public playgrounds.
- Beaches and boardwalks like the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, or any other beach or boardwalk.
- Schools and educational facilities including Rutgers University, Princeton University, and local public and private schools.
- Public transit stations such as NJ Transit train stations, bus stops, or the Newark Liberty International Airport.
- Office buildings, such as those in downtown Newark or corporate offices in Jersey City.
- Restaurants and bars including The Chart House in Weehawken and The Ashford in Jersey City.
- Event venues like MetLife Stadium, Prudential Center, and any concert or sports venues.
- Public housing facilities managed by entities like the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
- Daycare centers such as The Learning Experience or KinderCare locations.
- Shopping malls like the Mall at Short Hills and the Cherry Hill Mall.
And, no, you can’t smoke in your car or while walking in your neighborhood, either.
Bottom line, pot is only legal on private property where the owner allows it — and is allowed to allow it.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist reporting on trending issues across the Mid-Atlantic region.
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