New Jersey
NJ officials launch push to protect children online this summer
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — With school vacations just around the corner, officials in New Jersey kicked off Internet Safety Month Friday with a renewed push to keep young people safe online this summer.
Representatives from the U.S Department of Homeland Security joined U.S. Attorney Phillip Sellinger, NJ State Police Superintendent Pat Callahan and other law enforcement officials in Newark.
They talked about ways to protect children online and warned parents about the dangers of kids’ unsupervised use of electronic devices, including smart phones, tables and gaming devices.
“With just a click, kids have the world at their fingertips,” said Homeland Security Special Agent Ricky Patel, “which unfortunately includes the good and the bad.”
The federal, state and county law enforcement officials reminded parents how easy it is for adult internet predators to pose as young people and solicit sexually explicit photos and videos.
“In 2022 alone, task forces around the country investigated 167,000 cybercrimes against children, where predators entice kids to produce and send sexually explicit images of them over the internet,” said Sellinger.
They also discussed even more serious cases of human trafficking, sexual abuse and illegal drug sales to minors that their agencies frequently encounter – and the length to which predators often go to target kids.
“We have seen those willing to leave countries thousands of miles away to see a minor,” said Callahan, describing investigators’ undercover sting operations, “only to be met by undercover officers when they get off a plane.”
These experts advise parents to keep an open dialogue with their kids – and not to assume parental controls on the devices are adequate.
“You can’t say, ‘Well, I only let my kid go on for one app,’” said Derek Nececkas, interim director of the NJ Division of Criminal Justice. “Any app capable of communication is capable of being used in an abusive way.”
Selliger reminded parent that connections with strangers can happen not just through text messages on phones, but also through chat features in video games, and video messaging on phones, computers and tablets.
He and other officials stressed the importance of parents knowing everyone with whom their children are communicating with online.
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New Jersey
New Jersey school district announces 2-hour delay for morning after Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX appearance
After the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, students in one New Jersey school district will have a couple extra hours to sleep in.
Officials in the Gloucester City, New Jersey school district announced a two-hour delayed opening for Feb. 10, 2025 — the Monday morning after the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LIX starts at 6:30 p.m. With both the game and the Super Bowl halftime show — headlined this year by Kendrick Lamar, with SZA as a guest — it’s very likely things won’t wrap until after 10 p.m.
“It is a rare and special time for families to watch our local professional football team compete in the Super Bowl. We feel that it’s important to give students and staff the opportunity to enjoy the game with their families and still attend school & work the next day safely and well-rested,” Gloucester City High School wrote on its Facebook page.
The post concluded with “have a nice evening. Go Birds.”
Gloucester City is just across the river from South Philadelphia.
Philadelphia area schools had delayed openings for past Super Bowl appearance
The Gloucester City School District also had a delay the morning after Super Bowl LVII in 2023, when the Eagles also faced the Chiefs. That year, the School District of Philadelphia, Archdiocese of Philadelphia and many other districts also announced delayed openings to allow students and parents to sleep in.
Eagles fans had a long night as the city of Philadelphia toasted the Birds’ NFC title game victory over the Washington Commanders with a massive party along Broad Street on Sunday. There was dancing, singing, Eagles chants and of course, a few people climbed some poles.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said Philadelphia police and emergency responders handled the crowds well, but she warned residents not to fire guns in any celebration. In a video widely shared on social media, a man could be seen firing a gun into the air multiple times as a large crowd of fans gathered at Frankford and Cottman avenues after the NFC title game win.
Should the day after the Super Bowl be a holiday?
Some groggy NFL fans have lobbied for the league to add another game to the regular season schedule, lengthening the season by one more week. Teams would then play 18 games over 19 weeks, with one week for a bye.
That extra week would make Super Bowl Sunday the day before Presidents’ Day, when schools, banks and government offices are closed — a natural day off for many parents and students.
The next chance for that schedule change to happen would be when the NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement expires in 2030, CBS News Boston reported.
New Jersey
Environmental regulators call for overhaul of Trenton Water Works
The reports outline a number of alternative structures, including operating it as a public utility independent of any municipal government, or as a public-private partnership.
A regional approach to operating the system is also on the table — currently, Trenton Water Works provides water for more than 200,000 people across Trenton, Ewing and parts of Hamilton, Lawrence and Hopewell. LaTourette stressed that privatizing the municipal-owned system is completely out of the question.
“We believe that the system can be restructured successfully, and in doing so, still maintain its publicly owned identity, serve the interests of the city of Trenton, invest in its future and give the service-area communities a seat at the table,” LaTourette said. “Most importantly, that the system can and should be fully modernized and professionalized to ensure the delivery of reliably safe clean drinking water at affordable rates.”
The mayors elected in the towns serviced by Trenton Water Works issued a joint statement in support of an overhaul.
“We, the Mayors of TWW-serviced towns, agree that the status quo is not sustainable, and we believe that creating a new public utility, with governance that allows for greater operational independence and collaboration across municipalities, is a necessary step forward,” said the statement released by Jeff Martin of Hamilton Township, Bert Steinmann of Ewing Township, Patricia Hendricks Farmer of Lawrence Township, Courtney Peters-Manning of Hopewell Township, and W. Reed Gusciora of Trenton.
New Jersey
New Jersey lottery player wins $4 million on a scratch-off ticket. Here’s where
A trip to the convenience store turned into a $4 million payday for one lucky Bergen County lottery player.
“We have a NEW MILLIONAIRE in town! A lucky player won a TOP PRIZE of $4,000,000 on a $30 200X Cash Blitz Scratch-Offs!” the New Jersey Lottery posted on Instagram Monday morning.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Krauszer’s on West Main Street in Ramsey.
While claiming the prize, the winner told the New Jersey Lottery: ““My hands are still shaking.”
The winner opted for the cash value of $2,409,200, rather than annuity payments.
“My lifestyle won’t change,” said the lottery player, adding the win does add security to their life.
The 200X Cash Blitz scratch-off game began at the beginning of the August and costs $30 to play. The game offers players a chance at prizes from $50 to $50,000 with three grand prizes of $4 million.
One top prize still remains. The other $4 million ticket was purchased at a Sunoco Foodmart on Chestnut Street in Elmer (Salem County).
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