New Jersey

NJ’s William Paterson University lost professor’s 380-million-year-old fossils — which ended up in a Tenn. dump, lawsuit claims

Published

9 months ago

March 18, 2025

NJ’s William Paterson University lost professor’s 380-million-year-old fossils — which ended up in a Tenn. dump, lawsuit claims

He has an ancient bone to pick.

A professor is suing a New Jersey university after it allegedly caused his collection of 380-million-year-old fossils to end up in a Nashville landfill, ruining more than 18 years of work.

Martin Becker, a professor of environment science and a paleontologist at William Paterson University in Wayne, accused the school of negligence over failing to pay outstanding fees to UPS, which was supposed to transport about 200 of his fossils from the campus to Florida, NBC News reports.

Instead, the error caused Becker’s life work to be tossed out at a Tennessee dump, upending the “hundreds upon hundreds of hours” the paleontologist spent collecting rare ancient fossils from the Devonian period of the Paleozoic Era on New Jersey’s High Mountain.

“Plaintiff’s assemblage of the fossils is the most unique and comprehensive collection of marine fossils ever reported in Northern New Jersey,” the lawsuit states.

“The fossil assemblage was an integral part of plaintiff’s life and all aspects of his career, and was a critical factor in plaintiff’s good name and stupendous reputation at William Paterson and the fields of paleontology and geology,” it added.

Becker’s nightmare began on June 18, 2024, when he packed his 200-fossile collection inside 19 separate boxes to be sent off from the university’s mailroom to a colleague in Florida for a collaborative project.

The packages were handed off to mailroom supervisor Raymond Boone, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, with UPS picking up the boxes that same day, according to the lawsuit.

Boone allegedly told Becker he would receive tracking and insurance information from UPS, but Becker says he never received the documents.

When the professor learned that the fossils never arrived in Florida, he made multiple calls to the mailroom and finally received tracking information on Aug. 20, according to the suit.

It allegedly showed that the packages were still in New Jersey, and Becker said he repeatedly contacted Boone to resolve whatever issue was stalling the delivery.

By Sept. 20, Boon told Becker the fossils might have been held up by the UPS fraud department, according to the lawsuit.

Becker went on to contact UPS directly 10 days later, learning that his packages were intercepted because the university’s account had been canceled over its failure to pay outstanding invoices, the lawsuit states.

The school’s account had already been canceled on April 24, with Boone knowing about the lapse by July 8 despite telling Becker at the time that he was “working on the issue,” according to the lawsuit.

Becker is accusing the school and Boone of negligence and breaching their duty of care over his fossils for failing to pay the UPS invoices and for shipping his packages before the issue was resolved.

Becker also claims Boone was unfit for his job at the mailroom and alleges William Paterson was negligent in hiring him.

Becker is seeking unspecified damages for his lost collection, as well as medical expenses for the distress the whole ordeal has caused him, according to the suit.

Boone and William Paterson University did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Source link

Click to comment

New Jersey

School closings and delays in NY, NJ, CT for Monday, Dec. 15

Published

3 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

School closings and delays in NY, NJ, CT for Monday, Dec. 15

NEW YORK – Track school closings and delays for Monday, Dec. 15 in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

JUMP TO: NEW YORK l NEW JERSEY l CONNECTICUT

MORE: Click here for real-time school closing updates.

List of school closings and delays

New York

Central Islip School District: 2 Hour Delay
Deer Park School District: 2 Hour Delay
East Islip School District: 2 Hour Delay
Half Hollow Hills School Dist.: 2 Hour Delay
Marlboro Central School District: 2 Hour Delay

New Jersey

Franklin Township School District: 2 Hour Delay
Somerset Co. Educational Svcs. Comm. Sch. Dist.: 90 Minute Delay
Watchung Borough School District: 2 Hour Delay

Connecticut

Norwalk High School: 2 Hour Delay

Winter WeatherNew York

Source link

New Jersey

New Jersey lottery player wins $1M as Powerball hits $1.1 billion

Published

15 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

New Jersey lottery player wins M as Powerball hits .1 billion

A New Jersey ticket was one of seven to win million dollar prizes in the Saturday, Dec. 13 Powerball drawing, according to the Powerball website.

Nobody won the billion-dollar jackpot, but seven tickets matched the five white balls to become millionaires.

In New Jersey, a Morris County lottery player won $1 million buying a ticket at a Sunoco station on East Hanover Avenue in Morristown, according to the New Jersey Lottery.

Five other tickets won $50,000 by matching four white balls and the Powerball. Here’s where:

$50,000, Food Village on Midland Avenue in Garfield (Bergen County)
$50,000, Main Line Deli on Shiloh Pike in Bridgeton (Cumberland County)
$50,000, Wawa on Route 70 West in Marlton (Burlington County)
$50,000, 7-Eleven on West Kings Highway in Mount Ephraim (Camden County)
$50,000, third-party app Jackpot.com

Million-dollar prizes won

In addition to the NJ ticket, two tickets sold in North Carolina and Pennsylvania won $2 million having the Power Play option.

Tickets sold in Florida, Michigan and Virginia also won $1 million each, while a ticket sold in California won $1,975,554. Non-jackpot prizes won in California are based on actual sales in the state.

Powerball climbs to $1.1 billion

It has been 42 Powerball drawings since there has been a winner so the jackpot for the Monday, Dec. 15 drawing will grow to an estimated $1.1 billion with a cash value of $503.4 million.

It will be the sixth biggest Powerball and 12th largest US lottery jackpot ever (see lists below).

“This jackpot streak is bringing people together to dream big during this festive time of year,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “Please play responsibly. Just one $2 Powerball® ticket gives you a chance to win this jackpot while also supporting good causes in your community.”

The jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 when two lottery players from Missouri and Texas $1.787 billion jackpot – the second largest ever.

What are the 12/13/25 winning Powerball numbers?

Here are the Powerball winning numbers for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025:

1 – 28 – 31 – 57 – 58 and Powerball 16

Powerplay was 2x

When is the next Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are held three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Monday drawings were added in 2021.

How late can I buy Powerball tickets?

The deadline for purchasing Powerball ticket varies by state so don’t wait until the last minute. The deadline in New Jersey is 9:59 p.m. on the day of the drawing, while New York’s deadline is 10 p.m.

Click here is a complete list of Powerball ticket deadline times by state or jurisdiction.

How do I play Powerball?

The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Power Play for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except for the jackpot and Match 5). There is also a 10x Power Play possibility when the jackpot is less than $150 million.

Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a quick pick ticket with random numbers for you.

Prizes vary from $4 for the matching the Powerball to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California) to the jackpot for matching all six balls. You can check all the prize payouts on the Powerball website here.

Where is the Powerball available?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

How can I watch Powerball drawing?

The Powerball drawing is broadcast live on the lottery website at 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. You can watch the drawing by clicking here.

The drawing may be broadcast on a local television station in your market as well.

What are my odds of winning?

Playing the Powerball can be exciting, but just don’t go spending those millions before you win.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338-to-1.

The odds to match all five white balls are 11,688,053-to-1.

Unlucky? Here are 13 crazy things more likely to happen than winning the lottery

Lump sum or annuity?

The major lotteries in the United States offer two jackpot payout options: annuity and cash.

The annuity option is paid out over time. There is an immediate payment and then 29 annual payments after that, increasing by 5% each year.

The cash option is significantly lower than the advertised jackpot, but it is paid in a lump sum. You don’t have to wait decades for all the money.

Can I win jackpot and remain anonymous?

In some states, like New Jersey, you can win a lottery anonymously. That wasn’t always the case, but now winners are able to stay anonymous under a law that was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.

In other states, a winner’s name and hometown are a matter of public record. Check with your state lottery for more information.

Top 10 largest Powerball jackpots

Here are the Top 10 jackpots since the Powerball lottery began in 1992:

$2.04 billion, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
$1.787 billion, Sept. 6, 2025: Won in Missouri and Texas
$1.765 billion, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
$1.586 billion, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.326 billion, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
$1.1 billion, Dec. 15, 2025:
$1.08 billion, July 19, 2023: Won in California
$842.4 million, Jan. 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
$768.4 million, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
$758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts

What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?

Here’s a look at the top jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:

$2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
$1.787 billion, Powerball, Sept. 6, 2025: Won in Missouri and Texas
$1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
$1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
$1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
$1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
$1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
$1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
$1.326 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
$1.269 billion, Mega Millions, Dec. 27: Won in California
$1.128 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
$1.1 billion, Powerball, Dec. 15, 2025:
$1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
$1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
$980 million, Mega Millions, Nov. 14, 2025: Won in Georgia
$842.4 million, Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
$810 million, Mega Millions, Sept. 10, 2024: Won in Texas
$768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
$758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
$754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington

Gambling problem?

If you need help with a gambling problem, you can get help by calling 1800-GAMBLER or clicking on www.800gambler.org

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.

Source link

New Jersey

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Dec. 13, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Dec. 13, 2025

APP.com Digital Desk
| Asbury Park Press

Powerball winning numbers are in for the Saturday, Dec. 13 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $1 billion ($457.7 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Saturday’s drawing are 1-28-31-57-58 with Powerball number 16. The Power Play number is 2.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Monday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
Match 4 White Balls: $100
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
Match 3 White Balls: $7
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
Match Powerball: $4
Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.

Source link