New Jersey

South Amboy police officers deliver baby. This week in Central Jersey history, Dec. 1-7

Published

3 weeks ago

November 30, 2025

South Amboy police officers deliver baby. This week in Central Jersey history, Dec. 1-7

It was a first for South Amboy police Sgt. David Kales and patrolmen Mark Lewis and Paul Noble on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000 when they helped deliver a baby.

Less than two minutes after arriving at a Washington Avenue home on the report of a woman in labor, Jeriel was born to Jennifer Llibre, with an assist by the three city cops.

Here’s a look at events that happened in Central Jersey from five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years ago this week.

Five years ago

Dec. 3, 2020: It was reported Ray Cipperly Field at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools’ East Brunswick campus had been named the 2020 Schools and Parks Baseball Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association, a nonprofit professional organization for men and women who manage sports fields worldwide.

Dec. 4: In a statement, it was announced Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and bill sponsors Sen. Nick Scutari and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano had reached a deal on bills that would establish a framework for a legal weed industry, setting up a key vote in the coming weeks.

Dec. 4: Six NJ hospitals ― Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, University Hospital in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City and Cooper University Hospital in Camden ― were selected to receive the first COVID-19 vaccines, it was reported.

Dec. 4: It was reported Juan Hector Padilla, 29, of Bound Brook, was indicted in connection with a seven-alarm fire that damaged two apartment buildings under construction on West Main Street in Bound Brook in January 2020.

Dec. 7: Hillsborough had become a “Stigma-Free Community,” a campaign, an initiative of the Somerset County Department of Human Services, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and create an environment where people feel free to seek support without fear of being stigmatized, it was reported.

Dec. 7: State officials said an unidentified resident at the Menlo Park veterans home died over the weekend from COVID-19 ― the first death at one of the state-run veterans homes in 180 days.

Dec. 7: It was reported celebrity chef David Burke would open Orchard Park, his fourth restaurant to open during the pandemic, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, at the Chateau Grande Hotel in East Brunswick.

10 years ago

Dec. 2, 2015: Appearing on ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” Gov. Chris Christie defended his hard-line opposition to relocating Syrian refugees to NJ and said former Gov. Thomas Kean ― his latest critic on the issue ― was all wrong.

Dec. 3: A day after 14 people were killed in a mass shooting in California, lawmakers failed to override Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of a gun-control bill by just three votes.

Dec. 3: The Westfield High School football team beat Bridgewater-Raritan, 10-7, in a sectional final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

Dec. 5: George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic with TL Shider, Garden State Line, Midnight Mosaic and Underground Logic, performed at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.

2000

Dec. 2, 2000: About 70 supporters of Texas Gov. George W. Bush rallied outside the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville on behalf of his claim to the presidency.

Dec. 3: Two divorcing parents ― Jim Price of Raritan Borough and Jennifer Price of Clinton ― who were battling over the circumcision of their 3-year-old son, would appear on Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, in Superior Court in Somerville for a hearing ordered by the Supreme Court to determine whether the surgery should go forward, it was reported.

Dec. 6: In women’s college basketball, Rutgers University beat Virginia Tech, 61-53.

Dec. 7: It was reported Dave Keyes and his band, winners of the W.C. Handy National Blues Talent Search, would perform at Old Bay Restaurant in New Brunswick.

1975

Dec. 2, 1975: U.S. District Court Judge Frederick B. Lacey, sitting in Newark, issued the go-ahead for the planned public deer hunt scheduled for the next week in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Passaic Township.

Dec. 3: Many milk drivers continued on a “business as usual” basis in Middlesex and Somerset counties, in spite of a strike of 880 union drivers.

Dec. 4: Several homes in South Amboy were showered with kerosene after a United Airlines jet with 120 passengers on board jettisoned 40,000 gallons of fuel when an engine caught fire. The plane returned to Newark International Airport safely, with no injuries.

Dec. 5: In Elizabeth, Edward Nolan and Robert Madurski, defendants in a case involving the theft of $4 million worth of home heating oil from the Exxon Bayway Refinery in Linden, received suspended prison sentences and were fined $1,000 each.

Dec. 5-7: “Bye Bye Birdie” was presented at Middlesex County College Performing Arts Theater in Edison.

Dec. 6: In college basketball, Phil Sellers scored 36 points and Mike Dabney added 21 as Rutgers beat Seton Hall’s Pirates, 119-93, at Rutgers Gym in New Brunswick, setting a Rutgers Gym record for most points by one team.

1925

Dec. 2, 1925: In basketball, St. Peter’s Lyceum beat the Maroon and Gray quintet of South River, 36-27.

Dec. 2-3: The movie, “Thunder Mountain,” a dramatic story of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was shown at Reade’s Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.

Dec. 4-5: The movie, “The Half Way Girl,” starring Doris Kenyon and Lloyd Hughes, was shown at Reade’s Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.

Dec. 6: Fire of an unknown origin started in the south wing of Winants Hall on the Queens Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, for the second time within a month. Students helped firemen fight the fire.

Dec. 6: The New Brunswick Soccer Club won the first half championship in the Capital City Soccer League at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick by beating the Highlanders of Trenton, 3-1.

Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com

Source link

Click to comment

New Jersey

Devils Shake Up Forward Lines on Island; Markstrom Starts | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils

Published

7 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Devils Shake Up Forward Lines on Island; Markstrom Starts | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils

Emotional Stakes

Beyond the lineup, the Devils know the emotional stakes of the night are real. A three day break follows, and the difference between going into it with a win or a loss can linger.

“We’ve got three days to think about this game,” defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “A win, you’re in good spirits. A loss, you’re wanting the next game to come right away. With how things have gone the last couple weeks, we’re trying to build momentum, and if we have a slip up, we want to fix it right away and not let it snowball.”

Dillon was quick to stress that recent returns to the lineup do not change the responsibility of the group as a whole.

“The three guys aren’t going to win the hockey game for us,” he said. “They’re three really important players and we want them in the lineup, but at the end of the day it’s a team game. We have to go out there and earn the two points.”

Stopping Barzal

That mindset mirrors Keefe’s own message. With the Islanders featuring dynamic players like Barzal, discipline and structure will be essential.

“Top players like that play a little bit outside the structure,” Keefe said. “They play on instincts, and it can be hard to predict. For us, it’s trying to keep the puck out of his hands, and if he gets it, protect the good ice, put him into bad spots, and outnumber him. You also have to be aware of the people away from him because he’s so good at drawing coverage and moving it.”

Keefe noted the Devils see similar challenges daily in practice.

“We have guys like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt who play very similarly,” he said. “So we talk about it often when we’re playing against top guys like that.”

Rest Over Practice

As the season’s pace has taken its toll, the upcoming break is welcomed. Keefe acknowledged the grind, especially with the injuries New Jersey has navigated.

“It’s been a condensed schedule and it adds up,” he said. “We’ve asked a lot of guys to play big minutes. We’ve practiced very little this season, the least I ever have as a coach, because you’re opting for rest to keep guys fresh.”

For Brown, the objective is simple.

“At this point it’s pretty clear what the performance needs to look like and what our identity needs to look like,” he said. “It’s just important getting into it right away.”

Dillon framed it in even more direct terms.

“They’re a team we’re going to be battling with all the way to the end,” he said. “It’s a good test. We have to want it more tonight and earn our break.”

Source link

New Jersey

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Dec. 22, 2025

Published

19 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for Dec. 22, 2025

APP.com Digital Desk
| Asbury Park Press

Powerball winning numbers are in for the Monday, Dec. 22 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $1.6 billion ($735.1 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Monday’s drawing are 3, 18, 36, 41, and 54, with Powerball number 7. 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 Wednesday. 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

New Jersey

ELEC: NJ Gubernatorial Election is Sixth Most Expensive in US History – Insider NJ

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

ELEC: NJ Gubernatorial Election is Sixth Most Expensive in US History – Insider NJ

New Jersey gubernatorial candidates and the Independent Expenditure-Only Filers (IEFs) who promoted them shredded multiple records by spending more than $259 million on this year’s primary and general elections, according to an analysis by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

In nominal dollars1, New Jersey’s spending total was the fourth largest amount of dollars ever spent during a gubernatorial election year nationally and ranked sixth when past totals were converted to 2025 dollars to reflect inflation’s impact.

On a per capita basis, calculated by dividing total election spending by the state’s population, New
Jersey ranked first nationally (Table A3).

“It is now evident that this year’s gubernatorial election was the most expensive New Jersey election in
state history by a large margin. It was also one of the top ten costliest gubernatorial elections ever in the nation,” said Joe Donohue, ELEC’s deputy director.

See below:

pr_12222025

Article Tags:

Click here
for the full Insider Index

Source link