New Jersey
Vandals damage American flags in Audubon, New Jersey, a community known for its patriotism
AUDUBON, N.J. (CBS) — Audubon, New Jersey, often hailed as one of the most patriotic small towns in America, was recently shaken by an act of vandalism targeting American flags.
Residents of the town, where the star-spangled banner proudly waves from street poles and decorates front yards, were dismayed when multiple flags were vandalized late Monday night. News of the incident quickly spread throughout the borough, sparking concern among neighbors.
“Not patriotic at all and just against the American way,” said Joe Miller, president-elect of the Audubon Rotary Club.
Dr. Patrick Brown, an Audubon resident, speculated that the perpetrators were likely youths who didn’t grasp the gravity of their actions.
“There’s never drama here,” he said. “To desecrate a flag … I think it was probably some teenagers or mischievous kids.”
Authorities from the Audubon Police Department are investigating the incidents involving flags that were uprooted, broken and even burned at the corner of East Lake Drive and Kings Highway.
These flags were part of a larger community effort led by the Audubon Rotary Club. Every year, from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July, club members organize the display of 100 flags to honor local heroes, including veterans and first responders. Each flag is sponsored by a community member who contributes a $50 donation.
“It’s personal to me because it’s a clear sign of disrespect to those heroes,” Hunter Taylor said.
For residents like Steve Rossi, finding the flag dedicated to his late father, a WWII veteran, untouched was a relief.
“We lost my father in March this year, that’s why this year we put a flag up to honor him,” Rossi said.
While the police have not yet determined a motive for the vandalism, Miller suggested that it might reflect the heightened political tensions in the country.
“The political climate we’re in is so divisive right now … you can almost see that this is somewhat due to that,” he said. “But in the end … it’s not even a political stance. It’s just violence and hate.”
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Party City issued mass layoffs at its New Jersey headquarters, according to an email sent to employees.
All 850 Party City stores will be closing soon after nearly 40 years in business, according to CNN.
“I think it’s a shame because I grew up going to Party City as a child and it’s somewhere I used to look forward to for parties,” said Stephanie Campos, of New York City.
Campos was buying balloons at the Party City on West 14th Street in Greenwich Village when she heard about the chain’s reported closures.
“I’m thankful for the memories they gave me,” Campos said.
New Jersey Party City employees laid off in mass email
Corporate employees at Party City’s headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey received an email Friday saying it was their last day after the company made the decision to conduct mass layoffs.
The company recently came out of bankruptcy, but has faced tough competition from online retailers.
“The convenience, especially in a city like New York, the convenience of ordering what you need, having delivered,” said Jared Barnett.
Barnett wanted to visit his neighborhood store one more time for a final farewell.
“I came to say goodbye. A lot of memories, you know, from growing up to planning socials at my fraternity. So just to come back one more time,” he said.
Customers at the West 14th Street Party City said employees told them the location is closing by March 31. Merchandise is marked down in the meantime.
Party City did not respond to our request for comment.
A man from Maryland has been sentenced to 41 years behind bars in New Jersey for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl in Burlington County, prosecutors announced.
Kevin Williams, 34, of Clinton, Maryland, was found guilty in July of two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and four counts of second-degree sexual assault.
Officials said Williams must serve 38 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
The assaults occurred several years ago on multiple occasions, officials shared. Williams was taken into custody in December 2020 by the Maryland State Police.
Officials said additional details are being withheld in an attempt to protect the identity of the victim.
“The victim in this case endured abuse that continues to traumatize her to this day,” Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw said in a news release. “We admire the strength and determination she displayed during the prosecution, and hope the justice that was brought on her behalf is meaningful as she pursues a happy, fulfilling life.”
NEW JERSEY — Snowfall ranging from a light dusting to up to 2 inches is anticipated for New Jersey Friday night into Saturday, though some uncertainty about how the storm could unfold means that amounts may be higher in areas, according to the latest forecast.
Northwest Jersey is expected to see 1 to 2 inches, with “a slushy coating to up to an inch” of snow predicted for the rest of the Garden State, according to the National Weather Service. Light precipitation will come in during the morning into the afternoon, transitioning to mainly snow overnight.
A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for the northeast corner of the state through Friday night, as travel conditions could become slippery.
Find out what’s happening in Across New Jerseyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“The danger is the snow can quickly erupt and come down at a steady clip in some areas during the afternoon and evening rush hour on Friday in the Northeast,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. This includes the metro areas of New York City and Philadelphia, he said.
Forecasters said there is some uncertainty with this storm depending on how it plays out. The National Weather Service called it “a difficult forecast,” and noted that snowfall amounts could be higher than forecast.
Find out what’s happening in Across New Jerseyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Conditions around New York City are tricky,” Rayno said. “They can get a coating to an inch or two of snow from the clipper storm, perhaps a bit more if the coastal storm tracks farther west, or they could be in a rip-off zone where nothing to a few flurries occur.”
Saturday marks the first day of winter, and snow will end by late morning, forecasters say. Cold temperatures will linger through the weekend.
Here’s the latest forecast.
North Jersey
Friday: A chance of rain and snow before noon, then snow likely between noon and 1 p.m., then rain and snow likely after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 36. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 11 p.m. Low around 29. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of snow before 1 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 7.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 28.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Tuesday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Central Jersey
Friday: Rain. High near 39. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 2 a.m. Low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of snow before 1 p,m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 26. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 8.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 31.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.
South Jersey
Friday: Rain. High near 42. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain before 10 p.m., then rain and snow likely between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of snow after 4 a.m. Low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of snow before 1 p.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 36. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 7.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 34.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
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