CONTRACTOR LOSES EYE IN MAPLEWOOD ACCIDENT

From NJ.com:

A contractor lost his eye after accidentally being shot with a nail gun at a home in Maplewood, authorities said.

The contractor, a young adult male who was not identified, was working outside a house on Union Avenue at about 1:40 p.m., when the nail gun he was working with accidentally discharged, said Deputy Chief Joseph Callaghan of the Maplewood Fire Department, which dispatched EMTs to the house.

“He was conscious, but it looks like it was a total removal of the eye,” said Callaghan.

Callaghan said the worker was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where he was listed in stable condition this afternoon

See more HERE.

DISGRACED ARCHBISHOP'S GREEDY HOME ADDITION SPARKS DONATION REDUCTION

So, as we told you two weeks ago The Star-Ledger revealed that Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, already disgraced for allowing a molesting priest to continue with children, is getting a pricey $500,000 addition to his retirement home at the cost of parishioners.

Now the paper reports that people are withholding donations from the church because of this.

See the story HERE.

This is of interest because Maplewood is under the Archbishop's oversight and donations from here go to that fund.

NJ TRANSIT TO CROSS-HONOR MONDAY DUE TO SNOW, AND OTHER ALERTS

From NJ Transit.com:

NEWARK, NJ —NJ TRANSIT is mobilizing its operations, customer service and police personnel to ensure a ready response to the impending winter storm. For up-to-the-minute service information, all customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before starting their trip.

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect on Monday, March 3:  To give customers additional travel options during the anticipated winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring on Monday, March 3 enabling customers to use their NJ TRANSIT ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, light rail or bus—including private bus carriers. 

For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their NJ TRANSIT bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station.  Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.  Customers using their NJ TRANSIT tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the destination printed on their original ticket will be subject to the appropriate additional fare if applicable.

Access Link Paratransit Service:  On Monday, March 3, Access Link service is suspended statewide except for Region 3 (Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and So. Ocean Counties) as well as all transfer trips.   Access Link Customers can call 800-955-2321 for periodic updates.

Customers are advised that possible storm-related delays and/or service disruptions may result from the impending weather system, particularly for the Monday morning commute.  NJ TRANSIT strongly encourages customers to afford themselves ample time to get to their final destinations throughout the course of this winter weather event. 

The corporation is preparing to minimize storm-related disruptions and delays to the extent possible.    Bus, rail and light rail crews have begun inspections of equipment and critical infrastructure.  These inspections and further storm-related preparations will continue over the course of the weekend. 

EVEN MORE SNOW COMING TONIGHT, TOMORROW

So, yes, another snow storm coming. Predictions have it coming tonight (see blow), and covering us with white stuff most of Monday.

One question: will schools be closed (for the fifth time this year) or under a delayed opening? And when will we get the calls? Stay tuned!

From Weather.com:

. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST MONDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
* LOCATIONS... NEW YORK CITY... LONG ISLAND AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY.
* HAZARD TYPES... SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS... SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 3 TO 6 INCHES.
* WINDS... NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.
* TEMPERATURES... IN THE TEENS TO AROUND 20 TONIGHT... RISING TO THE MIDDLE 20S MONDAY.
* VISIBILITIES... ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES.
* TIMING... TONIGHT INTO MONDAY.

14 OPEN HOUSES TODAY

A lot to look at today and from all across town.

Come out and see if you can find your next home or just check out the market.

See the full list HERE.

CHRISTIE SCHOOL AID PLAN BOOSTS EDUCATION AID, BUT NOT BY MUCH FOR SO-M

State funding for South Orange-Maplewood schools would increase slightly, by 3.4%, for the 2014-2015 school year under an education plan announced Friday by Gov. Chris Christie.

The increase would raise our portion of state aid from $4.07 million to $4.2 million, which is still well below that of most districts in the state who average much more.

As reported, the Christie proposal adds $37 million more to statewide school aid, bringing the total from Trenton to all districts to $9 billion. 

CHS FENCING STATE CHAMPS AGAIN!

In case you missed it, Columbia High School boys and girls fencing each won yet another state championship this week.

See it HERE and HERE.

Go Cougars!

PSE&G STORM WARNING OUT FOR MONDAY

From PSE&G today:

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for the approaching snowstorm expected to impact the region Sunday evening through Monday.
Up to a foot of snow accumulation is possible in some areas. While snow usually isn’t an issue for utilities, the possibility of sleet and freezing rain can increase the likelihood of downed wires and resulting power outages. Vehicles striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down.
In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is ensuring that all available personnel are ready to respond beginning Sunday. The utility is also arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce, and ensuring that additional supplies such as poles and transformers are on hand.
PSE&G offers the following tips to customers to prepare:
• Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
• Fill up your car’s fuel tank.
• Ensure you have a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
• Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water for everyone in your family.
• Put your refrigerator and freezer at the coldest setting. Keep a blanket handy to throw over these appliances for added insulation. If electricity is interrupted, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• Sign up for MyAccount at www.pseg.com and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone so it’s easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
• Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
Accumulation of heavy snow may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down. PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious if they see downed lines. Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.

See more HERE.