1+ hour, 36+ min ago (157+ words) HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J. " The Main Street Half Marathon of Hunterdon, held in partnership with the Hunterdon Health Foundation, raised $36,797 this year to support patients receiving treatment at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, organizers announced. More than 600 runners and walkers participated in the 2025 Half Marathon and 4-Mile Walk, joined by over 100 volunteers, sponsors and local physician teams. Event organizers said the strong turnout reflects the community's growing commitment to expanding cancer support services close to home. The funds raised will help provide resources, comfort programs and critical services for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The Foundation thanked the Main Street Half Marathon team and everyone involved in making the event a success. Organizers said the effort demonstrates the powerful impact of community-driven philanthropy on patients and families across Hunterdon County. Hunterdon Health Foundation said it looks forward to continuing to grow the event's reach…...

2+ hour, 14+ min ago (412+ words) The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission on Monday approved a new toll rate structure that will take effect on or about Jan. 1, 2026, to fund infrastructure improvements, offset rising construction costs and maintain the agency's financial strength. The approved adjustments apply to all vehicle classes across the Commission's eight toll bridges. A firm implementation date is expected to be announced in December. Under the new rates, the E-ZPass toll for Class 1 passenger vehicles " two-axle vehicles under eight feet high " will rise by 50 cents to $2. The TOLL BY PLATE rate for the same vehicles will increase from $3 to $5. Nearly 87% of all Class 1 transactions currently use E-ZPass. Per-axle E-ZPass rates for vehicles eight feet or higher, including trucks and buses, will increase from $4.50 to $6.50. The corresponding TOLL BY PLATE rate will rise from $5 to $8 per axle. E-ZPass is used in more than…...

2+ hour, 21+ min ago (372+ words) With Thanksgiving just days away, federal food safety officials are reminding home cooks to follow proper thawing and cooking guidelines to ensure a safe holiday meal, according to FoodSafety.gov. The agency answered several of the most common questions consumers have about preparing a turkey safely. How to thaw a turkeyThe time needed depends on the thawing method: Officials emphasized that turkeys should never be thawed on the counter or in hot water, and no food should sit at room temperature longer than two hours. Should you wash your turkey?FoodSafety.gov says no. Washing raw poultry can spread bacteria to nearby surfaces. If someone chooses to wash their turkey anyway, they must thoroughly clean and sanitize the sink, counters and tools afterward. Sanitizing requires applying a solution made with 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water…...

2+ hour, 27+ min ago (403+ words) U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.) on Monday announced a package of bipartisan bills intended to expand lung cancer screening, streamline access to care and increase federal investment in research, marking new efforts during Lung Cancer Awareness Month to address the nation's deadliest cancer. Speaking on Nov. 24, Gottheimer said the legislation is designed to "cut through red tape," improve early detection and ensure patients receive more precise and timely treatment. "I've seen firsthand how critical early and accurate information is for patients awaiting diagnosis," Kiggans said. "I'm proud to join Rep. Gottheimer in introducing the Lung Cancer MAP Act." Gottheimer is also backing two additional bipartisan bills targeting women's lung cancer prevention, expanding access to screenings and removing barriers such as prior authorization. All three of Gottheimer's bills are endorsed by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, LUNGevity, GO2 for Lung Cancer, LungCAN and…...

2+ hour, 38+ min ago (327+ words) WASHINGTON, N.J. (Warren County) " Two crashes occurring about 15 minutes apart on Route 31 Sunday afternoon sent four drivers and a dog to area hospitals, though the incidents were not related in any way, according to Washington Township police. The first crash took place at approximately 2:42 p.m. at Route 31 and Park Avenue in Washington Borough. Police said a 1978 Fiat 131, driven by a 68-year-old Washington man, was making a left turn from Park Avenue onto Route 31 when it appeared to fail to yield and struck a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse traveling northbound. The Traverse was driven by a 63-year-old Port Murray man. The Fiat's driver was transported by the Washington Emergency Squad to a landing zone, then flown by New Jersey State Police NorthSTAR medevac to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The driver of the Chevrolet was taken by the Oxford Emergency Squad to Hackettstown Medical…...

2+ hour, 45+ min ago (187+ words) TRENTON, N.J. " A proposal to study the impact of therapy dogs in New Jersey's public elementary schools moved forward Monday after the Assembly Health Committee voted to advance a three-year pilot program. The bill (A1165), sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, would direct the Department of Education to select six school districts " two from the northern, central and southern regions " to participate. The commissioner of education would issue guidance, and participating districts would incorporate therapy dogs into their student wellness programs. Supporters of the legislation, including school districts that currently use therapy dogs, testified that the animals help students build confidence, reduce stress, improve behavior and enhance literacy by providing a judgment-free companion for reading. Therapy dogs have also been shown to ease anxiety for students with special needs, offering comfort and a sense of security. Under the bill, the Department of Education…...

2+ hour, 49+ min ago (288+ words) TRENTON, N.J. " New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Tuesday announced a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice that ensures federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds will continue to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence without new federal restrictions. The agreement resolves a lawsuit filed last month by New Jersey and 19 other attorneys general challenging DOJ's plan to apply new conditions that would have limited certain state-funded services for survivors unable to immediately prove their immigration status. Under the settlement, DOJ agreed it will not impose those restrictions on any VOCA Victim Assistance or VAWA awards. For decades, VOCA and VAWA grants have funded legal aid, housing assistance, protective-order support, relocation services, child-support guidance, and rape-crisis center programs for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other violent crimes. Federal law…...

2+ hour, 55+ min ago (709+ words) TRENTON, N.J. " Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday announced the release of the 2024 Energy Master Plan (EMP), a long-term roadmap intended to guide New Jersey's energy policy over the next decade with a focus on affordability, reliability and clean-energy growth. The plan, developed over a 22-month period from early 2024 through October 2025, updates and expands on the state's 2019 EMP. It incorporates new technologies, policy developments and economic analysis to outline strategies that state officials say will help New Jersey meet its energy-demand and supply goals while transitioning toward cleaner systems. "This report is the culmination of our no-regrets strategy to tackling the challenges of energy affordability, supply and demand, and climate change," Murphy said. "I am proud of all that we've been able to achieve to make our energy sector cleaner and more efficient over the past eight years. This report's recommendations will…...

2+ hour, 59+ min ago (229+ words) Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America's Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion. GREENWICH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) " A fox that reportedly attacked a pet and entered a resident's garage in Greenwich Township on Monday afternoon has been located and will be tested for rabies, according to police. Authorities issued a warning earlier in the day after the fox was last seen in…...

17+ hour, 10+ min ago (349+ words) HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) " A Somerset County massage therapist charged with sexually assaulting a client has had his professional license temporarily suspended, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Monday. The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy issued the suspension for Robert Bittner, who practiced in Hillsborough Township. Bittner was arrested on June 6, 2025, and charged with second-degree sexual assault after allegedly touching a woman in a sexual manner without her consent during a massage session at the fitness center where he worked. Under an interim consent order filed with the board, Bittner agreed to the temporary suspension while the criminal case proceeds. "Licensed professionals who exploit the trust of their clients for their own sexual gratification are a public danger that will not be tolerated," Attorney General Platkin said. "When criminal sexual conduct is…...