Monday January 8 News Updates

Weather: 43° A mainly sunny sky. High 43F. 

STATEMENT BY CHABAD-LUBAVITCH HEADQUARTERS

The Chabad-Lubavitch community is pained by the vandalism of a group of young agitators who damaged the synagogue below Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway Monday night.

These odious actions will be investigated, and the sanctity of the synagogue will be restored. Our thanks to the NYPD for their professionalism and sensitivity. We are grateful for the outpouring of concern, and for the support of our Chabad-Lubavitch institutions around the world. 

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky

Chairman

- Zoning board meeting tonight application to allow Lake Terrace use as a banquet hall

To construct 2 office buildings at 1510 Pine st

- 10PM crews are still working the fire with the help of excavators and tractors to knock out the remaining fire

-A  Pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle earlier today at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Locust Street in Lakewood faanews reports. The female was transported by EMS to Kimbal hospital where she passed away

- Bit of a chaotic scene at the Chabad headquarters at 770 in Crown Heights - NYPD are on scene as another mysterious tunnel (hiding spot) has been discovered after Bochrim took apart a section of the wall. A source tells Belaaz that 770 will be closed shortly to regain control. Belaaz

Update: Workers were seen entering 770 with construction equipment on Monday night to start the repairs of the destruction. COLlive was told that the goal is to enable the Shul to open to the public as soon as possible.

Fire has been brought under control after more than 2 hours crews will enter and search premises

News helicopters hovering over the scene

Fire still not under control police pushing back crowds as fire continues to burn

Crews still working the fire under the roof 

- Fire at old lumber yard off Ocean Ave in Lakewood  near the tracks 3rd alarm 4:30 pm reports of people inside. Heavy traffic Clifton and Rt 88 with roads shut through park Ave.

Crews are battelling the blaze for over an hour smoke visible from far. Crews say they don't see anyone inside and firefighters will not enter the building.

- The New Jersey state Senate has voted 35-1 to approve the free lunch expansion bill, sending it to  Gov Murphy for his signature.

Outgoing Republican Senator Ed Durr was the lone no vote. Children from households earning up to 224% of the federal poverty level will now be eligible (Sschorr)

- Full Video replay of the Levaya of Rav Mattisyahu Salomon ztl an Mir yeahiva Yerushalayim HERE

- Shiva is at 637 6th street the daughters will be getting up on Wednesday, the sons are getting up Thursday. Sachris 8 Mincha, 1:45, Maariv 7:45 family requests that no unfiltered devices be brought inside.

- Assemblyman elect Avi Schnall will be sworn in tomorrow Tuesday January 9th to the New Jersey legislator as a democrat representing the 30th district which includes Lakewood and Howell. He ran on a platform to bring tuition relief for private schools, with many hoping will  be a reality.

- LPD is investigating a shooting in Westgate the details seem sketchy after a 27 year old Asbury Park man driving to Toms River somehow ended up in Lakewoods Westgate neighborhood and was shot at in his car by an unknown assailant. The victim said he was injured on his hands and checked himself in to a local hospital 

- Downtown Lakewood could see more police patrols, expanded parking and improved infrastructure as part of $5 million in improvements being proposed in coming months, APP reports. The renewed efforts, which include a recently revived downtown business group, come as the area has seen a diminished retail base while other parts of Lakewood have expanded under a population boom.

- Buses of migrants have arrived at train station stops in various parts of New Jersey, in cities of Trenton, Edison ,fanwood an apparent response and workaround to New York City’s executive order limiting an influx of migrants. Details of the drop offs remain unclear, although Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s office said that migrants were taking the train to New York City.  

- Last day of NJ legislative session a number of bills will be voted on including  expanding eligibility access to free school lunch for children whose families annually earned not more than 224% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, 224% of the federal poverty level would be equivalent to an annual income of roughly $67,20. 

Another bill Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply and develop policy governing use of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies.