Thursday December 11 News Updates Lakewood

 36° Partly cloudy. Winds 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Snow possible erev Chanukah Up to 2 inches of snow is possible on Motzei shabbos into Sunday from a quick-hitting storm. Forecast for Lakewood Chance of snow 70%. Snowfall around one inch.

- New Jersey Declares Propane Emergency Amid Cold Snap

Giv. Phil Murphy issued Executive Order No. 408 on Thursday, effective Friday at 9 a.m., waiving federal driver hour limits to let propane haulers work 14 hours instead of 11, followed by 10 hours off. The order addresses a service disruption at the Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania plant, stemming from a November 21 power outage, which cut regional propane supply. Officials stress this safeguards heating access during the Northeast cold snap, with no shortages yet and ongoing monitoring. Murphy urged residents to visit ready.nj.gov for updates and use NJ211 for warming center info.

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- According to a study, a striking 74% of New Jersey adults have tried at least one AI tool, outpacing the national average. And the younger you are, the more likely AI is stitched into your day: a whopping 92% of residents ages 18 to 24 have used AI, compared with just 54% of those 65 and older. Awareness of marquee tools is high too 81% of New Jerseyans have heard of ChatGPT, and more than half have used it at least once. Nj1015

- Anheuser-Busch announced today they will shut down its iconic brewery in Newark, New Jersey as part of a broader strategy to optimize production. The 75-year-old facility, which is located right across the street from Newark Airport, will close early next year after its sale to the Goodman Group is completed.

The Newark branch produced many popular beverages, including Budweiser and Bud Light.(Onejersey)

- Netanyahu met today with Knesset members of United Torah Judaism and promised them that the conscription law will pass in the Knesset.

- Against the backdrop of tensions with Russia - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warns: We must be prepared for a war on the scale that our grandfathers experienced.

- The Senate failed to pass both the GOP and Democratic health care bills. Neither bill reached the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster ahead of a key Dec. 31st deadline to avoid steep insurance premium hikes for millions of Americans.

- The Powerball jackpot continues to climb, now estimated at $1 billion. The next drawing will take place on Motzei Shabbos.

-PSA Kashrus alert from CRC Hisachdus: A Public Note In the current Chanukah season, when many different types of donuts (both pareve and dairy) are available in stores, it is very common for people to mistakenly buy dairy donuts assuming they’re pareve. Therefore, in order to avoid any confusion, each dairy donut is clearly labeled.Please be careful to check each item before purchasing.

- Giyus updates:

Thousands of frum Yidden in London are demonstrating in front of the Israeli Embassy in protest of the current IDF draft law. The zkan Roshei Yeshivos, Rav Elyakim Shlesinger shlita, called on the community to participate in the gathering.

Netanyahu said, “We will pass the conscription law as soon as possible. There is no alternative. The Torah of Israel is important to me,”

- Bank of Israel comes out against the Conscription Law: It will not bring in enough new soldiers to meet the country’s security needs, nor will it ease the economic burden caused by extensive reserve duty.

- Toms River has approved a settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center that allows 186 new affordable housing units and allocates several million dollars to extend deed restrictions on 518 existing units. The deal satisfies the township’s affordable-housing obligation for the next decade. Mayor Daniel Rodrick called the agreement a major win in efforts to curb overdevelopment.

- Severe flooding from Storm Byron has caused major disruptions across Israel. Dozens of people were rescued, including at least 14 motorists trapped in vehicles in Yavne. In Rishon Lezion, two students were injured when a tree collapsed at a school, and in Netanya, a man was found dead after suffering from severe hypothermia.

- Newly certified final results show that Sherrill won 1,895,286 votes compared to Ciattarelli’s 1,417,141, a more than 478,000-vote lead. She received nearly 57% of the vote statewide.In Lakewood in Ocean County, 90% of all voters cast a ballot for Ciattarelli.

- A question arose regarding the bochurim who are jailed in the IDF military prison during Chanukkah: Where should they light the Menorah in prison?

 Rav Ezriel Auerbach shlita, ruled that if it is not possible to light the candles outside, it is considered a “dangerous place,” and they may light the candles inside their cells. Additionally, Sefardi Bochurim may rely on their father’s lighting at home.

- President Donald Trump sent a personal letter to both Satmar rebbes The Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, and the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, extending his warm wishes to the community as they marked the annual Chof Alef Kislev celebrations.

- Gas prices have dropped again, with the New Jersey average now around $2.86. The decrease comes just weeks before the January 2026 gas-tax increase, when the state tax is scheduled to rise by 4 cents per gallon.

- Jackson Township residents will once again receive weekly curbside recycling pickup after more than a decade of reduced service, officials announced. The township has reached a new agreement with its recycling contractor to restore weekly collections beginning early next year. Although the deal includes a slight cost increase, officials said it will not require a tax hike.

- Republican state lawmakers are warning of what they call a brewing effort by Democrats to raise New Jersey’s sales tax back to 7%. The current rate is 6.625%, already among the highest in the country, and the revenue goes into the state’s general fund to support the state budget. Some Republicans claim that Democrats, who control state government, are preparing to introduce legislation to increase the tax during the upcoming lame-duck session.

-A key amendment by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has been added to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate whether the U.S. military ever weaponized ticks with Lyme disease. The amendment addresses Cold War-era bioweapons programs and comes amid high Lyme disease rates in New Jersey, including areas around Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

- The former home of the Lakewood Mashgiach, Rav Mattiyahu Solomon zt”l, on 6th  sthas been listed on the market for $1,799,000 visible is a photo displayed in his study of the Citi Field Internet Asifa.

- Brick Township has extended its Storefront Revitalization Program, allowing small businesses to again receive fee waivers for renovating vacant commercial properties under 5,000 square feet, as long as there are no outstanding taxes or violations. The program aims to encourage filling empty storefronts rather than building new structures.

- The Lakewood Planning Board meeting has been rescheduled for December 23. Several applications will be reviewed, including:

Spruce St, Vine st/ Washington Ave, Lincoln Ave (Block 836, Lot 1): Minor subdivision to create two lots

Bais Kaila, 183 Spruce St: Preliminary and final major site plan for an addition to the school