Thursday Sept 3 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 87° Sunshine and clouds mixed.

Heat advisory in effect from 11am to 8pm today Heat index values up to 100 degrees expected.

Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low near 70F. Chance of rain 50%.

- Traffic Tonight on Central  Ave and Rt 9 following a 3 car accident with a women in serious condition that had to be extracted from her vehicle. This follows a string of serious accidents and pedestrian struck in the last few days

- Lakewood BOE will be paying courtesy buaing for Non mandated public school students for hazardous routes according to Mayor Coles. A total of 300 students won't be covered. As for hazardous busing  for yeshiva and private school students the mayor says they are looking into it as the money should go across the board. The mayor responded to a parent who hs children in yeshiva on Cross St that it's too dangerous to walk yet we are forced to pay for LSTA  why is there no money allocated for safety of children getting to school in the new budget he asked.

Lakewood committee did NOT vote on the budget tonight at the meeting since there needs to be approval from the Division of Local government and it has to be advertised again. The committee hopes to vote on it next month. Before the 4th quarter tax bills go out.

- Three people were killed by illegals in car accidents in the Jackson Lakewood area in the  lat year including a mother and daughter by a DWI accident and last week a 9 month old in Jackson. NJ law that was recently passed prevents local police from sharing information with ICE about criminals that could have them taken off the streets. Assemblyman Schnal voted in favor of the bill. Assemblyman Sean Kean voted against it.

- ICE agents made some arrests today in the Toms River area.

- Recap of Historic neeting of Admorim and Rosh Yeshiva today with President Trump at the Whitehouse.

The delegation met with senior U.S. officials and President Trump, where they discussed major concerns facing the Jewish community, including education, antisemitism, security, Jewish cemeteries in Europe, prisons, and the issue of military conscription in Israel. Vice President J.D. Vance also joined the meeting. In the Oval Office, the rabbis were introduced to President Trump, and the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel delivered a blessing before raising the issue of giyus. President Trump also spoke about his support for Israel.

- A Chanukas Habayis will take place for the New Rachmastrivka Bais Medrash in Lakewood at the corner of Oak and Vine streets. The shul will open motzei shabbos for the first selichos with a chanukas Habayis event on Sunday.

- Lakewood township committee meeting today and vote to adopt the 2026 budget with major tax increase. Virtual only watch livestream Here see Agenda Here Items on agenda land sales, vacating street at N.Monterey, asking a waiver from finance board to raise taxes. Comments may be made live via Cisco-WebEx; or during the meeting via comments@lakewoodnj.gov Please include your name and address for the record.

- LSTA the school year has started with major transportation problems, including buses not showing up, significant delays, skipped stops, students being dropped at the wrong schools, and children arriving  early at locked schools without adult supervision. Some children have been left waiting over 90 minutes, while others have had to walk along dangerous roads or have parents scramble for last-minute transportation. Families are frustrated and concerned about student safety and the lack of reliable communication.

- Turmoil in Degel HaTorah party as there's a push from within to replace MK Gafni and Maklev with others and promoting MK Asher and Pindrus. A final ruling by gedolim is yet to come.

- At a chasunah in Lakewood this week , NJ Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Dr. Dale Caldwell was given a special honor placing the glass on the floor  at the chossons feet that he would break  under the chupa.

- The Basimta café in Yerushalayim will close for shabbos following weeks of hafganos by ehrliche yidden from the surrounding neighborhoods. The owner said it 'Became a focal point of friction and danger and he wants to lower the flames.

- Giyus there are currently 46 sitting in jail for draft dodging.

- Giyus: The Bagatz high Court Strikes Down Law Freezing Arrests of Charedi Draft Dodgers: All 9 High Court justices ruled that the amendment must be repealed because it had not properly passed a first reading under Section 85 of the Knesset rules. A majority of 8 also found that it severely violated the constitutional right to equality by shielding charedi draft dodgers while others remained subject to arrest.

- Newark Airport in New Jersey has just launched Facial Recognition Check Ins. It is a biometric eGate that allows travelers to pass through security checkpoints using only a facial scan being introduced for united Terminal C. Before arriving at the airport, you must opt into the program. You upload your passport details and Known Traveler Number (KTN) into your active United Airlines profile via their app.

- NJ Gov Mikie Sherrill: Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum to reflect on a day that forever changed our nation. We mourn the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including nearly 700 New Jerseyans, and remember the families forever changed. We honor the extraordinary bravery of the first responders who ran toward danger. 25 years later, we carry their memory forward through remembrance and service.

- Governor Mikie Sherrill: Once again, Donald Trump is using the federal government to punish those he sees as his political enemies, and everyday New Jerseyans are paying the price. Natural disasters don’t care about political parties. When FEMA agreed that disaster relief was warranted, Donald Trump overruled the experts – and common sense – leaving New Jersey taxpayers holding the $84 million bag. During a winter of unprecedented, back-to-back extreme storms, our workers and towns rose to the occasion and got their communities up and running again, and they should not be punished for doing so. While the President may be willing to turn his back on communities for his petty politics, my Administration will continue fighting to ensure New Jersey communities have the resources they need to prepare, respond, and recover when disaster strikes. 

- At least 93 towns across New Jersey have banned the construction of data centers over the past several  months. However, the Sherrill administration is resisting calls from groups pushing for a statewide moratorium on data centers, favoring instead a piecemeal approach

- Trump: For the treasonous SCUM that refuses to accurately report on our Military Operation in Iran, we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place. In addition, we are producing Munitions at levels never seen before. We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again, begin. Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

- Four Toms River Township Council members have had their pay suspended after failing to complete a local government course required under township law, according to Mayor Dan Rodrick’s administration. At issue is whether the elected officials satisfied a township requirement for training on local government.