House of Representatives Passes International Megan’s Law, Bill Awaits Obama’s Signature

By Congressman Chris Smith

Eight years after I first introduced a bill to protect children in the U.S. and around the world from convicted pedophiles who travel in secret to or from the United States—currently below the radar of law enforcement officials—it is now on the verge of becoming law.

The House today passed, and sent to the President, my International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking (HR 515)—named for Megan Kanka, a seven-year-old from Hamilton, N.J. in our congressional district who was sexually assaulted and killed in 1994. Megan’s assailant was a convicted, repeat sex offender living across the street, unbeknownst to residents in the neighborhood. Due to public outcry in response to the tragedy and to hard work by Megan’s loving parents, Richard and Maureen Kanka, the New Jersey State Legislature passed the original Megan’s Law (NJSA 2C: 7-1 through 7-II) in 1994 to require public notification of convicted sex offenders living in the community.

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The Arnone Report: Jonas, Wreck Pond, Grown in Monmouth

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

By Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

I think Mother Nature is surely playing tricks on us. Last week at this time we were still digging out from one of the biggest blizzards in years.  Some of our towns reported nearly two feet accumulation and more in certain areas with snowdrifts piling on several additional inches.  Fast forward to this week, and we are enjoying spring like temperatures.  Whatever weather Mother Nature brings us, Monmouth County is always prepared to handle it.  Our crews were out round the clock, preparing ahead of Jonas by pretreating and brining all of the county roads, and of course keeping up throughout the storm with plowing and snow removal. We even assisted several municipalities in keeping up with the accumulations as we are always partners in providing services when requested.

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Pregnant officer who alleged discrimination gets $51K

OCEAN TOWNSHIP — A township police officer who alleges she was discriminated against during her pregnancy will receive a $51,000 judgment from the township. Kathleen J. Delanoy, an officer on the Ocean Township force for 13 years, said in a lawsuit the department wrote a set of guidelines after her pregnancy in July 2011 barring her… Read the rest of this entry »

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Golden, Peters, Arnone and DiMaso Announce Reelection Campaign

Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Before an enthusiastic crowd of over 600 Monmouth County supporters at the Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale, Sheriff (and County GOP Chairman) Shaun Golden announced that he, Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso, and Surrogate Rosemarie Peters are all running for reelection in November.

“We don’t need to make Monmouth County great again,” Golden declared with a reference to Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Monmouth County is great!”

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10K BAGS OF HEROIN SEIZED IN KEYPORT PARKING LOT

FREEHOLD – Investigators seized 10,000 bags of heroin with an estimated street value of as much as $100,000, as part of an undercover operation that culminated in the arrests of two New York City women, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Vikky V. Morel, 26, and Niudis Vazquez-Moncion, 34, both of the Bronx in New York City, were arrested Tuesday afternoon when they delivered the large quantity of heroin to undercover detectives in the parking lot of a supermarket on Route 36 in Keyport. Both women are charged with third degree Possession of Heroin and first degree Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and are being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, in lieu of bail. Morel is being held on $325,000 bail, with no option to post 10 percent, and a required bail source hearing.  Vazquez-Moncion is being held on $250,000 bail, with no option to post 10 percent, and a required bail source hearing.  A bail source hearing is conducted at the request of the prosecutor or judge as a means to ensure that the funds used by a defendant to post bail were not acquired as a result of criminal or unlawful conduct.

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Monmouth County Issues Health Alerts

The Monmouth County Health Department announced today that it is monitoring the worldwide spread of the Zika virus and locally, an outbreak of gastrointestinal (GI) illinesses.

The department urges residents to stay home if ill and to be diligent about hand washing especially after using the bathroom and before eating.

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Prosecutor seeks additional victims of Middletown con man

Christopher D. Biello. photo via facebook

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is concerned that a Middletown con man may have fleeced far more people than they already have identified.

Christopher D. Biello, 43, of Coe Place in the Port Monmouth section of the township, was arrested last week and charged with 14 crimes including Theft by Deception, Impersonation, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, Forgery and Falsifying Records following a year-long investigation.

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Middletown reschedules dog rabies clinic for February 20th

The Middletown Township Health Department has rescheduled the Dog Rabies Clinic that was canceled due to the recent snow storm.

The new date is February 20, 2016. The clinic will be held from 9am to 11am at the Croydon Hall Gym, located at 900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo.

The clinic is for dogs only and is free of charge to both residents and non-residents. All dogs must be on a leash and must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Late fees for 2016 dog licenses will not be charged until March 1st to accommodate residents who need the clinic to get a valid rabies vaccination for their pet. Please contact Animal Control at 732-615-2097 if you have any questions.

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Greg’s List: Things to do in Monmouth County this weekend, January 29-31, 2016

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, January 29

• Indigo Girls at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Substance of Bliss by NJ Repertory Company (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Lives of Reason at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO
• The Lion King, Jr. (Tinton Falls) – MORE INFO
• Gifts of Rejuvenation at Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) – MORE INFO
• Meet Artist Dawn DiCicco (Red Bank) – MORE INFO

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In case you slip and fall..

From our friends at Immediate Care at Airport Plaza in Hazlet:

Treating a Bruise at Home

1. Reduce Bruising and Swelling

• Ice the area on and off for the first 24-48 hours.
• Apply ice for about 15 minutes at a time, and always put something like a towel or wash cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Rest the affected area.
• If possible, elevate the affected area.
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