Atlantic City has a new overlord: Jeff Chiesi. The Press of Atlantic City says he is a close ally of Governor Chris Christie. Chiesi will be the man tasked with disappearing the city’s $100 million budget hole by wielding his not-insignificant powers to cut jobs and union contracts. Oh, and maybe to sell the water authority.
The outlook on the budget for the entire state of New Jersey took a turn for the worse too yesterday after credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s lowered its rating for the garden state, citing worries over its ballooning pensions and planned tax cuts. You can read more here via NJ Spotlight.
New details on the shooting of Atlantic City Police Officer Josh Vadell emerged from testimony heard yesterday – the Press of Atlantic City has the story.
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Here’s the rest of what we’re reading today:
Prosecutors: 2 Pharmacists Played Roles In Drug Conspiracy–Two pharmacists are accused of roles in a long-running conspiracy to illegally distribute and dispense large quantities of oxycodone and other drugs from two pharmacies in a New Jersey town. Federal prosecutors say 44-year Michael Ludwikowski, of Medford, and 58-year-old David Goldfield, of Medford Lakes, were arrested Monday and were due to make their initial court appearances later in the day. It wasn't clear if either man has retained an attorney. 6abc Philadelphia
Cherry Hill Police Charge Hainesport Man in Gas Station Robberies–A Hainesport man whom police chased after the alleged robbery of a Cherry Hill gas station on Sunday was later identified and charged in multiple robberies in six different towns. Jason D. Clevenger, 27, was charged with three counts of robbery in connection with the November 4 and 10 robberies and the November 13 attempted robbery of the Citgo Gas Station at 1510 Route 38, as well as in the robbery of the Lukoil Gas Station at 1000 W. Route 70 on November 6. NJ PEN
Fatal Crash Is Second In 7 Weeks At Deadly Burlington County cCrve–The crash Friday killed the driver and injured the passenger, who fled the scene, according to police. Police in a statement Monday identified the driver as Peter A. Burnett, 41, of Browns Mills. NJ.com