Chase Utley can still play baseball. So can Carlos Ruiz. Just a few of the things not covered in today’s roundup. Because why would you come to Route 40 to read about the Phillies?
For exemplary journalism from around the state, see below, for a list of what we’re reading.
Foreclosure Relief in Absecon–Absecon Mayor John Armstrong, writing for the Current, made an announcement about New Jersey's "Hardest Hit" Fund, which provides assistance to at-risk homeowners in danger of losing their homes. The town is holding a "foreclosure resource event" on October 18 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to educate people on the application process and on "taking other measures to avoid foreclosure." Shore News Today
They Took Your Money!–Weather man slash data journalist Stephen Stirling and Alex Napoliello produced a scorching story on the $1.4 billion in fees that you, the citizens of New Jersey, have paid from your phone bills that was supposed to go to upgrade the state's 911 system but wasn't. "There are lives that have been lost because of this." NJ.com
NJ Transit’s the Most Dangerous in the Country–NJ Transit trains had more accidents and paid more in safety fines than any other commuter rail line in the country, the Associated Press reports. Read the grim details. Nice trains improve people's lives. Especially if they have a bar car. Think about it people. The Big Story
State Lawmakers Exploring Legal Pot–A delegation from the N.J. legislature is heading to Colorado for four days to study the impact recreational marijuana has had on that state. Nicholas Scutari is leading the group and Steve Sweeney is attending. "This is not a joke...This is big money and it's great savings to the state," Scutari said. NJ.com
Bail Out–New Jersey's bail system is being overhauled massively, and yesterday the state attorney general sent out an 84-page directive to police and prosecutors outlining the new regime. Sounds like a fun read! Mercifully, NJ.com's S.P. Sullivan read it so you don't have to. NJ.com
No Skee-Ball?–The state DEG approved "skill-based games" for Atlantic City casinos, Susan Livio reports. It's unclear from the story what constitutes a "skill-based game" exactly, but maybe we can follow up. But the timing of this is interesting. Maybe one of the games will be, "Get the Horse back in the Barn." NJ.com
Christie Criminal Complaint–A judge signed a criminal summons against Gov. Christie over his role in the Bridgegate scandal, everybody reports. A prosecutor will now decide if there's enough evidence to indict Christie for official misconduct. The misconduct complaint was filed in September by activist Bill Brennan after David Wildstein testified Christie was told about the bridge closure. Christie has denied involvement. "This is a dishonourable complaint filed by a known serial complainant and political activist with a history of abusing the judicial system," Christie's spokesman said, using words that sound eerily like things said we were thinking about his boss. Oh, and the prosecutor reviewing the case was appointed by Christie. BBC News
Magic Birdhouses–The Press of A.C.'s Hanna Schweder has a very interesting story about these incredible bird houses--they look more like castles--that Robert Schatz, who works at Deltona Discount Tires, makes for his family. Seriously must be seen to be believed. Press of Atlantic City
Oh, Cranberries!–The majestic cranberry!
The Pine Barrens' Tribute's Adam Tait takes a delightfully detailed look at everyone's favorite little red fruit--past, present and future--apropos of the Cranberry Festival this weekend in Chatsworth.
The Lee family, whom Tait interviewed, has been growing cranberries since the 1860s. pinebarrenstribune.com
Thank you, nice read.