State Steps Up Surveillance For Swine Flu

STATE—In response to a swine flu virus that has caused illness in individuals in five states and Mexico, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has increased its statewide surveillance of influenza activity.

To date, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) in 20 individuals in New York, California, Texas, Ohio and Kansas. In addition, hundreds of cases have been reported in Mexico.

No cases have been reported in New Jersey.

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Christie’s Lead Shrinks Even As Corzine’s Approval Rating Sinks

STATE – Even as Gov. Jon Corzine’s approval rating plummets to a record low, liberal Republican Christopher Christie is watching his chance to become New Jersey’s next governor shrink away, according to the latest poll released by Quinnipiac University.

New Jersey voters disapprove 54 – 37 percent of the job Gov. Jon Corzine is doing, the highest disapproval ever measured for a New Jersey governor, according to Quinnipiac University. Corzine’s disapproval is up from 50 – 40 percent in a March 12 poll. He had a 52 – 38 percent disapproval June 11, 2008. Former Gov. James McGreevy also hit a 52 percent disapproval once.

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College To Offer Classes In Finding A Job

EDISON—Classes aimed at those who are looking for a job will be offered in June at Middlesex County College. The program, called “Transitions: Job Seekers’ Workshops,” covers preparing for the sudden loss of a job, identifying which industries are growing, networking, resume writing and cover letters. Each costs $25 ($99 for the entire series of five classes).

“With the current state of the economy, we are seeing more and more people who have been downsized, or are concerned about their jobs,” said Lynn Lederer, director of professional and community programs at the college. “These courses can really help as you develop a job-search strategy.”

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Rahway PAL Basketball Champs

Rahway PAL’s 2009 basketball season came to a close on March 21. The teams pictured bewlow emerged as champions in each of their respective divisions.

The third and fourth grade champs: Coach Lawrence Van Diver, Garrison Armand, Taylor Burkett, Samirah Henderson, Joshua Price, Damian Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez, Kamaje Tennet, Skyler VanDiver and Jordan West.

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What Will It Take To Make Our Food Supply Safer?

MADISON, Wis. – Two years ago, it was contaminated spinach that sickened thousands of people. This year, it was a nationwide salmonella outbreak, traced to a peanut-processing plant, that killed at least eight people.

Every year, more than 350,000 people are hospitalized and 5,000 die from food-borne illness in the United States. Dr. Dennis Maki, professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, says “it’s time to stop reliving history.”

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