Seven Confirmed Cases Of Swine Flu In New Jersey

TRENTON –Seven New Jersey residents have confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, which has been commonly referred to as ‘swine flu,’ according to test results from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is also one probable case of H1N1 flu, state health officials said Monday.

The individuals with confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza are residents of Bergen, Burlington, Monmouth and Somerset counties, officials said.  None were hospitalized and all are recovering at home. No new cases have been reported in New Jersey since Friday.

“The fact that we have not seen an increase in confirmed or probable cases over the last few days is good news but we are not out of the woods yet,” said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard.

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Violent Crime Surged, Gunfire Rings

ELIZABETH—Violent crimes in the city surged by one-third last year, while other offenses jumped 20 percent, according to data released by officials.

Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow attributed a sharp rise in violent crime in Elizabeth to the mayor’s policy of ignoring the rise in gang activity.

Romankow noted that comparable increases in criminal activity occurred during the previous five recessions, but he said the problem is worse because top officials disregard the proliferation of gangs in the city.

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County Mobile Passport Office To Visit Carteret

CARTERET—The Middlesex County Mobile Passport Office will be visiting the Borough of Carteret on Friday, May 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the borough’s library building. Middlesex County Clerk Elaine M. Flynn urges residents to take advantage of this program.

Flynn said that the mobile program has been so successful because it allows residents to apply for their US Passports close to home without the need to drive into New Brunswick.  “This service is another joint county and local government ventures making government services more user friendly for the residents of Middlesex County,” said Flynn.

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Seeing The Results Of Reinvestment

By Assemblyman Joseph Vas

As President Barack Obama completes his first 100 days in office, we are beginning to see the fruits of his labor. His crowning achievement is the passage of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Each week we learn of more federal dollars coming back to our state and benefiting our schools, our infrastructure, and our local communities.

On the education front, thus far, New Jersey has been allocated $891 million for schools and colleges. Specifically, the State will earmark $238 million for services for low-income children and $371 million for special education students over the next two years.

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Elizabeth Memories

By Diane Norek Harrison

ELIZABETH-Here are some memories from former Elizabeth resident Roger Stryeski: “Attached are some of my memories of Elizabeth in the 1970s.  Most are concerning food and where to get it. I came to Elizabeth and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in 1974 and worked there until 1987. Coming from a small Bergen County town, this was the first city, excluding college and the Army, that I lived in.  And it was a fun food town to be in and single.

“After the evening shift, there was the eternal Spirito’s and later Finnagel’s at the arch.  Spirito’s was no butter and constant yelling and screaming and utensils being thrown in the kitchen.  Good Friday was the big day with clam sauce.  Finnagel’s had an American menu and the kitchen was open late catering to the Eastern Airlines crowd.  It was the first place to have Newcastle Brown Ale.

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