Sandy Recovery, Schoolyard Killings Conviction in Top State News

Christie Says 'This is Our Katrina' as State Prepares to Rebuild from Hurricane Sandy

Speaking from a mangled boardwalk unlike the memories of his Jersey Shore childhood, Gov. Chris Christie said the Ocean County barrier island was still too unsafe for residents to return to, but vowed a return to normalcy for most of New Jersey on Monday.    

"The power will be on, schools will be open, water is safe, gas is available," Christie said as he described what Monday in New Jersey will look like.

Gas Rationing May End Monday

Gov. Christie says he may lift gas rationing on Monday.

The governor, speaking at a press conference in Seaside Park on Friday, said the rationing has worked well and eased congestion at gas stations.

Sixth Defendant in Newark Schoolyard Slayings Found Guilty

Gerardo Gomez, the sixth defendant in the infamous execution-style Newark schoolyard murders that grabbed international headlines four years ago, was convicted Friday on murder charges, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said. 

Two Newark Gas Stations Accused of Price Gouging

Two Newark gas stations have been hit with a civil lawsuit accusing it of price gouging in wake of Hurricane Sandy.

The Lukoil at 335 McCarter Hwy. and Sunoco at 69 Wilson Ave. allegedly raised regular and premium-grade gas prices during the Oct. 27 state of emergency. The station is accused of raising the price of regular gas by 25 percent, from $3.60 to $4.50, premium-grade gas by 25 percent, plus-grade gas by 26 percent and diesel fuel by 31 percent, to $5.45 per gallon. New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs received 21 complaints about the station.

Galloway Man Who Murdered Three-Month Old Baby Sentenced to Life in Prison

A Galloway man found guilty of murdering his three-month old baby by throwing her into the Raritan River in 2010 was sentenced to life in prison, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

Shamsiddin Abdur-Raheem, 24, was also sentenced to 30 years in prison, to be served consecutively, for kidnapping, Chiesa said. As a result, Abdur-Raheem must serve 89 years without the possibility of parole.

A total of about 15 homes are on day 12 without power on Rosemary Drive, and just recently had crews out to clear wires and poles that were blocking the only exit and entrance off their street—and now they want a little accountability.

Rosemary Drive resident Neha Pallod Limaye has taken that on with a petition she started Thursday to get JCP&L out of Bridgewater.

Judge Rules In Favor of Bergen Blue Law Suspension

A Bergen County Superior Court Judge ruled in favor of suspending Blue Laws —meaning Paramus stores will be open Sunday —despite the mayor's efforts to protect the law, claiming it favors the quality of life of borough residents.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera stated Friday that "although the residents of Paramus and I strongly disagree with this ruling we will of course abide it."