FBI Seeking Person of Interest

December 4, 2019

Who May Have Information Regarding the Identity of a Child Sexual Assault Victim

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown female who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an

informational poster

depicting the unknown individual, known only as

Jane Doe 37, are being disseminated to the public.

Initial videos of the unidentified female, Jane Doe 37, shown with a child were first recorded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in June 2014. The EXIF data embedded within the video files also indicated that the files were produced in April 2012. In addition, audio from the animated film

The Land Before Time

can be heard in the background of the videos.

Jane Doe 37 is described as a white female with brown hair and wearing dark-framed glasses. Due to the age of the images, it is possible that the individual’s appearance may have changed over the years.

Information regarding this individual was originally released in late 2016 under a John Doe title. However, further investigation has led the FBI to determine the gender of this individual is female and not male. Therefore, this individual is now known as Jane Doe 37.

UNKNOWN INDIVIDUAL – JANE DOE 37

Anyone with information to provide should

submit a tip online

or call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The public is reminded no charges have been filed in this case and that the pictured individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This individual is being sought as part of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me and Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) initiatives, both of which represent strategic partnerships between the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Operation Rescue Me focuses on utilizing clues obtained through in-depth image analysis to identify the child victims depicted in child exploitation material, while ECAP seeks national and international media exposure of unknown adults (referred to as John/Jane Does) who visibly display their faces and/or other distinguishing characteristics in association with child pornography images.

Bills Up in Assembly Environment Committee and Senate Monday:

New Jersey Sierra Club press release

TRENTON, NJ–The following pieces of legislation are up in the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on Monday, December 9

A4330 (Pinkin):

Prohibits use of plastic carryout bags, expanded polystyrene, and single-use plastic straws. The bill would prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags in stores and food service businesses, and would ban food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws. It would also ban the sale of polystyrene and would prohibit food service businesses from selling or providing food packaged in polystyrene containers.

“This bill is a major step forward in dealing with plastics and plastic pollution. Plastics are a menace and an existential threat to our drinking water, beaches, and wildlife. Microplastics have already been found near our drinking water supply, so we could literally be drinking plastic. Animals like fish and birds can ingest plastic, and plastic bags have been known to clog storm drains and fill up detention basins, affecting our water quality,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This bill is important because it will ban single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers. It also should not allow fake reusable bags. It will also allow paper bags during the transition before phasing them out slowly.”

The bill would prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and paper bags in stores and food service businesses, and would ban food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws. It would also ban the sale of polystyrene and would prohibit food service businesses from selling or providing food packaged in polystyrene containers.

“We need this legislation because it not only bans plastic bags, but also polystyrene and the offering of plastic straws. Polystyrene is dangerous to human health because it contains carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene and styrene, and it has been found in breast milk. It is harmful to the environment because it is not recyclable and does not degrade. Plastic straws pollute our oceans and beaches. Last year, New Jersey found that more than 80% of their trash is plastic and found an increase in plastic straw waste by 59%,”

said Tittel.

“By reducing how much plastic we use, we can also reduce fracking and fossil fuel use. Plastics are made from natural gas, which means more fossil fuel use, more pipelines, and more fracking.”

A4267 (McKeon):

Concerns regulations of solid waste, hazardous waste, and soil and debris recycling industries.

“This bill is important because it addresses New Jersey’s ongoing problems with illegal dumping of contaminated materials. The Special Commission of Investigation’s first “Dirty Dirt” report in 2016 exposed the rampant problem of soil brokers and dirty dirt. Since that report the illegal dumping is still happening, risking the environment and public health. That’s because there hasn’t been any action by DEP and the Legislature to stop it. The industry has ties to the mob, and there are serious pollution and health impacts,”

said Tittel.

In June, the Special Commission of Investigation released their latest “Dirty Dirt” report detailing illegal dumping in Marlboro. SCI reported that New Jersey currently “lacks the authority to properly oversee elements of its recycling program”. This bill would help tighten regulations by expanding the requirement for background checks to a broader range of persons involved in the solid waste industry, such as sales persons, consultants, and brokers. But the overriding problem continues to be DEP’s lack of enforcement.

“The Assembly bill is an important step forward; however, we need to go further. New Jersey needs tighter regulations and restrictions on how our waste is handled. We have a long history of contaminated materials coming into our state, in part because DEP chooses not to regulate these chemicals. DEP needs to set and enforce standards for toxic materials to prevent any more possible dumping,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“The Assembly needs to act quickly and get this bill to the governor’s desk before the end of the year.”

A5583 (Pinkin):

Prohibits sale, lease, rent or installation of certain equipment products containing hydroflourocarbons or other greenhouse gases.

“This bill is step in the right direction when it comes to reducing GHG’s from the products we use every day. Hydrofluorocarbons represent around 1% of total greenhouse gases but their impact on global warming can be hundreds to thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide. They can be found in cooling products like refrigerators, air conditioning for our homes and cars, aerosols, and more,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“It is important that we prohibit and phase out all products containing HCF’s and greenhouse gases so that we can mitigate our impact to global warming.”

A5681 (Pinkin):

Establishes task force to study recycling streams in NJ and challenges faced by local governments in running recycling programs.

“Given the serious problems with recycling in New Jersey, we need to change everything we do when it comes to solid waste. We need to first reduce, reuse, repurpose and then recycle. Our recycling and solid waste programs are decades out of date. Some towns are moving to single-stream recycling, which means more waste gets collected but results in a dirtier product. Establishing a recycling task force will help streamline New Jersey’s recycling,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“We also need legislation to reduce plastic wastes and solids. The less we recycle, the more greenhouse gases and pollution we have from emissions from landfills and new product manufacturing.”

A5682 (Pinkin):

Establishes Recycling Market Development Council. The Council would look at existing recycling markets and recommend ways to stimulate recycling and how to reduce contamination of collected recyclables.

“We’re seeing a major drop in recycling in New Jersey. In the early 1990’s, we recycled over half of municipal and household waste. Now we are down to 37%. China’s decision to no longer import plastic waste has caused the recycling market to collapse. Some towns are no longer taking plastics. Recycling facilities are closing, or opening only once or twice a month. This bill says that New Jersey needs to develop new recycling markets. Rutgers has invented the first plastic lumber that uses recycled plastics, and more innovation needs to encouraged,”

said Tittel.

“We need to focus on coming up with more markets for recycling, and establishing a Recycling Market Development Council is a step in the right direction.”

A5854 (Pintor Marin):

Allows municipalities to adopt an ordinance to enter properties to perform lead service line replacements.

“This legislation will help us replace lead service lines. This legislation is needed because lead in drinking water has become an ongoing issue in New Jersey. In order to find out if people are being exposed to lead or to get rid of existing lead service lines, you need to have access to the properties. Many times, landlords or property owners will not allow access to municipalities to check for lead,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“Our water is at risk and we need to be able to replace old lead pipes. This legislation will help municipalities protect residents from being exposed to lead in their water.”

A6014 (Vainieri Huttle/Pinkin):

Establishes NJ Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers University, appropriates $2 million.

“Establishing a Climate Change Resource Center is a good step forward when it comes to being prepared and stronger than the next storm. Climate impacts are getting worse. A recent study found that much of New Jersey, including inland counties, are more vulnerable to climate impacts now than before Sandy. We must start taking real actions to fight climate change now. We are in a climate crisis, and New Jersey is the only state on the east coast that does not have any kind of sea level rise climate adaptation plan,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“This Resource Center will help use the latest science to put climate and sea level rise in DEP rules and state legislation. DEP also need to update our adaptation for sea level mitigation program, our shore protection plan, and fix CAFRA loopholes.”

A4020 (Mazzeo):

Changes title of DEP “conservation officer” to “Conservation police officer”.

“We feel that this title change is incorrect and unnecessary,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Bills Up in Senate Committees Monday

The following pieces of legislation are up in various committees on Monday, December 9

Senate Environment and Energy Committee:

S4275 (Smith)

: Allows BPU to increase cost to customers of Class I renewable energy requirements for energy years 2022 through 2024, under certain conditions.

“We are heading into a crisis for solar energy. We support this bill because it will prevent the collapse of the solar market, but our concern is that this is a temporary fix. We need to do something about the cost cap before the cap is exceeded and the solar program ends,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This bill raises the cost to 9% instead of 7%, but if the costs exceed that limit the BPU is still required to set aside the Renewable Portfolio Standard for that year.”

The bill would allow the BPU to increase the cost cap on Class I renewable energy requirements if the total energy costs during energy years 2019 through 2021 is less than 9%. The cap would then return to the original 7% from energy year 2022 through 2024. Since the solar program went into effect about 10 years ago, solar has become 29 percent more efficient and gone down in price by 25 percent.

“This bill is just kicking the can down the road for a few more years. What we need is a real fix, not a Band-Aid. We should be completely getting rid of the cap. We don’t have caps on energy from coal, nuclear, oil, or gas. Having a cap on solar energy makes no sense. You also have to factor in legacy SRECs as well as transition SRECs. Our concern is that even with this change in the law it will not allow us to have a robust solar program,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“We need to remove the cost cap, but we also need to come up with a new solar program that is more cost effective and works for all of New Jersey. This includes looking at other funding mechanisms and regulations to push for solar programs to get done.”

S3965 (Ruiz/Cryan)

: Requires DEP, DOH, DCA, owners or operators of public water systems, and owners or operators of certain buildings to take certain actions to prevent and control cases of Legionnaires’ disease.

“It is important for the Legislature to make sure our water companies, cities, and state agencies are held accountable when it comes to the water we drink. There are too many problems in New Jersey from one county to the next, whether it is PFOAs, volatile organic chemicals, cyanobacteria, or legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease. For too long, New Jersey has failed to adequately protect its drinking water and is putting the public at risk. This is mainly due to DEP’s failure to enforce the Clean Water Act, “

said Jeff Tittel.

“We have serious water problems throughout the state when it comes to our drinking water. That is why we need to make sure that different water purveyors take actions to identify their problems and correct them.”

S3974 (Ruiz):

Authorizes common law public nuisance suits regarding lead paint under State law; exempts Attorney General from certain aspects of public nuisance claims when pursuing lead paint actions.

“It is good that this bill would allow the Attorney General to pursue public nuisance claims against lead paint manufacturers. We have a serious problem with lead in New Jersey that we have been dealing with for far too long. Some places in the state are at crisis level, especially in areas that are poorer and urban. There are a lot of hazardous chemicals in lead paint like VOCs and other flammable substances, and it is important for the Attorney General to have the ability to hold lead paint manufacturers accountable”

said Tittel.

S4162 (Smith):

Appropriates $2 million to establish NJ Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers University.

“Establishing a Climate Change Resource Center is a good step forward when it comes to being prepared and stronger than the next storm. A recent study found that much of New Jersey, including inland counties, are more vulnerable to climate impacts now than before Sandy. We must start taking real actions to fight climate change now. We are in a climate crisis, and New Jersey is the only state on the east coast that does not have any kind of sea level rise climate adaptation plan,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“This Resource Center will help use the latest science to put climate and sea level rise in DEP rules and state legislation.”

S4276 (Corrado):

Appropriates $32,153,936 to State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation purposes.

S4277 (Greenstein):

Appropriates $5,000,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

S4278 (Greenstein):

Appropriates $21 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.

S4279 (Greenstein):

Appropriates $1,350,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.

“We need to make sure that there is capital set aside for state parks, parks in urban areas, open space, and improvements. For years, state parks and parks in urban areas have been significantly underfunded. We wanted the new money to fix that problem. We need these funds because there are massive backlogs and parks are falling apart without improvement for years. Over the last decade the parks budget is down 40%, despite us adding 40% more open space,”

said Jeff Tittel.

“We would like to see 40% of open space money dedicated to urban space areas. We are concerned because the definition of stewardship in these bills allows for logging and other things. Stewardship money should be going towards wetlands restoration and stream corridors.

Senate Economic Growth Committee:

S1212 (Ruiz)

requires lead paint inspection prior to home purchases and tenant turnover; establishes educational program on lead hazards. Lead is incredibly dangerous, and can cause illness and even in small amounts can lead to brain damage and learning disabilities. It can also lead to childhood development problems and other serious health issues. Thousands of children are diagnosed with lead poisoning in our state each year; over 3,000 in 2015 alone. Many of these children are exposed to lead through paint in their homes and other structures.

“It’s important to have these pieces of legislation to find lead in homes and stop children from being exposed to it in the first place. We need a long-term solution that will help remove lead from our schools and especially the older homes. We must work on removing lead from homes but also from our drinking water through old infrastructure. This is the beginning of dealing with a systemic problem that’s going to take years to solve and lot of work and funding to get done,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

4-Year University Tuitions Jumped 34 Percent in PA and 35 Percent in NJ

The Center Square

Pennsylvania four-year public university tuition and fees went from $11,175 in 2004-05 to $14,937 in 2019-20, the 10th smallest increase among the 50 states and the District of

CNBNews image files

Columbia, the College Board said in

a new report.

That 15-year change represented a tuition and fee hike of 33.7 percent. Between the 2018-19 and the 2019-20 academic years, four-year tuition and fees in the state decreased 1 percent, according to the College Board numbers.

The analysis found that average tuition and fee amounts at four-year universities in five states dropped over the past five years when the costs are adjusted for inflation. And in nine states, those tuition costs rose by at least 15 percent over the same time period, the College Board reported.

The average out-of-state tuition and fee amounts in 10 states are more than three times that of the in-state tuition and fee numbers, according to the analysis.

—

Changes in Tuition and Fees at Public 4-Year Universities

State

2004-05

2018-19

2019-20

1-Year % Change

15-Year % Change

District of Columbia

$3,414

$8,401

$8,444

147.33%

Hawaii

$4,587

$10,997

$10,978

139.33%

Colorado

$5,057

$11,360

$11,380

125.03%

Arizona

$5,524

$11,754

$11,921

115.80%

Nevada

$3,893

$7,805

$7,953

104.29%

Louisiana

$4,787

$9,678

$9,614

-1%

100.84%

Georgia

$4,621

$8,698

$8,719

88.68%

Oklahoma

$4,789

$8,960

$8,919

86.24%

Virginia

$7,558

$13,735

$13,627

-1%

80.30%

Kentucky

$6,063

$10,909

$10,902

79.81%

Alabama

$6,109

$10,972

$10,918

78.72%

Alaska

$4,653

$7,962

$8,233

76.94%

Tennessee

$5,833

$10,158

$10,255

75.81%

California

$5,683

$10,054

$9,966

-1%

75.37%

West Virginia

$4,919

$8,445

$8,487

72.54%

Idaho

$4,865

$7,729

$7,999

64.42%

Rhode Island

$8,037

$12,793

$13,060

62.50%

Michigan

$8,526

$13,690

$13,771

61.52%

Utah

$4,435

$7,114

$7,162

61.49%

Illinois

$8,797

$14,254

$14,166

-1%

61.03%

Kansas

$5,746

$9,255

$9,196

-1%

60.04%

Connecticut

$8,583

$12,974

$13,664

59.20%

Mississippi

$5,406

$8,568

$8,596

59.01%

Oregon

$7,073

$10,800

$11,220

58.63%

New Hampshire

$10,952

$16,859

$16,916

54.46%

Florida

$4,137

$6,468

$6,352

-2%

53.54%

South Dakota

$5,890

$8,841

$8,977

52.41%

Texas

$6,875

$10,347

$10,468

52.26%

Washington

$6,657

$10,023

$10,077

51.37%

North Carolina

$4,831

$7,359

$7,281

-1%

50.71%

North Dakota

$6,240

$8,826

$9,289

48.86%

Delaware

$8,980

$12,957

$13,292

48.02%

Vermont

$11,898

$17,306

$17,474

46.87%

South Carolina

$8,956

$13,201

$13,057

-1%

45.79%

Arkansas

$6,206

$8,859

$9,033

45.55%

Massachusetts

$9,529

$13,458

$13,641

43.15%

New Mexico

$5,295

$7,256

$7,432

40.36%

Maine

$7,587

$10,396

$10,478

38.10%

Nebraska

$6,394

$8,682

$8,745

36.77%

Minnesota

$8,755

$11,740

$11,834

35.17%

New Jersey

$10,809

$14,441

$14,536

34.48%

Pennsylvania

$11,175

$15,082

$14,937

-1%

33.66%

Wisconsin

$7,069

$9,178

$9,104

-1%

28.79%

Iowa

$7,325

$9,245

$9,364

27.84%

Wyoming

$4,393

$5,498

$5,581

27.04%

New York

$6,703

$8,307

$8,434

25.82%

Indiana

$7,921

$9,659

$9,675

22.14%

Montana

$6,053

$7,230

$7,204

19.02%

Missouri

$8,039

$8,806

$9,022

12.23%

Maryland

$9,171

$10,087

$10,115

10.29%

Ohio

$11,157

$11,001

$11,330

1.55%

Source: College Board

ELECTION 2020: Norcross Receives More Endorsements

CAMDEN CITY new jersey—It\’s not even 2020 but that hasn\’t stopped organizations and leaders from stepping up and endorsing Congressman Donald Norcross\’ re-election! This week, Congressman Norcross earned the support of the Sierra Club, Parenthood Action Fund, and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

In addition to the Speaker’s endorsement, came an astounding explanation as to why she supports Congressman Norcross. Here’s what Speaker Pelosi had to say about our Congressman:

\”From working tirelessly to provide our children with a high-quality education to protecting our national security and advocating for lower drug costs, Congressman Norcross always ensures that the issues of his constituents are at the forefront,” said Speaker Pelosi. “Congressman Norcross is a relentless champion for labor and progressive issues who is fighting to increase Americans’ paychecks at a time when the wages of our workers are falling further and further behind. His patriotic service in the Congress is respected throughout

Josh Duvall: Small Businesses Prepare for Shakedown as Broke NJ Comes to Collect

CHERRY HILL – NJ CD-1 GOP candidate Josh Duvall released the following statement:

“The Netflix blockbuster, ‘The Irishman’ and the state of New Jersey have something in common – they’re both experts in small business shakedowns.”

“Now, facing more than $200 Billion in debt, ranking 50th in the nation in financial health, and burdening every taxpayer with a $65,000 share of the bill (on top of the nations highest income and property taxes, source:

https://www.truthinaccounting.org/library/doclib/NJ-2018-2pager.pdf

) they have decided to double down their attacks on small business owners like you and me.”

“The recent

independent contractor

bill is nothing more than mafia style ‘protection’ codified into state law. The state of New Jersey claims it’s helping defend workers, while at the same time destroying the job opportunities the middle class and working poor depend on. ”

“It doesn’t stop there. Other industries are facing massive increases in licensing, fees and regulation costs. As the owner of a small financial planning and accounting practice, my cost to do business in this state increased by 86% from 2019 to 2020 alone.”

“This shouldn’t surprise us. New Jersey has used taxpayers as a perpetual piggy bank for decades. Making promises they never intended to keep.”

“What’s the solution? How about reasonable cuts to spending, decreasing local, county, and state taxes, lowering burdensome regulations that stifle growth, and clearing out the cronyism that has destroyed industry competition, for starters. Those solutions aren’t discussed because our state’s Democratic party leaders aren’t interested in taking responsibility for poor financial governance. That’s one of a number of reasons why we need new leadership.”

“I don’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent – it’s time ‘We the People’ demanded accountability and change from our elected officials.”

ABOUT: Duvall received his bachelors in Management, concentrating in Finance and Marketing from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and his Executive Degree in Financial Planning from the Fischer School of Business at The Ohio State University. Duvall currently runs his own financial planning and accounting business, and works with other organizations managing their marketing and online content. He also works with several non-profits, sits on the Cherry Hill GOP committee, volunteers with youth sports, and is actively involved in his local church. Duvall is a cancer survivor and is married with two young children.

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/JoshDuvallNJ

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/JoshDuvallNJ

For more information visit

www.duvallforcongress.com

Powerball Jackpot Rolls to $130,000,000

For Saturday’s Drawing

TRENTON (Dec. 5, 2019)

– The Powerball jackpot has rolled to $130 million! Although no one won the jackpot in the Dec. 4, drawing, 20,061 New Jersey players took home an estimated $116,028 in prizes ranging from $4 to $300, according to Lottery Acting Executive Director James Carey.

The

winning numbers

for the

Wednesday, Dec. 4

, drawing were:

08, 27, 44, 51 and 61

. The Red

Power Ball number

was

. The

Multiplier

mber

was

. The Powerball jackpot rolls to $130,000,000 for the next drawing to be held Saturday Dec. 7, at 10:59 pm.

Despite colder weather, there is plenty of fun fishing to be had in Maryland

MARYLAND FISHING REPORT:

By Keith Lockwood

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

December 4, 2019

Mike Crocetti made the trip to Tuckahoe Lake to enjoy a beautiful day and a chance to catch and release a nice chain pickerel. Photo courtesy of Mike Crocetti

There is no doubt the hand of winter is passing over Maryland. Despite colder weather, there is plenty of fun fishing to be had from the sheltered shores of the many ponds, lakes, reservoirs, creeks, and rivers throughout Maryland. The preseason stocking of trout has begun, and other fish such as chain pickerel are active and waiting for you.

The Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission recently created an annual recreational fisheries achievement award, to be given once a year. This is a great opportunity to recognize someone you know who goes that extra distance to volunteer their services to help with the promotion and conservation of our recreational fisheries resources in Maryland. For more information and to nominate someone, find everything you need on the

Department of Natural Resources website

Forecast Summary: Dec. 4 – Dec. 10:

As we approach the end of striped bass season in mid-December, Chesapeake Bay temperatures continue to drop. The cool weather has reduced the water temperature of upper Bay mainstem and rivers to the mid 40s, and from Annapolis south to the Virginia state line to the upper 40s. This cooling will continue through the next week. Warmest waters continue to be found in the bottom quarter of the water column from the mouth of the Patuxent River down to the Virginia state line.

Anglers should focus on

prime habitat areas

for larger concentrations of baitfish and hungry gamefish as they migrate to their winter holding areas. As always, make sure to focus on moving water periods for best results.

Expect

normal flows from most of Maryland’s rivers and streams

until early next week when they will begin to rise as a result of the rains beginning Monday and Tuesday. There will be above average tidal currents Sunday through Tuesday as a result of the upcoming full moon Dec. 12.

Bay surface salinities

are largely back to normal conditions.

Expect normal water clarity in Maryland Bay waters most of the week with potentially reduced water clarity early next week from predicted rains. To see the latest water clarity conditions, check

Eyes on the Bay Satellite Maps.

For the

full weekly fishing conditions summary

and more detailed and up-to-date fishing conditions in your area of the bay, be sure to check out

Click Before You Cast

. You can now get regular updates on Maryland’s waters and the creatures that call them home sent to your inbox with our new Eyes on the Bay newsletter.

Upper Chesapeake Bay

Photo by Matthew Blanchet

Water temperatures in the lower Susquehanna River are in the low 40s now, and striped bass fishing has just about come to a halt. Fishing for a mix of channel, flathead, and blue catfish has been good for those seeking some fishing action. Yellow perch are also moving into the tidal rivers and creeks. Fresh cut bait of any kind will catch the catfish, and minnows and small lures fished close to the bottom work well for yellow perch.

It has been slim pickings for those trolling or jigging the channel edges. The deep channel edges off Podickory Point and the mouth of the Magothy River are two popular places to fish. Most anglers are pulling umbrella rigs with a bucktail dressed with a sassy shad as a trailer, behind heavy inline weights to get them close to the bottom where fish are suspended. Those jigging are targeting the same areas plus the deeper sections of the Bay Bridge rock piles, piers, and concrete abutments. Many have switched to heavier jigs in order to reach the depths where the striped bass are suspended.

Colder water is causing striped bass to slow their metabolism down, and they often stop feeding do so only sparingly as water temperatures drop into the low 40s. They tend to be holding in the depths of the channels, where they are finding slightly warmer water temperatures. It is not uncommon to find them stacked up and unwilling to strike a jig or trolled lure. In fact, when jigging over a concentration of fish, you may find you snag as many as actually take a jig.

White perch are offering good fishing when you can find them suspended over hard bottom in the deeper areas of the Bay. The rock piles at the Bay Bridge are a good place to look for large white perch, using a heavy jig or sinker with a dropper fly or two when using a sinker.

Middle Bay

Photo by Travis Long

Fishing for striped bass is focused on targeting the deeper channel edges by jigging or trolling. Popular places to fish are the east side of the shipping channel near Buoy 83, down to the False Channel at the mouth of the Choptank River. It takes a lot of weight to get down to the fish so heavy inline weights are required when trolling. Umbrella rigs are the most popular item being trolled this week, usually with a Storm Shad type trailer or a bucktail dressed with a sassy shad in chartreuse or white.

Jigging is a fall tradition and there is still some action to be had along the shipping channel edges on both sides of the middle Bay. Many anglers have moved up to ¾-ounce and 1-ounce jig heads adorned with skirts and soft plastics up to 10 or longer in shades of pearl, chartreuse, and white, often dipped in red-colored garlic scent. Much of the action is occurring at 30 feet or deeper, and it can be fickle.

White perch offer a fun diversion and once they are found suspended close to the bottom can offer plenty of action. Some of the traditional places to look include holes off Kent Island, the mouth of Eastern Bay, and the mouths of the Choptank, Little Choptank, Severn, and West rivers. A metal jig with a dropper fly above or a bottom rig baited with pieces of bloodworm work well.

Lower Bay

Angelina Watts holds up a beautiful speckled trout caught while fishing with her dad. Photo by Rich Watts

Some of the best and most consistent striped bass fishing in Maryland waters is found here. The waters around the Point Lookout area are just a little warmer than farther north. The striped bass are suspended close to the bottom at depths of 30 feet to 40 feet along the major channel edges.

The shipping channel edges along the west side of the Bay and the mouth of the Patuxent and Potomac rivers are excellent places to find striped bass, and even a speckled trout now and then. The east side of the shipping channel near the HS Buoy and south past Buoy 72 are also good places to jig or troll.

Most are jigging with ¾-ounce to 1-ounce skirted jigs with 8-inch to 10-inch soft plastics in shades of chartreuse, pearl with sparkles, and white. Those that are trolling are using umbrella rigs behind heavy inline weights to get close to the depths where the fish are holding. Various Storm type shads and bucktails dressed with sassy shads are popular trailing lures.

Those seeking out a little different fishing fun are probing the depths near the mouths of several tidal rivers. Large white perch are being found in about 40 feet of water in the lower Patuxent River. Fishing with a two-hook bottom rig baited with pieces of bloodworm is a favored way to fish for them. Similar action is found near the mouth of the Nanticoke River and Tangier Sound. Yellow perch are providing an increasing amount of fishing opportunities in many of the tidal rivers and can be caught by fishing small minnows or casting small lures close to the bottom.

Freshwater Fishing

Trout stocking has begun once again providing additional incentive for anglers to fish during these colder months. Thousands of trout were stocked in the Delayed Harvest section of the Youghiogheny and the put-and-take waters of Blair Valley and Greenbrier lakes this week. Be sure to check the

trout stocking site

; better yet, sign up for the email news service to receive notice of trout stockings.

Julian Tsal holds up a nice largemouth bass caught in a small pond. Photo by Eric Packard

Colder water temperatures in the upper Potomac River have forced smallmouth bass to lie in some of the deeper holes in the river. Fishing with live minnows or crayfish close to the bottom can be a good tactic to entice some of these large smallmouth bass to pick up a bait. Working jigs and tubes slow and close to the bottom can also work, but the bite will be very subtle. Walleye tend to do well in the colder water and are active in many of the deeper holes and current breaks.

Walleye are also a favorite fish to target at Deep Creek Lake along its steep rocky edges. Casting small crankbaits and diving jerk baits during the early morning or late evening hours from shore offers good opportunity. Drifting live minnows is another good way to catch them along with large yellow perch. The lower Susquehanna River also has a population of walleye in what are considered tidal waters.

Largemouth bass are feeling the cold and have retreated to the deeper waters at the base of drop-offs. Fishing slowly with blade lures, jigs and grubs close to the bottom is a good tactic. The pickup will be very subtle, so watch for the slightest movement in the line. On sunny days they may be found in shallower areas seeking a little warmth from the sun, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits can be good choices to fish.

Crappie are schooled up near deep structure and will be holding there. Bridge piers, sunken wood, fallen treetops and marina docks are great places to look for them. Fishing a minnow or small jig close to structure can pay off in a nice catch of good-eating crappie.

Chain pickerel love cold water and they are widely spread throughout Maryland’s small ponds, larger reservoirs, and tidal waters. They will be oriented near any kind of structure they can find, patiently waiting there to ambush anything that might swim by. Often the largest chain pickerel will be found out in more open and deeper water, sitting tight to structure.

Despite cooling waters, catfish are active this week and can provide plenty of fun fishing in a variety of situations. Bank fishing can be a comfortable pastime during these colder times along the tidal rivers. The tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke rivers contain large numbers of blue catfish, which make for fine eating. Channel catfish can be found in most every tidal river of the Chesapeake Bay as well as the upper Potomac River and a few select reservoirs such as Piney Run in Carroll County. Flathead catfish are numerous in the Conowingo Dam Pool and can grow to some very large sizes there. Smaller flathead catfish can be found in the lower Susquehanna River and the upper Potomac. Fresh cut bait is one of the more popular baits for all three species, clam snouts work well and some have good luck with pieces of chicken breast, livers or gizzards.

Northern snakeheads are feeling the chill and the loss of the thick grass where they lurk during the warmer months. They can now be found in more open waters, and covering those areas with chatterbaits or popping corks and bobbers with a large minnow trailing is an excellent tactic. Sunny afternoons often cause northern snakeheads to be more active. The tidal Potomac and feeder creeks, the Patuxent River, the Nanticoke, Little Choptank, and the tidal creeks of lower Dorchester County are good places to find them.

Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays

Photo courtesy of Steve Doctor

Coastal fishermen continue their wait for migrating striped bass from more northern waters, and there is some indication that we may be getting closer to that event. These large striped bass are following the southern migration of menhaden, schools of which are being spotted off the beaches of Maryland. Striped bass will follow the food so it is hoped they are not far behind.

There is some striped bass action at the inlet and Route 50 Bridge area providing some action for those working jigs. Most are below the 28-inch minimum but they offer some fun fishing opportunities. Tautog are present along the rocks and bulkhead areas inside the inlet and can be caught on sand fleas or pieces of green crab. A few keepers are being caught but the abundant smaller fish are providing plenty of fun.

Fishing for sea bass and tautog continues to be good this week at the various nearshore and offshore wreck and reef sites. Limit catches of sea bass are common with a mix of porgies, flounder, and bluefish occurring at times. Captains report that some sites are covered up with spiny dogfish, so pulling up anchor and moving to another fishing location may be necessary.

Those heading out to the canyons to fish deep for swordfish and bigeye tuna continue to have good results and some impressive fish are being brought back to the docks. Deep drop fishing for tilefish can also offer some late season fishing.

“Many of the most highly publicized events of my presidency are not nearly as memorable or significant in my life as fishing with my daddy.”

— Jimmy Carter

Maryland Fishing Report

is written and compiled by Keith Lockwood,

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

fisheries biologist.

Click Before You Cast is written by Tidewater Ecosystem Assessment Director Tom Parham.

This report is now available on your Amazon Echo device — just ask Alexa to “open Maryland Fishing Report.”

Tips on Finding Professional Help with Your Debt

Gloucestercitynews.net (Dec. 6, 2019)–As soon as you take out a loan, you are in debt. The risk of defaulting and ruining your credit and even your life will be there until the last penny is paid off. A job loss, a death or an injury in your family – all of these tragedies can mean you go from having a great credit score and savings to being penniless with creditors banging at your door.

Finding a

debt specialist

to help you deal with your debt is key, and so is learning what to do in the future to improve your credit and to avoid future crises with debt collectors.

A Specialist Who Has Been There

One of the biggest issues with asking for help with debt is a sense of shame. Not being able to pay your dues causes many people distress. They tend to hide the extent of their debts from friends and family because they don’t want anyone to know just how much they feel they’ve failed.

Seeking out professional aid poses similar challenges. Many people don’t want to hire a lawyer because they don’t want the judgement, when in reality, that isn’t the case.

You can doubly ensure that you have found the perfect person for your case by reading up on the person in question. If they know personally what it is like to be in debt, then they can provide you with the compassion and answers you are looking for.

Never underestimate how important it is to have a specialist that has either been in your shoes or has seen it happen to a loved one. When you need

debt lawsuit related help

you need it from someone who is passionate about helping you and who sees you as someone just down on their luck.

A Specialist with Years of Experience

When seeking out help, finding someone who has been there and is compassionate towards your case is important, but regardless of how compassionate they are, you also want to ensure they have the experience to back it up.

Ask about their history and what their toughest cases were when interviewing them or when researching them. This can help assure you that your choice of specialist knows what they are doing and what they are talking about.

Go Through the Pros and Cons of All Your Options

Though it may not feel like it, you have a lot of options when it comes to dealing with your debt. Immediately opting for bankruptcy is not the only way, nor is it often the best way. You can

consolidate your debts

, negotiate a settlement deal concerning your loan or even renegotiate your repayments.

The key is to get help as soon as a problem emerges. It will give you more option in terms of negotiation, especially if you were issued a lawsuit.

With a specialist or lawyer, you can know the steps to take and your options in full. Having all the pieces on the board is so important when dealing with your debt, so don’t run from it. Instead, find the perfect specialist who can go through all the pros and cons of your options in a compassionate and caring manner.

image courtesy of unsplash

Ryan Jennings Jr. of Voorhees Inducted into National Society of Leadership

KUTZTOWN, PA (12/05/2019)– 85 Kutztown University students have been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) as part of the December 2019 class, including Ryan Jennings Jr. of Voorhees, NJ (08043).

To be inducted at KU, students must attend an orientation, a three-hour leadership training seminar, three success networking team meetings and three speaker broadcasts featuring leading figures delivering success-related messages to members.

About Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown, Pennsylvania. KU is just two hours from New York City; 90 minutes from Philadelphia.

As the region\’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU\’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery. KU students select from more than 100 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU\’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 21 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

Red Bank Winter on Broad Street Dec. 8

Winter on Broad Street returns Sunday, Dec. 8

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. event has ice skating, giant snow globes, chalk art, and elves

RED BANK, NJ — From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, you can enjoy time-honored and new holiday traditions in the heart of Red Bank: ice skating, hearing live holiday music, looking for the Red Bank Elf, and posing for holiday photos inside one of the two 15-foot tall snow globes. All of these activities are free at

Winter on Broad Street

Held on one of the most picturesque downtown streets in America, Winter on Broad Street is a festive experience like no other; offering fun for all ages and holiday shopping throughout town with special deals and discounts from 30+ retailers.

Families, children and adults can also channel their creative sides and create a chalk art masterpiece on Wallace Street. For $5 you, your children, family, or friends may secure a 3 foot by 3 foot on Wallace Street to create a holiday or seasonal image (extra points if Red Bank is included in some way). Use our chalk, or bring your own. Prizes will be awarded.

Reserve your spot in advance

. Check-in between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Art must be completed by 3:45 p.m.; judging at 4 p.m.; awards at 4:30 p.m.

As part of

RiverCenter

’ Holiday Happenings musical series, The Calvin Ringers from Tower Hill

Presbyterian Church will perform from 11a.m. to 1p.m., the Calvary Baptist Church youth choir from 1 to 2p.m. and The Wag will perform at 4 p.m.

Thanks to a synthetic ice surface that requires no water or refrigeration, you and your family and friends will have an opportunity to glide across Broad Street between White and Monmouth Streets. Skaters can bring their own skates (without a toe pick) or rent skates at the rink. Skate rental is $5 for children and $10 for adults. Skating sessions are free.

Of course, there will also be plenty of delicious food available on and off of Broad Street. Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal at one of Red Bank’s 80 plus restaurants or eateries, you’ll find something to please your palate and your group. Red Bank favorites Sugarush and Antoinette Boulangerie will team up to sell hot chocolate and specialty cookies and Sickles Market will sell hot cider, donuts, and chocolate chip cookies.

Entry forms for the free Red Bank Elf Scavenger Hunt will be available, too. The Red Bank Elf with red and white striped leggings has been spotted in more than 40 locations in Red Bank. How many will you find? You may want to

download your copy

of the popular annual Scavenger Hunt and get started during your next visit to Red Bank. The deadline to complete the Scavenger Hunt is Dec. 24.

Winter on Broad Street is organized by the borough’s downtown business district, Red Bank RiverCenter. The free event will offer fun for all ages and encourage families and friends to enjoy the holiday lights and activities in Red Bank.

Winter on Broad is being presented by North Pole sponsor

Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center

. Snow Angel sponsor for the event is

Saxum Real Estate

“Red Bank’s wonderful business community really shines during the holiday season,” said James Scavone, Executive Director of Red Bank RiverCenter. “Red Bank’s Christmas tree and menorah are at home in Riverside Gardens Park with a beautiful view of the Navesink River. We want people to visit Red Bank, shop local, eat local, and enjoy our magnificent downtown.”

Visits with Santa Claus

will be available on the west side of Red Bank at

The Galleria

from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8, too.

To make room for Winter on Broad to roll out across downtown Red Bank, Broad Street, between Monmouth and White streets, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Additionally, part of Wallace Street, closest to Brad Street, will also be closed to traffic for the event.