Dollar bills background. Pile of american money cash. One hundred usd dollars banknotes. Financial and economic crisis
Hyattsville, MD — A Prince George’s County woman struck it rich, winning the $50,000 top prize on a Gold Bar Bingo scratch-off ticket.
Fortunately, the Hyattsville resident, an avid bingo fan, asked her son to buy some bingo-themed scratch-offs earlier this week. He picked up an assortment of $3 and $5 tickets from Langley Shop on 8001 New Hampshire Avenue. As she played through the tickets, she initially believed she had won $500 after forming four corners on her card.
Upon closer inspection, the woman discovered an “X” pattern on the sixth bingo card, indicating a much larger prize. Unsure of the win, she asked her son to double-check the ticket. He confirmed the $50,000 prize after scanning the ticket at the Lottery retailer.
“When he called to tell me, I was shocked,” said the retired housekeeper. “I’m just very grateful for this good fortune.”
The winner has yet to decide how she will use her windfall. The Langley Shop, where the winning ticket was purchased, will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top-prize scratch-off.
The woman and her son claimed the prize at Lottery headquarters, overjoyed with their unexpected blessing.
New Jersey Man Murdered by Transitioning Teen in Florida
Toms River, NJ — A 16-year-old girl who was undergoing a gender transition from Palm Bay, Florida has been arrested and charged with the first-degree pre-meditated murder of her mother and her mother's boyfriend, following a distressing series of events that ended fatally.
Shortly after midnight on July 7, the teen dialed 911, claiming an intruder had broken into her home through a back sliding door. However, when police arrived at the scene, they found 42-year-old Kelley McCollum and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Matthew Szejnrok, deceased. Szejnrok also exhibited multiple stab wounds, according to the police affidavit.
Szejnrok was born in Toms River and raised in East Brunswick.
Initially, the teen provided detectives with a scenario where she was an innocent bystander, claiming she hid in her bedroom as the crimes occurred. This account soon unraveled as investigators discovered incriminating evidence, including a gun and a bloody knife positioned near the teen’s bedroom, and bloody footprints matching the teen’s shoes.
Upon further questioning, the teenager confessed to waiting for the couple to return home, at which point she shot them multiple times. She followed Szejnrok to the bathroom where she continued her assault with a knife, and ultimately, shot him again in the head.
The motivation behind these harrowing actions stemmed from personal grievances. The teen expressed frustrations over her mother’s lack of acceptance regarding her gender transition and was also upset about her mother’s relationship with a significantly younger man.
Atlantic City Airshow Set to Thrill SpectatorsATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The 2024 Visit Atlantic City Airshow, titled "A Salute to Those Who Serve," will take place on August 13 and 14. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the event will be held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, located at 2301 Boardwalk, Missouri Avenue, and the Beach.
Sponsored by Visit Atlantic City, the airshow will feature spectacular aerial performances by the Polaris Ghost Squadron, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and the 177th Fighter Wing of the N.J. Air National Guard, alongside an array of civilian performers.
The event is free to attend, with the airshow starting at 11 a.m. each day. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and umbrellas to enjoy the performances from the soft sand and boardwalk, taking in the sights and sounds while enjoying the ocean breeze.
For those viewing from the water, there will be a “no boat zone” to ensure safety, restricting access to the Atlantic City beach for all vessels except those operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, police, and other marine units. Boaters are reminded to practice safe boating and wear life jackets.
Land-based viewing options include Atlantic City’s free beaches and Boardwalk, as well as ocean-facing hotel rooms and outdoor venues. Parking is available throughout the city, and visitors can use the Atlantic City Jitney or NJ Transit bus or train services for transportation.
For more information, visit the event website.
State Threatens Toms River School Officials After 9% Tax Increase Falls $12 Million ShortThe Administration of Governor Phil Murphy Threatens to Remove Superindendent if Boad Does Not Raise Taxes Even Higher, or Sell Buildings
TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Toms River Regional School District has imposed a 9.9-percent tax increase on the Toms River community, despite the Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education's previous rejection of the measure. This decision has sparked a strong response from Superintendent Michael Citta and School Board President Kathy Eagan.
Note: The Toms River School Board is a separate taxing authority from the Toms River Township Municipality. School boards are independently run and governed bodies that act as an individual entity outside of the municipal government. The municipal government has no authority or access to the school budget and financial crisis it is currently facing. In 2024, the Toms River Township Council and Mayor Dan Rodrick announced a 0% municipal tax increase.
Superintendent Citta addressed staff, parents, and families, emphasizing the continued budget shortfall of over $12 million for the current school year. "We are continuing the pursuit of liquidating assets," Citta stated, noting the appraisal of non-essential properties such as the office building at 1144 Hooper Avenue and the transportation yard.
In recent months, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said school districts like Toms River will not be getting any further funding and if they are short, they need to either raise taxes or start selling off schools and other assetts. Murphy even suggested the distric fire teachers and cut staffing to make ends meet.
Toms River has several assetts it could sell including an office building on Hooper Avenue and an Indoor Track and Field bubble. Murphy had suggested selling elementary and middle schools in his statement earlier this year.
He reassured the community that all student programs remain intact for the 2024-2025 school year and called for unity in facing the funding challenges imposed by the NJDOE.
School Board President Kathy Eagan. who is also a member of the NJEA criticized the NJDOE's actions, describing them as "dictatorial and iron-fisted."
Eagan highlighted the contentious and hostile discussions with the state, which included threats to revoke the licenses of Superintendent Citta and Business Administrator William Doering if a balanced budget was not submitted.
Eagan condemned the NJDOE's decision to override the board's authority, calling it "taxation without representation" and a contradiction of the principles of local control.
Eagan stressed that the state-imposed budget fails to provide a thorough and efficient education for students, as required by the constitution. She noted that even with the tax increase, the district remains nearly $80 million underfunded due to state aid cuts. "Our students are enrolled in a district that is underfunded by almost $80 million because of state aid cuts," Eagan stated.
The Toms River community is urged to support the board's efforts to address the funding shortfalls and ensure a quality education for all students.
