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3 Takeaways From the Devils’ 3-1 Loss to the Golden Knights – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

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After their shootout win on Feb. 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New Jersey Devils should have been in high spirits on Feb. 6. They hosted the Vegas Golden Knights for their first matchup of the season. The Devils played a lazy game and the Golden Knights took the win, 3-1.

Defense Did Not Show Up

After Jonas Siegenthaler was injured in Pittsburgh on Feb. 4, the defense stepped up to play extra shifts while they were down a man. That stellar performance did not reign true last night.

Related: Devils Place Nico Hischier on IR, Call Up Simon Nemec

Simon Nemec was called up from the American Hockey League (AHL) for his first NHL game since October. He had been sent down to the Utica Comets to get a little more practice before heading back to the big leagues. It appears as if he might need a little more seasoning. In the second period, he received a penalty for holding. Once his two minutes were up and he came out of the box, he immediately iced the puck.

While Nemec did not have a good performance last night, it’s not fair to put the blame all on him. There are five other players on the defensive side of things who did not perform at the caliber they usually do. On Nicolas Roy’s goal, Luke Hughes tried to out-skate him to defend, but Roy was quicker. Luke did not stand a chance.

Palat Woke Up

Before Ondrej Palat scored, the Golden Knights had three goals off of 29 shots. The second period came to a close and the Devils had a total of nine shots on the net. As the third period was coming to an end and the Devils received their first power play of the night, Palat made sure that this game would not end in a shutout.

Ondrej Palat New Jersey Devils
Ondrej Palat, New Jersey Devils (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The power play began and right off the faceoff, the Devils won control of the puck. Jack Hughes took a shot on the net, but it went too wide. Behind the net, Jesper Bratt regained control. He passed to Stefan Noesen, who immediately passed to Palat. From the right side of the net, he took a shot that found its way past Adin Hill.

With a little less than a minute left, Palat was able to score once more. The goal was waived off due to him tipping it in with a high stick, so he was only able to record one official goal. Palat’s performance showed he was the only one really trying for the Devils in this game. Unfortunately, his efforts came about too late and the Golden Knights were able to take the victory.

Vegas Outplayed the Devils

Looking at the statistics, it is clear that Vegas outplayed New Jersey hard in this game. The Devils barely had control of the puck, taking only 15 shots on net compared to the Golden Knights’ 40. This is way below their average of 29.4 shots per game.

The Devils took ten penalty minutes compared to the Golden Knights’ two. One of these penalties was on Jack Hughes for a high-sticking double minor. The one good takeaway from this is that Vegas was unable to score on any of their power play opportunities. On the other hand, the Devils were able to squeeze out a goal on their only extra man advantage of the night.

The holiday break did more harm than good. Out of the 19 games they have played since then, they have won seven. This is a drastic shift from how they were performing earlier in the season. The Devils have not looked like the team they were before it commenced. Perhaps a longer, two-week break will be able to get the team refreshed and rejuvenated. If they are serious about making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they better act like it when they return.

One More Before the Break

Before the Devils head into the break, they have one more game to play. They will travel to Montreal to play the Canadiens on Saturday, Feb. 8.

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Council authorizes engineer to seek $35K grant – Star News Group

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LAVALLETTE — The Lavallette Borough Council Monday passed a resolution authorizing Van Cleef Engineering to apply for a federal grant which could provide up to $35,000 for accessibility improvements to several beach entrances in the borough.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is part of a program by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which “may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, etc.,” according to the HUD website.

According to the Associated Press, on Jan. 28 President Donald Trump’s budget office released a directive freezing the disbursement of federal funds, including grants like the CDBG. Last Wednesday, Jan. 29, following a federal judge’s order, the memo was rescinded.

Councilman Dave Finter introduced the public hearing, and said that the grant would be sought for its maximum allocation, which is $35,000.

“We’re applying for a Community Development Block Grant for the maximum amount, which is $35,000,” said Finter. “The CDBG is to be used for access to beaches, parking, playgrounds and things like that.”

During the public hearing, Judith Leblein Josephs, a resident of Lavallette and member of the borough’s advisory and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) committees, explained what the grant money would be used for, should it be awarded.

“The request that’s coming from the borough this year will be dedicated to trying to complete the four ADA-compliant entrances to the beach so that all four of those beach entrances will be fully accessible, with a hard mat,” said Leblein Josephs, referring to mobility mats which allow people with disabilities to walk more easily on the beach and up the ramps.

The council voted 4-0 to authorize Van Cleef Engineering, the borough engineering firm, to apply for the CDBG in the amount of $35,000. Mayor Walter LaCicero, Council President Anita Zalom and Councilman Jim Borowski were not present at Monday’s meeting, which was presided over by Councilman Robert Lamb in the mayor’s absence.

This is an excerpt of the print article. For more on this story, read The Ocean Star—on newsstands Friday or online in our e-Edition.

Check out our other Lavallette stories, updated daily. And remember to pick up a copy of The Ocean Star—on newsstands Friday or online in our e-Edition.

Subscribe today! If you’re not already an annual subscriber to The Ocean Star, get your subscription today! For just $38 per year, you will receive local mail delivery weekly, with pages and pages of local news and online access to our e-edition on Starnewsgroup.com.

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NJ Nonprofit Is Changing Laws—and Stigma—Around Period Products

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Government Employee Unions Sue Trump Administration for Shutting Down USAID

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Last night, Public Citizen Litigation Group and Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit on behalf of the American Foreign Service Association and American Federation of Government Employees against Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the State Department, and the Department of Treasury for shutting down USAID, causing a global humanitarian crisis.

As the complaint explains, by imposing stop work orders, freezing funding, putting staff on leave or terminating them entirely, naming Secretary Rubio as Acting Director, and other actions, the Trump Administration has cost thousands of Americans their jobs and threatened U.S. national security interests. And it has led to humanitarian catastrophe: USAID provides life-saving food, medicine, and support to hundreds of thousands of people across the world.

“Dissolving USAID is illegal and unconstitutional. The Administration’s actions will cost lives and threaten the livelihood–and in some cases the physical safety–of thousands of American workers who have dedicated their lives to public service,” said Public Citizen Litigation Group attorney Lauren Bateman. “Without USAID, U.S.-led medical clinics, soup kitchens, refugee assistance programs, and countless other projects cannot operate. Meanwhile, thousands of Americans who support and lead these important initiatives are out of work. This disruption of aid is unfathomably cruel, unnecessary, and against the law.”

“The Trump administration’s attack on USAID is part of a coordinated campaign to undermine the will of Congress and isolate America in the world,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “This will make Americans at home and abroad less safe.”

“The men and women of USAID deserve a government that values and understands their contributions, not one that leaves them high and dry and unable to pursue their important work after a hostile takeover,” said Everett Kelley, AFGE National President. “We will stand up for our members and all USAID workers who deliver aid across the globe and contribute to a safer, healthier world for all Americans.”

“The dismantling of USAID including its Foreign Service members has thrown dedicated public servants—and their families—into chaos and uncertainty. These professionals have spent their careers advancing America’s interests abroad, only to find their livelihoods upended overnight,” said AFSA President Tom Yazdgerdi. “The consequences of this disruption go far beyond individual careers—it weakens U.S. leadership and undermines global stability worldwide. AFSA will continue to defend its members and pursue all options to protect this essential workforce.”

The full complaint is available here.

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2 amazing films at the New Jersey Film Festival today!

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By Al Nigrin

originally published: 02/07/2025

God Teeth  screens with the short The Traumatist at the Spring 2025 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, February 7.  The film will be Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7 PM in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ.  Tickets are available for purchase here.

The Traumatist – Michelle Beck (Brooklyn, New York) In this psychological thriller, Avery Vaughn, played by Amelia Workman (Anita Tucker, A Thousand and One), searches for retribution and release from her childhood traumas. She enlists the help of Dr. Theodore Hubbell, a questionable character with an unorthodox method of trauma therapy. The “Immersive Retribution Trauma Therapy” program, or IRTT, provides a cathartic release through vengeful and violent reenactments. Starring the talented Robert Picardo (The Doctor, Star Trek Voyager) as Dr. Hubbell, this stirring piece of fiction is told with suspense, passion, and humor. See how one person’s trauma can last generations and the lengths someone will go to make their oppressor pay. 2024; 15 min.

God Teeth – Robbie C. Williamson (Puntaneras, Costa Rica) God Teeth is a wildly original and fantastical odyssey about four recently deceased souls who find themselves on an abandoned ship at sea. Part confessional, part elegy, the narrators must recount the circumstances which led to their untimely deaths, before a marauding gang of sting rays destroys their memories, banishing them to an eternity in purgatory. Created entirely from found internet footage, God Teeth offers the viewer a new and profound experience culled from the infinite digital world and turns it into a thought provoking, cinematic song of mourning and acceptance – The glory of life and death. Boom, a 10-year-old swimmer endeavors to make sense of the loss of her father in a world of dragons, magical sea creatures and underwater superheroes, but will she be destined to repeat history? Albert, leather clad and speeding through a tunnel, flashes back to his life wandering the streets of Hong Kong in search of desire and connection, but with an increasing sense of unease and isolation, he must finally confess to a long-held and shameful secret. Rose, an ambitious sports agent is on the cusp of experiencing a career defining moment, when out of the blue, she takes a bold left turn – with horrific and unintended consequences. Devoted family man, Campbell, speaks only in third person as he reluctantly recalls a raging forest fire that would forever change his existence, leaving him stuck atop a thousand-foot pole. 2024; 60 min.

The 43rd Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 24-March 2, 2025. The Festival will be a hybrid one as it will be presented online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VoD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person screenings. Plus, acclaimed singer-songwriter Renee Maskin will be doing an audio-visual concert on Friday, February 21 at 7PM and there will be a special benefit in-person screening of the film Bucha on March 2 at 5PM! The in-person screenings and the Renee Maskin concert will be held in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ beginning at 5PM or 7PM on their show date. General Admission Ticket=$15 Per Program; Festival All Access Pass=$120; Bucha Benefit Screening=$20; In-Person Only Student Ticket=$10 Per Program. For more info go here: https://newjerseyfilmfestivalspring2025.eventive.org/welcome

 

Albert Gabriel Nigrin is an award-winning experimental media artist whose work has been screened throughout the world. He is also a Cinema Studies Lecturer at Rutgers University, and the Executive Director/Curator of the Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, Inc.

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info

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Math prof dives into mapping the movements of sea creatures with new NSF grant

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Nick Battista

As a kid, Nick Battista wasn’t much of a swimmer.

Growing up outside of Buffalo, New York, he loved going to the aquarium and admiring his grandmother’s fish tanks, but on trips to the beach, a fear of sharks kept him from venturing into the water.

That changed during the last year of his PhD in mathematics where he studied the fluid dynamics at play in the development of the human heart. His adviser encouraged him to join her in taking up scuba diving so they could draw inspiration from nature and study how fluid dynamics affected other animals.

Battista is now an associate professor of mathematics at TCNJ, and he visits the Florida Keys twice a year to dive with his research collaborators, including his former advisor. There’s now even more diving in their future, as Battista has secured a collaborative research grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new computational methods to understand predator-prey interactions underwater.

The three-year, $124,000 grant will fund field studies and quantitative analysis of how cnidarians (a branch of the animal kingdom that includes jellyfish and coral) are affected by fluid dynamics in their attempts to capture the plankton they eat — and how those interactions look from the prey’s perspective.

“We’re still learning things from animals all the time”, Battista says. “Imagine a jellyfish expanding and contracting to swim. It seems like a relatively simple process, but there’s some really interesting physics going on.”

Using a combination of calculus, geometry, differential equations, and machine learning — and the biological validation offered by observing sea creatures in their natural habitats — Battista and his colleagues will seek to understand how animals maneuver through water to achieve their goals, whether that means capture or escape.

He plans to work with undergraduates from TCNJ’s School of Science and the School of Engineering on some of the mathematical modeling that undergirds this multidisciplinary research. And although the grant emphasizes the study of aquatic life, it will also support the development of new mathematical approaches that could expand into other arenas, just as Battista’s study of cardiovascular dynamics eventually led him to the sea.

“A beautiful thing about math,” he says, “is that the same methods we’re creating to study how animals swim and interact can be used for completely different applications in engineering or medicine, too.”

— Ben Seal, with reporting by Emily W. Dodd ’03

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Book Club Kits Now Available at the Sussex County Library System

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Contact: Julie Knapp Sussex County Main Library 973 948-3660 ext. 3409 jknapp@sussexcountylibrary.org

Newton, New Jersey – The Sussex County Library System (SCLS) is excited to introduce Book Club Kits, a convenient new way to bring readers together. Whether you’re starting a new club or looking for fresh inspiration, these kits provide everything you need—except the refreshments!

Each Book Club Kit includes six copies of the selected book, discussion questions to guide conversation, and a read-alike guide with recommendations for future reads. It’s a book club in a bag!

Spark meaningful discussion and discover new favorites with Book Club Kits from your library. Browse the library’s catalog and request a kit for your next book club today. Take the hassle out of organizing your next gathering.

“We are always looking for unique ways to meet the needs of our community,” said Will Porter, Library Director. “These Book Club Kits are another example of how the library supports lifelong learning and connection. From decorative cake pans for special celebrations to sewing machines for DIY projects, Memory Kits for individuals with dementia, and Chromebooks & Mobile Hotspots for remote work—we’re here to make life easier and more enjoyable.”

For more information about Book Club Kits and other library resources, visit www.SussexCountyLibrary.org.

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Accreditation | Cherry Hill Township, NJ

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Accreditation

Accreditation is a progressive and time-proven method of assisting law enforcement agencies in improving their overall performance. Participating agencies conduct a thorough self-analysis to determine how existing operations can be adapted to meet these standards and objectives. When the procedures are in place, a team of trained, independent assessors verifies that the applicable standards have been successfully implemented.

Accredited status represents a significant professional achievement. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. The Cherry Hill Police Department underwent this extensive process and successfully achieved accreditation status in March 2024.  

The attitudes, training and actions of the Cherry Hill Police Department best reflect compliance with the standards contained in this program. Policy and procedure based on Accreditation will not insure mistake-free policing or a crime-free environment for citizens. However, comprehensive and effective leadership through professionally based policy development is directly influenced by this law enforcement program that is thorough, complete, and based on standards that reflect professional best practices.

Additional information regarding accredited agencies can be found by visiting the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police website at www.njsacop.org

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Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), Jersey Shore Wave gears up for season kickoff

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The newest franchise in the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), Jersey Shore Wave, is getting ready to kick off its first season on March 29 against the Chicago Winds with tickets on sale via the team’s website.

Team owner and WNFC Board Member Dawn Sherman says she is thrilled to not only grow the game of women’s football but also to increase women’s representation in sports overall, promoting greater equality.

“Having lived in New Jersey for many years, it is an honor to be the owner of the newest addition to the Women’s National Football Conference,” Sherman said. “It is a personal ambition of mine to drive equity for women broadly. Owning a professional women’s tackle football team gives me the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the important role of women in sports and to address the critical issue of the pay gap for women who compete and give their all just like men. General awareness, recognition, game attendance and pay all continue to lag behind sports played by men. It is time for all of this to change.”

Jersey Shore Wave will play its inaugural season at the historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey. The nearly 100-year-old, newly renovated stadium was home to baseball’s Negro League in the 1930s and 40s. Hinchliffe now takes another momentous step, in hosting the Jersey Shore Wave.

“We are thrilled to host the Jersey Shore Wave in its inaugural season here at Hinchliffe Stadium. Hinchliffe has always been at the forefront of progress, and our partnership with the Wave will add to the storied history of Hinchliffe Stadium,” Bryan Verhasselt, general manager at the Hinchliffe Property District.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh celebrates the Wave’s move to play at Hinchliffe Stadium as an impactful way to show the community’s support for athletic excellence in female sports. “I am elated to welcome the Jersey Shore Wave to Paterson for their inaugural season,” Sayegh said. “This partnership represents more than just a game; it celebrates progress, equality and opportunity. Supporting women athletes is crucial to showcase their talent and determination and to inspire the youth of Paterson to dream big and see what’s possible.”

“At present, players in the WNFC are not paid. One of our primary goals is to pay our players a living wage. Everyone involved from players to owners, and everyone in between, believes in the potential of this league and is committed to putting in time and effort to grow the game until our goal becomes a reality,” Jersey Shore Wave President Jared Ferko said.



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Morris County Hosts Project Homeless Connect – Morris County, NJ

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Published on January 31, 2025

Annual Event Provided Critical Resources and Outreach to Those in Need

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Morris County hosted its annual Project Homeless Connect event today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, bringing together more than 40 community-based organizations to provide essential services and support to individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.

The event, organized by the Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris Inc. (MHA) in partnership with the county, offered free healthcare screenings, vaccinations, haircuts, clothing, food, personal care items and housing assistance. Mobile service units, including the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance’s (OTA) Navigating Hope and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One, were also on-site to provide additional resources.

Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen and Sheriff James Gannon joined county and community leaders to emphasize the importance of working together to address homelessness.

“Rising costs continue to place financial strain on families, making events like Project Homeless Connect more important than ever,” said Director Selen. “Morris County remains committed to finding real solutions, from expanding emergency assistance to increasing prevention efforts, because no one should have to face homelessness alone.”

Morris County took significant steps in 2024 to address homelessness by allocating an additional $300,000 in the county budget, which included doubling emergency assistance funds to $300,000 and dedicating $150,000 to prevention programs. The county also directed $100,000 in federal funding to three agencies for homelessness prevention and secured $190,000 in state funding for Code Blue activation — double the usual allocation — by demonstrating both need and efficient fund distribution.

In addition, the county’s OTA services expanded, with staff now stationed at the Morris County Library every Wednesday to assist residents in need.

View Photos from Project Homeless Connect 2025

“Morris County’s network of services and partnerships, including the MHA and the county’s Human Services Department as critical partners, is truly remarkable. When I became Sheriff in 2017, we saw the urgent need to address homelessness, mental health and addiction. At that time, our community leaders and experts came together at CARES in Rockaway Borough and we recognized the importance of bringing services directly to those in need. That’s how Hope One was born, and eight years later, we remain committed to that mission,” said Sheriff Gannon.

“It’s wonderful to be at St. Peter’s Church this morning, where mercy and compassion prevail — not just through the church, but through the community-based nonprofits, the individuals we serve and the support of Morris County and its elected officials. Together, we ensure mercy and compassion prevail,” said Robert Davison, CEO of MHA.

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The event coincided with the annual Point-in-Time Count, a federally mandated survey assessing homelessness in the county. Last year’s count identified 680 individuals experiencing homelessness in Morris County, a 32% increase from the previous year. While some of the increase may be due to improved data collection, it underscores the growing need for coordinated solutions.

During the event, two men shared their journeys of recovery and how Morris County’s services helped them rebuild their lives. Both, once homeless, now live in stable housing and continue to find hope through ongoing support from the providers who assisted them.

Since its launch in 2006, Project Homeless Connect has evolved into a year-round initiative, bringing essential services directly to local drop-in centers in Dover and Morristown.

“Homelessness is a challenge we must address together as a community,” said Director Selen. “Morris County will continue to work with our partners to provide resources, expand services and create opportunities for long-term stability.”

For more information about available services, visit the Morris County OTA Homeless Services webpage.

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Photo 1: (back, l-r) Robert Davison, CEO at MHA, Sheriff James Gannon, Amy Archer, Morris County Community and Behavioral Health Services Division Director and Kasey Errico, Director of the Morris County Department of Human Services. (front, l-r) Viktorija Spasova, PATH Program Director at MHA, Dr. Rose Brown, Senior Director, Program Services at MHA and Morris County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen.

Photo 2: Sam Khoury, owner of Razorz Edge barber shops, provides a haircut to an attendee.

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