Latest news with #Ramapo
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bones found on N.J. beaches ID'd as captain of doomed 19th-century ship
Skeletal remains found on New Jersey beaches decades ago have been identified as those of a 19th-century schooner captain, thanks to the investigative efforts of college students. The ship, the Oriental, sank in 1844. The schooner was transporting 60 tons of marble from Connecticut to Philadelphia to be used in the construction of Girard College, which still operates today. The ship likely sprung a leak, according to a news release announcing the identification of the remains, and sank off the coast of Brigantine Shoal. All five crew members aboard the ship died. The skeletal remains, including a skull, were found on a number of South Jersey beaches between 1995 and 2013. The set of remains became known as "Scattered Man John Doe." Police efforts to identify the bones failed. In 2023, the New Jersey State Police partnered with Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. A sample from the bones was uploaded to genetic genealogy company Intermountain Forensics, which submitted it to DNA matching sites in February 2024. Meanwhile, students at Ramapo used the profile for research. They found ancestry matches dating back to the 1600s, including genetic relatives from Connecticut. For the next year, students continued to find ties to Connecticut, and eventually they started looking at shipwrecks off the coast of New Jersey. They came upon two articles about the sinking of the Oriental. One article named the crew members aboard at the time of the sinking and another detailed the wreck itself. "The storm was so tremendous that no help could be given from the shore," said the article, which was published in the Boston Daily Bee in December 1844 and described an account from a Connecticut publication. According to the article, one crew member was "decently buried" after his "corpse was thrown on the shore." No other bodies were discovered immediately after the sinking. The circumstantial evidence and genetic ancestry led the students to believe "Scattered Man John Doe" might be the captain of the ship, Henry Goodsell. Goodsell was 29 at the time of his death, and left a wife and three children, according to the Boston Daily Bee. The New Jersey State Police collected a family reference sample from one of his great-grandchildren in March 2025. In April 2025, the NJSP confirmed that "Scattered Man John Doe" was Goodsell. This has become one of the oldest cold case identifications using investigative genetic genealogy, Ramapo said. "Identifying human remains is one of the most solemn and challenging responsibilities law enforcement is charged with," said Chief of County Detectives Patrick Snyder at the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. "Law enforcement works hard knowing that behind every case is a promise: that no one will be forgotten, and that we will pursue the truth until families have the answers they deserve." The Ramapo College IGG Center has consulted on 92 cases, Ramapo said. Two months ago, the program was credited with helping identify the remains of a woman who disappeared in 2014. In November 2024, student research led to an arrest in a decades-old cold case. Trump confronts South African president during White House meeting, repeats genocide claims Trump takes questions during meeting with South African president Rubio, Jayapal have fiery exchange about Afrikaner refugee's antisemitic tweet, student visas
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rockland County Executive race: Activist Mike Parietti eyes independent run against Ed Day
NEW CITY — County Executive Ed Day's unopposed run for a fourth term could soon come to an end. Ramapo activist Michael Parietti announced his intentions on Friday, April 25, to run an independent campaign to unseat Day, who won his first, four-year term in November 2013. First, Parietti needs to collect a minimum of 3,500 signatures to gain a ballot spot for the Nov. 4 election. Most likely, Parietti will need up to 1,000 more than the minimum to guard against names being disqualified for technical violations of state election law. Petitions are traditionally challenged before the Rockland Board of Elections. His deadline to file is between May 20 and May 27 with the Board of Elections. Parietti's announcement means Day would not get a free pass to reelection if he qualifies for the November ballot. Parietti also wants to raise a number of issues for public discussion. "To ensure voters have a real choice this November — and to spark the debate our county urgently needs — I have decided to run for Rockland County Executive as an independent," Parietti said. Parietti has run unsuccessfully for elected offices over the years, including Ramapo supervisor and the Legislature. A Preserve Ramapo leader, Parietti has voiced opposition to the influence the predominantly Ramapo Hasidic bloc vote has on elected officials. He challenged the Legislature's redistricting plan in court, arguing the plan signed by Day gave the Hasidic community too much power and influence on the governing body at the expense of non-Hasidic residents and people of color. A state Appellate Division panel rejected his case in 2023. Additionally, what Parietti sees as an imbalance of power is part of his campaign. Rockland remembers the Holocaust: Rockland residents honor the millions of people murdered during Holocaust Remembrance Day Parietti said the election poses a fundamental question: "Will Rockland become a place where some communities are slowly pushed aside, while others gain disproportionate power? Or can we build a county where all of us have a stake — where new families, new businesses, and longtime residents can grow together in mutual respect?" "This may be our last best chance to hold a public referendum on Rockland's future," Parietti said. "I believe we can't afford to let this opportunity pass us by." Day said he will wait and see if Parietti gains a ballot spot before engaging him on issues. Day has won the election overwhelmingly in his last two campaigns, getting 73% of the vote four years ago. Day once ran campaigns with the GOP, partially targeted the Hasidic bloc vote — including one GOP video deemed antisemitic for claiming the community looked to take over the county, and another that used the phrase "a storm is coming." Day has since reached common ground with Hasidic Jewish leaders, who tell their communities who to vote for in elections. The bloc vote determines who gets elected in Ramapo and can influence a close election across the county. Day contends his administration is open to all views concerning the county issues, such as services and taxation. He said he will run on his record during his decade-plus in office, including either no county property tax increases and two straight years of decreases. Lawler's Rockland Town Hall: Mike Lawler's Rockland town hall: More than 700 expected. What are the rules for event? Otherwise, Day declined to specifically deal with Parietti on Friday. He said Parietti has no experience running a government or legislating. Day, a retired NYPD commander and civic leader, served on the Legislature before winning the county executive office. "When Mr. Parietti officially becomes a candidate, we will deal directly with any allegations he has," Day said. "We encourage anyone to look at my record and make a judgment on who they want to guide the county." Day said when he took office in 2014, the county faced a deficit of $138 million. Working with the Democratic-controlled Legislature, the county's 2024 budget paid off a $96 million bond to help cover the deficit. For 2025, the county government has accumulated a fund balance of tax dollars topping $300 million. No registered Democrat filed petitions to gain a ballot spot. Ernest Morales, a retired NYPD police officer like Day who also spent 22 years with the Naval Reserves, attempted to get the party's ballot spot but failed to garner enough signatures. Clearwater Festival, reimagined: Remember the Clearwater Festival? A similar but revamped fest is coming in June Parietti, a West Point Military Academy graduate, is looking to give Day a run for his money, but faces an uphill battle. Parietti has run for public office unsuccessfully several times — Ramapo Town Board in 2007, county Legislature in 2011 and 2019, Ramapo supervisor in 2013 and 2015, and Congress in 2020. He laid out his agenda and bio on his campaign website. Parietti is a founding organizer of Preserve Ramapo and Preserve Rockland, two grassroots groups he has said are dedicated to fighting political corruption and restoring democratic values. In 2014, Parietti forced Ramapo to hold a referendum on adopting a ward-based election system — but lost a legal action in 2017 seeking to overturn the results. His website says, "He's not running to build a political career — he's running to rebuild trust in local government and restore representation for Rockland residents." Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@ Twitter: @lohudlegalRead more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland county executive race: Mike Parietti eyes run against Ed Day
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rockland County Executive race: Activist Mike Parietti eyes independent run against Ed Day
NEW CITY — County Executive Ed Day's unopposed run for a fourth term could soon come to an end. Ramapo activist Michael Parietti announced his intentions on Friday, April 25, to run an independent campaign to unseat Day, who won his first, four-year term in November 2013. First, Parietti needs to collect a minimum of 3,500 signatures to gain a ballot spot for the Nov. 4 election. Most likely, Parietti will need up to 1,000 more than the minimum to guard against names being disqualified for technical violations of state election law. Petitions are traditionally challenged before the Rockland Board of Elections. His deadline to file is between May 20 and May 27 with the Board of Elections. Parietti's announcement means Day would not get a free pass to reelection if he qualifies for the November ballot. Parietti also wants to raise a number of issues for public discussion. "To ensure voters have a real choice this November — and to spark the debate our county urgently needs — I have decided to run for Rockland County Executive as an independent," Parietti said. Parietti has run unsuccessfully for elected offices over the years, including Ramapo supervisor and the Legislature. A Preserve Ramapo leader, Parietti has voiced opposition to the influence the predominantly Ramapo Hasidic bloc vote has on elected officials. He challenged the Legislature's redistricting plan in court, arguing the plan signed by Day gave the Hasidic community too much power and influence on the governing body at the expense of non-Hasidic residents and people of color. A state Appellate Division panel rejected his case in 2023. Additionally, what Parietti sees as an imbalance of power is part of his campaign. Rockland remembers the Holocaust: Rockland residents honor the millions of people murdered during Holocaust Remembrance Day Parietti said the election poses a fundamental question: "Will Rockland become a place where some communities are slowly pushed aside, while others gain disproportionate power? Or can we build a county where all of us have a stake — where new families, new businesses, and longtime residents can grow together in mutual respect?" "This may be our last best chance to hold a public referendum on Rockland's future," Parietti said. "I believe we can't afford to let this opportunity pass us by." Day said he will wait and see if Parietti gains a ballot spot before engaging him on issues. Day has won the election overwhelmingly in his last two campaigns, getting 73% of the vote four years ago. Day once ran campaigns with the GOP, partially targeted the Hasidic bloc vote — including one GOP video deemed antisemitic for claiming the community looked to take over the county, and another that used the phrase "a storm is coming." Day has since reached common ground with Hasidic Jewish leaders, who tell their communities who to vote for in elections. The bloc vote determines who gets elected in Ramapo and can influence a close election across the county. Day contends his administration is open to all views concerning the county issues, such as services and taxation. He said he will run on his record during his decade-plus in office, including either no county property tax increases and two straight years of decreases. Lawler's Rockland Town Hall: Mike Lawler's Rockland town hall: More than 700 expected. What are the rules for event? Otherwise, Day declined to specifically deal with Parietti on Friday. He said Parietti has no experience running a government or legislating. Day, a retired NYPD commander and civic leader, served on the Legislature before winning the county executive office. "When Mr. Parietti officially becomes a candidate, we will deal directly with any allegations he has," Day said. "We encourage anyone to look at my record and make a judgment on who they want to guide the county." Day said when he took office in 2014, the county faced a deficit of $138 million. Working with the Democratic-controlled Legislature, the county's 2024 budget paid off a $96 million bond to help cover the deficit. For 2025, the county government has accumulated a fund balance of tax dollars topping $300 million. No registered Democrat filed petitions to gain a ballot spot. Ernest Morales, a retired NYPD police officer like Day who also spent 22 years with the Naval Reserves, attempted to get the party's ballot spot but failed to garner enough signatures. Clearwater Festival, reimagined: Remember the Clearwater Festival? A similar but revamped fest is coming in June Parietti, a West Point Military Academy graduate, is looking to give Day a run for his money, but faces an uphill battle. Parietti has run for public office unsuccessfully several times — Ramapo Town Board in 2007, county Legislature in 2011 and 2019, Ramapo supervisor in 2013 and 2015, and Congress in 2020. He laid out his agenda and bio on his campaign website. Parietti is a founding organizer of Preserve Ramapo and Preserve Rockland, two grassroots groups he has said are dedicated to fighting political corruption and restoring democratic values. In 2014, Parietti forced Ramapo to hold a referendum on adopting a ward-based election system — but lost a legal action in 2017 seeking to overturn the results. His website says, "He's not running to build a political career — he's running to rebuild trust in local government and restore representation for Rockland residents." Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@ Twitter: @lohudlegalRead more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland county executive race: Mike Parietti eyes run against Ed Day
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ramapo College receives a 'historic' $4 million gift. See where the money will go
MAHWAH — Ramapo College of New Jersey has received a "historic" $4 million one-time gift, the largest ever made to the public college. The gift by Susan Vallario, chairwoman of the board of trustees, and her husband, Nick, includes a $2 million endowment for the college's Presidential Scholarship program, which will now be known as the Susan and Nick Vallario Endowment for Presidential Scholarships at Ramapo College. The endowment is expected to help attract and retain top-achieving New Jersey high school graduates, helping to reverse the state's net out-of-state migration of college-bound students. The gift will support Ramapo's strategic plan, Boldly Ascending, by strengthening students' success through supporting their well-being, empowering students for a digital future and inventing in New Jersey's brightest minds, said a statement by the college. 'This phenomenal gift honors the public good Ramapo provides as the state's designated public liberal arts college,' said President Cindy R. Jebb. 'Susan and Nick's generosity allows us to further the college's mission by investing in and developing our students to be the problem solvers, ethical change agents, and responsible leaders our state, our society, and the world so desperately need.' The gift supports the statewide effort announced in October 2024 by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to raise awareness about the value, affordability and accessibility of a New Jersey college degree. The Vallarios have been involved in the Ramapo community for more than a decade, providing support through philanthropy, counsel and leadership to advance the college's initiatives. The Vallarios were the lead pledge supporters of the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons campaign. Susan Vallario has served on the Ramapo College board of trustees since 2015, as chair since 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in government and a master's in social relations from Lehigh University, and a juris doctor degree from Pace University School of Law. She practiced land use, corporate and commercial real estate law at Beattie Padovano in Montvale. She subsequently served as vice president and co-owner of Kurt Versen Company. She is a former director and chair of the Employers Association of New Jersey and a member of Valley Health System's Women for Health. Nicholas Vallario has a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. His career included work in oceanographic research and as an environmentalist for the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission. He later managed the data processing and engineering departments for Kurt Versen Company. This article originally appeared on Ramapo College receives $4 million gift. See where the money will go
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ramapo College receives 'historic' $4 million gift. See where the money will go
MAHWAH — Ramapo College of New Jersey has received a "historic" $4 million one-time gift — the largest in the public college's history. The gift by Susan Vallario, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and her husband Nick includes a $2 million endowment for the college's Presidential Scholarship program, which will now be known as the Susan and Nick Vallario Endowment for Presidential Scholarships at Ramapo College. The endowment is expected to help attract and retain top-achieving New Jersey high school graduates to the college, helping to reverse the state's net out-of-state migration of college-bound students. The gift will support Ramapo's strategic plan, Boldly Ascending, by strengthening student success through supporting student well-being, empowering students for a digital future and inventing in New Jersey's brightest minds, reads a statement by the college. 'This phenomenal gift honors the public good Ramapo provides as the state's designated public liberal arts college,' said President Cindy R. Jebb. 'Susan and Nick's generosity allows us to further the college's mission by investing in and developing our students to be the problem solvers, ethical change agents, and responsible leaders our state, our society, and the world so desperately need.' The gift supports the statewide effort announced in October 2024 by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to raise awareness about the value, affordability and accessibility of a New Jersey college degree. The Vallarios have been involved in the Ramapo community for more than a decade, providing support through philanthropy, counsel and leadership to advance the college's initiatives. The Vallarios were the lead pledge supporters of the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons campaign. Susan Vallario has served on the Ramapo College Board of Trustees since 2015, as chair since 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in government and a master's in social relations from Lehigh University, and a juris doctor degree from Pace University School of Law. She practiced land use, corporate and commercial real estate law at Beattie Padovano in Montvale. She subsequently served as vice president and co-owner of Kurt Versen Company. She is a former director and chair of the Employer's Association of New Jersey and a member of Valley Hospital's Women for Health. This article originally appeared on Ramapo College receives $4 million gift. See where the money will go
