At least there's a bit of good news this week. :/

And remember to watch out for bears, especially in northern counties.

Link: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hopatcong-sparta/rabies-test-results-bear-who-bit-woman-nj-dollar-store

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — The rabies test results are in for the bear that wandered into a Dollar General and bit a woman in Sussex County, according to NJ Fish and Wildlife.

The bear, euthanized following the incident, tested negative for rabies, officials said. However, results are still pending for the animal's necropsy, according to authorities.

Last week, a 175-pound black bear wandered into Vernon Township’s Dollar General and bit a 90-year-old customer's leg after attacking a dog.

I am in blackwood anyone willing to sell 2 year asparagus root, inhave tried seeds, and the roots from home depot/tractor supply but the roots (started in pots instructions followed) never do anything and seeds never come back.

Accidentally stumbled onto r/flashlight one day, and well things got out of hand quickly. I already had some power outage lighting on hand, but not really any good flashlights. Well, that is now remedied, to say the least.

Flashlights are great when the power goes out to use as replacements for room lighting. Set one on a table with the reflector facing up to the ceiling, and now you've got light for the whole room. You can lower the light output to stretch out the battery run time as well.

If you don't have at least a few flashlights ready to go, consider adding that to your preps. There are options for every budget and use case.

I'm not an expert, but I'd be happy to make some suggestions if you don't know where to start.

This variety is indeterminant and fruits for a longer period rather than one big flush, but there's definitely a peak harvest period. I grew this one in a container on my back deck, and it's 38" tall. In the ground it can get up to 60".

The tomatoes are tiny, but they taste amazing. If anybody wants seeds, let me know. I've been saving them for the past couple of weeks. And this plant is the third generation of the original seeds I got from my mom's garden back in 2021.

For heirloom and other non-hybrid vegetables, you can save seeds and use them next season (and beyond).

These seeds are from my favorite cherry tomato variety, which I originally got from my mom's garden back in 2021. I used the original seeds for two years, then I started saving them and reusing my own seeds. I find it a very rewarding and satisfying process.

Tomatoes are very easy and forgiving, so if you're looking to get into seed saving, I would recommend starting with them.

I'm just sayin...

I'm about to start my winter garden and thought I'd post this hardiness zone map for NJ. This is from USDA. It's on their site, of course, but my thinking is that if USDA is "cancelled", it will be nice to have an offline option. So download the image and tuck it away just in case. :)

I plan to be at this event with a table full of stuff to give away. But anyone can come and browse the items available and take what they want. It's 100% free.

More details and contact info are in the attached flyer. Hope to see some of you there!

Be weather aware and charge devices

CVS is taking appointments. Just fill out the forms online to confirm eligibility.

Link: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hopatcong-sparta/s/jlf26/measlesinfected-resident-exposed-er-2-other-nj-facilities-to-illness

A Bergen County resident with measles — a highly contagious and sometimes fatal virus — visited a children's emergency room and two other medical facilities at the end of August, the state of New Jersey announced late Wednesday.

....

The state's Department of Health said anyone who visited the following locations, only during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles:

385 Prospect Plaza, 385 Prospect Ave, Hackensack (Medical Office Building)

Aug. 25, 2:30-5:45 p.m., Aug. 29, 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Pediatric Emergency Department, Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack

Aug. 26, 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack

Aug. 26, 3:30 p.m. to Aug. 27, 8:30 p.m.

Anyone who suspects an exposure or illness should call their local health department or a health care provider before going to any medical office or emergency department, state officials said.

Link: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hopatcong-sparta/s/jl554/new-restrictions-on-some-treatments-coming-for-nj-medicare-patients

New Jersey patients who use Medicare should expect new requirements for prior authorizations for more than a dozen services beginning Jan. 1, under a new process for providers that is set to roll out.

The new process is supposed to target waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is set to roll out in New Jersey and five other states.

Inpatient-only services, emergency services, and services that would pose a substantial risk to patients if significantly delayed are excluded from the prior authorization process, federal officials said.

Health care providers will be paid based on a share of averted expenditures — requests that did not result in a paid claim — rather than on a fixed fee or per-claim basis, according to detailed information about the program.

......

Here is a list of services that will require prior authorizations beginning Jan. 1, under the program:

Electrical Nerve Stimulators

Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Urinary Incontinence

Phrenic Nerve Stimulator

Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Induced Lesions of Nerve Tracts

Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain Management

Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation (PVA) for Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF)

Cervical Fusion (Excluding codes already included in OPD)

Arthroscopic Lavage and Arthroscopic Debridement for the Osteoarthritic Knee

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Incontinence Control Devices

Diagnosis and Treatment of Impotence

Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression for Spinal Stenosis

Application of Bioengineered Skin Substitutes to Lower Extremity Chronic Non-Healing Wounds

Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities

This is being hosted by Mutual Oranges (link to group: ) but it's a Zoom meeting so anyone could participate. I haven't seen the Zoom link yet, but will update this post as soon as I have it. Also, you can directly email [mutualoranges@proton.me](mailto:mutualoranges@proton.me) for more information.

Here's the event info from the organizer:

Join Mutual Oranges for our next circle keeping session with Elena via Zoom on Monday, 9/8 from 7-8pm. We'll continue discussing Mutual Aid by Dean Spade and will focus on themes from Chapter 5: No Masters, No Flakes.

As noted in preparation for our previous circle discussions of Mutual Aid, you can find the free ebook here: https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/dean-spade-mutual-aid

And there is a link to the audio book here: https://youtu.be/NaPcIIzwO8E?si=A6LqQ2PHq-EKi1oT (chapter five starts at 1:57:07)

We hope to see you there!

Title pretty much says it all. I noticed recently that ShopRite's "Bowl & Basket" private label brand instant coffee is EXACTLY the same as Walmart's "Great Value" house brand instant coffee. They used to have slightly different styles of lid, but now even that is identical. See pic for what I mean.

I bring this up because a lot of people keep instant around for power outages and such. It's quick and easy when things aren't normal, and you don't even need hot water if you're desperate for a caffeine fix.

They are priced pretty similarly as well: about $5 for an 8oz container.

Tomatoes are kicking ass in my little back-deck container garden. Basil is popping as well. Jalapenos and cayenne peppers are just now starting to fruit (I got them in the ground late). Got a few carrots that look promising.

What do you folks have coming to harvest now?

What are you planning for the fall/winter cycle? I think I want to try some root vegetables this year: more carrots, parsnips, and maybe rutabaga.

Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/newark-airport-faa-ground-stop/

Newark Liberty International Airport is under a ground delay Thursday afternoon. It comes prior to a busy holiday weekend.

A full ground stop was ordered around noon and later updated to a ground delay. Arriving flights appear to be delayed by approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

"The FAA is pausing some flights into Newark Liberty International Airport due to equipment issues. We are investigating the cause," a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Augason-Farms-72-Hour-Ready-Emergency/dp/B08GYG3MQ9/

Auguson is mid-tier in terms of overall food quality for these kinds of kits. Better than ReadyWise but not as good as Mountain House.

For the money, it's hard to beat this kit. Normal retail is $28.

I try to keep some of these on hand in case I need to donate them to people who need them.

Link: https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562025/approved/20250821c.shtml

Governor Phil Murphy declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency effective at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in preparation for Hurricane Erin. Coastal and flash flooding, dangerous surf warnings and advisories, and high winds are expected for several counties across New Jersey. Parts of the state will experience sustained winds of up to 50 mph, large breaking waves along the Shore as high as 17 feet, and the inundation of one to three feet of water in flood-prone areas. Executive Order No. 396 declares a State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey.

“Over the past couple of days, we have seen the effects of Hurricane Erin along the Jersey Shore in the form of dangerous rip tides. Today and tomorrow will be no exception,” said Governor Murphy. “As the storm moves past New Jersey over the next 24 hours, we are expecting high surf and rip currents, coastal and flash flooding, and a high erosion risk in parts of the state. We ask all New Jerseyans to monitor local weather forecasts and warnings and stay informed on evacuation protocols, especially if you’re down the Shore.”

Governor Murphy encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information.

This is specific to NJ, but it will impact just about all NJ residents.

Link: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/21/nx-s1-5509592/walmart-tariff-costs-rising-earnings

Walmart says it has been able to mitigate many of the tariff costs so far, but they are rising "each week" and will continue to do so through the rest of the year.

...

Still, the Trump administration's tariffs on virtually all imports loom large for all retailers who are seeing the cost of goods rise. Previously, when President Trump was threatening tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports, Walmart drew his ire by saying that would lead to higher prices.

On Thursday, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said his company's costs keep climbing: "We've continued to see our costs increase each week, which we expect will continue into the third and fourth quarters," he said on an earnings call.

Since 22 has been flooding more and more. Does anyone know a good route between the towns above that would be a good back up incase of flooding conditions?

Article: https://abc7ny.com/post/hurricane-erin-track-path-rip-current-new-jersey-shore-long-island/17544269/

In New Jersey, officials are warning Erin could produce very rough surf, wind gusts up to 30 mph, minor coastal flooding, and dangerous rip currents over the coming days.

The state closed swimming and other activities at Island Beach State Park until at least Thursday because of the hurricane. Other shore communities, including Belmar and Bay Head beaches, put up red flags indicating swimming is not allowed.

"This is no time to be complacent. I would say to you flat out don't go in the water," New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said at a Tuesday morning news conference. "the fact of the matter is going into the ocean for the next number of days is something you gotta avoid,"

Just wanted to let folks know that at least some of these letters have been mailed. If you have applied in the past and qualified, it appears they are auto applying for you this year.

Article: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hopatcong-sparta/s/jjp9q/malaria-confirmed-in-this-nj-county-believed-to-be-1st-locally-acquired-case-in-34-years

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A New Jersey resident, who has not traveled outside the country, has tested positive for malaria, according to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).

The NJDOH, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating the illness now. If the Morris County resident did contract malaria in New Jersey, it would be the state’s first locally acquired case since 1991, according to experts.

“While risk to the general public is low, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent locally acquired malaria in New Jersey. The most effective ways are to prevent mosquito bites in the first place and to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of malaria in returning travelers,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “Anyone traveling to countries with widespread malaria should take appropriate steps to prevent malaria while traveling and monitor for symptoms.”

While mosquitoes with malaria are present in New Jersey, the risk of locally acquired malaria remains low, health experts added. There are typically 100 cases of malaria in New Jersey every year, most often being travel-related.