Ovarian cancer is one of the most serious cancers affecting women today, with more than 200,000 women diagnosed annually worldwide and over 150,000 succumbing to the disease each year. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen, making early diagnosis difficult and treatment less effective, resulting in lower survival rates. Increased awareness and education about the symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and survival. Research and advancements in the prevention, detection, and treatment of ovarian cancer are crucial in reducing the impact of this devastating disease on women and their families. Support for women and their families who are affected by ovarian cancer is essential in helping them navigate their diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship journey. During this month, we recognize the strength and courage of those battling ovarian cancer, honor the lives of those lost, and renew our commitment to supporting research, awareness, and improved healthcare outcomes for all women.
Mayor Derek Armstead and Linden City Council regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Mark Ritacco, the City’s Construction Code Official and Zoning Board Officer. Mark died on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at his home. Mark Ritacco was a loving and passionate man and will live on in the hearts of those who know him.
Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 3pm until 6:30pm. A funeral service will follow at 6:30pm. The cremation will be held privately.
Mark was a lifelong resident of Nutley before moving to Manahawkin in 1995. Mark graduated from Nutley High School, class of 1979, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1983. He was the owner of Mark Ritacco Plumbing & Heating for the past 20 years.
Mark is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years Susan (nee Bunk) Ritacco; his devoted children Frank Ritacco and his wife Elizabeth, Gina Sicilia and her husband Joseph, and Juli Ritacco. Mark was recently made a grandfather to his cherished granddaughter Marina Jane Ritacco.
In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his loving siblings Joy Maschi and her husband Augie, Deborah Petrillo, and Frank Ritacco. Mark is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews. Mark is predeceased by his parents Frank and Joyce (nee Cofone) Ritacco and his brother James DiRuggiero.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
A unique combination of a slow moving cold front and the remnants of hurricane Debby are increasing the chance of major flooding impacting many parts of New Jersey this week. Tropical moisture is surging into the region today and tomorrow, leading to moderate to heavy rainfall and flooding from strong thunderstorms. The rainfall and flash flooding potential for today and tomorrow is concerning by itself, and can lead to 2 to 5 inches of rain, but the impact of additional moisture from the remnants of Debby will further affect the area on Friday into Saturday. Grounds will likely be saturated and rivers/creeks/streams will likely be running high. Please take the necessary precautions to be safe during this storm.
Click here to view and/or download the NJSACOP Accreditation Assessment Invites Public Comment News Release.
A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will examine all aspects of the Linden Police Department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services on Thursday, August 15, 2024, Chief David Hart announced today.
“Verification by the assessment team that the Linden Police Department meets the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,”Chief Hart said.
As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call 908-200-9251 on Thursday, August 15, 2024 between the hours of 10am and 11am. Email comments can be sent here.
Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Sergeant Leon Paster at 908-474-8557 for information about the standards.
Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Linden Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to contact the Accreditation Program Director by email here, or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.
The Linden Police Department must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status. Chief Hart indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.”
The Accreditation Program Director for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado, Ed.S. “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies. The assessors will reviewwritten materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed. Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status,” Harry J Delgado stated.
Accreditation is valid for a three-year (3) period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email here.
Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, and the Linden Police Departmentinvite you to attend the Linden Police Department Community Meeting. Meet Mayor Armstead, Chief Hart, and many of the Police Officers who work in your neighborhood.
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.
What: Linden Police Department Community Meeting. Learn about various Police Department Programs and discuss crime and traffic concerns in your neighborhood.
Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Town Parks, Wednesday morning, June 5, 2024, between the hours of 3am and 7am (weather permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed.
What: Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and Town Parks.
As you may know, many business and residential utility customers are targeted daily by impersonation scams. Scammers impersonate the utility company (such as PSE&G, Comcast, Verizon, NJ American Water and others) through in-person, phone, and online tactics, claim the utility bill is past due, and threaten to disconnect services unless a payment is made immediately. Customers are pressured to make payments via prepaid debit cards (such as Green Dot, MoneyPak, or Vanilla), wire transfers, cash apps (such as Venmo or Zelle), gift cards, or cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin). Additionally, scammers may claim that the regular payment portal for the utility company is currently offline, but the target can submit payment through another portal via a link or QR code. This fraudulent payment portal creates a false sense of legitimacy by using spoofed domains, impersonation, and stolen branding. Phishing and smishing tactics attempt to convince the target to immediately take action, such as responding or calling a fraudulent phone number, disclosing sensitive information, or making payment.
In Person
Scammers may visit the target’s home or place of business in person, claim to be a utility company collector, present fraudulent identification, and ask for personal information, including account number or Social Security number. However, legitimate employees wear a uniform, visibly display a company ID badge, drive a company car with the utility company’s logo, and visit during a pre-scheduled appointment with the customer.
Calls
Additionally, if customers receive an urgent call from their utility company’s trusted customer service number claiming termination of services for non-payment and that someone will arrive in 15 minutes to disconnect service, slow down the conversation before making any quick decisions and verify the information through official sources, as the phone number may be spoofed (faked)!
Web Searches
Hackers are targeting customers who use search engines to contact their utility companies. The search engine results may contain fraudulent websites with fake phone numbers that, if called, will put unsuspecting customers at risk for threat actors to collect personal and financial information. Furthermore, service disconnections are not immediate; there is a multi-step process, including payment arrangement options and multiple notifications to the customer, typically by mail and noted on their regular monthly bill.
QR Codes
Traditional attack techniques of malicious links or attachments are often detected by email security, forcing threat actors to pivot to QR codes as the primary attack method in various schemes. QR codes, sent through unsolicited communications or posted in publicly accessible locations, may appear to be associated with a reputable brand or organization and could direct targets to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and unsuspecting malware downloads. In one campaign, the threat actors persuade their victims to withdraw money from their financial accounts and transfer it to them using a QR code and cryptocurrency ATM to avoid service disconnection. Once the funds are deposited into the ATM to purchase cryptocurrency, the QR code with the embedded address is scanned, and the money is transferred to the scammers.
Please make sure to be vigilant of these and similar impersonation scams. Refrain from answering unsolicited or unexpected communications, especially those containing QR codes. Additionally, do not provide personal or financial information or transfer money, especially in cryptocurrency, to unverified entities. If you need help with this or another type of scam, please call my office at (908) 474 8493 so that I can help.
