Welcome these newcomers to the Garden State.

Nearly 90 miles apart, two women labored to deliver the first babies of 2017 as the clock struck midnight.

The result was two babies born no more than a minute into New Year's Day:

• In Voorhees, Sawyer Nelson arrived in this world at 13 seconds past midnight, earning the First N.J. Baby of the Year appellation that will stick with him the rest of his life. Mom Chelsea and father Patrick are from Mullica Hill.
• An unknown number of seconds later - clocked officially at 12:01 a.m. - baby Nina was born at Clara Maas Medical Center in Belleville. Her mother is Jennifer Kisssi, and she's from Cliffwood in Monmouh County. Dad is Daniel Yeboah.

Sawyer weighs 8 pounds and is 19.75 inches long. Nina weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces.

Nina is Kissi's first child. She said she went into labor Friday night at about 9:45 p.m.When her water broke Saturday afternoon, she was confident the baby would be born that evening. However, several hours of pushing later, her doctor informed her that if she wasn't able to keep pushing, the baby would have to be delivered by C-section.

That was incentive enough for Kissi, who recalls telling the doctor, "I can push, I can push!"

Coming in third - while being completely unaware there was any kind of contest to speak of - was Milan Evee Belle Swensen, born at 12:04 a.m. at Hackensack University Medical Center.

The parents, Dana and Kyle Swensen, are from Midland Park. They already have two boys: Jalen - 6 years old and Kamden 18 months old. Milan is 6 lbs 0.7 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. 

Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.  

Isiah Rhynes was arrested after two alert sheriff's officers recognized him on the street

Newark -- A city man wanted on charges of illegal weapons possession, aggravated assault and receiving stolen property was arrested on New Year's Day after aiming a gun at Essex County sheriff's officers who recognized him on the street, authorities said.

Isiah Rhynes, 18, was standing in a bus shelter on Frelinghuysen Avenue near McClellan Street in Newark when he was spotted by officers conducting a "quality of life" patrol in the area of Weequahic Park Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said in a statement.

When the officers pulled up to the shelter in a marked cruiser, Rhynes fled, Fontoura said.

"As the suspect ran through a nearby fast food parking lot, he withdrew a silver-colored handgun from his waistband and aimed it at our officers, who in return drew their service weapons," the sheriff said.

Rhynes then tossed the weapon, a 32-cal. revolver, to the roof of an adjacent building, Fontoura said. Rhynes was arrested without further incident. The gun also was recovered, Fontoura said.

In addition to the previous criminal counts, Rhynes was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and resisting arrest. He was held in the Essex County jail pending a bail hearing.

Details on the charges for which he was wanted were not immediately available.

Mark Mueller may be reached at mmueller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkJMueller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The new year begins with thousands of pets in New Jersey awaiting adoption.

If you're interested in helping homeless animals but aren't able to adopt one, there are a number of other ways you can be of assistance.

Realistically, not everyone can adopt. People who live in apartments or developments that have no-pets policies fall into that category, as do people with allergies or disabilities that will not allow them to care for pets of their own. Adoptapet.com offers these suggestions for ways people who want to help can participate in caring for homeless animals.

* Help out at a local shelter. It's not glamorous work by any means, but it's vital and will be very much appreciated. You can do anything from help walk dogs to bottle feed kittens, help clean kennels or cat's cages or even help with bathing and grooming. Contact your local shelter to find out their policies regarding volunteers.

 

* If you're handy, you can lend a hand in many ways. Shelters usually need repairs of many kinds, so fixer-uppers can help out like that. If you sew, quilt or crochet, you can make blankets for your local shelter.

* Help out at an adoption event. Many shelters and rescue groups participate in local events by hosting a table with pets available for adoption. They also hold these program at malls, pet supply stores and banks, and can always use a helping hand.

* For galleries like this one and for online adoptions sites, often a shelter or rescue group doesn't have the time or equipment to shoot good photos of their adoptable pets, Something as simple as making yourself available to shoot and provide digital files of pet photos can be a big help.

* Donate. It doesn't have to be money; shelters need cleaning supplies, pet food, toys for the animals and often even things we don't think twice about getting rid of like old towels and newspapers. Every little bit helps.

If you don't know where your local animal shelter or rescue group is, a quick online search will reveal a number of results. It doesn't take a lot of time or effort to get involved but it provides immeasurable assistance.

Above is a gallery of dogs and cats in New Jersey in need of adoption. More homeless pets can be seen by clicking here and here.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Two new teams enter the Top 20 this week

After the same 20 teams from the NJ.com Preseason Top 20 populated the first regular season NJ.com Top 20 last week, this week's poll features two new teams and a great deal of shifting.

SLIDESHOW: The NJ.com Top 20

St. Joseph (Met.) breaks into the NJ.com Top 20 after topping previously ranked Seton Hall Prep in the Neptune Holiday Jubilee, while St. Peter's Prep bested Teaneck at the Jingle Bell Jubilee to make it into the rankings. St. Mary (Eliz.) made the biggest jump of the week, going from No. 12 to No. 6 after besting then-No. 5 Hudson Catholic.

Where else did teams land? Find out in the full rankings featured in the slideshow above.

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The best shots from our photographers in 2016

With 2016 officially in the books, we felt you would enjoy taking a trip down memory lane to reflect on some of the outstanding athleticism that was showcased across New Jersey this past year.

Whether it was on the football field, basketball court, soccer pitch, baseball diamond, the track, in the pool or any other arena, outstanding plays were made and great accomplishments were achieved by high school standouts here in the Garden State on a consistent basis. Championship trophies were hoisted and there were some heartbreaking defeats, but in the end it was another memorable year for high school sports in New Jersey.

Check out the photo gallery posted above to relive some of the best moments that were displayed in 2016. Also, let us know what you think of these great images in the comments section below.

The mother called 911 from a motel.

IRVINGTON -- Police helped a homeless woman deliver a baby boy on New Year's Day.

The mother called police at 9:16 p.m. Sunday, Irvington Police Director Tracy Bowers said.

Police responded to the Gallery Holiday Motel on Ball Street, Bowers said. They found a 30-year-old woman in labor.

First babies of 2017 in N.J.

Officers Michael Myers and Betty Rivera, who is also an EMT, helped her deliver a healthy baby boy, Bowers said. The woman's last known address was Newark but recently became homeless.

Mother and child were sent to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

"This is another instance where officers provided superior public safety services to the residents of Irvington," Mayor Tony Vauss said.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Police said a 24-year-old Newark man threw a loaded high-capacity handgun as he tried to flee police on foot after a foiled heroin deal.

NEWARK -- Officers busted a drug deal on the street in Newark on Monday and arrested the buyer and a dealer who tossed a loaded, high-capacity weapon as he tried to flee, police said. 

Joseph Brown, left, was arrested Monday on drug and weapons charges, and Vershawn Griffin, on drug charges, Newark Police said. NPD

Newark detectives assigned to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force saw the drug deal on West End Avenue just after 12 p.m., the city's public safety director, Anthony Ambrose, said.

Ambrose said the detectives moved in and arrested the buyer, Vershawn D. Griffin, 46, of Newark, without incident. He was charged with possession of heroin.

The dealer, Joseph Brown, 24, of Newark, tried to flee on foot, and tossed away a 9 mm handgun loaded with 16 rounds as he ran, Ambrose said.

Brown was caught and faces multiple drug and weapons charges.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Newark police said they seized a .38 caliber pistol in an arrest involving heroin 251 bags of heroin and 15.5 grams of cocaine on New Year's Day

Blaine HolleyNPD 

NEWARK -- The Newark Police Department's first gun arrest of the year involved a loaded .38 caliber pistol seized from a drug suspect carrying 251 bags of heroin on New Year's Day, the city's public safety director announced.

At about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, detectives from the Newark Police Department's Special Enforcement Bureau were patrolling the 300-block of South 10 Street when they saw two men inside a vehicle, one of whom appeared to be illegally drinking in public, Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced.  

When a passenger in the car noticed police, he tossed a bag into the back seat, got out and tried flee, Ambrose said.

The detectives caught the man, and then found 251 small baggies of what turned out to be heroin spilling out of a larger bag on the floor of the back seat on the passenger side of the car, Ambrose said.

The detectives also found a loaded .38 caliber handgun wedged into a space near the center console of the car, Ambrose said, adding that the weapon had been reported stolen in Pennsylvania in 2013.

Police charged Blaine Holley, 34, of Irvington, with distributing drugs and possession of a loaded handgun. 

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

"Minor" delays were reported at Newark Liberty, while the wait amounted to 90 minutes at JFK on Monday

Officials reported "minor" delays processing international travelers Monday night at Newark airport due to a customs system outageSteve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media 

NEWARK -- Travelers from overseas were delayed at Newark Liberty, John F. Kennedy International and other airports around the country on Monday night by an outage involving customs processing equipment, officials said.

The delays were "minor" at Newark Liberty, though up to 90 minutes at JFK, according to Alana Calmi, a spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs Newark and JFK.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency released a statement Monday saying it was working to address the problem.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection is experiencing a temporary outage with its processing systems at various air ports of entry and taking immediate action to address the technology disruption," the statement read. "CBP officers continue to process international travelers using alternative procedures until systems are back online. Travelers at some ports of entry are experiencing longer than usual wait times and CBP officers are working to process travelers as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest levels of security."

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The man has been charged with driving under the influence, police said.

FAIRFIELD -- No one was injured when a man allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel of a car driving on Route 46 early Monday, police announced in a release.

Fairfield police arrested the man Monday. (Jessica Mazzola | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
 

A running 2004 Honda was stopped in the right lane of the highway at about 2:28 a.m., police said. The car was idling near the Houlihan's restaurant in Fairfield, police said.

Responding officers found a man sleeping behind the wheel, and the car still in drive, police said. They put the car in park, turned it off, and woke up the driver, authorities said.

Cesar Fajardo, 39, of Clifton, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a breath test, and reckless and careless driving, police said.

He was released pending a municipal court appearance, police said.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The state's first and only sea turtle recovery is now open in West Orange. Watch video

WEST ORANGE -- Injured sea turtles have started getting help in New Jersey.

The Sea Turtle Recovery, which opened at the Turtle Back Zoo late last year, welcomed its first residents, 10 Kemp's ridley sea turtles, in December.

The turtles, who are members of the rarest species of sea turtle on earth, are suffering various ailments after being "cold stunned" by dropping temperatures in Northeastern waters, the recovery said. These turtles were transported to the new facility for care from the New England Aquarium in Massachusetts, which has already treated about 450 cold stunned sea turtles this winter.

"Every sea turtle makes a difference in the survival of the species," Bill Deerr, the co-executive officer of the nonprofit, said in a release about the new turtles.

"We will be thrilled to watch our first patients head back into the ocean to thrive." 

The $2 million facility is the first and only long-term sea turtle rehabilitation center in the state. It is one of only eight facilities in the region that can care for cold stunned and injured sea turtles, the rescue said.

"For over six years I helped transport sea turtles that needed surgery or long term treatments as far as North Carolina to receive care," said the recovery's co-executive officer Brandi Biehl.

"Now... we can treat sea turtles right here in the state and provide assistance to other facilities in the northeast that become overcrowded."

Turtle Back Zoo embraces namesake animal

Falling temperatures plague endangered sea turtles with sicknesses ranging from frostbite and dehydration to shock, pneumonia, malnutrition, and even death, the facility said. In recent years, an increasing number of Kemp's ridley, Loggerhead and Green sea turtles do not head south early enough, and experience cold stunning.

"Sea Turtle Recovery will provide valuable rehabilitation space to accommodate an increasing trend in cold-stunned sea turtle strandings in our region, from Maine to Virginia," said Greater Atlantic Region sea turtle stranding coordinator Kate Sampson of NOAA Fisheries.

"An increase in rehabilitation capacity in our region means fewer turtles will have to be transported to the southeast region during the initial, critical stages of their medical care."

The nonprofit is logging its care efforts and the turtles' recovery process on its Facebook page.

Fire sparked on 10th floor of South Munn Avenue building.

EAST ORANGE -- Firefighters contained a fire to an upper floor balcony of a high-rise apartment building in the city Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The flames were reported around 12:30 p.m. on the 10th floor of Highview House on South Munn Avenue. Crews declared the fire under control approximately a half-hour later, city spokeswoman Connie Jackson said.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries. Officials were investigating what sparked the fire.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Opponents plan to attend Wednesday's state Board of Education meeting to speak out against new charter school rules proposed by Gov. Chris Christie's administration.

TRENTON -- Charter school opponents are planning a show of force in Trenton Wednesday as the state Board of Education considers loosening regulations to free charter schools from red tape.

Gov. Chris Christie's administration unveiled a plan in October that would help charter schools get better access to facilities, get faster renewals and gain more flexibility in hiring teachers.

Christie said the new rules would remove some of the bureaucracy holding back the state's 88 charter schools, which serve about 3 percent of the state's public school students.

But, opponents say the new rules will lead to an expansion of charter schools that will draw money away from traditional public schools and lead to more segregation in school districts.

The most controversial part of the charter school overhaul proposal calls for the state to create new certificates for teachers and administrators to teach only in charter schools.

The new certificate would still require charter school teachers to hold a four-year bachelor's degree. But, unlike public school teachers, charter school teachers would not need to hold a traditional teaching certificate or follow the already established route for people in other careers who want to become teachers. Instead, they would need other proof, such as a certain level GPA or work experience in their field, to show they are qualified to teach.

Should N.J. ease charter school regulations?

Parents, public school officials, civil rights groups and other activists plan to speak out against the proposal at Wednesday's state Board of Education meeting. The group also plans to hold a 1 p.m. press conference outside the Department of Education building to announce a plan of action for the upcoming year.

The proposed changes to New Jersey's charter schools regulations could have a "devastating financial impact" on local school districts, the group said.

"There is no justification for public funds to be used to foster segregation," said Frank Argote-Freyre, director of the Latino Coalition, an activist group that recently filed a civil rights complaint against the Red Bank Charter School in Monmouth County, citing the school's low number of minority students.

The state Board of Education is scheduled to discuss Christie's proposed changes to charter school regulations at its 10 a.m. meeting Wednesday. But the board has not scheduled a vote on the proposal.

The board will also hold a public comment session at the meeting where charter school supporters and critics are expected to speak.

Deborah Smith-Gregory, president of the Newark NAACP, said her group will be among those calling on the board to reject the overhaul of the state's charter school regulations.

"Newark's children have become the casualties of a war over educational dollars, with the highest toll of destruction on the most vulnerable -- our special needs children," Smith-Gregory said.

Christie has said charter schools, which are not unionized, are more focuses on students than other public schools and the state should make it easier for them to open and expand. He expected fierce opposition to his charter school proposal from the New Jersey Education Association and other teacher's unions.

"This is a fight. Don't ever think for a moment that it's not," Christie said at the New Jersey Charter School conference in May. "I will not give up for a second. I will not give in for a second."

The proposed regulations also call for similar new rules that would allow people to become charter school administrators if they show "sufficient management and leadership experience in a public of private organization."

See who is No. 1 in all 14 weight classes.

Following are the top eight ranked wrestlers at all 14 weight classes. New weight class rankings will be released every Tuesday.

106 pounds

1-Dante Mininno, Gateway, Jr.
2-Anthony Clark, Delbarton, Fr.
3-Dylan Cedeno, Fair Lawn, Fr.
4-Sammy Alvarez, St. Joseph (Mont.), So.
5-Hunter Gutierrez, Lacey, So.
6-Justin Bierdumpfel, Don Bosco Prep, Fr.
7-Nick Kayal, Bergen Catholic, Fr.
8-Cullen Day, Phillipsburg, Fr.

113 pounds

1-Joe Manchio, Seneca, Jr.
2-Robert Howard, Bergen Catholic, Fr.
3-Luke Ecklof, St. John Vianney, Sr.
4-Eddie Ventresca, Pope John, Fr.
5-Antonio Mininno, Gateway, Jr.
6-Joe King, Colts Neck, Jr.
7-Kyle Kaiser, Paramus, Jr.
8-Nick Schutzenhofer, Christian Brothers, Sr.

120 pounds

1-Pat Glory, Delbarton, Jr.
2-Joe Heilmann, South Plainfield, Jr.
3-Hunter Graf, Hunterdon Central, Jr.
4-Michael Kelly, St Peter’s Prep, So.
5-Joseph Aragona, Pope John, So.
6-Lucas Revano, Camden Catholic, So.
7-Richie Koehler, Christian Brothers, Jr.
8-Darby Deidrich, Howell, So.

126 pounds

1-Nick Raimo, Hanover Park, So.
2-Shane Metzler, West Morris, Sr.
3-Mark Schleiffer, East Brunswick, Sr.
4-Anthony Duca, Paulsboro, Sr.
5-Peter Nace, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
6-Carmen Ferrante, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
7-Yousef Salem, North Bergen, Jr.
8-Luke Moynihan, Lacey, Jr.

132 pounds

1-Giovanni Ghione, Brick Memorial, Sr.
2-Quinn Kinner, Kingsway, Jr.
3-Ray Wetzel, Queen of Peace, Sr.
4-Chris Scorese, Cranford, Sr.
5-Robert Garcia, Pope John, So.
6-Lou Raimo, Hanover Park, Sr.
7-Russell Benson, Raritan, Jr.
8-Jordan Robinson, Garfield, Sr.

138 pounds

1-Gerard Angelo, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
2-Rob Cleary, Bound Brook, Sr.
3-Jake Benner, Ocean Township, Jr.
4-Matt Kolonia, Delaware Valley, Sr.
5-Evan DeLuise, Don Bosco Prep, Sr.
6-Travis Layton, Woodstown, Sr.
7-John Burger, New Milford, Sr.
8-Trace Kinner, Kingsway, Sr.

145 pounds

1-Joe Casey, Bound Brook, Jr.
2-Ricky Cabanillas, DePaul, So.
3-Cole Corrigan, Toms River South, Jr.
4-Bryan Meyer, Phillipsburg, Jr.
5-Nick Santos, St. Peter’s Prep, Sr.
6-Matt Dallara, Hasbrouck Heights, Jr.
7-Jeff Johnson, Middlesex, Jr.
8-Nick Lombard, Monroe, Sr.

152 pounds

1-Stephan Glasgow, Bound Brook, Sr.
2-Shane Griffith, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
3-Michael O’Malley, Hasbrouck Heights, Jr.
4-Nick Palumbo, Lenape Valley, Sr.
5-Garrett Beam, Queen of Peace, Jr.
6-Robert Kanniard, Wall, So.
7-Dillon Taylor, St. Augustine, Sr.
8-T.J. Calas, Seton Hall Prep, Sr.

160 pounds

1-Mekhi Lewis, Bound Brook, Sr.
2-Kyle Cochran, Paramus, Sr.
3-Chris Foca, Bergen Catholic, So.
4-Jake Maxwell, Buena, Sr.
5-Michael Petite, Piscataway, Jr.
6-Chris Bollentino, Haddonfield, Jr.
7-Troy Navarino, Mendham, Sr.
8-Blaine Shade, Timber Creek, Sr.

170 pounds

1-Dominick Mandarino, Don Bosco Prep, Sr.
2-Billy Janzer, Delsea, Jr.
3-Bryan McLaughlin, Woodbridge, Sr.
4-Phil Rogers, Delran, Sr.
5-Aidan Monteverdi, Seton Hall Prep, Sr.
6-Barak Pipkins, Bloomfield, Sr.
7-Cole Kreshpane, Delbarton, Jr.
8-Joe McCarthy, Cedar Grove, Sr.

182 pounds

1-Shane Sosinsky, Northern Highlands, Sr.
2-George Walton, Bound Brook, Sr.
3-Dean Helstowski, Brick Township, Sr.
4-Seon Bowker, Southern, Sr.
5-Michael Iodice, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
6-Vince Concina, Cranford, Sr.
7-L.J. Castellano, Delbarton, Sr.
8-Dan Surich, Mahwah, Sr.

195 pounds

1-Brandon Kui, DePaul, Sr.
2-Matt McKenzie, Wall, Sr.
3-Andrew Horun, Phillipsburg, Sr.
4-Van Miller, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr.
5-Dominic Maniero, Queen of Peace, Sr.
6-Chad Watt, Woodstown, Sr.
7-Kyle Lightner, Delaware Valley, Jr.
8-Brian Bonino, Paramus, Sr.

220 pounds

1-Joe Soreco, DePaul, Sr.
2-Pete Acciardi, Don Bosco Prep, Jr.
3-Robert Melise, Phillipsburg, Sr.
4-Zach DelVecchio, South Plainfield, So.
5-Victor Lacombe, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
6-Sean O’Malley, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
7-Eric Keosseian, Howell, Sr.
8-Farhan Khan, Carteret, Sr.

285 pounds

1-Eric Chakonis, Don Bosco Prep, Sr.
2-Michael Porcaro, Sayreville, Sr.
3-Dylan D’Amore, Montgomery, Sr.
4-Keith Swartley, Cinnaminson, Sr.
5-Parker Fox, Montville, Sr.
6-Nick Rivera, Brick Memorial, Sr.
7-Alex LaGrippo, Woodbridge, Sr.
8-Elyezer Oliviery, Union City, Sr.

Bill Evans can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @BEvansSports. Find and like the NJ.com High School Wrestling page on Facebook.

Prosecutor's office identified man who died after being hit by vehicle.

NEWARK -- A 26-year-old man died after he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene in the city's Ironbound section, officials said Tuesday.

Carlos Quezada was hit shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday and later pronounced dead, according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter. The driver did not stop.

The incident occurred near Adams and Walnut streets. Additional details were not immediately released. 

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Melissa Gorga's nemesis Kim DePaola has joined forces with Gorga's business partner to sell off the boutique's inventory

"Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Melissa Gorga was blindsided Monday when her partner in their year-old Montclair boutique Envy suddenly cleared out the entire store after teaming up with Gorga's on- and off-screen nemesis Kim DePaola.

The windows of the Bloomfield Avenue boutique had been papered over by Tuesday with a sign on the door saying, "Temporarily closed for inventory. Will reopen very soon!" At envybymg.com, the shop's online arm, a message says, "We are remodeling our website and adding new inventory. Please check back soon!"

DePaola, better known to "RHONJ" fans as primo pot-stirrer Kim D., provided NJ.com with a photo of the denuded store and an invitation to a Thursday evening shopping event billed as "New Years Envy Liquidation" and hosted by herself and Robinson at DePaola's own Allendale boutique Posche by Kim D.

DePaola tells NJ.com they have dozens of boxes of designer inventory to sell off. "Bring a friend & enjoy major designer markdowns," reads the invite, with prices starting at $10.

But Gorga's representative says the reality show star plans to forge ahead with some version of Envy. "Melissa and Jackie have had a difference of opinion on how the store should be run and at this point Jackie is no longer involved in managing the boutique, but Melissa intends to maintain the success of the boutique by managing on it her own, and she is excited to open with a new inventory of Spring fashions."

Gorga's rep did not detail the difficulties between the women, but the two had clashed on the seventh season of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" about the direction of the store -- specifically about Robinson wanting to expand the selection to accommodate shoppers who aren't, say, a size 2. Robinson could not be reached for comment. 

The two women opened the store in December 2015, and it was a source of tension between Gorga, formerly a stay-at-home mom, and her husband Joe, who didn't want his wife to work and who at one point told her, "What you do is you bring in the crumbs. See, I bring in the cake."

DePaola stirred up some drama offscreen in the fall when she claimed on social media that Gorga actually had no stake in the store, which Gorga denied at the time. 

According to DePaola, Robinson had an arrangement with Gorga in which the reality show star took a percentage of sales in exchange for being the face of the store, while Robinson fronted the money for the inventory and paid Joe Gorga to revamp the space as the boutique. But Gorga's rep maintains that Gorga "is and has always been an owner of the Envy by Melissa Gorga boutique," but did not offer details of the arrangement. 

Robinson turned to DePaola when she wasn't happy with how the business relationship was working out, according to DePaola. "I said, listen, if you need my help, I'll give you my help," DePaola says. "Basically, get the movers, move the s--- out and you're done with it." 

DePaola says she and Robinson, who owned another boutique in Delray Beach, Fla., are planning on opening a store together. 

Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out Remote Possibilities, the TV podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or Spreaker, or listen below or here.

Ep. 60: Best and worst TV of 2016

The future of the state's Urban Enterprise Zone program is uncertain amid a disagreement between Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic leaders.

TRENTON -- Starting Jan. 1, shoppers across New Jersey began enjoying a slight cut to the state's sales tax thanks to a deal brokered by Gov. Chris Christie and top Democratic lawmakers.

But five cities in the Garden State actually braced for the opposite that day: nearly double the sales-tax rate people were used to paying at some businesses, thanks to the elimination of a longtime break. 

And more cities could see the same in coming years if Christie and lawmakers don't come to a compromise regarding the future of a three-decades-old program on the brink of extinction.

For years, businesses in dozens of municipalities have been allowed to levy only half the state's sales tax on their products thanks to the Urban Enterprise Zone program, which aims to boost the economy in urban areas through tax incentives.

But the program expired at the beginning of the year for the first five cities who took part in the program when it debuted in 1986: Bridgeton, Camden, Newark, Plainfield, and Trenton.

That means many businesses suddenly went from being allowed to offer a 3.5 percent reduced sales tax to being required to offer the state's full 6.875 percent sales tax. The latter is the new state rate, down from 7 percent, which took effect Jan. 1.

The issue? Last year, Christie, a Republican, conditionally vetoed a proposed 10-year expansion, saying the UEZ is a "failed 30-year experiment" that has cost the state revenue. Instead, the governor called for a study to find an alternative way to help cities. 

Democrats responded by passing a bill last month that would authorize such a study but also extend the program for those five cities for two years. 

Christie, though, has not taken action on the measure, leading the UEZ program to run out in those cities as 2017 arrived. It's still unclear whether he will eventually sign or veto the bill.

State Assemblyman Reed Guscoria (D-Mercer), a co-sponsor of the UEZ extension bills, said the loss of the program could cause some businesses to move out of state or shutter altogether, taking many jobs with them. 

"It's going to be a big blow," Guscoria said. 

The UEZ started in the 1980s in an effort to help New Jersey's cities compete with suburban shopping malls and other retailers. Today, there are 32 zones in 37 municipalities -- a swath that includes nearly 7,000 businesses across the state.

That includes the Jersey Gardens shopping mall and Ikea complex off the Turnpike in Elizabeth -- popular retail destinations for customers seeking to benefit from the reduced tax.

The program was slated to sunset after 20 years, but the state Legislature voted in 2001 to extend it for another 16 years. That period ceased at the end of Dec. 31.

Unless Christie and lawmakers reach a deal to save them, the remaining zones across New Jersey will run out between 2019 and 2026, according to the state Department of Community Affairs.

When he conditionally vetoed the 10-year expansion last year, Christie argued that the program was always designed to be temporary.

"State resources to help financially distressed municipalities should be temporary in nature and designed to provide these municipalities with tools to ultimately succeed on their own," Christie wrote in his veto message. "The UEZ program was initially intended to function in this way but has morphed into a permanent subsidy from all state taxpayers."

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), another co-sponsor, said the idea of the two-year extension plan (S2670/A4189) is to comply with Christie's call for an alternative program but without cutting off the sales-tax lifeline to cities in the meantime. 

Van Drew admits that some UEZ may be poorly run, plagued by patronage, but he argued that they have made a difference. 

"Let's set up the commission and really check it out," he said. "You can find out there's a lot more good to this than you realize."

The nonpartisan state Office of Legislative Services said in a fiscal estimate that the state could lose between $35 million and $39 million in sales-tax revenue over that period by keeping the break in place.

As for whether Christie will sign the bill? Brian Murray, a spokesman for the governor's office, said only: "Our general policy is not to discuss pending legislation until we have received a final bill and have had all the necessary time to properly review it."

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

City officials say a newly created special improvement district in the West Ward will help revitalize the area and drive economic development.

NEWARK - Eager to revitalize the main thoroughfares of the West Ward, city officials approved the creation of a special improvement district that will use special tax dollars to beautify and draw new businesses to the area.

The special improvement district, or SID, will be the fifth such district in the city. The district will levy a special tax on commercial properties and residential buildings with four or more units - about 7 percent of assessed property value, West Ward Councilman Joseph McCallum said.

"All the wards have a special improvement district ... we were the last ward," McCallum said. "Taxes will go up obviously, on the businesses, but with that will come increased safety, increased beautification, people cleaning up the streets, facades, overall improvement."

McCallum said about 30 percent of storefronts are vacant in the ward. He's hoping the SID will lure new businesses and grow existing ones.

The SID includes South Orange, Sanford and 18th Avenues as well as Mt. Vernon Place. Parts or all of West Market Street, Central Avenue, Orange Street, Roseville Avenue, Bergen Street and Park Avenue will be phased in over an 18-month period, according to the ordinance.

"You really don't get anything better than local residents and the businesses taking a concerted effort in helping to revitalize their neighborhood," said Deputy Mayor Baye Adofo-Wilson. "And their engagement and leadership in this SID is critical."

The Newark City Council approved the SID last month. A newly formed nonprofit, Partnership West, Inc., will manage the SID and its estimated $500,000 budget. Adofo-Wilson said residents could start seeing improvements as early as this spring. 

McCallum said though the district was formed after meetings with community members, there's still more work to do, including introducing the plan to more business owners. "We still in the beginning stages," he said. "We're not trying to force anything down people's throats."

City officials also plan to create a special improvement district along Bloomfield Avenue in the North and Central wards.

The alleged robbery occurred in the early morning hours the day after Christmas, police say.

NEWARK -- Authorities have arrested an East Orange man who they say visited acquaintances at about 2 a.m. the day after Christmas, and robbed them.

Bennet. (Courtesy Newark Police)
 

According to Newark police, a man and woman were robbed inside their Littleton Avenue home in the early morning hours of Dec. 26. Police say the two let Martin A Bennet, 24, who "was known to at least one of the victims," into their home.

But, police say, the friendly visit immediately turned sour when a second man entered the home and he and Bennet allegedly robbed the couple of cash and personal items.

It is unclear how much cash and what items were allegedly stolen.

After issuing a warrant for his arrest, police said Wednesday they arrested Bennet on robbery charges in connection with the incident. Police did not identify the second suspect in the robbery.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Authorities said the 19-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot on South Orange Avenue a few days before Christmas Eve.

NEWARK -- A 41-year-old city man previously convicted of aggravated manslaughter is now charged with murder in connection with the slaying of a teenager outside a liquor store a few days before Christmas Eve.

Mustafa Hill. (Essex County Correctional Facility)

Making his first appearance Wednesday before Judge Ronald D. Wigler in Newark, Mustafa Hill -- dressed in a green Essex County Correctional Facility jumpsuit -- pleaded not guilty to the charges through his attorney, Sterling Kinsale.

Authorities say Hill is accused of fatally shooting Armani D. McPhall, 19, on Dec. 22 outside a liquor store in the 900 block of South Orange Avenue.

Officers responding to a report of shots fired around 8 p.m. that night found McPhall near the entrance of the store, suffering from gunshot wounds.

McPhall was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities have said.

The murder charges are the second set of such allegations Hill has faced in the past 23 years, according to court records reviewed by NJ Advance Media.

Superior Court records show that Hill was charged with murder in May 1993, and indicted on the charge a month later.

He pleaded guilty later that year to a lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with seven years of parole ineligiblity, records show.

The circumstances of the killing to which Hill pleaded guilty were not immediately available Wednesday.

Man convicted of Christmas Day triple homicide

Wigler said the new charges against Hill will be referred to a grand jury for consideration.

Authorities have not specified an alleged motive for McPhall's killing.

Hill is being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2 million cash-only bail.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.