North Jersey has five of the six confirmed coronavirus cases in the state, one of which resulted in two nationally elected officials to self quarantine. Additionally, state officials on March 8 were waiting for the results on 27 other individuals who are in the process of testing for the virus. North-JerseyNews.com
The Mount Olive school district canceled classes March 9 so its staff can plan for a possible period of teaching students remotely during the coronavirus outbreak. The district, which is using an unused snow day to cancel classes, will inform parents of the results of those discussions soon afterward. The Daily Record
Oil prices plunged 20% as the prospect of an energy glut ratcheted up due to the coronavirus. As of 6 a.m. March 9, futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average index were down 4.9%, pointing to a decline of over 1,200 points after trading opens in New York. The futures contracts earlier reached the 5% maximum allowed in a single session, breaching the limit for the first time since shortly after President Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory. The Wall Street Journal
Sen. Cory Booker endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president March 9. The New Jersey senator, who had sought the nomination himself before dropping out earlier this year, stated in a tweet “The answer to hatred & division is to reignite our spirit of common purpose. @JoeBiden won’t only win—he’ll show there’s more that unites us than divides us. He’ll restore honor to the Oval Office and tackle our most pressing challenges. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Joe.” The New York Times
Gov. Phil Murphy was discharged from the hospital March 7 after he underwent surgery to remove a likely cancerous tumor from his kidney. Murphy, expected to recuperate at his home over the next couple of weeks, resumed the duties of the job that evening. NJ.com
NJ Transit offered a full-time job to a consultant with a criminal record of assault but later fired him after conducting a background check. The agency let the man stay on as a paid consultant while they were looking for a replacement, but released him after viewing a video where he used inappropriate language. The Record
New Jersey towns want the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to adopt new regulations and guidelines for the use of LED lighting. The BPU is currently reviewing cost options for modernizing municipal lighting systems as it figures out issues including how much of the cost should be covered by ratepayers and what utilities should be able to charge their customers. NJ1015.com
Inspectors from New Jersey’s Department of Transportation completed their initial investigation of erosion and drainage along a section of Interstate 80 known as the S-curve in Knowlton within the Delaware Water Gap. With the preliminary inspection of drainage pipes under the highway complete, the department is in the process of evaluating the results to determine the cause of the erosion and design an appropriate response. New Jersey Herald
A developer is revising plans for a new pier in Jersey City. Mack Cali is no longer pursuing the project known as Harborside Terminal, modifying the permit to keep the 12-foot-wide docks allowing boats to dock their vessels for the day but not overnight. The Jersey Journal
Macy’s is proposing two new options for development at Paramus Park mall. The first proposal would bring a 90,000-sq. ft. two-story health club to the north end of the mall, while the second plan features a 5,670-sq. ft. convenience store with a gas station alongside a 3,800-sq. ft. restaurant to the same area. The Record
And finally…A 313-year-old house in Saddle River, believed to be the 1st ever built in N.J, is for sale. NJ.com
