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.

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton remains the "Mother Church of the Diocese."

TRENTON -- St. Robert Bellarmine Parish's church building in Freehold Township has been elevated to "co cathedral" status in the Diocese of Trenton, Bishop David M. O'Connell announced recently.

The elevation was approved by the Vatican in early December and O'Connell informed St. Robert Bellarmine of the news just before Christmas, the bishop said in an announcement.

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish's building in Freehold Township. (Photo courtesy of Craig Pittelli | The Monitor, newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton) 

The bishop had been mulling co-cathedral status for St. Robert Bellarmine for a few years after seeing how "very close" it is to the geographic center of the diocese, O'Connell said.

The parish was founded in 1971 and their newest church building was dedicated in 2002. It's main worship area has a seating capacity of 1,100.

"This reality along with the accessibility of all buildings has made St. Robert Bellarmine a central location for liturgical, social and educational efforts of the Diocese," O'Connell said in the statement.

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton remains the diocese's main cathedral with the title, "Mother Church of the Diocese," O'Connell said in the statement.

However, some diocesan events once held in Trenton will be held at St. Robert, O'Connell said.

The diocese has already held "numerous" days of recollection, spiritual programs, liturgical events and trainings at the Freehold parish.

And two years ago, O'Connell moved the annual Chrism Mass from St. Mary's in Trenton to St. Robert Bellarmine during Holy Week. O'Connell said that move was done to more easily accommodate the diocesan priests.

6 Trenton diocese deacons becoming priests

"Having attended so many events there and having read about all of the other diocesan activities that used St. Robert's as their chosen venue, I considered the possibility of seeking its elevation as a co-cathedral for our vast diocese," O'Connell said.

The bishop said he consulted the advice of the bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn about the move since they had recently went through the process. (In 2013, St. Joseph in Brooklyn's Prospect Heights was named co-cathedral to the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in downtown Brooklyn.)

"I consulted with the priests of the Diocese of Trenton about this idea and the reaction was largely supportive," O'Connell said. "Some raised objections, which I also considered."

In April, O'Connell presented a proposal to the Vatican, which was met positively and a formal request a short time later," O'Connell said.

The diocese plans a formal celebration for St. Robert Bellarmine in the near future.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Of the 607 people who died, 333, were behind the wheel; 167 were pedestrians, 89 were passengers and 18 were on bicycles.

TRENTON -- More than 600 people died in traffic accidents on New Jersey's roadways last year, 8 percent more than in 2015 and the most deaths seen since 2011, according to preliminary State Police statistics.

After dropping to a 20-year low in 2013 when 542 people died in crashes and collisions, the fatalities have been steadily climbing, according to state police data released Tuesday.

In 2015, 562 died in vehicular accidents - six more than the previous year. But in 2016, 607 people, or 45 more, died in 2016.

Most dangerous stretches of N.J. highways

State Police Sgt. Jeff Flynn said detectives will analyze the accident data to determine what may be learned to help keep the motoring public safe. But if prior years are any guide, spotty seat belt use, excessive speed and distractions like cell phone use contribute to traffic fatalities.

"Unrestrained passengers and speed are directly correlated to fatalities. The faster you go, your chance of a fatality unfortunately increases. Seat belts save lives - there is no debate," Flynn said. "Those types of things are frustrating. We work very hard to get the message out. We know things like that can be prevented."

Of the 607 people who died in 2016, more than half, 333, were behind the wheel; 167 were pedestrians, 89 were passengers and 18 were on bicycles, according to the state police information.

Although drivers of all ages had died last year, the very young and the most elderly were in the minority. Just six drivers under 18, and 24 people 80 and older died behind the wheel last year, according to the data.  

More people died in Burlington County crashes than any other county, with 50 deaths, followed by Middlesex and Monmouth counties which tied with 49 fatalities, according to the State Police data. Four of the fatal crashes in Burlington occurred on State Highway 70; three took place on Interstate 95/NJ Turnpike.

"We have to look at the data and determine if it will it show a road or section may need attention," Flynn said. The analysis could prompt the State Police to recommend better signage or speed limit changes.

Traffic experts agree driver fatigue and distractions are the culprits behind a growing number of accidents and fatalities.

Cathleen Lewis, a spokeswoman for the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club, has said driver distraction is "the largest change in behavior over the last 10 years."

Other reasons include drugged driving, where motorists take medications that affect their performance behind the wheel; and driver fatigue, which the National Transportation Safety Board elevated to a top safety priority following the 2014 crash on the New Jersey Turnpike that seriously injured Tracy Morgan and killed fellow comedian James McNair.

The Garden State's highways and roads are still far safer than they were two decades ago, when 809 people were killed in 1996.

NJ Advance Media Staff Writer Jonathan Salant contributed to this report. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Strange weather quirks seem to protect the Atlantic coast during strong hurricane seasons and less during less-active periods, according to research by a federal atmospheric expert.

A high rate of hurricane activity far out in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean doesn't necessarily translate into a high number of big, powerful storms that could ravage the East coast.

That's one of the key findings of new research conducted by James Kossin, a federal atmospheric research scientist based at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

The research, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, found that hurricanes swirling toward the East coast of the United States are more likely to intensify during less active Atlantic storm periods, and they are more likely to weaken during more active periods.

While all the reasons are unclear, the research appears to solve some pieces of the puzzle. It shows there are strange weather quirks that help protect the U.S. coast during heavier hurricane seasons.

2016 hurricane season predictions vs. outcome

Kossin found that when the tropics produce many hurricanes -- during long periods of low wind shear and high ocean temperatures far out in the Atlantic Ocean -- they also create a situation where those storms lose energy if they approach the East coast. As the storms get closer to the coast, they encounter a harsh environment of higher wind shear and cooler ocean temperatures, the researcher said.

As a result, those hurricanes end up becoming weaker as they make landfall.

"It's an off-setting factor," Kossin said in an interview Wednesday morning. "It's kind of like Mother Nature creates this environment where a lot of storms are produced (out in the tropical Atlantic). Then she kind of slams the door on them as they approach the U.S. Coast."

That's the trend he found during decades of high hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

"They have to track through a gauntlet of high shear to reach the coast and many of them stop intensifying," Kossin said in a statement released by the University of Wisconsin. "It is a natural mechanism for killing off hurricanes that threaten the U.S. coast."

For people who live in coastal areas of New Jersey and other parts of the East coast, "it is good news," Kossin said. "Greater activity produces more threats, but at the same time, we increase our protective barrier. It's pretty amazing that it happens to work that way."

Pattern showing how vertical wind shear, known as VWS, varies in the Atlantic Ocean. When shear is abnormally low in the tropics, it is abnormally high along the U.S. coast. The lower dashed box shows the tropical Atlantic and the upper dashed box is where hurricanes must pass before striking the U.S. coast. (Courtesy of James Kossin) 

What was analyzed

Kossin, a scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information who works out of UW-Madison's NOAA Cooperative Institute, spent months analyzing hurricane observations such as maximum winds and central pressure, along with sea surface temperatures and wind shear data, from three 23-year periods from 1947 to 2015.

The first period was from 1947 to 1969 and was the most active. The second was a quieter period from 1970 to 1992, and the third was from 1993 to 2015, which was an active period for major hurricanes.

There were 48 major hurricanes -- ranging in strength from Category 3 to Category 5 -- that made it near the Atlantic coast during the first period, 23 major hurricanes near the coast during the second period, and 35 major hurricanes near the coast in the most recent period. 

Kossin said there is solid evidence suggesting the Atlantic basin may be moving back into a quieter period of storm activity, with lower wind shear along the coast. Although fewer hurricanes could be approaching the East coast in coming years, the researcher said, those that do may be stronger and more damaging without the protective barrier of wind shear.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The last time staff from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center saw a Blainesville's beaked whale was in 1989

The Blainesville's beaked whale that washed up dead on Island Beach State Park(Marine Mammal Stranding Center) 

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP -- A rare whale washed up dead along a section of the northern Ocean County barrier island, marine mammal rescue officials said Wednesday.

Staff from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine were called out last week to retrieve the Blainville's beaked whale that washed up on Island Beach State Park, said Bob Schoelkopf, the center's executive director.

Calling it a "rare and unique" whale, Schoelkopf said this incident marks only the second time in more than 40 years that center staff had come in contact with this type of mammal.

He said the whale, a male, weighs nearly 800 pounds and is 15 feet long. Because it was already decomposing when staff found it, there was no immediate obvious cause of death, he said.

Blainville's beaked whales - named for their dolphin-like beaks - descend to great depths for food, usually squid, Schoelkopf said. Because they spend so much of their lives deep in the ocean, they are rarely spotted and hard to observe, he said.

The last time the center responded to a dead Blainville's beaked whale was in 1989 when it had worked its way up a creek in the Morganville section of Marlboro, he said. Because of the rarity of that type of mammal, the skull from that whale is in the center's museum, he said.

On Friday, a bottlenose dolphin washed up dead along Sandy Hook. Center officials believe it was a dolphin stranded in the Shrewsbury River since the summer. Schoelkopf said staff initially believed the dead dolphin was pregnant but have since determined it was not. The cause of death was not evident and has yet to be determined by a necropsy, he said.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The brothers owned or controlled chiropractic clinics in Camden, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean and Union counties.

TRENTON -- Two brothers who worked together as chiropractors and pleaded guilty to orchestrating a statewide "personal injury mill" have been sued by the state and Allstate Insurance, to recoup wrongful payments and seek a "substantial" fine.

State Banking and Insurance Commissioner Richard J. Badolato announced the civil lawsuit Tuesday against Anhuar Bandy of Colts Neck, and his brother Karim Bandy, who pleaded guilty to the scheme that enlisted 78 doctors, lawyers and "runners" to locate patients.

Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company and its subsidiary, Encompass Insurance, joined the lawsuit to recoup an unidentified amount of medical claim money. The brothers owned or controlled chiropractic clinics in Camden, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean and Union counties, according to Badolato's announcement.

"This lawsuit is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department, Allstate and other insurers to protect New Jersey customers who insure 5.5 million private passenger autos and are charged nearly $7 billion in written premiums," Badolato said. "These and similar alleged fraudulent activities increase the cost of insurance to consumers."

Brothers admit recruiting "runners" in massive medical scheme

In 2014, Anhuar Bandy, 52, and Karim Bandy, 53, were indicted with 10 others for illegally controlling several chiropractic offices through management and marketing companies to hide their ownership, the state Attorney General's Office said.

To generate revenue, the brothers paid "runners" $1,000 for each patient they could bring in for treatment. Authorities said runners obtained police reports under the state public records law and visited patients' homes to urge them to get care.

From 2009 through 2013, the offices billed insurance carriers for millions of dollars in services they purported to provide patients, authorities said.

The lawsuit also names Plainfield personal injury lawyer David Walker of Rockaway and his paralegal Alexandra Gallegos of Piscataway, who were among those arrested in 2014. Walker and Gallegos paid kickbacks to Bandy in exchange for referring clients to their firm, according to the lawsuit.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

The schools, in three different counties, were all considered safe after sweeps were conducted

(File photo) 

Schools in several communities in New Jersey were evacuated or on lockdown Wednesday when they received phone calls warning of violence.

Authorities in at least five towns  -- Cherry Hill, Jackson, Lacey, Rumson and Marlboro - reported schools being evacuated or placed on lockdown after receiving these anonymous phone calls.

Police don't yet know whether the incidents are connected but are investigating the sources of the calls.

Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's Office, said his agency is aware of the calls in Monmouth, Ocean and Camden counties, which were being investigated by the respective local and county police agencies.

He wouldn't say whether these were classified as swatting incidents - where fake calls of violence are called in to police - but said all the schools were deemed safe after sweeps were conducted.

Students allowed to leave Cherry Hill middle school after threat

In Jackson, a call went to the Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School around 10:43 a.m., said Jackson police Capt. Steven Laskiewicz. The anonymous caller said a person armed with a weapon was headed to the school and would be there shortly, Laskiewicz said.

From that call, school officials put the school on lockdown and alerted police, he said. There were no threats to any other schools in the district, he said.

Also earlier on Wednesday, a bomb threat was called in to the Lanoka Harbor Elementary School in Lacey Township, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

He did not have more details of the incident but said his office's  High Tech Crime Unit is working with both school districts and police departments to try to determine the origin of the calls.

In Monmouth County, officials at the Deane Porter Elementary School in Rumson received a call at 1:30 p.m. reporting a bomb in the school, Rumson police said.

That school, as well as the neighboring Forrestdale School, were evacuated while canines swept the buildings, authorities said. No bombs were found.

In Marlboro, officials at the Marlboro Jewish Center's preschool on Topanemus Road received an anonymous call causing concern, said Capt. Fred Reck.

Reck didn't provide details about the content of the call but said it prompted school officials to move the children to the Frank Dugan Elementary School down the road while the preschool was searched. The children went back to the school at 12:27 p.m., he said.

In Camden County, the Henry C. Beck Middle School was placed on lockdown shortly before 11 a.m. after an anonymous person called in a threat, according to school officials.

The threat eventually was deemed not credible but all after-school activities were canceled.

The suspect crashed into 3 cars after he sped away from an officer, police said.

ALLENTOWN -- Officers arrested an Ocean County man Wednesday after he sped away from a traffic stop and crashed into three cars on North Main Street, injuring a motorist, police said.

Keith Dillon, 32, of Island Heights, was apprehended at around 12 p.m. by officers who had to remove him his wrecked sport-utility vehicle, the department said.

He's charged with eluding police, driving while suspended, being an uninsured motorist and marijuana possession, and several traffic violations.

Police said Officer Christopher Poss pulled Dillon over for speeding in the area of 40 North Main St. When Poss got out of his patrol car, Dillon fled, speeding south on North Main Street toward the borough's business district.

As Poss pursued, Dillon attempted to pass a Ford Explorer on the left, crossing the street's double yellow line before attempting the pass on the right.

But Dillon crashed into the Ford, injuring the driver. Dillon's vehicle also struck two parked vehicles as well, police said.

The Allentown First Aid Squad took the Ford driver to a local hospital for treatment of shoulder, neck, and wrist pain. Police did not identify the Ford driver.

Dillon refused medical attention. During the arrest, police found a small quantity of marijuana in Dillon's vehicle and related paraphernalia.

Officers Anthony Rando and Corporal Brian Stab assisted in the arrest and investigation.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The new year brings a new installment of our monthly series, "This Month in New Jersey History." This gallery, which supplements our Glimpse of History feature as well as our regular vintage photo galleries, offers a snapshot of significant events and important people in Garden State history. New Jersey is among the select few states that have noteworthy historical...

The new year brings a new installment of our monthly series, "This Month in New Jersey History."

This gallery, which supplements our Glimpse of History feature as well as our regular vintage photo galleries, offers a snapshot of significant events and important people in Garden State history.

New Jersey is among the select few states that have noteworthy historical events dating back almost 400 years. But history doesn't necessarily have to mean "long ago;" many important events have taken place in the Garden State in recent times as well.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

If there are dates you don't see on our timeline but believe should be remembered, let us know in the comments section.

And, be sure to enable captions for the gallery so you can read all the information associated with each day in New Jersey history.

Here are links to previous "This month in N.J. history" galleries:

December          November          October

September          August              July

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

Which N.J. natives put in the best performances of the postseason?

The suit alleges that a group of New Jersey lawyers are filing bogus lawsuits against collections agencies.

TRENTON -- It's shaping up to be a battle royale between members of some of the least popular professions in New Jersey.

The lawsuit was filed in December. (File photo)
 

A Bergen County collections agency has filed a class action lawsuit against five lawyers who it claims are running a racketeering scheme targeting collections agencies. The lawsuit, filed in December in the U.S. District Court in Trenton, claims that the attorneys file bogus class action suits against the collections companies, knowing that the companies will be forced to settle the claims quickly for less than it would cost them to go through the judiciary process.

According to the complaint, the title plaintiff, Jeffrey A. Winters of Hackensack-based Collection Solutions, Inc., was a victim of the alleged scheme, having settled a baseless case in September 2016 for $12,000, far less than it would have cost the company to fight and win a lawsuit.

The suit claims that the attorneys - Joseph K. Jones and Benjamin J. Wolf, of the Fairfield-based firm Jones, Wolf, & Kapasi, LLC, Laura Mann of Law Office of Laura Mann, LLC in Riverdale, and Ari H. Marcus and Yitzchak Zelman of Ocean Township's Marcus & Zelman, LLC - have been running a "Mafia style racketeering enterprise" since 2013.

Detention facility workers get $4.8M settlement 

According to the company's attorney, David Hoffman, the group has filed more than 50 federal class action lawsuits over the past two years. On average, he said, they settle them for just attorneys' fees, at an average of about $50,000 per case. Hoffman said he anticipates having as many as 500 plaintiffs sign onto the class action suit, and will seek about $50,000 in damages for each one.

The suit also alleges that the lawyers use a rotating cast of "professional plaintiffs" to file the suits, which it says target creditors, and any other agencies that send out collections notices.

Those suits, Hoffman says, violate the state and federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Acts, or RICO Acts.

In a statement to NJ Advance Media, Meredith Kaplan Stoma, the attorney representing Marcus and Zelman, called the accusations in the suit "completely frivolous."

"Advocates who use the Fair Debt Collection Act to protect consumers from overzealous debt-collectors are doing a public service and acting within the law. It's the height of hypocrisy for debt-collectors to claim they are the ones being harassed," she said.

Robert Modica, who represents Jones and Wolf, also called the suit "frivolous." Stoma said the attorneys are asking the court to dismiss the suit and sanction the plaintiffs.

The attorney representing Mann did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

The dispute between the two groups, Hoffman said in a phone interview, is what he called an abuse of the legal system that he believes is happening all over the country.

"In this case, the numbers are just astounding," Hoffman said. Though the individual settlement amounts are relatively small, he argues, they are masking "a large-scale scam."

A junior wrestler from Toms River North was revived by an athletic trainer and assistant coach after collapsing during a match at Lakewood High School on Wednesday night.

A Lakewood High School athletic trainer and an assistant coach at Toms River North defibrillated and revived a Donovan Catholic wrestler on the mat Wednesday night after he lost consciousness while pinning an opponent.

Donovan Catholic athletic director Joe Gomulka said Monday morning Brandon Gonzalez, a junior, 220-pounder “flatlined” while wrestling an opponent from Toms River North during at tri-match at Lakewood High School.

Halpin and Huber were not available for comment.

Gomulka said Gonzalez “was going to be fine.”

“He called our coach and asked if we won the match,” Gomulka said. “The team hopes to go visit him today (Thursday).

Gomulka said Gonzalez was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after being revived.

Lifesaving CPR given by @CoachJHuber at 2night's @TrnWrestling/DC match. PROUD OF YOU!! @TomsRiverPatch @Bob_Badders @smfalk @Josephzedalis

— Dan O'Cone (@DanOCone) January 5, 2017

According to Gomulka, Lakewood High School athletic trainer Patricia Halpin shocked Gonzalez and Toms River North assistant wrestling coach Josh Huber, a summertime life guard at Jekninson’s in Point Pleasant Beach, gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after Gonzalez went lifeless during his bout.

“He was pinned the kid and when the official motioned him to get off there was no response,” said Gomulka, who was not at the match and received the account from his coaching staff. “They rolled him (Gonzalez) over, he convulsed a little and then flatlined.

“The Lakewood trainer (Halpin), the coach (Huber) and two EMTs in the audience worked on Brandon and were able to revive him.”

The names of the two emergency medical technicians were unavailable.

The Donovan Catholic coach is Steve Glawson, an oral surgeon in Toms River, Gomulka said.

Gomulka said the match was suspended at that point.

“Obviously seeing a kid shocked on the mat was traumatic for everyone so wrestling was stopped at that point,” Gomulka said.

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

Two new teams join the NJ.com Top 20 for Jan. 5

The strain showed its presence in much of the state the week before Christmas.

High levels of the flu are now showing up in three of the five New Jersey regions monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flu rates are high in the northeast section of the state, as well as in a broad swath across the state's midsection.

During the closing week of 2016, Monmouth County had the most number of positive flu tests, followed by Essex, Bergen, and Ocean counties.

Five counties - Cumberland, Salem, Somerset, Union, and Warren - had not yet had any cases that tested positive for flu. However, health officials say most people who have the flu are never formally tested for the virus.

Illness reports are at a moderate level in the northwest counties, as well as in the southern half of the state, according to figures collected by the N.J. Department of Health

This year's major flu strain is hitting its victims hard, unlike the milder versions that circulated in previous years, said Gary Munk, director of Clinical Virology at Hackensack University Medical Center.

"It's the classic textbook influenza, with high fever, chills, sore throat, headaches, fatigue," he said. "You don't want to get out of bed."

The most prevalent strain among those cases that were tested is the H3N2 strain of the influenza A type.

Munk looked at last year's numbers for comparison and found that while the hospital saw just five cases of flu during the final six weeks of 2015, it saw 72 cases during a comparable period at the close of 2016.

The H3N2 strain is included in the four types targeted by this year's flu vaccine. That means a flu shot is likely to be more effective against prevailing illnesses than during the winter of 2014-15, when it did not include the H3N2 strain.

The "swine flu" epidemic of 2009 was a strain that actually produced relatively light symptoms, Munk said, leading some people to conclude the flu isn't really all that bad, and therefore getting vaccinated isn't really necessary.

That attitude is now changing, he said.

"People were reluctant to get vaccinated because they weren't really seeing classic influenza," he said. "Now they're running to get vaccinated, because it's really not something you want to get."

The swine flu strain was also unusual because it had been around three decades earlier than the 2009 outbreak. That meant many Baby Boomers and older people had some residual immunity to it, so weren't hit hard by the pandemic.

This current H3N2, however, is hitting the vulnerable age groups that "bookend" the population - the elderly, and the very young. Infants are vulnerable because many aren't vaccinated, while the elderly are vulnerable simply because of their age.

In addition, even seniors who have been vaccinated could still get the flu if their immune system is sluggish enough to prevent a robust response to the vaccine. "So we want to be careful and watch them" he said.

During the closing week of 2016, Monmouth County had the most number of positive flu tests, followed by Essex, Bergen, and Ocean counties.

Five counties - Cumberland, Salem, Somerset, Union, and Warren - had not yet had any cases that tested positive for flu. However, health officials say most people who have the flu are never formally tested for the virus.

Now the change in the weather away from unusually warm winter days is only going to accelerate the spread of the flu, Munk predicted.

"It's just going to escalate, because it's getting colder, and we'll be indoors more," he said.

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

Jim Marchese denies the allegations and say that the latest lawsuit against him is "hurtful and "false"

A Virgin America flight attendant sued by former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Jim and Amber Marchese says she saw Jim Marchese with his hands around his wife's neck and heard him threaten to kill her.

The details come in countersuits filed by the airline and Moriah Rossier, the flight attendant, in response to a defamation and negligence lawsuit that the Marcheses filed against Virgin in October.

In April, Jim Marchese was arrested for domestic violence in Los Angeles after the couple got booted from the Virgin flight. After those charges were dropped, the Marcheses sued Virgin America. 

The Marcheses, who live in Colts Neck but had been in Los Angeles taping WEtv's "Marriage Boot Camp," have repeatedly denied the abuse allegations, saying they were being affectionate before the flight took off. In May, Jim Marchese told NJ.com that the flight attendant "was a delusional hyper-vigilant psycho liberal from California who probably isn't used to a man and a woman touching each other."

In their lawsuit, Jim Marchese also claims that the flight attendant recognized him as the villain of season six of "RHONJ," and that she called him a vulgar name.

But in the counterclaim, Rosser denies recognizing the Marcheses, and says she overhead them arguing as they boarded the flight, with Jim Marchese telling his wife, "If you want to be on equal f------ playing fields, then carry the f------ bags." Once on board, she says she was alerted by another passenger that the Marcheses were arguing, and that Jim Marchese appeared to be drunk.

Rosser says she then witnessed Jim Marchese with his hand on his wife's neck and heard him say, "B----, if you do that again, I will f------ kill you.'" That's when she alerted the pilot, who called law enforcement and had the couple escorted off the plane.

In an interview with NJ.com Thursday, Jim Marchese calls Rosser's claims "just hurtful and false." What struck him, he says, is that while Rosser says she didn't recognize the couple, "yet she remembers a statement that is not notable in any way, shape or form," referring to the baggage comment. 

In their suit, the Marcheses are asking for a minimum of $10 million in damages. In its counterclaim, the airline and Rosser say that the Marcheses defamed them and are seeking damages but do not give a specific amount. 

"I look forward to the trial because [Rosser's claims] are not going to stand up," Marchese says.

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

Joseph Prioli formerly worked at Christian Brothers Academy, according to a published report

HOWELL -- A 48-year-old township resident was arrested Dec. 30 for allegedly sexually abusing an underage victim beginning 10 years ago, according to a police complaint.

Joseph Prioli was being held on $500,000 bail on charges related to "oral and digital penetration" of the victim that began Jan. 1, 2007, according to the complaint. The victim was between 13 and 16 years old at the time, the complaint also said.

The records did not show when the alleged abuse ceased.

Prioli taught computer science at Christian Brothers Academy in Middletown until retiring from the private school last year, according to app.com and the RateMyTeacher web site.

A school official said there were no accusations of wrongdoing while Prioli taught at the school, app.com also reported.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.  

Who is going to win and who is going to shine?

New Jersey school closings and delays were announced Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 after an overnight snow storm. Traffic delays are expected and more snow is on the way Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017

Due to overnight snow that brought slick conditions to parts of New Jersey, some districts have announced delayed school openings for Friday, Jan. 6, 2016.

New Jersey schools announced school closings and delays on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 from an overnight storm. (File photo) 

Much of New Jersey got a coating of snow, while some parts of Southern New Jersey got up to 2.5 inches.

Another snow storm is expected to hit Southern New Jersey on Saturday.

The following schools and school districts are operating on a delay:

BERGEN COUNTY
Academy of Greatness Excellence, Teaneck - delayed opening at 9:30 a.m.

CAMDEN COUNTY
Crescent Hill Academy - closed

MONMOUTH COUNTY
Keansburg - delayed opening at 9:30 a.m.

MORRIS COUNTY
Morristown-Beard School - delayed opening at 9:45 a.m.

PASSAIC COUNTY
West Milford - a 90-minute delayed opening

UNION COUNTY
Berkeley Heights - two-hour delayed opening
Kenilworth - delayed opening
Mountainside - two-hour delayed opening
New Providence - delayed opening at 10 a.m.
Summit Speech School - delayed opening at 10 a.m

SUSSEX COUNTY
Vernon - two-hour delayed opening

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The 10-day music festival raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for Parkinson's Disease research

ASBURY PARK -- When music artist manager Bob Benjamin was diagnosed with Parkinson's 20 years ago, he tapped into his industry connections to raise money to help find a cure for his neurological disease.

What started as a modest concert at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank in 1998 raising $2,000 exploded into a 10-day festival in six towns projected to rake in more than half a million dollars for Parkinson's research as the Light of Day Winterfest 2017: The Beat Goes On kicks off Friday night.

This annual charity event, which has grown exponentially in the number of venues and attendees, continues to draw thousands as local artists and music veterans of rock, pop and soul light up stages in Asbury Park and other towns.

"We have turned this into a unique festival that involves a global musical community that stretches from Asbury Park to Australia, North America and Europe. No matter where we head around the world, we're supported by vibrant and engaged fans," said Light of Day Foundation Executive Director Tony Pallagrosi.

Springsteen plays deep into night as rock vets converge for Light of Day concert

The main attraction

"Bob's Birthday Bash," the main event that sold out in 25 minutes, brings back the regulars - including Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers and Joe D'Urso - while other reliables - Garland Jeffreys, Southside Johnny and John Eddie - are also expected to take the stage at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park on Jan. 14 starting at 6 p.m.

Kashmir, a Led Zeppelin tribute show, rocks the House of Independents in Asbury Park as part of the 2017 Light of Day music festival(Light of Day Foundation) 

And although he's never officially in the lineup, Bruce Springsteen has made the birthday bash a must-do, stopping in to perform at 11 of the past 16 years.

Pallagrosi said Springsteen addressed the topic the unity of the music community for this cause when he last performed with the tour two years ago.

"He told the audience that one of the things he most admires about the Light of Day Festival is how it brings all of these musical communities together and creates, in essence, an extended family that comes together for the purpose of defeating Parkinson's Disease," Pallagrosi said.

The festival showcases 150 artists in 30 shows over 10 days in Philadelphia, New York City, Montclair, Staten Island and Garwood, with the bulk of the shows in Asbury Park.

Kashmir, the premier Led Zeppelin tribute show, rocks the House of Independents on Cookman Avenue on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance; $25 day of show at www.houseofindependents.com. 

New this year

Jake Clemons, nephew of late great saxophonist Clarence Clemons of Springsteen's E Street Band, toured with Light of Day in Europe a few years ago, but Winterfest marks the first time he's playing the North American tour. As part of the festival - which coincides with the release of Clemons' solo album this year, he'll be part of Bob's Birthday Bash at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park at 6 p.m. on Jan. 14.

Clemons, in a tribute to his late uncle, will also be performing at the Cutting Room in New York City on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.

Also new for this tour is Jersey Mercy: Poetry of Place, Race, Sex, and Music. Featuring National Book Award winner Cornelius Eady, the Jan. 12 event at Toast in Asbury Park was inspired by poet Laura McCullough's book Jersey Mercy, published in 2016 by Black Lawrence Press. Dedicated to the Light of Day Foundation and people with Parkinson's, the book is a collection of poems based in Asbury Park and along the Jersey Shore.

The $10 admission price to the 7 p.m. event includes a copy of McCullough's book.

Also added to the festival lineup this year is the Light of Day Family Concert at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Crossroads Theater in Garwood.

The concert, anchored by The Campfire Flies, also features original New Jersey groups The Cucumbers, Speed the Plough and The Thousand Pities. Tickets are $15 and children under 1 are free.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Get to know the Garden State's top teams

The 2016-17 boys basketball season is in full form and the top squads have lived up to the expectations.

Wherever you are in the Garden State, you've probably heard the hype about a lot of NJ's top teams, but how much do you really know about them?

NJ.com will be taking in-depth look at some of the state's top squads in our "Meet the Team" series.

In our first segment, we took a look at:

• No. 11 Ranney
• No. 8 Mater Dei
• No. 4 St. Anthony
• No. 1 Patrick School

Check back frequently for new additions

Richard Greco may be reached at rgreco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichardGrecohs. Find NJ.com on Facebook