NJN News; Friday April 3, 1998

residents get the word, their homes are contaminated with PCBs. A corporate giant is ordered to pay for the cleanup of a mercury contaminated building. The state is trying out a new system for tracking juvenile offenders. And it was a hero's welcome home at Earl Naval Base. NJN News for Friday, April 3rd. Major funding for NJN News is made possible by Grants Trust. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which believes that an informed citizen, leads to a healthy democracy, PSENG, committed to serving customers, strengthening the business community, and investing in New Jersey's future. First union serves the financial needs of individuals and businesses from Connecticut to Florida. HIP Health Plan of New Jersey dedicated to providing quality health care to employees of large and small businesses,

as well as individuals for two decades. And by Bell Atlantic, the heart of communication, in partnership with public television, serving to inform, and lighten, and educate the citizens of New Jersey. From NJN, the New Jersey Channel, the Emmy Award-winning NJN News with Kent Manahan, Dick Forney with Business, and Jerry Henry with Sports. Good evening. It's an environmental headache, discovered in the 1970s, and it just won't go away. The manufacturing of PCBs was phased out over 20 years ago, but the problem lingers, especially in one central New Jersey town. Federal EPA officials have discovered unsafe levels of toxic PCBs in a number of homes in South Plainfield, Middlesex County. Our environmental reporter Ed Rogers has the story. EPA officials say they've detected levels of toxic PCBs in four homes near a contaminated industrial site in South Plainfield.

Although the contamination does not present an immediate health risk, the agency plans to begin a cleanup in the next few days. Cleaning these homes topped the bottom, using specialized equipment, vacuum cleaners with particulate filters, wiping down all surfaces, and washing floors, steam cleaning rugs to capture contaminated dust. PCBs were also discovered in the yard of one of those homes, and on the lawns of three other houses, including the South Plainfield residents. If you're very uncomfortable because I have a small child, he's 10 years old. Health officials say heavy exposure to PCBs can damage the immune system or cause cancer. They're asking residents to take some simple precautions. If, in fact, you're doing a common contact with any of the residential soils that you wash your hands, wipe your feet before you come into the house, wet mop, and try to maintain a low level of dust within the house as much as possible.

The neighborhood where the PCB contamination was discovered is next to the Cornell Doublier Electronics Manufacturing site. The EPA wants to put the site on the National Superfund Cleanup List because of heavy PCB contamination, but officials are not saying it's the source. Sixteen homes were tested in the first phase of this investigation. The EPA says it will soon begin testing another 25. Ed Rogers and JN News, South Plainfield. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants generally electric to bring more than good things to light. The EPA has ordered the company to pay $4 million for the cleanup of a Mercury-contaminated condominium complex in Hoboken. GE has 30 days to respond or face fines of $27,500 a day. The order includes the demolition and removal of contaminated wood from the building. GE officials say the company sold the site to another manufacturer 50 years ago and had no part in the conversion. The company says it will review EPA's orders.

The Bergen County team accused of killing her newborn and Delaware will not face the death penalty. A judge has reduced charges against Amy Grossberg to second-degree murder. The charge carries a prison sentence of two to twenty years. Prosecutors did not explain why first-degree murder charges were dropped. Grossberg's former boyfriend, Brian Peterson, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death. Grossberg's trial will start next month. Juvenile justice has become a hot topic in recent months, discarded baby, school yard shootings and attacks. The challenge is to try to understand this new violence and find a balance between punishment and rehabilitation. We have two reports tonight. First, on the rehabilitation side, here's Marie DeNoia on a state effort to develop a place in between incarceration and freedom. Incomprehensible, young people, kids accused of committing deadly violent acts. Jonesboro, Arkansas, Sam Mansey's alleged killing of Eddie Werner. These are the stories that have come to define juvenile crime lately.

At a symposium at Seton Hall Law School today, experts considered the full range of youth offenses, the violent and the much more prevalent nonviolent and then launched into a search for solutions. Experiences have shown that there is no simple solution to this complex problem. I think one of the things made as Americans are always looking for is that silver bullet. Attorney General Peter Vanero delivered the keynote address here and an impressive announcement. The juvenile justice commission has just received a $5.3 million grant. That money will buy 100 transitional beds for nonviolent offenders who have completed their sentences at state run institutions. These slots will be designed to get kids access to drug and alcohol counseling. In much of what we do throughout the juvenile justice agencies that are now an issue, we deal with the drug issue. The drug problem is something we have to face head on in New Jersey. And while this initiative is designed to help rehabilitate young nonviolent offenders, some here believed it won't be enough. The 100 beds is a step in the right direction, but if you look at the scope of the problem with substance abuse,

we got to deal with families and 100 beds is not even really a drop in the bucket. You're right, we do send kids back to horrible environments and that's why I say we have to change those environments. And that's not the role I don't believe solely of the juvenile justice commission. The grant and the new initiative not only create a place for kids in transition, it frees up space in restrictive lockups for serious violent offenders. Marie DeNoia and JNU's Newark. Now on the punishment side, officials are looking for new ways to keep an eye on offenders. For example, the Whitman administration is getting set to use eye-in-the-sky technology to help track parole juvenile offenders. Statehouse correspondent Jim Hooker has that part of the story. They have to make sure they know the five days before they release them. The gritty street level world of the state's juvenile parole officers goes on. But they'll get some high tech reinforcement soon. In the form of satellite technology contained in this eight-pound shoulder bag.

Inside this bag is just a case that contains the batteries, the cell phone and the chip. But if you tried to look inside, you'd set off alarms. The equipment is connected to the global positioning satellite system, designed by the military in the 1970s, and which authorities say can track users with house-to-house precision. By having a system in place where we know where they're at all the time, and it can allow them to go to work, it can allow them to go to school, but not, but identify areas that they shouldn't be in. A tamper-resistant ankle bracelet keeps the bag and the user together. Should the juvenile attempt to slip the system or go out of his assigned areas, officers are notified by pager within minutes, and set out on the errant juveniles trail. While satellites in the sky will help keep an eye on juveniles here on the streets through this monitor, ultimately we're told it's the officers on the ground who will still make the difference. Nothing takes the place of manpower, and we have officers in the street all the time. And what this does is it complements what they do in regards to supervision.

The trial program will begin with three to six trackers assigned to juveniles in the next two weeks. At a cost of $18 a day per unit, charged by Omaha-based advanced business sciences, officials say they'll only be assigned to the most violent high-risk offenders. The test will cost $10,000, but if it proves effective, the tracker system will become yet another part of an ever-changing juvenile justice landscape. Jim Hooker, NJN News, Camden. Coming up next on NJN News, residents of one Ocean County town may soon hear the familiar musical sounds of a nice cream truck, and it was hugs and kisses all around as families welcome home loved ones from the Persian Gulf. If you have a comment, call NJN News at 1-800-Jersey-1, or our email address, NJN News at AOL.com. A joyous homecoming for hundreds of sailors stationed on board the USS Seattle.

The Navy's supply ship returned to its home port in Mammoth County today after spending six months in the Persian Gulf. Our rich young was there when the Seattle arrived. The supply ship Seattle came into port this afternoon welcomed with a greeting befitting a vessel coming back from war. Hundreds stood on the pier at the Naval Weapon Station Earl to welcome home their husbands and wives, sons and daughters. Erica artists won the contest to give her husband the very first kiss. How's it feel to be home sir? I love it. I love being with my wife again. I'm very happy.

Besides the first kiss, there were more significant firsts here today. The first time some two dozen fathers on board are getting to see their newborn babies. Little Luther won't wait his dad for the very first time. In fact, Luther was born three weeks ago while his father Dave was in the middle of the Atlantic to say he was excited would be an understatement. I couldn't wait to see him. I could not wait to see him. How do you feel now? I love him. I'm ready to go home and play with him. The Seattle deployed in October while it did not see battle. It came close. It supplied naval ships with ammunition and fuel during the latest crisis with Iraq. Several said the period was tense. It was kind of scary. You know, kind of could have been there a little longer or something. Really they want to stay there no longer. But with that now history, this was a day to rejoice and kiss and hug. But for some, this homecoming was especially poignant. It was their last tour of duty. This is my last tour of duty on board a ship. This is great. The Seattle will be important for several months.

Its sister ship, the USS Supply, is set to deport at the end of April to bring supplies to some 19,000 military personnel still in the Persian Gulf. Rich Young, NJN News. Children in Stafford Township might still hear the familiar musical jingle from an ice cream truck in their neighborhood this summer. Originally, the Ocean County community had sought to ban the tunes after residents there complained, but now the mayor is putting the ordinance on hold. He's asked the Department of Environmental Protection to help find a compromise to the noise problem. It's a lot more than Peking Duck and Dumplings, Chinese language classes and programs at West Windsor Plainsboro School District, are an important feature, even extending down into the elementary grades. Last night at the high school students took what they've learned in class and put it into practice. Next generation reporter Christine Chang was at the 10th annual China Night Celebration. From Chinese name writing to getting the hang of a Chinese yo-yo. China Night can be a workout.

As people of all ages line up to learn about Chinese origami, the art of paper folding, others could practice on the chopsticks. After all, there's a human size menu to choose from, and the night is more than just chowing down. This is a part of the multi-culture education, and besides, it provides my students with opportunities to develop their talents and to learn the social skills. I think the whole atmosphere of teaching others about my background and others' background just gives me a sense of joy. It's for a good time, and it's also to see the cultural things, like the dances and stuff I really enjoy. The intercultural play that we have at China Night in this whole community is just fabulous. According to the directors of China Night, drawing a crowd has never been a problem. The year's events drew more than 700 people. The night ended with a variety of entertainment, from Chinese ribbon dancing to martial arts performances.

And in classrooms like this one, learning the Chinese language in its cultures can be beneficial. After all, the celebration gets better every year. Christine Chang and JN News from Sir County. Thics Business Report, coming up shortly, he's here now with the preview press. Some students ready for international trade there, Kent. Whatever happened to the plan for competition in the local phone service business in New Jersey. Lots of people want it all. And being a choir means being able to hire. Have a Middlesex County Vitamin Maker. We'll explain coming up. We'll explain.

Take what we were saying, not enough competition? Well, it depends, yeah. A lot of people think there isn't any. In certain parts of the phone business. The number 1996 when the law deregulating telecommunications was passed. And everyone from Vice President Al Gore to the state BPU promised a free market would mean lower phone bills. Well, here in New Jersey, two years later, there is competition in long-distance service. But for local service, consumers in most businesses in New Jersey still have only one choice. Bell Atlantic or is sprint in parts of Western New Jersey. So what happened? Or what didn't happen? The heat is on the state board of public utilities these days. Major players in the telecommunications business, including AT&T, Sprint, and 12 other carriers,

claimed that two years after federal telecommunications deregulation legislation became law, New Jersey consumers still do not have the choice of local phone service providers. That won't happen until a new economic footprint is put in place that allows us to have access to elements of Bell Atlantic's network and other incumbent local network providers on economic terms that make some sense. Today, unfortunately, we would pay more to Bell Atlantic to rent pieces of their network than we could collect from the customers in retail. Bell Atlantic claims it is ready to let other carriers into its local phone business. This week it took the press on a tour of the new division in Newark set up to handle competitors requests for access to its customers. Bell Atlantic says it has 1,000 workers ready and waiting to sell competitors to rectory assistance, call waiting, and other value added services at wholesale. The long distance carriers are themselves dragging their feet in terms of getting into the local market. The reason they're doing this, frankly, is they hope to persuade policy makers

that because they are not in the local market, that this means it's our problem, that somehow we're causing that problem. But in fact, they are the ones that are holding back. Meanwhile, the BPU is trying to determine just who is delaying competition, during seven days of special hearings. The problems that they have are beyond regulatory fixes by commissions. There are certain things that commissions can do for them. But as we heard today from TCG, as we've heard from AT&T and MCI, there are problems that they have to work out between themselves with Bell Atlantic in order to make competition work on a mass scale for residential customers. While the phone companies and the BPU slug it out, consumers have little choice, but to sit ringside and wait for the benefits of competition and telecommunications with its promise of lower prices. These goals can be met if the board, I think, becomes more proactive and says, how can we make sure that everybody gets access

to the marketplace they want? And then all of the New Jersey customers will benefit. Well, the hearings continue next week when Bell Atlantic will answer questions from commissioners. The BPU expects to issue its findings sometime next month. A New York nutritional supply supplement company that is called NBTY has acquired a middle-sex county vitamin maker and the New Jersey company is already feeling stronger. Neutral laboratories of South Plainfield make vitamins in pill and capsule form under contract to various companies. NBTY was one of their best customers. Now, it owns Neutral. This will be very good for Neutral. We'll be able to expand. We'll have additional financing available to us. And they've already talked about we have one shift now. They want to increase it to three shifts. And it's going to be just wonderful for Neutral and for all Neutral employees. Neutral labs currently has 130 on its payroll in New Jersey. It hopes to add a second shift by next week and then the third soon after.

Very fine juice has drinks, has put its seal of approval as it were on Johnson & Johnson's new artificial sweetener. Very fine says it will begin marketing a diet line of these drinks and five flavors containing sucralose, which won that is food and drug administration approval earlier this week. The juice maker says it will offer five flavors at its new drink, new locale drinks. Well, for the first time since Blizzard shut down business in the Northeast in January 1996, the nation's unemployment rate edged upward a notch last month. The U.S. Labor Department says the number of jobs fell by 36,000 pushing unemployment in March, up one-tenth of a percent to 4.7 percent, especially hard hit work construction jobs. 9,000? Not this week, thanks anyway. The Dow sniffed at the milestone and then backed off to finish the day at the 89-83 level. A minuscule loss at three and a quarter points. For the week, the Dow, however, added 187 and a third. The AMX composite was just about unchanged today that ASDAQ composite added nearly two and a half

in the S&P 500. Cloud 2 and a third points further into record territory. Bonds were solidly higher on indications of a slowing economy. The 30-year issue up more than three-quarters of a point. It's yielded back below 5.8 percent. In Kent that unemployment report has seen by many the evidence that the economy may have already started to turn the other direction and slow down. Investors don't seem to be deterred at all though. Well, actually, you know, it's that old bad news is good news hanging out in Wall Street. So you figure it. Thank you. Up next, look at the weekend forecast for you. And Jerry, what do you have in store? Well, and let's try to bounce back after last night shellacking by Shaq. That story next. The New Jersey native, Jerry, but not too hospitable to his host.

He didn't act like a guy coming home, did he? No. No, he didn't act like he was downright nasty. There are nine games left in the regular season for the New Jersey nets and they continue to hold on to a playoff spot. But just barely, thanks in part to a near-career night by Shaqille O'Neill at the Metallands last night. Shaq scored 50 because nobody could guard him. That matches the best this season by any player in the league. The loss dropped the nets to 37 and 36. Just a half-game lead over the wizards. We're down six. And within three minutes, we're down 16. I keep saying it to you guys. This team will look at me like, come on, Cal was three plays. Yeah! Three we don't make. Three they make. Now we're down 12. Do you understand how big those are? And that's where we're not ready to be a 50-win team mentally yet. We're just not because we just, when the game is 12 and we're ready to put it to 18, you guys watch.

I mean, all of a sudden the guy will turn it over lazy pass, miss a layup. Come on, Cal. It's two plays. What are you getting crazy about? But there's little time to worry about last night's game. With the next coming to town tomorrow night, the nets have to stay on track. There's not have to be a whole lot put on the table to make it an emotional game for both teams. I mean, obviously the proximity creates almost a natural rivalry alone. But you look at the fact that they have a lot of state and so do we. I think the idea of us trying to us jockeying ourselves around in this playoff race seems to supersede just the inner city rivalry. They need this as bad as we do and it's a must win for both teams. Someone's going to be happy and someone's going to be sad. Oh boy, it's the next Charlotte and Boston in the next three games for New Jersey. Meanwhile in hockey, the Devils will try to avoid their first three game losing streak of this season tonight as Ottawa comes to the metal and New Jersey still has more points than any team in hockey right now with 99.

So three game losing streak there in the playoffs. It really doesn't matter too much. All right, Jerry. Thank you. It was a little cooler than yesterday. But the bright sunshine made it a beautiful Friday, the kind of day for Illinois shiny little cherry without any fringe on the top on this ocean city boardwalk this afternoon. The family was moving right along with the breeze in their face and the ocean in the background. Take a look at the pollution watch for tomorrow. Expect moderate readings in northeastern parts of the state. Good conditions elsewhere. And here's a look at the Saturday forecast. In the northern part of the state, first tonight, increasing clouds with lows in the upper 30s. Then for tomorrow, mostly cloudy with highs near 50 degrees. And South Jersey more cloud cover tonight readings in the 30s. The chance of some rain tomorrow highs around 50 degrees. Well, they were singing the blues with the King of Blues at Drew University last night. 73 year old BB King and his guitar. Lucille jammed into the night to a sold out crowd. Most of them generation exers who were able to buy tickets at a discounted price. Thanks to the Friday evening club of Maristown, which sponsored the event.

This was the fourth time the group brought in BB King. The club says King is an icon and young people are into the blues these days more than ever in the past. I just like the way it sounds, the way it makes you feel. It has a big heart, you feel it in his music. Sure do. And after the concert, dozens of people lined up at King's trailer. And he signed autographs and spoke to everybody. Every last one of them. Always a huge hit. And don't forget, a reminder. Early Sunday morning, 2 a.m., we spray ahead to daylight savings time. You didn't forget, did you? So before bedtime on Saturday night, turn the clocks ahead by an hour. And we lose an hour of sleep. But gain all that sunlight and return. That's our news for tonight.

I'm Kent Mattahann for Dick and Jerry and all of us here at NJN News. Thanks for being with us. Good night everyone. And Madison and Terry. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.