UPDATE! Wednesday Briefs From WOBM News

News from Ocean & Monmouth Counties and around New Jersey.

TRENTON - In response to the allegations of sexual harrasment at Penn State and Syracuse, Central Jersey State Senator Kip Bateman is introducing legislation to require witnesses of child sex abuse to notify law enforcement. The law would make knowing failure to report sex abuse a fourth degree crime punishible by a three to five year prison term and a fine of up to $15,000.

WASHINGTON D.C. - Uncle Sam could owe you some money and you might not even be aware of it. The internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that over 99,000 people who filed are due refund checks this year that couldm’tt be delivered due to mailing address error. In New Jersey the average refund is close to $2000. To see if you are due any money visit irs.gov.

TRENTON - The Division Of Consumer Affairs is issuing a summary order against an alternative energy company and its CEO after finding the company defrauded investors and used company funds for personal benefit. Forever Green Enterprises and its founder Michael Kelly are being given a $400,000 civil penalty for its misappropriations.

TOMS RIVER - Toms River Police are in search whoever is responsible for throwing a projectile at a car ---shattering the windshield and injuring the driver. According to police, the victim was traveling eastbound on Washington Street last Wednesday night when something was thrown at her 2007 Nissan breaking the window and cutting her hand. Police ask anyone with information to contact them.

MONROE - Seventeen minors in Atlantic County are facing punishment after the Superior Court judged issued sentencing. Seventeen youths from ages 14 to 17 were convicted of crimes ranging from theft to possession of a firearm. Most were given probation along with fines and court ordered counceling, however four of the teens were ordered to spend time in the Training School For Boys in Monroe Township.

WOODBRIDGE (AP) -- Officials say recently-installed cameras appear to be discouraging toll cheating in the exact change lanes on the Garden State Parkway. However, some motorists tell The Asbury Park Press they've received violations even though they paid
their tolls.

UNION - A Union County teacher from Toms River is accused of touching two students inappropriately. The Union County Prosecutor's Office arrested 38-year-old David Eidel yesterday and charged him with endangering the welfare of a child and second degree sexual assault. A boy and girl have come out saying it happened at the north Jersey school. Bail is set at 150-thousand-dollars. Anyone with information on the case should call 908-965-3884.

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today is the deadline to file a claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage sustained during Hurricane Irene. The August storm caused massive problems in virtually all New Jersey counties. More information at disaster assistance dot gov.

LAKEWOOD - A trial date is set for the Lakewood man charged with the execution-style slaying of a township police officer. State Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels set the trial of Jahmell Crockam for January 17th 2012, almost a year to the date of the fatal shooting of patrolman Christopher Matlosz. In presenting evidence for the trial, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office says they have three eyewitnesses. Officer Matlosz was gunned down in his patrol car on January 14th 2011.

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Department Of Justice is appealing a Portuguese judge's decision to deny the extradition of American fugitive George Wright. The motion was filed with the Portuguese Court Of Appeals in Lisbon but officials declined to share the arguments because the proceedings are secret. 68-year-old Wright has been on the lam for 41 years in three continents. He was serving a 15 to 30 year sentence for the robbery and murder of a gas station attendant in Wall Township but served only seven years before escaping and hijacking an airplane.

BERKELEY - During an emergency meeting, Berkeley Township Council members agree to equip 10 police cars with special emergency lights so they can be used for patrols. The decision was made Tuesday because of extensive damage to three police cruisers during a Sunday morning car chase. The cost of equipping the vehicles will be nearly $70,000 and is expected to be completed in a couple of days. A township man charged into the police cars that were blocking his path with his pickup truck at the end of Brennan Concourse.

STAFFORD - Stafford police arrest a Tuckerton woman on theft charges when they found her taking an untimely nap behind the wheel of her car early Thanksgiving morning. Police responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle at the intersection of Route 9 and Rodeo Drive at around 3 a.m. with its interior light on and found 43-year-old Christine Brown sleeping in her vehicle. Police say they also discovered a number of credit cards on her lap that didn't belong to her and two purses in her possession that were reported stolen from a nearby restaurant. Brown was released pending a future court date.

POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH - The Point Pleasant Beach Republican Party is working to replace a vacancy on the Borough Council. Reports say, three people have submitted their names for consideration in filling the post left open by former Councilman Jeffrey Dyer, who resigned last week. The Republican Club nominated Stephen Reid, Andy Cortez and Thomas Vogel. The borough council will select one of the three as fill the term set to expire next year.