Here are the top stories from New Jersey for Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

BERKELEY – A young boy who was rescued from a pool in South Seaside Park over Labor Day weekend has died.

This is the latest tragic case of a child drowning in New Jersey.

According to the Ocean County District Attorney’s Office, the 4-year-old boy died Monday after being rescued from a swimming pool in the backyard of South Seaside Park three days earlier.

The boy was taken to hospital in critical but stable condition after police found him unconscious at home around 3:30 p.m. on Friday. He was pulled from the pool before police arrived.

Two species of snakes native to New Jersey are venomous, and one of them has prompted warnings from authorities in at least two counties in recent weeks.

Residents are advised to stay away from the North American copperhead snake, which can grow up to several meters long and can camouflage itself in foliage.

In Somerset County, a northern moccasin was spotted in the area of ​​Scott Drive in Watchung, police said in a report. Days earlier, the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge in Hunterdon County reported that an injured female northern moccasin had been found.

The other venomous snake in New Jersey is the timber rattlesnake.

Anyone who encounters a venomous snake is asked to call the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Snake Hotline at 877-927-6337.

TRENTON – For the first time in years, the state’s existing Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights has been expanded, giving survivors the right to regular updates on their cases.

The Bill of Rights has been in force since 2019 and sets out basic protections and rights for victims of sexual assault.

A bipartisan measure passed unanimously in both the state Senate and House of Representatives before being signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday.

Victims of sexual assault must now be informed of specific developments regarding the evidence in their individual cases in order to increase the overall transparency of progress.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A home was badly damaged by fire early Monday morning following an argument with a friend, according to police.

Police were first called to a two-story home on Old Beekman Road in the Kendall Park neighborhood Monday night for a noise complaint after the homeowner’s daughter had an argument with her boyfriend.

After the argument, the boyfriend, identified as Leonard Jones, 50, returned and went to the second floor of the home, police said. He came back down and told his girlfriend to call the fire department, officials said.

Four people were able to escape safely before the fire brigade arrived.

With plans to build a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers stalled, the Garden State has been trying to convince the basketball team’s owners to come to Camden.

In a letter released Monday from Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Governor Phil Murphy to the owners of the 76ers, New Jersey officials said they were “committed to bringing the 76ers to Camden.”

While the project would be self-funded, it would also include $900 million in state funding for construction. The letter goes on to say that the site would also include commercial, residential and retail space.

CBS News reported that the 76ers said in their response that they appreciated the proposal, were still negotiating a new arena in Philadelphia and would take all alternative offers “seriously.”

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