February 2013

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—This year, many Rutgers University students are spending more on ATM fees, after the school inked a deal giving Chase Bank an exclusive monopoly on all of the campus' money machines.

The deal eliminated on-campus ATM's operated by PNCBank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.  It also pushed out two popular university-affiliated credit unions, each with a decades-long connection to the community.

Credit unions are similar to banks, except they are owned and democratically controlled by their members. 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Johnson & Johnson posted a much larger fourth-quarter profit this year than they did in 2011, due mainly to higher sales of medical devices and prescription drugs.

The New Brunswick-based company annouced on Tuesday that the their net income was at $2.57 billion, or 91 cents a share more than 2011's fourth quarter report.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–The city's parking authority is offerring free parking for city residents at five public parking decks this evening in an effort to keep streets clear of cars.

UPDATE: The New Brunswick Parking Authority announced that free snow emergency parking for residents will end Monday morning at 8am.

A storm has been dropping a mix of snow, rain, and sleet on New Brunswick since this morning, prompting the authority to declare a snow emergency and open the decks to the public at 3pm.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—At their 6:30pm meeting tonight, the city council will decide whether or not to grant a six-figure tax break that will excuse Boraie Development from paying some of their property taxes if they go through with plans for a new highrise building at 135 Somerset Street.

The deal, which has already drawn some criticism, would save the powerful developer about $156,800 annually, but would deprive the city's school district of more than twice that amount.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Rumors swirled this week that the Rutgers' 141-year-old Geology Museum may soon be closed, putting in jeopardy the future of the specimens and collections.

Each year, the museum hosts an annual open house featuring a mineral sale, public lectures from local and visiting faculty members, and educational activities designed for K-12 students.

Last Saturday, scores of mineral enthusiasts, faculty, local residents, and students of all ages filled the Geology Museum and Scott Hall for the 45th annual open house.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Sources say that the Dining Services division of Rutgers University is planning to open their own "grease truck," in an interesting move timed to complement the relocation of the famous food trucks.

NewBrunswickToday.com has obtained a photograph of the truck, named the "Knight Wagon," that may soon join or possibly replace longtime favorites like RU Hungry?, Mr. C's, and Jimmy's Lunch Truck.