Armed Clown Reports / Lawsuit Over A String Bean / Long-Range Winter Forecast / Gas Tax Increase: This Week On Patch

Check out the top stories that made headlines this week across the Patch network in New Jersey:

Juveniles Report Seeing Clowns With Gun, Knives: Monroe Police

Local juveniles have reported being approached by clowns with weapons on three separate occasions in Monroe, police say.

Mother, Boyfriend Charged After 7-Year-Old's 'Suspicious' Death

Authorities have charged a New Jersey mother and her live-in boyfriend in connection with the death of a 7-year-old child, prosecutors say.

New Long-Range N.J. Winter Forecast Released, And It's Not Good

Frequent storms across the northeastern U.S. — particularly in the Northeast — this winter may lead to an above-normal season for snowfall, forecasters say.

Oakland Woman Who Fell On String Bean Sues ShopRite

A Bergen County woman who claims she was seriously injured two years ago after slipping on a string bean that fell on ShopRite of Oakland's floor has sued the store.

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N.J. Assembly Passes Christie-Backed 23-Cent Gas Tax Hike

State lawmakers passed a 23-cent gas tax hike that Gov. Chris Christie could sign by Friday, a plan pushed through past the midnight hour.

Investigators Release New Details In Hoboken Crash Probe

The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday released the latest details of its investigation into the Hoboken crash.

Details Released In 5-Car Fatal Crash On Parkway

Details were released in a fatal five-car crash on the Garden State Parkway this week.

Police Release Details Of Murder-Suicide In Holmdel And Jackson

A man hanged himself from his Comcast truck Wednesday in Holmdel, and police found a woman who had been murdered at his Jackson home.

Christie, Cuomo Conspired In Bridgegate Cover-Up, Ex-Christie Ally Testifies

N.J. Gov. Chris Christie and N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo conspired to end scrutiny in the Bridgegate scandal, according to new testimony.

5 New Jersey Residents Among Wealthiest Americans: Forbes 400

Forbes has released its 2016 list of the top wealthiest billionaires in America, and there were a handful of New Jersey natives represented in the bunch.