>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY EVENING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOOD BANKS AND OTHER NONPROFITS WHO WORK TO FEED THE HUNGRY TAKE NO HOLIDAY THIS TIME OF YEAR .

FOOD INSECURITY IS WIDESPREAD IN NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE IS MAKING AN ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN ONE PROGRAM THAT IS HELPING PROVIDE MEALS TO THE NEEDY .

ALLOCATING ANOTHER $5 MILLION TO THE SUSTAIN AND SERVE PROGRAM.

LAUNCHED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND PROVIDES NONPROFITS WITH GRANTS TO BUY MEALS FROM RESTAURANTS AND DISTRIBUTE THEM AT NO COST TO THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY.

THIS NEW ROUND OF FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WILL ALSO GIVE RESTAURANTS SOME MUCH-NEEDED BUSINESS.

TED GOLDBERG TRAVELED TO TOMS RIVER TO LEARN ABOUT THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

>> THE FIRST THING THAT WENT THROUGH MY MIND WAS, THINK OF THAT HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: JAMES SMITH WAS OVER JOYED WHEN HE HEARD THAT SUSTAIN AND SERVE WAS RECEIVING AN EXTRA $5 MILLION OF STATE FUNDS.

A CATERING SERVICE BASED OUT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN TOMS RIVER.

SUSTAIN AND SERVE STARTED EARLY LAST YEAR WHEN SMITH'S BUSINESS WAS IN A TIGHT SPOT.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND COME UP WITH WAYS TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, PAY TAXES, PAY OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE WERE QUICKLY RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS.

>> THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROVIDED ONE WITH SUSTAIN AND SERVE.

WHAT DARTED AS A $2 MILLION PILOT PROGRAM HAS NOW BECOME A $57 MILLION HELPING HAND FOR RESTAURANTS AND PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

>> IT WAS THE RIGHT ANSWER AT THE RIGHT TIME, FOR SURE.

A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO RELY ON THIS WORK .

TELLING THEM TO GO HOME AND QUIT WAS NOT THE ANSWER.

LOSING THEM WAS NOT THE ANSWER, YOU KNOW.

I WAS NOT REALLY SURE WHAT SUSTAIN AND SERVE WOULD BE.

IT WAS CERTAINLY A GAME CHANGER.

IT'S ONLY A LIFE CHANGER.

IT KEPT MY PEOPLE GOING VERY STRONG.

>> Reporter: BLACKWELL LEADS THE JACKSON BASED NONPROFIT A NEED WE FEED , WHICH TAKES MONEY FROM SUSTAIN AND SERVE TO BUY MEALS FOR PLACES LIKE THE AMERICAN LEGION AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

HE SAYS RESTAURANTS DESPERATELY NEED THIS PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH OBSTACLES LIKE INFLATION AND PEOPLE WORKING REMOTELY.

>> WOULD DEFINITELY HELP KEEP THEM AFLOAT.

ESPECIALLY POST-COVID ONE RESTAURANTS COULD NOT OPEN THEIR DOORS.

WE WERE KEEPING SOME RESTAURANTS OPEN.

IF YOU REACHED OUT TO US DIRECTLY AND THANKED US THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM HAS BECOME A LIFELINE FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

>> MAN HAS BEEN INCREASING.

WE HAVE RECEIVED PHONE CALLS FROM ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE GRANT AND REACHED OUT TO US REGULARLY.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM FOOD AND SICK 30s.

THEY ARE RIGHT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU KNOW.

THEY ARE VETERANS, YOU KNOW.

YOUNG CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT REALLY A FINANCIAL ISSUE.

IT CERTAINLY FEELS GOOD WHEN YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO FEED PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED IT.

>> THERE WAS A GAP OF SEVERAL MONTHS BETWEEN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PROGRAM IN THE THIRD ROUND.

WE WERE GETTING CALLS ALMOST DAILY SAYING, WHEN IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN ?

THEIR HEARTS WERE BREAKING.

THEY COULD NOT SERVE PEOPLE.

THE HUNGER DID NOT GO AWAY.

>> TERROR RICKELTON SERVES AS THE VP OF ECONOMIC INSECURITY AT THE EDA.

I ASKED IF THE STATE WAS RUNNING ON SPENDING MORE MONEY FOR SUSTAIN AND SERVE IN THE FUTURE.

>> MY STRONG HOPE AND OPTIMISM IS THAT THERE WILL BE A ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

I THINK WE HAVE PROVEN THAT THIS WORKS AND HAS AN IMPACT AND THAT IT WORKS STATEWIDE.

WE HAVE ALMOST 500 RESTAURANTS 21 COUNTIES HAVING AN IMPACT IN THE RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS .

SENIORS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND.

>> Reporter: KOLTON SAYS THE IMPACT HAS BEEN HUGE.

>> SOME FOOD PANTRIES THAT DISTRIBUTE MEALS .

THEY TOLD US OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING TO GET THE MEALS, 75% OF THEM, THIS IS THE ONLY MEAL THEY WOULD HAVE THAT DATE.

HALF AN HOUR AFTER TALKING TO THE RESTAURANT OWNER IS SAYING, THIS IS KEEPING MY DOORS OPEN.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN MAYBE NOT SURPRISED BUT MOVED BY HOW MANY RESIDUAL EFFECT EACH DOLLAR WE SPEND HAS.

>> Reporter: THE EDA ESTIMATES THE PROGRAM HAS PAID FOR 450,000 MEALS SINCE FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR WITH MORE TO COME IF PAYMENTS CONTINUE FROM THE STATE.

IN TOMS RIVER, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SOME NEW JERSEYANS ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF FRIGID TEMPERATURES, HIGH WINDS, AND IN SOME AREAS, SERIOUS FLOODING THAT OCCURRED OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

NEW WORKER IT WAS STILL REPORTING FLIGHT DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS TODAY BECAUSE OF THE WICKED WINTER STORM THAT LEFT AT LEAST 37 PEOPLE DEAD ACROSS THE U.S. THOUSANDS ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER AND NEW JERSEY WAS SPARED THE BRUNT OF THE STORM.

FLOODING IN SOME COMMUNITIES WAS THE WORST IT HAS BEEN SINCE SUPER STORM SANDY.

ALONG THE COAST, SANDY COOK RICK ORDERED NINE FEET OF WATER.

OMAR RICK ORDERED MORE THAN SEVEN FEET.

THE HEAVY RAINS WERE FOLLOWED BY A DEEP FREEZE, WHICH IS STILL CAUSING PROBLEMS IN NORTH JERSEY.

ACCORDING TO THE EDGE BOROUGH POLICE, CARS ARE STILL FROZEN AT A COMFORT IN OFF RIVER ROAD AND RELIEF IS ON THE WAY.

TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST TO RISE ABOVE FREEZING TOMORROW.

>>> WOMEN ARE NOT MAKING MUCH HEADWAY NEW JERSEY WHEN IT COMES TO HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.

THAT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ANNUAL NEW JERSEY COUNTY REPORT CARD FROM THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN WOMEN IN POLITICS.

A UNIT OF THE EAGLE TENANTS DUE TO POLITICS AT RUTGERS.

WOMEN MADE INCREMENTAL GAINS AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND IN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OFFICES, BUT THIS DATE HAD FEWER WOMEN MAYORS THIS YEAR WHEN COMPARED TO LAST.

I RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH JEAN SITS BACK.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN WOMEN IN POLITICS, WHERE SHE DIRECTS THE PROGRAM FOR WOMEN PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

2022 IS BEING DESCRIBED AS A DISAPPOINTING YEAR FOR WOMEN IN JERSEY POLITICS.

ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE ARE SEEING WOMEN MAKE GAINS IN POLITICS.

WHY NOT HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN NEW JERSEY?

>> THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING FOR A LONG TIME .

IT SEEMS WE HAVE PLATEAUED HERE IN NEW JERSEY AND ARE BASICALLY STAGNATING.

THAT IS THE STORY OF WOMEN IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

WE ARE GAINING VERY SMALL INCREMENTAL GROUND AT THE COUNTY AND LOCAL LEVELS.

BUT IN TERMS OF MAYORS, WE HAVE LOST GROUND OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH WOMEN BEING ROUTED TO RUN FOR OFFICE AT THE SAME RATE THAT MEN ARE .

IS THERE AN ENVIRONMENT OR ATMOSPHERE THAT MAKES IT A HOST GLOBAL PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE .

>> SOME AREAS OF THE STATE FAIR BETTER.

IN UNION COUNTY, THERE IS A GREATER INSTANCE OF WOMAN MAYORS.

TO SOME OF THESE LOCAL COUNTIES JUST HAVE A BETTER NETWORK AND SUPPORT FOR FEMALE POLITICIANS ?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE'VE SEEN AND WHAT WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH THE YEARS IS THAT EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY THE WILL OF ABEL SERVING IN OFFICE REALLY SIX AND WHEN THEY ARE INTENTIONAL.

WHEN PARTY CHAIRS, FOR EXAMPLE, OR OTHER ELECTED LEADERS OR INFLUENCERS IN THE IMMUNITY MAKE AIKINS NOTED EFFORT TO WIDEN THE WILL OF CANDIDATE IN THEIR TOWNS OR DISTRICT.

IT'S NOT THE ONLY STORY.

BUT IN SOME CASES WHERE WOMEN ARE DOING BETTER, IT IS BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND SUPPORT WOMEN CANDIDATES.

IN PLACES WHERE THAT IS NOT HAPPENING, WE SEE FEWER WOMEN RUNNING OR OFFICE.

>> CAN YOU TOUCH ON WHY DIVERSITY IN GENERAL AND REPRESENTATION IS THAT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL?

>> YOU WANT TO HAVE AS DIVERSE A POOL OF CANDIDATES AND DIVERSE A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE BODY AS YOU CAN BECAUSE DIFFERENT PEOPLE BRING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TO POLICYMAKING AND DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES HELP SHAPE THE POLICIES.

WHEN YOU HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT LOOKS LIKE THE PEOPLE IT SERVES , IT WILL DO A BETTER JOB OF CREATING POLICIES THAT SERVE THE WIDER NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE WANT MORE WOMEN INTO THE NEWCOMERS TO SERVE ON THESE GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND BODIES.

>> YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS A CAMPAIGN TRAINING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN CALLED READY TO RUN.

HOW DOES THAT HELP INTERESTED CANDIDATES GET READY?

>> IT IS NONPARTISAN.

IT IS FOR ANY AND ALL WOMEN PLANNING TO RUN FOR OFFICE OR THINKING ABOUT RUNNING IN THE TEACHER AND JUST WANT TO GET INVOLVED AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BUILD THEIR PUBLIC LEADERSHIP SKILLS ARE THE PROGRAM OFFERS THE NET AND BOLTS OF RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

YOU LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH THE MEDIA, SET UP A CAMPAIGN PLAN, FUNDRAISING SKILLS , AND ALL OF THESE OTHER IMPORTANT SKILLS THAT YOU NEED TO GET READY TO RUN.

MORE IMPORTANTLY , YOU TAP INTO A NETWORK OF OTHER WOMEN IN THE STATE WHO WILL BE RUN FOR OFFICE AND PROVIDE ALL KINDS OF SOUP OR AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> SAID SO GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> IN QUEUE FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THERE IS A DIGITAL DIVIDE THAT DISADVANTAGES SOME RESIDENTS.

WE SAW THIS DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ONE AT-HOME LEARNING BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT HEIST AND INTERNET SERVICE.

SAME FOR REMOTE WORK.

NEARLY 17% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE INTERNET SERVICE ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, WHICH IS FUNDING AN INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE INTERNET FOR ALL .

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, NEW JERSEY IS RECEIVING BILLIONS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS TO SET UP HEIST AT INTERNET NETWORK TO CLOSE THAT DIGITAL DIVIDE.

>> IN THE 21st CENTURY, ACCESS TO HEIST THE INTERNET SHOULD BE A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE.

>> Reporter: TRENTON'S MAYOR SAYS IT IS SOMETHING TOO MANY FAMILIES IN THE CITY AND ACROSS NEW JERSEY FACE AND IT IS AN ISSUE THAT CAME TO LIGHT IN WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC AS THE INTERNET BECAME A CRITICAL SOURCE FOR WORKING AND ATTENDING'S GOAL AS WELL AS SOCIALIZING WITH LOVED ONES READ >> ABOUT YOU DID NOT KNOW MANY AREAS OF THE STATE WILL HAVE DSL AND PROBABLY SOME YOUNGER FOLKS WHO DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT IS OR THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE ARE BEHIND WHERE WE SHOULD BE AS A NATION AND AS A STATE.

>> Reporter: HELP IS NOW ON THE WAY TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS PROPERLY CONNECTED AREA NEW JERSEY IS RECEIVING MORE THAN $6 MILLION TO ENABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET NETWORK AND ALL OF DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE FUNDING MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S INTERNET FOR ALL INITIATIVE INVESTING SIXTY-FIVE BILLION TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO EVERY AMERICAN.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT THOSE CURRENTLY IN UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS GET SERVED WITH AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE HEIST AT INTERNET RED >> Reporter: THIS ACCESS BEATS THE ABILITY TO COMPETE IN A GROWING MARKET SAYS THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATION.

>> THIS IS OUR GENERATION'S OPPORTUNITY FOR TRANSFORMATIONA L INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.

TO CREATE AN ECONOMY WHERE AMERICANS CAN PARTICIPATE FROM ANYWHERE AND COMPETE WORLDWIDE .

BY WORKING TOGETHER AND TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT, WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS TO SUCCEED.

>> Reporter: A REPORT ON THE WHITE HOUSE SHOWS NEARLY 17% OF NEW JERSEYANS DO NOT HAVE AN INTERNET SUBSCRIPTION AS WELL IS 1.1 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS THAT QUALIFY FOR THE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A DISCOUNT OF UP TO $30 PER MONTH ON INTERNET BILLS.

AS OF JULY , 162,000 HOUSEHOLDS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM.

>> WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THEY ARE IN THE NORTHWESTERN CORNER AND IN THE SOUTHERN AREAS WHERE IT IS MOST AGRICULTURAL IN THIS DATE.

THERE ARE STILL AGRICULTURAL PARTS OF NEW JERSEY.

THEY ARE REALLY THE KEY AREAS THAT ARE LACKING IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ALL.

THAT IS ONE AREA WE WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS.

WE KNOW IN A LOT OF OUR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES WHERE AFFORDABILITY IS A MAIN ISSUE IN SOME OF OUR LARGER, URBAN CENTERS , THAT IS THE COMMUNITY WE NEED TO REACH INTO AND ASSESS THEIR NEED.

REALLY GET AT HOW WE CAN HELP THEM ACCESS BROADBAND AND WHAT TOOLS ARE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM DO THAT.

DIGITAL LITERACY.

ETHICAL LAPTOPS , TABLET DEVICES.

IS IT JUST MORE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD BROADBAND?

>> ALTOGETHER, NEW JERSEY IS SET TO RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF $100 MILLION TO MAKE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET COVERAGE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

ANOTHER STEP OWES HER TO MAKING SURE NO RESIDENCES LEFT BEHIND.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, SINCE THE PANDEMIC, MANY NEW JERSEY COMPANIES ALLOW THEIR EMPLOYEES TO WORK AT HOME FOR ALL OR PART OF THE WEEK.

THOSE FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS WANT INTERFERE WITH THEIR ABILITY TO RECEIVE CERTAIN TAX INCENTIVES FROM THE STATE GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS A BECHTA TO SIGN A BILL THAT WOULD GRANT ACCOMMODATIONS RELATED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY TO THOSE BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING IN SOME STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION, COMPANIES ALREADY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CERTAIN TAX BREAKS WILL REMAIN ELIGIBLE EVEN IF THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE MOSTLY DOING REMOTE WORK.

THE LEGISLATION PROVIDES THIS WAIVER THROUGH DECEMBER OF NEXT YEAR .

BUSINESS GROUPS LIKE THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BACK THE BILL, SAYING IT WILL HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THE CHAMBER SAYS THE LEGISLATION WILL ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THIS DATE.

>>> AFTER A SETTLEMENT WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY, NJ TRANSIT WILL IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCESS LINK.

THE SERVICE DESIGNED TO OFFER AFFORDABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

ACCESS LINK IS A SHARED RIDE SYSTEM AVAILABLE DURING THE SAME DAYS AND HOURS AS THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED LOCAL FIXED ROUTE BUS SERVICE.

OVER THE COURSE OF ONE MONTH, ABOUT 13% OF PICKUPS WERE LATE AND 39% OF DROP-OFFS RELATE.

APPROXIMATELY 25% OF TRIPS WERE EXCESSIVELY LONG.

THIS IS THE LATEST SETTLEMENT THEY HAVE REACHED WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OVER PROVIDING ACCESS TO WRITERS WITH DISABILITIES.

PREVIOUSLY, THE TRANSIT AGENTS HE AGREED TO ADDRESS MORE THAN 200 COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, WHICH OCCURRED AT FIVE TRAIN STATIONS.

THE WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S IS AN IMPORTANT ONE FOR HISTORY BUFFS.

IT WAS ON THIS TO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS ARMY CROSSED THE DELAWARE RIVER AND BEGIN A 10 MILE MARCH TO TRENTON TO FIGHT IN A BATTLE THAT MARKED A TURNING POINT IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AREA EACH YEAR AT THIS TIME, THE CITY OF TRENTON AND OTHER NONPROFIT HOST PATRIOTS WEEK.

A SERIES OF EVENTS TO EXPLORE HISTORIC SITES AND LEARN ABOUT PIVOTAL BATTLES.

YESTERDAY'S REENACTMENT OF WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE WAS CANCELED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS AND HIGH WATER LEVELS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER ACTIVITIES BEING HELD OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS .

RAVEN SANTANA JOINED A TOUR TODAY OF THE TRENTON BATTLEFIELD.

>> THIS MAY LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER STREET OWNER IN TRENTON BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY THE SITE OF ONE OF THE TURNING POINT IN OUR NATION'S VICTORY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

>> CROSS >> STREET AND LOOK TO YOUR LEFT.

YOU WILL SEE THE BARRETT STREET INTERCEPTION.

THAT'S WHERE MULDER'S CANNONS ARE FIRING UP MARKET STREET.

I BELIEVE THE SLOPE OF GROUND IS WHERE STARKS ATTACK COMES IN.

FRONT STREET IS THE FRONT OF THE WATER .

>> Reporter: FORMER STATEHOUSE REPORTER AND CERTIFIED TOUR GUIDE RALPH SIEGEL IS LEADING THE TOUR OF THE TRENTON BATTLEFIELD.

IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL EVENTS BEING HELD AS PART OF THE TRENTON DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION PATRIOTS WEEK.

THE EVENT TELLS THE STORY OF HOW GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS CONTINENTAL TROOPS CROSSED THE DELAWARE RIVER TO DEFEAT THE HASSIS AND, GERMAN SOLDIERS AIDING THE BRITISH ALL WHILE HOUSED HERE AT THE BARRACKS IN TRENTON.

>> THE BARRACKS WAS BUILT ON THE WATER.

THIS IS ALL WATER.

WE ARE ALL STANDING IN WATER.

>> Reporter: THE AMERICANS DOMINATED THE FIGHT AND PREVAILED AGAIN IN PRINCE AND A WEEK LATER.

THOSE TWO EVENTS TURNED THE TIDE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO ASK YOUR HISTORIC SITE THAT HIGHLIGHT NEW JERSEY'S ROLE IN THE REVOLUTION.

>> YOU GO PAST MARKET STREET AND YOU ARE COMING UNDER FIRE OF THE NEW YORK CITY MILITIA.

THE COMMANDER OF THE NEW YORK CITY MILITIA, ANYONE, 19-YEAR-OLD CAPTAIN ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

>> Reporter: IN NOVEMBER, GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED A $25 MILLION IN THE NEW JERSEY REVOLUTIONARY WAR'S RIGHTS , IN PREPARATION FOR THE 250th ANNIVERSARY IN 2026 OF THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE , INCLUDING THE TRENTON BATTLEFIELD.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOXING DAY TRADITIONS GROWING UP IN TRENTON.

10 CRUCIAL DAYS.

THEY ARE ALL TIED TOGETHER.

FOR ME IT WARMS ME UP TO GO OUTSIDE AND DO THIS.

>> MORE THAN FIVE DIFFERENT STOPS ON THE WALKING TOUR WHERE THEY LEARNED ABOUT TRENTON'S HISTORY AND HAVE IT ALL BATTLES.

>>, ACTUALLY A TEACHER, AS WELL.

THIS WILL HELP TO PASS THIS KNOWLEDGE ON TO MY STUDENTS.

JUST BEING THERE ON THE GROUNDS .

10, 15 MINUTES FROM WHERE WE ARE READY CAN COME DOWN HERE.

PEOPLE LIKE WASHINGTON, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, MANY OTHERS HELPED WITH THIS BATTLE.

HELPED AGAINST THE BRITISH TO GET WHERE WE NEEDED TO GO.

>> ACTUALLY GOES TO THE GROUND TO SEE IT.

10, 15 MINUTES AWAY.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

GIVES YOU INCREDIBLE PERSPECTIVE.

>> COOL THAT WE ARE STANDING ON THE BATTLEGROUND.

>> SUCH A INCREDIBLE CHANGE OF COURSE FOR THE COUNTRY THAT KEPT THE NAME OF THE REVOLUTION AND THE COUNTRY ALIVE.

IT IS REALLY SOMETHING.

>> TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THIS TOUR IS.

>> I THINK IT IS REALLY COOL TO SEE HOW THE ECOLOGY , LIKE THE RIVERS AND SHAPES, THE WAY THE CITY WAS LAID OUT IN THE 18th CENTURY, HOW THAT INFORMS THE EFFECTS OF THE BATTLES IN THE 10 CRUCIAL DAYS.

AND THEN SORT OF WHERE THAT INFORMS THE LIVING COMMUNITY TODAY.

YOU GET TO SEE A BATTLEFIELD.

ALTHOUGH NOT PRESERVED IT IS PART OF A LIVING, WORKING WORLD.

THAT IS A UNIQUE, BUT PRETTY COOL PART OF THIS HISTORY, TOO.

>> Reporter: NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, RAVEN SANTANA.

>> I SPOKE WITH PATRICK MURRAY, DIRECTOR OF THE MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLING INSTITUTE AND A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CROSSROADS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU.

>> SAME TO , RHONDA.

>> REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORY COMES ALIVE IN NEW JERSEY HISTORY THIS WEEK AND HAS SIGNIFICANT OF A ROLE DID NEW JERSEY PLAY IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROBABLY ONE OF THE SEMINAL BETS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES , IF NOT THE WORLD.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT AND ATTACKING IN TRENTON.

HISTORIANS HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CONSENSUS THAT IF HE HAD LOST THAT BATTLE IN TRENTON, PROBABLY THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE AND THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.

THAT IS HOW IMPORTANT WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW JERSEY IS.

NOT JUST IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

BASICALLY AN DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THINGS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

WHEN THE UNITED STATES WOULD HAVE BECOME THE UNITED DATES OR IF IT WOULD HAVE DONE SO AT ALL.

THAT IS HOW IT IS PIVOTAL.

I THINK ABOUT THAT EVERY TIME I'M WALKING DOWN THE STREETS OF TRENTON.

ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD CHANGED THERE.

WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY TODAY , 246 YEARS AGO, OF WHEN THAT EVENT HAPPENED.

>> IT IS REALLY AMAZING.

PERHAPS WITH POINTING OUT THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE TRENTON AREA WHERE WE SEE HISTORY TIED TO THE REVOLUTION.

THE CROSSROADS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, HOW DO THEY HELP FACILITATE LEARNING ABOUT SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES THAT WE HAVE HAD HERE IN THIS STATE?

>> CROSSROADS OF THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA IS ONE OF 55 ESTABLISHED IN THE COUNTRY TO CONGRESS.

IT IS REALLY THE ONLY ONE THAT INDICATES THE BREATH OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

THE ONE THAT IS APPOINTED TO HOW MUCH HAS HAPPENED HERE.

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DETAILS NEARLY 300 BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.

THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED ANOTHER 300 OTHER INCIDENTS.

MORE THAN ANY OTHERS THEY.

NEW JERSEY WAS AFFECTED BY THE WAR.

I GREW UP IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE AND I KNEW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA.

I REALLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS CONNECTED TO.

THE BRITISH HAD A CONNECTION TO THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH OR THE GREAT FALLS AND PASSAIC.

THESE ARE THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO, PARTICULARLY AS WE LEAD UP TO THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS REALLY PUTTING NEW JERSEY ON THE MAP.

WE NEED TO TAKE OUR PLACE WITH PLACES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA , AS REALLY CENTRAL TO THE STORY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT NEW JERSEY IS.

WE HAVE NOT MADE THOSE CONNECTIONS.

WORKING WITH THE STATE , FEDERAL GOVERNMENT , LOCAL ENTITIES.

TO BOLSTER OUR VISITORS SITE HISTORICAL SITES , AND THE STORY THAT WE TELL.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BATTLES, WARS, GENERALS , EVEN THOUGH GEORGE WASHINGTON SPENT A QUARTER OF HIS TIME AS CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY HERE IN NEW JERSEY MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

IT IS A STORY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THROUGH BASICALLY THE CIVIL WAR.

PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

THEIR EXPERIENCES AND WHAT WE CAN IDENTIFY WITH TODAY.

>> I GUESS IT IS INTERESTING LISTENING TO YOU TELL THIS BECAUSE IT REALLY HAMMERS HOME THE NEED TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN HISTORY SO IT IS NOT LOST.

>> Reporter: LIGHT UNDER A BUSH WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FOUNDING OF DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: PATRICK.

WE WILL END UP THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY OF KWANZAA.

THE ANNUAL SEVEN-DAY CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.

EVENTS ARE BEING HELD THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY THIS WEEK.

IN PATTERSON THIS MORNING , MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND OTHER GAS TOOK PART IN A CEREMONY TO MARK THE START OF ONE'S UP.

THE CEREMONY INCLUDED THE LIGHTING OF THE KAMARA, WHICH HOLDS A CANDLE TO LIGHT EACH OF THE HOLIDAYS SEVEN PRINCIPLES.

THAT'S IT FOR THE SHOW TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE TO GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN WARMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJREALTOR.COM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP AREA SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS ARE THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE ADS NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.