Here's the stories you'll be talking about on the New Jersey 101.5 Morning Show with Eric Scott on Thursday:

⬛ Lightning strike injures 13, kills 1 at Jackson archery club

⚡Police said one person died in the lightning strike
⚡Some of those injured are part of a Boy Scout troop
⚡The circumstances of the hit are still under investigation

JACKSON — One person was killed in a lightning strike that injured over a dozen people at an archery club early Wednesday evening.

Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz told New Jersey 101.5 that 14 people were struck around 7:10 p.m at the Black Knight Bowbenders archery club on Perrineville Road in Jackson. A 61-year-old man died from his injuries while CPR was administered to another person struck, according to police.

The other individuals struck, who were between the ages of 7 to 61, suffered injuries ranging from burns to non-specific complaints of not feeling well, according to Kunz. One person was initially unconscious.

Jackson Mayor Mike Reina told New Jersey 101.5 that eight of those stuck were juveniles with a Boy Scout troop, and the man struck was an instructor. One of the juveniles was flown to The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

⬛ South Brunswick cop charged with stealing $75,000

🚨Abraham “Jason” Gassman has served as PBA Local 166 treasurer since 2009
🚨Prosecutors say he stole $75,000 from the union in six years
🚨A shoplifting in Monmouth County led to the discovery of his scheme

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A police officer who serves as the union's longtime treasurer was charged with the theft of over $75,000 from its account over the past six years.

Abraham “Jason” Gassman, 53, has been the treasurer for PBA Local 166 with exclusive control over its bank account.

Investigators said he used funds for personal purchases, including home improvement tools, patio furniture, propane and a leaf blower. He also bought televisions, a home gym, a microwave, luggage and food for his own personal use, investigators said.
Gassman also pocketed cash from PBA fundraisers and other events, prosecutors said.

Gassman once used the PBA’s credit card to purchase lodging, parking, gas, and food for himself and another officer on a business trip, then submitted a purchasing order to the Police Department seeking reimbursement, prosecutor's said.

The 53-year-old is charged with second- and third-degree official misconduct, second- and third-degree theft by deception, third-degree hindering apprehension, fourth-degree falsifying records, and shoplifting. He is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

⬛ Popular candy has Jersey Shore deep roots

James Candy Co. CEO Frank Glaser is at the helm of a family passion that spans generations with a solid history traced to the Jersey Shore.

He confidently knows all things candy, except for maybe one bit of information.

Glaser is not sure of the accuracy of the fable of an oceanside stand, stocked with treats impulsively dubbed “salt water taffy” after getting sticky from sea air.

“Take it for what it is — that was passed down to me and I guess I’ve told it a billion times,” Glaser said to New Jersey 101.5.

The James Candy Co. first opened in 1880 in Atlantic City.

Five years later, Fralinger’s Original Salt Water Taffy joined the scene.

Glaser proudly says his own family candy-making roots span similar generations.

⬛ Official sorry for texting rabbit stew pic to pet-loving opponent

HOBOKEN – City Council members vying for municipal office in the Mile Square City were trading snipes about a rabbit dish from a high-end restaurant.

Councilman Joe Quintero is running for reelection on a ticket with mayoral candidate Emily Jabbour. Two weeks ago, Quintero texted mayoral opponent Tiffanie Fisher a photo of what appeared to be a menu item at Hoboken restaurant hotspot Anthony David’s, according to a Reddit post.

Fisher said he “sent me a text that said ‘f--- you Tiffanie,’ along with a photo of the meal he was eating, rabbit risotto.”

“I have two rabbits ��� and a dog — who are part of my family," she said.

“We’ve seen what happens when politics becomes cruel for sport. When decency gives way to spectacle, and personal attacks replace honest debate. We can’t let that become normal here. Hoboken is better than that.”

Fisher said that “Joe apologized, but not for what he said — just for sending it to me instead of someone else.”

When asked for comment by New Jersey 101.5, Quintero said he is embarrassed by his mistake and has apologized several times to his fellow elected official.

⬛ NJ approves first weed cafe's

❎ NJ regulators approve first 'consumption lounges'
❎ Customers can consume cannabis in café-like settings
❎ Hailed as a 'major milestone' in NJ cannabis industry

The state's top cannabis regulator hailed a "major milestone in New Jersey's cannabis industry" as the first so-called consumption lounges were given preliminary approval.

Sales of recreational marijuana began in 2022 in New Jersey. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) has granted licenses to 235 dispensaries that provide cannabis products for both recreational and medicinal purposes.

On Tuesday, the CRC approved licenses for for existing dispensaries to open consumption lounges.

The dispensaries will allow customers to smoke weed in a café-like setting. Additional approvals are expected in the months ahead.

Commission chair Dianna Houenou said after the approval, "Whether individuals cannot consume cannabis inside their homes or simply wish to consume cannabis legally and responsibly, these areas provide a practical solution"

Houenou added, "We are proud to support this next phase of safe-use infrastructure in our state.”

Start your day with up-to-the-minute news, traffic and weather for the Garden State.

Eric Scott hosts the New Jersey 101.5 Morning Show from 6 - 10 a.m. on New Jersey 101.5.

Join the conversation by calling 1-800-283-1015 or download the NJ101.5 app.

You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.