Famed gastric gold medalist Takeru Kobayashi downed 337 wings to take the title at Wing Bowl 20 on Friday. He defeated New Jersey residents Jonathan "Super" Squibb, Bill "El Wingador" Simmons and John "Freak of Nature" Harker.

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A historic overhaul of several underperforming Newark public schools is imminent, state district superintendent Cami Anderson announced Friday night, a strategy that includes school closings, consolidations and the expansion of several already existing programs. The comprehensive plan, which has been two years in the making, Anderson said, will revamp schools at all grade levels for the 2013 school year, with a specific focus on the reaches of Magnet and charter schools.

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The cascade of news this week about hospital sales has plunged New Jersey into one of the hottest controversies in healthcare today: the role of for-profit companies in patient care. For-profit companies are moving in, scooping up dialysis centers, buying nursing homes and now taking aim at some of New Jersey's oldest and most cherished non-profit local hospitals. [NorthJersey.com]

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The Freehold Borough Police were called to Park Avenue Elementary School Thursday after a written threat was found. Students were evacuated to safe location, where they waited for two hours until the school was determined safe.

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The verbal feud over gay marriage in New Jersey got more personal Monday with Gov. Chris Christie firing a slang term at a lawmaker, and a hero of the Civil Rights movement chastising the governor for a separate remark. Christie called openly gay Assemblyman Reed Gusciora "numb nuts" during a Statehouse news conference — his response to the lawmaker comparing him to former segregationist governors in the South. [AP, via Washington Post]

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One Toms River boy's family is working to increase his support system to manage his Type 1 diabetes, by adding a "Diabetes Awareness Dog" to the family. A series of local fundraisers will help raise the money to purchase and train the dog for the Kriss-Dillane family of Bayville.

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It's the worst-kept secret in Clark this week: Deana Scherb, wife of Clark Police Capt. Al Scherb, is the lucky winner of $1 million on a New Jersey Lottery scratch-off ticket. Though the Scherbs are keeping quiet and have thus far declined interviews and lottery fanfare, Scherb said he will continue to serve as police captain despite the windfall.

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Hundreds of friends and family gathered Friday at the Boneyard in Atlantic City to remember Gary Dimartine, a professional BMX rider who died in an automobile accident in September. The event was also a fundraiser for his family.