March 17, 1995

Despite some new and conflicting economic reports, traders sent stock prices to record levels yesterday as bond prices fell slightly and the dollar seemed to steady overseas. For the second time this week, the leading stock indexes surged past records to hit new highs. Stocks started out strong, and for the most part rose throughout the day. But traders said some of the action was most likely prompted by today's quarterly expiration of stock options.

Representative Bill Martini, Republican from Paterson, willopen an office in freshman Congressman will greet visitors in his new office from noon to 1 P.M. Mr. Martini also has an office in Paterson

A convicted sex offender who registered with the authorities under "Megan's Law" last month has been charged with assaulting a 5-year-old child on Wednesday. The incident occurred just three weeks after Brandon Jason Longo, 25, registered, under protest, with the Audubon Park Police, the Camden County Prosecutor, Edward F. Borden Jr., told The Associated Press. Mr. Longo, of Audubon Park, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 1988 for sexual assault and was released in August 1993, state officials said.

New Jersey's Agriculture Secretary, Art Brown, yesterday defended a Federal Agriculture Department program before a House subcommittee.

One morning last December, Martin Rothberg found a large hole in the center of his steering wheel. Confused that nothing of value appeared to be missing, he guessed that his 1991 Ford Taurus, parked in Washington Heights, was the victim of a failed hot-wiring. When he tested the ignition, the air bag symbol flashed on, and then he knew what had happened.