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Branchburg, NJ

Wanted NJ Child Abuser Busted With Police Uniform, Handcuffs In NY Traffic Stop: Cops Wanted NJ Child Abuser Busted With Police Uniform, Handcuffs In NY Traffic Stop: Cops
Wanted NJ Child Abuser Busted With Police Uniform, Handcuffs In NY Traffic Stop: Cops A man who had been wanted out of New Jersey on child abuse charges was arrested in a New York traffic stop last week, when authorities found him with police uniforms and handcuffs, they said. Joseph Zuziela, 43, of Branchburg, NJ, was stopped in Oceanside, NY on Thursday night, Aug. 8. Somerset County Prosecutor's Fugitive Task Force Unit Nassau County Police said officers stopped Zuziela’s vehicle at around 11:45 p.m. near Merrick and Oceanside roads. Inside, they reportedly found a trove of law enforcement paraphernalia, including police uniforms, handcuffs, a gold badge, brass knu…
2 Hospitalized By Explosion At Industrial Gas Supply Company In NJ Town 2 Hospitalized By Explosion At Industrial Gas Supply Company In NJ Town
2 Hospitalized By Explosion At Industrial Gas Supply Company In NJ Town Two people were injured after an explosion at an industrial gas company in Branchburg on the early morning of Wednesday, June 5, authorities said. At 4:30 a.m., first responders arrived at 197 Meister Ave. and found smoke visible from the Air Liquide building, Branchburg police said in a release. Two people suffering from chemical burns were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment, police said. Air Liquide is a French industrial gas supplier, its website says. First responders were able to deem the location safe and the scene has been cleared, police said. Meister Avenue…
WINNERS! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K WINNERS! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K
Winners! Three North Jersey Powerball Players Score $50K Three Powerball players in North Jersey had quite the lucky Saturday. The tickets, sold in Rochelle Park, Branchburg and Newton, matched four of the five numbers plus the red Powerball in the drawing held on Saturday, March 23, winning $50,000. The winning numbers were 6, 23, 25, 34, 51 and the red Powerball was 3. The tickets were sold at Shoprite Liquor in Rochelle Park, Texs Liquor Store in Branchburg and Smartwood Deli in Newton. 
How Accurate Were NWS' Snowfall Predictions In North Jersey? Let's Compare Maps How Accurate Were NWS' Snowfall Predictions In North Jersey? Let's Compare Maps
How Accurate Were NWS' Snowfall Predictions In North Jersey? Let's Compare Maps The National Weather Service has released an automated analysis of snowfall after the Saturday, Jan. 6 storm. Let's see how accurate the NWS' prediction models were compared to the model released after the storm. The weather service initially said nearly all of Sussex County and large portions of Morris and Warren counties would get a foot of snow.  Wanatage in Sussex County was expected to get the most snow. A foot of snow or more fell there, but the areas around it like Sussex, Hamburg and Branchburg, Blairstown and Hardwick saw something closer to 8 or 10 inches, the NWS analysis s…
Feds Indict Bergen Advisor For Stealing $3M From Senior Clients To Gamble, Buy Home, Gold Coins Feds Indict Bergen Advisor For Stealing $3M From Senior Clients To Gamble, Buy Home, Gold Coins
Feds Indict Bergen Advisor For Stealing $3M From Senior Clients To Gamble, Buy Home, Gold Coins A disgraced former broker and investment advisor is now under federal indictment for stealing more than $3 million from clients that authorities said he used to gamble and buy gold coins and a new house in Bergen County. Kenneth A. Welsh, 42, of River Edge, "used his position as an investment advisor to gain the trust of his victims," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. "(He) then exploited that trust,” Sellinger said. Welsh was working at Wells Fargo Clearing Services in Fairfield when federal authorities said he began shifting money from clients' accounts to that he controlled in Ju…
McDonald's Reopens Location In North Jersey McDonald's Reopens Location In North Jersey
McDonald's Reopens Location In North Jersey Just in time to celebrate Grimace's birthday! McDonald's reopened its location at 15-31 Central Ave. in Passaic  after an extensive renovation The restaurant will feature a digital outdoor menu board and a side-by-side drive thru lane.  The Passaic McDonald's is hosting a community day on Saturday, July 8 from noon to 3 p.m. with activities like face painting and the raffling of a TV and digital tablet.  The McDonald's is owned by Angela Adderley, who has been operating McDonald's for more than 20 years. Adderley also operates McDonald's in Paterson, Plainfield, Orange, Bran…
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More
Colombian Nationals Nabbed After NJ Home Break-In Nets Jewelry, Furs, Cash, More Three Colombian nationals remain in federal custody and a fourth has already been deported after the government said they stole jewelry, a Rolex, an antique rifle, furs and cash in a home burglary in Union County. The quartet also took a stamp collection, luxury bags and more after breaking into the Cranford home shortly before 5 p.m. last Nov. 30, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. They then loaded the valuables into a red Honda Accord that they'd driven there, an FBI complaint on file in U.S. District Court in Newark says. Sellinger, who put the total value of the loss at more than …
Passionate North Jersey Agriculturalist Dawn Granja Dies After Courageous Leukemia Battle, 42 Passionate North Jersey Agriculturalist Dawn Granja Dies After Courageous Leukemia Battle, 42
Passionate North Jersey Agriculturalist Dawn Granja Dies After Courageous Leukemia Battle, 42 Passionate North Jersey agriculturalist and devoted mother Dawn Marie Christy Granja died in the loving embrace of her family at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on Sunday, June 4. She was 42. Born in Woodstock, VA, Dawn lived in Bridgewater for the last 40 years, her obituary says. She graduated from Bridgewater Raritan High School in 1999 before furthering her studies at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. Dawn held a number of influential positions throughout the course of her life; she was the head of Agricultural Education at Jordan Doyle Farm in Readington, her obi…
NJ Man In Bathroom For Suspicious Amount Of Time Found With Heroin, Cocaine: Prosecutor NJ Man In Bathroom For Suspicious Amount Of Time Found With Heroin, Cocaine: Prosecutor
NJ Man In Bathroom For Suspicious Amount Of Time Found With Heroin, Cocaine: Prosecutor Police conducting a welfare check on a 45-year-old Somerset County man who had been in the bathroom for too long was found with 13 wax folds of heroin, a small amount of cocaine and a glass pipe, authorities said. A Route 202 business called police on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to check on a man — later identified as James A. Michael of Branchburg — who had been in the bathroom for more than an hour around 8:55 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. That's when they found Michael, who had an outstanding warrant out of Middlesex County for failure to appear in court. Michael was …
Internet Sleuths Help Passing Driver Track Down Couple Captured In NJ Bridge Proposal Internet Sleuths Help Passing Driver Track Down Couple Captured In NJ Bridge Proposal
Internet Sleuths Help Passing Driver Track Down Couple Captured In NJ Bridge Proposal A passing driver who captured a sweet proposal on a bridge in Hunterdon County had help identifying the lovebirds from internet sleuths. Jack Noto of Branchburg got down on one knee to pop the question to Shannon Frascella on the Clinton Bridge near the Red Mill while walking back to their car after a hearty lunch at the Clinton House on Monday, Dec. 26. That's when a car pulled up, and its driver began snapping photos.  "I was of course very caught up in the moment and not sure how to react,” Noto, 22, said. “I kinda just waved as [the driver] said that she had taken pictures of us.” Af…
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Bulging Crack Pipe In Man's Sock Leads To Cocaine Seizure In Somerset County: Prosecutor An odd-shaped bulge in a business patron's sock spotted by a police officer turned out to be a crack pipe, said authorities in Somerset County who also seized several vials of cocaine from him. A Branchburg officer was outside of a local business speaking to Diego Mena-Quesada, when he noticed the protrusion in his sock around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer identified the bulge as being consistent with the shape of a crack pipe, at which point 28-year-old Mena-Quesada, of Whitehouse Station, removed a crack pipe from his soc…
Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities
Random License Plate Check Nabs Fugitive With Cocaine, Heroin On Route 22: Authorities A 48-year-old driver subject to a random license plate check by Branchburg police turned out to be wanted to failing to show up in court and had cocaine, heroin and Xanax on him and in his car, authorities said. A township officer patrolling Route 22 scanned John W. Hartrum's plates, which showed an active National Crime Information Center (NCIC) warrant around 11:50 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The officer stopped 58-year-old Hartrum, of Bridgewater, for a traffic violation on Route 22 West approaching France Drive, where the officer …
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor
Driver Wanted On Warrants Leads Route 202 Pursuit-Crash: Prosecutor A 25-year-old woman wanted on warrants out of multiple Central Jersey towns arrested for leading a Route 202 police pursuit before crashing, authorities said. Police tried stopping Jerrie Lee Williams, of Bound Brook, around 11:05 p.m. in Branchburg when they noticed she had an expired registration, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Williams failed to stop when signaled by the officer activating his emergency police lights and siren, McDonald said. Instead, she fled on Holland Brook Road at a high rate of speed.  The officer deactivated his police emergency l…
'He Deserved It': Angry NJ Youth Baseball Coach Leaves Seasoned Umpire With Broken Jaw 'He Deserved It': Angry NJ Youth Baseball Coach Leaves Seasoned Umpire With Broken Jaw
'He Deserved It': Angry NJ Youth Baseball Coach Leaves Seasoned Umpire With Broken Jaw An angry North Jersey youth baseball coach left a seasoned umpire with a broken jaw when he sucker punched him in the face only after being ejected during a game, officials said. The incident happened during a 13-and-under game early this month in Branchburg, the US Amateur Baseball League said on Facebook. The coach who was "built like a linebacker" was apparently seen drinking in between games, and ejected after repeatedly arguing with the umpire, officials said. Upset about a call the umpire with more than 35 years of experience made, the unidentified coach apparently went up to hi…
NOT SO FAST: Thief Hops Inside Woman's Unlocked Car And Drives Off, Police In NJ Say NOT SO FAST: Thief Hops Inside Woman's Unlocked Car And Drives Off, Police In NJ Say
NOT SO FAST: Thief Hops Inside Woman's Unlocked Car And Drives Off, Police In NJ Say A Somerset County man hopped behind the wheel of a woman's car  left unlocked and parked outside of her job and drove off, authorities said. Surveillance tapes show James Owens, age 39, Somerville, getting inside of the vehicle parked at a business on Route 22 before heading east on Route 22 around 11:35 a.m. on Thursday, April 28 in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Owens took the car to Somerville and parked it near Mechanic Street, Taggart said alongside County Detectives John W. Fodor. Police found the stolen car soon after, and identifi…
Suspicious Vehicle Check Turns Up Cocaine In Central Jersey, Authorities Say Suspicious Vehicle Check Turns Up Cocaine In Central Jersey, Authorities Say
Suspicious Vehicle Check Turns Up Cocaine In Central Jersey, Authorities Say A Central Jersey man was arrested after police found him with cocaine in his car last week, authorities said.  Police in Branchburg were doing a property check on a "suspicious vehicle" parked on Woodfern Road, in which Steven J. Dolci, 25, of Hillsborough Township, was in the driver's seat around 10:45 p.m. last Friday, April 22, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. While speaking with Dolci, the officer observed a white powdery substance on the center console, which was suspected to be cocaine, Taggart said. Dolci was arrested without incident and slappe…
Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor
Investment Trading CEO Had Heroin In Crash Near Neshanic Valley Golf Course Course: Prosecutor A DUI driver who struck a tree near a Somerset county golf course last month was busted with heroin, authorities said. Christian Graverson, 44, was behind the wheel of an SUV when he struck a tree South Branch Road near the Neshanic Valley Golf Course. in Branchburg around 5:50 p.m. March 31,  Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. The 44-year-old Hillsborough man was not injured, Taggart said. Further investigation found that Graverson was under the influence of drugs, and was subsequently placed under arrest, police said. He was in possession of heroi…
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police
Central Jersey Man Led 2 Police Pursuits In Stolen Cars — Both Of Which He Crashed: Police A 26-year-old Somerset County man who led two separate police pursuits in stolen cars — both of which he crashed — has been arrested on theft and drug charges, authorities announced. Nicholas G. Aiello first started trouble on Feb. 24, when police responding to reports of a stolen vehicle spotted it speeding eastbound on Route 28 around 9:20 p.m. in Branchburg, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, but discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons as the vehicle sped out of sight. A short time later, off…
NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police
NJ Woman Helping Homebound Victim With Groceries Wanted For Racking Up $22K Bill: Police A New Jersey woman entrusted with the credit card of a medically incapacitated victim she had been grocery shopping for was arrested for racking up a $22,000 bill on the victim's card for her own personal gain, authorities said. Lisa Pryor, 55, of Monroe, was arrested at her job in Plainsboro on a warrant for theft and fraud-related offenses on Tuesday, March 22, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella said. The victim, a Branchburg resident, in September 2021 told police that someone had used their card and other identifying information, resulting in the loss of thou…
Meth & Cocaine, Guns, Thousands In Cash Seized In Major Takedown Of NJ Drug Ring Meth & Cocaine, Guns, Thousands In Cash Seized In Major Takedown Of NJ Drug Ring
Meth & Cocaine, Guns, Thousands In Cash Seized In Major Takedown Of NJ Drug Ring A seven-month-long investigation led to nearly two dozen arrests and the seizure of several pounds of drugs, firearms, ammunition, drug money and more, authorities in Central Jersey announced. "Operation Fire and Ice" — launched under the direction of Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas J. Chirichella Jr., and multiple federal law enforcement agencies — targeted a crystal meth, cocaine and firearms distribution ring, Chirichella's office said on Monday, March 7. Twenty search warrants were executed at the homes of Jeffrey Cope, Shayne Murdock, Jermaine Lloyd, Jason Fort, David Nin…
Bright Green Fireball Spotted By NJ, PA Residents Bright Green Fireball Spotted By NJ, PA Residents
Bright Green Fireball Spotted By NJ, PA Residents A bright green fireball lit up the sky on Wednesday night -- just after SpaceX's Crew-3 liftoff, Space.com reports. Nearly 500 people including some from New Jersey and Pennsylvania reported the fireball to the American Meteor Society. The Taurid fireball was visible at 9:12 EST on Nov. 10, just nine minutes after the SpaceX liftoff, the AMS said. The fireball first became visible 48 miles over Greenville, NC and moved northwest at 33,000 miles per hour -- surviving only 3.5 seconds before disintegrating above Macclesfield, the AMS reports. Several New Jersey residents took to Twitter to …
Authorities Release Details In Branchburg Crash That Killed Teen Soccer Player Authorities Release Details In Branchburg Crash That Killed Teen Soccer Player
Authorities Release Details In Branchburg Crash That Killed Teen Soccer Player Authorities have released details in the crash that killed a 17-year-old Branchburg soccer player over the weekend. Vincent R. Gagliardi was the front seat passenger in a 2006 Toyota Scion that was heading west on Fairview Drive around 8:20 p.m. Oct. 8, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. The vehicle hit several roadside objects across several hundred feet, ejecting Gagliardi, Robertson said alongside local officials. The driver and a rear-seat passenger were evaluated and treated at the scene, Robertson said. Life-saving measures were performed on Gagliardi, who wa…
COVID-19: NJ Drug Manufacturer Merck Says New Antiviral Drug Shows Quick Reduction In Virus COVID-19: NJ Drug Manufacturer Merck Says New Antiviral Drug Shows Quick Reduction In Virus
Covid-19: NJ Drug Manufacturer Merck Says New Antiviral Drug Shows Quick Reduction In Virus Experimental antiviral drug molnupiravir being developed by New Jersey drug manufacturer Merck with Ridgeback Bio shows a quick reduction of the infectious virus in a study among participants with early COVID-19. Molnupiravir is being tested in a Phase 2/3 trial set to be completed in May. Merck will be provided with up to  $268.8 million in funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine William Fis…
NJ Tech Company Manager Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn NJ Tech Company Manager Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn
NJ Tech Company Manager Charged With Possession, Distribution Of Child Porn A 55-year-old Branchburg man was arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography, authorities said. Detectives with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit were notified of a peer-to-peer child pornography download case regrading Philip Liebergall, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Liebergall's Facebook profile says he is the business operations manager of Cisco, an American multinational technology company. On Dec. 8 at 7:15 a.m., a search warrant was executed at Liebergall's home, which turned up more than 1,000 photos …
Popular Burger Joint Expanding To Bergen County Popular Burger Joint Expanding To Bergen County
Popular Burger Joint Expanding To Bergen County A burger restaurant with several New Jersey locations is planning a Bergen County debut. 30 Burgers will be opening at 30 Park Avenue, according to a post on its Instagram page. The storefront was formerly home to The Empanada Shop. "Fresh never frozen" is 30 Burgers' motto. Launched in January 2014, 30 Burgers focuses on certified Angus beef burgers, each one cooked to order with a 7- to 10-minute wait time. Other 30 Burgers locations are in Lawrence Township, Branchburg, Hillsborough, Bound Brook, Dunellen, East Brunswick, Linden, Somerville and Hackettstown. The ow…