Find Your Daily Voice
Garfield-Lodi
Your Local News for Garfield and Lodi, New Jersey
Saturday, nov 23
36°
Follow
News
Schools
Business
Obituaries
Police & Fire
Weather
Lifestyle
Politics
Sports
Events
Traffic
Real Estate
Tags
Jobs
Shop
Support Us
Garfield-Lodi
Follow
Find Your Daily Voice
News
Schools
Business
Obituaries
Police & Fire
Weather
Lifestyle
Politics
Sports
Events
Traffic
Real Estate
Tags
Jobs
Shop
Support Us
Home
About us
All sites
Advertise with us
Contact us
Terms of use
Privacy policy
Code of ethics
Site Map
© 2024 Cantata Media
36°
Saturday, nov 23
Tag:
Central Jersey
News
Mysterious Loud Boom Rocks Central Jersey: Did You Feel It?
Multiple Central Jersey residents were baffled by a loud boom that shook their houses on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Ring app users reported hearing and feeling the massive explosion around noon. One person speculated some commotion at Naval Weapons Station Earle, in Colts Neck, and another said this is not the first time that the boom has occurred. "This has been going on for a few months and nobody knows what it is," they wrote, noting it's "very strange" and seems to be getting "more widespread and louder." The boom was reported from West Long Branch to Trenton. One resident i…
Police & Fire
DUI Driver From Paterson, 25, Crashed Stolen Car In Central Jersey: Cops
Authorities have identified the driver of a stolen car that crashed into a utility pole along Route 1 in Central Jersey. Jordan White, 35, of Paterson, crashed on Friday,, June 28, South Brunswick police said. He was seriously injured, they said. White allegedly was under the influence of drugs, police said, and the 2007 Lincoln Town car he was driving was stolen. He was charged with receiving stolen property, driving under the influence, and numerous motor vehicle violations, police said.
News
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
Police & Fire
NJ Infant Killed By Family Dog: Prosecutor
An infant is dead after being mauled by the family dog in Central Jersey, authorities said. Police were called to a Mereline Avenue home in Avenel around 6:15 a.m. Saturday, March 9, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Woodbridge Police Department Director Robert Hubner said. Officers found the mother and baby, who sustained serious injuries from the dog. The baby was pronounced dead on scene while the mother and father were transported to the hospital for treatment. No further information was provided. This investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information …
Obituaries
'The Guy Who Never Stopped Smiling' Pilot Killed In NJ Helicopter Crash Mourned
Condolences are pouring in for Josef-Ram Yitzhak, the Israeli pilot who died in a Central Jersey helicopter crash last week. The 44-year-old pilot, whose LinkedIn page says he's from Netanya, died when his Robinson R22 copter went down in a South Brunswick canal near Princeton at 3:15 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 31, local officials said. Since then, tributes have cropped up on social media. Yael Rubinstein remembered him as "the guy who never stopped smiling." The guy who never stopped smiling, no matter what. I guess your laughter is needed elsewhere now. 💔 RIP Josef-Ram Yitzhak Posted b…
Weather
Super Scorcher: Hottest Day Of The Year With Real-Feel Temps Climbing Near 110 Degrees
The hottest day of the summer has arrived. Friday, July 28 is expected to be a super scorcher, as temperatures are expected to be the highest they've been all summer, forecasters say. Temps are expected to peak above the 90-degree mark for the third day in a row in several major cities along the East Coast. Temps are expected to peak above the 90-degree mark for the third day in a row in several major cities along the East Coast.AccuWeather Good evening, severe weather threat has ended with the main story for Friday being the extreme heat! Posted by US National Weather Service Phil…
Events
Ready For Takeoff: NJ Hot Air Balloon Fest Lifts Off This Weekend
It’s almost time for the 40th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning — and this year’s event lineup features some of the most “Instagram-worthy” shapes and spectacles from all around the world. The festival, which starts Friday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, July 30, is held at the Solberg Airport in Readington. Expect sky-high appearances from pilots in 21 states, 20 from the Garden State alone. All coming together… Getting excited! #njballoonfest2023 Posted by The New Jersey Festival of Ballooning on Thursday, July 27, 2023 But there’s another reason the event holds the …
Police & Fire
Man Posing As Taxi Driver Kidnaps, Sexually Assaults Woman Across Central Jersey: Cops
A 69-year-old man who posed as a taxi driver has been arrested for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman as he drove her to various locations across Central Jersey, authorities said. Andrew S. Giannetto, of Sayreville, was charged with first-degree kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual contact, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. On Saturday, July 1, the Perth Amboy Police Department received a report that a woman was approached by a man she didn't know, who was operating a 2016 silver Kia Soul. He told the victim that he was a …
Weather
Air Quality Nears Danger Zone In North Jersey, Residents Urged To Stay Inside
A smokey haze from the Canadian wildfires is drifting into the Northeast, causing a severe dip in air quality. It's going to get better, but it's going to get worse first, meteorologists say. An orange air quality alert (unhealthy for sensitive groups) was issued across North Jersey on Tuesday, June 6. Air quality was yellow (moderate) in Central and South Jersey. According to the NJ Department of Environment Protection, people with heart or lung disease, the elderly and very young should limit strenuous activities and time outside. "Levels of fine particulates will rise into the unhealthy…
News
Winning Weekend Powerball Tickets Sold In At NJ Gas Station, Deli
A pair of Powerball tickets winning $150,000 total were sold in North and Central Jersey over the weekend. The tickets from the Saturday, June 3 drawing won second-tier prizes, one of them having been purchased with the Power Play option, doubling the $50,000 prize. The tickets were sold at the following locations: Essex County ($100,000): Short Hills Tiger Mart, 649 South Orange Ave., Livingston; and, Middlesex County ($50,000): Pick It Deli Square, 1320 Englishtown Rd., Old Bridge. The winning numbers were: 15, 45, 64, 67, and 68. The Red Power Ball number was 18. The Power Play was 2X.…
Police & Fire
Couple Who Dumped, Ran From Feces-Covered Puppy At NJ Home Depot Face Charges
Charges have been filed against a couple who police say dropped a puppy covered in dried feces in a Home Depot parking lot in Central Jersey. Police did not identify the man and woman captured by surveillance footage running away from the lab retriever pup, who followed them into the Route 9 Home Depot store in Old Bridge, after dumping her in the parking lot on Friday evening, May 26. "The dog was wearing a red harness and covered in dry feces," police said. "They were driving a black Ford truck, which was pulling a black Griffin trailer. Later, the dog’s empty crate was found in the par…
Police & Fire
Teen Girl Faces Attempted Murder, Robbery After Firing At Group At Central Jersey Mall
A 15-year-old girl is facing charges of attempted murder and armed robbery after stealing the sneakers of three people at gunpoint and firing at a group of people at a Central Jersey mall earlier this month. Officers responded to the area near the SureStay Hotel by Best Western on reports of people running from the Brunswick Square Mall after hearing gunshots on May 13, East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco said. After finding a spent shell casing in the parking lot of a Habit Burger along Route 18, police later received a separate report of three people robbed of their sneak…
News
Former PA School Principal Charged In NJ Sex Assault, Burglary Cold Case
A 39-year-old former Pennsylvania school principal has been charged in a 2014 sexual assault and burglary that occurred more than eight years ago in Central Jersey, authorities said. On Sept. 21, 2014, a woman reported being sexually assaulted by a man later identified as Danny McEaddy, who had forced his way into her apartment in the Keasbey section of Woodbridge, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Robert Hubner of the Woodbridge Police Department. My Story : Principal Danny McEaddy 🙏🙏🙏 In Kindergarten I was labeled as behaviorally disturbed. In 2nd …
Weather
Snow Headed To Region Tonight
Another round of snow is headed to parts of North and Central Jersey, along with eastern Pennsylvania Monday evening, March 6, making for slippery travel conditions Tuesday morning. Monday will be mostly sunny with a high around 50. Rain is expected to begin around 10 p.m. and change to snow for North and Central Jersey, along with the Poconos and greater Philadelphia, overnight. Rain is expected to change to snow tonight in much of eastern PA, and in northern and central NJ. A quick accumulation is expected with the precipitation ending toward daybreak on Tuesday. #pawx #njwx Poste…
Police & Fire
Urgent Care Doctor Sexually Assaults Patient In NJ: Prosecutor
A 55-year-old urgent care doctor from Central Jersey is accused of sexually assaulting a patient in his care, authorities announced. Gurvindra Johal, of Colonia, touched the patient inappropriately while she was were in his care at Amboy Urgent Care on Cornell Street in Perth Amboy, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Johal serves as the director of medicine at the Medicenter of Edison, its website shows. The physician's LinkedIn shows he is a board certified doctor of osteopathic medicine. Johal was charged with two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact. This is an active …
News
NJ Teacher Diagnosed With Cancer 'Never Backs Down From Fight'
Support is surging for a Central Jersey teacher who recently received a devastating diagnosis: Synovial cell sarcoma, a very rare type of soft tissue cancer. Kristen Donahue-Doulis, a mom of three from Hillsborough, has spent nearly 20 years working as a teacher in the Montgomery Township School District. A GoFundMe page for her family had raised more than $25,000 as of Tuesday, Dec. 13 — nearly a month after her diagnosis. A meal train was also established for the family. "Kristen loves her students and the incredible staff she works with," the page says. "She has a magnetic persona…
Obituaries
Sudden Death Of Devoted EMS Chief Heather Varrasse, 42, Shocks Central Jersey Rescue Squads
Devoted EMS Chief, fire department volunteer member and central communications supervisor Heather Varrasse, 42, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 4, shocking rescue squads throughout Central Jersey. Heather had been involved in various emergency services throughout Hopewell Valley for more than 25 years, a tribute from the township’s fire district said. An EMT with the fire district since 2006, Heather quickly rose through the ranks as an incredibly devoted public servant. She served as EMS Chief at Hopewell Emergency Medical Unit, Assistant Captain at Pennington First Aid Squad, and Publ…
Police & Fire
NJ Woman Signed Herself Out Of Group Home Months Before She Was Reported Missing: Police
A search has been launched for a 22-year-old Central Jersey woman who has been missing for weeks, maybe months, authorities said. Veronica McLean's friend reported her missing in late October, after not hearing for her for quite some time, South Brunswick police said. Officers determined that McLean had been living in a group home on Broadway Road, but checked herself out on July 2022, they said. State authorities told detectives that she had given up all assistance from the State back in July. Detectives learned that McLean may have been in the Hancock Street area of Brooklyn, …
Business
High-Tech Go-Kart Track Brings New Life To Shuttered South Jersey Kmart Store
A former Central Jersey Kmart store is in the process of being transformed into a larger-than-life go-kart track. The building at 328 S. White Horse Pike in the Berlin Shopping Center of Berlin will soon boast 32 electric go-karts, arcades, a ninja course and rock climbing. "This new FEC is bound to breathe life back into this shopping center and the local community," said vendor DFX on Facebook. According to NJ Advance Media, company is leasing about two-thirds of the 92.000-square-foot Kmart building, which closed in 2014. DFX is also providing video systems, lighting and audio, the out…
Police & Fire
Central Jersey Fire Chief Charged With Theft: Prosecutor
A Central Jersey fire chief has been charged with theft on accusations he used department funding to buy nearly $2,100 worth of personal items, authorities said. The investigation into Monroe Fire District No. 2 Chief James Carbin III was opened last February, after commissioners noticed financial discrepancies, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Taxes were being paid on items, when they were a tax-exempt entity, Ciccone added. This led to an internal investigation where Carbin, 55, of Clarksburg, was found to have been buying personal items with the fire depa…
Lifestyle
Barstool's Portnoy Notes 'Good Crust' At Central Jersey Pizzeria
Recooked pizza got the attention of Barstool CEO's Dave Portnoy in a recent trip to Central Jersey. Portnoy reviewed a slice of reheated pizza at L & L Pizza & Pasta in Metuchen. By recooked he meant a cooked pizza placed back in a hot oven to warm up for about five minutes. Posted by L&L Pizza Restaurant NJ on Friday, October 7, 2022 Portnoy was still "mostly" pleased."Good crust there. Obviously, it's piping hot." "Good basic pizza, I guess," he said. "Very basic. When I say basic, I don't mean bad." Portnoy's One Bite review gave L&L a 7.2 score. The self-proclai…
News
Mom Says She Found Toxic Chemicals At NJ School Where 94 People Developed Brain Tumors: Report
An environmental scientist and mother of two students at a Central Jersey high school where nearly 100 people developed brain tumors says she's found evidence of toxic chemicals around the building, reports NJ Advance Media. Various samples of window caulk, soil and dust collected by Edyta Komorek from Colonia High Schoo apparently contained high levels of the carcinogenic compounds polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide, the outlet said. Upon presenting the discovery to district officials, Woodbridge Schools Superintendent Joseph Massi…
News
Man Found Seven Miles From Home After Six-Day Search In Central Jersey
A 29-year-old man was found unharmed six days after walking away from his Central Jersey home. Jonathan Misak walked nearly seven miles — or more to Old Bridge — where he was found safe on Saturday, Oct. 1, authorities in Middlesex County announced. He was brought to a local hospital for a routine examination. Assisting agencies include the Sayreville Police Department, Sayreville Fire Department, Old Bridge Police Department, Old Bridge Office of Emergency Management, Old Bridge Fire Department, Old Bridge EMS, Sayreville OEM, Perth Amboy Marine, Middlesex County Office of Emerge…
Real Estate
QuickChek Goes Big: 7 New Locations Land In NJ
QuickChek is going big with an expanded location in Central Jersey, and six more planned across the Garden State (scroll for the list). The 4,542-square-foot store opened at the intersection of Bordentown Avenue and Cheesequake Road Parlin on Tuesday, Sept. 20, replacing a smaller store that stood in its place. The new QuickChek features a new exterior with a green tower and “Fresh to Go” interior layout designed to enhance the shopping experience. More than half of the new store will be dedicated to freshly prepared food and beverages, including QuickChek’s guaranteed fresh brewe…
Police & Fire
Dating Profile Of NJ 'Werewolf Killer' Has Prosecutors Worried For Single Women
Pankaj Bhasin's dating profile says he's an easygoing adventurer who just got back from two years of traveling. What it doesn't say is that he's nicknamed the "Werewolf Killer" and that his vacation was actually a three-year stint in a Northern Virginia mental institution. Bhasin, 37 — who has ties to Blackwood and East Brunswick, NJ — was found not guilty by reason of insanity a year after he drove from his Central Jersey home to Alexandria, VA and fatally stabbed 65-year-old Bradford Jackson, a complete stranger to him. Bhasin was released from the N…
Police & Fire
Woman Escapes Hour-Long Hotel Hostage Situation With Kids In Room: Somerset Prosecutor
A 39-year-old Georgia man was drunk when he became angry and held woman at gunpoint for nearly an hour in a Central Jersey hotel room in front of her children, then shot her, authorities said. The victim, 37, was ultimately able to escape from Eder Gelin with gunshot wounds to her foot and hip, as he chased her from a room at a World's Fair Drive hotel in Franklin Township around 1:25 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Gelin, who knew the victim, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, weapon possession and child endangerment …
Police & Fire
NY Woman Ran Prostitution Ring At NJ Massage Parlor: Prosecutor
A 42-year-old woman from Flushing, NY was arrested on accusations she ran a prostitution ring out of a Central Jersey massage parlor, authorities said. An undercover investigation into "numerous anonymous complaints" at a Watchung parlor earlier this month led to the arrest of Zhuhua Luo, 42, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Authorities did not disclose the name of the massage parlor. A search warrant was executed by members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Northern Street Crimes Task Force and local police, who seized cash as alleged proceeds of prostit…
Lifestyle
NJ Ice Cream Shop Named Among Best In America
Grab a spoon — a popular gourmet ice cream shop in Central Jersey has been ranked among America’s best. A new list compiled by Thrillist ranked the 40 creameries in the country, and on the list in the Garden State is The Bent Spoon in Princeton. With a rotating selection of two dozen flavors out of about 550 total, The Bent Spoon tops the list for creativity and innovation. Opened in 2004, the shop even uses local and organic ingredients in each and every one of its crafty creations. A recent concoction includes organic sweet corn ice cream with Old Bay seasoning: Vi…
Police & Fire
Victim Beat Dead By Man Helping Him Move In Central Jersey: Prosecutor
A 50-year-old man was assaulted and killed in a Central Jersey driveway by a man helping him move, authorities said. Samuel C. Coggins, 30, of Flemington, has been charged with murder in the death of Augustine Garcia, of Manville, Thursday, July 14, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Coggins was helping Garcia and another resident move from a home on North 12th Avenue in Manville when Coggins assaulted Garcia in the driveway just before 3 p.m., Mcdonald said. Garcia was found unresponsive with a severe head injury outside the home, and Coggins remained at the scene…
Police & Fire
Central Jersey Mom, 19, Killed Baby Hours After Giving Birth: Prosecutor
A 19-year-old woman from Central Jersey has been accused of killing her newborn baby, authorities said. Jessica Farag gave birth to her daughter on Wednesday, June 8, just hours before police were called to her Jamesburg home for a welfare check, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Both the mom and the baby were taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, where the infant was pronounced dead, Ciccone said alongside Jamesburg Police Chief James Craparotta. Farag was charged with one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, one count of second-degree desecr…
Police & Fire
Guns Smuggled From Georgia By Central Jersey Felon: AG
A man from Central Jersey has been arrested for illegally smuggling guns into New Jersey from Georgia, authorities said. Barrett R. Griffin, III, 33, of North Brunswick, was indicted on multiple weapons charges, according to Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Plotkin. The guns were allegedly intended to be sold unlawfully, he said. The indictment, handed up by a State Grand Jury on Friday, May 6, alleges that between Feb. 5, and Feb. 7, Griffin illegally transported handguns from Georgia to New Jersey, for unlawful sale. “As gun violence continues to disrupt the peace of communities throug…
Next Page
Archive
36°
