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Bridgewater, NJ

23 Small Aftershocks Reported By USGS In 23 Hours After New Jersey Earthquake 23 Small Aftershocks Reported By USGS In 23 Hours After New Jersey Earthquake
23 Small Aftershocks Reported By USGS In 23 Hours After New Jersey Earthquake The USGS is reporting 23 aftershocks in the 23 hours since the New Jersey earthquake that rattled the Northeast. The initial earthquake had a magnitude of 4.8 and was reported in Whitehouse Station at 10:23 a.m. Friday, April 5. Tremors were felt by more than four million people from Maryland to New Hampshire. The first aftershock was reported just under an hour later at 11:20 a.m. 6 km NNE of Whitehouse Station with a magnitude of 2.0. The largest aftershock had a 4.0 magnitude and happened just before 6 p.m. Friday, April 5. Most of the aftershocks were not notable, with magnitudes …
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Flemington field hockey coach was arrested on Thursday, March 28, and charged with sending one of his players, a 17-year-old girl, sexually explicit texts, authorities said. Brett Clay, a travel field hockey coach employed by Centercourt Field Hockey in Mount Olive, exchanged the text messages with the teen, a Bridgewater resident, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Clay began sending illicit text messages in late December 2023, at one point offering her money in exchange for her sending him sexually explicit images, said McDonald alongside Chief of Count…
Philly Trio Admits $1.6M Worth Of Thefts From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond Philly Trio Admits $1.6M Worth Of Thefts From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond
Philly Trio Admits $1.6M Worth Of Thefts From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond UPDATE: Three young Philadelphia men admitted burglarizing 55 UPS warehouses across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and beyond, netting more than $1.6 million worth of electronics. Sekou Fofanah, 20, Shamaire Brown, 19, and Quamaire Brown, 19, each pleaded guilty in federal court in Camden to conspiracy to commit cargo theft, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. All three and a fourth man, Aboudramane Karamoko, had been arrested and released at one time or other since the burglaries began nearly four years ago, records show. The most recent was last past April, when po…
69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole 69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole
69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole A 69-year-old ex-con from New Jersey who'd previously avoided prison time for collecting child porn must spend the next decade behind bars for doing it again. Because there's no parole in the federal prison system, John Schulenburg of Basking Ridge will have to reach his 79th birthday in decent health before he'll taste freedom again. Schulenburg was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 10, to the mandatory 10-year minimum that U.S. law requires for a repeat offender as part of a plea bargain, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Had he gone to trial and been convicted, Schulenbu…
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors A 23-year-old Plainfield man was indicted by a grand jury for murder in the shooting death of a former college football player last August. Maurice Pierce shot Jameer Outsey, of Bridgewater, on North Broad Street and Magnolia Avenue in Elizabeth on Aug. 27, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. Pierce was charged with murder in the first degree and multiple weapons offenses. Outsey, a three-year letterman at Fra…
Seton Hall Student, 21, ID'd As Person Fatally Struck By Train In South Orange: NJ Transit Seton Hall Student, 21, ID'd As Person Fatally Struck By Train In South Orange: NJ Transit
Seton Hall Student, 21, ID'd As Person Fatally Struck By Train In South Orange: NJ Transit A 21-year-old man was identified as the person fatally struck by a train in South Orange on Wednesday, Dec. 13, NJ Transit officials said. Joseph DeBari, a junior accounting major at Seton Hall University, was struck by a train not in passenger service, west of the South Orange station around 7:35 p.m., NJ Transit officials said. The train was being moved eastbound on the Morris and Essex Line and no customers were on board and no crew were injured, NJ Transit said. A lifelong Bridgewater resident, DeBari was an avid sports fan, who rooted for the Mets and Seton Hall basketball, editing th…
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit At 26 years old, a woman is confronting her former New Jersey teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her 12 years ago, court documents show.  Now, the same age as her abuser when they began a relationship, the victim told now-38-year-old Lydia Pinto this month she could never fathom doing what she did: Engage in a relationship with someone 14 or 15 years old, according to the affidavit obtained by Daily Voice. Pinto, of Newton, PA, was charged earlier this month with sexually abusing a former student. The victim, identified only as Jane Doe, was a freshman at Bridgewater-Raritan …
Four Nabbed In Thefts Of $1.6M In Electronics From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond Four Nabbed In Thefts Of $1.6M In Electronics From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond
Four Nabbed In Thefts Of $1.6M In Electronics From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond Four Philadelphia men wanted for a burglary spree through 55 UPS warehouses across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and beyond were captured by federal agents this week, authorities announced. The quartet and at least three accomplices who are still at large stole an estimated $1.6 million in electronics over a two-year span beginning in January 2021, they said. The four currently in federal custody are charged with conspiracy to commit cargo theft, US Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said on Friday, Nov. 17. All four had been arrested and released at one time or other since …
Fogo de Chão Officially  Opens At Willowbrook Mall Fogo de Chão Officially  Opens At Willowbrook Mall
Fogo de Chão Officially Opens At Willowbrook Mall The wait is over in Wayne.  Fogo de Chão, the popular Brazilian steakhouse chain, opened its second North Jersey location in Wayne on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Willowbrook Mall. The Wayne location features an expansive dining room centered around an open-air churrasco grill, offering guests a view of gaucho chefs butchering, hand carving, and grilling their meat over an open flame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fogo de Chao (@fogo) The steakhouse announced it is donating a portion of first week sales to a local food bank. Earlie…
Newly-Widowed NJ Mom Falls Victim To Gravestone Scammer: 'I Want Him Stopped' Newly-Widowed NJ Mom Falls Victim To Gravestone Scammer: 'I Want Him Stopped'
Newly-Widowed NJ Mom Falls Victim To Gravestone Scammer: 'I Want Him Stopped' Another New Jersey resident who was scammed out of thousands of dollars by Gregory Stefan, Jr. is sharing her story. It wasn't a week after Irene Pollard lost her husband before Gregory Stefan, Jr. had found her number. The North Brunswick mom was just beginning to wrap her head around the death of her husband, Myron Pollard, on Dec. 29, 2022, when Stefan began calling, asking her about creating a headstone for the gravesite. "It was way too soon," Pollard said.  Not one to make others feel pushed aside, Pollard saved Stefan's number as a contact in her phone so she could at least answer…
Grieving Bridgewater Woman Victimized By NJ Gravestone Scammer: 'People Can't Find Closure' Grieving Bridgewater Woman Victimized By NJ Gravestone Scammer: 'People Can't Find Closure'
Grieving Bridgewater Woman Victimized By NJ Gravestone Scammer: 'People Can't Find Closure' Barbara Kalmus was still reeling from the death of her sister last May when she was preyed upon by Gregory Stefan, Jr. The Bridgewater resident was one of several people authorities say was grifted by Stefan, who was recently arrested on a warrant by police in Vineland for scamming customers out of thousands of dollars through his company Colonial Memorials, not long after it was revealed he had been doing the same with his father and brother with their Pennsylvania company, 1843 LLC. Following her sister's death due to cancer, Stefan reached out to Kalmus about getting a headstone for he…
Gravestone Scammer Targets Murder Victim's Vineland Mom: 'Sick To My Stomach' Gravestone Scammer Targets Murder Victim's Vineland Mom: 'Sick To My Stomach'
Gravestone Scammer Targets Murder Victim's Vineland Mom: 'Sick To My Stomach' A mom who fell victim to a New Jersey headstone scammer just after she buried her 31-year-old son last year is sharing her story in hopes of putting a stop to a man she says should've been stopped long ago. Nearly a month after Luz Vasquez's son, Chad Stuart, was killed outside of a Vineland bar in September 2022, she was contacted by Gregory Stefan, Jr., who explained he was the owner of Colonial Memorials, a headstone company.  And he wanted Vasquez as a client. Vasquez set up a meeting with Stefan in her Vineland home on Oct. 21, 2022. "He was a professional man, and seemed sympatheti…
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89) Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89)
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89) Couldn't get tickets to see Taylor Swift's The Era Tour in person? You're very much not alone. But don't worry, Swifties, there's a way to experience the pop culture juggernaut. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" will be premiering at AMC Theatres throughout the Garden State starting on Friday, Oct. 13 (obviously) with tickets going on sale Thursday, Aug. 31. Showtimes will run Thursdays to Sundays.  Standard showings are priced at $19.89 (cute!) for adults and $13.13 for seniors and children (of course).  The concert film, which will run 2 hours and 45 minutes long (or short),&…
DRUG FRAUD: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine DRUG FRAUD: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine
Drug Fraud: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine An elaborate drug fraud ring operating in more than half the counties in New Jersey stole doctors’ prescription pads as part of a scheme to stock up on opioid-boosted cough syrup, authorities charged. Medical offices in various parts of the state – including Wayne, Morristown and Bridgewater – were broken into by Divinete Jeffries, 30, of East Orange, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Jefferies snatched prescription pads that were then forged and given to accomplices who submitted them to various pharmacies using stolen IDs and bogus driver’s licenses, according to an indictment return…
Fogo De Chão Opening 2nd North Jersey Location At Willowbrook Mall (PHOTOS) Fogo De Chão Opening 2nd North Jersey Location At Willowbrook Mall (PHOTOS)
Fogo De Chão Opening 2nd North Jersey Location At Willowbrook Mall (Photos) North Jersey residents have clearly shown their enthusiasm since Fogo de Chão opened in Paramus earlier this year. And Fogo de Chão hears you loud and clear. The popular Brazilian steakhouse chain, which specializes in churrasco cuisine, announced it is opening a second North Jersey location at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.  Fogo de Chão said it expects the restaurant to open later this year. Fogo de ChãoProvided Fogo de ChãoProvided "We are excited to continue our growth in New Jersey and bring our authentic dining experience to even more new and returning guests in the area," sai…
Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG
Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG A local New Jersey police chief who’d already been charged with sexually preying on women is facing new allegations, the state’s top cop announced on Tuesday. Following his suspension amid sexual assault allegations, Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst wrongfully held onto his badge, then displayed it as if was still on active duty to a police officer who’d pulled him over late this past January, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. The charge was contained in an eight-count indictment returned by a state grand jury that focused mostly on what the attorney general called “sexually pred…
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…
Ground Level Beach Club Among Highlights Of Luxury Athletic Club Coming To Jersey Shore Ground Level Beach Club Among Highlights Of Luxury Athletic Club Coming To Jersey Shore
Ground Level Beach Club Among Highlights Of Luxury Athletic Club Coming To Jersey Shore A massive athletic club complete with a ground-level, resort-like beach club is under construction in Monmouth County. The Life Time facility in Middletown, its eighth in New Jersey, is expected to be complete in 2024. Click here to get on the wait list. Once finished, Life Time Middletown – Red Bank will provide a highly personalized, luxury approach to health and wellness with modern architecture, beautiful spaces and an abundance of amenities.  Highlights include: Three-floor building with an additional 50,000-square-foot, ground level outdoor beach club and bistro with leis…
DUAL BOMBSHELLS: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases DUAL BOMBSHELLS: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases
Dual Bombshells: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases Two New Jersey police chiefs – one retired, the other suspended – are separately charged as sexual predators within their departments. Suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst continued a pattern of “sexually predatory behavior targeting multiple women over many years,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in announcing the charges on Wednesday, April 12. One victim who worked for the department was sexually assaulted by Herbst both at headquarters and at her home, the attorney general said. Former Howell Township Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, meanwhile, “had an extramarit…
Pedestrian Killed On Route 287 ID'd As Morristown Man Pedestrian Killed On Route 287 ID'd As Morristown Man
Pedestrian Killed On Route 287 ID'd As Morristown Man A 38-year-old Morristown man was struck and killed on Route 287 on Thursday, March 1, authorities said. Alfrez Hernandez was walking near the left lane when he was struck by a Volkswagon Tiguan near milepost 16 on the southbound side of the highway in Bridgewater around 2:30 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. The driver of the Volkswagon remained on scene and was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.
Pedestrian Crash Closes Portion Of Route 287 Pedestrian Crash Closes Portion Of Route 287
Pedestrian Crash Closes Portion Of Route 287 A pedestrian crash closed a portion of Route 287 overnight in Somerset County. The crash occurred on the southbound side of the highway in Bridgewater around 2:45 a.m. Several lanes were closed for investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for more.
18-Year-Old Driver Ejected In Route 287 Crash Faces Long Road To Recovery 18-Year-Old Driver Ejected In Route 287 Crash Faces Long Road To Recovery
18-Year-Old Driver Ejected In Route 287 Crash Faces Long Road To Recovery The 18-year-old driver ejected in a Route 287 crash over the weekend is facing a long road to recovery. Kamil D. Nowak, of Rockaway, was heading south in the express lanes when his Infiniti ran off the road to the left and struck multiple trees around 1:25 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 in Bridgewater, New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. Nowak was ejected and rushed to the hospital, where he has remained since and undergone multiple surgeries, according a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign says Nowak will face a long road to recovery. Click here to donate. 
18-Year-Old Driver Ejected, Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash 18-Year-Old Driver Ejected, Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash
18-Year-Old Driver Ejected, Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash An 18-year-old driver from Rockaway was seriously hurt in a crash on Route 287 overnight in Somerset County, authorities said. Kamil D. Nowak was heading south in the express lanes when his Infiniti ran off the road to the left and struck multiple trees around 1:25 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 in Bridgewater, New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. He was ejected and seriously injured. The crash remains under investigation and no additional information was available. 
Motive In PSE&G Killing Revealed Motive In PSE&G Killing Revealed
Motive In PSE&G Killing Revealed Authorities in Somerset County have announced a motive for this week's fatal shooting of a PSE&G employee. Gary T. Curtis is believed to have shot Russell D. Heller outside of the company's Weston Canal Road facility in Somerset due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor," Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Curtis, 58, a former PSE&G employee, shot Heller, 51, an active PSE&G employee, outside of his vehicle around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, McDonald said. Curtis was later found dead in Bridgewater with a self-inflicted gunsh…
PSE&G Worker Killed, Suspect Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor PSE&G Worker Killed, Suspect Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor
PSE&G Worker Killed, Suspect Dead In Somerset County: Prosecutor An employee at PSE&G was fatally shot before the suspect — a former worker — apparently died by suicide in Somerset County, authorities said. Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, is believed to have shot Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, around 7 a.m. at the company's headquarters on Weston Canal Road, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Emergency Medical Personnel from an area Trauma Center responded to the scene where Heller was pronounced dead. Curtis was found by detectives having suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 10:20 a.m., in a parking lot in Bridgewate…
Somerset County Man Killed In Route 287 Hit-And-Run, 38, Was Devoted Dad Of Baby Girl Somerset County Man Killed In Route 287 Hit-And-Run, 38, Was Devoted Dad Of Baby Girl
Somerset County Man Killed In Route 287 Hit-And-Run, 38, Was Devoted Dad Of Baby Girl The Somerset County pedestrian killed in last week’s hit-and-run crash on Route 287 was the devoted new dad of a baby daughter. Erik Salemke, 38, of Bridgewater, was killed after being struck by a vehicle on the northbound side and run over by a tractor-trailer when crossing the highway near milepost 21.8 in Bedminster on Thursday, Oct. 20, DailyVoice.com reported.  A GoFundMe launched by his fiance, Chelsea Cordero, says Salemke was the “primary breadwinner” of the family and a dedicated father to their eight-month-old girl, Eva Marie. According to his Facebook page, he was the …
Police ID Pedestrian, 38, Fatally Run Over By Car Then Tractor Trailer On Route 287 Police ID Pedestrian, 38, Fatally Run Over By Car Then Tractor Trailer On Route 287
Police ID Pedestrian, 38, Fatally Run Over By Car Then Tractor Trailer On Route 287 A 38-year-old man was struck and killed on Route 287 overnight, authorities said. Erik Salemke, of Bridgewater, was crossing the highway when he was struck by a vehicle on the northbound side near milepost 21.8 around 9:30 p.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. Salemke was then run over by a Volvo tractor trailer, and pronounced dead. The crash remains under investigation.
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report $1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report Four suspended police officers from Edison were paid $1.4 million during the two years they awaited trial for billing the town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, NJ Advance Media reports. The officers have been on paid suspension ever since, but were put on unpaid leave earlier this month when new indictments were announced against Sgt. Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory Makras, 38, of Cranford and Sgt. Brian Rossmeyer, 45, of Bridgewater, according to the outlet and Middlesex County Pr…
Hunterdon County Native, Beloved New Dad Jack Duffy Jr. Dies Suddenly At 35 Hunterdon County Native, Beloved New Dad Jack Duffy Jr. Dies Suddenly At 35
Hunterdon County Native, Beloved New Dad Jack Duffy Jr. Dies Suddenly At 35 Hunterdon County native and beloved new father John Thomas “Jack” Duffy, Jr. died unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 30 at the age of 35. Born in Denver, Colorado, Jack grew up in Whitehouse Station and currently lived in Hampton, his obituary says. Jack was a member of the Hunterdon Central Regional High School Class of 2005 and Temple University 2012. He spent over a decade building a career in the insurance industry and worked as a senior underwriter, according to his memorial. Jack was described as having “the biggest heart” and was enthusiastic about anything and everything that he did. H…
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor 4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
18 Nabbed In Massive Hunterdon County Meth, Heroin, Cocaine, Suboxone Bust: Prosecutor 18 Nabbed In Massive Hunterdon County Meth, Heroin, Cocaine, Suboxone Bust: Prosecutor
18 Nabbed In Massive Hunterdon County Meth, Heroin, Cocaine, Suboxone Bust: Prosecutor Eighteen people were arrested and charged as part of a several-month investigation into the distribution of meth, heroin, cocaine, and suboxone in Hunterdon County, authorities announced on Monday, Sept. 19. The investigation was launched by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office with assistance from the Clinton Township Police Department Investigative Division after numerous complaints were received regarding narcotic activity along Route 22 in Clinton Township, Prosecutor Renée Robeson said. The following suspects were arrested and charged as part of the investigation, Robeson said: L…