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Route 22, NJ

Business
Shuttered Wedding Venue One Step Closer To Becoming First Grocery Store For NJ Town Shuttered Wedding Venue One Step Closer To Becoming First Grocery Store For NJ Town
Shuttered Wedding Venue One Step Closer To Becoming First Grocery Store For NJ Town One New Jersey town is about to get its first full-fledge supermarket in decades, and it'll be replacing a longtime wedding venue. Lidl is nearly complete with demolition to Snuffy’s Pantagis Renaissance, the more than 80-year-old wedding venue along Route 22 in Scotch Plains that shuttered sometime during the pandemic, according to Tom Strowe, the towns' director of redevelopment. Strowe struggled to remember the last time Scotch Plains had its own grocery store. The closest ones now are the ShopRite in Watchung or South Plainfield, Aldi in South Plainfield, or perhaps Trader Joe…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Owner Of NJ Steakhouse Sold After 14 Years Has Message For Critics Owner Of NJ Steakhouse Sold After 14 Years Has Message For Critics
Owner Of NJ Steakhouse Sold After 14 Years Has Message For Critics After 14 years and a million meals served, the Grillestone Steakhouse is closing its doors. Frank Peterpaul, who's been running the Scotch Plains restaurant, says it has been sold as his family embarks on a new chapter. Peterpaul went on to thank the customers who became friends, who became family, the valued staff, and noted the sense of belonging and joy that came from being part of the community. And toward the bottom of Peterpaul's goodbye tribute, he left a special message for the critics: "For the detractors, yelpers and self-proclaimed restaurant critics, I would relish the opportu…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Armed Driver Was Going 100 MPH In NJ-PA Pursuit That Ended In School Bus Crash: Cops Armed Driver Was Going 100 MPH In NJ-PA Pursuit That Ended In School Bus Crash: Cops
Armed Driver Was Going 100 MPH In Nj-pa Pursuit That Ended In School Bus Crash: Cops A 28-year-old New Jersey man remains hospitalized after police say he shot at multiple vehicles before leading a high-speed pursuit into Pennsylvania that ended in a school bus crash back in Phillipsburg, NJ. Brett M. Wyatt Jr., of Phillipsburg, began the terrifying ordeal around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, when he fired shots at a parked truck on Uniontown Road in Lopatcong, Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer said. A responding officer found Wyatt’s vehicle, a yellow hatch bag sedan, heading west on Route 57 near the Rt. 519 intersection, the prosecutor said. Wyatt continued west …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Newark Ex-Con Gets 19 Years, No Parole, On Federal Gun, Drug Convictions Newark Ex-Con Gets 19 Years, No Parole, On Federal Gun, Drug Convictions
Newark Ex-Con Gets 19 Years, No Parole, On Federal Gun, Drug Convictions An ex-con from Newark was sentenced to 228 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl while carrying a loaded gun. Ricky Hubbard, 46, was convicted by jurors in U.S. District Court in March. He'll have to serve out the entire 19-year term because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Hubbard was talking on a cellphone when Union Township police stopped him in a 2012 Kia Sedona with tinted windows in the eastbound lanes of Route 22 near Ball Avenue on Nov. 6, 2019, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. They immediately smelled pot while noticing a b…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
PURSUIT: Stolen Car Collisions Injure Homeland Security Agent, NJSP Detectives, Teen Thief PURSUIT: Stolen Car Collisions Injure Homeland Security Agent, NJSP Detectives, Teen Thief
Pursuit: Stolen Car Collisions Injure Homeland Security Agent, Njsp Detectives, Teen Thief UPDATE: Two New Jersey State Police detectives were struck and a U.S. Homeland Security agent rammed head-on by a quartet of car thieves, one of them a 15-year-old who had his leg broken during a pursuit, authorities confirmed. Three adults and the injured juvenile were seized following a chain reaction of collisions in Newark involving a stolen SUV, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said on Friday, June 30. It began with the theft of the 2021 BMW X6 in Cedar Grove around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22, the attorney general said. Members of the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
STATE POLICE CHASE: Federal Agent, NJSP Detective Injured In Collisions With Fleeing Thieves STATE POLICE CHASE: Federal Agent, NJSP Detective Injured In Collisions With Fleeing Thieves
State Police Chase: Federal Agent, Njsp Detective Injured In Collisions With Fleeing Thieves UPDATE: Two New Jersey State Police detectives were struck and a U.S. Homeland Security agent rammed head-on by a quartet of car thieves, one of them a 15-year-old who had his leg broken during a pursuit, authorities confirmed. Three adults and the injured juvenile were seized following a chain reaction of collisions in Newark involving a stolen SUV, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said on Friday, June 30. It began with the theft of the 2021 BMW X6 in Cedar Grove around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22, the attorney general said. Members of the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Business
Mexican Restaurant Chain Closes NJ Location Less Than Year After Opening Mexican Restaurant Chain Closes NJ Location Less Than Year After Opening
Mexican Restaurant Chain Closes NJ Location Less Than Year After Opening A popular Mexican eatery has shuttered one of its New Jersey locations less than a year after opening. The Green Brook restaurant on Route 22 has closed its doors for good, according to an automated voice message on the shop’s answering machine. “Thank you for calling Tacos El Tio Green Brook,” the message begins. “We regret to inform you that this location is permanently closed. We look forward to continuing to serve you at our next closest location in Monroe Township. Should you have any further questions, please visit the ‘contact us’ option on our website, tacoseltio.com. Thank you.” T…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
BUSTED: Man Caught In The Act While Stealing Biodiesel From Hunterdon County Businesses BUSTED: Man Caught In The Act While Stealing Biodiesel From Hunterdon County Businesses
Busted: Man Caught In The Act While Stealing Biodiesel From Hunterdon County Businesses A 40-year-old man was caught in the act while authorities say he stole biodiesel from two Hunterdon County businesses. Officers responding to the first theft at a Readington Township business took a report of the suspect’s description from the owner around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3, local police said. Frandsen Clervoyant, of Irvington, matched the suspect’s description and was found behind a Route 22 business stealing more biodiesel a short time later, Readington Township Police said. Clervoyant was arrested and charged with theft of moveable property before being released pending a…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Hunterdon County Crash: UPDATE Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Hunterdon County Crash: UPDATE
Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Hunterdon County Crash: Update A motorcyclist was hospitalized following a crash in Hunterdon County, authorities said. A 36-year-old man riding a 2014 BMW S10 motorcycle lost control and crashed near the intersection of Route 22 and Round Valley Access Road in Clinton Township around 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, Police Administrative Division Commander Lt. Harry P. Bugal Jr. told DailyVoice.com. The victim was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital for treatment of multiple bodily injuries, police said. The crash remains under investigation by the Clinton Township Police Department. Additional details were not …

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Victim Flown To Hospital Following Phillipsburg Crash: DEVELOPING Victim Flown To Hospital Following Phillipsburg Crash: DEVELOPING
Victim Flown To Hospital Following Phillipsburg Crash: Developing One person was flown to a nearby hospital following a crash in Phillipsburg, developing reports say. The crash occurred on Route 22 westbound shortly before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, according to 511NJ.org. A medical helicopter was called to land near the crash scene to take the victim to a local hospital for treatment, initial reports say. Meanwhile, all lanes of Route 22 westbound were shut down at Route 677/Morris Street for the investigation as of 3:25 p.m., 511NJ says. Authorities did not immediately return DailyVoice.com’s request for additional details. This is a developing stor…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Seriously Hurt After Being Struck By Car In Warren County (DEVELOPING) Pedestrian Seriously Hurt After Being Struck By Car In Warren County (DEVELOPING)
Pedestrian Seriously Hurt After Being Struck By Car In Warren County (Developing) A pedestrian was seriously hurt after being struck by a car in Warren County late Monday night, developing reports say. The pedestrian was hit near 1307 Route 22 in Pohatcong Township around 11:30 p.m., according to initial and unconfirmed reports. The address appears on Google as the location of Fuel One truck stop. The victim suffered multiple fractures and head trauma, the report says. A NorthStar medical helicopter was requested and later canceled. Police did not immediately return DailyVoice.com’s request for additional details. This is a developing story. Check back for more.

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
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…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
25-Year-Old Motorcyclist Flown To Hospital Following Hunterdon County Crash (UPDATE) 25-Year-Old Motorcyclist Flown To Hospital Following Hunterdon County Crash (UPDATE)
25-Year-Old Motorcyclist Flown To Hospital Following Hunterdon County Crash (Update) A 25-year-old motorcyclist was flown to Morristown Memorial Hospital following a serious crash in Hunterdon County, police confirmed. The rider lost control of his Suzuki 750 near Route 629 just off Route 22 in Clinton Township around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11, Clinton Township Police Sgt. Harry P. Bugal Jr. said in a release. The man was flown to the hospital with several serious injuries, authorities said. The crash remained under investigation by the Clinton Township Police Department.

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
Beloved Tow Truck Driver Struck, Killed While Responding To Hunterdon County Crash, 26 Beloved Tow Truck Driver Struck, Killed While Responding To Hunterdon County Crash, 26
Beloved Tow Truck Driver Struck, Killed While Responding To Hunterdon County Crash, 26 A beloved 26-year-old tow truck driver was struck and killed while responding to a Hunterdon County crash scene Tuesday afternoon, authorities confirmed. Gary Vondrasek, 86, was driving a 2014 Cadillac Escalade westbound in the left lane of Route 22 near the Phillips 66 Gas Station in Readington when he drifted into the median and hit a disabled vehicle and tow truck driver, identified as Seth Newton, just after 3 p.m., Readington Township Police said. Newton, of Readington, was pronounced dead at the scene. Vondrasek, of Lebanon, was treated at the scene before being taken to RWJ Univers…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Serious Crash Shuts Down Route 22 In Hunterdon County, Police Say Serious Crash Shuts Down Route 22 In Hunterdon County, Police Say
Serious Crash Shuts Down Route 22 In Hunterdon County, Police Say A serious crash shut down Route 22 in Hunterdon County Tuesday afternoon, police said. The crash occurred on the eastbound side of the highway near Sophie Street in Readington Township, local police said just before 3:30 p.m. One person was killed and another was being airlifted in cardiac arrest following the crash, according to initial and unconfirmed reports. A Northstar medical helicopter was landing at the crash scene, the initial report says. This is a developing story. Check back for more.

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Man Found With 2 Guns In Hunterdon County Parking Lot, Police Say Man Found With 2 Guns In Hunterdon County Parking Lot, Police Say
Man Found With 2 Guns In Hunterdon County Parking Lot, Police Say A Poughkeepsie man was charged after police allegedly found him with two guns and open alcohol containers in the parking lot of a Hunterdon County business early Sunday. Herman Callands, 59, had parked his vehicle and was seen walking around the lot of a closed business off of Route 22 in Readington Township just after 12:10 a.m., local police said. During questioning, officers saw a gun in the front passenger door pocket of Callands’ vehicle, authorities said. A follow-up investigation and search turned up another gun, a prohibited weapon, and two open containers of an alcoholic beverage,…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Feds: Ex-Con Whose Companion Crashed Into NJ Restaurant Sentenced For 'Glock Switch' Pistol Feds: Ex-Con Whose Companion Crashed Into NJ Restaurant Sentenced For 'Glock Switch' Pistol
Feds: Ex-Con Whose Companion Crashed Into NJ Restaurant Sentenced For 'Glock Switch' Pistol An ex-con whose companion crashed his car into a Route 22 restaurant was sentenced in Newark to 2½ years in federal prison for carrying a pistol converted into a machine gun. Christian Cordero-Gotay, 29, of Brooklyn was being arrested Clinton Township police during an August 2020 traffic stop on Route 22 when his companion, Genesis Bertefabian, suddenly jumped behind the wheel and sped off, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. The vehicle crashed into a Lebanon restaurant minutes later, Honig said. Bertefabian ran into woods behind Chelsea’s Restaurant and tried to hide a 9mm Glock-…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Off-Duty Phillipsburg Police Officer Dominic Belcastro Killed In Motorcycle Crash Off-Duty Phillipsburg Police Officer Dominic Belcastro Killed In Motorcycle Crash
Off-Duty Phillipsburg Police Officer Dominic Belcastro Killed In Motorcycle Crash A Phillipsburg police officer died in a motorcycle crash Saturday. Dominic “Dom” Belcastro was riding a Harley-Davidson and had the right of way while heading eastbound on Route 22, according to Warren County Prosecutor Jim Pfeiffer, who witnessed the crash, NJ.com reports. A woman in a 2000 Toyota Camry was stopped at Fifth Street, when a vehicle in the right lane of the highway drove past the intersection, and the Toyota tried crossing into the turnaround near the post office immediately after that, the outlet said citing the prosecutor. Belcastro put the the bike down on the road -- ap…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
NJ Driver, 20, Accused Of Killing 4 Friends In Crash Tells Her Side On TikTok, GoFundMe NJ Driver, 20, Accused Of Killing 4 Friends In Crash Tells Her Side On TikTok, GoFundMe
NJ Driver, 20, Accused Of Killing 4 Friends In Crash Tells Her Side On TikTok, GoFundMe Money began pouring in to help pay legal fees for a 20-year-old Essex County woman after she posted a TikTok video on Saturday defending herself against charges in a violent crash that killed four of her close friends last spring. A badly-burned Nashauna Johnson of Newark also mounted a GoFundMe campaign to deal with legal costs. A grand jury in Newark on Thursday returned an indictment charging Johnson with four counts of death by auto – also known as vehicular homicide -- in the June 9 crash on Route 22 at the Newark-Hillside border. In her TikTok video, Johnson contends that drugs, alc…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel
NJ Dad Charged With Attempted Murder Of 2-Year-Old Daughter At Motel A New Jersey dad has been charged with first degree attempted murder after surveillance tapes caught him putting his 2-year-old daughter in a plastic bag and carrying her through a New Jersey motel, authorities said. North Plainfield police responded to a Route 22 motel on reports of a baby inside of a bag around 12:40 p.m. on Jan. 23, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. There, they found a man later identified as Lamar S. Waller -- the girl's dad -- holding his child, Robertson said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W.…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Former NJ Army Guardsman Rejects Plea Deal In 'Upskirt' Photo Charge Former NJ Army Guardsman Rejects Plea Deal In 'Upskirt' Photo Charge
Former NJ Army Guardsman Rejects Plea Deal In 'Upskirt' Photo Charge The case of a former New Jersey Army National Guardsman accused of snapping photos up women's skirts will be heading to trial after he rejected a plea deal in Sussex County, according to a recent news report. Stephen Grogan, of Branchville, has been accused in four "upskirting" incidents across the U.S. since 2018 -- the year he separated from the state's National Guard, the NJ Herald reports. Grogan appeared in front of Sussex County Judge Louis S. Sceusi in a virtual hearing Tuesday, for an invasion of privacy charge stemming from a 2018 incident in a Montague supermarket. Grogan's attor…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Authorities: Passenger Gets Behind Wheel, Crashes As Route 22 Driver With Loaded Gun Runs Away Authorities: Passenger Gets Behind Wheel, Crashes As Route 22 Driver With Loaded Gun Runs Away
Authorities: Passenger Gets Behind Wheel, Crashes As Route 22 Driver With Loaded Gun Runs Away A Brooklyn driver tried running from police as his passenger got behind the wheel and crashed the car after he was found with a loaded gun and drugs during an early-morning traffic stop on Route 22 Monday, authorities said. Christian Joel Cordero was heading eastbound with Genesis Bertefabian in the passenger seat when he was stopped for a motor vehicle violation around 1:30 a.m.,  Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Michael J. Williams said. A search of Cordero’s vehicle turned up a loaded Glock magazine in the passenger compartment, Williams said. After denying having knowl…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Clifton Man Dead In 5-Car North Plainfield Crash Clifton Man Dead In 5-Car North Plainfield Crash
Clifton Man Dead In 5-Car North Plainfield Crash A 31-year-old Clifton man died in a five-car crash in North Plainfield, authorities said. John Melo was found unresponsive after losing control of his vehicle and hitting several others in the left and center lanes of Route 22 near West End Avenue around 1:05 p.m. Monday, North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti said. First responders administered medical aid on Melo before he was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Somerset, where he died just before 1:50 p.m., police said. A commercial-type vehicle that fled the scene was also involved in the crash, authorities said. Othe…

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by Cecilia Levine