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Thursday, dec 19
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Sparta, NJ
News
Mystery In The Skies: FBI Probing Unexplained Drone Sightings In Three NJ Counties (
Video
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The skies over New Jersey remain a puzzling hotspot for drone sightings as reports continue nearly two weeks after they first emerged, with residents growing increasingly uneasy (scroll for video). On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Warren County officials confirmed they are working with the FBI-Newark, New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to monitor, assess, and investigate the unusual activity. This follows a similar announcement from Morris and Somerset counties, where prosecutors, sheriffs, and emergency management offices are coordinating efforts …
Obituaries
Sparta's Tristan Lozada Dies After Battle With Brain Cancer, 8
Tristan Lozada, an 8-year-old Sparta resident died after battling brain cancer on Monday, Oct. 28, according to his obituary from the Shook Funeral Home website. Tristan had moved to Sparta from Newark and enjoyed dancing, Halloween, and playing Roblox on his iPad, his obituary reads. He is survived by his parents, James and Monica, his brother James and his grandparents Mercede, Luzmila and Victor, according to his obituary. A fundraiser was set up to assist his family with expenses while he battled the cancer, which was diagnosed in August 2023. As of Wednesday, Nov. 13, almost $38,…
Obituaries
Sussex County Dad, NJ Transit Worker Scott Williams Dies, 47
Scott Williams, a longtime NJ Transit employee and Sparta resident, died on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the age of 41, according to an obituary from the Goble Funeral Home website. Williams, was born in Livingston and graduated from Sparta High School, before going to work at NJ Transit, where he worked for 17 years, according to his obituary Williams is survived by his wife, Jillian, and his five children, Harvey, Eva, Charlotte, Lillian and Abigail, his obituary reads. He is also survived by his parents James and Janice, his siblings, Lindsey and Colleen, and numerous other family members and fri…
Police & Fire
Teen Airlifted In UTV Accident On Sussex County Farm: Police
An 18-year-old male was airlifted to the hospital following a crash on a Sussex County farm on Monday, Aug. 26, local police said. The male was riding on the back of the UTV, a larger type of ATV, which was being used to perform work on a farm on Layton Lane in Sparta, Sparta Police Capt. Tom Snyder said. The UTV made an unexpected turn and the victim lost his balance, falling off and hitting his head, Snyder said. He lost consciousness and was flown to the hospital. "The operator of the UTV was fully cooperative with patrol units and showed no signs of intoxication," Snyder said.
Police & Fire
10-Year Prison Minimum Awaits NJ Catholic School Teacher Who Took Upskirts Of Girls In Class
UPDATE: A North Jersey school teacher who took upskirt photos and videos of female students faces at least 10 years in state prison when he’s sentenced next month. Michael F. Wagner, 41, of Hopatcong took a deal from prosecutors rather than risk the potential outcome of a trial, admitting that he recorded female 8th graders of his at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta during class and collected child porn. In order to secure the agreement – and whatever leniency may come at his July 26 sentencing in Newton -- Wagner had to plead guilty earlier this month to first-degree child en…
Obituaries
Paul Galvez, Filipino Immigrant From Sussex County, Dies, 50
Paul Errol Galvez, a longtime Sparta resident, died on Tuesday, May 14, at the age of 50, according to his obituary on the Goble Funeral Home site. "EG" as he was known to his family, was the eldest of three children and grew up in the Philippines, his obituary reads. Growing up, he enjoyed reading, playing video games and reading comic books, along with weekly visits with his grandparents, according to his obituary. He later moved to Sparta, graduating from Sparta High and studying International Business at Rutgers University, working in financial services at ING, Morgan S…
Real Estate
$4.35M Mansion On Private NJ Island Comes With Panoramic Views
A new listing for a home on a secluded island of New Jersey offers the "epitome of luxury living" according to a new listing. The 5,000 square foot home, at 41 Island Trl., in Sparta is being listed for $4.35 million. The listing agent is Christine Dehnel of the Re/Max Platinum Group. Located on Manitou Island, the 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home offers charm, privacy and opulence, according to a listing. The home, which sits on one acre of land, was recently renovated and offers panoramic views of Lake Mohawk along with expansive windows, vaulted ceilings an open-concept living spaces, a…
Weather
These Bergen County Towns Got The Most Snow
New Jersey residents are digging out of this week's snow storm — the worst of the season so far. According to the National Weather Service, the storm left 15 inches in the northern-most part of the state, canceling schools across the region. Here are the towns who got the most snow in the Tuesday, Feb. 13 storm, according to the National Weather Service. BERGEN River Vale: 9.8 inches Franklin Lakes: 9.1 Waldwick: 9.0 Bergenfield: 8.1 Mahwah: 8.0 Fair Lawn: 7.0 Lyndhurst: 6.5 HUDSON Harrison: 5.5 East Newark: 5.0 SW Hoboken: 4.8 MORRIS Green Pond/Randolph: 11.5 Denville: 10.2 Kinnelon…
Police & Fire
Meet Millie: North Jersey Police Officers Deliver Baby Girl
Her name is Millie, and she's doing just fine. Sparta police officers helped deliver the baby girl on Monday, Jan. 15 on Route 35. Parents Tyler and Stephanie had called police as Stephanie was in active labor on Route 15 south near the Jefferson line just before 9 p.m., officials said. In less than a minute, Officer Christopher Botta found the vehicle pulled over on the shoulder of Route 15. Botta saw the baby's head crowning and made sure the umbilical cord was not wrapped around the baby's neck. After confirming everything appeared normal, seconds later, Stephanie delivered the ba…
Obituaries
Sparta's Monica Jadach Dies, 34: 'Voice Of Reason'
Monica Jadach, a Sparta resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, after previously battling breast cancer, according to her obituary. Jadach volunteered with the Sparta Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was a treasurer for the Congenital Heart Defect coalition, her obituary reads. Her brother, Christopher, said on social media that she had heart surgery when she was a toddler and recently beat breast cancer. His tribute went on to say Monica was the "voice of reason" despite being seven years his junior. I lost my best friend this Sunday evening on New Year’s Eve… Monica was al…
Weather
Falling Tree Misses Officer, Major Roadways Flooded: North Jersey Storm Damage Update
North Jersey residents are feeling the impact of this week's storm with thousands still without power and schools closed or delayed. In Bergen County, houses were hit on East Midland Avenue in Paramus and on Sunset Avenue in Englewood. A Mahwah police officer also escaped serious injury when a falling tree struck his cruiser. Route 17 was closed in both directions at various times in multiple spots, including in Hasbrouck Heights around 9:30 p.m., in East Rutherford just before midnight and in Rochelle Park about an hour later. A stretch of Route 46 in Lodi also was under water, as we…
Police & Fire
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole
UPDATE: A scammer from Sussex County who fraudulently collected more than $2 million in federal funds by identifying people who'd been dead for more than a decade as business partners must spend the next three years in federal prison. John Jhong, 54, of Sparta, actually submitted bogus applications for more than $15 million in federal pandemic aid earmarked to help struggling companies during COVID-19, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Jhong "turned these vital relief programs into his personal ATM," spending the more than $2 million he illegally collected on personal expenses, the U.…
Police & Fire
Lyndhurst Man Wanted On Warrants Charged With Trashing Relative's Home, Fighting Police
A Lyndhurst man wanted for trashing a relative's home ran from police, then fought with them before being subdued, authorities said. Officers responding to a call from a Stuyvesant Avenue home learned that Faiz Mohammad, 27, had become irate and vandalized the place, causing $1,300 worth of damage before fleeing, Detective Lt. Vincent Auteri said. Police were looking out for Mohammad when he returned, prompting the relative to hide in a bathroom and call police, Auteri said. He fled again but was spotted soon after by Officer Matthew Dudek on 5th Avenue, the lieutenant said. Dudek ended u…
Politics
18-Year-Old Wins Seat On NJ Town's School Board
Lifelong Sparta resident Chad Wood has been elected to the town’s Board of Education just five months after graduating from high school. The 18-year-old is one of the state’s youngest to hold a BOE position. Wood ran alongside Jennifer "Lonsky" Grana and Kaitlin Gagnon. The trio incumbents Christina "Longo" Keiling and LeeAnne M. Pitzer. Wood might be young, but he comes with plenty of experience, having served as Student Council President for three years at Sparta High School, and was elected Executive President his senior year. Wood was also elected as the BOE’s Student Representative d…
News
North Jersey Toddler Mauled By Pitbull At Town-Wide Garage Sale: Lawsuit
The family of an 18-month-old boy from North Jersey has filed a lawsuit saying he suffered serious injuries when he was mauled by a pitbull at a town-wide garage sale last year. Samuel Miller Sr. and Roxanne Miller say in court papers that they were at the annual Kinnelon garage sale on Sept. 24, 2022 when a pitbull named Leo violently attacked their son, who was secured in a stroller, according to papers filed in Morris County Superior Court (see lawsuit attached). Roxanne Miller, of Sparta physically fought with and restrained the dog in order to stop the attack, and became covered in her…
Police & Fire
North Jersey Fire Chief Locks Eyes With Woman While Masturbating In ShopRite Lot: Police
A North Jersey fire chief was arrested for masturbating in a vehicle parked in a ShopRite parking lot, authorities said. Budd Lake Fire Chief Joe Compano was arrested and charged with lewdness following the Tuesday, Sept. 19 incident in the parking lot of the Sparta ShopRite store on North Village Boulevard, Sparta police Detective Lt. Tom Snyder said. It began around 11:50 p.m., when a woman loading groceries into her car called police to say that the man in a maroon Ford Explorer next to her was masturbating with his penis exposed, Snyder said. He masturbated more aggressively and tried h…
Police & Fire
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…
Obituaries
Integral Part Of Sparta's Business Network Hratch Kechishian Dies
Sparta is mourning the loss of a local business owner after what loved ones call a “difficult medical battle.” Hratch Kechishian died Saturday, July 15, his obituary says. He was 63. An integral part of Sparta’s business network, Hratch was the owner of The Leather Zone in Sparta — a business “he put his whole heart and resources into,” reads a GoFundMe launched by Melissa Prestipino for his family’s support. “Hratch was a generous man who would donate the shirt off of his back,” Prestipino writes. “He gave the community and healthcare workers many of his own supplies during the pandemic…
Police & Fire
House Struck By Lightning In Sussex County
A house in Sussex County was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm on Friday, July 14, authorities tell Daily Voice. The house at 94 Maple Parkway in Sparta was struck, sparking a small fire on the roof where the strike happened around 7:50 p.m., Sparta Township Police spokesman Tom Snyder said. No injuries were reported, and the residents were allowed to stay in the home, Snyder said. At the time, traffic was being rerouted to Maple Parkway from East Shore Trail near Glenside Trail due to a downed tree and wires.
Police & Fire
Police: West Milford Driver Was DWI When She Slammed Into SUV Driven By Sparta Man, 71
A driver was drunk when her sedan crossed a double-yellow line and slammed head-on into an SUV, seriously injuring herself and the other driver, on a road along Greenwood Lake in West Milford, authorities announced on Wednesday. Jessica Lima, 38, of West Milford was airlifted to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson following the late Saturday afternoon crash on Lakeside Road on June 10, township police Lt. Anthony Parrello said. The other driver, 71-year-old David Thierman of Sparta, was taken to St. Joe’s by ambulance, the lieutenant disclosed on July 12. Lima’s 2006 T…
Police & Fire
North Jersey Diner Reopens Year After Fire
Nearly a year after being severely damaged in a fire, the Sparta Classic Diner is preparing to reopen its doors. The kitchen of the Woodport Road establishment — that opened in 2012 — went up in flames on July 21, 2022, severely damaging the dining room and basement, too. Last night 7/21/2022 at 2356 the STFD volunteers were dispatched to the Sparta Classic Diner for an Activated Fire... Posted by Sparta Township Fire Department on Friday, July 22, 2022 In May, the diner announced it would soon be reopening its doors. Well, as of Saturday, June 24, the day had come. The Sparta Classic…
Police & Fire
Four Dead In Fiery North Jersey Crash
Police have identified a father and his two children as three of the four people who died in a Sussex County crash Friday, May 26. Click here for details, or read on for the original news report. A 2021 Jeep Rubicon heading west crossed over the double yellow lines, striking a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup head-on around 4 p.m., on Newton-Sparta Road east of Limecrest Road, in Andover Township near the Sparta line, local police said. The Ford Ranger pickup erupted in flames with three occupants entrapped. First responders used fire extinguishers and attempted life-saving measures but t…
Police & Fire
DWI Driver Gets 8 Years For Crash That Killed NJ Mom, Nurse
An intoxicated driver who caused a crash that killed a nurse and mom from Sparta early last year will spend years behind bars, a Sussex County judge has ruled. Attila Princz, 42, of Sparta, was sentenced to eight years in prison, 85 percent of which he must complete before he will be eligible for release, said acting county Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart in a statement. Princz had previously pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated in January, authorities noted. Princz was headed north on Route 181 near Signal Hill Trail when he crossed over in…
Schools
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28
The first winter storm of the season is causing a change in plans for New Jersey schools on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Some districts have delayed openings while others are closed completely. Here's a list of which school are closed or delayed for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Check your school/district's website for details. Bedminster: 10: 50 a.m. start Bellville: Delayed Bergen County Tech: Closed Bergenfield: 2-hour delay Bernards: 2-hour delay Bloomfield: Delay Bloomingdale: Closed Bogota: Delayed Butler: Closed Cliffside Park: 10 a.m. start Clifton: Delayed Closter: Delayed Cresskill: Delayed Demarest: …
Sports
Sparta Football Player Battling Aggressive Bone Cancer At Age 11 Gets Wave Of Community Support
The Sparta community is rallying for a 5th grader and youth football player who is preparing to undergo chemotherapy treatment after he was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Daniel Bachkhaz, 11 in life and on the football field, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in early October, according to a GoFundMe launched for his medical support and a social media post from his football team, the Sparta Spartans. Since Daniel’s initial diagnosis, the post says that the cancer has continued to spread to his lungs, lymph nodes, pelvis, knee, and various parts of his leg. Many of you have heard …
Police & Fire
Sparta Cop Nearly Struck By Speeding Driver Injecting Drugs (
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The intense moment when a Sparta police officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by a speeding driver who was apparently injecting drugs was captured in an action-packed video clip. (Scroll for video). Sparta Police Officer Andrew Spitzer was at the scene of a traffic accident near Andover when a man injecting drugs and speeding at 70 mph came at him, the department said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The man continued to accelerate as he approached, forcing Officer Spitzer to leap out of the way just a moment before the car came barreling through to avoid being …
Schools
Beloved Sparta School Teacher Dies Suddenly After Having Severe Brain Hemorrhage While Driving
Beloved Sparta elementary school teacher Elaine “Louise” Shepherd died unexpectedly at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York after having a severe brain hemorrhage and going into cardiac arrest while driving home from Boston on Monday, Sept. 26. She was 57. Born in Stakeford, Northumberland, England, Louise went to Bedlington High School before graduating from Northumberland College in Ashington, her obituary says. Louise then went to the US for what was initially supposed to be a six-month job as a nanny in 1985 — but after meeting her husband, Scott, the pair decided to settle …
Obituaries
North Jersey Labor And Delivery Nurse, Dedicated Mom Of 3 Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle, 35
North Jersey labor nurse and dedicated mother of three Kristin M. Trail died following a fearless battle with cancer on Monday, Sept. 19. She was 35. Born in Norwood Massachusetts, Kristin grew up in Abington and spent time in Boston, Virginia, and Key West before settling in Augusta in 2018, her obituary says. Kristin attended American University and George Washington University in Washington DC, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in both health promotions and nursing, according to her memorial. Kristin was incredibly devoted during her long career as a Registered Nurse in the Labor and…
Obituaries
Sussex County HS Grad, Spa Receptionist Dies After Fearless Battle With Addison’s Disease, 32
Sussex County high school graduate and spa receptionist Kelly N. Fogarty died after a long and fearless battle with Addison’s Disease on Friday, Sept. 16. She was 32. Born in Rahway, Kelly was raised in Hillsborough and moved to Wantage in 2000, her obituary says. Kelly then attended High Point Regional High School, where she graduated in 2008, according to her memorial. Kelly had most recently worked as a receptionist at May’s Lash Spa in Sparta, which posted a heartfelt Facebook tribute following her passing. The May’s Lash Spa family is so terribly sad to announce the passing of o…
Police & Fire
Drugged Driver Charged After Barely Avoiding Deadly Crash In Sussex County, Police Say
An allegedly drugged driver was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault and DWI after barely avoiding a deadly crash, authorities said. Officers attempted to stop a Kia Forte being driven erratically south on Sparta Avenue in Sparta around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, Police Lt. John Lamon said in a release on Tuesday, Sept. 6. The driver, Christopher Morales, 43, of North Bergen, stopped abruptly in the middle of the road before he allegedly continued on Sparta Avenue. Morales then approached Andover Road, where two Sparta Police officers were directing traffic from an earl…
Police & Fire
Un-Flipping-Believable: Pickup Truck Towing Excavator Flips, Plows Into NJ Tire Shop (
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You'd have to see it to believe it: police say brake failure was to blame after a pickup truck towing an excavator flipped and crashed into a North Jersey tire shop. Luciano Viera Dos Santos, 28, was driving a black pickup truck towing an excavator on a flatbed on Glen Road toward Main Street in Sparta when its brakes failed around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, Sparta Police said. Santos, of North Arlington, crossed Main Street and struck two parked vehicles before the flatbed flipped and crashed into Mavis Tire, causing the excavator to flip in the parking lot, authorities said. No one was…
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