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Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint
Plainfield School Employee Pocketed $13K Meant For Program: Complaint An employee with the Plainfield School District and a board of education trustee in Montgomery was arrested last month and charged with stealing money meant for a school program, authorities said. Between March 2021 and May 2023, Zelda Spence-Wallace, 54, pocketed $13,000 meant for the Plainfield Board of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and used it for her own personal gain, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. Spence-Wallace was charged with theft by deception and theft of moveable property. The mother of five served as project director for…
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
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…
4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor 4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor
4th Suspect Charged In Shooting Near Rutgers Campus: Prosecutor A fourth man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting that occurred near the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick, authorities said. On April 5, at approximately 2 a.m., authorities responded to 66 Easton Avenue after a report of a shooting. Police found one female and one male victim, who sustained gunshot wounds and were subsequently taken to Robert Wood Hospital for treatment.  Both victims were affiliated with Rutgers, campus police said. On April 6, Walter Rodriguez-Cardenas, 20, was arrested without incident in Plainfield w…
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD
Person Fatally Struck By Vehicle Moments After Hitting Pedestrian: North Plainfield PD A 57-year old Plainfield man was fatally struck by a car as he was checking on a pedestrian he hit with his vehicle near Costco in North Plainfield on Thursday, April 4, authorities said. At 11:37 p.m. police responded to Route 22 East and discovered two motor vehicle crashes had taken place, North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti said. Danti Bryant had just struck a 31-year-old North Plainfield woman who was injured and lying in the roadway, Parenti said. As Bryant exited his vehicle to investigate what he had struck, he was struck by another vehicle that swerved to avoid hitting the…
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart Rutgers University graduate and attorney Christopher Canada of Plainfield died on Feb. 12, according to an obituary published by Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home. He was 55 years old. Friends created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his sons' continuing education.  The campaign says Chris, a Clark native, is survived by his wife of 20 years, Debbie, whom he met in middle school. "Chris first met his future wife Debbie in 6th grade and was quickly smitten, as he made known through a series of attention-getting pranks combined with chivalrous actions such as carrying her books home fr…
Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison
Driver In High-Speed Pursuit From NJ Swim Club Headed To Prison A 22-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday, Jan. 12 after pleading guilty to leading police on a pursuit in Somerset County that damaged multiple police vehicles in October 2022, authorities said. At 3:51 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2022, Berkeley Heights Police responded to the parking lot at the Brook Hill Swim Club in Watchung for a report of vehicles driving recklessly and revving their engines at a high volume, Somerset District Attorney John McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Watchung Borough Chief o…
Services Announced For Firefighter, Piscataway Resident, Killed In Line of Duty Services Announced For Firefighter, Piscataway Resident, Killed In Line of Duty
Services Announced For Firefighter, Piscataway Resident, Killed In Line of Duty Marques Hudson, the Plainfield firefighter killed on Friday, Jan. 26 battling a house fire, will be laid to rest on Saturday, Feb. 3.  Services were announced by Buckland Funeral Home in Somerset for Hudson, the 32-year-old Piscataway resident and father of three. Viewings will be held on Friday, Feb 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Plainfield High School and Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the high school, according to his obituary.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. at the high school, his obituary reads. Hudson was pronounced dead after he…
Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America
Four NJ Restaurants Make Yelp's Top 100 In America New Jersey foodies have some new places to add to their list, if they haven't dined there already. Four restaurants from the Garden State made Yelp's annual Top 100 US Restaurants 2024 list. Boomchia in Montclair ranked 21st on the list. The restaurant has a five star rating on Yelp serves up healthy bowls, offering ingredients like dark chocolate granola, blue coconut, bananas, cashew butter and gogi berries.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Colonna (@thetypicalfoodie) "Best Chia Acai bowl," wrote one Yelp reviewer. "…
Somerset Business Among 14 Newly-Barred From Practicing In NJ: DOL Somerset Business Among 14 Newly-Barred From Practicing In NJ: DOL
Somerset Business Among 14 Newly-Barred From Practicing In NJ: DOL An additional 14 New Jersey businesses have been barred from practicing for short-changing workers and other violations, bringing the total to 82, according to the state's Labor and Workforce Development Department. The businesses — which were named to the NJDOL’s Workplace Accountability in Labor List (the WALL) — owe a collective $956,000 in wages and penalties to the state and their employees. The 14 businesses added to the WALL are: A Z Construction of NJ Inc., Plainfield Brasero Chicken 3 LLC, Paterson Dar's Staffing LLC, Little Egg Harbor EC Abatement Inc., Newark Lane Mechanical He…
Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player From Bridgewater Prosecutors Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player From Bridgewater Prosecutors
Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player From Bridgewater 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…
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease
Beloved Somerset County Dad Dies After 10-Year Battle With Kidney Disease Support is on the rise for a Somerset County family mourning the loss of a devoted dad after a 10-year battle with kidney disease. David Betancourt died surrounded by his beloved family at RJW Somerset on Monday, Nov. 6, his obituary says. He was 69. Born and raised in Agua Caliente, Guatemala, David lived in Plainfield, Somerville, and California before settling in North Plainfield in 2007. He was a member of the army in Guatemala before arriving in the United States in the 1980s, his memorial says. Described as a “man of all trades,” David loved soccer, especially watching the World Cu…
Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (UPDATE) Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (UPDATE)
Plainfield Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle In Bound Brook (Update) A 66-year-old man died after being struck by a car in Bound Brook Monday, Nov. 20, police said. The Plainfield man was in cardiac arrest when responders arrived at the West Union Avenue crash scene in front of Burger King, around 6:10 p.m., Bound Brook Police Chief Richard S. Colombaroni said. Officers and paramedics initiated life-saving measures and the victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Officers and detectives from the Bound Brook Police Department and the Somerset…
North Plainfield's Pat Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Safe After Missing For Month North Plainfield's Pat Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Safe After Missing For Month
North Plainfield's Pat Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Safe After Missing For Month Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been found safe. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, has been found safe and was home with his wife, Sue, directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough said on Pespas' Instagram account Friday, Oct. 27. Pespas had been missing since Sept. 29, when he was seen in Easton, PA, and later at a bar in the Pittsburg area. Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, NJ, has been living with his wife in Easton, PA.  He teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a …
Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors
Somerset Fugitive Charged With Attempted Murder Caught In PA: Prosecutors A Somerset County man accused of five counts of attempted homicide was arrested in Easton, Pennsylvania last week, according to authorities.  Cristobal Avila, 32, of Plainfield, is also charged with unlawful weapon possession related to an April 2021 incident in North Plainfield, said the Prosecutor's Office. He was arrested by Easton police on Saturday, Sept. 30 and will be returned to New Jersey pending extradition and prosecution of other charges in Pennsylvania, officials said.  Avila was Somerset County's fugitive of the month in September, they noted.  Details of his …
North Plainfield's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing North Plainfield's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing
North Plainfield's Patrick J. Pespas, Star Of HBO's 'Telemarketers' Reported Missing Patrick J. Pespas, who starred in HBO's "Telemarketers," has been missing for days, those who know him say. Pespas, 55, of Phillipsburg, was last seen in the Easton, PA area around 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, according to directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Bhala Lough Pespas, formerly of North Plainfield and Plainfield, teamed up with Lipman-Stern to create the three-part HBO mini docu-series "Telemarketers," which shined a light on the truth about the telemarketing industry. It premiered in August. Bhala Lough said on Sunday, Oct. 1 Pespas may have been spotted at a bar in Pittsburgh. …
Pair Admit To Roles In Double-Fatal Shooting On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Pair Admit To Roles In Double-Fatal Shooting On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Pair Admit To Roles In Double-Fatal Shooting On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Two men charged in a double-shooting that left a man and a woman dead in Neptune Township have both admitted to their roles in the killings, authorities said. Gabriel J. Brathwaite, 20, of Keansburg pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and a related weapons offense, they said. Brathwaite admitted that he fatally shot 18-year-old Samore Edwards of Plainfield and 19-year-old Isaiah Williams of New Brunswick, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. Braithwaite’s codefendant, 24-year-old Jeron D. Dearin of the Cliffwood section of&nb…
NJ Dealer Charged Federally With Selling Mix Of Fentanyl, Heroin That Killed User: Authorities NJ Dealer Charged Federally With Selling Mix Of Fentanyl, Heroin That Killed User: Authorities
NJ Dealer Charged Federally With Selling Mix Of Fentanyl, Heroin That Killed User: Authorities A Somerset County man was seized by federal agents who charged him with selling a mix of fentanyl and heroin that killed a user in Plainfield. Officers responding to the victim’s home found two wax folds containing both drugs and bearing a unique stamp, which they linked to Thomas Kane Miller, 38, of Somerset, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Investigators learned that the victim and Miller had arranged to meet shortly before the October 2022 overdose, the U.S. attorney added. Miller had also been found 10 days earlier with several wax folds of the same drugs with the same stamp, Selli…
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…
Days-Long Argument Culminates In Summit Shooting: Police Days-Long Argument Culminates In Summit Shooting: Police
Days-Long Argument Culminates In Summit Shooting: Police A days-long argument ended in a shooting this weekend in one Union County town, authorities said. Jaime Tapia-Lobos, 33, of Irvington, had been arguing with his 35-year-old Vauxhall victim before the incident Saturday morning, June 24 in Summit, local police said. Tapia-Lobos and two other men were standing on the sidewalk around 8:35 a.m., at 130 Park Ave., in Summit when the victim drove up, got out of his vehicle, and approached the group, authorities said.  Authorities in a Union County town are on the hunt for a shooting suspect who left one victim wounded.Summit PD "The suspect a…
7 Hurt, 2 Critically, In Bridgewater Intersection Crash: Police 7 Hurt, 2 Critically, In Bridgewater Intersection Crash: Police
7 Hurt, 2 Critically, In Bridgewater Intersection Crash: Police Seven people were hurt, two of them critically, in a major crash at a Somerset County intersection Sunday, June 11, police said. The two-car collision occurred at the intersection of Rt. 22 and Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater just before 2:10 a.m. Jose Cruz Villanueva Izaguirre, 24, of Plainfield, was behind the wheel of a 2004 Honda Civic and collided with a Kia Sedona driven by Elhabib Alhoudh, a 56-year-old North Brunswick man, according to Bridgewater Police officers who found both vehicles disabled and heavily damaged in the intersection. Izaguirre, as well as his passengers — two ad…
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 …
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In North Plainfield Fire: Prosecutor 2 Injured, 1 Critically, In North Plainfield Fire: Prosecutor
2 Injured, 1 Critically, In North Plainfield Fire: Prosecutor Authorities are investigating the cause of a Somerset County fire that hurt two residents, one critically. The blaze broke out at a home on Mountain Avenue in North Plainfield around 3:10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said alongside local Police Chief William Parenti. Two men were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where one of them remained in critical condition, McDonald said. The cause of the fire was being investigated but did not seem suspicious, the prosecutor added. Assisting agencies include fire crews in Bridgewater/Finderne, Bound Brook,…
NJ Amazon Driver's Killer Gets 25 Years Behind Bars: Prosecutor NJ Amazon Driver's Killer Gets 25 Years Behind Bars: Prosecutor
NJ Amazon Driver's Killer Gets 25 Years Behind Bars: Prosecutor A 28-year-old Plainfield man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of an Amazon driver in 2021. Quahif Lane's sentence for aggravated manslaughter was handed down on Friday, May 26, by Union County Superior Court Judge Stacy Boretz, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. In September 2021, Plainfield Police responded to the 200 block of Garfield Ave and found Jamar Harris, a 36-year-old Newark resident, suffering from a gunshot wound, Daniel said. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene, Daniel said. 
School Bus Driver Ticketed After Crash With Subaru In Somerset County: Police School Bus Driver Ticketed After Crash With Subaru In Somerset County: Police
School Bus Driver Ticketed After Crash With Subaru In Somerset County: Police Students were fortunately unharmed and a school bus driver was hit with tickets after colliding with another vehicle Wednesday, May 10, authorities said. The crash occurred at Route 518 and Vreeland Drive in Montgomery Township around 4:15 p.m., according to police. The bus driver, David Rios, 41, of Plainfield, was reportedly heading eastbound on Route 518 and attempting to make a left turn onto Vreeland Drive. Rios then turned in front of and collided with a westbound Subaru Forrester driven by Michael Lesniewski, 47, of Pennington, police said. Drivers and students were evaluated at th…
NJ Restaurants Named To Yelp's List Of Top 100 Places To Eat In America NJ Restaurants Named To Yelp's List Of Top 100 Places To Eat In America
NJ Restaurants Named To Yelp's List Of Top 100 Places To Eat In America Yelp has released its latest installment of the top 100 places to eat in America.  Among them, three New Jersey joints. Salmon from Jessica's Cafe & Restaurant.Jessica's Cafe & Restaurant The list includes something for everyone, from family-owned digs to a 5-star hidden hotspot in a former hospital storage room, the report says. No. 40: Jessica's Cafe, Plainfield: Yelpers love the milk-fed pork chops, grilled shrimp and wild mushroom crepes. No. 78: Kenko Sushi, Lincoln Park: Yelpers love the Godzilla, The Monster, and the vegetarian options. No. 88: Nicholas Anthony’s Family…
‘She Was A Hero:’ Somerset County Rescue Squad Vice President Stephanie Scheiderman Dies At 25 ‘She Was A Hero:’ Somerset County Rescue Squad Vice President Stephanie Scheiderman Dies At 25
‘She Was A Hero:’ Somerset County Rescue Squad Vice President Stephanie Scheiderman Dies At 25 Tributes are pouring in for dedicated EMT and Somerset County rescue squad vice president Stephanie Beth Scheiderman, who died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at the age of 25. Born in Plainfield, Stephanie was raised in Green Brook, where she earned her Girl Scouts Silver Award and participated in theatre and color guard before graduating from Watchung Hills Regional High School in 2015, her obituary says. Stephanie also served as secretary of the Cameo Society of the Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter of the NSDAR: New Jersey. Stephan…
'Distance Was His Sanctuary': 2003 Murder Suspect Who Fled To Guatemala Captured By US Marshals 'Distance Was His Sanctuary': 2003 Murder Suspect Who Fled To Guatemala Captured By US Marshals
'Distance Was His Sanctuary': 2003 Murder Suspect Who Fled To Guatemala Captured By US Marshals A fugitive who's been on the lam for years and captured last March is back in New Jersey after being extradited, authorities said. Fausto Ramiro Santos Carillo, 56, fled to Guatemala sometime after the Plainfield murder of 49-year-old Martha Morales in July 23, 2003, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said. She was found in the East Third Street apartment she shared with Carillo, having suffered multiple stab wounds, authorities said. Following the murder, Fausto Carillo fled the area. In February 2018, the Union County Prosecutor’…
US Marshals Nab NJ Murder Suspect In Philadelphia US Marshals Nab NJ Murder Suspect In Philadelphia
US Marshals Nab NJ Murder Suspect In Philadelphia Members of the US Marshals Service captured a New Jersey man wanted for murder in Philadelphia, authorities said. Michael Cruz, 20, had been wanted in the Plainfield killing of Somerset's David Michael Buck on Sept. 17, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said. Cruz was captured on Monday, Oct. 3 and is pending extradition proceedings to return to New Jersey, authorities said. Buck was found that September evening around 6:40 p.m. having suffered gunshot wounds on the 700 block of Kensington Avenue in Plainfield, according …
Police ID Man Found Shot Dead Inside Central Jersey Vehicle Police ID Man Found Shot Dead Inside Central Jersey Vehicle
Police ID Man Found Shot Dead Inside Central Jersey Vehicle Authorities have identified the man found shot to death inside a vehicle in Piscataway. Jibreel Elliott, 31, of Plainfield, has been identified as the victim of a shooting that took place on Monday, Sept. 5, at 4:02 a.m. on Aspen Court, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office. Elliott was found in his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds and taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Det…
Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery
Ex-NJ McDonald's Worker Gets More Prison Time For 'Practical Joke' Armed Robbery A 54-year-old man was sentenced to time in New Jersey State Prison for using a fake gun to rob his former employer, McDonald's during what he said was a "practical joke" while out on bail for another robbery, authorities announced. During a Friday hearing, Union County Superior Court Judge Robert A. Kirsch ruled that Plainfield's Thomas H. Outland must serve a minimum of 85% of the sentence before the possibility of parole, under the provisions of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.  Outland and an unidentified co-conspirator both wearing ski masks and holding guns entered the Route 22 …
Person Fatally Struck By Train In Union County Person Fatally Struck By Train In Union County
Person Fatally Struck By Train In Union County A person was struck and killed by an NJ Transit train in Union County, officials said. The male pedestrian was struck by Raritan Valley Line train 5413 near the Grant Avenue bridge in Plainfield around 8:55 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, NJT spokesman Jim Smith said. The train departed Newark Penn Station at 7:59 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Raritan at 9:08 a.m. There were no reported injuries to the 20 customers or the crew on board. Raritan Valley Line rail service was suspended in both directions between Plainfield and Dunellen but has since resumed. NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes w…