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Somerset, NJ

Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say
Secret Rutgers Drug Network Exposed: Seven Arrested In Undercover Bust, Prosecutors Say A covert social media network used by Rutgers University students to buy and sell drugs led to seven arrests following a months-long investigation, authorities said. The seven were arrested as part of the "Operation RU Pharm" investigation, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 5. The undercover operation exposed a private social media network used by Rutgers students to distribute and purchase drugs. Investigators said they uncovered the online platform created by a former Rutgers student. Dealers posted menus of drugs for students w…
NJ Ranks Among Top States For Hospital Safety In Fall 2024, Leapfrog Report Finds NJ Ranks Among Top States For Hospital Safety In Fall 2024, Leapfrog Report Finds
NJ Ranks Among Top States For Hospital Safety In Fall 2024, Leapfrog Report Finds New Jersey hospitals are among the safest in the nation, according to the fall 2024 Hospital Safety Grade report from The Leapfrog Group.  The Garden State ranks in the top 10 states for the highest percentage of "A" hospitals, joining states like Utah, Virginia, and Connecticut. The grades, which are updated twice a year, assess nearly 3,000 hospitals across the country on their effectiveness at preventing medical errors, accidents, and infections. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 30 performance measures to assign grades ranging from "A" to "F," offering patients and fami…
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Sextorted Boy He Met In Online Gaming Chatroom: Prosecutors A Somerset man was accused of trying to get a boy to send him nude pictures and videos in a sextortion scheme, authorities said. Sebastian Romero, 27, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 2, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said in a news release. The investigation started after the boy's family contacted the Cinnaminson Township Police Department in July. Investigators said Romero met the boy online through an online gaming platform's chatroom and knew the boy was underage. He got personal information about the boy before offering to pay him with electronic gif…
New Peter Sarsgaard Movie Filmed Throughout New Jersey Hits Theaters New Peter Sarsgaard Movie Filmed Throughout New Jersey Hits Theaters
New Peter Sarsgaard Movie Filmed Throughout New Jersey Hits Theaters A new movie opening Friday was a real "coup" for the Garden State. "Coup!" starring Peter Sarsgaard opens in theatres throughout New Jersey, distributed by Greenwich Entertainment  The film is set on a seaside estate during World War I amidst the 1918 influenza epidemic as a journalist and his socialite wife take in a mysterious grifter, played by Sarsgaard, to be a private cook, according to a synopsis.  Sarsgaard soon leads staff in a takeover of the mansion as the epidemic reaches the island, according to a synopsis. The movie took advantage of New Jersey's early 20th century…
Flood Watch Issued In These NJ Counties Ahead Of Downpours Flood Watch Issued In These NJ Counties Ahead Of Downpours
Flood Watch Issued In These NJ Counties Ahead Of Downpours A flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service across much of New Jersey ahead of drizzles expected to turn into downpours. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain is expected with both showers and thunderstorms producing heavy downpours Friday afternoon, July 12 through Saturday afternoon, July 13, the National Weather Service said. Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex Gloucester Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Union, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren, are all under a flood watch. 🌧⚠️ Not much change to the forecast with this morning's update. We …
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market
Feds: Nine Sex, Money, Murder Members Nabbed With Fentanyl, Coke, More At Open-Air Drug Market Nine reputed members and associates of the Sex, Money, Murder street gang were charged by Homeland Security agents in New Jersey with peddling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine at an open-air drug market. Working with local law enforcers, agents with HSI Investigations Newark homed in on a neighborhood on West 3rd Street in Plainfield where the subset of the Bloods controlled the drug trade, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. For months, they witnessed and recorded sales, conducted undercover buys -- some by confidential informants -- and analyzed phone records, the U.S. attorney said. …
Forecasters Were Way Off: 13 Inches Of Snow Fell Unexpectedly In NJ, PA Towns Forecasters Were Way Off: 13 Inches Of Snow Fell Unexpectedly In NJ, PA Towns
Forecasters Were Way Off: 13 Inches Of Snow Fell Unexpectedly In NJ, PA Towns Four inches of snow at most was expected in the second snow storm of the week in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. But much more fell.  In the Friday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 17 storm, up to 13 inches of snow fell in some towns across the region, according to the National Weather Service. Here's who got the most snow, according to the National Weather Service: ATLANTIC, NJ: Beuna Vista, 3.3 inches; Hammonton, 2.8 inches; Somers Point, 2.2 inches BERKS, PA: Lyons, 12 inches; Fleetwood, 9 inches; Blandon, 8.5 inches BERGEN, NJ: Westwood 3 inches; Fair Lawn 2.5 inches; River Vale 2 …
14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL 14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: DOL
14 NJ Businesses Newly-Barred From Practicing For Shortchanging Workers: 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…
Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy
Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid, the pharmacy giant that filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, Oct. 15, plans to close 154 underperforming stores nationwide, according to a new filing.  A dozen of the stores closing are located in New Jersey. They are: 431 Haledon Avenue in Haledon 35 Mill Road in Irvington 1636 Route 38 Suite 49 in Lumberton 210 Bridgeton Pike in Mantua 108 Swedesboro Road Suite 20 in Mullica Hill 2370 Route 33 in Robbinsville 773 Hamilton Street in Somerset 4057 Asbury Avenue Suite 8 in Tinton Falls 1726 Route 37 in East Toms River 3 Marshall Hill Road in West Milford 1434 South Black …
Tornado Possible, Flood Watch Issued Across 18 NJ Counties As Thunderstorms Loom Tornado Possible, Flood Watch Issued Across 18 NJ Counties As Thunderstorms Loom
Tornado Possible, Flood Watch Issued Across 18 NJ Counties As Thunderstorms Loom A flood watch is in effect across 18 of New Jersey's counties as thunderstorms with the possibility of a tornado moves in, the National Weather Service said. The flood watch is in effect until Wednesday evening, Sept. 13, in the following counties, according to the NWS: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. The NWS said there is a "marginal risk" of an isolated tornado and damaging winds, however, no tornado watch or warning was issued. A flood watch is in effec…
These Are The Top-Ranked Private High Schools In New Jersey, Website Says These Are The Top-Ranked Private High Schools In New Jersey, Website Says
These Are The Top-Ranked Private High Schools In New Jersey, Website Says We've seen the list of New Jersey's best public high schools, but what about the private ones?  Niche has a report for that, too. The community and school ranking site has released its 2023 report of "Best Private High Schools in New Jersey." These 10 private schools were ranked among the best in the Garden State by Niche: No. 1: Princeton International School of Math and Science No. 2: The Lawrenceville School No. 3: The Pingry School, Basking Ridge No. 4: Newark Academy, Livingston No. 5: Delbarton School, Morristown No. 6: The Peddie School, Hightstown No. 7: Dwight-Englewood Sch…
27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department 27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department
27 NJ Boston Market Stores Issued Stop-Work Orders By Labor Department Boston Market stores across New Jersey owe its workers thousands of dollars in back wages, and the state's labor department is taking action. The NJDOL issued 27 stop-work orders to Boston Market locations throughout the state on Monday, Aug. 14 saying the rotisserie chicken franchise owes more than $600,000 in back wages to 314 employees. The investigation began after the NJDOL received a complaint from an employee at a restaurant in Hamilton last November. Since then, almost three dozen people have come forward, naming several other locations. Citations were issued for unpaid/late pa…
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…
Five From NJ Admit Pocketing $1.3M In Aircraft Equipment Scam Five From NJ Admit Pocketing $1.3M In Aircraft Equipment Scam
Five From NJ Admit Pocketing $1.3M In Aircraft Equipment Scam A crew of con artists from New Jersey admitted swindling more than $1.3 million from hundreds of businesses nationwide and abroad that thought they were buying specialized aviation equipment. The head of the operation, Antonio P. Signo, 36, of Somerset – aka "Tony Demetro" – had been the first to take a deal from prosecutors rather than face the potential consequences of a trial. The onetime fugitive pleaded guilty last August -- with no public notice from authorities – to a single count of theft by deception, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin revealed on Thursday, May 25. The…
Diamond In The Draft: NJ Native, College Hoops Star Goes Second Overall In WNBA Draft Diamond In The Draft: NJ Native, College Hoops Star Goes Second Overall In WNBA Draft
Diamond In The Draft: NJ Native, College Hoops Star Goes Second Overall In WNBA Draft New Jersey's Diamond Miller is taking her talents from Maryland to Minnesota. With the second overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, the Minnesota Lynx selected Miller out of the University of Maryland after the fourth-year guard led the Terrapins to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship last month. MARYLAND TO MINNESOTA!The No. 2 overall pick in the WNBA Draft is Diamond Miller! pic.twitter.com/OVrTy0fUOh — Maryland Women’s Basketball (@TerpsWBB) April 10, 2023 A three-time all-Big Ten selection and Big Ten Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Miller capped off her career with her…
Tornado Watches, Warnings Issued Across Parts Of NJ Tornado Watches, Warnings Issued Across Parts Of NJ
Tornado Watches, Warnings Issued Across Parts Of NJ Several parts of New Jersey were under tornado watches and warnings, as per the National Weather Service on Saturday, April 1. Burlington and Mercer counties were under a tornado warning until 7:15 p.m., while parts of Browns Mills, Fort Dix, Hamilton Square, Marlton, West Freehold and White Horse were under the warning until between 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. Meanwhile, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties were under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Severe Thunderstorm Wa…
Police ID Victim, Car Thief In Central Jersey Pursuit-Crash That Left Innocent Bystander Dead Police ID Victim, Car Thief In Central Jersey Pursuit-Crash That Left Innocent Bystander Dead
Police ID Victim, Car Thief In Central Jersey Pursuit-Crash That Left Innocent Bystander Dead Authorities have charged two people and identified the innocent victim killed by car thieves during a wild police pursuit in Old Bridge on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Samuel Villar, 19, of Somerset, was using the vehicle stolen last month to burglarize cars in Marlboro when police began to pursue the car around 2:15 a.m. up Route 9, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Old Bridge Acting Police Chief Donald F. Fritz, Jr. said. Villar ended up crashing the vehicle near the Spring Valley Road intersection, killing Arturo Tlapa Luna, 33, of Freehold, who was in his vehicle with other mem…
Law Enforcement 'Supergroups' In NJ Unite To Fight Organized Violent Criminals Law Enforcement 'Supergroups' In NJ Unite To Fight Organized Violent Criminals
Law Enforcement 'Supergroups' In NJ Unite To Fight Organized Violent Criminals A collection of crime-fighting 'supergroups' nailed 42 defendants in a series of pinpointed attacks on organized gangs dealing drugs, packing weapons and waging street warfare in North Jersey, authorities announced. The Violent Crime Initiative, as it's called, targeted what had been thriving criminal organizations in Newark, Paterson and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Shooting incidents statewide and in cities where the VCIs operate are “appreciably lower” than the year-to-date total from last year, including a 23% reduction statewide, a 30% reduction in …
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…
WINNERS: Mega Millions Lottery Players Take Home $10K WINNERS: Mega Millions Lottery Players Take Home $10K
Winners: Mega Millions Lottery Players Take Home $10K There were two third-tier prizewinning tickets sold for the Tuesday, August 9, drawing. The winners matched four of the five white balls and the Gold Mega Ball drawn winning the $10,000 prize.  Those tickets were purchased at the following locations: Camden County: Quick Food Mart, 1023 Erial Rd., Pine Hill; and, Somerset County: Express Food Mart LLC, 2013 Route 27, Somerset. The winning numbers for the Tuesday, August 9, drawing were: 01, 08, 10, 25, and 32. The Gold Mega Ball was 13, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 03.
Motorcyclist Killed In Central Jersey Crash Was Aspiring Mechanic Motorcyclist Killed In Central Jersey Crash Was Aspiring Mechanic
Motorcyclist Killed In Central Jersey Crash Was Aspiring Mechanic Nelisson De La Rosa was just more than a year out of high school and had a bright future ahead of him, those who knew him said. He was an aspiring mechanic and, no matter the circumstance, had a positive attitude. The 19-year-old Franklin Township resident died in a Somerset crash Wednesday, July 20, leaving his single dad to grieve the loss of yet another son.  More than $6,800 had been raised as of Thursday, July 21 on a GoFundMe to help bring his body to the Dominican Republic, where his mother lives. De La Rosa collided with a Toyota Camry turning left on Easton Avenue …
Pain At The Pump: Gas Prices Spike To New Record High In New Jersey Pain At The Pump: Gas Prices Spike To New Record High In New Jersey
Pain At The Pump: Gas Prices Spike To New Record High In New Jersey Memorial Day travel and rising oil costs have caused the price of gas in New Jersey to rise to record levels with no relief in sight for motorists. On Wednesday, June 8, the cost of gas per gallon rose to an average of $5.03 statewide, the highest recorded price since AAA began tracking such figures, according to the organization. The price is up one cent overnight, 26 cents from a week ago, and 58 cents from a month ago as the demand for fuel has risen while tensions overseas have limited the available supply.  On June 8, 2021, motorists were paying an average of $3.06 per gallon in New …
Details Released In Crash That Killed Sunset Watcher In Cape May Details Released In Crash That Killed Sunset Watcher In Cape May
Details Released In Crash That Killed Sunset Watcher In Cape May A driver apparently suffered from a medical episode before striking and killing a 75-year-old woman on a bench in Cape May County, authorities said. On Sunday, May 29, at 7:38 p.m., Lower Township police responded to a motor vehicle crash near Lincoln Boulevard and Beach Drive.  Police found a 2015 Hyundai Elantra had struck another vehicle and then a pedestrian seated on a bench before coming to rest in the Delaware Bay, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland alongside Chief Kevin Lewis of the Lower Township Police Department. The pedes…
Cyber-Footsie Scammers From NJ, MD, VA Swindle $7 Million From Mostly Elderly Victims, Feds Say Cyber-Footsie Scammers From NJ, MD, VA Swindle $7 Million From Mostly Elderly Victims, Feds Say
Cyber-Footsie Scammers From NJ, MD, VA Swindle $7 Million From Mostly Elderly Victims, Feds Say Mostly elderly victims across the United States were conned out of a whopping $7 million by a quartet of romance scammers from New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia – all of whom were arrested by the FBI, authorities said. The victims sent the money to the imposters thinking that they were helping out love interests, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. They lost a lot. Arrested this past week, Sellinger said, were: Nana Yaw Marfo, 37, of Virginia, who was accused of receiving at least $4.7 million; Chevon Braxton, 42, of Maryland, who was accused of collecting at least $1.3 million; Will…
Five From NJ Charged With Pocketing More Than $1M From Aircraft Equipment Scam Five From NJ Charged With Pocketing More Than $1M From Aircraft Equipment Scam
Five From NJ Charged With Pocketing More Than $1M From Aircraft Equipment Scam A crew of con artists from New Jersey swindled more than $1 million from businesses nationwide that thought they were buying aircraft equipment and replacement parts, state authorities charged. For five years, the thieves cut deals online for the purported sale of specialized equipment, including airline ground support parts and hydraulic jacks, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. As soon as the payments arrived, members of the crew either made a bunch of cash withdrawals or slid the money into a Somerset County accomplice's account, Platkin said. The buyers got bup…
Police ID New Brunswick Man, 40, Killed In Weekend Crash Police ID New Brunswick Man, 40, Killed In Weekend Crash
Police ID New Brunswick Man, 40, Killed In Weekend Crash Police have identified the 40-year-old man killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer. Kendall Campbell, of New Brunswick, was driving north on Route 1 near New Road when the crash occurred about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, South Brunswick police said.  Campbell got stuck under the rear of a tractor-trailer driven by a 56-year-old man from Somerset, police said. He was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was pronounced dead, they said. The crash remains under investigation.  Anyone with information is urged to call 732-329-464…
Meth & Cocaine, Guns, Thousands In Cash Seized In Major Takedown Of NJ Drug Ring Meth & Cocaine, Guns, Thousands In Cash Seized In Major Takedown Of NJ Drug Ring
Meth & Cocaine, Guns, Thousands In Cash Seized In Major Takedown Of NJ Drug Ring A seven-month-long investigation led to nearly two dozen arrests and the seizure of several pounds of drugs, firearms, ammunition, drug money and more, authorities in Central Jersey announced. "Operation Fire and Ice" — launched under the direction of Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas J. Chirichella Jr., and multiple federal law enforcement agencies — targeted a crystal meth, cocaine and firearms distribution ring, Chirichella's office said on Monday, March 7. Twenty search warrants were executed at the homes of Jeffrey Cope, Shayne Murdock, Jermaine Lloyd, Jason Fort, David Nin…
Police Officer, Bicyclist Injured In Central Jersey Crashes Police Officer, Bicyclist Injured In Central Jersey Crashes
Police Officer, Bicyclist Injured In Central Jersey Crashes A 41-year-old man from Middlesex County has been arrested in connection with a series of crashes that left a bicyclist and police officer injured, authorities said. The incident began at 1:29 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 when the bicyclist, a 40-year-old East Brunswick man, was riding on Route 522, crossing over Route 130 to Fresh Ponds Road. At the same time, a 2017 Ford passenger van driven by Ankur Khajuriwala of North Brunswick made a left-hand turn from Route 522 onto Route 130 northbound and ran over the bicyclist, South Brunswick police said.  The van never stopped and headed northbou…
West New York Killer Brutally Beat Inmate For Latin Kings 'Hit Squad,' Indictment Charges West New York Killer Brutally Beat Inmate For Latin Kings 'Hit Squad,' Indictment Charges
West New York Killer Brutally Beat Inmate For Latin Kings 'Hit Squad,' Indictment Charges A convicted killer from West New York sent a fellow inmate to the hospital with a severe head injury as part of a deal with a prison "hit squad" run by a Latin Kings leader, authorities said. Daniel Balbuena, 29, carried out the beating in exchange for an assault on a rival of the Gran Familiar Mexicana gang by hit squad members, an indictment returned by a grand jury in Trenton alleges. Authorities last year charged Frank “Lafay” Blake of Hillside and several other current and former shank-armed inmates with an assault at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, as well as with plans to carry …
24-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Car On Route 287 24-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Car On Route 287
24-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Car On Route 287 A 24-year-old man was struck and killed by a car while on Route 287 in Bedminster early Sunday, Jan. 30, authorities said. Juan S. Gonzalez-Genchi, of Somerset, was in the roadway on the southbound side when he was struck by a Mazda passenger car near milepost 22.4 around 4:20 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. Gonzalez-Genchi was pronounced dead at the scene in Bedminster. The crash remains under investigation and there was no additional information available.
How Much Snow Did You Get? These Are Totals By Town In New Jersey How Much Snow Did You Get? These Are Totals By Town In New Jersey
How Much Snow Did You Get? These Are Totals By Town In New Jersey New Jerseyans on Friday woke up to several inches of snow on the ground in the first major storm for some and second for others this week. Most of the state got somewhere between four and six inches, according to the National Weather Service. Areas in Sussex County got the last amount of snow, average between 1.8 and 3 inches. The most amount of snow seems to have landed in parts of Bergen and Gloucester counties: 6 to 7.3 inches. Here are the averages across New Jersey from north to south, according to the National Weather Service's legend: Newton: 3 inches Lake Hopatcong: 3.6 Jefferson…