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Saturday, nov 30
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Raritan, NJ
Business
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…
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…
Weather
Midweek Downpours Expected To Bring 3 Inches Of Rain, Travel Delays To East Coast
A new storm system tracking along the East Coast is expected to drop several inches of rain on the region in the next two days, meteorologists say. Rainfall is expected to begin along the mid-Atlantic Tuesday night, Dec. 26, and make its way north through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the New York City area on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 27. Flooding and travel delays are to be expected from Virginia to New England, the Passaic, Ramapo and Raritan rivers in New Jersey most likely to experience flooding, according to AccuWeather. This is not good news for municipalities across Passaic County w…
Business
NJ Bar Closing After 55 Years: 'Great Bar With Good People'
It's the end of an era for a Somerset County institution. Michael's Inn, which has been in Raritan for 55 years at 46 Thompson St., announced on Facebook it is closing at the end of the year. "Between staffing issues, high demand of the business and the overwhelming amount of hours of performed, it has taken a toll both physically and mentally," Lauren Speis, who bought the bar in 2021. "It has been a true honor to serve you all." In a follow-up post, Speis said the owner of the building put the property up for sale. "As we are renters we apologize as we could not change the hand being de…
Police & Fire
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit
At 26 years old, a woman is confronting her former New Jersey teacher who is accused of sexually abusing her 12 years ago, court documents show. Now, the same age as her abuser when they began a relationship, the victim told now-38-year-old Lydia Pinto this month she could never fathom doing what she did: Engage in a relationship with someone 14 or 15 years old, according to the affidavit obtained by Daily Voice. Pinto, of Newton, PA, was charged earlier this month with sexually abusing a former student. The victim, identified only as Jane Doe, was a freshman at Bridgewater-Raritan …
Police & Fire
Former NJ Man Sexually Abused Girls Ages 8 To 15 Then Relocated To Texas, Police Say
A 41-year-old Texas man has been arrested on accusations he sexually abused two minors in Somerset County. Janakiraman Somasundaram sexually assaulted one victim, a girl, who was between the ages of 8 and 11 at the time of the incidents, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. A second victim told detectives she was sexually abused by Somasundaram when she was 15, McDonald said. Both instances happened in Raritan. Somasundaram was subsequently charged with various counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and fourth-degree c…
Police & Fire
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 …
Obituaries
Memorial For Councilman Shot Dead At PSE&G Will Help Daughter Through College In PA
A former PSE&G employee shot and killed his supervisor outside the utility company's Somerset County facility on Wednesday, Feb. 8, authorities say. But this "one-of-a-kind" man's legacy will live on through his daughter, according to his family. Russell "Russ" D. Heller, 51-year-old councilman in Milford, NJ, was gunned down by 58-year-old Gary T. Curtis on Weston Canal Road in Franklin Township shortly after 7 a.m. Feb. 8, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Curtis soon turned the gun on himself, and both men died the same day, as Daily Voice previously reported. H…
Police & Fire
Immigrant Living In NJ Facing Deportation For Sexual Abuse Of Minor: US Marshals
A citizen of Costa Rica who had been wanted for the sexual abuse of a minor was in ICE custody awaiting deportation after his New Jersey capture, authorities said. Felix Montero-Molina, 56, was captured by US Marshals agents on 5th Street in Raritan on Thursday, Oct. 13 around 7:30 a.m., a spokesperson for the agency said. Montero-Molina had been wanted by authorities in Costa Rica since 2019 in connection for the incident, which happened there, US Marshals said. Turns out, he'd been living in Raritan, authorities said.
Police & Fire
Officials ID 28-Year-Old Man Killed By Train In Plainfield
Officials have identified the victim struck and killed by a train last week in Plainfield as a 28-year-old resident. Wilber Anibal Hernandez Rivas 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 resum…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Sword-Wielding Man Went On Rampage That Locked Down Local Businesses In NJ: Police
A sword-wielding man surrendered to authorities after using his weapon to smash the window of a storefront then charge at officers Wednesday, May 25 in New Jersey, police said. Police were called to Deliworks on State Highway 31, the business that had its window smashed by the unidentified man, around 3:20 p.m. in Raritan, local police said. The man had gone into a wooded area with his sword, and when police found him, they asked him to drop it, they said. However, the man refused and instead charged at them near Healthquest, police said. Police attempted to "deploy less lethal munit…
News
Lines Wrap Around North Jersey Pizza Shop After Barstool's Portnoy's Near Perfect Review
"This is not a COVID line." The line that Brian Neuman was referring to in his Instagram caption was the one outside of DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza last week in Raritan. People flocked to the First Avenue restaurant for days on end after the restaurant scored a 9.4 from Barstool CEO Dave Portnoy on his "One Bite" pizza review. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) “Is this the best pizza I’ve ever had? It’s 100% in the conversation,” Portnoy said in the Jan. 6 review. "You drive three to four hours for …
Police & Fire
Police Seek Raritan PNC Bank Robber
Authorities in Hunterdon County are seeking the public's help in locating a bank robber. Police responded to the PNC Bank inside of the Stop & Shop on State Highway 31 in Raritan around 1:35 p.m. Thursday, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor Office said. The offender passed a note to the teller demanding money. The teller complied with the request and the offender fled the area, authorities said. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’5” tall, approximately 160 pounds, wearing a black hooded sweater with light grey or white mask covering his face. There were no injuries, and no weap…
Police & Fire
$2,500 Reward Offered In Bridgewater Sexual Assault
Authorities in Somerset County are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with a sexual assault at a Bridgewater park last week. A woman was riding her bike in Duke Island Park when a man came up behind her asking to use her cell phone around 8:45 p.m. on July 18, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Bridgewater Township Chief of Police Paul Payne. The woman told investigators the man held a knife to her throat and asked for her money. After handing over her money, the woman said…
Police & Fire
NJ Man Attacks Victim With Axe When Argument Turns Violent, Authorities Say
A 53-year-old Somerset County man was arrested for attacking a victim with an axe, sending him to the hospital, authorities said. Jonathan W. Beatty, of Raritan, was at his West Somerset Street house when he got into an argument with someone he knew around 12:50 a.m. July 3, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Things escalated and Beatty sliced the victim's back and forearm with the axe, causing him to bleed profusely, Robertson said alongside Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte. Beatty was transported from …
Business
Couple Opens Italian Restaurant 'Basilico' In Raritan
A new Italian restaurant has opened in Raritan. "Basilico" is owned by Joe Trani and Kari LaSpisa, who have operated several other eateries in the area. Joe came to the U.S. in 2013 from Italy. The food at Basilico is inspired by his upbringing in Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples. "We aren't focusing on the past, only the future," Kari said. Posted by Basilico on Sunday, May 23, 2021 Posted by Basilico on Sunday, May 23, 2021 Basilico, 46 W. Somerset St., Raritan
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Hunterdon County Man, 26, Charged With Sexual Assault, Child Endangerment
A 26-year-old Readington man was being held in the Warren County Jail on charges of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child and lewdness, authorities said. Jose Ramos-Ramirez was arrested April 10 on second, third and fourth degree charges, respectively, Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Michael J. Williams, Acting Chief of Detectives Frank R. Crisologo, and Readington Township Police Chief Joseph Greco said Monday. The alleged crimes occurred in Readington Township, Williams said. The arrest was a result of a joint and ongoing investigation by the Hunt…
News
National Eyeglass, Contacts Retailer Accused Of Discriminating Against Pregnant NJ Employee
A discount vision retailer with stores throughout New Jersey discriminated against a now-former employee by switching her to part time and not providing a suitable place to pump breast milk after she had a baby, a state civil rights complaint alleges. Jalaia Hill says in a state civil rights complaint that her health coverage was eliminated by the sudden position switch from full to part time when she returned from maternity leave to the America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses store in Burlington. America’s Best also “failed to reasonably accommodate her request for a place to express brea…
News
Winner
: New Mega-Millionaire In Camden County
While no one won Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot, there was a $1 million winner in Camden County. The lucky player matched five of the five white balls to win the second-tier prize. The winning ticket was purchased at Masso’s Deli & Pizzeria, 11 Lakeview Dr. North in Gibbsboro. The winning numbers were: 20, 43, 51, 55, and 57. The Gold Mega Ball was 04, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 02. There were three third-tier prizewinning tickets sold that matched four of the five white balls and the gold ball winning $10,000. Those tickets were purchased at the following locations: Mor…
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Multiple Firearms, Ammo Seized In 2-Hour Central Jersey SWAT Standoff
Multiple firearms and ammunition were seized from a 74-year-old Central Jersey man who authorities said fired a gun inside his home with a woman upstairs, launching a nearly two-hour SWAT standoff. Raritan police were called to a Hidden Pond Court home, just after Stephen E. McManus fired a shot around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said. Nearby residents were evacuated for their safety as officers on scene made "direct visual and verbal contact" with a female resident in an upstairs bedroom of McManus' home, Robertson said. Meanwhile, McM…
News
Dozen Men Who Thought They Were Meeting Teens For Sex Busted In Undercover NJ Sting
The president of a financial institution and software engineer were among a dozen men who thought they were meeting a child for sex but instead, were arrested on the spot in an undercover New Jersey sting, authorities announced Tuesday, (scroll down for the complete list of defendants). The 12 men in "Operation Spotlight" thought they were meeting up with children they'd met on various social media platforms, but instead, were arrested at various pre-arranged locations across Somerset County between Oct. 15 and Oct. 18, Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and U.S. Attorney/District of …
Police & Fire
Driver Accused Of Drunkenly Killing Runner ID'd As Retired North Jersey Police Sergeant
A suspected DWI driver accused of killing a runner in a Somerset County crosswalk had retired from a police department in Union County last year, after 25 years on the force, his former chief confirmed. Kevin D. Betyeman, 56, of Bridgewater, was charged with driving while intoxicated, and several motor vehicle summonses following the Friday afternoon crash in Raritan, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said earlier this week. The retired Mountainside police sergeant fatally struck Celeste Andresen, 60, of San Manuel, AZ, in his Chevy pickup truck, while she was out for a run l…
Police & Fire
Authorities: Man Robbed At Knifepoint In Hillsborough Home Invasion, 2 Jailed
Two men were being held in the Somerset County Jail in connection with a knifepoint home invasion, authorities said. A man at a Bloomingdale Drive home called 9-1-1 around 2:45 p.m. June 17, to report the incident, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a release with local police. The victim told detectives from the Hillsborough Police Department and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office that the suspects broke into his home, assaulted him then robbed him, Robertson said. An investigation found Ahmad "Lucky" Campbell, 20, of South Bound Brook, threatened the victi…
Police & Fire
Middlesex County Teacher, Wrestling Coach Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen
A Middlesex County teacher who has coached wrestling at more than a dozen New Jersey schools is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager, court records show. John M. Denuto was suspended with pay from his job as a special education math teacher in Sayreville, reports say. He was arrested Saturday and charged with possession of child pornography, the sexual assault of a teenager and photographing a child in a sex act, according to court records. Denuto's arrest was in connection with an October 2016 incident, in which he was described as a "non-caretaker" of the 13- to 15-year-old teen. D…
News
Wasps Released In Delaware Water Gap Will Kill Beetle Found Eating North Jersey's Ash Trees
Several species of small wasps that attack the eggs of a tree-eating beetle found in North Jersey were released last weekend within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, according to a recent report. The adult and pupae wasps are native to Asian areas where the emerald ash borer (beetles) are from. The Asian-native emerald ash borer beetles attack ash trees and have been detected in parts of New Jersey, as well as across the U.S. This year, the EAB has been detected in the following areas of New Jersey, according to the state's agricultural department: BERGEN: Glen Rock CAMDEN…
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