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Sunday, feb 16
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Cranford, NJ
News
NJ Grandmother Mauled to Death By Hippo On African Safari; Husband Sues CT Tour Company
A New Jersey man is suing a Connecticut-based safari company after his wife was mauled to death by a hippopotamus during a bush walk in Zambia last year. Craig Manders, 72, of Cranford, NJ, is suing African Portfolio, an Old Greenwich-based travel company, after a hippopotamus fatally attacked his wife, Lisa Manders, 70 — a Long Island, NY native — in Lower Zambezi National Park on June 5, 2024. NJ mom of three was mauled to death by a hippo that charged them on African safari: lawsuit https://t.co/An7NOJ2hpt pic.twitter.com/YFz7oRFoHA — New York Post (@nypost) February 13, 2025 …
Sports
North Jersey Eagles Fan In Enemy Territory Transforms Lawn Into Viral Tribute
Melissa Davies, 52, of Cranford, NJ, didn’t expect to go viral when she grabbed a can of paint and turned her lawn into a giant tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Super Bowl LIX. But after her husband, Tim Davies, posted a photo in an Eagles Facebook group this week, the internet soared with excitement—earning her over 17,000 likes as of Thursday, Feb. 7. "I felt like I could do it, so I did it," Davies said. "I'm not normally a hobby artist. My career is in social media research, so I’m used to looking at what content themes are going viral, but not necessarily being th…
News
NJ Native, Skating Sensation Son Among 67 Dead In DC Plane Crash
A New Jersey native and her teen skating sensation son were among the 67 people killed in this week's collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk and American Eagles plane over Washington DC, officials confirmed. Christine Lane and her son, Spencer Lane, were killed in the crash, the Boston Skating Club confirmed on Thursday, Jan. 30. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted out a TapInto article saying that Christine was a Cranford native, having graduated from CHS in 1993. "Heartbroken to learn that Cranford-native Christine Conrad Lane and her son, Spencer, were among the victims of Wednesday's …
Police & Fire
DUI Driver Seriously Injures Family Thanksgiving Morning On Route 1, Prosecutor Says
A 31-year-old DUI driver is facing multiple charges in a crash that left a family and a teenager seriously injured in Edison, police said. Alyssa Figueredo, 31, of Cranford, drove through a red light around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 on Route 1 north at Parsonage Road in Edison, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan said. Figueredo’s vehicle struck a car driven by a 39-year-old Edison man, his wife, 35, of Woodbridge, and his 15-year-old daughter, Ciccone and Bryan said. The other driver suffered serious injuries while his wife and the teen g…
News
Dozen NJ Towns Serve As Backdrop For Movie 'Sweethearts' Out Thanksgiving Day
Nearly a dozen New Jersey towns serve as the backdrop for the Max Original film "Sweethearts," set to debut this Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. The romantic comedy starring Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga was filmed in Cranford, Jersey City, and Mahwah. Two cast members have Garden State ties: Jake Bonjiovi, son of NJ rocker Jon Bon Jovi, and former "Saturday Night Live" star Chloe Troast, of Ho-Ho-Kus, are featured actors in "Sweethearts." According to NJ Advance Media, "Sweethearts" filmed at local homes in Newark, Demarest, Kinnelon and Cranford; as well as at the Cr…
Police & Fire
Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge: AG
Cranford police officers who fatally shot a Perth Amboy man on the Garden State Parkway in December 2023 will not face charges, the state attorney general's office announced Friday, Oct. 25. On Thursday, Dec. 28, officers from the Cranford Police Department were pursuing a stolen vehicle when it crashed in the area of Exit 131 on the Parkway southbound, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. After the crash, the driver of the vehicle, Kevin Harlfinger, exchanged gunfire with Cranford Police Officers Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry, Platkin said. Harlfinger was pronounced d…
Police & Fire
Man Wanted For Unlawfully Possessing Weapon In Somerset County: Prosecutor
A 37-year-old man is at large after he unlawfully possessed a handgun in Somerset County in June 2021, authorities said. James Schoenknecht was named Somerset County's Fugitive of the Month for August by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. He has remained at large since he was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a prohibited weapon or device since an incident that occurred on June 26, 2021 in Sound Bound Brook. Schoenknecht is believed to be in Cranford or Naples, Fla, authorities said. Anyone with information on Schoenknecht's whereabouts should contac…
Sports
These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch
The Paris Olympics have begun! And, in case you missed it, several of Garden State's fittest and most athletic residents are there (scroll for their names, sports, and hometowns). A total of 23 athletes from New Jersey have qualified for the Olympics and are ready to make their run at the gold. Events kicked off Friday, July 26. Click here for a complete schedule of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Garden State athletes include: Paxten Aaronson, of Medford: Soccer Bam Adebayo, of Newark, and 2020 Olympian: Basketball Jack Alexy, of Morristown: Swimming Jackie Dubrovich, of Riverda…
Police & Fire
Dad, Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On NJ Turnpike: State Police
A 37-year-old Monmouth County motorcyclist was killed in a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Newark on Saturday June 8, authorities said. At 2:31 a.m. Ryan Schamlz, a Keyport resident, was opearting a Harley Davidson south on the ramp of the Turnpike by Interchange 14 when he crashed into an international truck hauling a utility trailer that was stopped on the access road at the intersection, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. Schmalz suffered fatal injuries, Lebron said. The crash remains under investigation, Lebron said. I have no words right no…
Police & Fire
Late-Night Drunken Assault Near Meadowlands Sends One Man To Hospital, Other To Jail
A drunken man was hospitalized and another jailed for assaulting him at a private industrial garage in Rutherford, authorities said. The 40-year-old victim from Cranford approached an East Rutherford police officer who was fueling his patrol vehicle at the Rutherford DPW garage on Highland Cross -- just off northbound Route 17 near the Meadowlands -- around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Police Chief John Russo said. He was bleeding from a head wound, the chief said. "It was determined he was assaulted by an acquaintance at a private industrial garage where both were at that eveni…
Police & Fire
Construction Worker Killed In Trench Accident ID'd As Former Rutgers Wrestler, 29
The construction worker killed in a Kenilworth trench accident earlier this month has been identified as a 29-year-old former Rutgers University athlete. Corey Greg Stasenko, of Cranford, was killed on Monday, May 6, during a project on Monroe Street, Daily Voice has learned. Police at the time, without identifying the worker, said he was trying to install a storm drain in the back of a business using an excavator when he became trapped around 9 a.m. First responders attempted life saving measures but he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Man, this really is heartbreak…
News
'Crazy Left Wingers Who Hate America:' NJ Bakery Receives Bizarre Anti-Pride Letter
A New Jersey bakery has received an influx of sweet support after receiving a bitter anti-Pride letter in the mail. Sweet n' Fancy Emporium on South Avenue East in Cranford a letter in the mail earlier this month, signed by the Citizens of Cranford. "As a concerned citizen that was about to shop at your site… I noticed the rainbow flag hanging in your window," the typed letter reads "I have notified all of my girlfriends who in turn have decided to boycott your store. It is not that we despise the flag… it is just we do not want to be associated with crazy left wingers who hate America." O…
News
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…
Obituaries
NJ's Theresa 'Tess' Callaghan Dies Year After Cancer Diagnosis, 29
Theresa Callaghan, a 29-year-old Mount Olive native, died on Monday, Feb. 26 after battling brain cancer, according to her obituary. Born in Cranford, Callaghan graduated from Mount Olive High School in 2012, her obituary reads. She graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in nutrition and dietetics and later achieved her master's in nutrition from St. Elizabeth University, according to her obituary. Callaghan was diagnosed with brain cancer in March 2023, according to a fundraiser set up to support her medical bills. As of Thursday, March 7, more than $106,000 had been raised.…
Schools
NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm
School districts across New Jersey have begun announcing schedule changes for Friday, Jan. 19, ahead of the second snow storm of the week. Parts of the state could see up to six inches of snow, expected to begin falling between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said. The following districts have early dismissals: Cranford Dumont Franklin Lakes Hackensack Hanover Park Regional HS Lyndhurst Marlboro Maywood Millburn Mountainside North Arlington Oradell Parsippany-Troy Hills Pompton Lakes Rockaway Roselle Park Scotch Plains-Fanwood Totowa Warren Watchung/Watchung Hills R…
Police & Fire
Ex-Con Killed In Shootout With Police On Garden State Parkway ID'd
New Jersey's top law officer on Monday identified a gunman who was killed in a shootout with Cranford police following a high-speed pursuit and crash on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge. Ex-con Kevin Harlfinger, a 40-year-old ex-con from Perth Amboy, was behind the wheel of a stolen white work van being pursued by Cranford officers when it crashed near Exit 131 shortly before midnight Dec. 28, according to a brief statement released on Monday, Jan. 8, by the office of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin in Trenton. Harlfinger exchanged shots with the officers, wounding one of them, au…
Police & Fire
Dump Truck Driver Killed In Head-On Crash With Another Dump Truck In Central Jersey: Police
A 46-year-old dump truck driver from Passaic County was killed in a head-on collision with another dump truck in Central Jersey, authorities said. The crash occurred at 9:42 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22. on Port Reading Avenue near Lee Street, Woodbridge police said. The dump trucks were traveling in opposite directions, police said. One truck traveling eastbound crossed over the double yellow line resulting in a collision with the other truck. A driver from Woodland Park was found unconscious in the driver's seat. CPR was initiated and the driver was transported to Robert Wood …
Lifestyle
Lucy Liu Poses With Police Amid Movie Filming In North Jersey
Hollywood has apparently come to North Jersey. Movie star Lucy Liu stopped to snap photos with Cranford cops while filming a movie in town. Special thanks to Lucy Liu for stopping to greet Lt. Gene Perrotta and SLEO Walt Berg this month while filming a movie in Cranford. Lucy Liu Posted by Cranford Police Department on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 Police did not say which movie the "Charlie's Angels" star was filming or where, just that they were flattered she stopped by on Sept. 19.
Lifestyle
NJ Dancer Wows With Tribute To Mom Battling Cancer On 'AGT'
Donovyn Diaz has all the right moves. The 20-year-old Cranford native, who graduated from Union Catholic High School, stunned the judges on "America's Got Talent" earlier this month by performing a dance routine in honor of his mother, who is battling breast cancer. "I want her to see me and think I raised a star," Diaz, who has a background in dance and gymnastics, said. Diaz then impressed the crowd with his dance to "How I Say Goodbye" by Dean Lewis, moving some audience members to tears. "I think you're mom is going to be so proud because this was spectacular," judge Sophie Verg…
Obituaries
NJ Mom, 'Brilliant Mind' Amy Saccone Dies After 2-Year Cancer Battle
Amy Saccone, a 43-year-old Cranford resident, died on Sunday, June 18 after a two-year battle with colon cancer, according to her obituary. Amy grew up in Matawan and attended Georgian Court University in Lakewood, having double majored in biology and chemistry, her obituary says. She worked in technical sales and product management and was an account executive for Catalent, according to her obituary. There are absolutely NO words to express the brokenness felt💔 I am not even going to try. If you know me, you know the... Posted by Susan Buccellato on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 A fundrais…
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 …
Business
Popular Diner Opens 4th NJ Location
A new diner is about to be the "Toast" of Union County. Toast City Diner announced it will be opening its fourth location in the Garden State in downtown Cranford. The diner is expected to open in fall 2023 at South and Walnut Ave next to the Cranford Hotel and be run by founder Amy Russo and her partner Adam Torine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Toast City Diner (@toastcitydiner_) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Toast City Diner (@toastcitydiner_) The diner has l…
Police & Fire
Coach, Special Ed Teacher Filmed Sex Acts With Child: Prosecutor
A former wrestling coach and special education teacher has admitted to having sexual contact with a child, authorities said. John.Denuto, 46, of Spotswood pleaded guilty to child endangerment and other offenses on Friday, April 14, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Denuto, a former special education teacher at the Sayreville Middle School and former wrestling coach at numerous other schools and organizations who exploited his position as both a teacher and a wrestling coach to meet and abuse his victims was initially arrested on February 15, …
Police & Fire
Car Thief With Bullets Found In Meadowlands Motel: PD
A woman driving a car stolen out of Newark was found with several handgun bullets inside of a Secaucus motel Monday morning, April 24, authorities said. A Secaucus officer was patrolling near the Red Roof Inn on the Meadowlands Parkway around 7:35 a.m., when he "randomly" accessed the registration of an unoccupied Kia Forte that was parked, but running in the parking lot, Police Chief Dennis Miller said. The car had been stolen out of Newark in April 2003, and the driver — Doniesha Coar, 27 of Glassboro — was found inside the motel, Miller said. During a search of her jacket, Coa…
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Killed By Train In Union County, Delays Reported
Delays were reported on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line Sunday morning, March 26 due to a pedestrian having been fatally struck. The RVL train 5515, which left Newark Penn Station just before 9:40 a.m., struck the pedestrian around 9:50 a.m. on Galloping Hill Road near the Roselle Park station, NJT officials said. Service was suspended between Cranford and Newark Penn Station as of 11:40 a.m. Raritan Valley Line rail service remains suspended in both directions between Cranford and Newark Penn Station due to a pedestrian fatality near Roselle Park. Substitute bus service is being pro…
Obituaries
Longtime Cranford Resident Jane Heyburn Dies, 60
Longtime Cranford resident Jane Heyburn died on March 18, surrounded by her family at home, her obituary says. She was 60 years old. A 1980 graduate of Cranford High School, Jane went on to earn her degree in business management from the University of Phoenix, prior to a 38-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, according to her obituary. Jane was being remembered as an avid gardener who loved to dance and spend time at the Jersey Shore. She is survived by her husband, Don; daughters Alexandra and Jessica; sisters Elizabeth Curry and Laureen Eldridge; and a host of nieces, nephews and…
Business
Young North Jersey Entrepreneur Has Message For The Non-Believers
One of North Jersey's newest business owners is also one of the area's youngest. At just 19 years old, Kamily Flores opened Craft Protein Bar in Cranford last November. And she's got a message for the non-believers: "Don't underestimate us." The Elizabeth resident grew up watching her parents run a cafe of their own and knew quickly, she wanted to the same. "I grew up around entrepreneurial spirit," said Flores, a business marketing major at Union County College. "We like to work for ourselves." Flores felt her age worked to her advantage. "I'm young, I have nothing to lose," she told…
Police & Fire
Driver Fatally Shoots Himself On Garden State Parkway: State Police
A driver fatally shot himself in a vehicle on the Garden State Parkway overnight, authorities said. State troopers patrolling the highway found a vehicle on the right shoulder at milepost 139 in Cranford around 3:30 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Charles Marchan said. Upon approaching the vehicle, troopers saw a deceased man with one self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, Marchan said. The incident remains under investigation and there was no additional information available.
Police & Fire
$1.4M Paid To Suspended NJ Officers Awaiting Trial For No-Show Extra Duty Jobs: Report
Four suspended police officers from Edison were paid $1.4 million during the two years they awaited trial for billing the town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, NJ Advance Media reports. The officers have been on paid suspension ever since, but were put on unpaid leave earlier this month when new indictments were announced against Sgt. Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory Makras, 38, of Cranford and Sgt. Brian Rossmeyer, 45, of Bridgewater, according to the outlet and Middlesex County Pr…
Police & Fire
4 NJ Police Officers Indicted For Bilking Town For No-Show 'Extra Duty' Assignments: Prosecutor
Four suspended police officers from Central Jersey bilked their town for no-show "extra duty" assignments, authorities said. The Edison Police officers were charged with racketeering, bribery, theft, money laundering and witness tampering, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said on Friday, Oct. 14. They did not say how much taxpayer money was stolen by the former officers. Sergeant Ioannis (John) Mpletsakis, 43, of Edison Township, Patrolman James Panagoulakos, 36, of Jackson Township, Patrolman Gregory&nbs…
Police & Fire
Multiple Crashes Reported On Garden State Parkway
Rain was contributing to the number of crashes in Central and South Jersey during the evening rush on Thursday, Oct. 13, authorities said. There were multiple crashes on the Garden State Parkway. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, there were parkway crashes in Cranford, Sayreville, Little Egg Harbor, Ocean Township and Wall Township. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
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