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…
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police
NJ Teacher Had Sexual Relationship With High School Student For Years: Police A former New Jersey teacher from Pennsylvania has been accused of sexually assaulting a former student, police said. Lydia Pinto, 38, of Newton, PA, is believed to have engaged in a relationship with the student — now an adult — when they were 14 and 15 years old, in Raritan Borough, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The alleged victim was interviewed by detectives on Oct. 26, and said the relationship turned sexual and continued through their senior year of high school, McDonald said alongside other county and local officials. Pinto was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 8 i…
Pair Robbed Victim Of Vape At Gunpoint In Somerset County: Prosecutor Pair Robbed Victim Of Vape At Gunpoint In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Pair Robbed Victim Of Vape At Gunpoint In Somerset County: Prosecutor A juvenile and an 18-year-old man were arrested for robbing a victim of a vape at gunpoint in Somerset County, officials said. Oscar Juarez-Perfecto was a passenger in the SUV driven by the 17-year-old, when the two drove up to a man on Claremont Road in Franklin Township, pulled out a handgun and demanded the victim’s money and cellphone around 1:25 p.m. on Nov. 9, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. A vape pen was taken from the victim, but no injuries were sustained resulting from the robbery, McDonald said. Juarez-Perfecto and the teen were both arrested and cha…
Somerset County Business Owner, Devoted Dad Christopher Sohnen Dies Unexpectedly, 36 Somerset County Business Owner, Devoted Dad Christopher Sohnen Dies Unexpectedly, 36
Somerset County Business Owner, Devoted Dad Christopher Sohnen Dies Unexpectedly, 36 Somerset County is mourning the loss of a local business owner and devoted father. Christopher Andrew Sohnen died unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 4, aged 36, his obituary says. Christopher graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School before attending Alvernia University, according to his social media page. He took great pride in having been the sole owner of Green Life Landscape & Design since 2018. Christopher was known for his ability to connect with others in meaningful ways, often through humor and thoughtful conversations. “If you knew Chris, you knew he had a gift to connect …
Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor
Hostage Emerges Screaming, With Stab Wounds After 4-Hour SWAT Standoff In NJ: Prosecutor Police have released details and made an arrest in a nearly five-hour SWAT standoff involving a hostage Friday, Nov. 10 in Somerset County. Police received 9-1-1 calls saying a man later identified as Alonzo D. Blakey, 50, was holding a female relative against her will in his apartment on Columbia Drive in Finderne, around 7:20 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Blakely was threatening to harm himself and the victim when Bridgewater police arrived, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., Bridgewate…
Traffic Nightmare: Portions Of Route 78 Closed For $28M Repair Project Veteran's Day Traffic Nightmare: Portions Of Route 78 Closed For $28M Repair Project Veteran's Day
Traffic Nightmare: Portions Of Route 78 Closed For $28M Repair Project Veteran's Day It's going to be a Veteran's Day filled with congestion and delays on Route 78 Eastbound in Somerset County, the New Jersey Department Of Transportation announced. The left lane on the eastbound side will be closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m, on Saturday, Nov. 11 as construction continues on a bridge deck project.   The lanes will be closed before the Routes 78/287 interchange split with one through lane maintained. All Route 78 eastbound traffic will be directed to stay right, as the left two lanes over the temporary bridge in the median will be closed to make repai…
‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Nature Preserve Debuts In New Jersey ‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Nature Preserve Debuts In New Jersey
‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Nature Preserve Debuts In New Jersey Rainbow Hill, a pristine nature preserve featuring an 8-acre lake, hiking trails, and farm fields nestled between Hunterdon and Somerset County, is officially open to the public. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJ Conservation) held the grand opening for Rainbow Hill at Sourland Mountain Preserve — located just 30 miles east of Bucks County, PA — on Friday, Nov. 3. The site spans 1,150 acres and includes woodlands, fields, and several freshwater tributaries of the Neshanic River. Meanwhile, there are plenty of opportunities for passive recreational activities like hiking, horseback…
Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor
Arsonist Found Unconscious After Setting Fire To His NJ Apartment: Prosecutor A 40-year-old arsonist was found unconscious after setting a fire that ignited a Somerset County apartment, authorities said. Dashawn Holmes, a tenant in an East Main Street building in Somerville, was found unconscious by firefighters responding to the alarm set off just before midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 25, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Holmes was taken to an area hospital for treatment. The Somerville Fire Marshall responded to the scene and determined the fire to be suspicious in nature, said McDonald alongside Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of…
Police Seek Clues On Somerset County ‘Fugitive Of The Month’ Police Seek Clues On Somerset County ‘Fugitive Of The Month’
Police Seek Clues On Somerset County ‘Fugitive Of The Month’ Know anything? Police are attempting to locate Somerset County’s ‘Fugitive of the Month’ for November. Revaz Nebieridz, 32, is wanted for possession, unlawful possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, and other offenses following an incident that occurred in Raritan on Monday, Sept. 4, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit said. Nebieridz stands 6 feet tall and weighs about 220 pounds, authorities said. He has brown hair and brown eyes, as well as a 3-inch scar on his head. Nebieridz has previously lived in Raritan, Somerville, and Flanders, investigators say. An…
Shooting Led To Car Crash In Somerset County: Prosecutor Shooting Led To Car Crash In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Shooting Led To Car Crash In Somerset County: Prosecutor Authoritiew in Somerset County are investigating a shooting that resulted in a car crashing. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 9:09 p.m., Franklin Township Police officers were dispatched to Matilda Avenue for gunshots fired and a vehicle crash, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle that crashed into a local business, he said.  A passenger in the vehicle, an adult male Franklin Township resident sustained injuries from the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment with non-life-threateni…
Man Covers Victim's Mouth, Eyes On NJ Walking Path, Robs Her Of Cellphone: Prosecutor Man Covers Victim's Mouth, Eyes On NJ Walking Path, Robs Her Of Cellphone: Prosecutor
Man Covers Victim's Mouth, Eyes On NJ Walking Path, Robs Her Of Cellphone: Prosecutor A 45-year-old Jersey Shore man was arrested after a terrifying assault and robbery of a woman on a local walking path, authorities said. Elias Rodriguez, of Brick, is believed to have approach the woman on the path behind the Blessed Sacrament Church on Washington Valley Road around 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The victim said she was walking the path behind the church when a man, later identified as Rodriguez, came up behind her and put his hands over her eyes and mouth. The victim began to struggle with R…
MURDER: Attacker Convicted Of Beating Victim Dead In NJ Driveway While Helping Him Move MURDER: Attacker Convicted Of Beating Victim Dead In NJ Driveway While Helping Him Move
Murder: Attacker Convicted Of Beating Victim Dead In NJ Driveway While Helping Him Move A 31-year-old Central Jersey man has been convicted of beating a 50-year-old man while helping him move in 2022. Samuel C. Coggins, 31, of Flemington, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the July 14, 2022 beating death of Augustine Garcia, of Manville, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Coggins was helping Garcia and another resident move from a home on North 12th Avenue in Manville when Coggins assaulted Garcia in the driveway just before 3 p.m., McDonald said. Garcia was found unresponsive with a severe head injury outside the home, and Coggins remained at the …