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Bridgewater, NJ

Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies
Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies Thomas Dinan, a police officer in West Milford, died on Tuesday, July 30, 10 days after his 66th birthday, the department announced. Dinan joined the West Milford Police Department in June 2018 as a Class II special officer, assisting with traffic details, township events, prisoner watches and transports and court security, police said. Prior to joining West Milford, Dinan spent 27 years in the Bridgewater Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant, before retiring in 2015 after serving as patrol officer, narcotics investigator, bias crimes officer and counterterrorism liaison, pol…
Bridgewater Mom Dies Suddenly At 42: 'Wonderful Woman Loved By All' Bridgewater Mom Dies Suddenly At 42: 'Wonderful Woman Loved By All'
Bridgewater Mom Dies Suddenly At 42: 'Wonderful Woman Loved By All' Kate Bennett, a 42-year-old Bridgewater resident died suddenly on Wednesday, July 3, according to a fundraiser set up to support her family. Bennett is being remembered as a woman who was always smiling, had an infectious laugh and was always smiling, according to her obituary.  She worked as an office manager for a doctor in the Robert-Wood Johnson Barnabas Health System, her obituary reads. I still cannot believe this happened. I am still at a loss for words. I lost a really great close friend very... Posted by Tara Kunie on Friday, July 5, 2024 "Kate was a wonderful woman …
Motorcyclist, 28, Killed In Route 287 Crash Motorcyclist, 28, Killed In Route 287 Crash
Motorcyclist, 28, Killed In Route 287 Crash A 28-year-old motorcyclist from Whitehouse Station was killed in a crash on Route 287 in Bridgewater on Thursday, June 27, authorities said. At 7:36 p.m., a Yamaha motorcycle driven by Mazen Alnaser was traveling north on Route 287 when it exited the roadway to the left and struck a guardrail, ejecting him, Charles Marchan, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said.  Alnaser's motorcycle then continued north and struck the back of a Madza, Marchan said. Alnaser was pronounced dead at the scene, Marchan said. The crash remains under investigation, Marchan said.
Former Flemington Councilman Pleads Guilty To Distributing Cocaine: Prosecutor Former Flemington Councilman Pleads Guilty To Distributing Cocaine: Prosecutor
Former Flemington Councilman Pleads Guilty To Distributing Cocaine: Prosecutor A former councilman in Flemington pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine on Wednesday, June 19 and faces up to five years in prison as part of his plea agreement, authorities said. Malik Johnston a.k.a. Pippin Folk has faced numerous legal problems over the past year. In April, Johnston, 47, was indicted for theft for stealing $1,000 from the club's bank account at a branch in Bridgewater, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée  Robeson said.  At the time of the transaction, Johnston was a former officer of the club and did not have permission to make the cash withdrawal and keep …
Crash Shuts Route 22 In Bridgewater Crash Shuts Route 22 In Bridgewater
Crash Shuts Route 22 In Bridgewater Route 22 was closed due to a crash early Wednesday, June 19 in Bridgewater. The accident happened around 8:10 in the eastbound lanes, east of Chimney Rock Road. As of 8:20 a.m., all lanes were closed.
NJ High School Hockey Player Collin Zavoda Dies, 15 NJ High School Hockey Player Collin Zavoda Dies, 15
NJ High School Hockey Player Collin Zavoda Dies, 15 Collin Zavoda, a 15-year-old student athlete at Bridgewater High School died unexpectedly on Monday, June 10, according to a campaign launched for his family. A native of Edison, Zavoda moved to Bridgewater in 2013 and was active in the community, playing baseball and hockey, his obituary on the Bridgewater Funeral Home website reads.  An avid hockey fan, Collin also worked as a hockey referee, according to his obituary and helped lead his club hockey team to a championship. The rising sophomore was also an active Boy Scout who enjoyed fishing, boating and skiing, his obituary rea…
Masked Target Store Masturbator At Large, Police In NJ Town Say Masked Target Store Masturbator At Large, Police In NJ Town Say
Masked Target Store Masturbator At Large, Police In NJ Town Say A man is at large in Bridgewater after he masturbated at Target twice on Thursday, May 23, police said. Officers responded to the Target at 200 Promenade Blvd. on a report of a man masturbating in front of another customer, Bridgewater police said in a release.  Two hours prior, he had masturbated in front of a customer at the same Target without them realizing, police said. Bridgewater Police The man arrived and exited the parking lot in a black Tesla SUV, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Van Doren at gvandoren@bridgewaternj.gov or by phone at (908) 7…
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster has abruptly closed dozens of locations across the United States. According to a Bloomberg, the fast-casual seafood restaurant has considered filing for bankruptcy. The following locations are listed as being temporarily closed on the Red Lobster website, with some set to be auctioned off. MD: Columbia, Laurel, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg NJ: Ledgewood, Lawrenceville, East Brunswick, Bridgewater PA: Erie VA: Newport News, Williamsburg, Colonial Heights TAGeX Brand, which bills itself as the world's largest after-marketplac…
Former Flemington Councilman Indicted For Stealing $1K From Democrats: Prosecutor Former Flemington Councilman Indicted For Stealing $1K From Democrats: Prosecutor
Former Flemington Councilman Indicted For Stealing $1K From Democrats: Prosecutor A former member of the town council was recently for indicted for stealing $1,000 from the Flemington Democratic Club last year, authorities said. Malik Johnston, a 47-year-old Flemington resident, was indicted for theft by a grand jury in Hunterdon County for stealing $1,000 from the club's bank account at a branch in Bridgewater, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said.  At the time of the transaction, Johnston, also known as Pippin Folk was a former officer of the club and did not have permission to make the cash withdrawal and keep the funds, Robeson said. …
23 Small Aftershocks Reported By USGS In 23 Hours After New Jersey Earthquake 23 Small Aftershocks Reported By USGS In 23 Hours After New Jersey Earthquake
23 Small Aftershocks Reported By USGS In 23 Hours After New Jersey Earthquake The USGS is reporting 23 aftershocks in the 23 hours since the New Jersey earthquake that rattled the Northeast. The initial earthquake had a magnitude of 4.8 and was reported in Whitehouse Station at 10:23 a.m. Friday, April 5. Tremors were felt by more than four million people from Maryland to New Hampshire. The first aftershock was reported just under an hour later at 11:20 a.m. 6 km NNE of Whitehouse Station with a magnitude of 2.0. The largest aftershock had a 4.0 magnitude and happened just before 6 p.m. Friday, April 5. Most of the aftershocks were not notable, with magnitudes …
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor
NJ Field Hockey Coach Sent Sexually Explicit Texts To 17-Year-Old Girl: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Flemington field hockey coach was arrested on Thursday, March 28, and charged with sending one of his players, a 17-year-old girl, sexually explicit texts, authorities said. Brett Clay, a travel field hockey coach employed by Centercourt Field Hockey in Mount Olive, exchanged the text messages with the teen, a Bridgewater resident, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. Clay began sending illicit text messages in late December 2023, at one point offering her money in exchange for her sending him sexually explicit images, said McDonald alongside Chief of Count…
WINNERS! Powerball Tickets Sold In Somerset, Morris Counties Score Big $$ WINNERS! Powerball Tickets Sold In Somerset, Morris Counties Score Big $$
Winners! Powerball Tickets Sold In Somerset, Morris Counties Score Big $$ It was a wonderful Wednesday for Powerball players in Somerset and Morris counties. Tickets sold in Bridgewater and Stirling, respectively, matched four of the five numbers plus the red Powerball in the drawing held on Wednesday, April 3, winning $50,000.  The tickets were sold at Food Market in Bridgewater and Lukoil in Stirling. The winning numbers were 11, 38, 41, 62 65 and the red Powerball was 15.
Philly Trio Admits $1.6M Worth Of Thefts From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond Philly Trio Admits $1.6M Worth Of Thefts From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond
Philly Trio Admits $1.6M Worth Of Thefts From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond UPDATE: Three young Philadelphia men admitted burglarizing 55 UPS warehouses across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and beyond, netting more than $1.6 million worth of electronics. Sekou Fofanah, 20, Shamaire Brown, 19, and Quamaire Brown, 19, each pleaded guilty in federal court in Camden to conspiracy to commit cargo theft, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. All three and a fourth man, Aboudramane Karamoko, had been arrested and released at one time or other since the burglaries began nearly four years ago, records show. The most recent was last past April, when po…
69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole 69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole
69-Year-Old Repeat Child Porn Collector From NJ Gets Ten Years, No Parole A 69-year-old ex-con from New Jersey who'd previously avoided prison time for collecting child porn must spend the next decade behind bars for doing it again. Because there's no parole in the federal prison system, John Schulenburg of Basking Ridge will have to reach his 79th birthday in decent health before he'll taste freedom again. Schulenburg was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 10, to the mandatory 10-year minimum that U.S. law requires for a repeat offender as part of a plea bargain, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Had he gone to trial and been convicted, Schulenbu…
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: Prosecutors
Plainfield Man Indicted In Fatal Shooting Of Star Football Player: 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…
Seton Hall Student, 21, ID'd As Person Fatally Struck By Train In South Orange: NJ Transit Seton Hall Student, 21, ID'd As Person Fatally Struck By Train In South Orange: NJ Transit
Seton Hall Student, 21, ID'd As Person Fatally Struck By Train In South Orange: NJ Transit A 21-year-old man was identified as the person fatally struck by a train in South Orange on Wednesday, Dec. 13, NJ Transit officials said. Joseph DeBari, a junior accounting major at Seton Hall University, was struck by a train not in passenger service, west of the South Orange station around 7:35 p.m., NJ Transit officials said. The train was being moved eastbound on the Morris and Essex Line and no customers were on board and no crew were injured, NJ Transit said. A lifelong Bridgewater resident, DeBari was an avid sports fan, who rooted for the Mets and Seton Hall basketball, editing th…
COLD CASE: NJ Mom Found Dead In Pennsylvania Cornfield COLD CASE: NJ Mom Found Dead In Pennsylvania Cornfield
Cold CASE: NJ Mom Found Dead In Pennsylvania Cornfield Decades after she was found dead in a Lehigh Valley cornfield, state troopers continue their search for Caralee LaLaine Pensyl's killer.  The 20-year-old's remains were discovered unclothed and decomposed about a quarter-mile south of Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth on Dec. 12, 1987, according to state police.  Authorities say that she was murdered, but no official cause of death seems to appear in the public record. A contemporaneous report from the Allentown Morning Call claimed Pensyl had no wounds or trauma on her body when found. Still, loved ones were immediately suspicious…
Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit Victim Confronts NJ Teacher 12 Years After Sexual, Romantic Relationship: Affidavit
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 …
Four Nabbed In Thefts Of $1.6M In Electronics From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond Four Nabbed In Thefts Of $1.6M In Electronics From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond
Four Nabbed In Thefts Of $1.6M In Electronics From 55 UPS Locations Across NJ, NY, PA, Beyond Four Philadelphia men wanted for a burglary spree through 55 UPS warehouses across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and beyond were captured by federal agents this week, authorities announced. The quartet and at least three accomplices who are still at large stole an estimated $1.6 million in electronics over a two-year span beginning in January 2021, they said. The four currently in federal custody are charged with conspiracy to commit cargo theft, US Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said on Friday, Nov. 17. All four had been arrested and released at one time or other since …
Newly-Widowed NJ Mom Falls Victim To Gravestone Scammer: 'I Want Him Stopped' Newly-Widowed NJ Mom Falls Victim To Gravestone Scammer: 'I Want Him Stopped'
Newly-Widowed NJ Mom Falls Victim To Gravestone Scammer: 'I Want Him Stopped' Another New Jersey resident who was scammed out of thousands of dollars by Gregory Stefan, Jr. is sharing her story. It wasn't a week after Irene Pollard lost her husband before Gregory Stefan, Jr. had found her number. The North Brunswick mom was just beginning to wrap her head around the death of her husband, Myron Pollard, on Dec. 29, 2022, when Stefan began calling, asking her about creating a headstone for the gravesite. "It was way too soon," Pollard said.  Not one to make others feel pushed aside, Pollard saved Stefan's number as a contact in her phone so she could at least answer…
Pair Charged With Attempted Murder For Firing At Vehicle In Somerset County: Prosecutor Pair Charged With Attempted Murder For Firing At Vehicle In Somerset County: Prosecutor
Pair Charged With Attempted Murder For Firing At Vehicle In Somerset County: Prosecutor Two suspects were arrested and charged with attempted murder for firing at a vehicle in Somerset County last year, authorities announced Friday, Sept. 15. Ikeem Thomas, 20, of Covington, Georgia, and Josiah T. Talbert, 20, of Somerset, were each charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, and various weapons offenses stemming from an incident in which they fired at a vehicle near Sunny Slope Road in Bridgewater around 3:30 p.m. on March 1, 2022, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. No injuries were reported in the shooting, detectives s…
Somerset County Dad Killed, Mom And Daughter Seriously Hurt As Drunk Driver Strikes Family Car Somerset County Dad Killed, Mom And Daughter Seriously Hurt As Drunk Driver Strikes Family Car
Somerset County Dad Killed, Mom And Daughter Seriously Hurt As Drunk Driver Strikes Family Car Support is on the rise for a Somerset County family whose lives were turned upside down after their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver, killing a beloved father while seriously injuring a devoted mother and teenage daughter. Cris, Ana, and Lucia Bolle of Bridgewater were heading to Vermont when their car was struck by a drunk driver on Tuesday afternoon, August 22, a GoFundMe launched for their support says. They were rushed to Albany Medical Center in New York, where Cris, a native of Argentina who received his Ph.D. in physics at Instituto Balseiro and completed post-doc work at Harvar…
Grieving Bridgewater Woman Victimized By NJ Gravestone Scammer: 'People Can't Find Closure' Grieving Bridgewater Woman Victimized By NJ Gravestone Scammer: 'People Can't Find Closure'
Grieving Bridgewater Woman Victimized By NJ Gravestone Scammer: 'People Can't Find Closure' Barbara Kalmus was still reeling from the death of her sister last May when she was preyed upon by Gregory Stefan, Jr. The Bridgewater resident was one of several people authorities say was grifted by Stefan, who was recently arrested on a warrant by police in Vineland for scamming customers out of thousands of dollars through his company Colonial Memorials, not long after it was revealed he had been doing the same with his father and brother with their Pennsylvania company, 1843 LLC. Following her sister's death due to cancer, Stefan reached out to Kalmus about getting a headstone for he…
Gravestone Scammer Targets Murder Victim's Vineland Mom: 'Sick To My Stomach' Gravestone Scammer Targets Murder Victim's Vineland Mom: 'Sick To My Stomach'
Gravestone Scammer Targets Murder Victim's Vineland Mom: 'Sick To My Stomach' A mom who fell victim to a New Jersey headstone scammer just after she buried her 31-year-old son last year is sharing her story in hopes of putting a stop to a man she says should've been stopped long ago. Nearly a month after Luz Vasquez's son, Chad Stuart, was killed outside of a Vineland bar in September 2022, she was contacted by Gregory Stefan, Jr., who explained he was the owner of Colonial Memorials, a headstone company.  And he wanted Vasquez as a client. Vasquez set up a meeting with Stefan in her Vineland home on Oct. 21, 2022. "He was a professional man, and seemed sympatheti…
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89) Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89)
Taylor Swift: Eras Tour Movie Comes To NJ Theaters (And Tickets Are Just $19.89) Couldn't get tickets to see Taylor Swift's The Era Tour in person? You're very much not alone. But don't worry, Swifties, there's a way to experience the pop culture juggernaut. "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" will be premiering at AMC Theatres throughout the Garden State starting on Friday, Oct. 13 (obviously) with tickets going on sale Thursday, Aug. 31. Showtimes will run Thursdays to Sundays.  Standard showings are priced at $19.89 (cute!) for adults and $13.13 for seniors and children (of course).  The concert film, which will run 2 hours and 45 minutes long (or short),&…
Driver Hospitalized After Tractor-Trailer Hauling Diesel Fuel Overturns Onto Rt. 287 Median Driver Hospitalized After Tractor-Trailer Hauling Diesel Fuel Overturns Onto Rt. 287 Median
Driver Hospitalized After Tractor-Trailer Hauling Diesel Fuel Overturns Onto Rt. 287 Median The driver of a tractor-trailer carrying diesel fuel was injured after the vehicle overturned onto the median of Route 287 early on Friday, August 18. The trailer full of diesel fuel overturned on the center median in the southbound lanes near milepost 13.6 in Bridgewater around 6:20 a.m., NJSP Det. I Jeffrey Lebron told Daily Voice. No fuel spill was reported, though the driver was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Lebron added. One of four left lanes was temporarily closed, snarling traffic for early morning commuters, according to 511NJ: Overturned Truck on…
DRUG FRAUD: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine DRUG FRAUD: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine
Drug Fraud: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine An elaborate drug fraud ring operating in more than half the counties in New Jersey stole doctors’ prescription pads as part of a scheme to stock up on opioid-boosted cough syrup, authorities charged. Medical offices in various parts of the state – including Wayne, Morristown and Bridgewater – were broken into by Divinete Jeffries, 30, of East Orange, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Jefferies snatched prescription pads that were then forged and given to accomplices who submitted them to various pharmacies using stolen IDs and bogus driver’s licenses, according to an indictment return…
Fogo De Chão Opening 2nd North Jersey Location At Willowbrook Mall (PHOTOS) Fogo De Chão Opening 2nd North Jersey Location At Willowbrook Mall (PHOTOS)
Fogo De Chão Opening 2nd North Jersey Location At Willowbrook Mall (Photos) North Jersey residents have clearly shown their enthusiasm since Fogo de Chão opened in Paramus earlier this year. And Fogo de Chão hears you loud and clear. The popular Brazilian steakhouse chain, which specializes in churrasco cuisine, announced it is opening a second North Jersey location at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.  Fogo de Chão said it expects the restaurant to open later this year. Fogo de ChãoProvided Fogo de ChãoProvided "We are excited to continue our growth in New Jersey and bring our authentic dining experience to even more new and returning guests in the area," sai…
Police ID Passenger Dead, Driver Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash (UPDATE) Police ID Passenger Dead, Driver Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash (UPDATE)
Police ID Passenger Dead, Driver Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash (Update) Authorities have identified the passenger who was killed and the driver seriously injured in the accident that closed a portion of Route 287 southbound on Tuesday evening, July 11. Felipe Exposito-Sanchez, 24, was driving an Infiniti passenger car when the vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway and improperly passed a Nissan passenger car near milepost 18.4 in Bridgewater around 7:30 p.m., NJSP Sgt. Philip Curry said. After re-entering the roadway, the Infiniti struck the left front of the Nissan, veered across the lanes, ran off the road to the right, traveled up an embankment, an…
Serious Accident Shuts Route 287 (DEVELOPING) Serious Accident Shuts Route 287 (DEVELOPING)
Serious Accident Shuts Route 287 (Developing) A serious accident closed a portion of Route 287 Tuesday evening, July 11. UPDATE: Police ID Passenger Dead, Driver Seriously Hurt In Route 287 Crash  The crash happened in the local lanes of the southbound side of the highway around 8 p.m, north of US 206 in Bridgewater. New Jersey State Police said only that the crash happened near milepost 18.4 around 7:30 p.m., and was under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for details.
Woman Assaulted, Robbed Behind Somerset County Church, Suspect’s ID Sought: Prosecutor Woman Assaulted, Robbed Behind Somerset County Church, Suspect’s ID Sought: Prosecutor
Woman Assaulted, Robbed Behind Somerset County Church, Suspect’s ID Sought: Prosecutor Authorities are seeking the public’s help identifying a man who assaulted and robbed a woman behind a Somerset County church. The assault occurred on the path behind the Blessed Sacrament Church on Washington Valley Road in Bridgewater just before 9:55 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. The victim, a Bridgewater resident, told investigators that she had been walking on the path behind the church when the man “came up behind her and placed his hands over her eyes and mouth.” Both fell to the ground, and after a brief struggle, the man took the victim’s…