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Sunday, dec 22
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Franklin, NJ
Police & Fire
NJ Police Officer Who Once Saved Animals From Fire Retiring After 26 Years
Rafael Burgos' law enforcement career, which was filled with accolades, is coming to an end next month. Burgos will be retiring from the Franklin Borough Police Department on Monday, Nov. 4, after 29 years of service, with the last 26 years spent in Franklin. A walkout ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. at police headquarters at 15 Corkhill Rd. Aside from being a police officer, Burgos was a member of the United States Coast Guard. After graduating from the Ocean County Police Academy, he began his career in Allentown, NJ, before joining Franklin Borough, rising up to the rank of serg…
Police & Fire
Franklin Man Fired Gunshots Onto Neighbor's Property: Police
A 52-year-old Franklin man was arrested on Saturday, July 27, after he fired gunshots that damaged his neighbor's property, authorities said. Officers arrived on Corkhill Road and determined Kevin Kaye was intoxicated when he was handling the rifle, causing damage to his neighbor's fence, above-ground pool, children's clubhouse and garage, Franklin Borough police said. The residents and their children were in the yard and swimming pool at the time shots were fired, police said. Kaye was charged with multiple weapons offenses, endangering the welfare of others, criminal mischief and o…
News
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…
Police & Fire
North Jersey Man, 65, Admits Sharing Horrific Child Sex Videos, Including One Of Girl Under 5
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A video of a girl believed to be 3 to 5 years old astride a shirtless, bearded tattooed man was among the evidence that apparently convinced a North Jersey retiree to plead guilty in federal court to trafficking child pornography, records show. The clip was among 65 videos and 250 images that Gaetano Lapegna, 65, had collected of "prepubescent children engaged in sexual acts with adults and other children," an agent with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Newark cited in a complaint. Lapegna, of Sussex County, shared many of them with what turned out to be HSI agents, the complai…
Weather
Snow Squalls Possible Sunday, Fierce Winds Knock Power To Hundreds Of NJ Residents
Quick and intense bursts of snow are possible on Sunday, Jan. 14 across New Jersey, not great news for hundreds of residents still in the dark or dealing with flooding from the latest storms. Parts of Morris and Hunterdon counties are at greatest risk of snow squalls on Sunday, the National Weather Service says. Wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph were possible. ⚠️❄️🌬️ There is potential for snow squalls from Sunday morning into the early afternoon. Remember, there is no safe... Posted by US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly on Saturday, January 13, 2024 In Morris Coun…
Obituaries
Support Pours In For Family Of Devoted Sussex County Dad Killed In Crash At 41: ‘True Warrior’
Support is on the rise for the family of a devoted Sussex County dad killed in a tragic crash at 41. Ryan C. Rhinesmith died in the crash on Friday, Nov. 3, his obituary says. Born in Pequannock, Ryan was raised in Lincoln Park and Brick Town, spending time in Montville before settling in Sussex County about 15 years ago. He worked as a groundsman for Wyatt & Son Tree Service in West Milford and loved to spend time in the great outdoors with activities like four-wheeling and fishing. Ryan was a member of Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Franklin and was incredibly passionate abou…
Police & Fire
Sussex County Man Gets 6-Year Sentence For Burglary, Theft, Evidence Tampering: Prosecutor
A Sussex County man was sentenced to six years behind bars for burglary, theft, evidence tampering, and other offenses, authorities announced. Richard J. Dobrowolski, 44, of Vernon, was sentenced to six years in state prison for burglary and theft based on an incident that occurred in Vernon on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said. Dobrowolski also received a three-year sentence for possession of drugs and tampering with evidence based on a Wednesday, March 17, 2021 incident, as well as a three-year sentence for theft based on incidents that occurr…
Traffic
Crash Takes Down Utility Pole, Closes Portion Of Route 23
A crash took down a utility pole and shut down a portion of Route 23 in Sussex County on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 17, authorities said. The crash occurred between Mitchell Avenue and High Street in Franklin around 12:30 p.m., borough police said. ***TRAFFIC ALERT*** Route 23, between Mitchell Avenue and High Street, will be shut down for an accident investigation... Posted by Franklin Borough Police on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 The roadway was shut down in both directions, according to 511NJ. Detours were being set up by the state diversion team to alleviate traffic. Drivers were asked…
Obituaries
'Never Failed To Bring A Smile To Your Face:' Sussex County Dad Kitch Ziegler Dies, 45
Tributes are hitting social media for Franklin dad and hardworking contractor Kristian “Kitch” Weldon Ziegler, who died on Monday, June 19 aged 45. Kitch graduated from Wallkill Valley Regional High School Class of 1996 and maintained close friendships with many of his classmates throughout the years, his obituary says. He was described as a “well-known, hardworking, and gifted contractor” who “would share his time and talent with everyone he knew.” Meanwhile, Kitch loved testing his culinary skills and made a particularly special pasta salad. He was also well-known for donning Hawaiian…
Police & Fire
Walmart Staff Shot By Imitation Firearm, Gunman Charged In Sussex County: Police
A local man was charged with aggravated assault and other offenses after shooting projectiles from an imitation firearm at staff members and customers at a Sussex County Walmart, authorities said. Nicholas G. Sacerdote, 18, is accused of running through the Franklin store and shooting customers and staff members with “gel-like projectiles” from an imitation firearm, borough police said in a Monday, April 10 release. The incident, which hurt one staff member, occurred just after 8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, the release said. Sacerdote was charged with aggravated assault with an imitation …
News
Federal Agents Seize Sussex County Man In Online Child Porn Sting
U.S. Homeland Security agents seized a Sussex County man who they said shared hundreds of child pornography videos and still images with an undercover investigator. Gaetano Lapegna, 64, was arrested after a warranted search of his Franklin home turned up two videos and 100 other images, Homeland Security Investigations' Newark Special-Agent-In-Charge Ricky J. Patel and U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said in a joint announcement. A federal magistrate judge in Newark released Lapegna, formerly of Maine, on $100,000 unsecured bond pending trial on distribution of child pornog…
Obituaries
Sussex County Native Kristen Wargacki Dies, 36
Sussex County native Kristen Wargackie died on Sunday, Feb. 26. She was 36 years old. A Vernon native, Kristen worked at ShopRite in Franklin for many years and at the Mixing Bowl Restaurant, where she amassed countless friends, according to her obituary. She had been living in Warwick, NY at the time of her death, her obituary says. Services were private. Click here for Kristen Wargacki's complete obituary from the Pinkel Funeral Home.
News
Violent NJ Ex-Con Who Once Made Headlines Hangs Himself At Bergen Jail
A disgraced former police officer who'd served time for threatening to kill his then-wife more than 10 years ago was found hanged in his cell at the Bergen County Jail over the weekend, authorities confirmed. Keith C. Reilly, 42, was pronounced dead from suicide at Hackensack University Medical Center at 5:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, Sheriff Anthony Cureton said. Officers assigned to the secure housing unit were conducting routine checks when they found Reilly suspended from the HVAC system by a bedsheet, the sheriff said. He'd strangled himself, Cureton said, adding that an investigation was…
News
Paterson Firefighter Clinging To Life After Motorcycle Crash
A Paterson firefighter was critically injured in a motorcycle crash on the way to work, colleagues said. Initial details were sketchy. Responders said the firefighter was airlifted to St. Joseph's University Medical Center, where a huge contingent of colleagues were gathered Wednesday morning, Sept. 21. The chief of the department and a battalion chief were among them. The crash apparently happened on Route 23 in Franklin, NJ (Sussex County), a little over a half-hour's ride northwest of the city. CHECK BACK FOR MORE DETAILS
Police & Fire
Bridgewater Motorcyclist, 43, Killed In Crash With Pickup Truck
A 43-year-old motorcyclist from Bridgewater was killed in a crash with a pickup truck, authorities confirmed. Luis Ruiz was riding a 2014 Harley Davidson northbound on Canal Road near Elm Street in Franklin when he collided with a 2019 Ford F250 pickup truck heading southbound around 8:25 p.m. on Monday, June 6, township police said. Ruiz was treated at the scene before being taken to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead around 9:40 p.m. Princeton resident Octaviano Chavez, 56, was behind the wheel of the truck, which was towing an enclosed trailer, authorities said. Canal …
News
Drug
Raid
: Heroin, Ecstasy, Illegal Gun Seized, 2-Year-Old Found, Nine Adults Busted In Mahwah
Noticeable numbers of people going in and out of a single-family home at all hours in a quiet Mahwah neighborhood were bound to draw attention, particularly since a repeat offender arrested a year ago on gun charges lives there. Police who subsequently raided the 2½ -story home in the township’s Fardale section Tuesday night ended up arresting him and eight other people. Members of the strike force found more than two ounces of heroin – the equivalent of nearly 600 folds of the drug -- along with nearly a pound of pot, some Ecstasy and a 9mm handgun with a high-capacity magazine, Capt. Guid…
Police & Fire
Crews Douse 2-Alarm Blaze In Sussex County (
Photos
)
Fire crews made quick work of a blaze that broke out in the basement of a Sussex County home Thursday evening. The fire was reported at 160 Mountain Rd. in Hardyston around 4:40 p.m., the local volunteer fire department said. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy smoke and determined that an electrical fire was coming from the basement. Fire departments in Franklin, Hamburg, McAfee, Vernon, and Sussex worked together to fully extinguish the blaze with no injuries reported. “A great team effort between our department and our mutual aid departments made this a huge success,” said the Har…
Police & Fire
Guilty
: Woman Admits Stealing Funds While Treasurer Of Sussex County Youth Program
A Sussex County woman admitted in court Monday to stealing youth group funds while serving as its treasurer, authorities said. Justine Lynn, 44, pled guilty to theft at the Sussex County Courtroom in Newton, Prosecutor Francis A. Koch said. Lynn, of Franklin, stole between $500 and $75,000 from Wallkill Valley Junior Football and Cheerleading Inc. while serving as its treasurer in Hardyston Township between Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, and Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, Koch said. Lynn is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, April 22. Lynn was represented by Martin Morrison, Esq., while the st…
Police & Fire
Sussex County Man Stole $100s In Electronics From Local Walmart, Police Say
A Sussex County man was caught stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of electronics from a local Walmart, police said. Daniel Baker, 32, stole “several hundred dollars’ worth of electronics merchandise” from Walmart in Franklin on Tuesday, Feb. 8, Franklin Borough Police said in a Thursday release. Baker, of Franklin, was also found with a controlled dangerous substance at the time of his arrest, authorities said. Baker was charged with shoplifting and possession of CDS. He was released in accordance with the NJ Bail Reform Act and is scheduled to appear in court.
News
NJ Chiropractor Stabs Wife, Shoots Himself In Murder-Suicide: Prosecutor
A prominent New Jersey chiropractor is believed to have stabbed his wife dead before killing himself with a shotgun in South Jersey, authorities said. John Kolonich, 46, was found in his car along Franklinville-Williamstown Road in Franklinville, dead with a gunshot wound to his head around 10:30 a.m. last Thursday, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Moments later, police were told that Kolonich’s wife, Melissa, 42, a local realtor, was dead from stab wounds inside their nearby home on Florawood Court in Franklin, authorities said. The physician is believed to …
Obituaries
Beloved Sussex County Dad Of 3 Anthony Conti Dies Suddenly At 31
Beloved Sussex County father of three Anthony Francis Conti died at his home on Oct. 5. He was 31. Born in North Bergen, Conti grew up in Franklin and lived in Vernon at the time of his death, his obituary says. Conti worked in the HVAC industry for 10 years and enjoyed skateboarding, snowboarding and riding quads in his free time. Above all, Conti was known for his unending love for his three daughters, Alexa, Morgan and Carly, as well as his wife, Kristin Salzano Conti. In addition to his wife and daughters, Conti is survived by his parents, Frank and Eileen (Gannon) Conti; sister Allys…
Obituaries
Sussex County Native, Electronic Musician Joseph Graziano Dies At Age 25
Sussex County native and electronic musician Joseph Michael Graziano died August 19 at the age of 25. Born in Newton, Graziano later moved to Maryland and graduated from Old Mill Senior High School in Millersville, his obituary says. Graziano had started a new job as an inventory specialist at Giant Supermarkets just a few weeks before his death, his memorial says. In his free time, Graziano loved creating electronic music and playing video games. Graziano is survived by his parents, John and Bridgette; his siblings, Terrence Herbert, Nicholas Graziano and his wife Denise and Rachel Grazi…
Police & Fire
Drunk Sussex County Man, 43, Stabs Victim In Road During Argument, Police Say
A Sussex County man was intoxicated when he stabbed another man during a fight in the middle of the road, authorities said. Bryan Schmidt, 43, is accused of pulling a knife and stabbing another man during a fight on Mitchell Avenue in Franklin on July 30, borough police said in a Friday release. The victim was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries and refused additional medical care, authorities said. Schmidt, of Vernon, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, disorderly conduct and local ordinance violations, polic…
Police & Fire
Police: Intoxicated Sussex County Man, 42, Throws Metal Furniture Through Liquor Store Window
A Sussex County man was intoxicated when he threw furniture through the front window of a local ShopRite and later damaged property at police headquarters, authorities said. Aaren Snook, of Branchville, is accused of throwing metal furniture through the window of ShopRite Liquors in Franklin after store associates prevented him from purchasing more alcohol on July 14, borough police said in a release Wednesday. Snook was arrested and taken to police headquarters, where he allegedly damaged borough property while in custody. Snook was charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and s…
Police & Fire
Sussex County Man, 60, Gets 3 Years Behind Bars, Life On Parole For Possessing Child Porn
A 60-year-old Sussex County man who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography faces three years behind bars and lifelong parole supervision, authorities said. Charles Rowan, of Franklin, was sentenced to a three-year suspended prison sentence and parole supervision for life at the Sussex County Courthouse in Newton on July 15, Prosecutor Francis A. Koch said. Rowan is also prevented from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18, must continue mental health and psycho-sexual treatment and pay $2,300 in court fines and fees, Koch said. Rowan viewed and posses…
Police & Fire
Photos
: Fire Crews Douse Blaze At Sussex County Computer Recycling Center
Several Sussex County fire crews were quick to douse a blaze that broke out at a local computer recycling center before dawn Sunday. Hardyston and Franklin fire departments responded to the scene at 1 Park Drive just before 2:45 a.m. and observed smoke billowing from the back of the building, authorities said. The address is listed on Google Maps as the location of Back Thru The Future Computer Recycling, Inc. The two-alarm blaze was quickly brought under control with additional help from the McAfee Fire Department, Hamburg FireAux and the Ogdensburg Fire Department. At approximately…
Lifestyle
Most Popular Brunch Spots In Sussex County
Mother's Day is coming up — have you booked brunch yet? Whether it's a Bloody Mary, a sizzling side of bacon or a tall stack of pancakes you're after, there are plenty of breakfast and brunch spots in Sussex County to choose from. The spots you see on this list were top-rated on several user-generated review sites and featured in local publications. Bell’s Mansion (11 Main St., Stanhope) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bell's Mansion (@bellsmansion) Hampton Diner & Family Restaurant (36 Hampton House Rd., Newton) Lake Ho…
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: NY Man, 43, Pleads Guilty To Fentanyl Possession Charge In Sussex County
A NY man pleaded guilty to possession of Fentanyl, authorities said. George Handelong, 43, entered the guilty plea to a charge for third-degree possession of CDS during a hearing Thursday at the Sussex County Courthouse in Newton, Prosecutor Francis A. Koch said. Handelong, of Port Jervis, admitted to possessing Fentanyl in Franklin on Oct. 15, 2020, Koch said. Handelong will be sentenced on May 20. Franklin Borough police also assisted with the investigation.
Police & Fire
Sussex County Man, 60, Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography
A Sussex County man pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, authorities said. Charles Rowan, 60, entered the plea to the third-degree charge during a hearing at the Sussex County Virtual Courtroom in Newton on March 19, Prosecutor Francis A. Koch said. Rowan, of Franklin, admitted viewing and possession the content on his computer, Koch said. Rowan is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Louis S. Sceusi, J.S.C. on April 23. Rowan was represented by Daniel Agatino, Esq., with Assistant Prosecutor Brent M. Rafuse representing the state.
Obituaries
13-Year-Old Girl Dies In Sussex County House Fire
A 13-year-old girl died in a Sussex County house fire Friday night, authorities confirmed. Firefighters responded to the Nestor Street home in Franklin around 10 p.m., where the girl's body was recovered after the fire had been put out, Franklin Borough police said. More than $1,100 had been raised on a GoFundMe for the family as of Saturday morning. The 13-year-old victim was identified by the campaign founder as Heaven Davenport. The family also reportedly lost a dog. "Heaven was such a funny beautiful girl who had a whole life to live and was constantly surrounded by all her siblings a…
Police & Fire
Police: Morris County Man Who Attempted To Steal Idling Car Crashes On Route 80, Flees
A Morris County man attempting to steal a running car from a local parking lot later crashed on Rt. 80 and fled from police, authorities said. Blaise Wiget, 32, entered and drove away in a vehicle that had been left idling in the parking lot of a business in Franklin on Feb. 6, borough police said. Wiget, of Succasunna, later crashed on Route 80 east in Rockaway Township and ran from the scene, authorities said. A follow-up investigation linked Wiget to the crash and found that he had stolen the car, police said. Wiget was charged Feb. 9 with numerous offenses related to vehicle theft, na…
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