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Wednesday, jan 29
Tag:
Mount Olive, NJ
Obituaries
NJ Town Mayor's Granddaughter Dies After Months-Long Cancer Battle: Remembering Wrenna
Sadness spread through a New Jersey community following the death of a toddler diagnosed with cancer in late 2024. Wrenna Schey — whose grandfather is Mount Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro — died on Saturday, Jan. 11 after being diagnosed with brain cancer, according to her obituary at the Stroyan Funeral Home website. She was 2.5 years old. "She fought a tough battle and was stronger than anything I have ever seen in my life," her parents, Matt and Amanda said on a GoFundMe campaign that was started in early December, around the time Mayor Nicastro announced that his granddaughter had been diagno…
Police & Fire
Man Drove Drunk, Left Scene Of Crash: Mount Olive Police
A 42-year-old Hackettstown man was arrested and charged on Friday, Jan. 10 after he drove drunk and left the scene of a car crash in Mount Olive, authorities said. A 12:51 p.m., officers began investigating a hit and run collision on Winding Hill Drive, Mount Olive police said. Officers located the black Acura involved in the crash at a residence on Winding Hill Drive with the driver, Rakhit Shayan, still in the vehicle, police said. When speaking to Shayan, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and noted that he appeared to be impaired, police said. Following field sobri…
Police & Fire
Car Engulfed In Flames On Route 80: Byram Township FD
A car was engulfed in flames on Route 80 in Mount Olive on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 27, authorities said. Byram Township Fire Departmet The Byram Fire Department and Budd Lake Fire Department both worked to quickly extinguish the flames, the Byram Township Fire Department said. No injuries were reported, firefighters said. Byram Township Fire Department
Police & Fire
NJ Dad Killed In Dump Truck Crash Was Avid Gardener With Hard Work Ethic
Services have been finalized for the 57-year-old Morris County man killed in a dump truck crash this week. Peter Janke, of Chester, rear-ended a garbage truck on Route 206 in Mount Olive early Wednesday, Dec. 18 in Morris County, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said. Known for his strong work ethic, Pete was a manager at PLPS Printing Co. in Little Falls, his obituary on the William J. Leber Funeral Home website says. "Outside of work, he was an avid gardener with a passion for tending to his plants and maintaining his lawn," his obituary reads. "He found great jo…
Police & Fire
Chester Resident ID'd As Victim In Fatal Car-Garbage Truck Crash: Prosecutor
A 57-year-old Chester resident has been identified as the man killed after rear-ending a garbage truck early Wednesday, Dec. 18 in Morris County, authorities said. Peter Janke, Jr. rear-ended the truck on Route 206 in Mount Olive around 5:45 a.m., a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The driver of the garbage truck was not injured, authorities said. There were no passengers in either vehicle, authorities said. The crash remains under investigation, authorities said.
Police & Fire
Driver Dies In Route 206 Crash With Garbage Truck: Prosecutor
One person died after rear-ending a garbage truck early Wednesday, Dec. 18 in Morris County, authorities said. The crash happened on Route 206 in Mount Olive around 5:45 a.m., a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office said. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim is not immediately being released. The driver of the garbage truck was not injured. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The collision remains under investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Vehicular Homicide Task Force, Morris County Sheriff's Office…
News
Mount Olive Mayor Launches Fundraiser For Granddaughter Battling Brain Cancer
Wrenna is just 2.5 years old but is already in the fight of her life. Wrenna has been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy and various treatments, Mount Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro, her grandfather said. Nicastro has launched a fundraiser to assist his family with the many expenses they have faced. As of Friday, Dec. 6, almost $46,000 has been raised. Amanda and her family are all in my thoughts, a very good friend of mine who’s 2 1/2 year old daughter is battling stage... Posted by Natalie Saunders on Thursday, December 5, 2024 "This has been an i…
Police & Fire
Five Arrested After Fight At Byram Township Smoke Shop: Police
Five people were arrested after a fight at a smoke shop in Byram Township on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 23, authorities said. At 10:47 a.m., police responded to Sweet Dreams Smoke Shop on Route 206 on a report of a fight in progress, Byram Township Police said. An investigation determined a customer disputed a sale with staff which escalated into a physical altercation in the plaza parking lot, police said. Joseph Thomas, a 26-year-old Mount Olive resident, Eugene Decastro, a 53-year-old Mount Olive resident, Pedro Valentin, a 26-year-old Fallsburg, NY resident and Marcus Murillo, a…
Police & Fire
Woman Previously Banned From Walmart Busted For Shoplifting: Mt Olive PD
A woman with a history of shoplifting at a Walmart in Mount Olive was arrested again for the same crime on Friday, Nov. 1, authorities said. At 7:21 p.m., officers responded to Walmart for a shoplifter, later identified as Diane Perez-Cortes, a 57-year-old Franklin woman, in custody by loss prevention, Mount Olive police said. Loss prevention said Perez-Cortes was formally banned from all Walmart stores due to previous shoplifting attempts, police said. They observed Ms. Perez-Cortes in the store and watched her conceal multiple items on her person before attempting to exit withou…
Politics
These Two New Jersey Counties Flipped From Red To Blue In 2020
As President Joe Biden cruised to victory in New Jersey in the 2020 presidential election, he got some help from two counties that went his way after voting for former President Donald Trump in 2016: Morris and Gloucester. Morris County went to Biden, 51.14% to 46.90%, 153,881 votes to 141,134 votes. It was a remarkable turnaround for a county that hadn't voted Democrat at the presidential level since Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in 1964. In 2016, Morris County voted for Trump, who defeated Clinton 126,071 votes to 115,249 votes, 49.72% to 45.46%. In 2020, Sen. Cory Booker…
Police & Fire
Boy, Girl Posted Bomb Threat On Social Media: Mt Olive Police
A 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were arrested on Friday, Nov. 1 after they posted a bomb threat directed at Mount Olive Middle School last month. Officers were contacted by the Mount Olive Township School District after the threat was discovered, Mount Olive police said. The incident was investigated and it was quickly determined that the posted social media threat was not credible, police said. At no point during the investigation was the safety or security of the students or school facilities compromised, police said. Both teenagers were charged with cyber harassment a…
Police & Fire
Federal PA Corrections Officer Slashed, Choked Woman Because Of Text: Morris County Prosecutor
A 45-year-old Luzerne County, PA man was arrested and charged after he slashed a woman in the abdomen and choked her in Morris County on Saturday, Oct. 5. Patrick O'Kane, a corrections officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was traveling with the victim and a photographer to take pictures of a local campground, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Mount Olive Police Chief Michael Spitzer said. O'Kane got into an argument with the victim over a text message she received, which escalated into a physical altercation, authorities said. O'Kan…
Police & Fire
Chester Man Busted For DWI After Crashing Into Car, Telephone Pole, Mailbox: Police
A 58-year-old Chester man was arrested and charge with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after being involved in multiple car crashes on the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 26 in Mount Olive, authorities said. At 5:28 p.m., officers responded to Pleasant Hill Road for a report of a black Toyota driving erratically, Mount Olive police said. The vehicle was located on Main Street, where it was involved in a crash just prior to officers' arrival, police said. Neither driver was injured in the crash, police said. The driver of the Toyota, Glenn Cannon, appeared to be impaired, police …
News
E. Coli Found In Two Morris County Water Systems
A water boil advisory is in effect in parts of Morris County after E. coli was discovered in two distribution systems. E.coli was detected in routine water samples collected on Aug. 28 and Aug. 30 in Mount Olive. The boil water advisories cover the following water systems: Main Water System Cloverhill Development & Sutton Park Flanders Crossing Mount Olive Manor Regency at Flanders & Marveland Crescent Development Overlook Apartments Main Street & Park Place Mountain Avenue Laurel Drive Chestnut Way & Red Maple Lane Village Green Water System Village Green Apartments …
Police & Fire
Hair Salon Owner Gets 3 Years For Sexually Assaulting Teen Employee: Morris County Prosecutor
A 44-year-old Mount Olive man was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday, Aug. 16, after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old female employee at the hair salon he owned. Joseph Guzman, who ran Joseph Vincent's Salon in Mount Olive, was arrested in November 2022 after an investigation revealed the sexual assault, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Deputy Chief of Detectives Jan-Michael Monrad, and Mount Olive Police Department Chief Michael Spitzer said. Last October, he pleaded guilty to one count of endangering the welfare of a child, authorities sai…
Obituaries
$42K Raised For Family Of NJ Man Killed In 'Tragic Accident' Vacationing In Thailand
Michael Basciano, a 34-year-old Mount Olive native, died while on vacation in Thailand on Tuesday, July 9, according to his obituary at the Dangler Funeral Home website. Basciano died in a "tragic accident," according to a fundraiser set up to support his family, though additional details have not been made available. As of Wednesday, Aug. 7, the fundraiser has raised more than $42,000. Basciano graduated Mount Olive High School in 2008 and worked in construction management before going into finance, spending the last nine years at Asset Based Lending, his obituary reads. Last year B…
Business
Soccer Superstar Appearing At Morris County Wawa Grand Opening
A new Wawa in Morris County is having a big guest for its big opening. Luis Robles, who was goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls for seven seasons will be on hand as Wawa opens its new location in Mount Olive at 194 Route 206 on Thursday, August 1. Robles holds the Major League Soccer record for most consecutive regular season starts by a goalkeeper. Robles will be joined by Redd, the New York Red Bulls mascot, Wally Goose, Wawa's mascot, the Mount Olive Police Department and the Flanders Fire Co. #1 and Rescue Squad. The grand opening begins at 7:45 a.m., with the store opening at 8 a.m.…
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
Bicyclist Huffed Dust-Off: Mt Olive PD
A 62-year-old Flanders man was arrested and charged on Saturday, July 13, after police spotted him huffing Dust-Off in Mount Olive, authorities said. At 12:36 p.m., officers on International Drive Mall Complex spotted Neil McWilliams stopped on a bicycle in the area of Picatinny Federal Credit Union, Mt. Olive police said in a release. As officers approached the man, they saw him inhaling the contents of Dust-Off can, police said. McWilliams was charged with using toxic chemicals, possessing toxic chemicals and possessing prescription drugs, police said. He was released pending a court hea…
News
'Knight In Tattooed Armor:' Woman Mourns Loss Of Fiancé Killed In Route 46 Motorcycle Crash
Ally Kaufman says she was on the phone with Jeffrey Jacobs just 10 minutes before the crash that took his life. The 40-year-old East Stroudsburg, PA dad was leaving the courthouse to drop off papers, and was on his way back to the office for his job as a hospice home health aide, his 29-year-old fiancé said. Kaufman told her Jacobs she loved him, as the pair did every day, but Jacobs never made it home. Jacobs was riding his motorcycle on Route 46 in Mount Olive Monday afternoon, June 24, when he collided with a vehicle, and was pronounced dead at the scene, the Morris County Pro…
Police & Fire
Morris County Man Stole Car, Credit Cards: Police
A 35-year-old Flanders man was arrested and charged on Monday, June 10 with stealing a vehicle and credit cards to make multiple purchases in the area, police said. On Thursday, June 6, a person reported to police headquarters that their blue BMW was missing, Mount Olive police said. The person also said there was fraudulent activity on multiple credit cards that were in a wallet that was also missing, police said. The credit cards were used to make multiple purchases at Walmart in Flanders and Advance Auto Parts in Budd Lake, police said. Police arrested Adam Tripp, and located the s…
Police & Fire
Woman Busted At Home After Fleeing Traffic Stop: Washington Twp PD
A 42-year-old Mount Olive woman was arrested and charged after she fled from police during a traffic stop on Route 46 in Morris County on Friday, May 17, authorities. Officers attempted to conduct the traffic stop after determining the driver was operating a vehicle with a suspended license, Washington Township police said in a release. The vehicle fled from officers but was ultimately located at a Budd Lake residence, police said. Officers arrested the woman, who they did not name, and charged her with eluding, obstruction, resisting arrest and numerous motor vehicle violations, police said…
Police & Fire
Route 46 DWI Driver's Passenger Cuts Himself Out Of Seatbelt Of Police Car: Cops
A drunken driver and his passenger are both facing charges after a traffic stop on Route 46, authorities said. A Mount Olive officer was on routine patrol around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 when he saw a gray Ford F-150 traveling east on at a slow rate of speed, with only one working headlight, the department said in a news release. As Smith followed the pickup truck, they passed two other patrol vehicles on that were stopped in the right Lane of travel on a different call for service. The pickup, driven by Idelsi Arguetaportillo, 41, of Flanders, nearly struck the patrol cars bef…
Police & Fire
Paramus School Bus Driver's Parole Possible At Anniversary Of Horrific Crash That Killed Two
A former Paramus school bus driver who caused a collision on Route 80 that killed a 10-year-old student and one of her teachers is up for parole in a few weeks -- just two days after the sixth anniversary of the horrific crash. Hudy Muldrow, now 83, was taking 40 East Brook Middle School fifth graders and a small group of adults on a field trip to Waterloo Village on May 17, 2018 when he got lost and tried to make an illegal U-turn on the busy interstate in Mount Olive. A dump truck slammed into the bus, killing young Miranda Vargas and teacher Jennifer M. Williamson, 51. Dozens more were…
Police & Fire
21-Year-Old Morris County Woman Struck Parked Car While Drunk: Police
A 21-year-old Morris County woman was arrested and charged after she struck a parked car while drunk on the early morning of Sunday, April 21, police said. At 3:29 a.m., Mount Olive police responded to Center Street for a car crash, officers said. Police located a Nissan Sentra that had struck a parked vehicle and was now in the roadway, officers said. As officers spoke with the driver, Kelsey Chaplin, a Budd Lake resident, the odor of alcohol was detected and she appeared to be impaired, police said. After conducting field sobriety testing, Chaplin was arrested. Chaplin was charged with D…
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
Man Busted With Loaded Handgun During Route 46 Traffic Stop: Police
A 48-year-old Port Murray man was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun following a traffic stop in Mount Olive on Saturday, March 23, authorities said. Pavel Molina was heading east on Route 46 in a Nissan pickup in Mount Olive when police stopped him for a non-functioning headlight around 11 p.m., Mount Olive police said. During the investigation, police determined that Molina had a loaded handgun in the glove compartment, officers said. The handgun was loaded with hollow point ammunition, police said. Molina was charged with unlawful possession of a handg…
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.…
Business
Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination
A nationwide recall has been issued for a brand of meat products. Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc., based in Mount Olive, NJ, says the undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products containing Coppa may be under-processed, which may have resulted in possible contamination with foodborne pathogens. The recall was announced by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The Coppa products have various best-by-dates. Coppa, a dry-cured capicola, is a boneless pork shoulder product that is dry-cured. Click here to view product…
Police & Fire
Woman Killed, Man Severely Hurt As Fire Collapses Morris County Home: Prosecutor
A 98-year-old woman was killed and a 71-year-old man hospitalized with serious injuries as a fire raced through and collapsed a Morris County home on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 19. The Roxbury Police and Fire Departments responded to the blaze at a home on Mooney Road in Ledgewood around 1 p.m. and found the man had escaped with severe injuries. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The woman was found dead inside the home following “extensive fire suppression efforts,” Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said. The area was closed to traffic late into the evening as crews d…
Police & Fire
Vehicle Fire, Fuel Spill Shuts Route 46 In Mount Olive
A portion of Route 46 was closed in Morris County following a vehicle fire. According to the NJDOT, the eastbound side of the roadway remained closed in Mount Olive as of 1:40 p.m., west of Naughright Road. This is a developing story. Check back for details.
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