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Union County, NJ

Lotto Ticket Sold At Union County Convenience Store Wins Big Lotto Ticket Sold At Union County Convenience Store Wins Big
Lotto Ticket Sold At Union County Convenience Store Wins Big It was a fabulous Friday for a Mega Millions player in Union County. A ticket sold in Vauxhall matched four numbers and the gold Megaball in the drawing held on Friday, Sept. 6, winning $10,000. The ticket was sold at Mr. Mike's Convenience Store. The winning numbers were 6, 23, 41, 59, 63, and the gold Megaball was 25.
Elizabeth Man Gets 25 Years For Bludgeoning Woman To Death: Authorities Elizabeth Man Gets 25 Years For Bludgeoning Woman To Death: Authorities
Elizabeth Man Gets 25 Years For Bludgeoning Woman To Death: Authorities A 34-year-old Elizabeth man was sentenced to 25 years in state prison on Friday, Sept. 6, after he bludgeoned a woman to death in 2022, authorities said. On Sept. 11, 2022, at 2 a.m., police in Elizabeth found Carmen Lopez Barahona, a 30-year-old Elizabeth woman, dead after sustaining blunt force trauma to the head, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, and Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves said. Gomez fled the scene and his vehicle was later located in Perth Amboy, where he was apprehended and transported back to Union County, authoriti…
West Nile Virus Case In Hudson County, 2 Deaths In NJ Reported West Nile Virus Case In Hudson County, 2 Deaths In NJ Reported
West Nile Virus Case In Hudson County, 2 Deaths In NJ Reported New Jersey health officials are reporting an additional six cases of West Nile Virus including two deaths, and two presumptive viremic blood donor (PVD) cases in the state.  The six new WNV cases are residents of Bergen, Camden, Cumberland, Hudson, Mercer, and Middlesex counties (one 50+, two 60+, one 70+, two 80+). The two individuals who died were older adults from Cumberland and Mercer counties, the DOH said. Two human cases of WNV were reported earlier this year in Middlesex and Union counties. Seven out of the eight cases were hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, includi…
New Charges Filed Against Former NJ Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG New Charges Filed Against Former NJ Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG
New Charges Filed Against Former NJ Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Election Fraud: AG A 70-year-old former mayoral candidate town previously accused of election fraud is facing new charges, New Jersey authorities announced Friday, Aug. 23. An indictment returned against Plainfield's former mayoral candidate Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim charges him with tampering with witnesses and informants and trafficking in personal identifying information pertaining to another person, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Ibezim had previously been accused of trying to submit hundreds of bogus voter registration applications to Union County's election officials, and th…
Crash On Garden State Parkway Closes Lanes In Union County: NJDOT Crash On Garden State Parkway Closes Lanes In Union County: NJDOT
Crash On Garden State Parkway Closes Lanes In Union County: Njdot Lanes are closed on the Garden State Parkway following a crash in Union County on the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 14, the New Jersey Department of Transportation said. The crash occurred south of Exit 138 in Kenilworth on the Garden State Parkway southbound, the NJDOT said. Two left lanes are blocked, the NJDOT said.
Tornado Watch Shifts, Now Covers These Counties Across NJ, PA As Debby Creeps In Tornado Watch Shifts, Now Covers These Counties Across NJ, PA As Debby Creeps In
Tornado Watch Shifts, Now Covers These Counties Across NJ, PA As Debby Creeps In The National Weather Service has shifted its tornado watch across New Jersey and Pennsylvania as Hurricane Debby creeps in. In New Jersey, the tornado watch is in effect through 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 and covers Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties in North Jersey. In Pennsylvania, the tornado watch is issued in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, and Bucks counties. The tornado threat for South Jersey has diminished since the initial watch was issued early Friday morning, which has since been canceled. AccuWeather Th…
NJ Reports Three West Nile Virus Cases NJ Reports Three West Nile Virus Cases
NJ Reports Three West Nile Virus Cases The New Jersey Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first human cases of the West Nile Virus, much earlier than in prior seasons. Two residents, one more than 70 years old and the other under 18, tested positive for the illness transmitted by mosquitoes after reporting symptoms in the first week of July, the state's health department said. The individuals, from Union and Middlesex counties, were hospitalized and have since been discharged. A third case of an asymptomatic WNV-positive blood donor was later reported, the DOH said. They were identified as a Somerset County resid…
Towns With The Most Rainfall In New Jersey Towns With The Most Rainfall In New Jersey
Towns With The Most Rainfall In New Jersey The National Weather Service has released the rainfall totals from the Tuesday, Aug. 6 storm. Residents across the Northeast woke up Wednesday, Aug. 7 to several inches of water — in some places, feet. Here are the towns that got the most amount of rain: Bergen County: Ridgewood 5.79 inches   Bogota 5.60 inches Oakland 3.86 inches Leonia 3.81 inches Lyndhurst 3.77 inches Hillsdale 3.56 inches Hasbrouck Heights 3.42 inches Hackensack 2.9…
Man Gets 18 Years For Sexually Assaulting Woman At Newark Airport: Prosecutor Man Gets 18 Years For Sexually Assaulting Woman At Newark Airport: Prosecutor
Man Gets 18 Years For Sexually Assaulting Woman At Newark Airport: Prosecutor A 42-year-old West New York man was sentenced to 18 years in jail on Friday, Aug. 2, after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman at Newark Airport last year, authorities said. In January 2023, Port Authority police responded to a parking garage next to Terminal A after a woman reported being sexually assaulted while she was walking to her car, Union County Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Lawlor, who prosecuted the case, said. Police quickly located Thomassal Watkins and arrested him at the airport, Lawlor said. In December, Watkins pled guilty to aggravated sexual assault, …
Tracking Hurricane Debby, Severe Storms Expected To Slam Northeast This Week Tracking Hurricane Debby, Severe Storms Expected To Slam Northeast This Week
Tracking Hurricane Debby, Severe Storms Expected To Slam Northeast This Week The Northeast is in for a wild week of weather. AccuWeather forecasters say episodes of drenching rain and heavy winds are working their way across the country and are expected to arrive in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland on Tuesday, Aug. 6. AccuWeather The above AccuWeather map shows which part of the region will be most impacted by the storms arriving Tuesday afternoon and lasting into the evening. Those include the Pennsylvania-Maryland border, South Jersey, and the Philadelphia and Baltimore areas. Tuesday will be sunny and hot with a high of 90 before storms roll in,…
Fourth Victim Comes Forward Accusing Elizabeth Man Of Juvenile Sex Assault: Prosecutor Fourth Victim Comes Forward Accusing Elizabeth Man Of Juvenile Sex Assault: Prosecutor
Fourth Victim Comes Forward Accusing Elizabeth Man Of Juvenile Sex Assault: Prosecutor A 62-year-old Elizabeth man arrested in 2022 for sexually assaulting three girls over the course of several years is facing additional charges after a fourth alleged victim came forward, authorities said. The victim said she was just a girl, under the age of 13, when Ivan Calderon sexually assaulted her in 2004, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel announced Thursday, Aug. 1. Calderon has been charged with second-degree sexual assault as a result of a fourth victim coming forward to file a complaint against him. Calderon first became the center of the investigation in January, …
Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood
Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood An unoccupied home in Westfield was destroyed following a fiery explosion on Monday evening, July 29, authorities said. At 10:15 p.m., firefighters responded to a home on the 100 block of Tudor Oval and found the structure ablaze with evidence of an explosion, the Westfield Fire Department said in a release. Debris was scattered around the area, firefighters said. Firefighters said they transported a second alarm at 10:23 p.m., requesting additional units to assist with containing the blaze. A third alarm was transmitted at 10:38 p.m., firefighters said. Police evacuated nearby homes, fire…
Jersey Shore Judoka Eliminated From 2024 Olympics, Enjoys 'Unreal Experience' In Paris Jersey Shore Judoka Eliminated From 2024 Olympics, Enjoys 'Unreal Experience' In Paris
Jersey Shore Judoka Eliminated From 2024 Olympics, Enjoys 'Unreal Experience' In Paris A West Long Branch man from a storied judo family had his quest for Olympic gold in Paris cut short after losing his first contest. Jack Yonezuka was defeated 10-0 by Adil Osmanov of Moldova in a round of 32 fight in the 73-kilogram weight class on Monday, July 29. He lost by ippon (points) after he was given his third shido (a penalty) three minutes and 40 seconds into the match. Before his fight, the 2021 Shore Regional High School graduate shared Instagram pictures and videos of his view aboard Team USA's boat during the opening ceremony along the River Seine on Friday, Ju…
Office Manager Embezzled $350K From North Jersey Synagogue, Feds Say Office Manager Embezzled $350K From North Jersey Synagogue, Feds Say
Office Manager Embezzled $350K From North Jersey Synagogue, Feds Say A 51-year-old Scotch Plains woman is charged with embezzling more than $350,000 from a Union County synagogue she worked at, authorities said.  In 2010, Stacy Margaritondo began working at Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains and was later promoted to bookkeeper and office manager in July 2020, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said.  Margaritondo’s duties included accounting/bookkeeping, payroll, preparing checks for accounts payable, and reporting to the synagogue’s board of directors regarding the synagogue’s financial condition, Sellinger said. From Dec. 2019 to May 20…
Drunk Driver Going 114 MPH Sentenced For Garden State Parkway Crash That Killed Amazon Worker Drunk Driver Going 114 MPH Sentenced For Garden State Parkway Crash That Killed Amazon Worker
Drunk Driver Going 114 MPH Sentenced For Garden State Parkway Crash That Killed Amazon Worker A 47-year-old Newark man was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Friday, July 19, for a deadly 2021 crash on the Garden State Parkway where he was driving intoxicated at 114 mph, authorities said. On Feb. 15, 2021, Rolando Godwin was driving a Range Rover when he struck a Lexus SUV driven by Christopher Meikle, a 46-year-old East Orange resident, causing his car to be engulfed in flames on the Garden State Parkway in Clark, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. Following the crash, Godwin requested he be transported away from the scene, indicating he was prepared to offer an unsp…
Security Guard Charged In Deadly Assault At Elizabeth Lounge: Prosecutor Security Guard Charged In Deadly Assault At Elizabeth Lounge: Prosecutor
Security Guard Charged In Deadly Assault At Elizabeth Lounge: Prosecutor A 26-year-old Elizabeth resident was arrested and charged on Friday, July 12, with a deadly assault in 2023, authorities said. In July 2023, Elizabeth police found Jose Lopez suffering from a head injury at the El Monsignor Lounge, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. Lopez was taken to a rehabilitation facility where he died in March, authorities said.  Regis Pelegrino Motas was identified as Lopez's assailant, and had been working as a security guard at the lounge at the time of the inciden…
Vehicle Fire Closes Route 78 In Union County Vehicle Fire Closes Route 78 In Union County
Vehicle Fire Closes Route 78 In Union County A vehicle fire on Route 78 in Union County has caused all lanes to be closed on the afternoon of Thursday, July 11, authorities said. The fire occurred on the Route 78 express lanes on the eastbound ramp near Exit 48 in Springfield Township, the New Jersey Department of Transportation said. 
Car Fire Completely Shuts Garden State Parkway, DOT Says Car Fire Completely Shuts Garden State Parkway, DOT Says
Car Fire Completely Shuts Garden State Parkway, DOT Says There are heavy delays on the Garden State Parkway due to a car fire closing all lanes in Union County on Wednesday, July 10. Three lanes are blocked on Garden State Parkway northbound from Exit 132 in Woodbridge to Exit 135 in Clark Township, the Department of Transportation said. Open lanes are operating on a 2.5 mile delay, the DOT said.
Scotch Plains Home Sells For $126K Over Asking Price Scotch Plains Home Sells For $126K Over Asking Price
Scotch Plains Home Sells For $126K Over Asking Price It's more spacious than it looks! A 2,308-square foot home in Union County sold for $126,000 over asking price and was under contract in less than a week. The split-level home at 1111 Jefferson Ave. in Scotch Plains was listed by Juan Gamarra of Compass New Jersey in the spring, and was under contract in less than seven days. The 4-bedroom 3.5-bathroom home had 11 offers, four of them over $100,000, Gamarra said. The final offer was for $825,000, the buyer closing just in time for summer vacation. "There's not much inventory in Scotch Plains, so when a property under $1 million come…
Mugshot Released, Attempted Murder Charge For 79-Year-Old Man In NJ SWAT Standoff Mugshot Released, Attempted Murder Charge For 79-Year-Old Man In NJ SWAT Standoff
Mugshot Released, Attempted Murder Charge For 79-Year-Old Man In NJ SWAT Standoff Charges have been filed against a 79-year-old Union County man who was arrested after a SWAT standoff early Wednesday, July 2. Kenneth Kutyla, of Clark, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a firearm, and possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose, local police said. At 12:31 a.m., officers responded to 9 Stanton St. on a report of shots fired, Clark police said in a release. An investigation found Kutyla had barricaded himself with a weapon inside, police said. Union County Special Weapons and Tactics responded to…
Man From Storied NJ Judo Family Qualifies For 2024 Summer Olympics Man From Storied NJ Judo Family Qualifies For 2024 Summer Olympics
Man From Storied NJ Judo Family Qualifies For 2024 Summer Olympics A West Long Branch man who's part of a storied family in judo is heading to Paris to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Jack Yonezuka will represent the U.S. at the Olympics as a 73-kilogram fighter. The 21-year-old will be the youngest member of Team USA's judo squad. Yonezuka qualified for the Summer Games after the International Judo Federation's world championships in Abu Dhabi in May. "Firstly, I want to start by thanking everyone who has helped me become the athlete I am today and everyone who has been a part of my journey," Yonezuka wrote in an Instagram post. "I do…
WINNER! Mega Millions Tickets Sold In North Jersey Net Big Bucks WINNER! Mega Millions Tickets Sold In North Jersey Net Big Bucks
Winner! Mega Millions Tickets Sold In North Jersey Net Big Bucks Two North Jersey Mega Millions players had a fantastic Friday. Their tickets, sold in Morris County and Union County, matched four numbers and the gold Megaball in the drawing held on Friday, June 7, winning $10,000. The tickets were sold at 7-Eleven in Rockaway and at a BP Gas Station in Rahway. The winning numbers were 3, 5, 12, 22, 66 and the gold Megaball was 7.
Quick Draw Ticket Sold In Union County Wins $$$ Quick Draw Ticket Sold In Union County Wins $$$
Quick Draw Ticket Sold In Union County Wins $$$ A lottery player in Union County struck it rich on Friday, May 31. A Quick Draw Progressive ticket won $70,848.. The ticket was sold at Jersey Lanes in Linden. In Quick Draw, a set of nine “Your Jackpot Numbers” (01-80) are randomly selected and printed at the bottom of every Quick Draw ticket. If all nine of the player’s numbers are selected in any of the Quick Draw drawings that the ticket is eligible for, the ticket wins a portion of the Progressive Jackpot based on the amount wagered per draw.
Two Motorcyclists Killed In Four-Vehicle Crash On Route 78 Two Motorcyclists Killed In Four-Vehicle Crash On Route 78
Two Motorcyclists Killed In Four-Vehicle Crash On Route 78 Two motorcyclists were killed in a four-vehicle crash on Route 78 in Union County on Sunday, June 2, authorities said. At 6:06 p.m., a Lexus SUV, Honda passenger vehicle, BMW motorcycle and Suzuki motorcycle were traveling eastbound on Route 78 in Berkeley Heights when the BMW struck the back of the Honda, causing the Suzuki to strike the back of the BMW, Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said. The BMW then collided with the Lexus, ran off the roadway and struck a traffic sign, Lebron said. The BMW and Suzuki overturned, resulting in the ejection of both drivers, L…
Elizabeth Man Gets 20 Years For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor Elizabeth Man Gets 20 Years For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor
Elizabeth Man Gets 20 Years For Fatal Shooting: Prosecutor A 38-year-old Elizabeth man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison on Friday, May 24, for killing a man in December 2021, authorities said. On Dec. 16, 2021, police responded to Second Street and Bond Street and found Shamar Brown, a 34-year-old Elizabeth man with a fatal gunshot wound, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said. Deshon Fleming was sentenced after being convicted of aggravated manslaughter, authorities said.
Roselle Fentanyl Dealer Gets 10 Years, Prosecutor Says Roselle Fentanyl Dealer Gets 10 Years, Prosecutor Says
Roselle Fentanyl Dealer Gets 10 Years, Prosecutor Says A 49-year-old Roselle man was sentenced to 10 years in state prison on Friday, May 24, after being convicted of distributing heroin and fentanyl, authorities said. In May 2021, Union County Prosecutor’s Opioid Task Force, assisted by the Roselle Police Department Narcotics Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence, located within the 200 block of Park Street in Roselle, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel and Roselle Police Acting-Chief Helder Freire said. James Smith was arrested at the scene and was found to be in possession of an additional quantity of co…
Member Of Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners On 'Hit List' In NJ, NY, PA, Sentenced Member Of Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners On 'Hit List' In NJ, NY, PA, Sentenced
Member Of Burglary Crew That Targeted Asian Homeowners On 'Hit List' In NJ, NY, PA, Sentenced 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A confessed member of a burglary ring that targeted Asian-American small business owners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison. Kevin Jackson, 57, of Rahway, NJ, must serve a little over two years before he'll be eligible for release because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Jackson was part of a second-story crew that the FBI said worked from a hit list of dozens of homes in the four states based on “stereotype and opportunity" from Dec. 2, 2016, to March 20, 2019. One of Jackson's associates told detectives t…
Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life
Union County Lottery Player Wins $1K/Week For Life A lottery player in Union County is going to be reaping the benefits of his prize for the rest of his life. A CASH4LIFE ticket matched the five white balls in the Thursday, May 16 drawing, winning $1,000 a week for life. The ticket was sold at Quick Stop Convenience in Plainfield. 
Fugitive Hunters Bear No Responsibility For Accused Killer's Suicide In Newark Park: Grand Jury Fugitive Hunters Bear No Responsibility For Accused Killer's Suicide In Newark Park: Grand Jury
Fugitive Hunters Bear No Responsibility For Accused Killer's Suicide In Newark Park: Grand Jury UPDATE: A team of fugitive hunters bear no responsibility for the death of a Newark man who shot himself rather than be captured, a grand jury has found. Don Jones, 50, was wanted for a homicide in Union County when members of the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and city police chased him into West Side Park last Aug. 29, 2023. Jones pulled a handgun from his waistband, dashed to an open field and was surrounded by police, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Wednesday, May 15. He then dropped to his knees, pointed the firearm at his head and p…
28-Year-Old Woman Killed In Union County, Prosecutor Says 28-Year-Old Woman Killed In Union County, Prosecutor Says
28-Year-Old Woman Killed In Union County, Prosecutor Says Police are investigating the murder of a 28-year-old woman in Union County last week. Kerline Joseph Charles was found dead at the crime scene on the 300 block of Greenbriar Drive in Union, late Friday, May 10, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said. No further details were provided. The incident is being probed as a homicide and anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Sergeant Filipe Afonso at 908-965-3807, Detective Jennifer Smith at 908-759-8254 or Union Police Department’s Detective Adedeji Akere at 908-851-5030 and Detective Earl Biddy at 90…
Three Men Charged In New Year's Elizabeth Homicide: Prosecutor Three Men Charged In New Year's Elizabeth Homicide: Prosecutor
Three Men Charged In New Year's Elizabeth Homicide: Prosecutor Three Elizabeth men have been charged with a homicide that occurred in the city on New Year's Day 2023. On the early morning hours of the New Year, Elizabeth police responded to 4th Street and found Vladmir Martinez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and he was pronounced dead at the scene, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca said.  An investigation identified Jofrandy Diaz-Ramirez, 25, Albenys Soto-Fernandez, 25 and Yoel Sanchez, 22, as the men responsible, authorities said. Diaz-Ramirez …