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Obituaries
Mom IDs Daughter, 21, As Victim Of NJ Car Crash Mom IDs Daughter, 21, As Victim Of NJ Car Crash
Mom IDs Daughter, 21, As Victim Of NJ Car Crash Support is on the rise for the family of a 21-year-old woman killed in a car accident days before Christmas. Diana Nicole Marrero Santiago, of South Amboy, died in the Sayreville accident on Friday, Dec. 22, according to her obituary and a GoFundMe campaign. Diana's mom, Aisha, is a chaplain with the Port Authority Police Department, the department said on Instagram. She is raising funds to have Diana buried in her homeland, Puerto Rico. "Diana was a bubbly and beautiful young woman who had unfortunate fatal accident," Aisha writes on the GoFundMe that she launched. "She was my only child …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
South Jersey School Counselor, Mom Alanna Smallwood Dies Suddenly, 47: 'Ray Of Sunshine' South Jersey School Counselor, Mom Alanna Smallwood Dies Suddenly, 47: 'Ray Of Sunshine'
South Jersey School Counselor, Mom Alanna Smallwood Dies Suddenly, 47: 'Ray Of Sunshine' Support is surging for the family of a 47-year-old school counselor and mom Alanna Smallwood, who died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Dec. 12, according to a campaign launched for her family. Alanna is survived by her husband, Greg; children, Gianna 13, Aspen 12, Eva 7; parents Albert and Annette Mussachio; brother Chuck Mussachio; father and mother-in-law Carl and Gerri Smallwood; and countless more friends, relatives, students, and loved ones, her obituary on the George H. Wimberg Funeral home website says. Alanna has been working as a math teacher and school counselor for the&nb…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
NJ Dad Killed By Train At NY Penn Station After Holiday Party: MTA NJ Dad Killed By Train At NY Penn Station After Holiday Party: MTA
NJ Dad Killed By Train At NY Penn Station After Holiday Party: MTA A 36-year-old New Jersey dad was struck and killed by a train at New York Penn Station after a holiday party, prompting an outpour of support for the family he leaves behind. Keith Harvey, of Belle Meade, was struck by Long Island Rail Road train #380 on Track 17 just before 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, MTA spokesperson Renee Price said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Harvey had been attending a holiday party in Manhattan and had planned to use New Jersey Transit service to return home, Price said, adding that the investigation was ongoing but did not appear suspicious. Meanwhile, …

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Woman Stole $15K From GoFundMe Campaign For Motorist Who Lost An Arm In Crash: Prosecutor Woman Stole $15K From GoFundMe Campaign For Motorist Who Lost An Arm In Crash: Prosecutor
Woman Stole $15K From GoFundMe Campaign For Motorist Who Lost An Arm In Crash: Prosecutor A Tinton Falls woman has been charged with stealing $15,000 from a GoFundMe fundraiser that she set up for a severely injured motorist, authorities said. Nicole C. Weidelman, 46, is charged with theft by deception, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. GoFundMe said it delivered funds directly to the intended beneficiary An investigation led by Tinton Falls Police Department Detective William Rodriguez revealed that in November 2022, the intended fundraiser recipient was involved in a serious motor vehicle collision on I-95 in Florida. The recover…

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by Jon Craig
News
Rutgers University Students Displaced By Fire Rutgers University Students Displaced By Fire
Rutgers University Students Displaced By Fire Sixteen Rutgers University students lost their housing and most of their belongings in a fire. On Friday, Dec. 15, an electrical fire broke out in the attic of Zeta Beta Tau’s residence on Huntington Street, just off the Rutgers College Avenue Campus in New Brunswick. It quickly engulfed the entire building.  Everyone escaped safely. "However, the traumatic event has taken a toll on our family. This is a difficult time for us all, and we are grateful for all of the prayers and support from our classmates, friends, and families," the fraternity wrote on a GoFundMe page. The GoFundMe w…

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by Jon Craig
News
Local Celeb Garbage Collector In NJ Out Of Work With Brain Mass, Campaign Says Local Celeb Garbage Collector In NJ Out Of Work With Brain Mass, Campaign Says
Local Celeb Garbage Collector In NJ Out Of Work With Brain Mass, Campaign Says The G Man is down, but not out. The Keansburg community is coming together to support Charles "Buddy" Reeves, a.k.a. the G Man who has been collecting garbage in the town for 44 years. He recently suffered a medical emergency while working, according to a GoFundMe set up to support Reeves while he recovers from a brain mass. As of Thursday, Dec. 14, more than $1,300 has been raised. "He takes his job extremely seriously, professionally and has pride in what he does always," Reeves' wife, Ronda, who organized the fundraiser, said. "He loved, cared for and always thought about all …

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by Sam Barron
Obituaries
NJ Mom Allegedly Decapitated By Son Was Financially Supporting Grandkids, Campaign Says NJ Mom Allegedly Decapitated By Son Was Financially Supporting Grandkids, Campaign Says
NJ Mom Allegedly Decapitated By Son Was Financially Supporting Grandkids, Campaign Says A campaign has been launched by the grandchildren of a 74-year-old woman who police say was decapitated by her son in New Jersey. More than $2,000 had been raised on a GoFundMe launched for the funeral of Alexandria Surgent, by her grandchildren, as of Wednesday, Dec. 13. "Our grandmother was murdered by our uncle, Jeffery Surgent," Alexandria's grandson, Chase, writes. "She lived with us and helped us with our day-to-day lives. Without her, we can't afford rent or food and we cannot pay for her burial or cremation." Jeffrey Surgent, 46, called 9-1-1 on Friday, Dec. 8, after police say he …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Princeton Ballerina Sophia Jones Dies On Campus At 18 Years Old: 'Devastated' Princeton Ballerina Sophia Jones Dies On Campus At 18 Years Old: 'Devastated'
Princeton Ballerina Sophia Jones Dies On Campus At 18 Years Old: 'Devastated' The Princeton University campus is mourning the passing of one of its treasured ballerinas, Sophia Jones. The Chicago, IL native died on campus on Wednesday, Nov. 29, the university said. She attended high school at Red Cross Nordic United World College in Flekke, Norway, and was student of Princeton's Yeh College (Class of 2027). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Princeton University Ballet (@puballet) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Princeton University (@prin…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
MYSTERY SOLVED: NJ Man Killed Woman Then Dumped Her Body, Cops Say MYSTERY SOLVED: NJ Man Killed Woman Then Dumped Her Body, Cops Say
Mystery Solved: NJ Man Killed Woman Then Dumped Her Body, Cops Say Harrowing details are beginning to surface in the death of a South Jersey woman. After being charged with second-degree disturbing human remains, 53-year-old Carlos Acevedo, of Camden, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cathleen McGrath, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez said. McGrath, of Haddon Township, was found dead near 8th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Camden City on Nov. 15, at approximately 2 p.m., after having been missing for several weeks. Philly Folks - my friend’s niece, Cathleen McGrath, has …

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by Jon Craig & Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
'Horrible Reality:' Challenges Mount For NJ Mom With Recent ALS Diagnosis 'Horrible Reality:' Challenges Mount For NJ Mom With Recent ALS Diagnosis
'Horrible Reality:' Challenges Mount For NJ Mom With Recent ALS Diagnosis Support is on the rise for a beloved Somerset County mother battling ALS. Branchburg mom Jill Jaecks McNeil’s recent diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) has left her with serious symptoms that have been worsening over a short period of time, according to a GoFundMe launched for her support. “Many of us learned about this debilitating disease years ago when our families participated in the viral ‘ice-bucket challenge,’ reads the campaign, launched by Kristin Adams. “Sadly, it has become a horrible reality for Jill and her family.” To make matters worse, Jill’s worsening symptom…

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by Valerie Musson
Obituaries
South Jersey Native Vincent Russo Jr. Dies, 28: 'To Know Him Was To Love Him' South Jersey Native Vincent Russo Jr. Dies, 28: 'To Know Him Was To Love Him'
South Jersey Native Vincent Russo Jr. Dies, 28: 'To Know Him Was To Love Him' Tributes are pouring in for beloved South Jersey native Vincent M. Russo Jr., who died Friday, Dec. 1, aged 28. Vincent, of Deptford, had a “way of lighting up every room he walked into,” his obituary says. He loved spending time with his family and friends, driving the boat, and snacking on sunflower seeds. Described as a snowbird, Vincent made frequent trips to Miami to escape the frigid temperatures of the north. Above all, he leaves a legacy of compassion, empathy, and kindness for everyone he met. “To know him, was to love him,” his memorial says. “Wherever he went, he made a friend …

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Pedestrian Run Over Thanksgiving Night In NJ Mourned As Loyal Colleague: 'Unimaginable' Pedestrian Run Over Thanksgiving Night In NJ Mourned As Loyal Colleague: 'Unimaginable'
Pedestrian Run Over Thanksgiving Night In NJ Mourned As Loyal Colleague: 'Unimaginable' The hit-and-run death of a 27-year-old pedestrian on Thanksgiving night in South Jersey has left those who knew him heartbroken. Bryan Rodriguez Lagunas, of Woolwich, was lying in the roadway on Route 130 near Pine Street when he was struck by a car at about 2 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, according to Carneys Point Police Detective Joseph Racite. The driver did not stop at the scene, but investigators later located the car and spoke with the 52-year-old man from Penns Grove, who is cooperating in the investigation, Racite said Thursday, Nov. 30. No charges have been filed, but the investigatio…

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by Jon Craig