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Saturday, nov 2
Tag:
Clark, NJ
Police & Fire
Unlicensed Motorcyclist Charged With Murder In Crash That Killed UDel Freshman From NJ
A 27-year-old Newark, DE man has been charged with murder in the crash that killed an 18-year-old University of Delaware freshman from New Jersey. Brian Briddle was identified as the operator of the motorcycle that an officer had tried stopping before he sped off at East Main Street west of South Chapel Street just before midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 27, city police said. Briddle struck Noelia Gomez, who was in a crosswalk on West Main Street west of North College Avenue, police said. Gomez, of Clark, was a first-year student at the university, UDel said in a statement. The motorcyclist was…
Police & Fire
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…
News
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
Police & Fire
140 Shopping Carts Stolen From Rochelle Park ShopRite: Man, 77, Younger Pal Busted
A 77-year-old Cuban national and a middle-aged accomplice from Newark were arrested after 140 shopping carts were stolen from the Rochelle Park ShopRite over the course of two weeks, authorities said. The carts began vanishing from the parking lot of the West Passaic Street supermarket on March 27, Rochelle Park Police Capt. James M. DePreta said.By early this week, 140 were gone, the captain said. Total value: $28,000 (or $200 per). Reviewing surveillance video with supermarket security, Rochelle Park Detective Sgt. Jared Shatkin and Detective Nick Mercoun identified a distinctive r…
Obituaries
Central Jersey Dad, Attorney Christopher Canada, 55, Leaves Behind Middle School Sweetheart
Rutgers University graduate and attorney Christopher Canada of Plainfield died on Feb. 12, according to an obituary published by Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home. He was 55 years old. Friends created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his sons' continuing education. The campaign says Chris, a Clark native, is survived by his wife of 20 years, Debbie, whom he met in middle school. "Chris first met his future wife Debbie in 6th grade and was quickly smitten, as he made known through a series of attention-getting pranks combined with chivalrous actions such as carrying her books home fr…
Police & Fire
Coach, Special Ed Teacher Filmed Sex Acts With Child: Prosecutor
A former wrestling coach and special education teacher has admitted to having sexual contact with a child, authorities said. John.Denuto, 46, of Spotswood pleaded guilty to child endangerment and other offenses on Friday, April 14, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Denuto, a former special education teacher at the Sayreville Middle School and former wrestling coach at numerous other schools and organizations who exploited his position as both a teacher and a wrestling coach to meet and abuse his victims was initially arrested on February 15, …
Lifestyle
Netflix Documentary Details NJ Killer's Fall From Fame
"Smash, smash, suh-mash" were the three magic words that gave Kai Lawrence the opportunity to turn his life around in 2013. Now, the 34-year-old Canadian nomad is serving a 57-year prison sentence for murder in New Jersey, and his story is the center of a newly-released Netflix documentary: The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker. Kai, whose real name is Caleb McGillvary, went viral in a 2013 news clip detailing how he saved a woman from her attacker, hitting him thrice over the head with his hatchet. Kai's heroic act and laid-back attitude made the vigilante an overnight star. News stations …
News
Unique Tattoo Makes ID’ing Suspect In Tri-County Crime Spree Simple, Police In North Jersey Say
When it comes to distinguishing marks, it's tough to beat an enormous butterfly-skull neck tattoo. It helped police identify an 18-year-old Newark man charged with breaking into homes or vehicles in no fewer than three North Jersey counties. Authorities in Rochelle Park became the latest to charge Zaire Gaskins, with police in even more towns possibly following. ROCHELLE PARK: Gaskins and two accomplices tried taking a BMW from a residence on West Oldis Street on Sept. 18, Police Lt. James DePreta said. When they couldn’t find the keys inside the vehicle, one of them unsuccessfully tried t…
News
Seven $10K Mega Millions Tickets Sold At These New Jersey Retailers
Seven winning Mega Millions tickets each worth $10,000 were sold across New Jersey. The winning numbers from the Friday, July 22 drawing were: 14, 40, 60, 64, and 66. The Gold Mega Ball was 16, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 03. ALSO SEE: $3M Mega Millions Lottery Ticket Sold At NJ Wawa The tickets were sold at the following locations: Bergen County: 7-Eleven #33475, 357 Market St., Elmwood Park; Burlington County: Applegreen Cooper, NJ Turnpike Milepost 39 North, Mount Laurel; Cumberland County: Garden Truck Stop, 2114 W. Garden Rd., Vineland; Ocean County: Quick Chek #113, 2307 …
News
Winner
: $3M Mega Millions Lottery Ticket Sold At NJ Wawa
There was one second-tier prizewinning ticket sold for the Friday, July 22, Mega Million lottery drawing. That ticket matched five of the five white balls drawn winning the $1 million prize. That ticket was purchased with the Megaplier option, multiplying the prize to $3 million, and was purchased at Wawa #457, 436 Oakshade Rd., Vincentown in Burlington County. In addition to the second-tier prize won, seven players matched four of the five white balls and the Mega Ball drawn winning the $10,000 third-tier prize. Those tickets were sold at the following locations: Bergen County: 7…
News
NJ Pharmacist Needed Double Lung Transplant But Insurance Denied It — Now He's Gone
John Jukić's family says he would still be alive today had his insurance company granted him the double lung transplant he needed back in April. The 46-year-old Clark dad and Colonia pharmacist suffered lung damage from COVID-19 he contracted last October, and needed a double lung transplant. His only hope was a double lung transplant, his wife Mirla said. However, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois apparently denied him the life-saving treatment, and while his family was in the process of appealing the decision, John on Monday, June 13. Blue Cross Blue Shield did not immediately resp…
News
Class Action Suit Filed Against NJ Company Who Reported 'Forever Chemicals' In Water: Report
More than 60,000 homeowners may be eligible to sue a Central Jersey water company over high levels of "forever chemicals" found in their water, NJ Advance Media reported. Middlesex Water customers in Woodbridge, Clark, Metuchen, South Plainfield, Carteret, and Edison can join a class action lawsuit after high levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOAs) were detected at a South Plainfield treatment plant, the outlet said. While the company advised customers to use bottled water, the lawsuit, which seeks reimbursement costs, says it neglected to adequately warn all residents, specifically tenant…
Business
Fast-Growing Cookie Shop Expands Across NJ
A fast-expanding cookie shop has three New Jersey locations in the works. Crumbl Cookies' latest location is slated for the Commons in Holmdel on Route 35, NJ Advance Media reports. The bakery made its mark in New Jersey this year, and has other locations in Ocean Township and Clark. A Cherry Hill location is also in the works, according to the Asbury Park Press. The Holmdel store will take over the former storefront of Hair Color X-perts, located next to Saladworks and Houlihan's, according to multiple news outlets. Crumbl Cookiesfrench_woodworking Instagram Founded by two cousins, C…
News
NJ Powerball Players Win $150K
A pair of Powerball players combined to win $150,000 in Saturday's game, New Jersey Lottery officials said. One lucky ticket matched four of the five white balls and the Powerball drawn to win the $50,000 third-tier prize. That ticket was purchased with the Power Play option, multiplying the prize to $100,000. The winning ticket was sold at Rotundo’s Liquors Deli & Food, 1040 Lake Dr., Clark in Union County. The winning numbers for the Saturday, Jan. 15, drawing were: 03, 18, 37, 51, and 59. The Red Power Ball number was 13. The Power Play was 2X. Double Play Results One …
Police & Fire
NJ ShopRite Worker Stabs Coworker In Deli
A 57-year-old ShopRite worker is facing an attempted murder charge after she stabbed a colleague at a New Jersey store Sunday, authorities said. Melissa Prince, of Edison, stabbed the female victim multiple times during an apparent fight at the Clark store around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, local police said. The victim was rushed to University Hospital in Newark where she was in critical but stable condition on Monday, authorities said. Another store employee and off-duty state trooper were among the first responders, ShopRite officials told NJ Advance Media.
News
Potentially Harmful Chemicals Found In NJ Drinking Water
A New Jersey water company warned customers of potentially toxic chemicals in the drinking water Monday. The level of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in the water of all its customers in Carteret, Clark, Edison, Metuchen, South Plainfield and Woodbridge had exceeded acceptable regulatory standards, Middlesex Water Company said in a notice. Chemicals in PFOA have been linked to cancer. Middlesex Water in September was notified that PFOA samples were found at the treatment facility in South Plainfield. "Because we exceeded a drinking water standard, we were required to provide notice to custo…
News
Njsp
: Driver, 70, Killed In Labor Day Weekend Crash On Garden State Parkway
UPDATE: A 70-year-old driver from Middlesex County was killed in a Labor Day weekend crash on the Garden State Parkway, authorities confirmed. The mid-2000 model Ford 500 sedan driven by Rick Attanasio, ran off the road in the southbound lanes at the Exit 137 ramp in Cranford and hit a metal traffic post before slamming into a tree at noon Saturday, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Philip Curry said. A medical chopper landed on the Parkway but was dismissed after Cranford firefighters extricated Attanasio. State Police were investigating the cause, Curry said. The crash occurred around no…
News
Boil Water Advisory In Effect For 9 Central Jersey Towns
Pipe repairs to a water main leak put a boil water advisory in effect for nine towns across three New Jersey counties. New Jersey American Water said it will be distributing free bottled water for residents in Clark, Dunellen, Edison (northern sections), Green Brook, Linden, Middlesex, Piscataway, Roselle and South Plainfield. Bottles can be collected at: 495 Sidney Road, Piscataway from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. 4000 Hadley Road, South Plainfield from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. "New Jersey American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible," the company said. "Thi…
News
Getaway Driver In 7-County North Jersey Holdup Spree Heads To Federal Prison
The wheelman in nearly two dozen gas station and convenience store armed robberies in North Jersey was sent to federal prison for at least nine years. Meshach Whagar, 31, of Newark must serve just about all of the 110-month sentence handed down in U.S. District Court in Newark on Wednesday because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Whager admitted late last year that he drove the getaway car during the 20 predawn holdups in seven counties -- Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex, Morris and Union -- in November and December of 2017 (see list of locations below). The gunman…
Obituaries
NJ Mom Who Lost Battle With Ovarian Cancer Had Unique Request For Funeral Service
A New Jersey mom of two who lost her battle with ovarian cancer at the age of 42 had a quirky request for guests attending her funeral. Melissa Anne Nancy Rhodes died May 16 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018, according to a GoFundMe that documented her difficult journey. Born in Hoboken, Rhodes was a lifelong resident of Roselle Park, her obituary says. Rhodes earned an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts Secondary Education from Union County College and a Bachelor’s in history from the College of NJ. Rhodes later worked in Human Resources at Target in Clark and Linden — an…
Police & Fire
Prosecutor Details How Driver Caused Deadly Parkway Crash Then Tried To Cover It Up
A 43-year-old Newark man has been charged with causing a deadly crash earlier this week on the Garden State Parkway then trying to cover up his role in it, authorities said. Ronaldo Godwin was heading southbound behind the wheel of a Range Rover when he struck a Lexus SUV driven by Christopher Meikle, of East Orange, at a high rate of speed around 2:45 a.m. Feb. 15, members of the Union County Prosecutors Office said. Responding New Jersey State troopers found 46-year-old Meikle's SUV engulfed in flames near the highway's center median shortly before 2:45 a.m. near mile marker 136 in …
News
Winners
: NJ Lottery Tickets Totaling $100K Sold In North Jersey
Four lucky New Jersey lottery players won third-tier prizes worth $10,000 to $40,000 on Friday, state officials said. The winning numbers for the Feb. 5 drawing were: 14, 17, 28, 29, and 44. The Gold Mega Ball was 02, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 04. All four winning tickets, sold in Essex, Union and Somerset counties, matched four of the five white balls and the Gold Mega Ball drawn winning the $10,000 prize. Even luckier, two of those tickets were purchased with the Megaplier option, multiplying their prizes to $40,000. The winning tickets were purchased at the following…
Weather
How Much Snow Did Your Town Get? Here's The Breakdown Across NJ, PA
A major winter storm blasted the Northeast, dropping two feet or more on some areas. Here are the New Jersey and Pennsylvania towns with the highest and lowest snow totals, according to the National Weather Service. Don't see your area? Scroll down to search for your area. Springtown, PA (Bucks): 31.2 inches Sparta, NJ (Sussex): 28.3 Bloomingdale, NJ (Passaic): 26.2 Byram, NJ (Sussex): 26 Forks, PA (Northampton): 24 Bethlehem, PA (Northampton): 22 Bridgewater, NJ (Somerset): 22 Westwood, NJ (Bergen): 20 Ridgewood, NJ (Bergen): 19.4 North Caldwell, NJ (Essex): 17.3 Newark, NJ (Essex): 16.2…
Police & Fire
FBI Helps Nab Pair In Deadly New Jersey Barbershop Shooting
Two 30-year-old men including one from Georgia were arrested with help from the FBI in a barbershop shooting that left a 34-year-old Somerset County man dead, authorities said Thursday. Todd C. Smith, of Edison, and Tayyab A. Ware, of Augusta, GA, were each charged with first-degree murder, robbery and weapon possession following the Nov. 2 killing of 34-year-old Denny Sanchez, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a joint release. Franklin Township police officers responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls around 8:40 p.m. for reports of a shooting at a Hamilton Street barber…
News
Feds: Newark Wheelman Cops Plea In 7-County Armed Robbery Spree
An ex-con from Newark told a federal judge on Thursday that he was the getaway driver in a string of overnight convenience store and gas station robberies in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex, Morris and Union counties. Meshach Whagar, 31, admitted during a video-conferenced plea hearing that he was the wheelman during the 20 predawn holdups in November and December of 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. It included robberies in Lodi, Mahwah, Elmwood Park, Clifton, Hoboken, Bayonne, Kearny, Parsippany, Rockaway, Morris Plains, West Orange, East Brunswick, South River, Edison, …
Police & Fire
Union County Police Officer Injured Escorting Motorcyclists On 50-Mile Charity Ride
A Union County police sergeant was injured while escorting motorcyclists on a 50-mile charity ride for a local cancer foundation on Sunday, county officials said. The county officer collided with a participant in Clark during the Jason’s Friends Foundation ride, NJ.com reports, citing county spokesman Sebastian D'Elia. The crash occurred around 12:40 p.m. on Lake Avenue, at the Cellar Avenue intersection, according to initial reports. The officer and participant were treated at the hospital for non life-threatening injuries, D'Elia said.
Police & Fire
Rubbing People The Wrong Way: More Massage Therapists Lose Licenses In NJ
New Jersey authorities this week revoked the license of the ninth massage therapist in the past year for “inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact” with a client who literally put her trust in his hands. John R. Popper, 48, of Little Egg Harbor was convicted earlier this year of harassment by offensive touching for placing his hand on a client’s vagina during a massage at Hand and Stone spa in Somers Point. In turn, the state Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy permanently barred him from working as a massage therapist in New Jersey ever again because he “engaged in professional miscond…
Business
Ulta Beauty To Close 19 Stores
Ulta Beauty announced plans to close 19 stores this year. Shops slated to get the ax have not been announced, but the beauty supplies chain has shops across New Jersey that could be impacted. Ulta Beauty top officials blamed COVID-19’s economic disruption as the reason for the cuts. Even while it closes some stores, Ulta Beauty has plans to open 30 more. Efforts will be made to transfer employees from closed shops to new or already existing ones, the company said in a press release. In New Jersey, Ulta has stores in Edgewater, Clifton, Maywood, Garfield, Cedar Knolls, Wayne, Montvale, L…
Police & Fire
Photos
: Toms River Woman, 34, Airlifted In Union County Garden State Parkway Crash
A 34-year-old Toms River driver was extricated then airlifted to an area trauma center in a Garden State Parkway crash in Clark Monday night, State Police said. Nicholle May was heading southbound in a Mercedes Benz sedan when her car went off the road to the right at milepost 135.8 around 8:15 p.m., Trooper Alejandro Goez said. May's car struck several sign posts and an overpass, where it came to a stop, Goez said. She was extricated in a joint effort by the Clark Fire Department, Cranford Fire Department, Rahway MICU, Medic 10 and Cranford First Aid Squad, responders said. May was airlif…
News
CityMD Mistakenly Tells 15,000 NJ, NY Patients They're Immune To
Covid-
19 After Antibody Test
CityMD has changed its messaging after telling 15,000 New York and New Jersey patients who tested positive for coronavirus antibodies that they were immune to the virus. Someone who tests positive for coronavirus antibodies is not necessarily immune, FDA Associate commissioner Peter Pitts told ABC. Healthcare officials remain unsure of the level of immunity for those who have been exposed to the virus. The urgent care clinic released the following statement to ABC News: "All CityMD patients getting the COVID-19 antibody test are given several documents (including printed discharge ins…
Police & Fire
'We Take Care Of Our Own': Port Authority Police Give Back To NJ Rookie's Family Bakery
Times have gotten tough amid the coronavirus pandemic for a popular Union County bakery owned by the family of a Port Authority police rookie. So her colleagues decided to do something about it. This is their story. HEROES: While on duty recently at the Port Authority Police Department command at LaGuardia Airport, Sgt. Brian Vitale learned that rookie PAPD Officer Jessica Vaccaro’s family business -- Vaccaro’s Bakery in Clark -- was facing closure, like many other small businesses currently struggling to survive the economic ravages of COVID-19. Not only was this the long-successful busin…
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