Tag:

Public Service

Central Jersey Widow Avoids Jail After Fraudulently Collecting $268K In Police Pension: AG Central Jersey Widow Avoids Jail After Fraudulently Collecting $268K In Police Pension: AG
Central Jersey Widow Avoids Jail After Fraudulently Collecting $268K In Police Pension: AG A Mercer County woman avoided jail time after admitting to stealing $268,000 from her dead husband's police pension after she remarried, authorities said. Sandra VonScheven, 49, of Hamilton Township, was given a suspended sentence of 364 days in county jail, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Thursday, Aug. 29. She won't have to go to jail if she completes probation. According to court documents and statements, VonScheven started receiving state benefits in November 2001 after her husband died. He had retired as a municipal police officer in New Jersey. Widows …
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87 Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87 Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who served in Congress for almost 30 years and was a former Mayor of Paterson, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 87, his family announced. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," his family wrote on social media.  "As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He i…
Edison Firefighter Dies As Town Mourns Loss Of Police Lieutenant Edison Firefighter Dies As Town Mourns Loss Of Police Lieutenant
Edison Firefighter Dies As Town Mourns Loss Of Police Lieutenant The Edison Fire Department has announced the death of its treasurer and longtime firefighter Howard Tarlow. The EFD made the announcement Thursday evening, July 11, one day after the police department announced the death of its lieutenant, Donald Ship. Tarlow began his fire service career when he joined the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department in 2008, after expressing to a friend he wanted to give back to the community, the EFD said on Facebook. It wasn't long before Tarlow decided he wanted to serve the town he lived in and transferred to Raritan Engine Company 1 in 2010. Tarlow …
Video Shows New Brunswick Council President 3X Over Legal Limit After Wrecking SUV Video Shows New Brunswick Council President 3X Over Legal Limit After Wrecking SUV
Video Shows New Brunswick Council President 3X Over Legal Limit After Wrecking SUV Brand-new bodycam footage of the investigation into New Brunswick's former City Council president directly after she drunkenly wrecked her luxury SUV several hundred feet from home. Officer Taylor Tiongson-Cradic found Suzanne Sicora-Ludwig at the Edgebrook Road crash scene around 11:40 p.m. Friday, March 8, where her Range Rover had struck a tree, according to a police report shared to the city's website.  Bodycam footage shared in a 1-hour and 30-minute video by DriveThruTours shows Sicora-Ludwig's 2014 Range Rover up against a tree, with airbag deployment. Accord…
Jersey City Police Lieutenant's Cremation To Follow Saturday Funeral Mass Jersey City Police Lieutenant's Cremation To Follow Saturday Funeral Mass
Jersey City Police Lieutenant's Cremation To Follow Saturday Funeral Mass She devoted her life to those in need and put others first. She was "the glue that held her family and friends together." And at only 44 years old, Jersey City Police Lt. Marina Angelica Ugolini is gone far too soon. Ugolini died Tuesday evening, May 28. The 19-year department veteran, who was promoted to lieutenant six years ago this month, worked in the city's North District. Ugolini was an alumnus of Jersey City Medical Center and Ambucar EMS who "took pride in helping people by devoting her life to serving those in need," her obituary says. "She transported the first medical …
Former Jersey Shore Town Mayor Michael Brantley Dies At 79: 'Remarkable Public Servant' Former Jersey Shore Town Mayor Michael Brantley Dies At 79: 'Remarkable Public Servant'
Former Jersey Shore Town Mayor Michael Brantley Dies At 79: 'Remarkable Public Servant' Michael Brantley, who was a former mayor of Neptune Township, has died. An obituary posting said Brantley died on Saturday, Jan. 6. He was 79 years old. Brantley also had served on the township committee. Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted his condolences after the former mayor's death was announced. "Michael was a remarkable public servant and will be deeply missed by the Neptune community," said Gov. Murphy. Saddened by the news of former Neptune Mayor Dr. Michael Brantley’s passing.Michael was a remarkable public servant and will be deeply missed by the Neptune community.https://t.co/gEcCze3b…
'Champion For Women's Empowerment:' NJ Mom Theresa Hester Dies At 55 'Champion For Women's Empowerment:' NJ Mom Theresa Hester Dies At 55
'Champion For Women's Empowerment:' NJ Mom Theresa Hester Dies At 55 Support is pouring in for the family of Morris County native Margaret ‘Theresa’ (Nunn) Hester, a devoted public servant and beloved mother who died on Monday, Dec. 11 following a brief battle with cancer at the age of 55. Born in Morristown, Theresa graduated from Dover High School in 1986 before attending Centenary University, her obituary says. Theresa dedicated her career to uplifting women and families in many different capacities. She worked for the NJ state Division on Women since 1998, both with the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Children and Families. Her wor…
NJ's Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Mourned As Trailblazer NJ's Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Mourned As Trailblazer
NJ's Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver Mourned As Trailblazer Sheila Oliver, the lieutenant governor of New Jersey, died on Tuesday, Aug. 1, her family announced. She was 71 years old. Oliver, who was born and raised in Newark and lived in East Orange, had been serving as acting governor while Gov. Phil Murphy was vacationing in Italy. She was taken to a hospital on Monday, July 31 for an undisclosed medical issue. In a statement, Murphy said he and his family were "incredibly saddened and distraught" to hear of her passing. "When I selected her to be my running mate in 2017, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was already a trailblazer in every sense of…
Loss Of Beloved K9 Neiko Mourned By South Jersey Police Loss Of Beloved K9 Neiko Mourned By South Jersey Police
Loss Of Beloved K9 Neiko Mourned By South Jersey Police A beloved K9 officer with the Egg Harbor Township Police Department has died at the age of 11, authorities said. "It is with heavy heart that we report the passing of Egg Harbor Township Police K9 Neiko," the department announced on Facebook on Friday, July 21. Neiko was a Belgian Shepherd that started his service with the Township in May 2014, after graduating from the John “Sonny” Burke K9 Patrol Academy.  "It was not in the line of duty. He had a lot of health problems," Lt. Brian Keane, a police department spokesman, told Daily Voice. K9 Neiko died at the age of 11Egg Harbor Towns…
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Runs For NJ Governor Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Runs For NJ Governor
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop Runs For NJ Governor Steven Fulop is officially throwing his hat in the ring. The Jersey City mayor announced on Tuesday, April 11 that he will be seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025. Gov. Phil Murphy is term limited and cannot seek re-election. "My career has always been guided by a strong desire to take on difficult challenges and find solutions that help improve peoples’ lives," Fulop said in a press release.  "I’ve never backed down from a fight before, and I’m ready to work hard for all the people of our great state to deliver the results New Jersey deserves." Following the Sept. …
HERO: 'It's Time To Go,' Would-Be GWB Jumper Tells Veteran Port Authority Police Officer HERO: 'It's Time To Go,' Would-Be GWB Jumper Tells Veteran Port Authority Police Officer
Hero: 'It's Time To Go,' Would-Be GWB Jumper Tells Veteran Port Authority Police Officer "It's time to go," a suicidal man perched on the outer railing of the George Washington Bridge told Port Authority Police Officer Stephen Gryboski. Gryboski isn't just any law enforcer, however. The senior officer at the PAPD's George Washington Bridge Command Center, Gryboski is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He also proudly wears the badge of his father, retired Port Authority Police Officer Frank Gryboski, who served the department from 1959 through 1980. He also has a slow heartbeat. A few years ago, a member of the public sent the department an unsolicited mes…
Sudden Death Of Devoted EMS Chief Heather Varrasse, 42, Shocks Central Jersey Rescue Squads Sudden Death Of Devoted EMS Chief Heather Varrasse, 42, Shocks Central Jersey Rescue Squads
Sudden Death Of Devoted EMS Chief Heather Varrasse, 42, Shocks Central Jersey Rescue Squads Devoted EMS Chief, fire department volunteer member and central communications supervisor Heather Varrasse, 42, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 4, shocking rescue squads throughout Central Jersey.  Heather had been involved in various emergency services throughout Hopewell Valley for more than 25 years, a tribute from the township’s fire district said. An EMT with the fire district since 2006, Heather quickly rose through the ranks as an incredibly devoted public servant. She served as EMS Chief at Hopewell Emergency Medical Unit, Assistant Captain at Pennington First Aid Squad, and Publ…
'Kind, Caring' Lodi Police Veteran Dies 'Kind, Caring' Lodi Police Veteran Dies
'Kind, Caring' Lodi Police Veteran Dies No matter the situation, Bobby Salerno could always make you laugh, usually with a dry -- and at times sarcastic -- humor that longtime police officers develop. Things got serious earlier this year, however. Over the past several months, when you asked how he was doing, Salerno said he was "taking it one day a time." Still, he kept up his sense of humor -- and kept working as long as he was able. Those who knew Lodi Police Capt. Robert J. Salerno roundly praised the 32-year law enforcement veteran's dedication to public service after learning that he died on Sunday. Salerno, 55, of Hasbr…
‘Valued And Respected’ Marine Corps Vet, Longtime Trenton Employee Ashley Marshall Dies, 35 ‘Valued And Respected’ Marine Corps Vet, Longtime Trenton Employee Ashley Marshall Dies, 35
‘Valued And Respected’ Marine Corps Vet, Longtime Trenton Employee Ashley Marshall Dies, 35 US Marine Corps veteran and longtime Trenton employee Ashley Marshall died Tuesday of natural causes at the age of 35. Marshall started her career with the city as a school crossing guard in 2013 before she was appointed to be a parking enforcement officer two years later, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said in a statement announcing her death. “Sorrow fills our hearts, a sorrow that is deep and personal,” said Gusciora. Marshall was remembered as a “dedicated team player who brought a smile to those around her each day and made numerous contributions to [the] community.” Trenton Police Dir…
Heartbreaking Battle Ends For Beloved Bergen Firefighter Heartbreaking Battle Ends For Beloved Bergen Firefighter
Heartbreaking Battle Ends For Beloved Bergen Firefighter A career Bergen County firefighter's valiant battle with cancer ended Saturday, leaving countless loved ones, first responders, friends and others devastated. "We all ask why the great ones are taken to soon and we can't find the answer," Hackensack Fire Capt. Justin Derevyanik wrote as news of the death of Timothy Rice spread on Saturday. Timmy Rice, 42, of Emerson leaves Regina, his wife of 15 years, their daughter, Aubrey, and their son, TJ. He was "one of a kind, truly one of the nicest, most caring people I’ve ever known," Doug Habermann wrote -- just one of a rapidly growing collect…
Resident: Paramus Firefighter Raises Fallen Stars And Stripes During Storm Resident: Paramus Firefighter Raises Fallen Stars And Stripes During Storm
Resident: Paramus Firefighter Raises Fallen Stars And Stripes During Storm They say true character is what you do when no one is watching, which is what some people in Paramus were saying Monday about one of the borough’s bravest. “Amidst the worst thunderstorm I have ever seen, multiple trees blown down across the roadway, large tree branches falling without notice, live power wires down in the street and on fire, this selfless firefighter took the time to walk over to my lawn, pick up my American flag off the ground that had fallen during the strong winds and then returned to his work,”  resident Kaitlin Cafone said. “Thank you,” she wrote in a Facebook pos…
Passion, Compassion Defined Late Saddle Brook Police Officer, 50 Passion, Compassion Defined Late Saddle Brook Police Officer, 50
Passion, Compassion Defined Late Saddle Brook Police Officer, 50 TRIBUTE: Saddle Brook Police Officer Norma Aedo carried an innate peace that could resolve almost any situation with little or no trouble, those who knew her said. "She had this calming demeanor about her,” Mayor Robert White recalled. “She could handle anything from a physical altercation to something more sensitive -- like a person grieving for a loved one.” Countless others are grieving the death of the Cuban-born former Hudson County veteran following a month-long illness. Aedo, 50, joined the Saddle Brook Police Department in 2014 – and was assigned Badge #54 -- after seven years as …
Little Ferry CFO Killed In Moonachie ATV Crash Little Ferry CFO Killed In Moonachie ATV Crash
Little Ferry CFO Killed In Moonachie ATV Crash A longtime Little Ferry official and mother of two was killed in an ATV crash in Moonachie over the weekend. Little Ferry CFO Lori Beck, 47, was gravely injured when she and her fiancé, Joseph Rose, crashed while riding a quad Sunday night behind the Robert L. Craig Elementary School off West Park Street, responders said. The couple were engaged to be married in two months. “It happened in front of both of their families,” one responder said. “His house is behind the school.” Beck was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The Ridgefield Park native…
Virtual Promotions: 24 Passaic Police Officers, Firefighters Sworn To New Posts Via Zoom Virtual Promotions: 24 Passaic Police Officers, Firefighters Sworn To New Posts Via Zoom
Virtual Promotions: 24 Passaic Police Officers, Firefighters Sworn To New Posts Via Zoom It wasn't the NFL draft, although it looked somewhat like it when two dozen promoted Passaic police officers and firefighters were sworn in to their new positions Monday via Zoom. Mayor Hector Carlos Lora presided over the unprecedented virtual ceremony, during which 19 police officers and five firefighters were officially promoted amid the coronavirus pandemic. The firefighters were delayed but made it to the show after responding to a four-alarm fire on Dayton Avenue during which they and their Clifton colleagues rescued a 4-year-old girl and her mother, Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost. S…