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Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire
Shock and sadness spread following the death of 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who was killed on Saturday, Nov. 9, while bravely battling the Jennings Creek Wildfire that spread from New Jersey into Greenwood Lake, New York.
Vasquez, a young Parks and Recreation Aide with the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, lost his life in the line of duty, a heartbreaking end to a life full of promise and service. New York State Police are investigating the circumstances of his death.
Known as a rising star in his community, Dariel was a former R…
Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford
A sprawling wildfire, now covering 3,000 acres, continues to burn through West Milford Monday, Nov. 11, however, air quality levels across the region have improved.
The Jennings Creek Wildfire threatens 24 structures across both New Jersey and New York, including two homes in New Jersey, eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, and 14 structures on East Shore Road in Greenwood Lake, NY, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.
As of the latest update, the fire is only 10% contained, prompting officials to close East Shore and Beech Roads, along with all tr…
2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained
A massive wildfire spanning 2,500 acres is burning through West Milford, NJ, and into Orange County, NY, threatening homes and historic sites as firefighters battle to contain it.
Known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, the blaze has put two residential buildings in New Jersey and 14 structures on East Shore Road in New York at risk, along with eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in the latest update Sunday morning, Nov. 10.
Good Morning West Milford,
Today Forest Fire will begin back burn operations in the …
Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford
Three active wildfires in New Jersey are keeping firefighters busy this weekend as the air quality continues to worsen.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is working to contain fires in West Milford, Pompton Lakes, and Englewood Cliffs (scroll for details on each one).
AirNow.gov shows an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 171, or unhealthy, across North Jersey, as of 7:30 p.m., caused by the smoke that blanketed the region. Click here to see an active AQI map or click here to check your town's AQI.
Prolonged dry conditions, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong winds have contribut…
Feds Dismantle Luxury Interstate Car Ring, 7 NJ Men Charged
Eight men, including seven from New Jersey, have been charged in Newark federal court on Thursday, Nov. 7, for their roles in a conspiracy to steal luxury cars and transport them across state lines, authorities said.
Arrested were: Ahmad Franks, 24, Shaquan White, 23, Nathan Braswell, 20, Ibn Bellamy, 24, Zamir Wright, 20, all Newark residents, Ryan Bowen, 26, Khyree Lawrence, 20 both East Orange residents and Mohammed Buhari, a 45-year-old Virginia resident.
Federal officials detailed the thefts:
Audi Q5, Jersey City: On Nov. 5, 2021, a 2021 Audi Q5 was reported stolen in Jersey City…
Newark Man Gets 4+ Years For Distributing Cocaine, Fentanyl: Feds
A 37-year-old Newark man was sentenced to 4.8 years in prison on Tuesday, Nov. 5, for distributing cocaine and fentanyl in 2022, authorities said.
In December 2022, Carlos Gonzalez and another individual conspired to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl and were arrested shortly after arriving at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said.
After their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s home and an apartment uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging materials, a…
Newark Man Robbed Pharmacy At Gunpoint: Feds
A 26-year-old Newark man was arrested and charged on Monday, Nov. 4, with robbing a pharmacy at gunpoint last year, authorities said.
On Saturday, Dec. 30, Nariq Petes and an accomplice drove to a pharmacy wearing black masks, US Attorney Phillip Sellinger said. Once inside the pharmacy, Petes brandished a handgun and demanded prescription drugs, Sellinger said. Petes and his conspirator took at least six bottles of prescription medication, Sellinger said.
Petes was charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a weapon, Sellinger said. He faces…
Five Arrested After $7K In Ecstasy, Coke, Heroin, Meth Seized: Essex County Prosecutor
Five people were arrested after multiple raids in Hudson, Essex and Union counties last month uncovered $7,000 in illegal drugs, authorities said.
The raids, which took place Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 31, were the result of a four-month investigation and targeted individuals believed to be involved in the distribution of controlled substances, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II said.
Recovered in the raids were approximately 27 grams of heroin, 20 vials of cocaine and crack cocaine, 84 Ecstasy pills, Oxycodone and Xanax pills as well as drug packaging paraphernali…
