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Man Drowns In NJ 'Hidden Gem' Popularized On TikTok Man Drowns In NJ 'Hidden Gem' Popularized On TikTok
Man Drowns In NJ 'Hidden Gem' Popularized On TikTok A 23-year-old Plainfield man drowned at a former mining property in Ocean County, authorities said. The body of Edwin Caballero was pulled from Crystal Lake at the Heritage Mineral property in Manchester Sunday morning, Manchester Township police said. Several videos of Crystal Lake have been popping up on social video-sharing platform TikTok, calling the spot a "hidden gem." A Manchester Township police spokesperson warned, though, the water can be "very unpredictable and dangerously unstable." "Those entering the water will quickly realize that after taking a few steps in the soft, unsta…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
'Tragic Loss': Bound Brook Mourns Death Of Vet Tech Kimberly Hancaviz, 31 'Tragic Loss': Bound Brook Mourns Death Of Vet Tech Kimberly Hancaviz, 31
'Tragic Loss': Bound Brook Mourns Death Of Vet Tech Kimberly Hancaviz, 31 The community is mourning the loss of a 31-year-old Bound Brook woman who died Sunday, June 21. Born in Plainfield, Kimberly Hancaviz graduated from South Bound Brook High School, where she was known for her role as a cheerleader, her obituary says. After high school, Kim earned a biology degree at College of St. Elizabeth, later furthering her higher education with a veterinary technology degree from Camden County College. With a deep passion for animals, Kim worked most recently as a vet tech for Progressive Veterinary Care in Skillman. She also loved spending time with loved ones, eatin…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Prosecutor Reviewing Plainfield Police Use Of Force During Arrest Prosecutor Reviewing Plainfield Police Use Of Force During Arrest
Prosecutor Reviewing Plainfield Police Use Of Force During Arrest Amid heightened sensitivity over law enforcement interactions, the Union County Prosecutor's Office is investigating an officer's use of force during an arrest Wednesday night. Police were arresting an 18-year-old man for an undisclosed offense on the 300 block of Liberty Street Wednesday evening when he sustained the injury, Acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. The injury required medical attention, which Plainfield police "timely facilitated," Ruotolo said. Officers promptly notified police officials and the Professional Standards Unit within the Union County…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Duck Donuts Makes Bergen County Debut Duck Donuts Makes Bergen County Debut
Duck Donuts Makes Bergen County Debut Duck Donuts is opening its first Bergen County store. The made-to-order doughnut chain is opening a location at Sprout Brook Center in Paramus, BoozyBurbs reports. Native to Duck, North Carolina, Duck Donuts lets customers design their own vanilla cake doughnuts from a variety of toppings, drizzles and glazes. This will be New Jersey's sixth Duck Donuts store, with locations in Middletown, Avalon, Plainfield, Clark, Green Brook and Marlton. No word yet on an opening date. Duck Donuts, 556 Route 17 North, Paramus

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
KNOW ANYTHING? 2 Injured In Somerset County House Fire KNOW ANYTHING? 2 Injured In Somerset County House Fire
Know Anything? 2 Injured In Somerset County House Fire Authorities in Somerset County are investigating a fire in North Plainfield that displaced and injured two residents -- one of who is critical but stable, police said. North Plainfield Fire Department and North Plainfield Police responded to a report of a residential fire on Grove Street shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a joint release. Two men were injured in the three-alarm blaze and were taken to an undisclosed trauma center where one remains in critical condition, authorities said. Fire crews from Somerset (North Plainfield,…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
SEEN HIM? Union County Boy, 14, Missing Since Last Month SEEN HIM? Union County Boy, 14, Missing Since Last Month
Seen HIM? Union County Boy, 14, Missing Since Last Month Authorities turned to the public Monday for help finding a missing New Jersey boy. Christopher Soto, 14, of Plainfield was last seen leaving his home last month, a post by the Union County Prosecutor's Office said, without saying exactly when or whether it was believed that he's at risk. He was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, black sneakers and a baseball cap at the time, the notice says. Anyone who sees or might know where to find Christopher is asked to contact Plainfield police: (908) 753-3360. CHECK BACK FOR MORE DETAILS

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
'Highly Respected' Newark Police Veteran Dies Of Coronavirus 'Highly Respected' Newark Police Veteran Dies Of Coronavirus
'Highly Respected' Newark Police Veteran Dies Of Coronavirus Michael Clegg, a 27-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, died of coronavirus, officials said Sunday. Sgt. Michael Clegg, 53, passed away at Overlook Hospital in Summit, according to his family. “Our hearts are broken by the news of Sergeant Clegg’s passing,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said. “A 27-year tenure of public service results in strong bonds of brotherhood among fellow police officers.  "Sergeant Clegg was highly respected by his colleagues and was extremely respectable in his demeanor towards the public. We lost a good man." Clegg, former…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Authorities: Union County Nightclub Caught Serving Amid COVID-19 Closure Authorities: Union County Nightclub Caught Serving Amid COVID-19 Closure
Authorities: Union County Nightclub Caught Serving Amid Covid-19 Closure A Plainfield business owner told police that he thought that patrons waiting for takeout orders from his restaurant could drink at his bar, authorities said. Wrong. Cristobal Sanchez, 62, was charged with violating state coronavirus emergency closure orders by police who said they found three customers drinking at the bar and others sitting at tables Saturday night at the Tequila Club on East 5th Street. Sanchez told them he "thought he was allowed to serve them alcohol inside the premises" because the patrons "were waiting for take-out orders," state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Three Charged In Fatal Stabbing Outside Plainfield Nightclub Prosecutor: Three Charged In Fatal Stabbing Outside Plainfield Nightclub
Prosecutor: Three Charged In Fatal Stabbing Outside Plainfield Nightclub Three suspects have been charged following a stabbing outside a nightclub in Plainfield that left one person dead and three others injured, authorities said. Plainfield Police found 30-year-old Plainfield resident Olvin Benitez Lopez with critical injuries outside Chez Maree nightclub on Watching Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said in a joint release. Three men ages 27, 28 and 30 were also at the scene and identified as victims of the stabbing, authorities said. Lopez was subsequently pronounced dead, and the three other vi…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Police: Stubbornest Little Whorehouse In Paterson Raided Again Police: Stubbornest Little Whorehouse In Paterson Raided Again
Police: Stubbornest Little Whorehouse In Paterson Raided Again It wasn’t long after Paterson police raided a brothel above a city storefront that men were once again coming and going all hours of the day and night, authorities said. No sooner had they released manager Felipe Valdez, 44, on drug and prostitution charges than he was back in business, they said. ABC/Vice Unit members earlier this month raided the second-floor Main Street apartment, above a ground-floor business that offers travel, tax and mortgage services, after receiving complaints from merchants and residents. They arrested Valez, as well as two accused hookers – one 35 from the Bronx…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
UPDATED: Coronavirus Concerns Cancel Classes Across NJ UPDATED: Coronavirus Concerns Cancel Classes Across NJ
Updated: Coronavirus Concerns Cancel Classes Across NJ Several schools and universities have cancelled classes in an effort to plan ahead and prevent the spread of coronavirus in New Jersey (scroll for complete list). As of Thursday, there were 29 presumed positive cases in New Jersey, including a 16- and- 17-year-old. UPDATE: All Bergen County schools will close indefinitely as of 3 p.m. Friday, Bergen County Jim Tedesco announced Thursday evening. Rutgers University recently announced classes would be held remotely after spring break. Students were strongly encouraged to remain off campus through April 3. Bergen Community College extended S…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
KNOW ANYTHING? $10K Reward Offered In Fatal Plainfield Nightclub Stabbing KNOW ANYTHING? $10K Reward Offered In Fatal Plainfield Nightclub Stabbing
Know Anything? $10K Reward Offered In Fatal Plainfield Nightclub Stabbing A reward of up to $10,000 was being offered for information leading to an arrest and indicment in a stabbing at Plainfield nightclub that killed one man and injured two others, authorities said. Four men were injured in the incident outside of Chez Maree nightclub on Watchung Avenue around 2 a.m. Sunday, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said. All four victims were taken to a local hospital, where one was subsequently pronounced dead, Ruotolo said. Tips for the Union County Crime Stoppers can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org…

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by Cecilia Levine