TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today sent a letter to the Office of the State Comptroller to request an investigation into the financial situation of New Jersey City University (NJCU). This request follows public reports that NJCU has gone from a $108 million surplus in 2014 to a $67 million deficit today, with another $156 million in debt.
“New Jersey prides ourselves on offering a high-quality education to anyone seeking a postsecondary degree in our state,” said Governor Murphy. “A university facing significant financial challenges will struggle to continue providing the high-quality education its students deserve – if it can remain open at all. As a public university, NJCU is accountable to our state government and the residents of New Jersey. In light of serious reports about NJCU’s financial situation, I firmly believe an independent investigation into the school’s finances and operations would be in the best interests of the public at this time.”
NJCU is a public university chartered in 1927 that currently serves over 5,000 undergraduate students and thousands more in graduate school.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic put a financial strain on many institutions of higher education due to a decline in enrollment and shortfalls in tuition revenue, it appears NJCU’s financial issues pre-date the pandemic. A recent news report by the Jersey Journal found that the 2014 surplus of $108 million vanished within one year due to pension liability and the issuance of bonds toward a greater expansion venture.
Under New Jersey law, the Office of the State Comptroller is responsible for conducting assessments of the performance and management of programs of the Executive branch of State government, including public institutions of higher education. The Office exercises its oversight functions independently.
Investigation by NJSP and ATF Led to Seizure of Five Handguns and an Assault Weapon
Barrett R. Griffin, III, 33, of North Brunswick, NJ, was sentenced to an aggregate term of 11 years in prison, including a period of 6.8 years of parole ineligibility
September 27, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced that a Middlesex man was sentenced to 11 years in state prison for illegally transporting handguns into New Jersey for unlawful sale. The conviction stems from an investigation by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that led to the seizure of five handguns and an assault rifle transported to New Jersey from Georgia.
Barrett R. Griffin, III, 33, of North Brunswick, NJ, was sentenced to an aggregate term of 11 years in prison, including a period of 6.8 years of parole ineligibility, in a hearing before Superior Court Judge Mark P. Tarantino in Burlington County on September 9, 2022. Griffin pleaded guilty on July 18, 2022 to second-degree transporting firearms into the state for unlawful sale or transfer and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
“Keeping illegal weapons out of our state and off our streets is paramount to public safety,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “We are aggressively targeting those responsible for the proliferation of guns and gun violence in our communities, and that includes gun traffickers who illegally transport weapons into our state and put them in the hands of criminals.”
“The prison sentence handed down to this defendant sends a clear message that we have zero tolerance for gun trafficking in New Jersey,” said Director Pearl Minato, of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We will continue to work with law enforcement partners throughout New Jersey and beyond to stop the illegal flow of firearms into our state and hold accountable all those who profit from it.”
Griffin was arrested earlier this year following an investigation by NJSP and the ATF. During the course of the investigation, a motor vehicle stop was made on the car Griffin was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mount Laurel, NJ on February 7, 2022. Following a search of the vehicle, detectives seized five handguns, one assault rifle, and four large capacity ammunition magazines from the vehicle’s trunk.
Deputy Attorney General Karen M. Bornstein prosecuted the case for the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis.
The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Defense Attorney
Fatima Agosto, Esq., Burlington County Public Defender’s Office.
CAPE MAY, N.J. — Coast Guard crews rescued an overdue mariner 270 miles off Hatteras, North Carolina, Wednesday.
Coast Guard Sector New York watchstanders received a report of lost communications from the family of the mariner who departed Jersey City, New Jersey, en route to Bermuda, stating that they lost contact on Nov. 6, and that as of Tuesday, he was considered overdue.
Watchstanders from the Coast Guard Atlantic Area command center assumed responsibility of search and rescue efforts, coordinating the launch of assets from the Coast Guard’s First and Fifth districts and issuing an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB).
The sailing vessel Time Bandit heard the UMIB and happened upon an adrift sailing vessel with tattered sails and a missing boom, matching the description of the overdue mariner’s boat. The good Samaritan made contact with the overdue mariner. Due to on scene conditions, the Coast Guard advised against an at-sea transfer.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Lawrence Lawson (WPC 1120), based in Cape May, New Jersey, arrived on scene Wednesday and safely transferred him aboard the cutter. The mariner was transported in stable condition and reunited with family Thursday at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May.
“We are pleased that this case resulted in a family reunion,” said Cmdr. Wes Geyer, search and rescue mission coordinator, Coast Guard Atlantic Area. “The search area for this case was nearly twice the size of Texas and the seas are very unforgiving. We urge all mariners venturing offshore to carry a properly registered Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). This device can help pinpoint your exact location should the unthinkable ever happen.”
The Coast Guard dispatched additional assets to assist in the search and rescue case, including:
An HC-130 Hercules crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.
An MH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City
An HC-144 crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.
To register your EPIRB, please go to Register your Beacon | SARSAT (noaa.gov).
The Coast Guard Atlantic Area located in Portsmouth, Virginia, is responsible for overseeing all Coast Guard operations from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf.
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Firefighters responded to the New Jersey Turnpike south bound exit ramp at Exit 8 for an overturned tractor trailer at 3:25 p.m. Initially it was reported that the driver was trapped in the vehicle but was able to escape on their own power prior to the fire department’s arrival. Hightstown Fire Company responded for spill control. Robbinsville and Cranbury firefighters were recalled from the rescue assignment. No further details are available. It was unclear if EMS transported the driver to a local hospital for treatment.
Overturned tractor trailer on New Jersey Turnpike southbound Exit ramp Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) right shoulder blocked https://t.co/HOwjkSrmha
TRENTON, NJ – This fall, the Capital Health Foundation received a $50,000 gift from the Pennington Area First Aid Squad to support Capital Health’s Trenton Neighborhood Initiative (TNI), a progressive five-year program.
Pennington First Aid Squad’s donation will benefit those interested in pursuing EMS careers, as well as furthering the education of seasoned Capital Health emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
“The generosity of the Pennington First Aid Squad has a three-fold impact,” said Alex Lewinsky, director of EMS Capital Health. “We are able to enroll, train and outfit up to 12 new EMT Academy interns this fall and provide current EMTs at Capital Health the opportunity to pursue paramedic training. Adding to our workforce and supporting advanced training has a positive impact on the communities we serve in times of crisis and need.”
Capital Health’s EMT Academy trains future EMTs and transitions them to positions as full-time employees, supporting the TNI goal of mitigating social determinants of health such as socioeconomic status or access to training. The program is open to anyone who wants to pursue a new career or is just starting out.
“For currently employed Capital Health EMTs, professional development – specifically paramedic training – is important,” said Lewinsky. “Paramedics are more highly trained EMTs and they are capable of more advanced medical procedures, such as providing oral and intravenous medication, monitoring electrocardiograms (EKGs), and performing advanced airway techniques.”
The gift from the Pennington First Aid Squad allows Capital Health to structure a program for current EMTs to remain full-time in the workforce while attending a two-year, accredited paramedic program. Upon their successful credentialing, the employed paramedics commit to a minimum of three years of service to Capital Health communities. For many, this opportunity will also have a generational impact on local families.
The Pennington First Aid Squad provided emergency medical services to local communities from 1954 until February, 2023 when they responded to their last 911 call.
For more information about the EMT Academy at Capital Health, contact Alex Lewinsky at [email protected]. To make a gift of support to Capital Health’s Trenton Neighborhood Initiative, contact Jennifer M. Antinoro at [email protected]. For more information about the Trenton Neighborhood Initiative visit www.tnitrenton.org.
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Law enforcement officials are requesting help from anyone who may have witnessed a fatal shooting that took place in Neptune Township in July 2022, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago stated Thursday.
Neptune Township Police Department responded to a report of gunfire on Monday July 4, 2022, just before 1:45 a.m. in the area of Route 35/South Concourse. Upon arrival, officers located 26-year-old Ayres Gray Jr. of Manalapan in a parked vehicle on South Concourse, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Gray was then rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries approximately an hour later.
Further investigation revealed that a house located on the 20 block of Hillview Drive also in Neptune Township was hosting a party where there was a shots fired incident shortly before the fatal shooting took place on South Concourse. Investigators continue to identify the link between the two incidents.
Members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Bureau and the Neptune Township Police Department continue to investigate both incidents. Anyone with information on either of these incidents is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Detective Carrie Bartlett at 732-988-8000.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400 or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com
LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–The Lacey Township Police Department is confirming that one person has died in a small, private airplane crash that took place in the wooded area of Lacey Township, east of Robert J. Miller Airpark. The identity of the pilot has not been confirmed at this time.
The Lacey Township Police Department was notified of a smoke condition off of Dover Road and West Lacey Road shortly before midnight on Saturday September 2, 2023. Several fire agencies from our area initially responded to the scene, including the Manitou Park and Bamber Lake Fire Departments, as well as the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
As the investigation continued into the smoke condition, a small airplane crash was located in the area of the fire. Due to smoke and fire in the area, as well as the difficult terrain, authorities could not immediately access the scene of the airplane crash. The fire continued to spread, at which time the New Jersey Forrest Fire Service activated their personnel.
During the afternoon hours on Sunday, September 3, 2023, authorities were able to access the scene of the crash, where it was confirmed that the pilot of the airplane was deceased.
Operations related to the fire will continue in the wooded areas surrounding the Robert J. Miler Airpark for the next several days. Smoke conditions will remain in place for the next several days. The NJ Forest Fire Service does not expect the fire to grow any further in size and containment will continue to increase throughout the day. The fire is currently estimated at 70% contained. Please remain vigilant if traveling through the area. Any inquiries related to the status of the forest fire should be made directly to the NJ Forest Fire Service.
Due to the fire operations in the area, Dover Road and Mule Road remain closed from Lacey Road to Pinewald Keswick Road. The Robert J. Miller airpark also remains closed.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were immediately notified, and are currently investigating the crash. Any inquiries related to the status of the airplane crash investigation should be made directly to the FAA Eastern Region Public Affairs Office.
The Lacey Township Police Department would like to thank all of the agencies, local fire departments, and firs aid squads that responded to assist in investigating and managing this incident. A complete list of agencies that responded to the scene will be published at a later time.
WILDFIRE UPDATE: Airpark Wildfire – Miller Airpark – Lacey Twp, Ocean County
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has made substantial progress in containing a wildfire burning in the area of the Robert J. Miller Airpark in Lacey Twp.
The wildfire has grown to 831 acres and is 70% contained.
ROAD CLOSURES: Dover Rd is closed from Lacey Rd to Pinewald Keswick Rd Mule Rd is closed from Lacey Rd to Pinewald Keswick Rd
STRUCTURES THREATENED 25 structures threatened
Structure protection is being provided by local volunteer fire companies. We thank them for their assistance.
Yesterday’s Midjersey.news story:
Plane Crash Starts 831+ Acre Wildfire In Ocean County
Smoke from the 800+ acre wildfire as seen from Barnegat Light, NJ yesterday.
September 4, 2023
HAINESPORT TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–The New Jersey State Police Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying Three Individuals Wanted for Criminal Mischief
On the August 9, 2023, Bordentown Troopers responded to a Criminal Mischief complaint located in Hainesport Township, Burlington County. Troopers observed multiple graffiti markings on a statue owned by Hainesport Township, known as “Big Rusty”.
Anyone with any information or recognizes the suspects are asked to contact Trooper Joseph Couzo at Bordentown Station at 609-298-1171 x 5174.
Victim flown by helicopter to Jersey Shore Medical Center
September 4, 2023
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Around 11:00 a.m. first responders were detailed to an area north of the Route 72, Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge for a personal watercraft collision. Emergency services requested a landing zone for a medical helicopter at the Boatyard. There were reports of a 17-year-old male with a deep leg laceration and needed immediate transportation to a trauma center. There were also reports of two other injuries at the location.
No further details are available at this time.
Other area news:
Around 1:00 p.m. crews responded back to Island Beach State Park for a water rescue of three swimmers in distress in Area 19. Reports of people out of the water with the help of a surfer.
See yesterday’s story for some updates.
Swim only in areas where there are lifeguards. Stay out of the water if there are no lifeguards.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Department, Detective Lieutenant Lisette Rios reported the following incidents in the City of Trenton on July 4, 2024:
At approximately 9:50 p.m. on July 4, 2024, Trenton Police Communications received a call of a motor vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of Division Street and South Clinton Avenue Patrol Bureau officers responded to the scene and observed an older juvenile victim in the roadway, injured and unresponsive. The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center with serious injuries and remains unresponsive. Trenton Police Department Detective Vishan Singh and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Collision Response Team were notified and responded. They discovered the victim was riding a Razor scooter on South Clinton Avenue, toward Chestnut Avenue, when it struck a Toyota Sienna that was on Division Street heading toward South Broad Street Det. Singh will continue the investigation with the assistance of the Serious Collision Response Team.
At approximately 10:41 p.m. on July 4, 2024, a good Samaritan observed a Tesla on it’s roof at the intersection of Centre Street and Ferry Street the citizen contacted police and checked for any injured persons. There were no reported injuries. No other information about this incident is avaialble.
At approximately 10:59 p.m. on July 4, 2024 Trenton Police Communications received a call of a person shot in the area of West State Street and Perdicaris Place Patrol Bureau officers arrived on scene and located a 15-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported by TEMS to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment and was in stable condition. A scene was located nearby on West Hanover Street and the Shooting Response Team is investigating.
At approximately 11:31 p.m. on July 4, 2024, Trenton Police Communications received a call of a person shot in the area of Stuyvesant Avenue and Hoffman Avenue Patrol Officers responded and located a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment. This incident was turned over to the Homicide Task Force. A second victim from this incident, a female, arrived at Capital Health Regional Medical Center with a gunshot wound. She was in stable condition.
At approximately 1:02 a.m. on July 5, 2024, Trenton Police Communications received a call of shots fired on the 300 block of West Hanover Street, with a vehicle and a residence struck. Patrol officers responded to the scene and located two vehicles struck by gunfire. While at the scene, officers were advised that a victim arrived at Capital Health Regional Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds. The Shooting Response Team was notified and responded. The victim was listed in stable condition and the Shooting Response Team will continue this investigation.
In addition, there’s one incident that was handled by the New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau. At approximately 9:37 p.m., New Jersey State Police contacted Trenton Communications regarding calls for a boat taking on water after colliding with jet skiers in the river. The Trenton Fire Department, Trenton EMS -TEMS, Paramedics and the NJSP responded. The boat was determined to be in Hamilton Township so Hamilton Police were also notified. Trenton Police did not investigate or complete any reporting for this incident. Midjersey.news has contacted the New Jersey State Police Office of Public Information for further details on this incident.
ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—Robbinsville Township Police reported that on Friday September 23, 2022 Robbinsville Police, Robbinsville Fire, Robbinsville EMS were dispatched at 3:44 p.m. to the BAPS Temple at 100 North Main Street in the Windsor section of the Township for a construction accident. Upon arrival police officers were directed to the rear of the property where curbing was being installed. It was determined that a construction accident occurred resulting in a worker fatality. The victim a 57-year-old male from Hillside, NJ was located and pronounced dead at the scene. Police say that next of kin notifications are pending and the incident is being investigated by the Robbinsville Township Police Department.
A spokesperson for the Department of Labor told MidJersey.News that OSHA-Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating.
MidJersey.News File photos from May 11, 2021
Previous MidJersey.news stories about BAPS Mandir from May 2021 there have been no updates provided from authorities about the below stories from 2021.
WASHINGTON DC — The White House reported that today August 1, 2024, three American citizens and one American green-card holder who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia are finally coming home: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza.
The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy. All told, we’ve negotiated the release of 16 people from Russia—including five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country. Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over.
I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome— including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey. This is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon. Our alliances make Americans safer.
President Biden said, “And let me be clear: I will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family. My Administration has now brought home over 70 such Americans, many of whom were in captivity since before I took office. Still, too many families are suffering and separated from their loved ones, and I have no higher priority as President than bringing those Americans home.
Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families. We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And reaffirm our pledge to their families: We see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman stated in a Twitter post that Evan Gershkovich is on his way home! After being held 16 months on false charges of espionage, journalist Evan Gershkovich will be freed. Grateful to everyone at the State Dept for their work to make this day happen.
Governor Phil Murphy stated “I am thrilled to hear that, after over a year of detention, Evan Gershkovich has been freed from Russia. Evan is a New Jersey native and Princeton High School graduate who was wrongfully convicted of espionage by the brutal Putin regime — a pawn in a politically-motivated game. I am praying for his safety and health as he returns home to his family and reacclimates to life back in the U.S. I’d like to thank President Biden and our allies involved in this complex, multilateral negotiation for their work in bringing Evan and other wrongfully detained Americans home.”
P. Kenneth Burns, president of the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists, regarding the release of Wall Street Journal reporter and New Jersey native Evan Gershkovich:
“We are relieved to know that Evan Gershkovich is a free man from an unjust conviction in a rigged court trial. NJ-SPJ also celebrate with our colleagues at the Wall Street Journal, who have done a great job advocating for their reporter while honoring his work at the Journal at the same time.
We also want to reiterate to political leaders abroad, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and here in New Jersey: JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME.”
Today, we remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And reaffirm our pledge to their families:We see you.We are with you.
And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.
Dover Rd is closed from Lacey Rd to Pinewald Keswick Rd
B00[431:430] TT[713] (13)E:G[169:0] BV[121:15] IR[L:F:80] AL:[0:0]
