December 30, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Several hundred history buffs turned out this morning (Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023) to view the annual reenactment of the first Battle of Trenton, which took place on Dec. 26, 1776. Ending in a victory for Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army, the battle is considered the turning point of the American Revolution.
Armed with a canon and muskets, actors portraying soldiers of both sides kicked off the reenactment just after 11 a.m. from the area of the Battle Monument and marched down Broad Street to Mill Hill Park.
A reenactment of the Second Battle of Trenton (which took place on Jan. 2, 1777) was scheduled to take place in Mill Hill Park at 3 p.m.
Read more about the Dec 26, 1776 battle here
December 27, 2023
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Firefighters responded to multiple fires this morning in the township. The first reported fire was around 4:00 a.m. in the first block of O’Rourke Drive for a fire in a basement. Firefighters stretched hose lines and extinguished the fire.
The second fire was reported in the 100 Block of Samuel Street around 7:00 a.m. on the 2nd floor of a row house. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes.
Firefighters responded back to O’Rourke Drive for a fire in the basement. Three handlines are reported in service at 11:55 a.m. At 11:58 a.m. firefighters reported the bulk of the fire knocked down. This is still an active fire scene.
Photos of the Samuel Street fire by: NJ Public Safety News Alerts
December 25, 2023
LAWRENCE (Mercer) – Two families were left homeless on Christmas Eve after a raging fire yesterday morning (Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023) destroyed both sides of a duplex in the Liberty Green development off Lawrence Station Road.
The blaze, which apparently originated in 299 Fountayne Lane and spread to the attached home at 301 Fountayne Lane, was reported at 10:49 a.m. It was initially reported as a fire in a second-floor bedroom.
Due to multiple 911 calls being received about the fire and a towering column of smoke that was visible from Mercer County’s emergency services dispatching center – located a short distance away on Lawrence Station Road – Trenton’s Ladder 4, Hamilton Township’s Engine 10-1, Truck 10-1 and Rescue 10-1 and West Windsor Township’s Engine 44 (Princeton Junction) were all immediately dispatched to assist.
When the first fire officer arrived on the scene, he reported heavy fire and smoke showing from the second floor of 299 Fountayne Lane. A short time later, flames were burning through the roof.
The first fire apparatus to arrive were Hamilton’s Engine 10-1 and Truck 10-1. Hamilton firefighters secured their own water supply from a nearby hydrant and initiated an aggressive interior attack. They were then joined by two crews of Lawrence firefighters who joined the fire attack. Additional crews from Hamilton, Trenton, West Windsor and Lawrence arrived later and assumed various suppression and support roles.
Portions of the roof of 299 Fountayne Lane soon collapsed and, with heavy fire conditions by then raging in both sides of the duplex and additional parts of 299 Fountayne Lane in danger of collapse, the incident commander ordered all firefighters to evacuate the structure at 11:10 a.m.
An additional water supply was established from another hydrant near the entrance to the Liberty Green development. Water was poured on the flames from above via the aerial monitors of Hamilton’s Truck 10-1 and Lawrence’s Telesquirt 203, as well as multiple hoselines from the ground. At one point, five hoselines were reported to be flowing water.
After the bulk of the fire was knocked down from the exterior and an assessment of the structural stability of the building was performed, firefighters resumed interior operations and extinguished the remaining pockets of fire. The blaze was officially declared under control at 11:50 a.m. By then, both 299 and 301 Fountayne Lane had sustained significant damage.
Ambulance personnel from Lawrence, West Windsor and Princeton were on scene but, fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the blaze was being investigated by the Lawrence Township Fire Marshal’s office and township police.
Yesterda’s blaze was reminiscent of another inferno that destroyed two homes in the 100 block of Fountayne Lane back on Aug. 13, 2012. (https://patch.com/new-jersey/lawrenceville/blaze-destroys-lawrenceville-house)
A GoFundMe has been set up for the family who lost their home and you can contribute at the link below. This GoFundMe has been verified by a Communications Manager at GoFundMe.
The GoFundMe reads:
Help Kevin & Tammy Hampton restore their lives
My name is Sherrie and I am doing this fundraiser for my good friends, Kevin & Tammy Hampton. This morning at 11 AM, Kevin & Tammy received a phone call that their home was on fire. They are currently out of town celebrating the Christmas holiday with friends. They literally lost everything but the clothes on their back and the clothes they had packed for vacation. With today being Christmas Eve there is NO business that can be done until Tuesday December 26th. We are asking everyone who knows them to donate to this GoFundMe to help them through this tragedy.
Developing: Firefighters Operating at Structure Fire in Lawrence Township
December 24, 2023-Breaking News
Update at the link below:
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Multiple fire departments are currently operating a structure fire in the second block of Fountayne Lane. The fire was reported sometime around 10:57 a.m. and first arriving firefighters reported large amount of fire from the roof line.
About 11:20 a.m. it was reported that firefighters had multiple hose lines stretched and a ladder flowing water on the fire.
At 11:35 a.m. the Lawrence Township Fire Marshal was requested to the scene.
11:50 a.m. Fire Under Control
Furter details to be provided as information becomes available.
December 24, 2023
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–South Brunswick Police reported a one car crash early Christmas Eve morning on Route 1 has claimed the life of a 23-year-old South Brunswick man. The crash was reported at 12:53 AM on Route 1 south by New Road. The man was driving a 2012 Honda Accord southbound on Route 1. According to witnesses the man was in the left lane when he lost control, slid sideways across the roadway and struck a utility. The man died at the scene.
The Kendall Park First Aid, Kendall Park Fire Department, Middlesex County Medical Examiner, and New Jersey State Department of Transportation responded to the crash. Route 1 south was closed for several hours during the investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash can call South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Burea PFC Bryan Sites at (732) 329-4648.
December 23, 2023
TRENTON (Mercer) – Several people were displaced by a blaze that damaged two rowhouses Saturday afternoon (Dec. 23, 2023). It was the third working fire in Trenton in less than 24 hours.
It was just after 3 p.m. on Saturday when Trenton firefighters were alerted to a possible structure fire in the 100 block of Washington Street. A column of smoke rising up over the area signaled a working fire to responding firefighters.
Heavy smoke was billowing from the second and third floors of 133 Washington Street as firefighters from Engines 7, 3, 10 and 6, Ladders 4 and 2, Rescue 1 and Special Services 1 arrived on scene.
While all visible fire was quickly extinguished, firefighters spent some time opening up walls to expose and then douse hot spots after it was confirmed the fire had spread to the attached home at 131 Washington Street. The blaze was officially declared under control at 3:31 p.m.
While there were no reported injuries, the Red Cross was called out to assist a woman and four men who were left temporarily homeless because of the blaze.
On Friday night (Dec. 22), Trenton firefighters responded to a working fire in the rear of the vacant house at 13 Trent Street, and then fought a stubborn and very smoky blaze in an abandoned commercial building in the 300 block of North Olden Avenue.
The Trent Street blaze was reported just after 5:05 p.m. Friday as several companies of firefighters were already in the area investigating a reported odor of natural gas in a home in the 1500 block of Princeton Avenue.
As a result, crews from Rescue 1 and Engine 10 – released from the Princeton Avenue assignment – arrived on Trent Street very quickly and were able to easily subdue the blaze. They were assisted by Engines 8, 7 and 3, Ladders 4 and 2, and Special Services 1.
Later on Friday, just after 7:40 p.m., firefighters were alerted to a reported fire in a commercial building in the area of Dickinson Street and North Olden Avenue.
Coincidentally, several city fire companies were already busy investigating another odor of natural gas at a high-rise apartment building in the 500 block of Greenwood Avenue, so it was Engines 6, 1, 8 and 10, Ladders 4 and 1, Rescue 1 and Special Services 1 that were sent to the reported fire.
Those companies arrived to find smoke issuing from an abandoned commercial property that at first was believed to have a Taylor Street address but was eventually identified as 323 North Olden Avenue.
Firefighters had to cut a fence to gain access to the property. They soon confirmed that the fire was not in the large structure that dominated the site but was instead in a smaller, separate building on the property.
The incident commander reported that a large quantity of trash was burning in a pit inside the building and that heavy machinery from the city’s public works department would be needed to break up the pile to allow firefighters to get water on the material smoldering at the bottom of the pile.
Firefighters operated on scene for over three hours. Some companies were released, while others – including Engine 8 and Ladder 2 – were rotated in to assist with suppression operations. The blaze was officially declared under control about 10:45 p.m., a little over half-an-hour after a public works backhoe arrived to tear apart the pile of trash.
The causes of all three blazes were under investigation by city fire and police officials.
13 Trent Street
300 block of North Olden Avenue
100 block of Washington Street
December 20, 2023
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Firefighters from Robbinsville and Hightstown were dispatched to a truck fire on the New Jersey Turnpike near mile post 65.9 north bound at 7:55 a.m. Upon arrival firefighters found a truck well involved in fire and quickly extinguished the fire. No further details are available at this time.
December 20, 2023
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON), — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Press Office reported that New Jersey State Park Police were dispatched at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, for a report of a missing helicopter in the area of Wharton State Forest. Following a search, State Park Police discovered a debris field from a helicopter crash in the area of Mullica River Road in Washington Township, Burlington County, at 12:02 a.m. today.
Federal Aviation Administration representatives arrived at the scene at 3:15 a.m. today for an initial assessment. Due to the remote area and limited visibility, it was determined that an investigation will be suspended until sometime after daybreak today. At this time the scene is being secured by State Park Police with the assistance of the NJDEP Forest Fire Service, New Jersey State Police and Hammonton Township Police.
Quaker Bridge Road, Mullica River Road and Middle Road – all unpaved local roads within the forest – are closed at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been contacted and will assume responsibilities for investigating the crash. All other questions about the incident and its cause should be directed to the NTSB.
According to both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware the helicopter went down at 8:03 p.m. EST on December 19, 2023.
WPVI Channel 6 Action News reported that a pilot and a photographer were on board the helicopter when it went down in Washington Township, New Jersey around 8 p.m. They were returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore.
Chopper 6 was last airborne over Wharton State Forest when it crashed in a remote section of the woods.
It has been a devastating day for the Action News team after two crew members on board Chopper 6 were killed in a crash on Tuesday night.
They have a long history with our station and have been working as part of the Action News team for years.
The pilot was 67-year-old Monroe Smith of Glenside, Pa. and the photographer was 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty of Oreland, Pa.
Pilot, photographer killed after Action News’ Chopper 6 crashes in wooded area of New Jersey
Midjersey.news extends our condolences to our colleagues at Channel 6 on loss of their Action News team members in a helicopter crash in South Jersey last night. We are praying and thinking of you during this difficult time.
The NTSB is investigating the Dec. 19 crash of an American Eurocopter AS350-B2 near Shamong, New Jersey. An NTSB investigator is currently traveling to the scene and is expected to be on site tomorrow morning. The scene will be secured overnight. There was a post impact fire that has been extinguished. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.
As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records: • Flight track data • Recordings of any air traffic control communications • Aircraft maintenance records • Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident • Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience • 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safety operate the flight • Witness statements • Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation • Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras
During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident. A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our investigations database. We will also tweet the link on NTSB Newsroom. The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months. Additional information about NTSB investigative processes is available at Media Resources (ntsb.gov).
Photos from the FlightRadar24 and FlightAware apps.
Photos from the FlightRadar24 and FlightAware apps.
December 18, 2023
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Firefighters were dispatched to Route 130 for a motor vehicle crash just after 5:00 p.m. It was unclear if there were any injuries and if anyone was transported to the hospital. East Windsor Police Department is investigating.
Photos by: Steven Kadir
December 18, 2023
CRANBURY, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Firefighters were dispatched to Old Trenton Road for a water rescue just before 4:00 p.m. with vehicles trapped in flood waters. Victims were removed and brought to safety. No other information is available.
Photos by: Steven Kadir
December 18, 2023
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at approximately 9:43 a.m., a house of worship in Hopewell Township, received and email stating that there were “multiple explosives” hidden throughout the building which would detonate within a few hours. The email was received by the spiritual leader while the building was occupied. The Hopewell Township Police Department was notified shortly thereafter and units were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, HTPD officers assisted the staff with evacuating the building occupants. With the help of the Pennington Police Department, Pennington Fire Department and Squad 154, all occupants were transported to an off-site reunification point and reunited with family members.
It was quickly determined that the email was distributed to multiple locations in NJ and throughout the country and there was no nexus to the house of worship. Out of an abundance of caution, HTPD requested assistance from other Mercer County agencies in the form of explosive detection K9 units. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office provided a K9 unit who responded and cleared the building and the surrounding area.
Upon clearing the building, the investigation continued and it was determined that the email was sent from an unknown source who had distributed the email to numerous houses of worship in NJ. It does not appear, at this time that the threat was credible nor does it appear that there is any specific connection to the house of worship in Hopewell.
Officer Paul Alvaro #64 and Detective Michael Makwinski # 58 are continuing the investigating for Hopewell Township. Multiple federal, state and county agencies are involved in the investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Makwinski at 609-737-3100 ext. 5790.
December 18, 2023
WALL TOWNSHIP- On Saturday, December 16, 2023, the Wall Township Police were engaged in foot pursuit following an investigation into a suspicious person at an area motel.
At approximately 8:58 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th Patrolman Johan Moreno-Garcia and Sergeant Chris Mason were investigation a suspicious person incident at the Budget Inn Motel located on State Highway 35. While the above officers were speaking with the male subject identified as William Segars, 37-years-old of Neptune, he initiated a foot chase.
Segars was apprehended a short time later and he was found to have several active arrest warrants out of Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Neptune and Ocean Township. Once he was apprehended, he was also found to be in possession of a knife and heroin.
Segars was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing the administration of law, possession of heroin and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was later transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and New Jersey State Law.
December 18, 2023
FREEHOLD – A Tinton Falls woman has been criminally charged with organizing an online fundraiser for a Florida man severely injured in a car accident late last year and then stealing the more than $15,000 she raised, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Monday.
Nicole C. Weidelman, 46, is charged with third-degree Theft by Deception.
An investigation led by Tinton Falls Police Department Detective William Rodriguez revealed that in November 2022, the intended fundraiser recipient was involved in a serious motor vehicle collision on I-95 in Florida. The recovery from the incident proved lengthy and costly, reportedly involving more than a dozen surgeries, a month and a half in the hospital, and the loss of an arm, necessitating a prosthetic.
The investigation revealed that Weidelman contacted the man’s mother, a longtime family friend, and offered to set up an online fundraiser to assist with the expenses incurred from the medical bills. But after raising slightly more than $15,000, Weidelman transferred the entirety of the raised sum into her own personal account via more than two dozen transactions, then provided numerous false explanations to the victims over the course of the next several months, before the theft was reported to authorities.
Weidelman was arrested and charged last week.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen, Director of the MCPO Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau. Information about Weidelman’s legal representation was not immediately available.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
December 18, 2023
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Sunday morning, at approximately 12:45 a.m., multiple police units were dispatched to the Days Hotel on Route 37 for a large fight in progress in the parking lot area. While responding, officers received further information regarding possible gunshots. Further investigation revealed evidence that shots were fired but no victims were struck. The Ocean County Sheriff’ Department CSI unit responded to assist in processing the scene. One male suffered a seizure during the incident and was transported to Community Medical Center by Silverton First Aid. The investigation is ongoing at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau at [email protected] or by calling 732-349-0150 x 1323. All information will remain confidential.
We’d like to thank our neighboring police departments in Manchester, Island Heights, Berkeley, South Toms River, Jackson, Brick, Seaside Heights, and Lavallette for providing assistance at the scene, as well as handling a variety of calls throughout the town during the investigation.
December 16, 2023
TRENTON (Mercer) – A vehicle ended up on its side after it struck at least one parked car along Spruce Street this evening (Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023). The accident occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Spruce Street between Brunswick and Princeton avenues. As Spruce Street is the border between Trenton and Lawrence, police and emergency personnel from both municipalities responded. The driver of the vehicle was not trapped and, having sustained only minor injuries, declined medical assistance from the Trenton EMS and Capital Health paramedics on scene. Trenton police were investigating the cause of the crash.
