November 8, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Assemblyman Ron Dancer’s bill expanding sports betting to e-sports competitions with a majority of players over 18 was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy today. “E-sports have exploded in recent years and we need to allow the casinos and racetracks in New Jersey to participate in this revenue generating business,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). Sports betting law had specifically forbidden wagering on electronic sports and competitive video games except for certain international sporting events. The new law (A637/S2670) revises the definitions of “sports event” and “prohibited sports event” to allow sports betting on e-sports where the majority of players are adults and even during such events as competitive eating contests. “New Jersey needs to stay competitive and this law will allow us to be a part of the growing popularity of e-sports,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “I thank the governor for signing this.”
Several state casinos and two racetracks, the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, have on-site sports wagering lounges and online sports pools. In 2019, sports wagering brought in more than $299 million in revenue for the casinos and racetracks.
November 8, 2021 — Updated with official information from Princeton Police Department and Rutgers University:
| The School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University is sad to announce the passing of our colleague Jodi Marcou. Jodi joined the school in January of 2018 as a Development Specialist and was a true asset to the school adding great value to the school’s development operation. Jodi was highly regarded by colleagues, donors, and alumni.
Dean Jonathan Potter expressed his deepest condolences to her family and friends upon hearing of the loss of Jodi saying that words are insufficient to express our deep sorrow for the loss of our colleague. We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to Jodi’s family and friends. |
PRINCETON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On November 7, 2021 at 12:40 p.m., the Princeton Police Department was dispatched to a residence on the 100 block of Clover Lane for an attempted motor vehicle theft. The victim reported that three unknown suspects entered his vehicle in an attempt to steal the vehicle, which was parked in the driveway. The suspects were driving a 2015 black Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was later determined to be stolen out of Pequannock Township, NJ.
While Princeton Police were on scene investigating the attempted theft, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was observed traveling west on Clover Lane, followed by a 2015 Land Rover Range Rover. It was reported at that time that the Range Rover was just stolen from a residence on Dodds Lane.
The investigating officer returned to his vehicle and followed behind the Range Rover on Clover Lane. The Jeep Grand Cherokee drove away in an unknown direction.
The Range Rover suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed and the officer attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued but was terminated on Snowden Lane due to the reckless driving of the Range Rover. The Range Rover was last observed driving south on Snowden Lane, and made a left turn onto Princeton-Kingston Road. The Range Rover was later found abandoned in Newark, NJ.
At 1:09 p.m., Princeton Police were dispatched to Princeton-Kingston Road in the area of Carnegie Drive for a motor vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by a 15 year old juvenile was traveling east on Princeton-Kingston Road and crossed over the double yellow line and struck head-on a 2016 Acura RDX driven by Jodi Marcou that was traveling west. Marcou and the 15 year old driver were both pronounced dead at the scene. The 14 year old passenger was transported to Capitol Health Regional Medical Center in Princeton, NJ and is in critical condition.
The crash is being investigated by the Princeton Police Department and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. PPD is requesting that anybody who witnessed the crash to contact Traffic Safety Bureau supervisor Sergeant Thomas Murray at 609-921-2100 ext. 1879.
An additional press release will follow when new information becomes available.
Vehicle #1
Jodi Marcou (Driver) Kendall Park,, NJ 08088 61 years old (Deceased)
Vehicle #2:
15 year old juvenile (Driver) Newark, NJ (Deceased)
14 year old juvenile (Passenger) Newark, NJ
November 8, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–November 8-14 is Crash Responder Safety Week.
Nearly once every week, a first responder is killed while attempting to clear a roadway accident.
Under New Jersey’s “Move Over” law, drivers are required to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle. These vehicles include tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, sanitation vehicles, and emergency (fire/police/EMS) vehicles displaying flashing, blinking or alternating emergency lights.
Unfortunately, law enforcement, emergency response personnel, tow truck operators, and highway maintenance workers continue to be struck and injured or killed while aiding others on the side of the road because a passing vehicle did not sufficiently slow down and move over.
When you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down, and if it’s safe, MOVE OVER.
If you make the move, others will follow.
https://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/move-over-law/
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
MidJersey.News file photos from June 22, 2020
BREAKING: NJ State Police Vehicle Destroyed By Dump Truck On NJ Turnpike
MidJersey.News file photos from June 7, 2020
SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER: NJTP Car Fire And Rubberneck 3 Car Accident
June 4, 2020
New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2
Procedure for motorist approaching certain stationary vehicle.
1. a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying a flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue light or, any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is displaying a flashing amber light, a stationary highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle that is operated by the State, an authority or a county or municipality and displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights, or a stationary sanitation vehicle displaying a flashing amber warning light pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle, or sanitation vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
c. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.
L. 2017, c.43, s.1.
Slow Down, Move Over Law Awareness Campaign
Troopers from Troop “C” Hamilton Station along with members of the Howell Township Police Department visited Trooper Marc Castellano’s memorial site on I-195 in Howell Township to pay their respects.On June 6, 2010, Trooper Castellano was struck by a passing motorist while walking along the shoulder of I-195 while searching for a reported armed occupant of an abandoned vehicle.
In 2018, Governor Phil Murphy renamed a portion of I-195 as “Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway” to honor Trooper Castellano’s memory.