September 14, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–St Francis Medical Center (owned by Trinity Health) has been struggling financially for several years, and is not viable in the long-term, nor is its physical plant. Capital Health is entering into the transaction to acquire St. Francis so that it can preserve services to the vulnerable and underserved, and ensure and enhance patient access to comprehensive, integrated, high-quality care.
Subject to regulatory approvals, including approval by the NJ Department of Health, we anticipate that Capital Health Regional Medical Center on Brunswick Avenue in Trenton will become the new location for most services currently provided at SFMC. We anticipate that other services, such as a Satellite Emergency Department, would continue at the current SFMC site for a short period of time, and then transition to new ambulatory/emergency care locations that are easily accessible to the patients currently served by St. Francis. The specific details of these transitions are still being determined as we move through the regulatory review process. We look forward to sharing these plans with our community as we move through this process.
Trinity Health will retain ownership of the physical plant/property and plans to eventually demolish the physical structures once they are no longer needed. Trinity will work with the City to determine the best use of the property.
File photos by: Brian McCarthy
2nd Known student struck within a week while riding a bicycle in Mercer County, NJ
September 14, 2022
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Robbinsville Police, Fire, EMS and Capital Paramedics were dispatched to Pond Road near the Pond Road Middle School for a pedestrian motor vehicle crash at 7:51 a.m. Upon arrival Police and firefighters found a child struck on his bicycle with BLS type injuries reported.
Robbinsville Township Police Department Chief Mike Polaski told MidJersey.News that a 10-year-old child was struck on a bicycle this morning on his way to school. He suffered a non-life-threatening leg injury and was transported to Capitol Health in Hopewell.
No additional details about the accident are available at this time.
This is the second known bicycle accident involving a student in Mercer County within a week. It was just last Friday night when a 13-year-old Kreps School student was struck on his bike reportedly returning home from a football game at Hightstown High School. The child suffered fatal injuries in the tragic accident. A GoFundMe has been set up by the Kreps Parent Teachers Organization to help the family.
SafeKids.Org offers five tips for students riding bicycles:
- Wear a properly-fitted helmet. It is the best way to prevent head injuries and death.
- Ride on the sidewalk when you can. If not, ride in the same direction as traffic as far on the right-hand side as possible.
- Use hand signals and follow the rules of the road. Be predictable by making sure you ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between cars.
- Wear bright colors and use lights, especially when riding at night and in the morning. Reflectors on your clothes and bike will help you be seen.
- Ride with your children. Stick together until you are comfortable that your kids are ready to ride on their own.
The ride is just beginning. Check out more bike safety tips.
September 14, 2022
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–As the legislature convenes for the fall session this week, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, a leader in the law enforcement community, is calling on elected officials to immediately impose stiffer laws and penalties regarding auto theft, which has and is currently increasing at alarming rates throughout the State of New Jersey. All members of the legislature must address and make this sharp rise in auto theft a top priority. It is a major concern, since the safety and security of our residents are at risk.
Monmouth County had 314 car thefts in the first eight months of 2021 and 446 the first eight months of 2022. This is not a policing problem, but a policy problem, and Sheriff Golden is pressing the legislature and Governor to address “Catch and Release” and a failed “Bail Reform Act”. Specifically, the sheriff wants the legislature to adopt a five point plan into law which includes:
1). A stepped up scale of mandatory bail and sentencing for re-offenders similar to a three strikes policy.
2.) A mandatory hold of re-offending juveniles who should receive mandatory education and counseling.
3) Increased mandatory penalties for criminal rings or enterprises that employee juveniles as mules in the commission of the crime.
4) Increased penalties and mandatory sentencing for criminal actors using electronic GPS tracking devices.
5.) Include a central transparency list of offenders and prosecutions to include publish arrests, rearrests, court outcomes and sentences.
Sheriff Golden thanks members of law enforcement throughout Monmouth County for maintaining the public safety of our residents. It is now up to the state officials to take charge and address this very serious issue plaguing communities.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden
September 14, 2022
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing and Trenton firefighters were dispatched to 75 Main Boulevard for a reported structure fire at 4:37 a.m. Upon arrival firefighters were met with heavy fire on the second floor of a two-story home. Firefighters advanced hose lines and were met with reported “Collyer’s Mansion” type conditions and were able to battle back the flames. The bulk of the flames were quickly knocked down, but firefighters remained on scene most of the morning, investigating, hitting hotspots, and performing overhaul of the structure.
Ewing Police stated that police and firefighters are still on scene this morning. The fire department is still on scene putting out “hot spots”. The road remains closed to assist with fire operations.
September 14, 2022
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Township Police report that over the last several weeks, our area has experienced a large increase in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles. On Sunday, September 11, 2022 at approximately 3:55 a.m., Officer David Massi was on routine patrol on Troy Avenue when he observed a male crouching behind a vehicle that was parked on the street. When Officer Massi attempted to conduct an investigatory stop, the male fled on foot. Officer Massi gave chase and relayed his location to responding officers who were able to set up a perimeter. The male (identified as Anthony Riggins, 49-year-old male from Trenton, NJ) was subsequently located by Officer Massi hiding in tall grass on the lot of 320 Robbins Avenue. After a brief struggle, Riggins was taken into custody. After taking Riggins into custody, a search found him to be in possession of drug paraphernalia as well as a pill bottle containing suspected crack cocaine. Officer Massi then returned to the area where he first encountered Riggins. At that location, officers located a discarded Sawzall cutting tool on the ground by the vehicle where Riggins was initially observed. Officers also located a black backpack which contained an NJ identification card belonging to Riggins, 14 used Sawzall blades, a screwdriver and a Gerber multi-tool.
Riggins was charged with the following offenses: Resisting Arrest by Flight, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Administration of Law, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
