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.
TRENTON, N.J. – A Raleigh, North Carolina, man with ties to Trenton was sentenced to 12.5 Years (151 months) in prison for distributing heroin and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Dennis Cheston Jr., aka “Beans,” 42, previously pleaded guilty before former Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to two counts of an indictment charging him with distributing heroin and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Following Judge Wolfson’s retirement, the case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner, who imposed the sentence on July 18, 2023, in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From October 2017 to October 2018, law enforcement investigated a large narcotics conspiracy that operated in Trenton and elsewhere. Conspirators Jakir Taylor, aka “Jak,” and Jerome Roberts, aka “Righteous,” obtained regular supplies of hundreds of bricks of heroin from conspirator David Antonio, aka “Papi,” which Taylor, Roberts, and their conspirators then redistributed for profit in Trenton and elsewhere.
On multiple occasions, Cheston – a convicted felon with ties to the Trenton area – traveled from North Carolina to Trenton and obtained quantities of heroin from Taylor for redistribution. During one intercepted telephone call between Taylor and Cheston, Cheston advised Taylor that the heroin bearing an ink stamp that read “Top Secret” was of high quality and that Cheston’s customers in North Carolina liked it. During the course of these drug transactions, Cheston agreed to travel from North Carolina to Trenton to supply Taylor with multiple firearms in exchange for future supplies of heroin. Cheston had previously brought multiple firearms from North Carolina to New Jersey, but had provided them to other individuals instead of Taylor. In an Aug. 25, 2018, intercepted call however, Cheston promised to bring all future guns to Taylor first. On Sept. 8, 2018, law enforcement tracked Cheston as he traveled from North Carolina to Trenton. Shortly after his arrival, law enforcement officers arrested Cheston as he exited the Trenton Transit Center. During a subsequent search of Cheston’s backpack, law enforcement recovered a 9-millimeter Smith & Wesson handgun – one of the guns that Cheston had agreed to provide to Taylor over the wiretap.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Castner sentenced Cheston to three years of supervised release. Taylor and Antonio previously pleaded guilty and Roberts was previously convicted at trial.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, Trenton Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve Wilson; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jonathan Bucchere; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief Albert Rhodes; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of chief John Fine; and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John A. Kemler; and members of the New Jersey State Board of Parole for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.
23-205
Defense Counsel: Jacqueline E. Cistaro Esq., New York
LONG BEACH ISLAND – HARVEY CEDARS, NJ (OCEAN)–The New Jersey State Police reported that on August 25, 2024, at approximately 4:30 p.m., troopers responded to a vessel incident in the waters off Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars Boro, Ocean County. Based on a preliminary investigation, a female boater was on a raft being pulled by a boat. While attempting to board the vessel, she was struck by the vessel’s propeller. As a result of the impact, the victim, Zeina Mahafzah, 18-year-old female from Wayne, NJ, sustained fatal injuries. The incident remains under investigation, and no additional information is available at this time.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Farmers enticed to sell their land to warehouse or high-density developers would receive counter offers from the state under a new preservation program proposed by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie.
“While warehouses are good for consumers, they significantly impact a community’s character. Not every municipality may have the infrastructure to handle the increased truck traffic or the land may be in a historically significant area,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said. “That is why my goal with this bill and other measures has been to give farmers and towns more tools to make the decisions they believe are right for their communities.”
The bill (A5723) requires owners intending to sell farmland for warehouse development or any other high-density development project to notify the State Agriculture Development Committee. The committee would then determine if the land is suitable for preservation and make a competitive offer based on the landowner’s terms, existing purchase offers, and land value and development rights.
“This provides landowners with options that they may not otherwise have considered,” Sauickie said. “Protecting the land from development will also reduce carbon emissions from heavy construction equipment and additional truck traffic, while also preserving the residents’ quality of life.”
Because of the environmental benefits, Sauickie says the $50 million preservation program would be supported through the state’s global warming solutions fund, which receives money through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
“Balancing farmland preservation, warehouse construction, and residential and environmental concerns is important throughout the state, but especially in smaller and more rural towns,” Sauickie added.
Another Sauickie-sponsored bill (A4950) that concerns warehouse development requires the State Planning Commission to prepare, adopt and disseminate model ordinances to help local governments prevent land-use conflicts when warehouse development applications are received. It unanimously passed the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee late last year.
“A thoughtful and more flexible approach to development and preservation is needed to grow our economy while maintaining the Garden State’s valuable agricultural industry,” Sauickie said.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—BAPS Charities, in collaboration with local hospitals and organizations, proudly announces the commencement of a blood donation drive at Swaminarayan Akshardham USA in Robbinsville, New Jersey. This extraordinary event will last for over ten weeks, making it one of the largest blood drives in the state. With an ambitious target of collecting no less than 6,000 pints of blood, the drive has the potential to impact and save up to 18,000 lives.
The blood drive welcomes all eligible donors and invites participation from the local Robbinsville community and those living across North America. Anticipating a substantial turnout, organizers expect thousands of donors to come from nearly every corner of the USA and Canada. The donated blood will be distributed to hospitals and organizations within the region. Notable partners supporting this noble cause include the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, New Jersey Blood Services, RWJBarnabas Health, Vitalant, and The American Red Cross, who have joined hands with BAPS Charities to ensure the sustainability and success of this life-saving initiative.
Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried (@mayordavefried), along with Council President Deborah Blakely and Councilwoman Christine Ciaccio, inaugurated the blood drive, marking yet another significant chapter in Mayor Fried’s unwavering commitment to community service. Renowned for his impactful “Pay it Forward” initiative, which has raised over $450,000 for those in need, as well as his advocacy for barrier-free housing, Mayor Fried recognized the Swaminarayan Akshardham blood drive as a crucial opportunity to give back to the community. Expressing admiration for the Akshardham campus, Mayor Fried enthusiastically stated, “The scale of this operation is truly unique, and I’m excited to be a part of it. The selfless mission that BAPS has is an inspiration to all of us, and I’m glad that they chose Robbinsville.”
Looking back on the selfless service of BAPS volunteers during a previous blood drive hosted by Robbinsville Township, Mayor Fried shared, “We were having a difficult time with volunteers. We called up BAPS at 10:30 am and by 3 pm, we had to call back and say, ‘Okay, you need to stop sending volunteers’.
The volunteerism they have is truly remarkable and you see it here in this facility.” Councilwoman Ciaccio, a respected member of the Robbinsville township council since 2007, also echoed these sentiments.
At the heart of the blood drive campaign lies one of the core aspirations of Swaminarayan Akshardham: to inspire selfless service for the betterment of society. Council President Blakely remarked, “There is so much diversity in Robbinsville, which is amazing. When we come together as a community, you learn from each other, you understand each other, and you start to get more involved. I thank you guys for doing this.”
BAPS Charities holds an impressive historical record of hosting nearly 500 blood drives in the US alone since 2006. With their tireless efforts toward generating enough blood to save an astounding 56,000 American lives, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to continually contributing to national healthcare. Notably, BAPS Charities’ global impact spans back to 1981, with numerous large-scale blood donation drives conducted worldwide. In furthering its mission to make a difference, the organization has also partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise awareness and support for breast cancer.
Sanskruti Brahmbhatt, a dedicated pre-med student at Seton Hall University and the President of the University Blood Initiative, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating, “As a BAPS volunteer, I’m thankful to the Robbinsville and Mercer community for welcoming the Akshardham project and for partnering with us to give back.”
The commencement of this blood donation drive demonstrates the collective strength and compassion of Mayor Dave Fried and the Robbinsville Township, BAPS Charities, and the blood donation organizations of New Jersey. As this campaign progresses, the drive looks forward to positively impacting countless lives and reinforcing the importance of selfless service and unity within the community.
To participate in the blood donation drive, please visit https://form.jotform.com/232053471982154 or visit the BAPS Charities website at bapscharities.org or contact 1-888-227-3881.
About Swaminarayan Akshardham:
Swaminarayan Akshardham is a landmark of Hindu architecture and culture. It stands as a symbol of unity, harmony, and selfless service and bridges the heritage of ancient India with modern America. Created by BAPS and under the inspiration of its revered spiritual leaders Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj, this awe-inspiring spiritual sanctuary embodies their visionary guidance and unwavering commitment to humanity.
Akshardham came to life through the unwavering dedication of thousands of volunteers from diverse walks of life and across the globe, making it a true expression of love. Over a span of fifteen years, this collective effort meticulously embraced the Hindu architectural traditions and resulted in the creation of a masterpiece built to withstand the test of time. Envisioned to grace the world for a thousand years to come, Akshardham stands strong, imparting timeless messages of peace, hope, and harmony to future generations.
About BAPS Charities:
BAPS Charities is a global charity active in nine countries across five continents. With over 50 years of experience in humanitarian work, BAPS Charities aims to establish a spirit of selfless service through health awareness, educational services, humanitarian relief, environmental protection & preservation, and community empowerment. In critical times, BAPS Charities has swiftly responded to the needs of affected communities and mobilized volunteers and resources to provide crucial aid. From conducting local activities, such as hosting community health fairs, to global efforts, like sustaining schools and hospitals, BAPS Charities provides a platform for individuals wishing to serve locally and globally.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–In a letter addressed to the Hamilton Township School District Community, Superintendent Dr. Scott Rocco, stated that there was a perceived threat observed near Nottingham High School where a male was seen with a weapon. The Hamilton Township Police Department was notified, and Nottingham High School and Crockett Middle School were placed into lockdown. There was no direct threat to either school, but the district took immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff. Once Hamilton Township Police completed their investigation both schools were reopened and returned to their normal schedules. The Hamilton Police Department has deemed this report to not be credible.
UPDATE from Hamilton Police Department:
On Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at approximately 8:23 a.m., Hamilton Police were dispatched to the area of Nottingham High School, 1055 Klockner Avenue, on a report of a male walking toward the High School with a weapon. Nottingham High School was put on lock down and Crockett Middle School was put on a shelter in place. Further investigation proved the report to be unfounded and the threat was not deemed credible. Both schools were released from their lock down/shelter in place status.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Stacy Pollard of the Hamilton Police Division Juvenile Unit at (609) 581-4026 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at (609) 581-4008.
November 2, 2021
Dear HTSD Community,
Today, a concerned citizen identified an individual outside of one of our schools who may have been a perceived threat. Specifically, a male individual was observed walking on the street with a weapon near Nottingham High School. This was reported to our Hamilton Township Police Department. We immediately put our school security procedures in place based on the information that was available at the time. This meant that both Nottingham High School and Crockett Middle Schools were put into lockdown. Although there was not a direct threat to either school, the police department and our district took immediate action to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
As the police department investigated the specific issue at Nottingham High School, we transitioned Crockett Middle School to a shelter-in-place. Once the police completed their investigation inside of the building at Nottingham High School, both buildings were released to return to their normal schedule.
Although this is stressful and scary for our students, staff, and parents, I want to reiterate two key points. First, at no time was there a direct threat to any student or staff member at our schools. The Hamilton Police Department has deemed this report to not be credible. Two, we consistently tell our school community that when they see something to say something. In this case, the citizen saw something and did what we asked them to do. I appreciate that person’s efforts to keep our children and staff safe.
Finally, I would like to thank our students, faculty, staff, and administration at both buildings for their swift action in following our emergency procedures. In addition, I want to express my appreciation to the Hamilton Township Police Department for their immediate response and efforts. Multiple officers responded to both schools and made sure everyone in our schools were safe.
The DEP is aware of over 100 black vulture deaths that have been occurring since early August off the Sussex Branch Trail in Lafayette, Sussex County, New Jersey. USDA has confirmed the cause as Avian Influenza (bird flu).
This is a phenomenon that has been observed in many states along the East Coast. Black vultures are seemingly very susceptible to Avian Influenza, and they tend to scavenge the carcasses of dead vultures, which can prolong the duration of a local outbreak such as the one being seen in Sussex County. The birds have been left to decompose on site due to rough terrain causing accessibility issues and a lack of personnel in the State certified to handle infected birds. Improper handling can lead to further spread of disease.
The risk of avian influenza being transmitted to people is extremely low. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture and NJ DEP Fish and Wildlife are monitoring the situation. For questions regarding poultry please contact NJ Department of Agriculture ((609) 671-6400).
TRENTON – The Attorney General’s Office today released footage from two police body-worn cameras related to the death of a Mercer County man during a police encounter on March 8, 2024, in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The decedent has been previously identified as Vincent Correa, 44, of Hamilton.
The fatal police-involved shooting is under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 that are designed to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters. Investigators previously met Mr. Correa’s family to provide them an opportunity to review the recordings before they were publicly released.
According to the preliminary investigation, uniformed officers of the Hamilton Township Police Department responded to a residence on Orchard Avenue in Hamilton at approximately 10:07 p.m., in response to a 911 call concerning a domestic dispute. During the encounter, Mr. Correa exchanged gunfire with Hamilton Township Police Officers Derek Fiabane and Paul Piromalli. Officer Fiabane and Mr. Correa were both shot. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to Mr. Correa, who was pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:38 p.m. A rifle and a handgun were recovered from Mr. Correa’s person. The injured officer was transported to a hospital with non-fatal injuries and has since been released.
The recordings are posted online: https://njoag.box.com/s/2zmknje5ot132bpeq0gh23p47i7ohtuj
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) requires the Attorney General’s Office to conduct investigations of deaths that occur during encounters with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the Independent Prosecutor Directive is posted here: Independent Prosecutor Directive
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)– Police say that on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., members of the Manchester Township Police Department and Manchester Township EMS responded the intersection of County Route 530 (Lacey Rd.) and Lake Road in the Whiting section of the township for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a person on a skateboard.
Upon arrival, Officers encountered Edmund Durra 4th, age 43 of Seaside Heights NJ with several injuries including a head injury. Mr. Durra was transported to Community Medical Center by Manchester EMS for further treatment of his injuries. A 2020 Jeep Wrangler was also on scene with visible signs of damage to its driver side windshield. The operator of the Wrangler, Raymond Loudy, age 49 of New City NY, was uninjured as a result of the crash.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Durra was riding on an electric skateboard, eastbound on County Route 530 approaching the intersection of Lake Road. The Jeep Wrangler was traveling westbound on County Route 530 and was attempting to turn left on to Lake Road at the time of the crash. Several witnesses were on scene at the time of the crash. This incident is still under investigation by Sgt. Paul Bachovchin of the Traffic Safety Section with the assistance of Patrol.
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