ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER) – The Robbinsville Board of Education has hired an interim superintendent while conducting a search for a permanent replacement.
The search was launched this spring when Schools Superintendent Brian Betze announced his retirement effective June 30. School officials then conducted numerous interviews and ultimately hired Jeff C. Gorman, Ed.D as the interim superintendent, effective July 1.
School Board President Peter Oehlberg said the school district received many applications for the interim superintendent position, noting that Dr. Gorman’s qualifications stood out.
“Dr. Gorman’s past experience leading school districts is exemplary,” Oehlberg said. “He was clearly the best candidate to lead us, as we chart our plan for a very bright future for the Robbinsville Public Schools.”
The school district has launched a search for a permanent superintendent, engaging the services of the New Jersey School Boards Association to guide the process for what will be “the most important decision for the next three to five years for our school district,” the school board president said.
“I am delighted to have joined this fine district,” Dr. Gorman said. “I look forward to working with the Board of Education, administration, teaching staff, support staff, and the community to continue strengthening the foundation and everything built on it. Although the word interim refers to `time between,’ I want to assure everyone that my heart and caring for this district will be `full time’ as the district transitions to hiring a new permanent superintendent.”
Since November 2022, Dr. Gorman has served as the interim assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Tenafly Public Schools. Previously, for seven years, he was deputy superintendent for the Mount Vernon City School District in New York.
Between 2008 and 2014, Dr. Gorman was the assistant superintendent for the Monroe Township schools in Middlesex County, after serving as assistant principal and principal of the Applegarth Middle School in the town from 1996 to 2008.
Dr. Gorman earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University, a masters’ degree in education administration from Kean University and his undergraduate degree in elementary education from the College of New Jersey.
Jeff C. Gorman, Ed.D interim superintendent of Robbinsville Schools. Photo provided.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– A two-alarm fire damaged a duplex in the 300 block of Hamilton Avenue, displacing more than a half-dozen people, Thursday afternoon (Oct. 31, 2024).
The first of several 911 calls about the fire started coming into Trenton’s emergency communications center at 3:17 p.m. Callers reported seeing smoke coming from the rear of the property. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke issuing from the 2.5-story duplex and a working fire inside. At 3:22 p.m. a second alarm was ordered for additional help.
The blaze was fought by crews from Engines 10, 6, 3, 1, 8 and 9, Ladders 4, 2 and 1, Rescue 1 and Special Services 1. It was quickly knocked down, and declared under control at 3:43 p.m.
Trenton Emergency Medical Service had ambulance crews on scene. There were reports of several residents who suffered from smoke inhalation, however specific details were not available. Also on scene were volunteers from Signal 22, the city’s fire and police canteen unit.
According to Red Cross New Jersey, Red Cross volunteers responded to the scene to assist eight displaced residents with temporary lodging, food and clothing.
SALEM, N.J. — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced the conviction of one of the defendants charged in the shooting of a New Jersey State Police detective in 2020 while the detective was investigating a home invasion at a Salem County mobile home park.
Tremaine Hadden, 30, of Bridgeton, N.J., was found guilty of six counts by a Salem County jury: aggravated assault, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons not to possess weapons — all second-degree offenses — as well as third-degree riot. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of attempted murder.
Hadden was one of 14 defendants indicted in connection with an incident on Saturday, April 25, 2020, that culminated with the shooting of New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Detective Richard Hershey in Pittsgrove, N.J.
“Those who resort to violence against our courageous men and women in uniform as they try to do their duty and protect the public will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Law enforcement officers daily put themselves in danger in service to their communities, and my office will prosecute criminals who threaten or injure them to the fullest extent of the law. We look forward to bringing the remaining defendants in this case to justice.”
“We are gratified that the jury convicted Tremaine Hadden after he shot one of New Jersey’s finest while acting in the line of duty,” said Thomas Eicher, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). “Hadden and the other defendants demonstrated contempt for the law and for law enforcement. By heroically confronting this mob and putting his own life at risk, Detective Hershey likely saved others from injury or worse.”
“This brazen assault on Detective Richard Hershey endangered the lives of innocent bystanders, and by standing his ground while outnumbered and under a barrage of gunfire, Detective Hershey undoubtedly prevented this from becoming a mass casualty incident,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “We never relented in our pursuit to hold these individuals accountable for their violent criminal conduct.”
The conviction stems from an investigation by NJSP, OPIA and the Division of Criminal Justice. According to the evidence, Detective Hershey was investigating a home invasion in which a woman was beaten and robbed at the Harding Woods mobile home park on Harding Highway in Pittsgrove on April 25, 2020.
While Detective Hershey was at the scene of that crime, which had occurred several hours earlier, a hostile mob of 15 people linked to the assailants in the home invasion arrived in a caravan of five vehicles — intending to attack and injure a resident at the mobile home park and damage her residence. The members of the caravan were armed with at least two handguns, one knife, and one bottle.
Some members of the caravan exited their vehicles and confronted Detective Hershey, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer and gave commands in an effort to control the intruders. Hadden along with two others, Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings and Kareen “Kai” Warner, who are both from Bridgeton and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault earlier this month, opened fire on Detective Hershey at approximately 10:40 p.m.
Hadden fired at Detective Hershey numerous times from one vehicle, while Hutchings and Warner shot at him numerous times from another vehicle. Detective Hershey was struck in the hip and seriously wounded. He returned fire with his service weapon and the suspects fled the scene.
Hadden faces over 40 years in prison when he is sentenced by state Superior Court Judge John Eastlack presiding in Salem County on August 11, 2023.
The remaining suspects were charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and third-degree rioting, while some were additionally charged with weapons offenses.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab and Deputy Attorneys General Nicole Wise and Jennifer Davis, along with Trial Assistants Nathalie Kurzawa and Maureen Hitchens, DCJ Media Specialist Erika Neary, Deputy Attorney General Abigail R. Holmes, Deputy Chief of the OPIA Integrity Bureau Debra Conrad, and OPIA Executive Director Eicher.
The shooting investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police, specifically the Major Crime Unit South, Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office, Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Cold Case Unit of the New Jersey State Police, Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Division of Criminal Justice, and arrests were made by the New Jersey State Police Fugitive and TEAMS Units. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Defense attorney for Hadden: Jordan G. Zeitz, Media, PA
TRENTON, N.J. – Assaults on New Jersey law enforcement officers have spiked in recent years. To deter would-be assailants, many of whom are already behind bars, Assemblyman Alex Sauickie says penalties must increase. On Monday, the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee cleared his bill (A4697) that would stiffen penalties for those assaults. Under the proposed legislation, anyone accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer would be charged with a second-degree crime, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $150,000. The legislation bars pleas to lesser charges. Currently, such assaults that result in bodily harm to officers are third-degree crimes that carry five-year maximum sentences and $15,000 fines. Assaults where no bodily harm results are fourth-degree crimes, with fines of $10,000 and 18-month prison sentences. Additionally, the bill requires those using body fluids to attack officers must submit to communicable disease testing. Assault victims would have access to those results. “Not only have attacks on law enforcement officers been increasing, attackers have been resorting to spitting, biting, and other depraved actions that put these men and women at risk for disease,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said. “Would-be attackers need to know that such violence will not be tolerated.” Officials from both the State Troopers Fraternal Association and New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 105, which represent state troopers and corrections officers respectively, said assaults have increased exponentially over the last several years. The Department of Corrections reported in 2022 attacks on personnel jumped from 200 the previous year to 424. Nearly half of those involved body fluids. More than 10% of its 4,500-member workforce was out on leave due to assaults last year. The bill covers attacks on Department of Corrections employees, county correctional police officers, juvenile correctional police officers, state juvenile facility employees, juvenile detention staff, probation officers, sheriffs, undersheriffs or sheriff’s officers, and any municipal, county, or state law enforcement officers. “Law enforcement workers are exposed to dangers most of us can’t even imagine simply because of their line of work,” Sauickie said. “They are targets for vile attacks because of who they are and what they do. They need to know that justice will be sought if they are attacked on the job.”
Manchester Twp NJ – On Saturday, May 11th 2024, at approximately 2:48 pm, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of S Hope Chapel Road and Ridge Ave, to investigate a single motor vehicle crash involving a tree.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2008 silver Jeep Liberty, fully involved with flames with no occupants in the vehicle. The Jeep was located off the roadway of S Hope Chapel Road. Additionally, officers observed damage to a traffic sign and tree. The investigation revealed that the Jeep was traveling south on Hope Chapel Road when the vehicle crossed the double yellow center line, left the roadway, struck a traffic sign. The Jeep continued to travel south and impacted a tree where it came to a stop in the northbound shoulder of Hope Chapel Road.
The Jeep Liberty was operated by 49-year-old Laura Garciapoblano of Manchester, NJ. Mrs. Garciapoblano was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital via medevac helicopter for treatment and evaluation of her injuries. Mrs. Garciapoblano is currently listed in stable condition. The roadway was closed during the investigation and cleanup.
Assisting at the scene were Emergency Medical Technicians from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital LifeFlight Medevac Helicopter and Priced Rite Towing. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point driver error appears to be the primary contributing factor. This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Sage Sysol of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Chief of Police Mitch Little announced that the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are currently investigating a homicide that occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. on August 27, 2022 in Toms River.
At approximately 1:20 a.m. this morning, Officers from Toms River Township Police Department responded to 1723 Hooper Avenue for a report of gunshots fired. Responding Officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. A twenty-nine year-old male was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River and was pronounced deceased. The two other victims were transported to Monmouth County for medical attention. A twenty-nine year-old male victim is currently in critical but stable condition. A twenty-five year-old male victim was treated for his injuries and released.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Little wish to emphasize that this is an active and ongoing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. There is no known danger to the public at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, or Detective Jennifer Grob of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police Department, Detective Lieutenant Brian Jones told MidJersey.news that on Friday, January 12th, 2024 at approximately 5:29 p.m. patrol units responded to a call for service for a disorderly group of males possibly in possession of a handgun hanging out and gambling inside of the hallway of 802 Southard Street.
Upon arrival, officers encountered approximately eight (8) males in the hall way, they approached to further investigate and issue Violation of City ordinance summons for gambling. During the course of the investigation, a male identified as Nasir Reed, 24, of 157 Rossell Avenue Trenton NJ refused all lawful commands, fled from officer’s initiating a foot pursuit, and resisting arrest. During the course of the struggle Reed was in possession of a handgun that discharged causing a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his left upper thigh. Reed was rendered medical aid, released from the hospital, and charged with resisting arrest and weapons offenses. This is an on-going Mercer County Shooting Response Team investigation.
January 12, 2024
TRENTON (Mercer) – Trenton police, Trenton Emergency Medical Service personnel, Capital Health System paramedics and city firefighters from Engine 1 were dispatched about 5:45 p.m. to the 900 block of Southard Street, between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and New Willow Street, for a gunshot victim.
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Wall Township Police reported that on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at approximately 6:45 p.m. the Wall Township Police Department responded to the area of State Highway 35 and 18th Avenue for a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles with multiple injuries reported.
The investigation on scene revealed that 2011 Nissan Altima being operated by Mitchell G. Holley (34) of Linburn, Georgia was traveling on State Highway 35 southbound, when he left his lane of travel and entered the northbound lane of State Highway 35 striking a 2023 Mazda CX3 being operating by a 39-year-old man and occupied by a 31-year-old female both of Point Pleasant. All occupants were required to be extricated from their vehicles by emergency crews and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
State Highway 35 from Wall Church Road to 18th Avenue was shut down in both directions for approximately an hour and half while emergency crews conducted extrication and medical treatment and crash investigators processed the scene. Fire and rescue crews from West Belmar Fire Department, Glendola Fire Department and South Wall Fire and Rescue responded to the scene as well as emergency medical crews from Wall Township Police EMS, Belmar EMS and paramedics from Hackensack Meridian.
Mr. Holley who was operating the Nissan Altima was found to be operating a motor vehicle with a suspended drivers license. He was issued motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving and driving while suspended, criminal charges are pending toxicology results at this time.
The collision is currently being investigated by members of the Wall Township Police Department. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Patrolman Hunter Manning or Captain Chad Clark at (732) 449-4500.
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.
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Police say that on September 3, 2024, the Manchester Police Department responded swiftly to a reported incident involving a potential kidnapping in the Whiting section of the Township. At approximately 3:00 p.m., a call was received reporting a female being forced into a vehicle against her will at the Wawa located at 1180 Route 70.
Officer Brian Volk quickly located the vehicle (2005 Black Chevy Tahoe) in question and initiated a motor vehicle stop on County Road 530. The male driver, later identified as 67-year-old Thomas Stevens of South Toms River, refused to provide an explanation or produce his credentials and subsequently fled the scene. Officer Volk, with the assistance of Officer Jason Wiener, located the vehicle once more and attempted a second motor vehicle stop. However, Stevens again refused to comply, leading to the authorization of a motor vehicle pursuit for the suspected kidnapping.
The pursuit extended through Berkeley Township and the Borough of South Toms River, eventually concluding in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township. Upon apprehension, Stevens refused to cooperate with officers and was placed into custody.
During the investigation, it was determined that the female passenger was Stevens’ wife, and she was not being taken against her will. Thomas Stevens has been charged with Obstruction of Justice, Eluding, Resisting Arrest, and Hindering His Own Apprehension. He was released on a summons and has been scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
The Manchester Police Department takes all reports of potential kidnapping seriously and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all community members. The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
TRENTON, NJ The Trenton Board of Education received NJSBA Board Certification (BC), and each member was recognized as a Certified Board Member (CBM) at the Nov. 16 Mercer County SBA Meeting.
Through Board Certification, the NJSBA Board Member Academy recognizes mastery of the unique aspects of the group process. This certification recognizes the full board’s commitment to training and effective governance in areas such as group process, decision-making, planning, effective meetings and focus on student achievement. The Certified Board Member Award recognizes professional development in areas critical to effective school board governance. The Certified Board Member is the second NJSBA Board Member Academy certification program level.
The district congratulates BOE members Gene Bouie, Addie Daniels-Lane, Deniece Johnson, Jeannie Weakliem, Austin Edwards, Esq., Sasa Olessi Montaño, BOE Vice President Gerald Trueheart and BOE President Yolanda Marrero-Lopez on being a part of the certified board and receiving their board member certification.
Requirements:
Certified Board Member requirements
Board Certification requirements
Front row from left to right; Gerald Trueheart, Yolanda Marrero-Lopez, Addie Daniels-Lane, Gene Bouie. Back row from left to right; James Earle, Jeannie Weakliem, Sasa Olessi Montaño, Austin Edwards, Esq., Deniece Johnson
Jeff C. Gorman, Ed.D interim superintendent of Robbinsville Schools. Photo provided.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
