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May 6, 2020

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Schroeder Park located at Brook Lane and Scattergood Avenue on a report of a loose horse. Responding officers were able to safely secure Sally and keep her calm by feeding her apples. The owner of Sally resides on Cypress Lane and responded to the scene to safely take custody of the uninjured Sally. It was further learned that Sally is a rescued horse from Kentucky that the owner has been taking care of for the past month.

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April 11, 2020

PENNINGTON, NJ (MERCER)–A one alarm fire damaged a home in the 200 Block of North Main Street this afternoon 1:15 pm. From radio reports a fire was found in the bedroom on the 2nd floor and all occupants were out of the building. Numrous mutual aid fire deapartments responded including Hopewell, Ewing Township and Lawrenceville.

Firefighters are still on scene at the time of this report and were asking for an additional engine for manpower.

Update: fire under control at 1:54 pm.

Update: Red Cross is being contacted for find shelter for 2 adults at 2:30 pm.

This is breaking news and will be updated when more information becomes available.

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April 13, 2020

Council Will Include One Health Expert, One Economic Development Expert and Respective Chiefs of Staff from Each StateCouncil Will Develop a Fully Integrated Regional Framework to Gradually Lift the States’ Stay at Home Orders While Minimizing the Risk of Increased Spread of the VirusNew Effort Builds on the States’ Ongoing Regional Approach to Combatting COVID-19  

Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Delaware Governor John Carney and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo today announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.The coordinating group – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states’ stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus. The council will create this framework using every tool available to accomplish the goal of easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread – including testing, contact tracing, treatment and social distancing – and will rely on the best available scientific, statistical, social and economic information to manage and evaluate those tools.

Governor Phil Murphy said, “No one has given more thought or is more eager to restart our economy than I am, but if we don’t get the sequencing right, we put more lives at risk. The only path to a sustainable economic recovery is through a strong healthcare recovery. Then, and only then, do we position ourselves to fully ignite our economy and get the residents of our state back to work while minimizing the danger of this disease. A coordinated, regional approach, informed by a multi-state council of experts, will help us avoid a major setback with potentially disastrous consequences. I look forward to the day when the facts on the ground allow us to ease our restrictions and move our regional economy forward.”“We have been collaborating closely with our neighboring states to combat this pandemic through a uniform approach to social distancing and density reduction and it has been working well. Now it is time to start opening the valve slowly and carefully while watching the infection rate meter so we don’t trigger a second wave of new infections,” 

Governor Cuomo said. “This is not a light switch that we can just flick on and everything goes back to normal – we have to come up with a smart, consistent strategy to restart the systems we shut down and get people back to work, and to the extent possible we want to do that through a regional approach because we are a regional economy. New York is partnering with these four states to create a multi-state council that will come up with a framework based on science and data to gradually ease the stay at home restrictions and get our economy back up and running.”

Governor Ned Lamont said, “One thing that’s undeniable is that this virus does not stop at the border of any county, state, or country, but the impact is the same when it comes to our respective economies and healthcare systems. Working as a regional coalition to make the right decisions will lead to the best public health results for all of our residents. We must solve these problems together.”

Governor Tom Wolf said, “Our highest priority remains protecting the health and safety of Pennsylvanians. While my administration continues to take critical steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I also recognize that we must look ahead and take a measured, careful approach to prepare for the future while ensuring that we don’t undo all of our efforts. Pennsylvania will work collaboratively with our partners both in state and in surrounding states to develop a comprehensive strategy that first focuses on health but also addresses the need to gradually restore our economy.”

 Governor John Carney said, “We still have a situation in Delaware that is getting worse. Infections of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are rising. Delawareans should stay home. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Don’t visit Delaware unless you need to see a doctor, or care for a family member. You’ll only increase everyone’s risk. At the same time, we need to look forward. We need a consistent approach for moving our states out of this crisis, when that day comes. I’m grateful for the partnership of my fellow Governors in the region. They are all working around-the-clock to prevent surges in COVID-19 cases, protect hospital capacity for the most critically-ill patients, and save lives. We’ll get through this by working together.”

Governor Gina Raimondo said, “States are taking the lead as we fight to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives. I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken, and I’m constantly thinking about what it will take to safely reopen our economy. But we know that this virus does not recognize borders, and it’s clear we need a strong, coordinated regional approach to avoid a second wave of this disease. I’m grateful to my fellow governors for their leadership during this crisis and I’m confident that this new partnership will support our efforts to get Rhode Islanders — and all Americans — back to work safely.” 

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May 3, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry reported several parks overrun yesterday. Governor Phil Murphy has warned if overcrowding happens he will shut parks down again. It is up to you not to overcrowd parks, if you see a park at capacity do not go since overcrowding will ruin it for the rest of the State. Multiple warnings have been issued about overcrowding and not practicing social distancing.

REMEMBER, COVID-19
IS NOT GONE
In order to KEEP PARKS OPEN and all visitors a safe distance from one another ⚠️ visit close to home, ⚠️ mask up, and ⚠️ make your stay short.

THESE LOCATIONS WERE OVERRUN YESTERDAY
 Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
 Bulls Island Recreation Area
 Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
 Hacklebarney State Park
 Round Valley Recreation Area
 Wharton State Forest
 Wawayanda State Park
 Worthington State Forest

⚠️CONSIDER VISITING ELSEWHERE TODAY⚠️

Learn social distancing tips in our video: https://youtu.be/x4hc2d0ZKAM

UPDATES ON COVID-19 in NJ
Learn more about COVID-19 in New Jersey: http://covid19.nj.gov/

NJ residents can call 211 with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and to learn resources available to them.

Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to subscribe to text message updates on NJ COVID-19.

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April 8, 2020

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, announced the following recent enforcement actions against violators of Governor Murphy’s Emergency Orders related to COVID-19:

• Newark Enforcement. The Newark Police Department’s COVID-19 task force issued 34 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered three non-essential businesses closed in enforcement actions yesterday, April 7.

• Paterson Enforcement. Police in Paterson issued 40 summonses for violations of the emergency orders and ordered two non-essential businesses closed (see below) in enforcement actions on Monday, April 6.

• Zharia N. Young, 21, of Woodbine, was arrested early yesterday, April 7, on a DWI charge by the New Jersey State Police after she was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Maurice River Township. During her arrest, Young allegedly became belligerent and uncooperative with troopers. It is alleged that she coughed and told the troopers she was infected with COVID-19. She said she was “happy” that she was infecting them with the virus. Young was charged with third-degree terroristic threats, fourth-degree aggravated assault on an officer, and DWI.

• Bernadette Bisogno, 49, of Jersey City, was charged on April 3 by the Jersey City Police with harassment (petty disorderly persons offenses), simple assault (disorderly persons offense), and violation of the emergency orders (disorderly persons offense). Detectives were assigned to investigate a possible COVID-related incident that occurred on April 2 at the Target store at 100 14th Street. Bisogno became involved in a verbal altercation at the store with another woman, with whom she had disputes in the past. It is alleged that, during the incident at the store, Bisogno purposely sneezed on the victim, leaving saliva on her clothing and skin.

• Christopher Williams, 26, of Paterson, was charged yesterday, April 7, with contempt (4th degree), obstruction (disorderly persons offense), and resisting arrest (disorderly persons offense). Paterson Police were called to the defendant’s residence on a report of a domesticdispute. When police sought to arrest Williams for violation of a restraining order, he allegedly did not comply and resisted arrest. While being arrested and processed, Williams allegedly told the officers that he was infected with COVID-19 in an attempt to avoid arrest.

• Juan Ortiz, 36, of Paterson, was charged on Monday, April 6, with violating the emergency orders and resisting arrest, both disorderly persons offenses. Paterson police responded to Deluxe Bubbles Car Wash, which was open and conducting business in violation of the emergency orders. Officers were speaking to the owner of the business, Ortiz’s father, when Juan Ortiz allegedly approached and became aggressive with the officers. He allegedly refused to cooperate with officers when asked for his personal identifiers.

• Feras Abudaya, 33, of Kinnelon, was charged twice by Paterson Police for violating the emergency orders by opening his store, Buy and Save Furniture on Market Street in Paterson, a non-essential business. He was initially charged on Sunday, April 5, and was ordered to close the store. Police returned on Monday, April 6, and found that Abudaya was again conducting business at the store. He was issued a second summons and was again ordered to close.

• Shakir Scott, 20, of Newark, was charged early today in Union Township with three counts of burglary (3rd degree) and violation of the emergency orders. Scott allegedly was seen entering three parked, unoccupied motor vehicles.

• Nathaniel Brown, 44, of New Brunswick, was charged by the New Brunswick Police with misuse of the 911 system (4th degree) and violating the emergency orders on Monday, April 6. Brown allegedly called 911 and falsely reported a shooting on Quentin Avenue. When officers arrived, they determined that there was no shooting. Brown, who was outside, was arrested.

• Kobe A. Kemp, 20, of Browns Mills, was charged yesterday, April 7, by the Pemberton Township Police, with violating the emergency orders after he ignored a prior warning from police to comply with the stay at home order. Police allegedly found Kemp outside yesterday causing a disturbance with a group at the same location where he had received the prior warning.

“Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis. Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”

“Law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of this battle to protect the citizens of New Jersey from the COVID-19 virus, and we cannot stress enough how important it is that each person follow the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.”

Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses. Police have charged a number of persons with second-degree terroristic threats during an emergency for claiming to have COVID-19 and threatening to infect law enforcement officers or others by coughing, spitting, or otherwise exposing them. That charge carries a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If you are seeing a lack of compliance with the Governor’s emergency orders in your town, please contact your local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation

The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout New Jersey to deter non-complaint behavior.

No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas. COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes. Please report bias crimes at 1-800-277-BIAS.

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April 18, 2020

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–A family just dropped off food to a relative and was returning home when in the area of Ridge Road heard a noise from their SUV and pulled over. The vehicle burst into flames seconds later and the family was able to escape harm. South Brunswick Police and the Monmouth Junction Fire Department responded to put out the fire.

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May 6, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–West Ward Councilwoman Robin M. Vaughn has issued an apology for a anti-LGBTQ statements made during a coronavirus call on Saturday May 2, 2020. Those prior stories can be found here:

Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora Responds To Councilwoman Vaughn’s anti-LGBTQ Attacks

After anti-LGBTQ Attacks Against Trenton Mayor, Garden State Equality Calls For Councilwoman Robin Vaughn To Step Down

The meeting can be heard here, WARNING CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE INCLUDING PROFANITY AND SLURS DISCRETION ADVISED

https://midjerseynews.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/recoring_5-2-20_council-briefing.mp3 The meeting can be heard here, WARNING CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE INCLUDING PROFANITY AND SLURS DISCRETION ADVISED

West Ward Councilwoman Robin M. Vaughn has issued an apology it reads:

I apologize. That must be the first that that you hear from me. I am deeply and specifically sorry for the language that has offended so many. It was also not my intent to to attack anyone on the basis of any classification or personal preferences, but should have been more sensitive to the potential implication of my words and how they might be perceived. In any event, the language used and statements were not appropriate and I regret letting my emotions get the best of me.

I was wrong and I own that. As an elected official, my responsibility to the citizenry is to represent with dignity, decency and respect of all the persons, no matter our individual differences, behaviors or presentations.

Again, I ask that you hear my apologies, to my fellow elected council members. I was out of order, and as a result, we were collectively ineffective in delivering the critical information that is paramount to the safety, care and well-being of our communities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

I remain completely focused on the immense task at hand. Only though the cooperation of our varied entities will we meet the challenge. Please share that goal with me.

Respectfully submitted,

West Ward Councilwoman Robin M. Vaughn

West Ward Councilwoman Robin M. Vaughn

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Update April 9, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–All KN95 masks have been distributed and no longer available, there are still some surgical masks available for seniors only at the Robbinsville Township Senior Center.

See previous story here

• The masks are available (one per-person) to Robbinsville Township Seniors Ages 60+ only
• Please call Renee Burns at (609) 575-2032 to make pickup arrangements through the Senior Center between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

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Served Capital City Since Summer 2017

May 6, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mayor W. Reed Gusciora paid tribute to City Clerk Dwayne Harris who is stepping down effective May 22, 2020. Mr. Harris has held the office for the past three years, joining the City of Trenton from Atlantic Highlands in July of 2017.

“Dwayne has been an exemplary civil servant selflessly serving Council City residents,” Trenton’s Mayor said on Wednesday when he learned that the Clerk would be ending his tenure. “It’s often a thankless but vital job.”

Prior to serving the City of Trenton, Mr. Harris was the Clerk and Registrar for the Borough of Atlantic highlands for almost 14 years.

Mr. Harris stated that “It’s been an honor to serve Trentonians in our State’s Capital over these years. I want to make sure that I thank every member of my office, who have made my job a pleasure. Trenton deserves only the best, and most dedicated, public servants.”

Law Director John Morelli, whose work often overlaps with the Clerk’s in dealings with legislation, noted that “it’s easily one of the most important positions in local government. As it currently stands our Clerk’s office is a well-oiled machine. I’d put the job that he’s done against anyone else.”

Mayor Gusciora noted that the regional search for a replacement would begin immediately.

“Once we get clearance from COVID quarantines, we’ll need a steady hand to help guide us in reopening City Hall to the public,” concluded Gusciora.  “We’re going to miss Dwayne, and the stability that he brought to all dealings with the Council and Trenton residents.”

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May 5, 2020

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)– A Monmouth County corrections officer admitted he engaged in sexual contact with an inmate at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution last year, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Thomas J. Mauro, 42 of Beachwood, pleaded guilty today to fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. Mauro admitted he had sexual contact with a female inmate at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution last year. Mauro is scheduled to appear before Judge Falcetano for sentencing on July 17, 2020.

“All law enforcement officers have a duty to maintain the public’s confidence that they are conducting themselves with honor and integrity.  Corrections officers have the added responsibility of ensuring that those who are serving sentences for breaking the law are doing so in an environment that is safe and free from the abuse of authority demonstrated in this case,” Gramiccioni said.

The victim, a 31-year-old female inmate from Neptune City, was observed on April 27, 2019, entering a bathroom at the correctional facility reserved for the exclusive use of Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) staff. Moments later, Mauro followed her into the same bathroom. While in the bathroom, Mauro engaged in sexual contact with the inmate before they each exited the bathroom separately.  The investigation revealed that Mauro and the woman had a prior relationship in 2013 while the woman was not an inmate at the facility.

“I’m proud of the corrections officers who tirelessly serve this agency.  Any officer who violates their oath does a disservice to their fellow officers, the inmates and public, and will be held fully accountable for their conduct,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. 

As part of his plea agreement with this Office, Mauro faces a recommended sentence of probation with 180 days in jail.  Mauro also agreed to permanently forfeit his ability to hold public office in the State of New Jersey.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.

Mauro is represented by Jeffrey Garrigan, Esq., of Jersey City.

More can be found at this link