HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–A multi vehicle crash occurred tonight on Interstate 195 east bound at Exit 3A mile marker 3.2 at 9:06 pm., According to NJ State Police Spokesman Sgt. Lawrence Peele. All lanes are closed eastbound including the Exit 3A ramp. The scene is still active and there is no additional information available at this time.
The Hamilton Township Fire Department, RWJ Hamilton EMS and Robbinsville Township Fire Department EMS all responded to the scene. Sources say that 2 workers on the side of the road were struck and another person was entrapped. Hamilton Township Fire Department performed the extrication. Three BLS basic life support ambulances and three ALS advanced life support units were called to the scene from Capital Health. Three trauma alerts were called by ambulances transporting the injured to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton.
No further information is available at this time. Check back in the morning to see if more information becomes available overnight.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The 2020 cross country season kicked off today in Hamilton as Allentown, Hamilton West and Trenton met at Veterans Park. Trenton High School was the host of the cross country meet.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions meets are limited to the amount of people who can race, the start line is spread out and masks are required before and after running. It was good to see everyone back out on the course racing again as high school fall sports kick off for the season.
Check back for scoring information.
Check photo galleries below:
Boys Race:
Girls race:
Congratulations to the boys & girls teams on the win against Trenton! Great seeing everyone back racing again! #AHSPROUD
WOODBRIDGE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Robert Hubner of the Woodbridge Police Department announced today that authorities are investigating a shooting which took place earlier today in the Avenel section of Woodbridge.
At approximately 1:17 p.m., Woodbridge Police officers responded to the vicinity of Forest View Drive, located at the Forest View Apartments in response to shots fired. Following the arrival of the authorities, a victim was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Santiago Tapia of the Woodbridge Police Department at (732) 602-7394, or Detective Paul Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745- 3330.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Anthony A. Caputoof the New Brunswick Police Department announced today that the police are investigating a fatal hit and run, which took place during the evening hours of September 30, 2020 in the area of Somerset Street and Millstone Road.
The victim, who was pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital last evening, has been identified as David Wojcik, 55, of Warren Township.
Officer Peter Maroon of the New Brunswick Police Department and Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that at approximately 8:39 p.m., the victim was struck in the area of Somerset Street and Millstone Road by a sedan, which sustained front-end damage. Following the collision, the vehicle fled the scene.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Peter Maroon of the New Brunswick Police Department at (732) 745-5005, or Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745- 4328.
WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) statement during debate in the House of Representatives on the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act
Margaret Hahn—my mother-in-law—passed away on Friday and a Mass of Christian burial will be held today at St. Mary Church in South Amboy, New Jersey. She was 96 and was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
Margaret—Peg—was a great woman—wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She selflessly devoted her life to public service including her amazing work as Sayreville Borough Clerk for twenty years. She had an incredible reputation for getting things done for the people. No matter who served as mayor or on Council, everyone knew she was the power.
Beginning in 2001, Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, who is President of the Cord Blood Association, helped draft my original law. Dr. Kurtzberg has said, “Cord blood transplantation is now an established field with enormous potential. In the future, it may emerge as a source of cells for cellular therapies focused on tissue repair and regeneration.”
PHOTO: Rep. Smith calls for passage of his bill in 2005. ABA/NBA legend star Julius “Dr. J” Erving, at left, was a strong supporter of Smith’s legislation.
The new law created a nationwide umbilical cord blood stem cell program, designed to collect, derive, type, and freeze cord blood units for transplantation into patients to mitigate and to even cure serious disease. Pursuant to the law, it also provided stem cells for research. The new cord blood program was combined in our 2005 law with an expanded bone marrow initiative, which was crafted over several years by our distinguished colleague, Congressman Bill Young.
Umbilical cord blood stem cells, obtained after the birth of a child, have proved highly efficacious in treating 70 diseases, including sickle-cell disease, lymphoma, and leukemia. And scientists are continuing to study and better understand the regenerative effects of cord blood cell therapies for other diseases and conditions. Bone marrow donations provide lifesaving transplants to treat diseases like blood cancer, sickle cell anemia, or inherited metabolic or immune system disorders.
The National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) provides funding to public cord blood banks participating in the program to allow them to expand the national inventory of cord blood units available for transplant. These units are then listed on the registry by the “Be the Match” Program. The funds appropriated thus far have led to an important increase in the overall number of high-quality cord blood units available through the national registry, including 150,000 NCBI units. Within the Be the Match registry, there are more than 783,000 NCBI units worldwide.
The Program registry allows patients and physicians to locate matching cord blood units, as well as adult donors for marrow and peripheral blood stem cells, when a family donor is not available. The Program is the world’s largest, most diverse donor registry, with more than 22 million volunteers and more than 300,000 public cord blood units. To date, the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match (NMDP), through its operation of the Program, has facilitated more than 100,000 transplants. More than 45,000 patients have received cord blood transplants, according Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg.
The reauthorization before us authorizes $23 million to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025. It also authorizes $30 million to be appropriated for fiscal years 2021 through 2025 for the bone marrow transplant program. This continues funding at the same levels authorized in the 2015 authorization bill.
Madam Speaker, each year nearly 4 million babies are born in America. In the past, virtually every placenta and umbilical cord was tossed as medical waste. Today, doctors have turned this medical waste into medical miracles.
Not only has God in His wisdom and goodness created a placenta and umbilical cord to nurture and protect the precious life of an unborn child, but now we know that another gift awaits us immediately after birth. Something very special is left behind–cord blood that is teeming with lifesaving stem cells. Indeed, it remains one of the best kept secrets in America that umbilical cord blood stem cells and adult stem cells in general are curing people of a myriad of terrible conditions and diseases–over 70 diseases in adults as well as in children.
The legislation that is before us will enable even more patients to receive the treatments that they so desperately need.
PHOTO: President Bush signs Rep. Chris Smith’s original Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act into law on Dec. 20, 2005.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The lengthy process of restoring public utilities after a major storm has been an issue plaguing rural residents for quite some time. Assemblyman Ron Dancer wants to ensure rural areas are given the same level of priority as the rest of the state and has introduced two bills speed up restoration after thunderstorms, snowstorms, and other major events.
The first bill (A4761) would give public utilities and cable television companies the ability to use drones to survey damaged infrastructure.
“Drones are a powerful tool in assessing damage and assisting with repairs after a major storm,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “Other states have allowed utility companies to use drones with much success. We cannot afford to continue to have slow restoration times, so it makes sense to allow the utility companies to use drones to speed up the process.”
Dancer’s second bill (A4763) would require the Board of Public Utilities to create new regulations to require that electric companies prioritize communities where at least 40 percent of residents rely on private wells for drinking water and septic systems for sanitary disposal of waste. Additionally, watering stations would also be required.
“Many people do not realize when a home in a rural area loses power, they often lose access to drinking water, as well as, flushing and refilling toilets,” said Dancer. “A priority restoration plan must be put into place to avoid leaving rural areas without access to their basic life essential necessities. When people are without basic necessities for days, it could lead to major public health and safety issues.”
NJ Legislative District 12 covers: Allentown, Chesterfield, Englishtown, Jackson, Manalapan, Matawan, Millstone (Monmouth), New Hanover, North Hanover, Old Bridge, Plumsted, Roosevelt, Upper Freehold, Wrightstown
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The NJ State spokesman Sgt. Philip Curry told MidJersey.News that Troopers responded to I-195 eastbound milepost 12.8 at 6:48am for a car fire. Preliminary information indicates that there was an explosion in the trunk of the vehicle that caused the vehicle to become fully engulfed and Gregory Vansciver 29, of Burlington, NJ was seriously injured. He was transported to Helene Fuld Hospital in Trenton where he was last listed in critical but stable condition. The fire is being investigated.
NJ State Police investigate a car fire after after it exploded on I-195 yesterday.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Edward Chandler, 54, of Manalapan, was charged with Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1) relative to an incident which occurred outside the Lakeside Diner in Lacey Township during the evening hours of September 30, 2020.
On September 30, 2020, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Lacey Township Police received a 911 call in reference to a male who was reported to be unresponsive at the Lakeside Diner on Lacey Road. Responding Officers found Robert Clarke, 78, of Whiting, unconscious and bleeding from an apparent head wound. Clarke was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center. Clarke succumbed at approximately 1:30 a.m. and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that an argument had taken place inside the diner between members of a motorcycle club. The owner of the diner asked everyone involved in the altercation to leave the premises. A second argument involving the same parties arose in the parking lot of the diner. During this argument, Chandler struck Mr. Clarke with a closed fist, causing the victim to fall to the ground resulting in severe head trauma. Chandler was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation. We are continuing to interview potential witnesses, and are awaiting the results of Mr. Clarke’s post-mortem examination by the Ocean County Medical Examiner. I fully expect that additional charges will be forthcoming,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.
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.
Edward Chandler, 54, of Manalapan
Edward Chandler, 54, of Manalapan, was charged with Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1) relative to an incident which occurred outside the Lakeside Diner in Lacey Township during the evening hours of September 30, 2020.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Hamilton Township Police Departments warn to be aware of Family Emergency (Bail) Scams! Key elements of these scams are stressing the urgency of sending money and pretending to be a family member (grandchild) or person of authority (Police Officer, Government Official, Attorney) in order to get you to obey and send cash quickly.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is reminding residents that assistance is available for energy costs for those who qualify beginning Oct. 1, but that applicants must adhere to certain COVID-19 restrictions. The County’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offered in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.This year, the LIHEAP application period is Oct. 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021. Mercer County will continue accepting applications for the Universal Service Fund (USF) Program throughout the year. Residents who pay their own heating costs, and meet the income guidelines, may be eligible to receive financial assistance with their winter heating bill. Residents with medical conditions also may be eligible to receive cooling assistance. An eligibility chart can be found on the Mercer County website.
“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have created financial hardships for many households that now have to worry about the cost of heating and other energy bills,” Mr. Hughes said. “I urge our low-income residents to visit our website or contact the County housing office to determine their eligibility to apply for energy assistance.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the public may visit the Mercer County Office of Housing and Community Development, located at 640 South Broad St., Trenton, by appointment only. If an in-person visit is necessary, clients can call 609-337-0933 or email heatingappt@mercercounty.org to schedule an appointment.
Beginning Oct. 1, the County will temporarily begin operating an outdoor informational center adjacent to the 640 South Broad St. building. Clients will be able to drop off applications and access information from LIHEAP staff.
The County will continue to accept applications by regular mail, fax and email until July 31, 2021. Applications, forms and information are available on the Mercer County website.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond J. Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department said today that a fourteen-year old juvenile pedestrian was killed last night, September 30, 2020 after being struck by a vehicle.
The initial investigation conducted by Traffic Safety Officer William Beard of the South Brunswick Police Department and Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined the collision occurred at approximately 9:25 p.m. as the juvenile was crossing Route 1 after having climbed over the center divider. At the time of the collision, the vehicle – a Land Rover – was traveling northbound on Route 1 in the area of New Street. The juvenile was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorist stopped, rendered aid to the juvenile, and remained on scene to cooperate with law enforcement. The investigation is active and continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Traffic Safety Officer William Beard of the South Brunswick Police Department at (732)745-4000 ext. 7432 or Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3927.
Includes now-defunct Landmark Americana Tap & Grill on The College of New Jersey campus in Ewing
In the early morning hours of Dec. 2, 2018, 22-year-old David Lamar of West Windsor left Landmark Ewing after hours of drinking and crashed head-on into a car carrying six TCNJ students back to campus. The collision killed the car’s designated driver and wounded all five passengers, one critically. Lamar and his passenger also sustained injuries in the crash. At the time of the incident, Lamar had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit for driving.
October 1, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) today announced a settlement resolving charges against Landmark Americana bars in Ewing and Glassboro stemming from two fatal accidents involving patrons in 2018 and 2019.
The owners of the Landmark Americana Tap & Grill located near the Rowan University campus in Glassboro (“Landmark Glassboro”), and the now-defunct Landmark Americana Tap & Grill on The College of New Jersey campus in Ewing (“Landmark Ewing”), agreed to sell the liquor license for the Glassboro establishment within two years, significantly curtail the bar’s business hours and operation in the interim, and pay $550,000 to the State, under settlement terms contained in a Consent Order with ABC.
In addition, the owners have forfeited the temporary permit that had authorized the sale and consumption of alcohol at the Landmark Ewing establishment until the bar closed down last fall, the consent order acknowledges.
The settlement is a global resolution of numerous charges filed against corporate entities held by Antonio Cammarata, Fillippo Cammarata, Massimo Cammarata, and David Goldman who together hold liquor licenses for Landmark Ewing, Landmark Glassboro, and WineWorks liquor store in Evesham under various corporate names.
The charges alleged numerous violations committed by the establishments in 2018 and 2019, including operating a public nuisance requiring law enforcement responses on numerous occasions, serving an underage patron, and three separate instances of serving intoxicated patrons, two of which led to fatal crashes.
“Intoxicated drivers present lethal threats to themselves, their passengers, and everyone else on the road,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Public safety demands, and the law requires, that establishments licensed to serve alcohol do so responsibly. When they don’t, we will hold them accountable.”
In the early morning hours of Dec. 2, 2018, 22-year-old David Lamar of West Windsor left Landmark Ewing after hours of drinking and crashed head-on into a car carrying six TCNJ students back to campus. The collision killed the car’s designated driver and wounded all five passengers, one critically. Lamar and his passenger also sustained injuries in the crash. At the time of the incident, Lamar had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit for driving.
Ten months later, in the early morning hours of Oct. 11, 2019, Robert Gallagher, 21, of Monroe Township, left Landmark Glassboro after hours of drinking, lost control of his car, and crashed into a retaining wall. Gallagher died as a result of his injuries and his passenger was injured. At the time of the incident, Gallagher had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit for driving.
In both cases, ABC’s investigation revealed that the patrons responsible for the fatal crashes had been overserved alcohol by Landmark Americana staff. State law prohibits licensed establishments from selling alcoholic beverages to any patrons “actually or apparently” intoxicated. According to experts, the vast majority of drinkers are “apparently intoxicated” at a Blood Alcohol Concentration (“BAC”) of .15%. In New Jersey, a BAC of .08% is the legal limit for driving.
“Today we are holding the owners of Landmark Americana responsible for the role they played in the tragic deaths of two young people who we allege would be alive today if not for the irresponsible conduct of Landmark Americana and its staff,” said James B. Graziano, Acting Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. “These deaths are a grim reminder of what can happen when establishments fail to comply with laws requiring them to serve alcohol responsibly, especially when catering to young patrons in a college setting.”
Under the terms of the settlement announced today, the Cammaratas and Goldman – who hold Landmark Glassboro’s liquor license under the corporate name Zagami LLC – agreed to sell the license and divest their interest in the bar by Oct. 1, 2022. The settlement also places immediate restrictions on Landmark Glassboro’s operations that include:
a “last call” at 11:30 pm and no alcoholic beverages sold after midnight;
no amplified music or live DJ on site;
a ban on using the “nightclub room” except for private parties not open to the general public or dining;
a ban on offering patrons one free drink as a good will gesture and/or offering coupons, tickets, or tokens to redeem a free drink;
requiring all alcoholic beverages to be sold, delivered, and dispensed in accordance with industry standards: a five-ounce pour for wine, a 12-ounces bottle or can for malt beverages, a 16-ounce draft pour for malt alcoholic beverages.
These restrictions are independent from any limits on indoor or outdoor dining imposed by Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders. The global settlement also resolves a charge filed against CGM Wines, LLC t/a WineWorks in August 2019 for failure to disclose an interest in its license in violation of state laws. The charge, which sought a 30-day license suspension as penalty, was the result of an ABC investigation that found CGM Wines was transferring money back and forth from a Pennsylvania business owned by Fillippo Cammarata.
FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–An Asbury Park man was arrested and charged with possession of an assault firearm, among other charges, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Eshawn T. Richardson, 23, of Asbury Park, was arrested and charged with second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (assault firearm), fourth degree Possession of a Prohibited Weapons and Devices (large capacity magazine), fourth degree Obstruction, fourth degree Resisting Arrest, and disorderly persons possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
On Tuesday September 29, 2020, Neptune Township Police Department responded to a 911 call of shots fired at approximately around 12:07 a.m. Officers arrived and began an investigation, which subsequently led to the recovery of an American Tactical Mil Sport rifle loaded with .223 rounds and other evidence on a trail between Sunshine Park and Graham Avenue. Officers located Richardson in close proximity to the trail. Richardson fled from the officers on foot but was taken into custody a short time later.
A joint investigation was thereafter conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Neptune Township Police Department. The investigation revealed that while no victims were injured, a residence on the opposite side of State Highway 18 was damaged by gunfire around the same time.
The shooting of the residence remains under investigation, and anyone with information regarding the case can reach out to Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Daniel Newman at (800)-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Detective Mysonn Ledet at (732)-988-8000 x420.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400 or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com
Richardson is currently being detained at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution until his First Appearance and Detention Hearing.
If convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Richardson faces a sentence of five to ten years in state prison. If convicted of any of the fourth degree charges, Richardson faces up to 18 months in prison. The disorderly persons charge carries up to six months in jail.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner.
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 of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–As many area police departments have already started wearing body cameras Princeton Police Department starts today.
Beginning October 1, 2020 Princeton Police officers will begin wearing body worn cameras on patrol. In addition to having in-car video cameras in their patrol vehicles, officers will be equipped with the Axon 3 Body Camera. It functions as a camera and DVR combination to collect video evidence.
The Princeton Police Department’s goals and objectives in deploying body worn cameras are the accurate documentation of infractions between our officers and members of the public, arrests, and other critical incidents. The use of the cameras increases transparency and also provides and opportunity to capture the good work that the police officers do on a daily basis. Additionally, this equipment will enable department supervisors and administrators to conduct periodic reviews of officer-citizen contacts, for quality control purposes and will aid in the investigation of citizen complaints.
“The implementation of body worn cameras is an example of the police department’s commitment to being transparent with our community. Additionally, the officers of the Princeton Police Department have embraced the use of the cameras and understand their need in policing today.” stated Captain Christopher Morgan.
The officer’s use of the body work cameras will follow the guidelines issued by the New Jersey Attorney General and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, along with the polices set by the Princeton Police Department.
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