Day: June 21, 2023

East Windsor, Hightstown-East Windsor, Mercer County

AJ Madison Opens Distribution Center On Lake Drive In East Windsor, NJ

June 21, 2023

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP. NJ (MERCER)– Mayor Janice S. Mironov, joined by Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman and Council Members Peter Yeager and John Zoller and AJ Madison Owner Michael Gross and staff, held a grand opening of the national home and kitchen appliance retailer AJ Madison’s newly constructed 168,436 square foot distribution center at 30 Lake Drive, in East Windsor Township. 

Founded in 2001, AJ Madison, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, is a family owned and operated leading national retailer of well known brands of home appliances, including ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, air conditioners, and washers and dryers.  In addition to appliance sales, AJ Madison provides appliance installation services for most home and industry appliances and hosts several appliance showrooms in New York and Florida.  AJ Madison has an extensive on-line website of products and services.

Mayor Mironov stated,  “East Windsor is pleased to welcome AJ Madison, a national leader in home appliances to this new facility.  The size and scope of this modern facility represents a significant investment in the economic vitality of East Windsor for business and employment.  The project will generate substantial local tax dollars, as well as new patrons for our many stores and restaurants.  AJ Madison’s decision to expand their operation in East Windsor underscores the Township’s attraction to business due to its strategic central location, excellent access to major transportation networks including the NJ Turnpike, highly skilled workforce and a business friendly hands-on local government environment that responds to the needs of the business community.”

Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members join owners to celebrate the grand opening of AJ Madison newly constructed facility at 30 Lake Drive.  Pictured (from left to right) are:  Betty Gross;  Irving Gross;  Michael Gross, Owner, AJ Madison;  Mayor Janice S. Mironov;  Council Member John Zoller;  Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman, and Council Member Peter Yeager.

State of NJ

Governor Murphy Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in Honor of Former Senate and Assembly Minority Leader Jim Hurley

June 21, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy ordered that U.S. and New Jersey flags fly at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in recognition and remembrance of former Senate and Assembly Minority Leader Jim Hurley.

“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn Senator Jim Hurley, an exemplary public servant who dedicated his career to bettering our state,” said Governor Murphy. “Throughout his time in the Legislature, Senator Hurley was known as a persistent advocate for veterans and first responders, cleaner oceans, and our communities. Senator Hurley will be remembered for his lifetime of public service and leadership.”

Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com
Lacey, Ocean County, Toms River

Lacey Township Man Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter

June 21, 2023

TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 19, 2023, Jehmar Barrett, 36, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to Manslaughter before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with the death of a 35-year-old female in Toms River on November 24, 2020.  At the time of his sentencing on August 18, 2023, the State will be seeking a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.

On November 24, 2020, Toms River Township Police Officers responded to a residence on Alabama Avenue for a report of an unresponsive female.  Upon arrival, Officers discovered the body of the victim, who was already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.

A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau determined that Barrett distributed heroin and cocaine to the victim on November 23, 2020. 

Further investigation and toxicology analysis received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system.  It was determined through laboratory analysis that the controlled dangerous substance distributed to the victim by Barrett – initially believed to be heroin – was, in fact, fentanyl, matching the fentanyl found in the victim’s system.  Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of her death. On April 29, 2021, Barrett was charged in connection with the victim’s death.

On April 30, 2021, Barrett surrendered himself to Toms River Township Police Department Headquarters.  He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team,  Toms River Township Police Department Patrol Division, Berkeley Township Police Department, Lacey Township Police Department, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Barrett’s guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
East Windsor, Hightstown, Hightstown-East Windsor, Mercer County

Jersey Girl Cameran Sassman Will Be Reading From Her Debut Novel In Between Shows, The A Sides

Author Cameran Sassman signing her book at Randy Now’s Man Cave in Hightstown on June 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

June 21, 2023

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–A graduate of Steinert High School (Class of 1990), Sassman grew up in Hamilton Square.

She recently published a book about her life as a teenager growing up during the 80s in central
suburban NJ and framing the story around the punk rock/alternative music shows that she went
to while in high school.  The book, In Between Shows, The A Sides, is semi-autobiographical,
captures her love of the music scene as well many adventures and misadventures in love and
friendship. 

“My book also pays loving homage to my hometown and beloved Garden State” says
Sassman. “I included so many references to past and present-day New Jersey icons from Little
King Deli, Rock Dreams Records, Golden Dawn Diner, Mastori’s Diner, Vito’s Pizza, Thomas
Sweet Ice Cream, The Princeton Record Exchange, Princeton Marketfair, Italian Peoples
Bakery to the Seaside Boardwalk and Island Beach State Park and most importantly the iconic
City Gardens in Trenton.  

My book is not only a love letter to the people in my life from those formative teenage years, but
a love letter to my hometown and the place that shaped the person that I have become.”
Soul food for people of a certain age, In Between Shows, The A Sides will speak to anyone
touched deeply by the intoxicating, enchanting world we enter when the venue doors swing
open. “Even though my experiences are from a different time, I truly believe my story is timeless
and universal” says Sassman. “Being a teenager at any point in time is not for the faint of heart.
It wasn’t easy to go back and relive some of the moments I wrote about, but I hope that sharing
my story may help some people feel less alone.” In a sweaty rock club, we shed the trappings of
workaday life. There are no cliques, no politics. Just a sea of humanity, joined together by
shared euphoria.

Author Cameran Sassman signing her book In Between Shows, The A Sides
Saturday, June 24 th
2pm – 4pm
Randy Now’s Man Cave
119 W Ward St, Hightstown, NJ 08520