Day: February 14, 2020

Mercer County, Monmouth County

Reps. Smith and Beatty Introduce Resolution to Recognize February as American Heart Month

Febuary 14, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC–Bipartisan legislation recognizing February as American Heart Month was introduced in the House of Representatives today.

   Congressman Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Heart & Stroke Coalition, along with fellow Co-Chair Joyce Beatty (D-OH), authored the resolution, HRes. 860, in honor of the approximately 647,000 Americans who die from some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

   “Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans, and more women die from heart disease than all cancers combined,” said Smith.  “In my home state of New Jersey alone, there are approximately 420,000 cases of coronary heart disease—the most common type of CVD—according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH); that is unacceptable. We must continue to work together to know and understand the risks of CVD, and the small steps we can take to prevent it.”

   “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition and a stroke survivor, I have long championed the need for men and women to get ‘heart healthy,’” said Beatty. “To that effect, according to the American Heart Association, there are many steps that you can take right now to decrease your risk of heart disease, including exercising, eating a balanced diet, and knowing the early warning signs. That’s why I urge all Central Ohioans and all Americans to ‘Go Red’ and help spread the word this Heart Month.”

   The resolution is support by two of the leading organizations committed to promoting American heart health: the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. 

   “Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the world’s leading cause of preventable death and disability. After decades of a steady decline in the U.S., CVD death rates are on the rise, which points to the urgent need for more research, prevention and early detection programs,” saidNancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association.  “Now, more than ever, we need support from Members of Congress to address the health and economic crisis that CVD poses to our nation. We are grateful to Representatives Joyce Beatty and Chris Smith, our Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition Co-Chairs, for introducing this year’s Heart Month Resolution and for their ongoing advocacy in the fight against heart disease and stroke.”

   “Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death worldwide. While awareness of heart disease prevention is increasing, it is not nearly fast enough to curb the spread of this deadly disease, which is largely preventable in many cases,” said American College of Cardiology President Richard Kovacs, MD, FACC. “The ACC thanks Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition Co-Chairs Reps. Joyce Beatty and Chris Smith for their continued advocacy to end the global health crisis of heart disease. The ACC is committed to working with Congress to continue raising awareness of heart disease prevention and to increase funding for cardiovascular research this Heart Month and every month.”

   Though Heart Month will be celebrated around the nation throughout February at awareness events, galas and free medical screenings, all Americans should work to live healthier lives all year long.

Other Towns, Skiing Snowboarding

Update: NJ Man Dies From Asphyxia At Chair 37 in Vail Mountain’s Blue Sky Basin By Hanging From Ski Coat

February 14, 2020

Updated to include town in NJ and additional information.

Special thanks to Vail Daily for contributing to this report.

VAIL COLORADO (EAGLE)–According to reports a New Jersey man has died by Chair 37 Skyline Express Lift in the Blue Sky Basin area of Vail’s legendary back bowls. Jason Varnish, 46, of Short Hills, New Jersey, died Thursday on Vail Mountain, coroner Kara Bettis has confirmed.

Update from Vail Daily:

Coroner Kara Bettis said the death has been ruled an accident.

Bettis, in a text, wrote: “We are still investigating how this whole situation happened. According to our initial investigation, the deceased slipped through the seat of the chair lift and his ski coat got caught up in the chair. The coat ended up going up around his head and neck area putting his neck in a position that compromised his airway.”

See Vail Daily for further updates on the investigation

Blue Sky Basin was closed after the incident:

Please also follow this breaking story at Vail Daily for the latest information.

File Photos of Vail’s back bowls and Blue Sky Basin areas by: Dennis Symons, Jr.
Ewing, Ewing, Mercer County, Trenton

Jury Finds Trenton Man Guilty of Robbery and Carjacking

February 14, 2020

TRENTON – A Trenton man was convicted by a jury on Thursday of robbery and carjacking offenses, all of which are first-degree charges that make him eligible for an extended prison term at sentencing, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

On February 13, 2020, a Mercer County jury found Jamil Hilton, 46, of Trenton, guilty of two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of first-degree carjacking.

On August 12, 2015, Hilton robbed two employees of the Auto Outlet in Ewing Township at gunpoint.  He took approximately $240, two rolls of quarters and a 1998 black Lexus.  The defendant drove the Lexus around the corner, abandoned it on Short Olden Avenue and fled the area.  Two days later, a police investigation led officers to Hilton’s home on Daymond Street in Trenton.  Hilton admitted to officers that he committed the robbery at the Auto Outlet, and he directed police to the location of the gun.  Following his arrest, Hilton provided a full confession to detectives. 

Hilton is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27.  He is extended-term eligible due to his previous convictions and faces a state prison sentence of 20 years to life.

Assistant Prosecutor Alycia Beyrouty represented the state during the five-day trial before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Thomas F. Scully.  The defendant was represented by Jason Matey, Esq.

On February 13, 2020, a Mercer County jury found Jamil Hilton, 46, of Trenton, guilty of two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of first-degree carjacking.
Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Car Fire NJ Turnpike Near Exit 7A

February 14, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At 12:37 pm today the Robbinsville Fire Department was detailed to the NJ Turnpike at Mile Marker 60.5 North Bound at Exit 7A for a car fire. Firefighters from Robbinsville Fire Department and Bordentown Township responded and extinguished the fire.

Robbinsville Township Fire Department firefighters on scene with a car fire on the NJ Turnpike Mile Marker 60.5 North Bound Inner Roadway.
Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville

Breaking: Police SUV Lost Control 195 at NJ Turnpike Ramp

February 14, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–A police SUV traveling east bound on Interstate 195 East, Exit 6 appears to have lost control near the New Jersey Turnpike (7A ramp). At approximately 11:16 am several 911 calls came in reporting an overturned police vehicle on 195. Immediately Robbinsville Township Police, Robbinsville Township Fire Department and NJ State Police were summoned to the scene. Robbinsville Fire Department EMS transported one person to Regional Medical Center (Capitol Health) in Trenton for evaluation. NJ State Police are investigating. No other information is available at the time of this report.