Day: July 1, 2020

Arrest Made in Trenton Stabbing Homicide

July 1, 2020

SEE JUNE 21, 2020 MIDJERSEY.NEWS STORY HERE: BREAKING: Multiple Stabbings In Trenton This Evening

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Trenton man charged with the June 21, 2020 murder of Robert Neal in Trenton was arrested this morning in North Carolina, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.

Martel Tilghman, 36, is charged with murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.  There is no scheduled court appearance at this time.  He was arrested Wednesday morning in Greensboro, NC, by members of the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force.  The charges are the result of an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.

Just before 9 p.m. on June 21, 2020, Trenton police received several calls for a street fight and a male stabbed in the 200 block of Rosemont Avenue.  Officers arrived on scene and located the victim, later identified as Neal, suffering from stab wounds to the abdomen.  He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced a short time later.

The investigation revealed that an altercation occurred during a party at a residence on Rosemont Avenue and the suspect struck a female.  Neal attempted to intervene when the verbal altercation became physical and he was stabbed.  A second male victim was also cut with a knife during the scuffle.

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.



Criminal Charges Brought In Edison Fatal Motorcycle Crash

July 1, 2020

EDISON, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department announced today that a driver has been charged for striking and killing a motorcyclist on June 27, 2020.

Roland Q. Lyles, 31, of Orange, was arrested and charged on June 27, 2020 with aggravated assault in the second degree. The charges were upgraded today, following the death of the victim, to aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, vehicular homicide in the second degree, and driving with a suspended license and causing the death of another person in the third degree. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses including driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.

 The deceased motorcyclist was identified as Richard Diaz, 51, of Brooklyn, New York.

During the investigation it was determined that on June 27, 2020 at approximately 2:19 am, Lyles was driving a white Nissan Sentra traveling northbound on Route 1 near Grandview Avenue at a high rate of speed when he struck the victim’s motorcycle. Diaz was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick following the crash. He died on June 30, 2020 from his injuries.

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Dominick Masi of the Edison Police Department at (732) 248-7400, or Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4328.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charge against Lyles are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.



UPDATED: Fatal Accident Investigation In Monroe Township

July 1, 2020

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Monroe Township Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred on Route 33 around 1:15 pm. The accident happened in the 900 Block of NJ Rt 33 which is east of Bently Road.

Police said, a 2019 Hyundai Tuscon driven by 72 year old, Marc A. Mandelkorn of Monroe Township was traveling West bound on Route 33 just East of the intersection of Bentley Road. The Hyundai Tuscon left the roadway for an unknown reason then struck a NJ State DOT tractor that was mowing the median. The vehicle then crossed over the Eastbound lane and came to rest in the shoulder of Route 33 East.

Upon arrival of first responders the driver was found unconscious and medical aid was rendered. The driver was transported to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ and was later pronounced deceased, police said.

The crash is being investigated by Sergeant Anthony Trohalides and Officer Daniel Mosakowski of the Monroe Township Police Traffic Safety Division. Anyone who might have witnessed this crash is asked to contact the Traffic Safety Division at 732-521-0222 Ext: 126



Ciccone Sworn In As Middlesex County Prosecutor

July 1, 2020

Yolanda Ciccone, of Metuchen, the former Assignment Judge of Somerset County, was sworn in today as Prosecutor of Middlesex County during a brief ceremony officiated by retired Judge and former Prosecutor Alan A. Rockoff.

In June 2020, Governor Phil Murphy nominated Yolanda Ciccone to be the Prosecutor of Middlesex County. She was confirmed by the Senate on June 15, 2020, beginning a five-year term as the county prosecutor.

 Prosecutor Ciccone began her legal career in 1980 as a law clerk to the Hon. John E. Bachman J.S.C. and Hon. Theodore Appleby, J.S.C. In September of 1981, Prosecutor Ciccone began working as an Assistant  Prosecutor in Middlesex County.

During her ten years in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Ciccone had a number of different duties including Chief of the Juvenile Division, advisor to the Narcotics and Gambling Task Force, oversaw the Hate Crimes Task Force and negotiated memorandums of understanding with 23 of the Middlesex County school districts.

In October of 1991 Governor Jim Florio nominated Prosecutor Ciccone to the Superior Court, Middlesex County. During her tenure as a Superior Court Judge, Ciccone served in the Family, Criminal and Civil Divisions. She was the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division from 2005 to 2006.

In September of 2006 Chief Justice Deborah Poritz selected Ciccone to be the Assignment Judge of Vicinage 13 compromising Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties.         

Prosecutor Ciccone earned her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, NJ,  and is a graduate of  Douglass College at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.

Following her being sworn into office, Prosecutor Ciccone swore in assistant prosecutors, detectives, and staff who work in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office via a virtual ceremony.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office oversees 26 municipal and university/college police departments as well as the County Sheriff’s Department and is amongst the busiest in the state. The office handles more than 6,500 criminal complaints annually, has a budget of $20.7 million and employs just over 200 people.

BREAKING: Police Evacuating Homes On Cedar Court In South Brunswick Due To Gas Leak

July 1, 2020

Update: 12:58 pm, command reports gas has been shut off and going to start letting people back in their homes.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Due to a gas leak caused by a car striking the gas lines on a building on Cedar Court, police are evacuating homes in that vicinity.

Please avoid the area for the next four hours to allow police, fire, and EMS to address the emergency. 

http://nixle.us/alert/8089936/

Construction Of Meadowbrook Trail Connection To Begin July 6

July 1, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Construction of the Meadowbrook Trail connection along Tantum Park is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 7.
The project includes close to 2,000 feet of asphalt for walking and biking on the south side of Meadowbook Road and will feature improved road crossings, including a blinking light on the far east end.
Construction of the new path is expected to take 14 days, with the crossing features completed soon thereafter. Motorists should expect some lane restrictions during this time.
The Meadowbrook Trail Connection is being paid for by a NJ Department of Transportation grant.

NJ State Troopers Donate 928 Pounds of Food To Mercer Street Friends

July 1, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Yesterday, members of the New Jersey State Police Office of Professional Standards donated 928 pounds of food to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.

Troopers have been collecting donated items over that last several weeks. And this year’s efforts will help many Jersey residents in need!

Last year, Mercer Street Friends supplied families with 4.5 million pounds of food with the assistance of 2,900 volunteers.

During COVID-19 Mercer Street Friends has continued to provide meals to families in need and this donation will continue help to feed families in the area.

To learn more about Mercer Street Friends please visit
https://mercerstreetfriends.org

MidJersey.News Sees Increased Growth

July 1, 2020

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–MidJersey.News sees another month of increased growth in June with 869,660 page views and 255,402 visitors. The average page view per visitor was 3.41 and 184 posts (stories) published in June.

On Facebook from July 3 to June 30 there were 36,600 people reached, with 28,900 people engaged in the posts. In June 193 more people followed MidJersey.News on Facebook.

Some people like to get MidJersey.News by e-mail and 1,357 are subscribed to receive instant emails when stories are posted. Some prefer to read MidJersey.News by email and 249,688 emails were sent to those subscribers.

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2020 BlueClaws, Minor League Baseball Seasons Cancelled

July 1, 2020

LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–The BlueClaws shared the unfortunate news today that the 2020 Minor League Baseball season, and with it the 2020 BlueClaws season, has been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is news that we had hoped we wouldn’t have to share, but unfortunately we will not be playing baseball at the Jersey Shore this summer,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti.

This decision was made with the interests of fan, player, coach, and staff safety at the forefront.

“We understand and cherish our place as a much-needed outlet for fun and entertainment across our communities, but we also understand and support the need to prioritize the public health crisis,” said Art Matin, the managing partner of BlueClaws ownership group Shore Town Baseball.

BlueClaws ticket package holders will be contacted by staff members to go over their options. Additionally, BlueClaws ticket staff members will coordinate with group leaders that have booked 2020 outings as well. Those that have tickets as part of a group outing should wait to hear from their group leader directly.

Communication from BlueClaws staff members will begin on Wednesday morning, and the team asks that ticket holders be patient as the BlueClaws work through outreach on an individual basis.

“We thank each of our ticket package holders and group leaders for their patience while we waited for a resolution,” said Ricciutti. “This has been a trying time for us all and we want to make sure that each ticket holder hears directly from the BlueClaws.”

2020 was to be the 20th season in BlueClaws history with much planned to celebrate. The team will shift many of these 20th season promotions into 2021.

“We are already working on making 2021 the biggest and most exciting season in team history,” said Ricciutti. “We’ll just celebrate our 20th season and our 20th anniversary all together!”

Matin added: “The BlueClaws have many amazing fans and partners and we appreciate each and every one of them. We had lots of plans to celebrate our 20th season this year. Our message is simple – we want everyone to stay healthy and we can’t wait to open the gates and welcome people from across the Jersey Shore for some family entertainment and great baseball.”

A 2021 BlueClaws schedule has not yet been released. The team will announce their 2021 schedule, complete with the 2021 Opening Night, when available.

FirstEnergy Park executive offices remain closed to the general public as of today, though staff is working remotely. Please check BlueClaws.com and the team’s social media channels for additional information.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment and have drawn 7.7 million fans to FirstEnergy Park since their 2001 inception.

2020 Thunder Season Canceled Due to COVID-19

The Trenton Thunder presented by NJM, has announced in conjunction with MLB that our 2020 season has been canceled.

July 1, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–“We are disappointed to share with our fans and partners that the 2020 season has been canceled due to COVID-19,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. “Our staff is already making exciting plans for your Trenton Thunder baseball to return Bigger, Better and Safer than ever in April 2021. We look forward to hosting all the smiles at the newly upgraded ARM & HAMMER Park, home of the best entertainment in the region in a very safe environment. Our entire Thunder family of fans and sponsors will be a part of the Great Comeback of your Trenton Thunder when we celebrate together the 2021 season on the banks of the Delaware River.”

The Thunder will continue our bat dog tradition in 2021 with Rookie and Dash. A must see for all fans will be the big day Dash retrieves his first bat! The “Home of the Four Day Weekend” will return for the 2021 season with Thursday Night Fireworks, Thirsty Thursday, Case’s Pork Roll Fridays, Saturday Night Fireworks and Kids’ Sundays. Re-imagined on-field promotions will be introduced during the season and the new Thummers Parade will take place after each first inning with Boomer and his newly added Thunder mascot friends marching throughout the ballpark with fans free to join in the fun.

Fun filled giveaways will continue in 2021 at ARM & HAMMER Park. You will want to plan your summer for the return of the Thunder Firework Spectacular shows along with many new giveaways.

Delicious Hot Dogs and Pork Roll will be the staple at the ballpark and fans will continue to enjoy Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab Fries as well as other new and improved food choices. We are planning some new desserts that are already added to the menu. Fans (21 and over) will be able to grab an ice cold beer from one of 55 different taps located on the concourse at ARM & HAMMER Park and all fans will enjoy our new zone called The District filled with games, Hi-Tops, and more craft beer selections.

Any fan holding individual tickets for the 2020 season can exchange their tickets for any game during the 2021 season based upon availability. Trenton Thunder Makes Members and Groups will earn a credit for the 2021 season off the tickets purchased from the 2020 season. Any ticket holder can request a credit by filling out the form here. If you have questions or would like to request additional information about tickets, please email fun@trentonthunder.com.