Day: October 12, 2020

Basketball, Ice Hockey, Mercer County, Sports, State of NJ, Trenton, Wrestling

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing the Resumption of Contact Practices and Competitions for Certain Organized Sports in Indoor Settings

Medium and High Risk Sports Can Resume Under 25% Capacity Limit

October 12, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 187, allowing the resumption of contact practices and competitions in indoor settings for organized sports defined as “medium risk” and “high risk” by the New Jersey Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities.”   The order encompasses sports including hockey, basketball, cheerleading, group dance, rugby, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling.  Governor Murphy previously signed Executive Orders No. 149 and 168, which permitted the resumption of outdoor sports activities, “low risk” practices and competitions in indoor settings, and non-contact indoor practices for “medium risk” and “high risk” sports.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for our student-athletes, support staff, and school communities,” said Governor Murphy. “After consulting stakeholders and medical experts, we have concluded that, with proper public health and safety protocols in place, indoor sports may now resume in a way that protects players, coaches, and staff.”   

All indoor practices and competitions are limited to 25% of the capacity of the room, but not more than 25 or less than 10 persons.  However, if the number of individuals who are necessary for practice or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, exceeds 25, the practice or competition may proceed if no unnecessary individuals such as spectators are present.  Even if this exception applies, the number of individuals at the practice or competition cannot exceed 25% of the capacity of the room, and such limit cannot exceed 150 persons.

Facilities and participants must abide by a number of health and safety protocols outlined in the Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities,” such as screenings for athletes, coaches, and staff; limitations on equipment sharing; and requirements for disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and equipment.

Additionally, sports under the oversight of either the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association or the NCAA must continue to abide by those associations’ rules. All sporting activities must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.

The order will take effect immediately.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 187, please click here.

Press pool photos by: Rich Hundley, III.
Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville, Trenton

Rain Slick Roads Contribute To Minor Accidents In Area

October 12, 2020

HAMILTON-ROBBINSVILLE-TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Wet, rain slick roads may have quite possibly played a contributing factor in several minor accidents this afternoon and evening in the area as ruminants of Hurricane Delta move though the area.

At 9:45 pm the Hamilton Township Police and Hamilton Township Fire Department were detailed to S. Clinton Avenue by Cedar Lane. Details of that accident remain unknown.

Around 9:45 pm a car ran off the roadway in the 1300 Block of Old York Road, the vehicle lost control around a curve ran into the grass up a slight embankment and clipped a utility pole before coming to rest. The Robbinsville Township Police, Robbinsville Township Fire Department responded to the scene, no injures were reported.

A two vehicle crash snarls afternoon traffic on Prospect Street in Trenton around 3:30 pm. Trenton Police, Trenton EMS and Trenton Fire Department responded.by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News See earlier MidJersey.News story here:
Freehold, Monmouth County, Wall

Law Firm Manager Facing Charges In 100k Theft

October 12, 2020

FREEHOLD, NJ (MERCER)–An Ocean County woman is facing theft charges following a 10-month investigation that revealed she stole more than $100,000 from the law firm where she was formerly employed as the office manager, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Patricia Vaughn, 62, of Toms River, was arrested and charged Friday with second degree theft following a joint investigation by Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Wall Township Police Department. Vaughn was charged and released on a summons.

In January 2020, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted by the Wall Township Police. The Wall Police had received a theft report from the owner of a law office in Wall Township. It was reported that Vaughn stole funds.

During the investigation, records of various business and personal accounts related to the law practice were reviewed revealing numerous unauthorized transfers from these accounts to the firm’s operating account. Vaughn made these transfers in her capacity as office manager from 2011 through 2019, although she hid them by creating false bank statements. Vaughan then used the additional money from the operating account to give herself unauthorized salary increases and to issue herself extra paychecks totaling approximately $105,552.50 to which she was not entitled.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Diane Aifer.

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.

Mercer County, Trenton

Two Vehicle Accident on Prospect Street

October 12, 2020

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A two vehicle crash snarls afternoon traffic on Prospect Street in Trenton around 3:30 pm. Trenton Police, Trenton EMS and Trenton Fire Department responded. There were no known life threating injures in the accident. No further information is available about the accident.

Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

Jackson, Manalapan, Monmouth County, Ocean County

WANTED: Jackson Twp. Man Timothy Brown, Stabbing Investigation

October 12, 2020

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–At approximately 12:49 am on Saturday October 10, 2020, officers responded to a residence located on Begonia Court in Sixty Acres on the report of a disturbance. While on scene investigating the incident, officers were informed that a male who had also been involved in the disturbance was at Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center in Brick seeking treatment for a stab wound to his arm.

Police Officer Kevin Scheuerman and Det. Robert Reiff responded to the hospital to interview the victim who advised that during the course of the disturbance, a male suspect retrieved a knife in the residence and stabbed the victim in the arm. The suspect had fled the residence after the incident and was unable to be located during the investigation. Det. Reiff prepared complaint warrants charging the suspect with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and he is currently entered as a New Jersey wanted person. The suspect was identified as: Timothy Brown (pictured) , age 53 of Begonia Court, Jackson. He also had a previous address on Justin Way in Manalapan.

Anyone who has information of Mr. Brown’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Det. Reiff at the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or through the department’s Stop It app.- The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

  • Timothy Brown, age 53 of Begonia Court, Jackson
Timothy Brown (pictured) , age 53 of Begonia Court, Jackson. complaint warrants charging the suspect with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and he is currently entered as a New Jersey wanted person

Lawrence, Mercer County

2nd Alarm Fire In Lawrence Township

October 12, 2020

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 1:00 am all Lawrence Township Fire Companies were sent to the 100 Block of Carter Road. Upon arrival the fire was though the roof and a 2nd alarm was called for sending additional apparatus and water tankers to the scene. The fire was placed under control in about 40 minutes.

Mutual aid fire departments were called include Ewing Township, Plainsboro, Hopewell, Pennington, Princeton, and others.

Sources tell MidJersey.News that the home was unoccupied and for sale. The 2nd floor was well involved on arrival.

Lawrence Township Police with assistance of the Mercer County Prosecutors Office are investigating the fire according to Lt. Joseph Lech, IV. of the Lawrence Township Police Department. The Lawrence Township Fire Marshals Office and State Fire Marshal’s Office has also responded.

Lawrenceville Fire Company Photos

Photo from Pennington Fire Instagram account.
MidJersey.News photos
Bayville, Ocean County, Toms River

19 Year Old From Bayville Identified As Victim Of Toms River Shooting

October 12, 2020

Updated MidJersey.News story here: 19 Year Old Bayville Man Dies From Toms River Shooting

The victim has been identified as Javon Cutler, age 19, of Bayville.

TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Chief of Police Mitch Little announced that on October 11, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Toms River Township Police responded to Community Medical Center for a report of a male victim with a gunshot wound to the head. The victim has been identified as Javon Cutler, age 19, of Bayville.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that on October 11, 2020, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Mr. Cutler and two friends were leaving Toms River Apartments located on Main Street in Toms River, when an unknown individual opened fire on the their vehicle. Mr. Cutler, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, was struck in the head as a result. The driver of the vehicle drove directly to Community Medical Center. Mr. Cutler was subsequently transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center, where he is currently listed in critical condition.

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Little would like to emphasize that this is an active and ongoing investigation, and that there is no known danger to the public at this time. Anyone who has any information concerning this investigation is urged to contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, or Detective Jennifer Grob of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732349-0150.