TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Fire Department’s third serious call in a matter of a couple of hours, this time 9-1-1 calls reported a fire in the 300 Block of Commonwealth Avenue around 1:45 pm. First arriving Trenton fire units reported heavy fire on the third floor. An “all hands” was called sending additional fire apparatus and personnel to the scene. The fire was brought under control in less than a half hour. No further details are available.
All this after firefighters responded to an 11:00 am fire on MLK Blvd near Calhoun Street and 12:10 pm rescued a man from a Trench. See other MidJersey.News stories at links below:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission announces due to heightened security measures the Trenton Regional-Vehicle Center will close on Saturday January 16 and Wednesday January 20, 2021. Check the website for further details here: http://bit.ly/MVCLocations.
Due to the state’s heightened security measures, TRENTON REGIONAL/VEHICLE CENTER will CLOSE Saturday, Jan. 16 and Wednesday, Jan. 20. For the most up-to-date information on MVC facility closures and openings, check https://t.co/2VSx75cXnU.
Due to the state’s heightened security measures, TRENTON REGIONAL/VEHICLE CENTER will CLOSE Saturday, Jan. 16 and Wednesday, Jan. 20. For the most up-to-date information on MVC facility closures and openings, check http://bit.ly/MVCLocations.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Around 11:00 am., the Trenton Fire Department responded to 1200 Block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard near Calhoun Street for a fire in a two-story building. First arriving crews reported heavy smoke and fire on the second floor and called for an “all hands” sending additional equipment and personnel to the scene. The fire was located next to the old Jo Jo’s Steak House on MLK Blvd. The building appeared vacant and the fire was quickly brought under control.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—At 12:10 pm., Trenton Fire Department, Trenton EMS and Paramedics responded to a reported man stuck in trench at 61 Hobart Avenue. Trenton Fire Department quickly pulled the man out of the trench. The man was treated by Trenton Fire, Trenton EMS and Capital Paramedics on scene. No further information is available.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Members of the New Jersey State Police Mounted Unit were seen around noon patrolling West State Street near the Governor’s Office and the State House. A few children got to meet the members of the mounted patrol and pet the horses. Today’s weather was cloudy with a high of 51F in the area.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force joined forces with Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team (SET) to conduct an investigation into the distribution of Heroin, Fentanyl and Cocaine in Ocean County. The joint investigation identified an apartment in the Hampton Gardens Apartment complex in Toms River as being utilized to store and distribute quantities of Heroin, Fentanyl and Cocaine. As a result of the investigation, Detectives obtained a search warrant for the apartment and also obtained probable cause to arrest Rizjoun Smullen, age 20, of Lakewood, for Distribution of Heroin and Fentynl.
On January 13, 2021, Detectives, observed Smullen leave the residence on foot. Smullen was detained and placed under arrest without incident. Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and Toms River SET, executed the search warrant at the apartment. As a result of the search warrant, Detectives seized approximately 150 dosage units of Heroin and $2,100 in cash.
Smullen was arrested and charged with Distribution of Less Than One Half Ounce of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); two counts of Possession of Less Than One Half Ounce of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); and two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Smullen was transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters and charged on a summons pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer would like to acknowledge the cooperative efforts of Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team and the Point Pleasant Borough Police Department Detective Bureau in this investigation.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rizjoun Smullen, age 20, of Lakewood
Smullen was arrested and charged with Distribution of Less Than One Half Ounce of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); two counts of Possession of Less Than One Half Ounce of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); and two counts of Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). Smullen was transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters and charged on a summons pending a future court date.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Wednesday, January 13th Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin presented three Hamilton Township School District students with the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service and Scholarships Awards. These students each received a $450 scholarship and were selected by the Tribute Committee based on their dedication to public service and clear commitment to academic excellence.
“While we are not able to gather in person for our Annual Tribute Ceremony this year due to COVID-19, I am happy that we as a Township have still found a way to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and present three deserving Hamilton Township School District students with a scholarship award that both commemorates their dedication to service and sets them up to further their educational careers,” said Mayor Jeff Martin. “I wish Olena, Ryan and Lauren the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. I am proud of the strong spirit of community service we have here in Hamilton”
Lauren McCarthy, one of the 2021 awardees, is a Senior at Steinert High School, maintaining a 4.56 GPA. Lauren participates on the Steinert Lacrosse and Cheerleading Teams. She is a member of the German Club and German Honor Society, Student Government President, Hamilton News, and Key Club. Lauren volunteers in the community through Girl Scouts, and has been awarded Gold Award recipient which is awarded to less than 6% of Girl Scouts. Lauren has also volunteered for the Miracle League of Mercer County, which is a baseball league for children with disabilities, and as a result of her contributions was named the Hamilton YMCA Volunteer of the Year!
“Annually, the Hamilton Township community pauses to remember the life, leadership, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and I have been honored to be a part of that celebration for more than a decade. In addition, I have been humbled to be the keynote speaker twice. It is most fitting that we pause each year to celebrate both the dream and the dreamer. In a world where nightmares seem to be the norm, we need to reflect upon a dream that speaks of light, hope, justice, equality, and equity,” said Dr. Joseph E. Woods, Pastor of Saint Phillips Baptist Church. “Today, I join our beloved mayor, the MLK committee, and the entire community of Hamilton Township to lift up the ministry and model of Dr. King as motivation to cast a vision in our day to empower and position people to overcome injustice and inequity in our world. Much has changed since Dr. King walked this earth, yet much remains the same and more still needs to be done. So as we look back at what Dr. King did in the past, may we all be encouraged to do something different today so that tomorrow will be better for us all.”
The second Scholarship recipient, Olena Mykhaylyshyn is a Senior at Hamilton High School West. With a GPA of 4.89 (second in her class), Olena serves as a Peer Leader, and is a four-year member of the Swim and Tennis Teams. She is a member of the Science League, Spanish Club, HEY Club, CASCADE, a cultural awareness and education club, and Unified Programs. Olena is also an active participant in the Ukrainian Church and the Ukrainian National Home, and volunteers for the Hamilton Rotary Club.
“So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?” said Pastor Lance Walker of Faith Baptist Church. “In that dramatic scene on Calvary’s hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime–the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. This is the kind of extremist we need!”
The third Scholarship Award was given to Ryan Hardiman, a senior at Steinert High School. Ryan is a Senior at Steinert High with a GPA of 4.51, serves as a Peer Leader and is a member of the Varsity football and baseball teams. His community service includes several years of involvement at the CYO Bromley Center community events including Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Part, Easter Egg Hunt, Spring Clean Up Day, Halloween Parade, and volunteering in the food pantry. Ryan works at CYO Yardville as a Summer Camp and Remote Learning Counselor, and a basketball clinician. His teachers describe him as mature, dependable, and a critical thinker.
The Tribute Committee looks forward to honoring Dr. King and additional scholarship recipients in person again in 2022.
Mayor Martin pictured with 2021 MLK Scholarship Award Recipients
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