PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)–After spending the last 17 years underground millions of Brood X (10) periodical cicadas have emerged. The insects make their way to the surface usually after a good rain and soil temperatures about 8″ under the surface hit 64F.
When cicadas come out of the ground they are called a nymph, and they try and find a tree to shed their nymph skins. Once the old skin is shed they spread their wings and change color as an adult cicada. Soon after the cicadas make a loud noise to attract a mate. Females will then lay eggs on a tree then after the eggs hatch the small cicadas drink tree sap and make their way back down the tree and start their life for another 17 years below the surface.
Brood X will emerge in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 6:30 p.m. Ewing Fire Department, Ewing EMS and NJ State Police responded to an accident on I-295 North around mile marker 75.6 for a car vs tractor trailer. Ewing FD arrived on scene and reported minor inquires in the multi-vehicle accident. Ewing Township ambulance arrived on scene and treated patients. It was unknown if anyone was transported to the hospital.
Traffic on I-295 North Bound was backed up for about 3/4 of a mile due to the accident blocking two lanes of traffic. NJ State Police were investigating the accident.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (MERCER)– Firefighters of the Hamilton Township Fire Department quickly knocked down a fire inside of a home Wednesday evening.
The fire occurred around 6:15 in the unit block of Falmouth Road. The caller reported there was fire in the attic. Crews arrived on the scene with smoke showing, and called the “all hands” upon finding active fire.
Flames became visible from the room as multiple hose lines were stretched into service to quickly gain control of the fire. It was placed under control around 6:30 pm.
It appears that there was ongoing construction at the residence at the time of the fire. The cause is unknown.
Hamilton Fire Department gets a quick knock in Falmouth Rd house fire.
CAMDEN, NJ (CAMDEN)–The retired chief of the Bordentown Township Police Department was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for lying to FBI agents who were questioning him about violating an 18-year-old man’s civil rights during an arrest, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Frank M. Nucera Jr., 64, of Bordentown, New Jersey, was convicted in October 2019 of one count of making false statements to FBI agents who were interviewing him about an arrest that occurred on Sept. 1. 2016. Nucera is also charged by indictment with one count of hate crime assault and one count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law; a mistrial was declared on those counts, and he is awaiting retrial.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On Sept. 1, 2016, two Bordentown Township police officers responded to a phone call from the Bordentown Ramada, complaining that two teenagers had stayed in a room at the hotel without paying. The teens were listed in the indictment as “Civilian 1,” an 18-year-old African American teenager, and “Civilian 2,” a 16-year-old African American girl. After the officers arrived and questioned the teenagers, the situation allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation, with both teens attempting to resist arrest. The officers called for backup, and numerous officers, including then-Chief Nucera, arrived on the scene.
After Civilian 1 was handcuffed and was being escorted out of the hotel by police, Nucera allegedly approached him from behind and slammed the teenager’s head into a metal doorjamb. During a video recorded interview by FBI special agents, Nucera falsely stated multiple times that he did not touch Civilian 1 during the arrest.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Nucera to two years of supervised release. He also ordered that Nucera will not begin serving his sentence until the remaining counts are resolved.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges and today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Molly S. Lorber, Attorney in Charge of the Camden Office, and Senior Civil Rights Counsel R. Joseph Gribko.
The remaining two counts of the indictment on which Nucera will be retried are merely accusations, and he remains innocent unless and until proven guilty.
21-234
Defense counsel: Rocco C. Cipparone Jr. Esq., Haddon Heights, New Jersey
Benebone Named Recipient of Habitat BMC’s Annual Corporate Philanthropy Award
May 26, 2021
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer Counties (Habitat BMC) and Benebone are proud to announce a new partnership to help make a greater impact on a local New Jersey community. Through the partnership, Benebone and Habitat BMC will work together to build a new, affordable home for an income-qualified family in Ewing, NJ.
“The missions of Benebone and Habitat BMC align perfectly – just like belly rubs and tail wags,” said Lori Leonard, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer Counties. “Through this new, innovative partnership, we will work together to provide a family with a place of their own to call home, while promoting growth and stability in the Ewing community for generations to come.”
For more than 30 years, Habitat BMC has been offering programs and services for people in need of affordable homeownership opportunities and current homeowners who seek to preserve, repair and improve their homes in Atlantic, Burlington, Mercer and parts of Middlesex counties. Habitat BMC relies on the generosity of its partners – organizations and businesses of varying sizes and different industries and sectors – to build a brighter future through home construction, home improvement/repair, and special event sponsorship.
“Habitat BMC partners, like Benebone, restore hope, help break the cycle of poverty, and ensure that more children are raised in a stable, healthy home environment – a place the family may establish roots and truly thrive,” explained Leonard.
The Ewing neighborhood where the future Habitat BMC/Benebone home is located is very close to the longtime home of Peter and Jim Toolan, the father and son pair behind the company. Founded in 2012, Benebone has enjoyed explosive growth making high quality dog chew toys in the USA.
Benebone’s CEO Peter Toolan said: “At Benebone, there’s more to our story than making great dog toys. Doing good is at the core of our company’s value system. We strive to do right by our customers, employees, business partners and the community. We’re a family business, and there is no more universal family need than that of a home. We’re thrilled to join Habitat for this important cause. And yes, we’re eager to build a doghouse, should the family be so inclined!”
Benebone has previous ties to Habitat for Humanity through Jim, who has been an avid volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley (Habitat Lehigh Valley) in Allentown, PA for a number of years. The Toolan’s previously sponsored a home build for a family in Bethlehem, PA. This new partnership with Habitat BMC will further expand Benebone’s commitment to the communities they serve and willingness to support Habitat for Humanity’s vision of building a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
In recognition of the growing partnership with Benebone, Habitat BMC was proud to name Benebone as the 2021 recipient of the Corporate Philanthropy Award at their annual Building Hope Luncheon in late April. This award recognizes extraordinary partnerships that surpass all expectations, which Benebone has done so through the full house sponsorship for the new home build in Ewing.
“Building homes is a costly undertaking – but finding a partner willing to step-up like this is a rare treasure and worthy of recognition,” said Leonard. “We are honored to kick-off our partnership with the Benebone team in 2021 and honor their willingness to support a hard working family in need. Together, we will bring true meaning to the saying ‘Home is where your dog is.’”
Recently Habitat for Humanity and Hamilton Township welcomed the Tarver Family to their new home in Hamilton Township! Ruthann’s homeownership journey led her to Habitat BMC for financial education courses and our Homeownership Program – and the rest is history!
Congratulations again to the Tarver family on your beautiful new home! In case you missed it, you can view the dedication online here:
Recently Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin hands over the keys to the Tarver Family
BORDENTOWN TWP (BURLINGTON)– The Bordentown Township Police Department and Bordentown City Police Department kicked off a rideshare safety campaign yesterday afternoon.
The campaign was kicked off in conjunction with the WHATSMYNAME Foundation and all the alcohol serving establishments located in both Bordentown City and Township.
On March 29, 2019, Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old senior at the University of South Carolina from Robbinsville, NJ, was kidnapped and murdered after being targeted by a person posing as a rideshare driver. Immediately following this unfathomable tragedy, Samantha’s parents, Seymour and Marci Josephson, set out to educate others on the importance of rideshare safety so that no other family would have to suffer this kind of loss, and the “WHATSMYNAME Foundation was established in honor of their daughter.
Yesterday, Seymour Josephson, father of Samantha, discussed safety measures that rideshare users should take before entering a vehicle.
S.A.M.I.
Stop – Plan ahead. Before you request a ride, think about where you’re headed and review the safety features in the app so you know how to use them.
Ask – Ask your driver, “What’s My Name?” to confirm they have booked a trip with you through the ride sharing app.
Match – Match the make, model, and license plate of the car with the one displayed on the app.
Inform – Share the details of your trip with a friend. Utilize the share status function in your ride sharing app.
In June of 2019, Governor Murphy signed “Sami’s Law” which enhances safety for rideshare passengers by requiring additional identification for drivers.
Signs that display these safety reminders were distributed to all of the City and Town’s alcohol establishments and will be prominently displayed to help promote rideshare safety in the area.
Bordentown Township & City Police kickoff rideshare safety campaign at the Chickie’s and Pete’s on Route 130. Photos from Bordentown Township Police on Facebook.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin welcomed European Wax Center with a Grand Opening Ceremony & Ribbon Cutting on May 14th, 2021.
“We are thrilled to see European Wax Center open in Hamilton Marketplace and are so happy we finally get to celebrate them,” said Mayor Martin. “They make a wonderful addition to Hamilton Marketplace and Hamilton Township as a whole.”
Owners Pat and Kerri McGeehan opened European Wax Center during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. This is their third location in New Jersey, having previously opened locations in Mercer Mall, Lawrence, NJ and Seagirt, NJ. They choose Hamilton Township for the central location. Located in the Hamilton Marketplace, European Wax Center offers various hair removal and waxing services for both men and women.
Visit https://www.hamiltonnj.com/EconomicDevelopmentto learn of the new businesses that have recently opened or have relocated to Hamilton and read up on why Hamilton is a great place for businesses to call home!
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–New Jersey State Police Seeking Public’s Assistance with Locating Missing 13-year-old Girl The New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit and State Police Hamilton Station are seeking the public’s assistance with locating Natalee Perez, 13, of Millstone, N.J. Natalee is described as a light-skinned Hispanic female, 5’4”, 180 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing an orange shirt, blue jeans, black jacket, and a pair of black Adidas sneakers. Natalee was last seen on Saturday, May 22, at her residence and is believed to be in the North Philadelphia area. Anyone with information is asked to call the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at (609) 882-2000, ext. 2554 or NJSP Hamilton Station at 609-584-5000 ext. 5287.
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