HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–In a show of support, firefighters from all around the area turned out to honor Past Fire Chief Skip Kontura of Hamilton Township Hose Company Station 15, who is battling cancer.
A little bit about Skip Kontura and his involvement in the fire service:
Ferdinand “Skip” Kontura was elected fire chief of the DeCou Hose Company in Hamilton Township at the age of 26 and was the youngest fire chief ever elected at the time.
Skip joined the fire company in June of 1954 as a junior member when he was 17 years old and two years later graduated Hamilton High West in 1956. He attended Menterey Peninsula College in California and studied courses in fire hydraulics, aircraft crash, fire and rescue techniques (CFR – currently called airport rescue firefighter) and fire protection equipment and systems. In NJ he took classes at the Mercer County Fire School, NJ State Fire College, National Fire Academy and an officer training school.
Skip remained fire chief for many years and took a special interest in fire hydraulics and equipment design. He ran many training drills involving water supply and large diameter hose.
In the July 1975 flood and Trenton Waterworks was flooded and out of service, Skip was involved in setting up a relay of pumpers to connect other surrounding water systems to Trenton with water. Water was pumped from Hamilton Township to Trenton and also Princeton to Trenton using fire apparatus. Since the water crisis of 1975 backup was installed between different local water systems, if one system is down an emergency valve can be opened to allow water to flow into the system, in 1975 no such emergency backup existed.
Skip also key in running a “Pump-A-Thon” where a 15 mile relay of fire apparatus was used to set up a water supply at the Trenton Speedway. The Pump-A-Thon was to raise money for the Burn Center.
The first piece of apparatus in the parade was Special Services 15 one of the many fire trucks Skip helped design.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)– A person was found dead in the Delaware River early Tuesday afternoon in a possible accidental drowning. Rescue crews were dispatched to Arm & Hammer Park, 1 Thunder Road, around 2:00 pm on a reported person in the water. The victim was quickly pulled from the water and pronounced dead on the scene.
Detective Lieutenant Peter Szpakowski of the Trenton Police Department told MidJersey.News that an off-duty Trenton Firefighter, Akyse Watkins, was in the area and flagged down by a concerned citizen. The off-duty Firefighter jumped into the river, retrieved the body, and swam back to the shoreline. While on shore, off-duty firefighter Akyse Watkins began CPR until EMS and Trenton Fire Department arrived on scene.
Trenton Fire Department and EMS along with Capital Health Paramedics, Trenton Police, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and Mercer County Prosecutors Office responded to the scene.
Detective Brian Jones is conducting the investigation, Detective Lieutenant Szpakowski said.
Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., McCorristin Campus, Home of the Iron Mikes is pleased and proud to announce the hiring of Marty Flynn as its new athletic director. Flynn will assume his duties at TCPA Immediately.
In looking for an athletic director, the Board of Trustees of Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., felt it was important to bring in the best, most well-respected and experienced interscholastic athletic director to run the school’s sports program. Marty Flynn is a devoted and passionate alum who has a proven track record of exceptional leadership, expert vision, positive energy and a steadfast commitment to developing and boosting the Iron Mikes tradition of excellence.
In a distinguished career spanning over 40 years, Flynn has commanded multiple athletic and administrative roles including Director of Health, Recreation, Senior and Veterans Services for the Township of Hamilton, NJ, District Director of Athletics, K-12 in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District, Princeton Junction, NJ, Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Health and Physical Education Graduate School and an Instructor in the Athletic Administration Master’s Program at The College of New Jersey, Hillwood Lakes, NJ, Director of Athletics, Nottingham High School, Hamilton, NJ and a Teacher/Varsity Baseball Coach, Hamilton High School West, Trenton, NJ.
Marty Flynn’s top career honors include Trenton Catholic Alumni Making a Difference Award, Directors of Athletic Association of New Jersey, Hall of Fame, New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association, Hall of Fame, Hamilton High West, Hall of Fame, NJ Baseball Coaches Association, Hall of Fame, 50 Golden Iron Mikes, Rev. Clarence O’Shea Gold Wave Club Award and Mercer County CYO Man of the Year.
“I am very grateful to the Board of Trustees for giving me the opportunity to be part of the leadership team at the “New” Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy. The Board’s Herculean efforts to keep TCPA true to our founder Monsignor Michael McCorristin’s mission to provide a Catholic education to those who want one has been truly amazing. As a proud Alum I want to thank them! This all volunteer Board has assured me they are committed to maintaining the excellent athletic tradition established in 1962! I am personally committed to an education based interscholastic athletic program second to none that remains faithful to the mission and core values of our founder. This can only be achieved by a team approach including student/athletes, parents and staff. Onward and upward, Go Mikes!,” said Marty Flynn.
Adept and committed, Flynn brings to TCPA a diverse range of leadership and administrative abilities and skills that he mastered during his esteemed career working as Director of Athletics, K-12 in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District. While at the district he was responsible for all aspects of the High School and Middle School athletic programs, supervision and evaluation of four building athletic coordinators, all coaching staff, professional development of all athletic staff, liaison to all athletic booster clubs, development and update of District Coaches Handbook, District Student/Parent Handbook for both High and Middle School levels. He was also a member of the District Administrative Council with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Principles and District Directors.
Flynn, a proud alum of St. Anthony High School class of ’69 has also earned his Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Science in Education, Principal Administrator’s Certificate and an additional thirty graduate credits from Trenton State College, Hillwood Lakes, NJ. Flynn has also further his education by accomplishing an additional five Leadership Training Courses through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. His certifications include the New Jersey Certificate in Health and Physical Education (K through 12) – Lifetime, New Jersey State Principal’s Certificate, New Jersey State Secondary Administrator Certificate and Certified Athletic Administrator NIAAA.
Flynn is well versed and immersed in all areas of education and athletics and has been involved at many levels including Executive Board Member, Chair of Eligibility and Appeals Committee, Girls Soccer and Girls Basketball Sectional Representative and Boys Ice Hockey and Baseball State Committees at the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association, Two Term President, Treasurer, Scheduler, Ice Hockey and Cheerleading Tournament Host for the Colonial Valley Conference and Vice President, Treasurer, Ice Hockey Tournament and Swimming Tournament Host for the Mercer County Tournament Association.
About Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc.
Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., a Pre-K through 12th school, at McCorristin Campus and Home of the Iron Mikes, has been leading the way since 1962 with outstanding academics, STEM education, athletics, 100% graduation rate, championship “Iron Mikes” sports teams and providing a safe home where every student can strive and succeed.
Enrollment & Registration Open Now!
Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy, Inc., at McCorristin Campus, Home of the Iron Mikes. Enrollment and Registration 2021-2022. Open Now! Outstanding Quality Pre-K through 12 Education. Please contact the Upper School at (609) 586-3705 or the Lower School at (609) 586-5888
Leading the way since 1962 with outstanding academics, STEM education, athletics, 100% graduation rate, championship “Iron Mikes” sports teams and providing a safe home where every student can strive and succeed.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–West Windsor Police say that on Sunday June 13, 2021 at 9:02 p.m., Patrol Units were detailed to the Mercer County Park West Picnic Area (Pedestrian Trail) on a Knifepoint Robbery that had just occurred involving (2) Victims and (3) Suspects.
West Windsor Police said the initial investigation revealed the following: The Victims had been walking along the Pedestrian Trail approx. 1/4 mile from the West Picnic area when they were confronted by the Suspects listed above. Suspect #1 pressed a pocket style knife to Victim #1’s abdominal area while Suspect #2 placed a pocket style knife to the side of Victim #2’s neck. The Suspects demanded the Victims’ wallets or there would they would be hurt. The Victims complied with the demands and the Suspects fled the area on foot in an unknown direction. A canvas of the area by Patrol Units and Detectives yielded negative results for the actors.
The WWPD Detective Bureau is conducting a thorough follow up Investigation led by Det. Sgt. Lai and is seeking any leads, witnesses, or those who may have any pertinent information in identifying these characters. Please contact Det. Sgt. Lai at (609) 799-1222 or our Anonymous Tip Line at (609) 799-0452, or Lai@westwindsorpolice.com.
Suspects:
#1) Black male, mid to late 20’s, approx. 6′ tall, a “little fat”, wearing a black or blue baseball hat, black hooded sweatshirt with hood pulled over, dark colored shorts, and a black cloth mask.
#2) White male, mid to late 20’s, approx. 6′ tall, thin build, with short brown beard, wearing a tan shirt, gray pants, gold chain, black shoes, possibly had blue eyes.
#3) Black male, mid to late 20’s, approx. 5′ 05″ to 5′ 07″, thin build, tattoos on neck, tattoos of roses on forearm, wearing blue or black shirt, jeans and red colored shoes.
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