Day: December 27, 2021

Car Fire Quickly Extinguished on NJ Turnpike

December 27, 2021

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 6:00 p.m. the Robbinsville Township and Bordentown Township Fire Departments were dispatched to the area of mile post 58 south bound for a car fire. Robbinsville firefighters found the car on fire on the right shoulder of the outer lanes at mile post 57.5 on the Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road Bridge. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire with a 1 3/4″ hose line. Firefighters were on scene for a short time until the vehicle was towed from the scene. No further information is available at this time.

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population

December 27, 2021

Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.

Additionally, CDC is updating the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19. For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days. Alternatively, if a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.  For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

Isolation relates to behavior after a confirmed infection. Isolation for 5 days followed by wearing a well-fitting mask will minimize the risk of spreading the virus to others. Quarantine refers to the time following exposure to the virus or close contact with someone known to have COVID-19. Both updates come as the Omicron variant continues to spread throughout the U.S. and reflects the current science on when and for how long a person is maximally infectious.

Data from South Africa and the United Kingdom demonstrate that vaccine effectiveness against infection for two doses of an mRNA vaccine is approximately 35%. A COVID-19 vaccine booster dose restores vaccine effectiveness against infection to 75%. COVID-19 vaccination decreases the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. CDC strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 5 and older and boosters for everyone 16 and older. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our communities.


The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather.” CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky


If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate):

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Stay home for 5 days.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.


If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine):

If you:

Have been boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • Test on day 5, if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.


If you:

Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted
OR
Are unvaccinated

  • Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
  • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
  • Test on day 5 if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home


Coast Guard Rescues 3 Mariners from Grounded Pleasure Craft Near the Entrance of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

December 27, 2021

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – The Coast Guard rescued three mariners from a grounded pleasure craft near the entrance of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on Sunday December 26, 2021.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay command center received a report via VHF channel 16 from the 36-foot pleasure craft Phyllis II stating that the vessel ran aground near the entrance to Little Egg Harbor.

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay dispatched a 29-foot Response Boat Small –II boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Atlantic City to the scene. The boatcrew was unable to approach the Phyllis II due to low tide.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City was launched to the scene. The aircrew hoisted the three mariners and transported them to Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City.

“Situations like this emphasize the importance of using Channel 16 as an effective way to seek help in times of distress,” said Chief Petty Officer Charles Osenbach, the command duty officer in the Sector Delaware Bay command center, “We encourage mariners to be prepared at all times when on the water.”

Plans to salvage the vessel are in progress.



Investigation Leads to Arrest of Trenton Man for Christmas Day Arson That Killed Two People and Left Multiple People Homeless

There have been 39 Homicides recorded so far in Trenton for 2021, in 2020 there were a record 40 homicides listed.

December 27, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported today that an investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Arson Unit and the Trenton Police Department has led to the arrest of a Trenton man responsible for the Christmas Day fire on Rusling Street that killed two people.

Ronal Ordonez-Lima, 28, is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated arson and five counts of arson.  He was charged on Monday and transported to the Mercer County Correction Center.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Ordonez-Lima pending trial.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. on December 25, 2021, Trenton Communications received a 911 call for a fire at 221 Rusling Avenue with people trapped inside.  The Trenton Fire Department arrived on scene and began efforts to extinguish the fire, which spread to five additional houses and multiple vehicles in the immediate vicinity.

There were six occupants of 221 Rusling Street at the time of the fire, four of whom escaped the residence.  Firefighters located two deceased adults on the second floor.  The victims have been identified as Selvin Lima and Dilman Canpos, both adult males.

After reviewing surveillance footage from the area and speaking to witnesses, detectives determined that Ordonez-Lima set fire to the front porch of 221 Rusling Street.

The New Jersey State Fire Marshal and the New Jersey State Police assisted with the investigation.  The Red Cross and the Trenton Department of Community Affairs responded to assist the victims that were displaced.

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



Previous MidJersey.News story here:


Names of 2021* homicide victims: 

  1. 2/18/2021 Jabree Saunders, 26, from shooting on May 14, 2018
  2. 2/22/2021  Khalil Gibbs, 25, of West Windsor, shooting
  3. 2/25/2021  Lovelle Laramore, 60, of Trenton shooting
  4. 4/15/2021  Kaheem Carter, 22, of Trenton, shooting
  5. 4/20/2021  Shaquan McNeil, 25, of Trenton, shooting
  6. 4/24/2021  Cheryl Jones, 65, of Trenton, shooting
  7. 4/29/2021  Ramire Harvey, 25, of Trenton, shooting
  8. 5/15/2021  David Williams 36, of Trenton, shooting
  9. 5/29/2021  Edgar Geovani Sis-Luis, 34, of Trenton, aggravated manslaughter
  10. 7/05/2021  Dion Ellis, 16, Trenton, Shooting
  11. 7/14/2021  Pablo Herrera Chun, 53, Trenton, Shooting
  12. 7/19/2021  William Mitchell, 33, Trenton, Shooting
  13. 7/19/2021  Jermel Carter, 38, Trenton, Shooting
  14. 7/29/2021  Leonard Pettigrew, 58, Trenton, Shooting
  15. 7/30/2021  Shaquil Loftin, 23, Shooting, Trenton
  16. 8/01/2021  Daquan Basnight, 30, of Ewing, Shooting
  17. 8/13/2021  Javier Chaj-Ajtun, 33, of Trenton, Shooting
  18. 8/19/2021  Herberth Ramirez Pimentel, 37, of Trenton, Shooting
  19. 8/23/2021  Yanquai Edwards, 25, of Rancocas, NJ, Shooting
  20. 8/25/2021  Daron Cheston, 18, Trenton, Shooting
  21. 8/27/2021 Ziare Jones, Shooting
  22. 8/30/2021  Fred Davis, 43, Trenton, Shooting
  23. 9/06/2021  Shamiem Young, 26, Trenton, Shooting
  24. 9/17/2021  Jeff Charles, 37, Trenton, Shooting
  25. 9/25/2021  Shemiah Davis, 15, Trenton, Shooting
  26. 10/2/2021  Omar Burgess, 49, of Trenton, Shooting
  27. 10/3/2021  Elias Juarez Lopez, 31, of Princeton, Shooting
  28. 10/4/2021  Candice Ruff, 19, of Trenton, Shooting On September 25
  29. 10/7/2021  Douglas Munn, 50, of Trenton. Shooting
  30. 10/13/2021 Melvin Williams 26, of Trenton, Shooting
  31. 10/29/2021 Edwin Obdulio Gomez Interiano, 41, Shooting
  32. 10/29/2021 Everth Barrera, 56, of Ewing, Shooting
  33. 10/30/2021 Dartanian Ames of Lawrence, 41, Shooting
  34. 11/1/2021  Hector Torres, 43, of Trenton, Shooting on 10/31
  35. 11/17/2021 David Johnson, 39, of Trenton
  36. 12/11/2021 Michael Degrass of Trenton
  37. 12/18/2021Unidentified male, shot Garfield Ave
  38. 12/25/2021 Selvin Lima, Arson
  39. 12/25/2021 Dilman Canpos, Arson

*Updated to reflect the person who died in 2021 from complications from a shooting on May 14, 2018 as per medical examiner report.



Update: Philadelphia Man, 53, Suffers Fatal Injuries in Crash on New Jersey Turnpike

December 27, 2021

UPDATE from New Jersey State Police:

New Jersey State Police Sgt. Philip Curry told MidJersey.news that the crash occurred at 5:29 a.m. on the NJ Turnpike northbound on the outer roadway Mile Post 62.2 in Robbinsville.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a Peterbilt tractor operated by Anthony Davenport, 53, of Philadelphia, PA, traveled off the right side of the road, a drainage ditch, and traveled up an embankment.  Davenport sustained fatal injuries.  The cause of the crash remains under investigation and there is no further information available.

Earlier MidJersey.news story here:

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—Around 5:43 a.m. a Peterbilt tractor-trailer traveling north bound in the outer roadway of the New Jersey Turnpike left the roadway near mile post 62.2 just prior to the Gordon Road overpass. The NJ State Police, Robbinsville Township Fire Department and EMS along with Capital Health Paramedics responded to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment by Robbinsville EMS and Capital Health Paramedics. There were no traffic delays from the accident. The New Jersey State Police are currently on scene and actively investigating the accident.