TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri told MidJersey.news that there was a shooting in the 200 Block of Hewitt Street, one pronounced deceased, two others were wounded. Onofri stated it appears to be a home invasion.
Trenton Police, Trenton EMS, Mercer County Paramedics and Trenton Fire all responded to the 200 Block of Hewitt Street around 7:15 p.m. It was reported that one of the victims was transported in a private vehicle to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Two others were also injured in the shooting also arrived by private vehicles to St. Francis Medical Center and one was pronounced dead.
This is a developing story check please check back for updates when additional details are released.
Names of the 2022 homicide victims in the City of Trenton:
Murphy Administration Partners with Legislature on Bill to Waive Fee for Filing Name Change Orders with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury
November 16, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 311, exempting all name change orders filed with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury after 1948 from the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”) and requiring Treasury to treat all such name change orders as confidential. The Executive Order signed today, during Transgender Awareness Week, furthers the Governor’s commitment to supporting and protecting the LGBTQIA+ community.
“A person’s name change can be a critical step in gender transition or affirmation of their gender identity, but many who wish to change their name have legitimate safety and privacy concerns with maintaining legal records of their name change,” said Governor Murphy. “I am proud to sign an executive order today, during Transgender Awareness Week, that will help protect privacy, and support New Jerseyans who wish to change their names without fear for their safety.”
In addition to signing Executive Order No. 311, Governor Murphy has partnered with members of the Legislature to reduce additional barriers to changing one’s name. Currently, after securing a name change order from the court, a person is required to file the order with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services in Treasury and pay a $50 fee. This week, the Legislature introduced a bill (S3332/A4888) to waive the fee. Primary sponsors of the bill include Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.
“I am also proud to work with our Legislative partners to reduce financial impediments to changing one’s name,” continued Governor Murphy. “In our state, we are committed to ensuring that affordability does not pose an obstacle to someone’s desire to express their identity . We will continue to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey where every individual is given the right to live their truth openly and freely.”
“With transgender rights coming under fire around the country, New Jersey continues to lead the way in protecting and supporting all members of the LGBTQIA community,” said Senator Joe Vitale, Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. “Today’s executive order, coupled with the legislation we’ve introduced, will ease safety concerns and remove financial barriers for those seeking to change their name.”
“There are many reasons why people choose to change their names. For members of the transgender community, the decision to change one’s name is often empowering and identity affirming, but the process of legally doing so can be burdensome,” said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. “This legislation will allow us to eliminate a financial barrier that currently stands in the way of New Jersey residents planning to change their names. No matter the reasoning behind a resident’s decision, all New Jerseyans deserve the opportunity to embrace who they are and live authentically.”
In 2021, the New Jersey Supreme Court amended its rules to exclude all records in name change actions from public access. EO 311 will align Treasury’s practice with that of the Judiciary. Although EO 311 directs that name change orders be kept confidential, there are exceptions for when the requestor is the person who changed their name, their parent or guardian (when that person is a minor), or where good cause is otherwise shown.
“Legal name changes are critical in the gender affirmation process,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “We applaud Governor Murphy for taking this step to ensure someone’s personal journey is kept confidential and can no longer be accessed by any member of the public. New Jersey continues to lead the nation on LGBTQ equality by being one of the first states to implement this protective measure.”
“We at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice applaud our dear friend & stalwart ally Governor Murphy as he takes this direct action to recognize & respect our transgender/nonbinary/gender non-conforming community members,” said Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice Chief Activist Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber. “The dual difficulties of financial consideration & the need for anonymity are often obstacles to our queer folx asserting who they are & who they have always been. Eradicating these barriers is an impactful step to allow all to continue an important personal journey & especially meaningful during Transgender Awareness Week which celebrates how far we have come but also absolutely recognizes how far we have yet to go.”
“With the ever rising acts of violence against people who are gender diverse, it is critical to protect the identify of those who have changed their name as part of their transition. We commend the Governor’s commitment to help ensure the safety and well-being of the transgender and gender diverse communities” said Laurie Litt, Chief Executive Officer of EDGE NJ.
“It is important to address a person who identifies as a certain gender by the name they have chosen, whether or not they have taken hormones or had surgery, they should be referred to by the name of the gender they identify as without pushback,” said LGBT RAIN Foundation Executive Director Elaine Helms. “I am pleased that Governor Murphy has put in place an EO to ensure those who seek name changes will be kept confidential. This is a much needed safety precaution for the LGBTQ+IA community. Thank you, Governor Murphy, for your continuous support to make this a safe state for every human being.”
NEWARK, N.J. – The former administrative manager of a carpenters’ union pension fund was sentenced today to six months of home confinement and three years of probation for embezzling approximately $140,000 and making false statements on a required report to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
George R. Laufenberg, 72, of Wall Township, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin R. McNulty to two counts of an indictment charging him with embezzling approximately $140,000 in pension benefits and making false statements to the DOL. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Laufenberg was the administrative manager of the Northeast Carpenters Pension Fund, which was subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Laufenberg was a fiduciary and participant in the pension fund. He admitted stealing $140,000 that was paid to him under a deferred compensation agreement to which he was not entitled. Laufenberg also admitted that he made false statements in a form required under ERISA that he filed to the Department of Labor on behalf of the pension fund.
In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty fined Laufenberg $20,000 and debarred him from any future association with a union or benefit plan.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DOL Employee Benefit Security Administration, under the supervision of Thomas Licetti, Regional Director; special agents of the DOL Office of the Inspector General, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone; and agents of the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, under the supervision of Inspector General John Gay, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall R. Randolph of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.
22-423
Defense counsel: Peter W. Till Esq., Springfield Township, New Jersey
Kellen Joseph Bischoff age 19 of Manahawkin, NJ died Saturday November 12, 2022. Kellen was a lifelong resident of Manahawkin and graduate from Southern Regional High School class of 2022. A member of the National Honor Society and the Southern Regional Rams wrestling team, his fun-loving personality was infectious and left an impression on all who knew him. Kellen recently started to follow his passion for music with Full Sail University and the sound of his drums could be heard echoing across the winds of Ocean Acres. Continue to pound those skins our mighty Irish warrior and we will be listening and we will hear you.
He is survived by his parents Patty (nee: Flanagan) and Mike Bischoff of Manahawkin, beloved twin brother Nathaniel & little sister Raegan, and his dogs Sullivan and Finnegan. Also, surviving are his cherished aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial gathering will take place on Sunday, November 20, 2022 from 2pm to 6pm with a blessing service, 6pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.
Hello my name is Julian Contreras along with Alex Rietmann, Nick Anastasatos, and Estrella Vasquez Morales. Kellen was the drummer in our band Hellfire and was a dear friend of all of ours. He was very dedicated and passionate about music and our band. Due to his unfortunate and tragic passing we have set up this go fund me to help the bischoff family for any expenses such as the funeral.
BERKS COUNTY, PA–On Saturday, November 12, 2022, at approximately 8:41 a.m., the Exeter Township Police Department responded to the Total Recycling Facility, 1270 Lincoln Rd, Birdsboro PA 19508 after a deceased male was found among trash recyclables that had been dropped off by a trash hauler.
The Berks County District Attorney Detectives responded to this location to assist with this investigation. A description of the deceased male, including several unique tattoos, was disseminated to Berks County law enforcement agencies in an effort to help identify the victim. Based upon these descriptors, the Kutztown Borough Police Department recognized these identifiers to be a subject who had recently been reported missing to their agency. The victim was identified as Kellen J. Bischoff, 19 years of age, from Manahawkin, New Jersey.
Detectives from Exeter Township Police Department and Berks County District Attorney Detectives met with officials from both the Kutztown Borough Police Department and Kutztown University Police. They learned that the victim had been visiting a family member in Kutztown Borough and he was last seen in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 12th, after leaving an off-campus house party.
As a result of the aforementioned information, investigators began to track the movement of the victim. Recovered surveillance footage showed the victim, who was alone, climbing into a dumpster located to the rear of the Dollar Tree, 45 Constitution Boulevard, Kutztown, PA. Several hours later, a trash hauler was observed arriving at this location. The contents of this dumpster were then emptied and compressed into the rear of the recycling truck and transported to the Total Recycling Facility, where the victim’s body was later discovered.
On Monday, November 14, 2022, an autopsy was performed on the victim at the Tower Health Reading Hospital. No signs of foul play or unexplained injuries were observed to the victim. The victim’s injuries were consistent with having been dumped into and later compressed by the trash truck. Toxicology results are pending.
The investigation is continuing. To date, no evidence of foul play has been uncovered and the victim’s death appears to be accidental.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Yesterday, November 15, the Fish and Game Council voted to approve emergency regulations amending the Game Code and adopting a new Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan (CBBMP) to control the black bear population and reduce the threat of dangerous encounters between bears and humans through regulated hunting and non-lethal management measures.
Following the Council’s vote, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved the new CBBMP and agreed with the Council’s finding that a hunt is necessary this December to protect the safety of New Jersey residents. Governor Murphy then concurred with the Council’s finding and signed Executive Order No. 310, which rescinds a prior executive order (No. 34) from 2018 instructing the Commissioner to take action to protect black bears on State-owned land.
In accordance with Executive Order No. 310, the Commissioner then rescinded the Department’s own prior Administrative Order (No. 2018-24), which prohibited the hunting of black bears on all State-owned land.
“The facts on the ground have shown that we cannot rely on nonlethal methods alone to protect New Jersey residents from a growing black bear population,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s actions will facilitate the reinstatement of a regulated black bear hunt this year to help limit dangerous interactions between people and bears to protect public safety.”
This action is being taken in response to an increase in the black bear population and a rise in black bear incidents of 237% from January through October this year as compared to the same time period in 2021. These incidents include 62 aggressive encounters with humans, 89 instances of property damage, and attacks on both livestock and pets.
Season Dates: December 5 -10, 2022 (Segment B), Shotgun/Muzzleloader ONLY
Hunting Hours: Legal hunting hours for black bears shall be ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
Season Bag limit is one bearover 75 pounds live weight, or 50 pounds dressed, per hunter, regardless of the number of permits the hunter holds.
Season Changes: Following the start of the black bear season, the Assistant Commissioner of NJDEP Fish and Wildlife may announce closure of the entire season or extension of Segment B of the season based upon harvest data.
If the cumulative harvest rate reaches 30% of bears tagged in 2022 the season will be closed. In the event of a season closure, notification will be on our website and via the NJ Hunting E-mail list. A season closure, if announced, will become effective 24 hours from the daily legal closing time of the day on which the decision is made.
If the harvest rate does not reach 20% during this period, the hunt will be extended to Wednesday, December 14th through Saturday, December 17th, 2022. Hunting regulations for the season extension will be the same as those during the regular part of Segment B. Only those permit holders with a valid permit(s) for Segment B who did not harvest a bear during the regular part of Segment B may hunt during the Segment B extension. The notification number for season closure will be announced by news release, radio and Fish and Wildlife’s website NJFishandWildlife.com.
PRINCETON, NJ (MERCER)—Princeton Police Department reports that on Tuesday November 8, 2022, at 1:52 p.m., a 2019 Hyundai Kona driven by Elmer Hsu was traveling east in the eastbound lane of Princeton-Kingston Road. Hsu swerved to the right out of the eastbound lane and struck a tree located near the corner of Princeton-Kingston Road and Riverside Drive. Hsu was transported to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, NJ for treatment. On Sunday November 13, 2022, Hsu succumbed to his injuries.
The Police Department is requesting that anybody who witnessed the crash contact Sgt. Michael Strobel at (609) 921-2100 extension 1815.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Further information will be provided when new information becomes available.
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Jackson Police reported that on November 8, 2022 Detective Purtell was in the area of the Jackson Premium Outlets following up on an unrelated investigation while also working a plain clothed detail to combat the rise in shoplifting that the outlets are experiencing. Det. Purtell was advised by police dispatch that several stores within the outlet mall called to report two males attempting to pass counterfeit US currency. After canvassing the area, Det. Purtell was able to locate one of the suspects with the assistance of the description forwarded by dispatch.
While approaching the male suspect, said suspect became aware of his presence. Det. Purtell displayed his badge and identified himself as a Jackson Police Officer. The suspect froze and became hesitant to which Det. Purtell again identified himself and advised him that he needed to speak with him.
It was at this time the suspect dropped the bags he was carrying and began running away from Det. Purtell. A foot pursuit ensued and Det. Purtell kept ordering the suspect to stop. While pursuing the suspect, he was observed reaching into his pockets and pulling out several bills that appeared to be US currency. The suspect was observed ripping up the bills and throwing them to the ground during the pursuit. It appeared to Det. Purtell that the suspect was attempting to destroy evidence and distance himself from the counterfeit US currency.
After pursuing the suspect for approximately one quarter of a mile through the parking lot area, Det. Purtell was able to corner the suspect in a location that he would not be able to escape. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. During the search of his person, Det. Purtell recovered several one-hundred dollar bills. Det. Purtell was able to immediately determine that the bills were counterfeit as well due to their texture and color upon inspection. All of the bills also possessed the same serial number. Said bills were confirmed to be counterfeit during the course of the investigation once at headquarters. In total the suspect had in his possession just over $1000 in counterfeit bills, some which was utilized to make fraudulent purchases.
Jeremy Hardy, age 26 of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was charged with the following:
• (5) Five counts of Possession of Counterfeit Bills
• Destruction of Evidence
• Obstruction
• Hindering Apprehension
Hardy was subsequently lodged at Ocean County Jail in lieu of his charges. Secret Service was also advised of the counterfeiting incident. The second suspect was never located or identified.
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.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–State Farm and the Roc Solid Foundation recently teamed up to provide a donated playset for Charlotte Craven, a 3-year-old girl in Ewing undergoing treatment for High Risk B-Cell ALL. Donated playsets help bring normalcy to children undergoing cancer treatments and provide a safe place for them to play and forgot about their illness, hospital visits and treatments. Additionally, although many children have access to public playgrounds, it’s often difficult for kids with comprised immune systems to play in public settings, especially during Covid.
After the Craven family received their playset pieces, State Farm learned they needed help building the structure. Local State Farm agents and Ewing police officers recently showed up at the Craven’s house – on Charlotte’s 3rd birthday – to build the playset and help Charlotte begin creating many, happy memories in her backyard. The playset build was a surprise for Charlotte and her younger sister, Ella.
“It was exciting to watch Charlotte see the playset for the first time in her backyard,” says State Farm Agent Lenny LoPresti. “This family is already going through a lot, so it was comforting to know we were able to help them with this project. We are also extremely grateful to the Ewing Police Department who showed up with relatively short notice.”
“When Charlotte woke up the morning after the build, the first thing she did was look outside and say, ‘Oh good! My playset is still there!,’” adds Charlotte’s mother, Alison.
The Roc Solid Foundation mission is to build hope for kids fighting cancer. The playset program is designed for kids ages 1 – 9 who are in active treatment for pediatric cancer.
About Roc Solid: Roc Solid Foundation builds hope for kids fighting cancer through the power of play. The organization is best known for its two major initiatives: surprising kids with brand new play sets and providing Roc Solid Ready Bags to families when they first hear the devastating news that their child has cancer. The organization has constructed more than 500 play sets across the country through partnerships with children’s hospitals – including those in New Jersey.
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Sgt. Alejandro Goez from the New Jersey State Police, Public Information Unit told MidJersey.News that an accident was reported at 10:20 p.m., on I-295 south bound at mile post 39.2 in Mount Laurel, Burlington County.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a Mercedes Benz E320 was stopped in the right shoulder and a Nissan Altima was traveling south. In the area of MP 39.2, the Altima entered the right shoulder and struck the Mercedes Benz as the driver was exiting the parked vehicle. The driver, William Scully, 49, of Stratford, NJ was transported to Jefferson memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The driver of the Altima, a 19-year-old male of Sicklerville, NJ sustained minor injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the New Jersey State Police.
MidJersey.News 
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