MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer today announced an ongoing investigation after several residential properties were spray-painted with swastikas and a suspicious house fire ignited in Manchester Township in a suspected bias incident on Tuesday.
The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit, Arson Squad, and Bias Crime Units, and the Manchester Township Police Department are working cooperatively on the joint investigation into that incident. One suspect has been taken into custody. That individual’s name is not being released at this time.
Random acts of hate designed to instill fear and to violate New Jerseyans’ sense of security and belonging, solely based on who they are and what they believe in, will be dealt with swiftly and harshly by law enforcement. Those who feel entitled to trample on their neighbors’ rights to live in peace and exercise their constitutional freedoms will not find a safe haven in New Jersey.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are collaborating in the ongoing investigation into these crimes, which resulted in several instances of vandalism and property damage around Manchester Township. We want to express our gratitude to the diligent and dedicated staff of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Manchester Township Police Department, who are working hard to resolve this case.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–The New Jersey Forrest Fire Service reports that the Glory Wildfire – East Commodore Blvd – Jackson Twp, Ocean County At 3:00 pm Wed, June 7, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reached 100% containment of a 82-acre wildland-urban interface wildfire in the area of E Commodore Blvd and Cedar Swamp Rd in Jackson Twp.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Officer and the Robbinsville Police Department confirmed on June 7, 2023, that Rachel Glatt, 52, of East Windsor, has been charged with DUI After the Fact in the April 22, 2023, hit-and-run accident that injured Robbinsville Township Police Officer Connor Boyle and a motorist near Voelbel Road on Route 130.
“(Glatt) was charged with DUI as it related to this incident and the matter is being further investigated and reviewed for all appropriate charges to be presented to the grand jury,” a MCPO official confirmed.
According to the original RTPD press release, Glatt was criminally charged with 2nd Degree Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and 4th Degree Assault by Auto. In addition, Glatt was charged with:
* Reckless Driving
* Careless Driving
* Failure to maintain a lane
* Failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle
* Failure to report a motor vehicle crash and …
* Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving personal injury
Glatt allegedly veered into the emergency lane/shoulder on the southbound side of Route 130, struck Officer Boyle and another man as well as his vehicle with her 2020 Volkswagen Passat and then fled the scene. Robbinsville Police detectives quickly located the vehicle at Ms. Glatt’s East Windsor residence.
Officer Boyle is still recovering from his injuries, but is expected to make a full and complete recovery.
Robbinsville Township Police Officer Connor Boyle
New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2
Procedure for motorist approaching certain stationary vehicle.
1. a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying a flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue light or, any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is displaying a flashing amber light, a stationary highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle that is operated by the State, an authority or a county or municipality and displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights, or a stationary sanitation vehicle displaying a flashing amber warning light pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle, or sanitation vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
c. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Wildfire smoke continues to blanket the region causing unhealthy air and apocalyptic skies. Earlier this morning there was a light haze and by midafternoon heavier plumes of wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada decreased visability and created orange skies. Several schools reportedly held children indoors for recess and the New Jersey State Government closed early for the day due to the increasing smoke condition in the area. The public library in South Brunswick closed early due to the smoke.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has declared an Air Quality Action Day for Particulate Matter for Wednesday, June 7. Levels of fine particulates will rise into the unhealthy range for sensitive groups statewide today and potentially extend into the evening hours due to wildfire smoke transport from the Canadian wildfires. Governor Phil Murphy released the following statement in response to today’s air quality in New Jersey:
“My team is in close coordination with the State Department of Environmental Protection as we vigilantly monitor the effects of the Canadian wildfires on air quality in our state. As conditions worsen statewide, I strongly urge all sensitive individuals – including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young – to stay safe and limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors today. Make no mistake, from the wildfires in Canada to those cropping up with increasing frequency and severity in our own backyard, these extreme weather events are tangible – and devastating – evidence of the intensifying climate crisis. As the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service works tirelessly to protect our residents and properties across the state, we will continue to do our own part by pursuing the bold action our climate reality demands.” — Govenor Phil Murphy
ALERT – Township Offices CLOSED Thursday Due to the Hazardous Air Quality
All South Brunswick Township Offices will be closed on Thursday due to the poor air quality from the smoke in our region. The National Weather Service anticipates the air quality will be very poor due to the smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada. It is recommended that you limit time and any exertion outdoors.
CLOSED Thursday, June 8, 2023
Township Municipal Building
South Brunswick Municipal Court
South Brunswick Senior Center
South Brunswick Recreation Center’
South Brunswick Library
The South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the ongoing situation with our county and state partners. Preliminary indications are that weather conditions will improve on Friday which will allow the smoke to clear our area.
ALL South Brunswick Township Municipal Building CLOSED Thursday Due to Poor Air Quality https://t.co/VFIN8Rve7L
The New Jersey Turnpike in the area of Mile Post 63 in Robbinsville, NJ just north of Exit 7A
Hamilton Marketplace
Route 33 in Robbinsville tonight at dusk.
South Brunswick Police reported:
We continue to monitor the impact of the Canadian wildfires on our community. We anticipate the smoke to impact us for the next day. Here are some safety guidelines –
Sensitive populations (which includes the elderly, infants and young children, people with lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or chronic bronchitis) should remain indoors
Individuals with asthma: Poor air quality may trigger asthma attacks. Individuals with respiratory diseases: Follow the physician’s recommendations and respiratory management plan.
People in general should avoid strenuous activities and limit the amount of time they are active outdoors.
The most effective way to prevent breathing harmful particles from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
If an air conditioner is available, run it while keeping the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.
Do not vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home.
Do not smoke tobacco or other products, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.
Do not rely on dust masks for protection. Paper “comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. /
UPDATE: State offices are CLOSING today at 3:30 p.m. due to worsening air quality conditions.
Air quality will be very poor today due to the smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada. It is recommend to limit time and any exertion outdoors. Wearing a mask may help limit irritation of the respiratory system if you must spend time outdoors today. #PAwx#NJwx#DEwx#MDwxpic.twitter.com/A4EgSHFbL3
Even thicker smoke and resulting poor air quality ('very unhealthy' levels on the air quality index) is quickly pushing southward and will expand across the rest of our area this afternoon & evening. Check out these tips from https://t.co/feYMPwR7XC: https://t.co/41TUgKGpKQpic.twitter.com/eMecj2MRis
Heavy smoke blankets New Jersey this afternoon and evening. Heavy smoke in the area of the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 7A in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
Around 1:30 p.m., about the time these photos were taken McGuire Airforce Base – KWRI METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports) data indicated 5-miles of visibility with broken clouds. An hour and half later the visibility dropped to below 3 miles visibility with haze. Visibility continues to decline as a heavy plume of smoke blankets the region.
At 4:00 p.m. the time of this report the McGuire Airforce Base was reporting 1.5 miles of visibility.
At 4:00 p.m. Trenton Mercer Airport KTTN METAR data is reporting 3/4-mile visibility with overcast skies.
At 4:00 p.m. KEWR Newark Liberty International Airport is reporting 1/2-mile visibility, smoke and haze.
At 4:00 p.m. KBLM Farmingdale Airport is reporting one mile visibility and haze.
At 4:00 p.m. KPHL Philidelphia International Airport reporting 2-mile visibility with smoke and haze.
Yesterday’s MidJersey.news story on the hazy, smoky skies:
❗ Today is a Code Red Air Quality Action Day across Pennsylvania. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is contributing to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air. pic.twitter.com/8WrgdjIk5l
— PA Department of Environmental Protection (@PennsylvaniaDEP) June 7, 2023
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
349 PM EDT Wed Jun 7 2023
ANZ450-451-080200-
/O.EXT.KPHI.MS.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-230608T0200Z/
Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Manasquan Inlet NJ out 20 nm-
Coastal waters from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet NJ out
20 nm-
349 PM EDT Wed Jun 7 2023
...DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...Dense smoke will reduce visibility to 1 NM or less.
* WHERE...Coastal waters from Sandy Hook to Little Egg Inlet NJ
out 20 nm.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Low visibility will make navigation difficult.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The Air Quality Index for Wednesday for
New Jersey is code level RED...which is unhealthy for sensitive
groups...and means groups may experience health problems due to
air pollution.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If you must navigate, proceed with caution. Use proper fog
signals. Make sure all running lights are on. Remember to use
your radar and compass.
Recovery Centers of America (RCA), a healthcare network of substance use disorder treatment facilities on the East Coast and in the Midwest, today celebrates the month of June as “Rebuild Your Life Month,” offering tips to allow those in recovery to successfully rebuild their lives and find purpose after addiction.
In 2020, the most recent year in which data was collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 40.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 14.5% of people in the U.S.) had a substance use disorder (SUD), including 28.3 million who had alcohol use disorder (AUD), 18.4 million who had an illicit drug use disorder, and 6.5 million people who had both AUD and an illicit drug use disorder.
Addiction can take a toll on every aspect of a person’s life, damaging relationships, hindering career prospects, causing financial and legal problems, and impacting physical, emotional and mental health. Drugs and alcohol rewire the brain in ways that make quitting difficult.
“Evidence-based treatment centers represent an important first step in recovery for so many people as they begin their life after active addiction,” said RCA Chief Executive Officer J. Brian O’Neill. “Effective treatment means not only caring for patients when they are in treatment, but setting them up with the tools for lifetime success. Recovery Centers of America is excited to highlight that effort throughout the month of June.”
Now is a perfect time for those beginning recovery to reflect on the challenges they’ve faced as well as the opportunities ahead. It’s a time to find purpose and meaning in life – essential elements of fulfillment. Data suggests we all likely know someone with an SUD or AUD. Here are some tips that may help them find their purpose and maintain their hard-won sobriety:
Set goals: Setting goals can help you focus on what you want to achieve in your new life in recovery. These can be small goals, such as attending a meeting every week or exercising regularly, or bigger goals, like going back to school or starting a new career.
Explore passions: Addiction can dominate life, leaving little room for hobbies or passions. Now is the time to explore what you truly enjoy doing. Consider taking up a new hobby or revisiting an old one.
Build a support system: It’s essential to have a strong support system in place as you navigate your recovery. This can include family, friends and 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, which provide a sense of community and understanding as you connect with others who have gone through similar experiences.
Practice gratitude: It’s vital to be grateful for what you have in life, no matter how small. This minimal but important mindset change can help you find meaning and purpose in your life.
Focus on the present: Addiction can make you focus on the past or worry about the future. It’s important to focus on the present moment and appreciate what you have.
Seek professional help: Professional help provides a safe space and necessary tools to address the underlying issues that led to addiction in the first place. It can also help you develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress, triggers and other challenges with addiction recovery.
Consider family therapy: In addition to individual therapy, family therapy can be beneficial for mending ties and rebuilding relationships that may have been damaged during the addiction. Remember, your loved ones can be an important source of motivation and purpose as you continue your recovery journey.
Leave old friends and activities behind: This is a hard one, but people, places and activities that were part of your past life can trigger your desire to return to substance use. It’s best to avoid them altogether and instead seek new friendships with people who support your sobriety and understand your journey.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle: Establish a healthy routine that prioritizes self-care and healthy habits. This includes regular exercise, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and staying sober. It’s also important to find healthy ways to cope with stress and emotions, such as mindfulness meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises.
Recovery won’t happen overnight and there may be setbacks. However, with a strong support system, a positive outlook, and a willingness to explore new possibilities, people with SUDs can lead deeply fulfilling lives in recovery.
RCA offers individualized treatment programs to help those with SUDs find lasting sobriety. If you or your loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and need help, the staff at Recovery Centers of America is available 24/7. Call 1-844-5-RCA-NOW (844-722-2669) for help today.
About Recovery Centers of America Recovery Centers of America is dedicated to helping patients achieve a life of recovery through evidence-based alcohol and drug addiction treatment, as well as treatment for mental health disorders. RCA has 10 inpatient facilities in Earleville and Waldorf (near Washington D.C.), Maryland, Danvers and Westminster, Massachusetts; Devon (near Philadelphia), and Monroeville (near Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania; South Amboy and Mays Landing, NJ; St. Charles, Illinois (outside of Chicago), and Indianapolis, Indiana. An 11th center is scheduled to open in late summer in Greenville, SC. A full spectrum of outpatient treatment is also provided at many of these facilities. Patients can obtain immediate substance use disorder care by calling 1-844-5-RCA-NOW (844-722-2669) with complimentary transportation provided in most cases. For the third year, RCA is recognized as having multiple sites atop Newsweek’s 2022 America’s Best Addiction Centers rankings for excellence.
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On June 6, 2023, the Wall Township Police Department charged Stefan J. Barnes Jr., 31-years-old, of Manchester, with criminal sexual contact and sexual assault following an investigation of an incident that took place on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Massage Heights located at 2157 State Highway 35 in Wall Township.
On May 23, 2023, Patrolman David Smithman, interviewed a 23-year-old woman at Wall Township Police Headquarters, who stated that earlier in the evening she had attended a massage session at Massage Heights and that Mr. Barnes, who is employed there, was her massage therapist. During the massage, Barnes allegedly touched her inappropriately in the groin area on two separate occasions during the session.
The investigation conducted by Wall Township Police Department’s Patrolman David Smithman and Detective Shane Roland led to the arrest of Mr. Barnes on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Barnes was taken into custody without incident and was later transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
The Wall Township Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have been victimized by Stefan J. Barnes Jr. to call Detective Shane Roland directly at: (732) 449-4500 ext. 1190.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and New Jersey State Law.
You must be logged in to post a comment.