Day: June 16, 2023

Atlantic City, State of NJ June 16, 2023June 16, 2023

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay holds change-of-command ceremony in Philadelphia

June 16, 2023

PHILADELPHIA, PA-Coast Guard Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom relieved Capt. Johnathan Theel as commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay during a change-of-command ceremony Friday at Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia.

Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony.

Higgins-Bloom most recently served as deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. Her previous assignments include chief of the Office of Emergency Management and Disaster Response, Coast Guard’s Office of Emerging Policy, and White House fellow in the executive office of the president where she built national public-private partnerships to overcome veteran employment and mental health challenges.

Higgins-Bloom graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

The sector’s area of responsibility encompasses much of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey’s rivers, bays, inlets, and coastline out to 200 nautical miles offshore, and includes the Ports of Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington which combined form the largest freshwater port complex in the world and contributing over $88 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

Theel plans to retire from the Coast Guard after 27 years of honorable service following his time as commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. The ceremony is conducted to formally demonstrate the continuity of authority within a U.S. military command.

—U.S. Coast Guard

Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom relieves Capt. Johnathan Theel as commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay during a change-of-command ceremony in Philadelphia on June 16, 2023, that was presided over by Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District. The sector’s 19 sub-units include six multi-mission boat stations, four seasonal stations, five ships, two aids to navigation teams, a marine safety detachment in Lewes, Delaware, and an engineering and weapons support detachment in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom relieves Capt. Johnathan Theel as commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay during a change-of-command ceremony in Philadelphia on June 16, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the crew of the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Mako, a coastal patrol boat homeported in Cape May, New Jersey, conduct a search and rescue demonstration during a change-of-command ceremony on June 16, 2023, at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia. During the ceremony, Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom relieved Capt. Johnathan Theel as commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, which is comprised of more than 815 active duty, civilian, and reserve personnel and is supported by over 2,100 Auxiliary volunteers. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Ocean County, Toms River June 16, 2023

Man Pleads Guilty To Narcotics Distribution And Aggravated Assault On Law Enforcement Officer In Toms River

June 16, 2023

TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 5, 2023, Marquis Belnavis, 29, of East Orange, pled guilty before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., to Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer in connection with events that occurred on July 9, 2021, in Toms River. At the time of his sentencing on July 28, 2023, the State will be seeking four years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to these charges. Belnavis also pled guilty to Distribution of Cocaine in connection with an incident that occurred on November 10, 2021, also in Toms River. At the time of sentencing, the State will be seeking three years NJSP relative to this charge. Finally, Belnavis pled guilty to Distribution of Cocaine in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Ocean Gate and Stafford Township between July 28, 2022 and August 31, 2022. At the time of his sentencing, the State will be seeking seven years NJSP as to this charge. All sentences are to run concurrently.

On July 9, 2021, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team were conducting narcotics related surveillance when they observed transactions indicating that Belnavis had distributed narcotics to another individual. Detectives thereafter conducted a motor vehicle stop of a 2018 Nissan Altima in which Belnavis was a passenger. Belnavis was found to be in possession of a quantity of heroin. As Officers were placing Belnavis in custody, he attempted to flee and bit one of the Officers on the hand. Belnavis was taken into custody and transferred to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

On November 10, 2021, Officers from the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team were conducting narcotics related surveillance on a residence. Belnavis was observed going to and from the residence. A subsequent investigation revealed that Belnavis had distributed cocaine to an occupant of the residence. Belnavis was taken into custody and transferred to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Ocean Gate Police Department, and Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, revealed that Belnavis was distributing cocaine in the Stafford Township and Ocean Gate areas between July 28, 2022 and August 31, 2022. On September 2, 2022, Belnavis was taken into custody at a residence in Ocean Gate. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his arrest.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, Ocean Gate Police Department, and Barnegat Township Police Department Crime Reduction Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with these investigations leading to Belnavis’ guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentences.

Hamilton, Hamilton, Mercer County June 16, 2023

Public Meeting to Discuss Remediation of Hamilton’s Abandoned Nearpara Rubber Factory Site

June 16, 2023

HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER) — Residents are invited to attend a public meeting on Thursday, June 22, at 6 pm to learn about the plans for cleaning up and redeveloping the former Nearpara Rubber Company site.

The Nearpara Rubber Company opened in the late 1920s at 1948 East State Street, where they processed tires from across the region until they closed in 1990. The site has been abandoned for over three decades and has raised concerns regarding environmental health, including mosquito breeding areas and ground contamination.

In 2021, Hamilton Township was awarded over $250,000 from the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) to assess and investigate the property to determine the extent or the existence of any hazardous substance or hazardous waste.

During an October 2021 public hearing, VHB, an environmental engineering consulting firm hired by Hamilton Township, provided an analysis of the cleanup of the long-abandoned Nearpara site. Last year, the Township received a $500,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further its remediation of the site.

Nearpara is currently covered with debris, empty drums and underground storage tanks, waste rubber, and stockpiled tires, but with funding from EPA and other sources, VHB will work to clean it up and bring the property back to the Township’s tax rolls. “VHB is excited to be a part of the Former Nearpara Rubber Co. brownfield cleanup project, which is being funded by state and federal grants to Hamilton Township,” said Laura Brinkerhoff, Principal of VHB. “The cleanup addresses impacted soil, groundwater contamination, and hazardous waste and will result in redevelopment that benefits the surrounding community on many levels.” Isles, a local community development and environmental organization, has partnered with the Township and VHB to organize community engagement regarding the site.

“I want to thank Hamilton’s Town Council, Community & Economic Development team, in partnership with Isles and VHB, for tackling a project that was decades in the making by addressing this eyesore,” said Mayor Jeff Martin. “For far too long, it sat dormant and has been both an environmental and public health hazard for those in the Bromley area. We will continue to work with our partners to finally get it cleaned up!”

The public meeting to discuss the remediation and redevelopment plans will be held on Thursday, June 22, at 6:00 pm at the Bromley Neighborhood Civic Center located at 1801 East State Street in Hamilton, with dinner provided.

Interested participants are requested to RSVP for the meeting here. For more information, please contact the Hamilton Township Division of Planning at (609) 890-3674 or visit www.HamiltonNJ.com/Planning.

Previous MidJersey.news story:

Hamilton Township to Discuss Environmental Clean-Up of Former Nearpara Rubber Site at Public Meeting

MidJersey.News file video and photos

Mercer County, Trenton June 16, 2023June 27, 2023

One Victim Dies, Two Others In Critical Condition From Yesterday’s Trenton Shooting

Two Others Have Died From Trenton Shootings Increasing Homicide Total To 17

June 16, 2023

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at approximately 3:08 p.m., Trenton Police respond to a Shot Spotter activation for multiple rounds in the 600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Trenton. Three victims were taken to the hospital for treatment. One of the victims, James Junior Journigan, later died of his injuries. The two additional victims are currently in critical condition at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mercer County Homicide Task Force Detective Sergeant Roberto Reyes or Detective Michael Cipriano at 609-989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Names of the 2023 Trenton Homicide Victims

1/16/2023 Donnell Williams, 29, Trenton, Shooting.
2/12/2023 Stephanie Vil, 34, of Burlington, Shooting.
2/16/2023 Khalil Glanton, 23, Trenton, Stabbing.
3/24/2023 Harold Rosario, 19, Trenton, Shooting.
3/26/2023 Nyeisha Saunders, 41, Trenton, Shooting.
4/09/2023 Jhosse Tolentino, 23, Trenton, Shooting
4/12/2023 Jared Anderson, Trenton, Shooting (died May 29)
4/14/2023 Daniel Garvin, 46, Trenton, Shooting
4/20/2023 Ralph Conquest, 43, of Lawrence, Shooting
5/14/2023 Roger Martinez-Rodriguez, 27, Trenton, Stabbing
5/14/2023 Justin Reed, 24, of Ewing, Shooting (died May 22)
5/26/2023 Sherief Treadwell, 36, Trenton, Shooting
6/09/2023 Markell Biggs, 20, Trenton, Shooting
6/11/2023 Shaquan Brown, 23, Trenton, Shooting
6/15/2023 James Junior Journigan, Shooting
6/15/2023 Louis Washington, Trenton, Shooting, (died June 21)
6/22/2023 Guillermo Sanchez, Shooting

(List current as of June 23, 2023)

Yesterday’s story here:

Three Shot In Afternoon Shooting In Trenton

Allentown, High School, Millstone, Monmouth County, Special Events, Upper Freehold June 16, 2023June 16, 2023

2023 Allentown High School Senior Class Car Parade

June 16, 2023

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Last evening June 15, the Allentown High School Class of 2023 held their Senior Class Car Parade though Allentown, Upper Freehold and Millstone Townships. The procession started in 2020 during the pandemic year when prom was canceled due to COVID-19. The tradition continues now in its fourth year. Members of the Hope Fire Company of Allentown/Upper Freehold Twp Firefighters and the Monmouth County Sherriff’s Office escorted the Senior Class Parade though the towns.

Photo gallery: