TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Water Works will be painting 3,501 fire hydrants in its five-municipality service area over the next 24 months, weather permitting.
“We are improving the quality of TWW’s fire hydrants for effective fire suppression,” said Michael Walker, Chief of Communications and Community Relations. “We’ve been inspecting fire hydrants for operability and flow rate over the last few months, and we now plan to vary their color to indicate how quickly water flows from them to fire personnel and emergency responders.”
TWW personnel will strip hydrants of old layers of paint, and then apply primer and two fresh coats. Color codes to indicate flow volume in gallons per minute are as follows: Light Blue: 1,500 gallons per minute; Green: 1,000-1,499 gallons per minute; Orange: 500-999 gallons per minute; Red: less than 500 gallons per minute.
TWW personnel must have direct access to the hydrants. We are therefore asking residents to please remove any plantings or decorations that might be obscuring local hydrants. Hydrants should never be blocked, hidden, or decorated, as this interferes with emergency access.
“We ask that residents not paint or decorate fire hydrants, which prevents fire personnel from knowing a hydrant’s flow rate during an emergency,” added Walker.
If you have questions about TWW’s hydrant paint project, including reporting hydrants that have been knocked over or are not functioning properly, please call TWW’s Construction and Maintenance at (609) 989-3222.
TWW personnel will strip hydrants of old layers of paint, and then apply primer and two fresh coats. Color codes to indicate flow volume in gallons per minute are as follows: Light Blue: 1,500 gallons per minute; Green: 1,000-1,499 gallons per minute; Orange: 500-999 gallons per minute; Red: less than 500 gallons per minute.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–A man was arrested shortly after 9 am Sunday morning for possession of marijuana and a large amount of Xanax following a single car crash attributed to the man driving while under the influence.
At 9:01am, Sunday, September 13th, police dispatchers received a call about a single car crash on Route 1 southbound at Sandhill Road.
Upon arrival, Officer Gerald Sarno found that a 1999 Lexus had crashed head-on into the concrete divider at the intersection. Officer Sarno also observed the driver, identified as Daniel Saladyga, 24 years old, of Ewing, NJ, sitting on the grassy shoulder of the roadway, uninjured.
On speaking with Mr. Saladyga about the crash, Officer Sarno noted that Saladyga’s eyes were glassy with pinpoint pupils, his diction slow, and his hands fumbling. Suspecting that Saladyga was under the influence, Officer Sarno gave Saladyga several field-side sobriety tests, which Saladyga failed. Saladyga was placed under arrest for DUI, and was searched incident to arrest, at which time he was found to possess a small amount of marijuana, as well as 112 bars of Xanax.
Mr. Saladyga was transported to Police Headquarters, where Detective Tim Hoover, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, performed a series of tests on Saladyga, ultimately determining that Saladyga was under the influence of a central nervous system depressant, in keeping with Saladyga’s statement that he had ingested Xanax earlier that morning.
Saladyga was charged with Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Under 50g Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Xanax, Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, and other motor vehicle offenses. Saladyga was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending his bail hearing.
Chief Raymond J. Hayducka said, “Impaired driving can happen at any time of the day. This driver was on Route 1, impaired, and struck the concrete median at 9 am Sunday morning. Officer Sarno’s detailed investigation discovered the drugs and took this driver off the road. With thousands of cars and trucks using Route 1 daily, we are just lucky this crash wasn’t much worse.”
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On September 2, 2020 at 4:39 p.m. Ewing Dispatch received 9-1-1 calls regarding a motor vehicle crash on Parkway Avenue in front of 1201 Parkway Avenue.
The crash involved one vehicle that struck a utility pole and a tree. Upon patrol arrival, the driver was found unconscious. Ewing Township Fire Department Emergency services extricated the driver, a 39-year-old male from Ewing, NJ.
The driver was then transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. No charges have been filed at this time. Anyone with information concerning the crash is asked to contact Officer Ricardo Sookhu at (609) 882-1313
Herbert Bell, 58, of Ewing, N.J., was sentenced to five years in state prison, including 2 ½ years of parole ineligibility
September 2, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a Mercer County man was sentenced to state prison today for using file-sharing software to distribute child sexual abuse materials on the internet.
Herbert Bell, 58, of Ewing, N.J., was sentenced to five years in state prison, including 2 ½ years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Darlene J. Pereksta in Mercer County. He will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be subject to parole supervision for life. Bell pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2019 to a second-degree charge of storing or maintaining child sexual abuse materials using a file-sharing program.
Deputy Attorney General Thomas Huynh prosecuted Bell for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau.
Bell was arrested on Aug. 10, 2018, when detectives of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, assisted by other members of the New Jersey Regional ICAC Task Force, executed a search warrant at his residence. A State Police detective previously downloaded 14 files of child sexual abuse material from a shared folder at an IP address traced to Bell. During the search, detectives seized a desktop computer belonging to Bell. A forensic examination of the computer revealed approximately 3,000 files of child sexual abuse material on the computer.
“We are determined to seek substantial prison sentences for offenders like Bell, because the more they collect and distribute these abhorrent materials, the more they drive the terrible sexual abuse of young children,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We will continue to collaborate across all levels of law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice.”
“We monitor the internet on a daily basis with our law enforcement partners to apprehend the offenders who exploit and re-victimize children by distributing child sexual abuse materials,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We want these criminals to know that when we catch them, they will face serious prison time.”
“By repeatedly sharing images of abuse, Bell is just as responsible for robbing the victims of their innocence and shattering the lives of their families as those who committed these unspeakable acts,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The New Jersey State Police ICAC Unit will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our youth from the re-victimization caused by file sharing and send a clear message to offenders that we will utilize every tool at our disposal to bring them to justice.”
Just last week, Attorney General Grewal announced arrests of 21 sex offenders as a result of a collaborative operation led by the New Jersey ICAC Task Force. They included 18 defendants charged with possessing and/or distributing child sexual abuse materials, and three charged with sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault children.
More details of the 21 arrests in “Operation Screen Capture” are available on our website:
The file-sharing networks used by offenders to distribute child sexual abuse materials operate in the same manner as websites used for privately sharing music or movies. Those in possession of the illegal images can make them available on computers that they control for others to download. Because many of the videos and photos of child sexual abuse shared on these networks keep recirculating, they result in the perpetual re-victimization of the children who were sexually assaulted or abused to produce them.
Attorney General Grewal and Director Allende urged anyone with information about the distribution of child sexual abuse materials on the internet – or about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children – to contact the New Jersey ICAC Task Force Tipline at 888-648-6007.
Defense Attorney: Mark G. Davis, Esq., Hamilton, N.J.
Herbert Bell, 58, of Ewing, N.J
Herbert Bell, 58, of Ewing, N.J., was sentenced to five years in state prison, including 2 ½ years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Darlene J. Pereksta in Mercer County. He will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law and will be subject to parole supervision for life. Bell pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2019 to a second-degree charge of storing or maintaining child sexual abuse materials using a file-sharing program.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Just after 3 pm NJ Office Of Emergency Management, Urban Search and Rescue, New Jersey Task Force 1 returned to the area as the passed through the NJ Turnpike toll booths on their way back to their headquarters.
The team was activated for response to Hurricane Laura in the early morning hours of August 27, 2020. The team traveled south to stage near Atlanta, Georgia until needed. Early this morning the Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA adjusted the Federal response to local needs and NJ-TF1 received demobilization orders and begun the process of heading home.
NJ-TF1 deployed as a Type 1 Team consisting of 80 team members, three tractor-trailers, two box trucks, five F-450 utility vehicles, two crew carriers, an F-250 towing vehicle, two passenger vans, two utility terrain vehicles, and a fleet service truck. A water rescue component of six boats with trailers and a water support trailer were also deployed.
Local members known to MidJersey.News are:
Hamilton Township Fire Department:
Jarred Pierson, Jason Ryan, Kinte Holt, Brad Ladislaw, Jeff Barlow and Joe Flynn.
West Windsor Emergency Service, and West Windsor Police Department:
Joe Gribbins, Scott Cook, Michael McMahon
Ewing Township Fire Department:
Eric Rowlands
Bristol Myers Squibb:
John Welling
Civilian: (K-9, NJ Rescue & Recovery K-9)
Jennifer Michelson
New Jersey Task Force 1 returning leaving the NJ Turnpike and getting on I-195 East to return to their headquarters.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On Friday, August 21, 2020 at approximately 9pm, the pictured suspect entered the Family Dollar Store, located at 1509 Princeton Avenue. The suspect held the assistant manager at gun point while demanding money from the register and safe. The suspect directed the employee to place the money in a bright orange, dollar-store bag. The suspect was described as a black male, late 20s early 30s, average build, 5’9-5’10, and small dark eyes. The suspect displayed a semi-automatic handgun with a silver slide and black frame. He fled the store on foot, down Princeton Avenue, toward Heil Avenue. Anyone with information regarding this incident, or who can provide home security video footage of the area at the time of the incident, please contact Detective Julia Caldwell 609-882-1313 ext. 5682. Video footage can be emailed to jecaldwell@ewingnj.org
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–At 3:14 PM Ewing Police dispatch was notified by NJ Human Services Police that a male walked away from Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (TPH). Investigation revealed that Robert Cortez, 5/22/91, 5’6″ 140 pounds, last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans walked away from the facility at 9:23 AM. Cortez was being held at TPH on an aggravated assault charge. Human Services Police have entered Cortez into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a wanted person for escape. Cortez has ties to Hudson County and Manchester Township in Ocean County. His current address is listed as homeless with TPH. If you see Robert Cortez, please do not approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Robert Cortez, 29 year old
Investigation revealed that Robert Cortez, 5/22/91, 5’6″ 140 pounds, last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans walked away from the facility at 9:23 AM. Cortez was being held at TPH on an aggravated assault charge. Human Services Police have entered Cortez into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a wanted person for escape.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy reports November 3rd election will be primarily “Vote By Mail” See statement below:
The November 3rd Election will be primarily vote-by-mail.
All active registered New Jersey voters will automatically receive a prepaid return-postage vote-by-mail ballot.
No one should have to choose between their right to vote and their health.
TRENTON – Per Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement, the Nov. 3 General Election will be conducted primarily by mail-in ballots. This is similar to the way the July 7 Primary Election was held, and is to help reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Mercer County Clerk’s Office is preparing to send mail-in ballots to all registered voters in the County.
Before the election, all voters, regardless of party affiliation, will receive a mail-in ballot, where they will be able to fill in their choices. Only blue or black ink will be allowed; red ink or pencil cannot be accepted. Postage on all ballots is paid. In addition to mailing in their ballots, voters will have the option of placing their ballots in one of the secure drop boxes throughout the County. There will be more drop boxes available than during the Primary Election. There will also be at least one polling place per municipality that will be open on Election Day, for voters who prefer to vote at the polls. Further details, including polling place and drop box locations, will be determined by the Mercer County Board of Elections.
Also, for those unregistered to vote, an online system will be launched on Sept. 4 to assist those people who need to be registered. More details about this system will be available as the weeks progress.
“The July 7 Election provided us a template on how to perform our Election duties in the midst of a crisis,” said Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello. “The fact is, we all must continue to do our part to reduce the risk that COVID-19 poses to the public. For those who want to vote at the polls, they can still do so by provisional ballot.”
The earliest ballots will be mailed out in late September and early October. The deadline to register to vote in time for the Primary Election remains unchanged; that date is October 13. All ballots sent in must be postmarked no later than November 3 and received by the Board of Elections no later than November 10, one week after the Election. Alternatively, voters may return their ballots personally to poll workers. These do not need to be postmarked, but received within 48 hours of polls closing.
Breaking news report, when official information is released the story will be updated and any corrections made if needed.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Ewing Township Fire Department was dispatched to the 100 Block of Robbins Avenue around 9:15 pm. Mutual aid was sent from the Lawrence Township Fire Department as well as Hopewell. Firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes.
The fire department requested the Red Cross to respond to find temporary housing for 5 persons 3 adults and 2 children that live in the home.
Firefighters were still on scene at the time of this report and was currently under investigation. No further information was available.
Firefighters from two states participated in a search of at least 11 miles of the Delaware River for a missing man. After searching it was unclear the whereabouts of the lost man.
August 2, 2020 (updated 8:30 am to take Burlington off list, assignment was recalled prior to them being dispatched)
Breaking News Report: From on scene reports, witnesses and radio reports. If official information is released the story will be updated and corrected.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Late yesterday evening (August 1, 2020) the Ewing Township Fire Department was dispatched to the Interstate 295 bridge over the Delaware River for a missing person in the river. The man was reported missing by his girlfriend around 10:15 pm. he is a white male, with red swim trunks with no shirt in a tube used to float on the water. There was also a delay of 9-1-1 calling for help so the man was lost at least a half hour before at approximately 9:45 pm.
Ewing Township Fire Department was dispatched and requested assistance from Trenton, Hamilton, Hopwell, Bucks County PA including departments from Yardley and Tullytown.
Trenton Fire Department searched in the area of the Route 1, Trenton Makes and Calhoun Street Bridges. The Hamilton Township Fire Department deployed at the Trenton Boat Ramp and searched that area to the Crosswicks Creek. A New Jersey State Police helicopter was requested for the search but was unknown if it was used.
Approximately 11 miles of river was searched from North of the 295 bridge to south of the Crosswicks Creek.
Around midnight the search was called off and all units returned to their stations. It was unclear if the man was found or there may have been further information that the man was seen walking back on one of the roadways next to the river. At the time of this report there were no official reports of the whereabouts of the missing man.
Not a part of the search crew but there were many boats on the water tonight, many fishermen with bright lighting.
Hamilton Township Fire Department at the Trenton Boat Ramp
Hamilton Township Fire Department at the Trenton Boat Ramp
Hamilton Township Fire Department launched boats into the Delaware River at the Trenton Public Boat Ramp.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Serious Collision Response Team are investigating an incident that occurred in Trenton early this morning, July 29, 2020, that has left multiple Trenton police officers injured.
Three suspects are in custody at this time and criminal charges are pending, including attempted murder, eluding and weapons offenses. Zaire Butler, 19, suffered internal injuries in the motor vehicle crash, and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Nazere Crews, 18, suffered a fractured femur and remains hospitalized. A 16-year-old male suffered a fractured wrist, and was treated and released. All three suspects are Trenton residents.
An investigation has revealed that Trenton police officers were made aware of a social media posting that showed a group of individuals with guns driving around the west district of the city looking for people to shoot. An alert was broadcast via the radio and at approximately 2:26 a.m., Officers Michael Gettler and Jeffery Pownall came upon a 2003 red Ford Focus four-door sedan. After checking the license plate and confirming it was stolen in Trenton, the officers tried to initiate a traffic stop on Parkside Avenue when the vehicle began to elude them. The officers pursued the vehicle into Ewing Township onto Olden Avenue and then back into Trenton. As the officers pursued the vehicle past the Home Depot on Olden Avenue in Ewing, at least four rounds were fired from the Ford Focus at the patrol vehicle before entering back into the city. The patrol vehicle was struck one time in the top light bar before bouncing off the roof of the patrol vehicle. The officers continued their pursuit of the Ford Focus back into Trenton and as the vehicle approached the intersection of North Olden and North Clinton avenues, the stolen vehicle struck a responding Trenton police vehicle containing Officers Kevin Starkey and Brian Walker. Both vehicles spun and the stolen vehicle struck a white minivan that was traveling in the opposite direction.
Trenton Police Officers Orlando Santiago and Andy Gomez then approached the stolen vehicle and Officer Santiago slipped in fluids from the crash. He sustained cuts to his elbow as a result. Officer Gomez sustained lacerations to his hand from glass that was broken out. The three suspects were taken into custody without further incident. All injured officers and suspects were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
One shell casing and two projectiles were recovered by the Home Depot in Ewing. A FN PS90 sub-gun was recovered in the city in the area in front of 664 Olden Avenue. A Glock 26 9mm and an AR-15 pistol were recovered in the backseat of the stolen Ford Focus, and three spent 9mm casings were recovered in the front passenger seat floor board.
Officer Starkey is currently in critical condition suffering serious head trauma. Officer Walker also sustained serious head injuries. He remains hospitalized in stable condition. Officer Santiago was treated for a head injury and elbow abrasions. Officer Gomez was treated for lacerations to his hands and released. Officers Gettler and Pownell were evaluated and released.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CHECK OUT THE LIST OF MIDJERSEY.NEWS STORIES ON CITY OF TRENTON 2020 SHOOTINGS, GUN VIOLENCE, STABBINGS AND HOMICIDES HERE:
And the list grows: Other Recent Trenton Shooting and Homicide Stories:(There has been a lot more gun violence, stabbings and shootings but these are ones we have enough information to report on)
Linda Mika, 69, and Paul Mika, 73, both of Jackson, New Jersey, and Kenneth Mika, 49, of Ewing, New Jersey, were arrested today and are scheduled to have their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court.
July 29, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Three people have been charged for their alleged roles in a years-long conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by providing military equipment parts that were not authorized by contract, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Linda Mika, 69, and Paul Mika, 73, both of Jackson, New Jersey, and Kenneth Mika, 49, of Ewing, New Jersey, were arrested today and are scheduled to have their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court.
“As described in the criminal complaint, these defendants sought to make a greater profit by substituting products that were not those they had contractually agreed to provide to the Department of Defense,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “By doing so, they potentially risked the safety of our men and women in uniform. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out this kind of fraud.”
“Protecting the integrity of the defense procurement system is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, DCIS Northeast Field Office, said. “This case, which resulted in today’s arrests, confirms the DCIS’ ongoing commitment to work with the USAO-NJ and the FBI, to investigate and prosecute contractors who engage in fraudulent schemes targeting the U.S. Department of Defense.”
“Today’s arrest of Linda Mika, Paul Mika and Kenneth Mika reflects the continuing impact federal and state partnerships have on combatting those who defraud the Department of Defense,” Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Denahan said. “These contractors of Monmouth Marine Engines Inc. knowingly provided substituted parts for military equipment for their own personal gain. We will continue to investigate these types of schemes and hold those who endanger the U.S. military accountable.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From at least March 2017 through February 2020, the Mikas conspired with each other and others to defraud the DoD and its combat logistic support arm, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), by engaging in a pattern of unlawful product substitution. Paul Mika was the founder and owner of Monmouth Marine Engines Inc. (Monmouth Marine), a maritime equipment and servicing facility, which, as an approved federal contractor, also entered into contracts with DLA to supply DoD contracting entities with replacement parts for Naval vessels. Paul Mika’s wife and son, Linda Mika and Kenneth Mika, were employees of Monmouth Marine.
The Mikas, on behalf of Monmouth Marine, obtained contracts with the DoD by falsely claiming that the military parts they contracted to provide would be exact products furnished by authorized manufacturers. Once awarded the contracts, however, the Mikas sourced non-conforming substitute parts at a significantly reduced cost to fill the contracts. They did this to maximize their profit margin while also suppressing fair competition in the bidding of federal contracts. Upon receipt by Monmouth Marine, the non-conforming parts were then shipped to DLA in packaging disguising the parts’ identity in an effort by the Mikas to deceive DLA and its unwitting downstream purchasers.
The count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Barzey; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Denahan with the investigation leading to today’s arrests.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden of the U.S. Attorney=s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Philadelphia, PA–Dunkin’ and its greater Philadelphia-area franchisees, in partnership with Scholarship America, today announced the recipients of its eleventh annual Philadelphia Regional Scholarship Program. The program helps high school seniors and college students in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Kent and New Castle counties in Delaware pursue a part-time or full-time undergraduate degree at the institution of their choice.
From more than 1,500 applicants, Dunkin’ and Scholarship America selected 25 students to receive a $2,000 academic scholarship to an accredited two or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school of their choice for fall 2020. Dunkin’s Philadelphia Regional Scholarship Program was open to current part-time and full-time undergraduate students and high school seniors. Dunkin’ awarded a total of $50,000 to the 25 recipients who were selected based on their academic records, demonstrated leadership skills, and overall commitment to their schools and local communities.
To date, the Dunkin’ Philadelphia Regional Scholarship Program has awarded $450,000 in scholarships to 275 outstanding high school seniors and college students. The program was founded in 2009 by Dunkin’s Philadelphia-area franchisees as a way to ease the financial burden of college for students throughout the region.
“On behalf of my fellow franchisees, we are honored to award these 25 exceptional students with the 2020 Dunkin’ Regional Scholarships,” said Perry Shah, local Dunkin’ franchisee and Philadelphia regional advertising committee chairman. “We are so proud to see the scholarship program continue to grow each year and support students in our local communities. It is an honor to have the opportunity to further students’ educational goals and we look forward to the amazing achievements of these future leaders.”
To celebrate their 2020 Dunkin’ Regional Scholarship, each of the student recipients will enjoy a special visit at their residence from the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser. From July 30th through August 11th, Dunkin’ and its Community Cruiser will celebrate each student by providing a well deserved coffee break to the recipient’s family and friends.
Recipient: Nicholas Vellenga
Hometown: Ewing, NJ
High School: Ewing High School
University: Georgia Institute of Technology
Bio: Nicholas Vellenga is a recent graduate of Ewing High School, where he served as valedictorian. He is a recipient of the Senior Mathematics Department Award, Senior Spanish Department Award, 2020 Robotics Club Activities Award, President’s Gold Award, and USMC Scholastic Excellence Award. Vellenga also served as a member of the National Honor Society, Robotics Team Technical Manager, and is an Eagle Scout. This fall, Nicholas will attend Georgia Institute of Technology, where he plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Recipient: Kaitlyn Young
Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ
High School: Robbinsville High School
University: La Salle University
Bio: Kaitlyn Young is a recent graduate from Robbinsville High School. She was the recipient of the Excellence in Design, Computer Science, and English Award, and the Robbinsville High School Citizenship Award. In addition, Young was a member of the International Thespian Society and the National Honor Society. Outside of the classroom, she was a Physics and Honors Biology Tutor, Community Theater Performer and Volunteer, FIRST Tech Challenge Team Student Mentor, and an Assistant Teaching Artist at the McCarter Theatre Center. During her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys dancing and learning new musical instruments. This fall, Kaitlyn will attend La Salle University, where she plans to pursue a degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Kaitlyn Young, Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville, NJ
Dunkin’ of Philadelphia Awards Two Mercer County Students with Academic Scholarships, Nicholas Vellenga, Ewing High School and Kaitlyn Young, Robbinsville High School
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey State Police have arrested Daniel Peyton, 55, of Westampton, N.J., Wayne Bessant, 39, of Trenton, N.J., and Davae Craig, 31, of Trenton, N.J., for various drug and weapon offenses during an ongoing drug investigation.
On Friday, July 10, while investigating alleged drug activity at a residence on Stokes Avenue in Ewing Township, detectives with the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit along with members of the New Jersey State Police Opioid Enforcement Task Force observed an alleged drug transaction between the occupants of a Chevrolet Impala and a Mercedes-Benz. A short time later, detectives along with members of the Ewing Township Police Department stopped the vehicles.
The occupants of the Mercedes-Benz, Craig and Bessant were found to be in possession of $209,000 cash and were arrested without incident. During the stop of the Impala, Peyton fled the scene while briefly dragging a Ewing Township Police Officer. In the area of Shelton Avenue and Chelmsford Court, the Impala became disabled and Peyton was arrested. While conducting a search of the Impala, detectives discovered three kilograms of cocaine. During a search at the Stokes Avenue residence, detectives seized heroin and a high capacity magazine.
Davae Craig was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of a high capacity magazine, and money laundering. Wayne Bessant was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and money laundering. Daniel Peyton was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and money laundering. Additionally, the Ewing Township Police Department charged Peyton with eluding, and aggravated assault. They were all lodged at the Mercer County Jail pending a detention hearing.
This case is being prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On June 28, 2020 at approximately 10:15 am, the unidentified pictured female was captured on Shop-Rite video surveillance shoplifting what was estimated to be $629.23 worth of miscellaneous items. The female was observed placing the items in a shopping cart which included a Daewoo 5000 BTU window unit air conditioner. Once the shopping cart was full, she bypassed all points of sale and was seen entering what appeared to be a tan or gold colored Chevy Trail Blazer. The female then proceeded out of the parking lot and onto Parkside Avenue out of site. Anyone able to assist with the identification of the pictured female are urged to contact Detective Morris of the Ewing Police Department at (609) 882-1313 ext. 5561, email at dmorris@ewingnj.org or the Ewing Police confidential tip line at (609) 882-7530.
TRENTON AND EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Township Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS was detailed to the intersection of Parkside Avenue and Parkway Avenue just before 3 pm for an accident. Firefighters cleaned up a fluids spill and EMS treated minor injures. No further information is available.
Trenton and Ewing firefighters responded to a boat fire around 1:15 pm in the 400 Block of Parkway Avenue. The fire was quickly extinguished an no other information was available about the boat fire.
Ewing Township Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS was detailed to the intersection of Parkside Avenue and Parkway Avenue just before 3 pm for an accident. Firefighters cleaned up a fluids spill and EMS treated minor injures. No further information is available. Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
Trenton and Ewing firefighters responded to a boat fire around 1:15 pm in the 400 Block of Parkway Avenue. The fire was quickly extinguished an no other information was available about the boat fire. Photos by: Brian McCarthy OnScene News
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating a shooting that occurred in Trenton Wednesday night that resulted in the death of a Ewing man.
At approximately 10:15 p.m. on July 1, 2020, Trenton police responded to a Shot Spotter activation in the 100 block of North Hermitage Avenue, but were unable to locate a scene. Around the same time, a shooting victim, identified as Covvie Scott, 24, was brought to the hospital in a private vehicle and pronounced dead shortly before midnight.
Police are also investigating a motor vehicle accident at West State and Calhoun streets that occurred around the same time that is believed to be related to the shooting.
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Trenton Police Department continue to investigate both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org
And the list grows: Other Recent Trenton Shooting and Homicide Stories:(There has been a lot more gun violence, stabbings and shootings but these are ones we have enough information to report on)
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Water Works, the public water system that serves approximately 250,000 consumers in a five-municipality service area in Mercer County, today issued its 2020 Water Quality Report.
“The report provides an informative summary of our drinking water quality,” said Michael Walker, TWW’s Chief of Communications and Community Relations. “Consumers can also read about TWW’s work to reduce exposure to lead, our success in eliminating disinfection byproducts, active capital projects, and how our public water system operates.”
The 2020 Water Quality Report was mailed to TWW’s 63,000 customers, published online, and distributed to other parts of the water utility’s service area, as is required by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
The report can be downloaded from TWW’s website at www.trentonwaterworks.org/ccr. Service-area residents can request a mailed report by phoning the Office of Communications and Community Relations at (609) 989-3033.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–After search Ewing Township Police find missing juvenile see below:
The juvenile was located in good health. Thank you.
Missing juvenile
The Ewing Police Department is currently looking for a missing 15 year old autistic male. He was last seen around 9:15 am in the Spring Meadows area of Ewing. He is described as being 5’7” and 140 pounds. He is believed to be on a blue BMX bike with blue tires. It is unknown what he is wearing. He frequents fast food establishments, Game Stop, and the track at TCNJ. He may be on his way to Best Buy in West Windsor. If observed, please call 911. Do not approach him. If you have seen him, please call 609-882-1313. Thank you.
Breaking news report from radio and on scene reports, once official information is released the story will be updated:
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 5:30 pm Ewing Township Fire Department was dispatched to 64 Rosedale Avenue for a fire in a kitchen. The first arriving officer reported smoke showing and filled out the first alarm sending additional aid from Lawrence and Hopewell Townships. The main body of fire was knocked down quickly but radio reports were indicating that fire was spreading to the second floor. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes.
Charges Include Murder of 32-Year-Old Man, Attempted Murder of Police Officer
June 16, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced first-degree criminal charges against 16 alleged members and associates of the “Get Money Boys” or “GMB,” a violent street gang linked to multiple shootings, including the December 2019 murder of Michael Barnes, a 32-year-old Trenton man, and the February 2020 attempted murder of a police officer. Fifteen GMB members and associates, including its alleged leader, Charles Willis, 27, are charged with first-degree racketeering, and 10 GMB members, including Willis, are charged with either murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy to commit murder. As alleged in court documents, Willis and GMB engaged in violent criminal conduct in furtherance of their heroin and cocaine distribution activities in the area of the Oakland Street Apartments in Trenton. GMB Members have been charged in connection with the following shootings:
Sept. 17, 2019 Shooting. Shaiquan Hearns, 21, is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a man in the leg in the early morning hours of Sept. 17, 2019 on Lamberton Street in Trenton.
Dec. 27, 2019 Murder of Michael Barnes. Michael Barnes, 32, was shot in the face on Commonwealth Avenue in Trenton on the night of Dec. 27. Davion Fenderson, 25, is charged with the murder, and Willis, Hearns, Bobby Hood, 28, and Jayshawn Fisher, 26, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Feb. 12, 2020 Shooting of Civilians and Attempted Murder of Police Officer. On Feb. 12, GMB members allegedly shot at two men, causing them to crash their car. When a police officer pursued the GMB members, they allegedly fired at him. He was not hit. Hearns, Dion Battle, 28, and Yahonatan Salter, 28 were charged on Feb. 12 with attempted murder in the shooting involving the officer. Those men and Willis are now charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting involving the two civilian victims.
May 1, 2020 Shooting. On the night of May 1, 2020, five GMB members allegedly opened fire on a group of individuals on Sanhican Drive in Trenton, wounding two men. Willis, Hood, David Williams, 28, Shawn Anderson, 21, and Zaire Jackson, 24, are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in that shooting.
“Gang violence has taken the lives of too many young people in Trenton, and the Get Money Boys have been a major contributor to that violence,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We will continue doing everything we can to make our capital city safe for its residents.” “But we also know that arrests alone won’t stop the cycle of gang involvement, violence, and incarceration,” continued Attorney General Grewal. “That is why we plan to work closely with the community in the coming months to develop programs that have the power to turn young people away from the false glamor of gang life and show them a healthy and positive path forward.” “Through this collaborative investigation, we charged 16 alleged members and associates of this violent gang with first-degree charges carrying lengthy prison sentences,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Each time we take down a dangerous gang like this one, we make Trenton safer for residents and for the law enforcement officers who work heroically every day to protect them.” “These individuals have threatened Trenton’s hard working, law abiding citizens with their guns and drugs for too long. They pose a danger to the entire community, not just gang members, and I am extremely proud of the collective efforts and hard work of all of the agencies involved in this investigation,” Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said. “My office will continue to work with state and local law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those assaulting our cities with acts of violence. We also intend to work with Attorney General Grewal and the community to cultivate programs and solutions that will give our youth population an alternative to gangs, drugs and violence.” “Street gangs like the Get Money Boys tear apart communities through their drug trade, violence, and murder, and by actively recruiting impressionable young people,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Our involvement will not stop with these arrests. We will continue to work cooperatively with our partners in the community to develop programs that present positive alternatives for the youth of our capital city.” The complaint charging Willis with conspiracy to murder Michael Barnes alleges that in 2019, Willis and other GMB members began targeting Barnes and that Willis threatened Barnes’ life on social media. It further alleges that Willis ordered GMB members to actively hunt for Barnes and kill him. It is alleged that Fenderson committed the murder at Willis’s direction on Dec. 27, 2019. When Willis was arrested at his home on June 2, 2020 in Willingboro with his girlfriend, DayshaM. Brown, 24, detectives seized a defaced firearm – which allegedly was within access of a toddler who lives in the home – and an illegal large capacity magazine. Willis and Brown were each charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree possession of a defaced firearm, and fourth-degree possession of a large capacity magazine. Willis also was charged with possession of a weapon as a convicted felon. Additional details about the Feb. 12 attempted murder of a police officer and related charges are provided in the press release at this link: https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases20/pr20200213b.html
In that incident, a Hamilton Township police officer assigned to the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit Task Force observed a shooting in progress in the area of West State Street and Parkside Avenue in Trenton. The officer, who was operating an unmarked vehicle, followed the suspect vehicle to the area of the Oakland Park Apartments on Coolidge Avenue, where he was fired upon by the occupants of the vehicle. Three guns were seized from defendants during the course of this investigation. On May 31, 2020, detectives executed a search warrant for a storage unit in Hamilton, Mercer County, rented by defendant Briana Blue, 22, where they seized 254 bricks of heroin, consisting of approximately 12,700 individual doses packaged in wax folds that were stamped with the brands “Dope Dick” and “Fruit Loops.” On the same date, detectives executed a search warrant for a car rented by defendant Tre Whetstone, 26, and seized 130 bricks of heroin, or approximately 6,500 doses, bearing the same stamps. The following 16 alleged GMB members and associates have been charged as indicated: Charles M. Willis, 27, of Willingboro, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First- Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – Michael Barnes
First- Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – Michael Barnes
First-Degree Murder of Michael Barnes
Frederick Eustsey, 45, of Ewing, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS
John Colvin, 23, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS
David Williams, 28, of Camden, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-degree Attempted Murder – May 1 Shooting
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Second Degree Aggravated Assault
Second-Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Second-Degree Possession of Weapon as Convicted Felon
Second- Degree Solicitation, Recruitment of Juveniles to Join a Street Gang
Zaire Jackson, 25, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-degree Attempted Murder – May 1 Shooting
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Second Degree Aggravated Assault
Second-Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Shawn Anderson, 21, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-degree Attempted Murder – May 1 Shooting
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Second Degree Aggravated Assault
Second-Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Second-Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Juvenile Male, 17, of Trenton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
First-Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – May 1 Shooting
Jayshawn Fisher, 26, of Trenton, N.J.
First- Degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder – Michael Barnes
Briana Blue, 22, of Princeton, N.J.
First-degree Racketeering
Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute CDS
First-Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS
Willis, Hearns, Salter, Battle, Colvin, and Fisher were previously in jail and were served with the charges outlined above while in jail. The other 10 defendants were arrested since June 5. Attorney General Grewal commended all of the prosecutors, detectives, investigators and officers who participated in the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Trenton Police Department, Trenton Shooting Response Team, and New Jersey Department of Corrections. Deputy Attorneys General Cassandra Montalto and Mohammad Mahmood are the lead prosecutors for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis and Deputy Bureau Chief Erik Daab. The detectives who conducted the investigation for the Division of Criminal Justice are Sgt. Brian Woolston, Sgt. Kevin Gannon, Detective Scott Caponi, Detective Zachary Grey, and other members of the Gangs & Organized Crime Central Squad, under the supervision of Lt. Brian Bruton, Deputy Chief of Detectives Frederic Moore, and Chief of Detectives Weldon Powell. Attorney General Grewal also thanked the following agencies that assisted with arrests and execution of search warrants: Hamilton Township Police Department, Ewing Township Police Department, West Windsor Police Department, Falls Township Police Department (Pennsylvania), U.S. Marshals Service New Jersey/New York Regional Fugitive Task Force, and Mercer County Tactical Response Team. First-degree murder carries a sentence of life in state prison, including 30 years of parole ineligibility, while the first-degree charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder carry a sentence of 10 to 30 years in state prison. The other first-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and fine of up to $200,000. The racketeering charges carry a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Possession of a weapon as a convicted felon carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of five years, and unlawful possession of a weapon carries a mandatory period of parole ineligibility equal to one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed or three years, whichever is greater. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Defense AttorneysFor Tre Whetstone: John Furlong, Esq., Furlong & Krasny, Ewing, N.J.For Shawn Anderson: Arun Lavine, Esq., Lawrenceville, N.J.For Shaiquan Hearns: Mark Fury, Esq., Mount Holly, N.J.For Dion Battle: Rukiya Blackwell, Esq., Mount Holly, N.J. A number of defendants are currently represented by the Public Defender’s Office.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On June 4, 2020 at 11:22 am (EST), a fatal motor vehicle crash occurred in front of 860 Lower Ferry Road. The Ewing Police Department is attempting to locate the driver of a dark colored, 2017 to 2019 Ford Escape who was last seen turning into the parking lot of 865 Lower Ferry Road, Woodbrook House, immediately after the crash occurred. Attached is a picture of the actual vehicle we are trying to locate. Please contact Detective Julia Caldwell at 609-882-1313 ext. 5682, Officer Robert Birchenough at ext. 5569, or the Confidential Police Tip Line 609-882-7530 with any information.
File photos from previous MidJersey.News story: On June 4, 2020 at 11:22 am (EST), a fatal motor vehicle crash occurred in front of 860 Lower Ferry Road. The Ewing Police Department is attempting to locate the driver of a dark colored, 2017 to 2019 Ford Escape who was last seen turning into the parking lot of 865 Lower Ferry Road, Woodbrook House, immediately after the crash occurred. Photos by: Brian McCarthy, OnScene News
On June 4, 2020 at 11:22 am (EST), a fatal motor vehicle crash occurred in front of 860 Lower Ferry Road. The Ewing Police Department is attempting to locate the driver of a dark colored, 2017 to 2019 Ford Escape who was last seen turning into the parking lot of 865 Lower Ferry Road, Woodbrook House, immediately after the crash occurred.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today that the State has filed a lawsuit against the City of Trenton and Trenton Water Works seeking to compel them to take legally required actions to protect and strengthen the City’s water system, including actions necessary to reduce the risk of lead and pathogens in drinking water.
Trenton Water Works (TWW) supplies approximately 29 million gallons of drinking water daily to more than 200,000 people, including residents of Trenton and four neighboring municipalities – Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell, and Lawrence Townships.
DEP and the City have, over the past decade, executed multiple Administrative Consent Orders (ACOs) in which Trenton agreed to cure its many failures to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Among other things, TWW agreed to replace thousands of lead service lines and cover a finished water reservoir, actions that are necessary for TWW to comply with state and federal law and effectively minimize public health risks. However, due in part to the inaction of Trenton’s City Council, TWW has missed many critical deadlines, has not met its obligations to replace a significant portion of lead service lines, has failed to protect its open, 78-million-gallon reservoir of treated water from contamination and reduce the risk of pathogens in the water supply, and has failed to satisfy a series of other operations and maintenance obligations. Underlying this lawsuit is the Trenton City Council’s May 7, 2020 rejection of TWW’s request for millions of dollars to meet these clear legal obligations.
“After years of mismanagement, and after the Trenton City Council recently failed to take necessary steps to address the serious shortcomings in the City’s water system, the State was left with no choice but to file this suit,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Our lawsuit demands that TWW meet its obligations to reduce the risk of lead exposure by replacing lead service lines, and to comply with a range of other environmental laws that go directly to the health of the public and especially of Trenton’s children. New Jersey’s public water systems must be held to the highest standards and must live up to their environmental and public health obligations.”
“DEP’s singular goal is to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for the people served by Trenton Water Works,” said Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe. “DEP recognizes that Mayor Gusciora has made progress in improving TWW and protecting public health, and recently proposed plans that would enable the system to meet its Safe Drinking Water Act obligations. Unfortunately, in light of the Trenton City Council’s recent refusal to adequately fund drinking water system improvements, it has become all the more clear that TWW will not meet its obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and DEP’s orders. DEP has been left no choice but to take legal action, and we have confidence that Attorney General Grewal and his team will help us bring swift relief to the people of Trenton and the communities who rely on TWW for their drinking water.”
Lead Service Lines Issue
As the Complaint explains, lead can occur in drinking water when lead service lines within water distribution systems and household plumbing corrode.
Wherever the lead levels exceed 15 parts per billion for a sufficient number of samples from a single water system — as revealed through tap water sampling — that system has experienced an “Action Level Exceedance” and federal law requires water systems to implement techniques to minimize the risk and to replace a percentage of its lead service lines.
According to today’s lawsuit, the City experienced lead-related Action Level Exceedance events during three monitoring periods in 2017 and 2018. TWW was required to replace seven percent of its lead service lines within a year of its first Action Level Exceedance. TWW did not meet that first deadline, and subsequently entered into an ACO with the DEP in July 2018.
Under that ACO, the TWW committed to replace seven percent of its lead lines – over 2,500 lines in all – by December 31, 2019. The City missed that deadline, and will miss an upcoming deadline in July to replace an additional seven percent of its lead lines, totaling 14%. To date, it has replaced only 828 of its lines, or roughly two percent.
As a result of the City’s failure to meet its agreed-upon obligation to replace many aged and corroding lead service lines, today’s lawsuit argues, DEP has been forced to seek court intervention.
The lawsuit asserts that legal action seeking a court order is required because the defendants have not taken all necessary steps to “mitigate the risk of potential lead contamination in drinking water.” The lawsuit also seeks immediate relief from the Court.
Remaining Environmental Issues
In addition to demanding that TWW replace sufficient lead service lines, the lawsuit addresses TWW’s failures to reduce the risk of contamination in its reservoir, as well as TWW’s inability to comply with other maintenance and operational requirements.
TWW maintains a seven-acre reserve reservoir, which contains millions of gallons of usable, treated water, and provides drinking water to consumers when the system is unable to meet demands. Because that reservoir is uncovered, it is subject to contamination from the elements and from birds or other animals, which poses a continuing risk of introducing pathogens into the water supply.
According to the Complaint filed today, DEP ordered installation of a floating cover to protect the reservoir from contamination more than a decade ago, and it ordered TWW to complete the cover project by 2009. The lawsuit notes that the City did not comply with DEP’s order, and that it missed two extended deadlines in the process.
As a result, in 2018, the City and DEP agreed to an ACO extending the deadline for cover installation until 2023 – with an added requirement that Trenton fulfill a number of interim milestones in 2018 and 2019 to ensure installation of the cover by the agreed-upon deadline.
According to today’s complaint, the City has not completed those steps in a timely manner, and now indicates it wishes to abandon the cover project in lieu of an alternative approach – a series of above ground storage tanks to prevent the contamination of its reserve water supply. To date, Trenton has not formally requested DEP approval of the storage tank project, which is projected to cost tens of millions of dollars. Nor has it provided a schedule for completion, or an indication of how it intends to fund the project.
At the same time, the ACO to which the City and DEP entered also required TWW to meet a series of operations and maintenance requirements, which it has repeatedly failed to do.
Most concerning, just last month, the Trenton City Council rejected TWW’s request for more than $83 million in bonds, which included $50 million for the protection of the finished water in the system, and which was also necessary to ensure that other maintenance and operations obligations are satisfied. That decision has necessitated today’s action; it is part of a pattern of inaction and outright refusal to marshal the resources necessary to meet the City’s legal obligations to effectively run the water system and protect the public health.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–On June 4, 2020 at 11:53 a.m. Ewing Police Dispatch received multiple 9-1-1 calls regarding a two-vehicle crash, with injuries, in the area of Lower Ferry and Ashley Roads. Responding officers encountered one of the vehicle’s occupants, a 23-year-old female, to be trapped inside her vehicle. Ewing Fire Station 33 responded and freed the victim who was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in critical condition, along with a five-year-old passenger from the vehicle. Both the five-year-old and the driver of the second vehicle were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 23-year-old female driver, identified as Gabriella Nordgren of Ewing, later died of her injuries. Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle being operated by Nordgren, crossed the center line striking the opposing vehicle head-on. The roadway has been reopened, however investigation into the crash is ongoing. No charges have been filed at this time. Anyone with information concerning the crash is asked to contact Officer Robert Birchenough at (609) 882-1313 ext. 5569.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Township Police and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Serious Crash Investigation Unit are on scene at Lower Ferry and Ashly Roads. Three people were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the vehilce may have crossed the yellow line and struck the opposing vehicle head on, police said.
One drive needed to be extricated by the Ewing Township Fire Department.
Anyone with information regarding the crash can contact Officer Robert Birchenough of the Ewing Police Department’s Traffic Unit 609-882-1313 ext. 5569.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—An autopsy was performed and Ms. Davis’ death has been ruled a homicide. The victim suffered a gunshot wound by a metal air gun pellet that struck internal organs and caused massive internal bleeding. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are being reviewed.
The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department are investigating the death of a Pennsylvania woman that occurred on Glen Stewart Drive in Ewing Township.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, Ewing police were alerted to a deceased female in a home on Glen Stewart Drive. Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as Ashley Davis, 32, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the basement. There were visible wounds to Ms. Davis’ body and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the execution of a search warrant at the home, two long BB guns and a short BB gun were located in the same room as the victim’s body. Numerous used bags of suspected heroin with various stamps were also discovered during the search. The victim’s boyfriend, Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections. The cause and manner of death of Ms. Davis’ death are pending an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or mchtftips@mercercounty.org
Note: If you got to have a WaWa they close about 5:30 pm because they need to clean the store and get ready for the next day. Get your WaWa before 5:30 pm.
HAMILTON, TRENTON, EWING, NJ (MERCER)–While minor incidents occurred last evening, Hamilton Township will continue the regional curfew imposed yesterday in Trenton, Ewing, and Lawrence from 7:00 PM this evening, Tuesday, June 2, 2020 through 6:00 AM Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
IT IS ORDERED THAT:
1. All provisions from the prior Proclamations of Local Disasters Emergency shall remain in effect;
2. All Township parks and other public areas shall be closed from the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m;
3. All businesses, including essential businesses as designated by the Governor, shall be closed to the public during the hours of the curfew; essential employees of essential businesses, including distribution centers, shall be exempted from this curfew;
4. Hotels and their employees shall be exempted from this curfew;
5. All persons shall shelter in place in their residence;
6. Persons reporting to or from, or performing their essential job including, but not limited to, government officials or employees conducting their official duties, health care workers, law enforcement or emergency personnel, shall be exempted from this curfew;
7. There shall be no deliveries during the curfew, except to essential services and businesses which have confirmed that employees are present to accept deliveries, even while closed to the public; delivery services shall not deliver packages to any closed business or residence during the curfew;
8. Persons travelling because of a reasonable fear for his or her health or safety, shall be exempted from this curfew;
9. Persons travelling at the directions of law enforcement or other governmental agency shall be exempted from this curfew;
10. Persons seeking medical attention, essential social services or assistance from law enforcement or emergency services, shall be exempted from this curfew.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Ewing Police Department are investigating the death of a Pennsylvania woman that occurred on Glen Stewart Drive in Ewing Township.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020, Ewing police were alerted to a deceased female in a home on Glen Stewart Drive. Upon arrival, they located the victim, identified as Ashley Davis, 32, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the basement. There were visible wounds to Ms. Davis’ body and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the execution of a search warrant at the home, two long BB guns and a short BB gun were located in the same room as the victim’s body. Numerous used bags of suspected heroin with various stamps were also discovered during the search. The victim’s boyfriend, Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
The cause and manner of death of Ms. Davis’ death are pending an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or mchtftips@mercercounty.org
Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
Aaron Adams, 38, who resides at the Glen Stewart home, has been charged with certain persons not to possess a weapon. He is in the custody of the Mercer County Department of Corrections.
Trenton Water supplies 217,000 people in Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence Townships.
May 22, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin released a statement today about NJ Department of Environmental Protection taking legal action against the City of Trenton.
Trenton Water Works provides water for a significant portion of Hamilton Township.
“I applaud DEP for its leadership in ensuring safe and clean drinking water for all of Trenton Water Works’ customers. Legal action is a necessary but unfortunate step to take. We will join, and work with, DEP in its legal action and will not stop fighting until we are satisfied that all necessary steps are taken.” Hamilton Township Mayor Martin Said.
Full letter from NJ DEP Commissioner below.
MidJersey.News has reached out to Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora’s office for comment but has not received a reply at the time of this publishing. Once we receive a reply we will update it here.
Dear Mayor and Council President,
As you know, for over the past two years, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been working both to press for and to support the City of Trenton’s efforts to meet its obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and two 2018 DEP Administrative Consent Orders (ACOs) requiring, among other things, improvements to the operations of Trenton Water Works (TWW), replacement of lead service lines, and renovating Trenton’s uncovered reservoir to prevent contamination of the drinking water supply.
At the time of my last letter to you dated February 20, 2020 (attached), DEP was encouraged by the City’s recent progress in meeting its obligations, and by the Mayor’s proposed capital improvement plan and rate ordinance changes needed to support those improvements. And, as I shared in February, DEP is pleased to offer more state water infrastructure funding to support the City’s efforts, adding to the state funds we previously provided to the City.
I was deeply disappointed to learn that, on May 7, 2020, the City Council inexplicably rejected funding for crucial measures necessary to enable TWW to come into and maintain compliance. To be clear, the Council’s inexplicable failure to adopt these measures will prevent TWW from meeting critically overdue legal requirements of the ACOs and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
These requirements are necessary to ensure a safe and reliable water supply, not only for the City of Trenton, but also for the 217,000 people served by TWW in Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence Townships.
The Council’s unreasonable action has left DEP no choice but to seek judicial intervention to help ensure that the City will comply with the requirements of the ACOs and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Regrettably, DEP has requested that the Attorney General take appropriate action before the courts.
Ensuring safe and reliable drinking water is a critical public health priority, and it is imperative that the City’s recent progress toward meeting its obligations not be lost. While DEP must now take the unfortunate step of seeking judicial intervention, we also recognize that Mayor Gusciora has proposed appropriate actions to enable TWW to make the necessary improvements to its water supply system. The City Council’s refusal to provide the necessary financial support to achieve these legally required public health obligations simply leaves us no other choice.
DEP will, of course, continue to provide TWW with technical compliance assistance, as we do for all water systems. And, I invite you to contact me directly if you would like to discuss these matters.
Catherine R. McCabe NJDEP, Commissioner
Trenton Water Works on Route 29
Trenton Water Works Plant on State Highway 29 in Trenton Serves 217,000 people in Trenton, Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence Townships.
The following is a statement from Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin:
“I applaud DEP for its leadership in ensuring safe and clean drinking water for all of Trenton Water Works’ customers. Legal action is a necessary but unfortunate step to take. We will join, and work with, DEP in its legal action and will not stop fighting until we are satisfied that all necessary steps are taken.”
Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin
Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin
DEP Letter Page 1
DEP Letter Page 2
Catherine R. McCabe NJDEP, Commissioner
Letter sent to Trenton Mayor and Council President from Catherine R. McCabe NJDEP, Commissioner planing legal action.
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Ewing Police and EMS responded to Parkside Avenue and Pennington Road for a two car accident reportedly involving a pedestrian around 5 pm. Persons were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center by EMS. No other information is available about the accident.
