July 21, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 12:11 p.m. a vehicle lost control traveling in the west bound direction on I-195 just past exit 11 Imlaystown and overturned. NJ State Police, Hope Fire Company of Allentown – Upper Freehold, and Allentown EMS – Capital Heath responded to the scene. Upon arrival the vehicle was already up righted. It was reported that the driver refused medical treatment.
NJ State Police is investigating the crash. No further information is available.
NJ DEP Issues “CODE ORANGE” Air Quality Alert For Mercer and Burlington Counties
July 21, 2021
MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (BURLINGTON)– The National Weather Service Mount Holly has issued a severe thunderstorm watch and now several warnings throughout the area as a cold front moves though the area. The good news is that this should provide relief from the hazy skies created by wildfire smoke in our area that was picked up by the jet stream. Once the thunderstorms move through the area the weather should improve.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for Mercer and Burlington Counties.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children…people suffering from asthma… heart disease or other lung diseases…and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
Related MidJersey.News story here:
Smoke From Western Wildfires Picked Up By Jet Stream And Brought To Our Area
NJZ015-019-027-220400- Mercer-Northwestern Burlington-Southeastern Burlington- 850 AM EDT Wed Jul 21 2021 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 21... The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Wednesday for Mercer and Burlington Counties. A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children...people suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles...visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/ $$
July 17, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–NJ State Police responded to an accident on I-195 east bound in the area of the 9.4 mile marker for a car off the side of the roadway around 2:30 p.m. Upon arrival troopers notified Fire and EMS to respond to the highway. Shortly after another accident happened about 1/3 of a mile possibly due to traffic backing up. Hope Fire Company of Allentown, Robbinsville Township Fire Department, EMS from Allentown and Robbinsville responded to the scene of both crashes. It was unclear if anyone that reported injuries was transported to the hospital from either accident. Traffic was backed up 2.5 miles into Robbinsville Township. NJ State Police is investigating the crash. No further information is available at this time.
July 10, 2021
JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Around 1:00 p.m. a vehicle crash was reported on the Six Flags Great Adventure ramp from Route 537 to the park. Upon EMS and police arrival an accident was found at the top of the bridge. It was reported one person was hurt in the accident and transported to a local hospital.
The accident caused a traffic backup from I-195 to the park entrance on Route 537 in the west bound direction. In the east bound direction Route 537 was backed up about two miles past Hawkin Road. It took about an hour and a half for the traffic to completely subside according to Google Maps. Traffic is currently flowing normal for a weekend at this time.
July 9, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–At 5:04 a.m. the Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Millstone Township Fire Department were dispatched to I-195 West Bound for a truck fire. Upon arrival they found a truck loaded with horse manure on fire and the load was dumped on side of road at mile marker 13.2 west bound. Firefighters used several tanker loads of water to extinguish the fire, approximately 18,000 gallons of water so far.
At of 8:00 a.m. there is a 4 mile backup on I-195 west bound according to Google Maps. It will take quite some time for the material to be removed from the side of the roadway.
No further information is available.
July 8, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 5:53 a.m. the Hope Fire Company of Allentown/Upper Freehold along with Capital Health – Allentown EMS responded I-195 east bound in the area of mile marker 9.4 for an overturned dump truck. The driver lost control and crashed into the median then spilled the load of crushed stone onto the highway. It was reported that the driver suffered non-life-threating injuries and was taken to Capital Health in Trenton, NJ.
The highway was closed down to one lane as the dump truck was up righted and towed away by Hawks Towing. NJ Department of Transportation was on scene with a front end loader to try and clear the roadway of the spill.
NJ State Police is investigating the crash.
The clean up scene is still active and as of 10:00 a.m. the traffic on I-195 east bound is backed up 4 miles into Robbinsville Township Rt 526
July 5, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD, MILLSTONE, NJ (MONMOUTH)–JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Another weekend another traffic jam at Six Flags Great Adventure on Route 537 in Jackson Township. The Jackson Township Police Department earlier today issued a “Traffic Advisory” for a high volume of traffic heading into Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor. Jackson Township Police closed jug handles at intersections/traffic lights to try and help keep the traffic flowing.
Google Traffic was showing backups on County Road 537 West Bound 2 miles from Holmson to Great Adventure Gate. County Route 537 East Bound backed up over 2 miles from past Hawkin Road to the Great Adventure Gate. Interstate I-195 East bound was backed up at times over 4 miles or 5 miles from the Great Adventure Gate.
Local roadways were also backed up as people tried to find other was into the park. Problems were reported on Emely’s Hill Road, Millers Mill Road, Pine Drive and others. Residents reported being blocked in their own driveways by the traffic and gridlock conditions.
NJ Department of Transportation 511NJ issued several Tweets today on Six Flags Great Adventure Traffic:
Facebook user Joline B. from Millstone wrote:
The Great Adventure traffic has bled over onto Pine Drive. Our driveways are blocked by cars, in gridlock, looking for a way to shortcut into GA. There is no shortcut through this neighborhood!!! No one answers the traffic line at the Jackson Sate Police location. We are all stuck at home. This is ridiculous. Great Adventure needs to fund/supply additional police so that this does NOT happen. Very frustrated and it is getting worse by the week.
Jackson Township Police Traffic Advisory for July 5, 2021:
**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**
Rt. 537/Monmouth Road is experiencing a high volume of traffic heading in to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. Our Officers and NJSP are in the area monitoring the situation and also dealing with multiple minor motor vehicle accidents. We have just been advised that the majority of the traffic appears to be heading to Hurricane Harbor and as a result the water park has just reached its attendance capacity and it has been closed to further entry. As a result the traffic backup will likely get worse. Please use caution if you need to travel through the area.
June 18, 2021
ALLENTOWN-UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown High School Senior Car Parade, a tradition that was restarted last year due to COVID-19 was held tonight though the streets of Allentown and Upper Freehold Township. The parade started at 6:00 p.m. and featured the Class of 2021. It was reported the tradition was held prior to 1980 and faded away and restarted last year due to the pandemic. The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and members/fire police from the Hope Fire Company of Allentown assisted with the parade.
Video and photo gallery from the 2021 Senior Car Parade:
Allentown High School 2020 Senior Parade Click Here
June 13, 2021
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Dr. Richard (Dick) Fitzpatrick, Upper Freehold Regional School District Superintendent of Schools from 2007 to 2018 has passed away. The notification was emailed and posted online in a statement from Mark Guterl the current Superintendent of Schools. The full statement below:
Dear UFRSD Community,
It is with tremendous sadness that I report the passing of our former beloved Superintendent, Dr. Richard (Dick) Fitzpatrick. Dick’s tenure in the UFRSD was transformative, student-centered and impactful. It is a sad day in the UFRSD, but our many wonderful memories of Dr. Fitzpatrick will definitely be in the forefront of our feelings soon.
Dr. Fitzptrick came to the district in 2007 with an unmatched energy and passion for kids. Anyone who knew Dick or came into contact with him knows that he loved our students…”his kids.” His love for students and people was the foundation for every decision he made, and became the central focus of the UFRSD’s transformation academically and culturally. Patrick Nolan, Board of Education President recalls, “Dr. Fitzpatrick came to us at a moment of great growth in our communities and transition in our district. He influenced our evolution in so many areas, including our current curriculum and our hiring practices. Most of all, he was the biggest cheerleader for our students, no matter what they were doing. Many of the accolades that our district currently enjoys are a result of his passionate leadership. He touched the lives of so many here, and we owe him great thanks.” Dick’s impact on the district will be lasting.
Dick’s belief in our staff and his love for the community was also witnessed day in and day out. He was constantly on the move and loved interacting with as many people as he could every single day of school. Whenever you were talking with Dick, you felt as if you were the only one that mattered at that moment. His personal attention to every member of our district and community gave everyone a model of what it meant to always put people first.
For those who didn’t know Dr. Fitzpatrick, you should know that he would do anything for anyone and was definitely focused on doing whatever he could to make a difference. He cherished his large family and his numerous grandchildren. He loved working with Villages in Partnership and the people of Malawi. He thought highly of the entire community and alway felt that this was a special place to work. Dick believed in kids and loved them as if they were his own. He preached that if students did their “personal best” there was nothing that could stop them.
Fortunately, Dr. Fitzpatrick made all of us want to do our “personal best,” which motivated everyone to be better. This I guess is central to what Dick did for all of us, make us better. The UFRSD will forever be grateful to have had Dick Fitzpatrick as a part of our family.
Dick Fitzpatrick – Superintendent of Schools – 2007 – 2018; Cheerleader for the UFRSDl – Forever.
My best,
Mark Guterl
Superintendent of Schools
June 6, 2021
JACKSON, PLUMSTED (OCEAN)-MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP AND UPPER FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Jackson Township Police Department has issued a statement on the traffic backup on Route 537 in Jackson Township, entering and exiting Six Flags Great Adventure.
Currently Google Maps Traffic has the backup on Rt. 537 from Six Flags entrance to I-195 (1 Mile)
In the opposite direction on Rt. 537 backup starts in Plumsted Township, near Loveman Road to the main entrance of Great Adventure. (2.75 Miles)
In Upper Freehold Township traffic is backed up on Millers Mill Road all the way to Red Valley Road near the curve according to Google Maps. (1 mile on Millers Mill and an additional 1 Mile on Rt. 537 for a total of at least 2 miles in backup)
Jackson Township Police:
We are WELL aware of the heavy traffic in Rt. 537/Monmouth Road leading to Six Flags Great Adventure. It’s that time of that year. Security and the authorities working there have all been advised. Please be patient and refrain from calling us to further advise us of the traffic situations unless you have a police emergency and need our assistance. Dispatch is being overloaded with calls for the traffic situation. Everyone is doing the best they can to accommodate everyone and get everyone in and out safely. Thank you all and stay cool today!!!!
May 31, 2021
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–The 68th Annual Allentown Lions Club Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Service was held today. The parade started at 10:30 a.m. at the north end of Main Street and ending at the Newell Elementary School on High Street. Immediately following the parade the annual memorial service was held and concluded around 12:20 p.m.
A list of participants were, Allentown Lions Club Grand Marshal Dr. Joan Ruddiman, The Allentown Hope Fire Company, The Award Winning AHS Redbird Marching Band, The Allentown First Aid Squad, Jerry Rife and the Rhythm Kings, Allentown Borough Police Dept., The Ancient Order of Hibernian Bagpipe Band, Elected Officials from Allentown and Upper Freehold, New Egypt Fire Co., Larry the Lion, The Shamrock and Thistle Pipe and Drum Band, The Allentown Village Initiative (TAVI) The Knights of Columbus AHR Color Guard Dragons Lacrosse Team, Special Music Provided by DJ Nebbs, The Upper Freehold Professional Firefighters, The Allentown High School FFA and their Salute to our Agricultural Heritage, Allentown/Upper Freehold Little League and Softball Teams, Uncle Sam, Allentown Troop 180A Boy Scouts, Allentown Boy Scout Troop 55, Jacobstown Fire Co., Allentown Pack 180 Cub Scouts, Allentown-Robbinsville Girl Scouts, Clever Clover 4-H Horse Association of Millstone, Civil Air Patrol Color Guard, Crescent Temple Provost Guard, Shrine Clowns, Tin Lizzies, Chesterfield Hose and Crosswicks Fire Co., The FEZ Float, The Allentown Garden Club, Mid-Jersey Antique Cars and others.
Video and Photo Gallery:
May 27, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP-ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–At the entrance of Stone Bridge Middle School, student Dylan Lacroix, a Cadet Airman 1st Class in the Civil Air Patrol, has set up a “Missing Man Table.” He brought up the idea to Mrs. Folino and Mr. Myslinski.
The missing man table is traditionally part of military dining ceremonies and may also be performed for Veterans Day and Memorial Day services. The table has many different items to symbolize the missing soldiers.
The sign in front of the table reads:
“The table that stands before you is a place of honor. In setting this table, we acknowledge those missing from our celebration tonight. And, we remember them.”
* The table is small, and set for one — symbolizing the vulnerability of a lone prisoner against his captors.
* The tablecloth is white — symbolizing purity of intention in responding to the nation’s call to arms.
* The chair is empty, for they are not here.
* The wine glass is inverted — they cannot toast with us this night.
* The slices of lemon — reminding us of their bitter suffering.
* The grains of salt — representing the countless tears of the families.
* The single red rose — reminding us of loved ones who keep the faith awaiting their return.
* The burning candle and yellow ribbon — symbolizing everlasting hope of a reunion with the missing.
May 19, 2021
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The 2021 Allentown Lions Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 31, 2021.
The Parade is rain or shine and begins at 10:30 a.m.
Please arrive early and remember Main Street and High Street will be closed.
A Memorial Service will follow the parade on the Allentown Grammar school grounds.
In addition, prior to the start of the parade there will be a bicycle decorating contest sponsored by the Allentown Business Community Association at 16 Allen Drive.
All participants are welcomed to ride their bicycles in the parade.
Facebook link to the event: https://fb.me/e/1Xjqzssig
May 18, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 10:45 a.m. firefighters from Upper Freehold-Hope Fire Company of Allentown Station 82-1 were dispatched to I-195 West Bound near mile marker 13 for a motor vehicle accident.
When firefighters arrived the found a pickup onto a tree and the driver was heavily entrapped. Firefighters used hydraulic rescue tools to free the driver of the vehicle.
Allentown-Capital Health EMS and Paramedics from Monmouth County transported the driver to Capital Health Regional Medical Center Trauma Unit in Trenton, NJ. A trauma alert was called en route to the hospital.
New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash. The accident caused a little over a mile delay but traffic was able to get by in the left lane until the roadway was clear.
No further information is available at this time.
May 10, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)-ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)– A milling and paving project is scheduled for Tuesday May 11, 2021 though Thursday May 13, 2021. The resurfacing project will be on Old York Road County Road 539 in the area of New Sharon between Herbert Road and Gordon Road.
The work is scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m. each of the three days so plan an alternate route if traveling in the area.
The west side of Old York Road is Robbinsville Mercer County, and the east side of the road is Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County.
The paving limits are from Walters Road to New Street. Old York Road 539 will be milled on Tuesday, May 11, paved on Wednesday, May 12 and painted on Thursday, May 13. There will be detour signs to assist drivers in moving around the project.
Tom Arnone
Director of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners
Liaison to Public Works
May 6, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–There will be road repair/paving activity at the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area Tuesday, May 11 through Wednesday, May 19, 2021. There will be no road closures but traffic may be reduced to one lane. The Conservation Center parking lot will be closed one day for paving during the work period.
May 2, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 7:45 pm last night May 1, 2021, the Hope Fire Company of Allentown Station 82-1 was dispatched to the Assunpink Lake main parking lot for a raft loosing air with three people on board including a child. Firefighters responded to the ramp and put two boats in service. After making contact with the distress sinking raft it was found that no one was injured and the raft was towed back to shore. The occupants were evaluated by Allentown-Capital Health EMS. NJ State Police also responded and assisted locating the raft. Game wardens from the NJ Division of Fish And Game were also on scene doing an investigation. There were unconfirmed reports that occupants of the raft did not have personal flotation devices but was unable to be confirmed at this time.
Do not venture out on any body of water without a personal flotation device worn or in your possession.
Assunpink Water RescueThis evening, HFC volunteers were dispatched to a boater in distress on the Assunpink Lake. Chief 8266 with Marine 1 and 2 in tow responded with Engine 8276 and Utility 8286 to the boat ramp. Marine 1 and 2 were launched within minutes of each other, en route to the distressed boaters. Initial contact was made by Marine 1 to find the boaters uninjured and able to be towed to the nearest shore point. In all, 3 victims were safely returned to shore and all units were back in service within two hours.
April 23, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–A Allentown Football Coach and wife who is a Newell Elementary School art teacher lost their home and two dogs yesterday in a tragic 4 alarm fire. The home was completely burned and nothing was salvageable. Please consider a donation to help them with immediate needs.
To access the 5Help Foundation’s help page see link below:
Fire Destroys Allentown Football Coach & Newell Teacher’s Home
The 5Help Foundation’s fundraiser:
Allentown Football Coach, Mike DeRisi, his wife, Kim, a Newell Elementary art teacher, and his family lost their home & 2 dogs in a fire on Nicholas Court in Allentown yesterday!
The DeRisi family is very involved in the district both on the field, in the classroom, and their daughter an 8th grader at StoneBridge.
Donations are needed to help the family with immediate needs.
Can you help? No donation is too small even if it is $5! 100% of your donations are tax-deductible through Millstone, NJ teen founded 5Help Foundation with 100% going to help the DeRisi Family!
Venmo, Paypal, & Check Options Available. Go to www.5help.org or email 5helpteam2@gmail.com. Checks can be sent to: 5Help Foundation, 200 Village Center Drive #7392, Freehold, NJ 07728.
Thank you for helping in this tragic situation!
Special thank you to Mrs. Kim Mangrella for reaching out to us and asking us to help & the Merkel family for pointing us in the right direction to get the word out.
Drew, Tim, Heather & the 5Help Team
April 21, 2021
ALLENTOWN – UPPER FREEHOLD TWP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–On April 19th, 2021 Upper Freehold Township held a very small ceremony where 3 New Firefighters were sworn in by Business Administrator Dana Tyler at the fire station. After the new personnel were sworn in each Firefighter was “Pinned” by a close family member. The “Pinning” is the placing of the Firefighter’s Official Badge of Service on their uniform for the first time, as they begin their service for our community. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the event was limited to immediate family of the 3 Firefighters, co-workers, and representatives from local fire departments.
Firefighter Scott Royle took the position of Captain, charged with oversight of the Fire & Emergency Services for Upper Freehold Township and The Borough of Allentown under the direction of The Township Committee. Captain Royle comes to us with 18 years of experience at various agencies in Monmouth County. He is a US Navy Veteran and worked in the private fire investigation industry prior to coming to us. He continues to volunteer with the Matawan Fire Department and is a great asset to the town.
Firefighter Nick Brown a resident of Eatontown, NJ. He volunteered with Eatontown Fire Department, Tinton Falls Fire Department, & Eatontown Emergency Medical Services before coming to Upper Freehold Township. He has been a firefighter since 2015. He worked Per-Diem for South Wall Fire Rescue since 2019 and with us since early 2020, before being offered a spot as a full-time firefighter.
Firefighter Blake Nebbia grew up in the Upper Freehold Twp. and Allentown area. He has lived here for 17 years. He joined Hope Fire Company 9 years ago and has work extremely hard to get to this spot. Firefighter Nebbia is a graduate of Allentown High School and worked for Upper Freehold School District till he was offered a full-time position. He also worked Per Diem with Ewing Township as a firefighter.
April 19, 2021
ALLENTOWN, UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–This year a competitive Lego robotics team was established at Stone Bridge Middle School. Melissa Domen, the business leader of the Allentown high school robotics team, is the founder of the middle school team.
The name of the middle school team, True North Robotics, unites Stone Bridge Middle School’s motto of “Finding your True North” with the students’ passion for robotics. With the guidance of high school students on Redbird Robotics, 14 middle school students have learned programming, building, and teamwork skills, while having a successful rookie season this year so far.
On Feb. 13, 2021, True North Robotics did an outstanding job at the virtual Qualifying Event competition and headed to the virtual Southern NJ District Championship competition on April 10. The team received the Robot Design Award and the Breakthrough Award. At the Qualifying Event, the students placed fifth and sixth in the robot challenge game. At the Southern NJ District Championship competition, the students won the Rising Star Award and held an overall score well above the average for a rookie team.
Participating teams were judged on four different components during the competition including the Robot Game, a Robot Design Presentation, an Innovation Project Presentation, and a Core Values activity. For the Robot Game and Robot Design, the team built and programmed two different robots made out of Legos to complete a series of obstacles in 2.5 minutes. For the Innovation Project, True North Robotics invented and created prototypes of special swimming gear to help prevent swimmer’s ear and a mobile gym to encourage everyone to be more active.
In February 2020, Melissa Domen was awarded a grant by the Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation to start True North Robotics. Since middle school level robotics competitions have a limit of 10 team members per team, True North Robotics split into two smaller competition teams. One competition team is called True North Robotics Impact and has eight students (Aaryan Desai, Ioanna Varouhakis, Vishek Desai, Luke Greenbaum, Taylor Lalla, Elena Mathew, Theo Renzulli, Jeremy George) , and the other competition team is called True North Robotics Innovation and has six students (Sean Gavin, Mia Laudien, Remy Fortsch, Aarav Patnaik, Benjamin Utset, Sienna Jones). Each of the smaller group team names are named after the Core Values of FIRST: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork, Fun, Coopertition, and Gracious Professionalism.
The nonprofit organization FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. FIRST runs many types of robotics competitions for different grade levels from PreK through 12th grade. Both True North Robotics and Allentown High School Redbird Robotics are FIRST robotics competition teams. The True North Robotics’s competition level is called FIRST Lego League, and the Allentown High School Redbird Robotics’s competition level is called FIRST Robotics Competition.
What makes this team unique compared to other middle school robotics teams is that this team is 100% student run. Shane Conlin, Amelia Tricker, and Liam Granaghan are current Allentown high school students on the Redbird Robotics team and have been helping the True North Robotics team this season. Mr. Mark Guterl, Mrs. Stefanie Folino and Mr. Brian Myslinski have also been a great support for the team since its start. It has certainly been a team effort to get this team up in running with success. It has been quite an experience starting up a new competitive robotics team during a pandemic. The season kicked off in the summer of 2020 with online meetings. Students learned several skills like coding a robot, building robots, robotics competitions, the culture of the FIRST organization, and high school robotics. The end of the summer was also spent meeting in-person to build robots and obstacles made out of Legos. Safety measures such as social distancing and sanitizing were practiced at every single meeting. Both online and in-person meetings were held four days a week throughout the school year. Usually the competition season for middle school robotics starts in August and ends in December. But with it being a new team in a pandemic, this year’s season started in June 2020 and will be continuing until the end of April 2021. Soon, the team will start planning next year’s season. The team is always looking for new Stone Bridge Middle School students to apply for the team. Also, if you are a local individual or business that would like to get involved with the Upper Freehold Regional School District Robotics Teams, please email 1807frc@gmail.com
March 21, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A car lost control struck a utility pole on CR Route 524 severing it, causing wires to fall to the ground this morning at a curve known for serous accidents over the years.
The Hope Fire Company of Allentown, NJ State Police and Capital Health EMS were dispatched around 9:35 a.m. for an overturned vehicle near Tractor Supply Company. Upon arrival of EMS it was determined that there were no injures in the accident but wires from the down pole were across the roadway. Hope Fire Company and NJSP closed the CR Route 524 roadway from the 2nd driveway at Tractor Supply to Sharon Station Road. Barricades were called for from Monmouth County Highway Department to shut roadway until the repairs can be made.
A known curve with serious accidents over the years and recently on November 21, 2020 a similar accident occurred. The curve is posted at 35 MPH it is unknown why the vehicle lost control at this time.
November 21, 2020 accident here: Crash Knocks Out Power In Part Of Upper Freehold
January 3, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Trooper Alejandro Goez from the NJSP Public Information Bureau told MidJersey.news: At 8:16 pm last night, troopers attempted to stop a Nissan Altima for a traffic violation eastbound on I-195 at Mile Post 11 in Upper Freehold Township. The driver failed to stop and troopers using lights and sirens pursued the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle stopped in the median in the area of Mile Post 12.4.
The driver was arrested and troopers moved the vehicle to a safer location on the right shoulder to continue the investigation. The driver, Joel Morales, 23, of Toms River, NJ, was later charged with eluding and various traffic offenses.
During the on-scene investigation, the right lane was shutdown and a troop car with emergency lights was parked in the right lane. At approximately, 8:37 pm a Chevy Equinox traveling eastbound struck the parked troop car. The troop car was unoccupied at the time. Troopers determined the driver, Michael Costantino, 36, of Staten Island, NY, was under the influence and arrested him for DWI. No injuries were reported to the driver.
MidJersey.News has put out reminders over and over again to SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER at emergency scenes. If you are unfamiliar with NJ Move Over Law you can review it here: Slow Down, Move Over! National Move Over Day
Route 539 Closed between Burlington Path Road (by Rick’s Saddle Shop) and Davis Station Road, follow local detours in the area.
January 3, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A tow truck traveling north in the area of the 200 Block of County Road Route 539 lost control and hit a utility pole before coming to a rest in the front yard of a home in the area. The utility pole was cut off from the bottom and caused low hanging wires over Route 539. The Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Allentown EMS responded to the scene. It was reported the driver of the truck was out of the vehicle and uninjured. Hope Fire Company members directed traffic in the area until Monmouth County Road Department responded with barricades to shut the roadway. JCP&L was responding but not on location at the time of this report. Expect the roadway to be closed for hours until the utility pole can be replaced.
Currently Route 539 Closed between Burlington Path Road (by Rick’s Saddle Shop) and Davis Station Road (IFO Cream Ridge Golf Course), follow local detours in the area.
January 1, 2021
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–At 10:49 am, the Hope Fire Company of Allentown was dispatched to I-195 east bound at mile maker 11.2 for a well involved car fire. Firefighters arrived quickly with two engines and extinguished the fire. No further information was available.
December 16, 2020
A Nor’easter storm is pounding the area with snow, sleet, hail and mixed with rain at times. Numerous accidents and cars off roadways have been reported in the area in the slippery conditions. Police departments are asking residents not to travel if possible due to the conditions.
Robbinsville Township: There will be a delayed opening of Township Offices until 10:30 am. Robbinsville garbage collection that was normally scheduled for Thursday December 17 will now be picked up on Saturday December 19.
NWS Snow totals as of 9:55 pm:
...Mercer County... Princeton 6.4 in 0900 PM 12/16 Public Pennington 5.5 in 0900 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 WSW Ewing 5.0 in 0744 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Ewing 4.2 in 0655 PM 12/16 Public Hamilton Twp 3.0 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter West Windsor Twp. 2.5 in 0630 PM 12/16 Public 2 ENE Hamilton Twp 2.0 in 0630 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 SW Robbinsville Twp. 2.0 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter ...Middlesex County... Edison 5.5 in 0740 PM 12/16 Public North Brunswick 5.0 in 0830 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Old Bridge 5.0 in 0815 PM 12/16 Public Metuchen 4.6 in 0840 PM 12/16 Public Parlin 4.5 in 0800 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 SSW Plainsboro Township 4.2 in 0659 PM 12/16 NWS Employee Perth Amboy 4.0 in 0800 PM 12/16 Public South Brunswick 4.0 in 0720 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter East Brunswick 2.5 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter South Plainfield 2.5 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 NNE New Brunswick 1.6 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Woodbridge 1.5 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Carteret 1.3 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter ...Monmouth County... Holmdel 7.0 in 0900 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Howell 6.1 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public 1 S Howell 6.0 in 0605 PM 12/16 Public Manalapan Twp 5.8 in 0838 PM 12/16 Public Rumson 5.5 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public 1 N Eatontown 4.5 in 0910 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Freehold Twp 4.5 in 0715 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Freehold 4.0 in 0615 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Middletown 4.0 in 0824 PM 12/16 Public Tinton Falls 3.5 in 0847 PM 12/16 Public Leonardo 2.1 in 0920 PM 12/16 Public Cliffwood Beach 1.8 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Wall Twp 1.8 in 0529 PM 12/16 Broadcast Media Atlantic Highlands 1.2 in 0548 PM 12/16 Public Oakhurst 0.8 in 0650 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter
...Ocean County... Jackson 7.0 in 0900 PM 12/16 Public Manchester Twp 4.1 in 0705 PM 12/16 Public Lakewood 4.0 in 0610 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 NE Toms River 3.0 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public Whiting 0.7 in 0715 PM 12/16 Public Brick 0.5 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter
...Burlington County... Chesterfield 6.5 in 0800 PM 12/16 Public Evesham Twp 6.0 in 0600 PM 12/16 Public Riverton 6.0 in 0630 PM 12/16 Public Bordentown Twp 5.7 in 0730 PM 12/16 Public Browns Mills 5.5 in 0544 PM 12/16 Public Mount Laurel 5.1 in 0530 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Medford 5.0 in 0730 PM 12/16 Public Moorestown 5.0 in 0820 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 WNW Burlington 4.9 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 2 E Columbus 4.8 in 0600 PM 12/16 Public Lumberton 4.7 in 0718 PM 12/16 Public Burlington Twp 4.5 in 0650 PM 12/16 Public 1 NE Burlington Twp 4.5 in 0645 PM 12/16 NWS Employee Hainesport 4.5 in 0700 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Bordentown 4.4 in 0730 PM 12/16 Public 1 ENE Westampton Twp 4.1 in 0530 PM 12/16 Official NWS Obs Burlington 4.0 in 0500 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Delanco 4.0 in 0550 PM 12/16 Public Marlton 4.0 in 0500 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 2 SW Medford 4.0 in 0445 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Southampton Twp 4.0 in 0627 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Roebling 3.5 in 0530 PM 12/16 Public 2 E Delran 3.0 in 0600 PM 12/16 Public 1 SE Fort Dix 3.0 in 0529 PM 12/16 Public Shamong 3.0 in 0444 PM 12/16 Public Florence 2.9 in 0645 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Delran 2.8 in 0447 PM 12/16 Public Pemberton 0.5 in 0215 PM 12/16 Public
December 13, 2020
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 6:30 am a vehicle traveling in the 1300 Block of Old York Road lost control hit a pole and ended up coming to rest in a sod farm field. The impact of the crash cut a utility pole in half and left wires across the roadway closing the road.
The driver of the vehicle was temporarily trapped but was able to self-extricate himself out of the vehicle though the passenger’s side of vehicle. Members of Hope Fire Company are on scene providing traffic control and working on containing a small gasoline leak from the vehicle. Capital Health EMS responded to the scene and the driver did not want transport to the hospital.
At the time of this report Old York Road is closed between Herbert Road and Hluchy Roads. NJ State Police are investigating the crash. Robbinsville Township Police were also assisting with traffic control at Herbert Road and Old York. Monmouth County Highway Department was responding with barricades to close the roadway for the utility pole replacement. Monmouth County Hazardous Materials Team was notified and sending a representative to the scene for the gasoline leak.
December 5, 2020
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 8:23 am a vehicle traveling east bound on I-195 in the area of mile marker 14 ran off road and hit a tree. The vehicle came to rest back on the highway partly blocking one lane. The Hope Fire Company of Allentown was dispatched for a vehicle smoking and possibly on fire. Upon arrival there were no reported injures but there was a large amount of debris left on the roadway.
Firefighters from Hope Fire Company helped clear the roadway and set up apparats to close the a lane down while a tow truck removed the vehicle. The NJ State Police were on scene investigating the crash. No further details are available at this time.
November 21, 2020
Update: Power was restored by 6:45 pm
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Around 3:15 pm a vehicle lost control crashed into a utility pole and came to rest in a farm field on County Road 524 near Tractor Supply. Hope Fire Company of Allentown and Millstone Township Fire Departments were sent to the scene, a Robbinsville Township Fire Department Ambulance was also on scene. A utility pole was severed at the bottom and wires wrapped up in the vehicle. Power was out in the area and JCP&L Outage Map showed between 501 and 1,500 customers without power with an estimated restoration time of 8:00 pm.
Hope Fire Company reports on their Facebook Page: Route 524 will be closed from Sharon Station Rd to Imlaystown Hightstown Road for an unknown period of time due to a damaged utility pole with primaries down. Please use alternate route.
November 10, 2020
ROBBINSVILLE-UPPER FREEHOLD, (MERCER/MONMOUTH)–At 1:30 pm the weather is mostly sunny, and 77F (as measured from Joint Base MDL) and unseasonably warm today, so get out and enjoy it while you can. Normal average temperature for this day in November is 56F with a low of 40F.
This pair of bald eagles was seen this afternoon flying back and fourth between Robbinsville Township and Upper Freehold Township and appeared to be enjoying the weather.
Also 2 other calls this month Hope Fire Company has responded to below.
November 6, 2020
UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–NJ State Police Sgt. Philip Curry told MidJersey.News that a crash occurred at 5:59am on I-195 eastbound Mile Post 8.8 in Upper Freehold Township. A black Mazda ran off the road and overturned. The driver was transported to Capital Health with non-life threatening injuries.
Hope Fire Company and Capital Health EMS responded to the scene.
NJ State Police, Hope Fire Company and Capital Health EMS also responded to a car into a tree on Sharon Station Road on November 2, 2020. There was one injury in the accident person was transported to a local area hospital.
The Hope Fire Company of Allentown responded to a electrical shed on fire on the Gamblers Ridge Golf Course during rainy and stormy conditions. The fire was reported on November 1, 2020 at 6:42 pm and was quickly extinguished by Hope Fire Company members.
