PATERSON, NJ - Two Paterson residents were shot in the early hours of Monday in the area of 20th Avenue and East 33rd Street, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi announced.
According to a statement, at around 2:17 a.m., members of the Paterson Police Department responded to a report of a shooting in the area of 20th Avenue and East 33rd Street. Upon arrival, authorities found two victims, a 27-year-old male and a 43-year-old male, both residents of Paterson. Both individuals had sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds and were rushed to St. Joseph's University Medical Center.
Police were able to identify a potential crime scene in the vicinity, indicating that the shooting likely occurred in that area.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact them on their tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.
]]>HOBOKEN, NJ - Hoboken police detectives are investigating an incident in which a man was reportedly stabbed after he and his friends confronted someone who they believed appeared to be breaking into a car.
The incident occurred on Saturday, with officers responding to the scene near the intersection of Jefferson and Fourth Streets at approximately 4 a.m., according to the Hoboken Police Department (HPD).
Hoboken police said the 22-year-old victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment where he remains in a stable condition. The individual who allegedly committed the stabbing is not from Hoboken, according to the HPD.
Detectives are investigating and ask anyone with information to contact Police Officer Samuel Flores at 201-420-2100 ext. 3104 or floress@hobokenpdnj.gov.
The HPD has also said that anyone who is a victim of or witnesses a crime should call 9-1-1 immediately and avoid confronting actors if at all possible.
]]>ROXBURY, NJ - The Roxbury Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a township man who has not been seen for almost two weeks.
The man, Altariq Hickson, was last seen at his residence in Roxbury on March 6, police said in a statement released today. They described Hickson as being 20 years old, black with black hair, about 215 pounds and 6-feet, 1-inch tall.
Police did not offer any details related to Hickson's disappearance. It released the information after being asked about a helicopter that was seen flying low over Kenvil on Sunday morning. One source said police were looking to see if a body was in Sunset Lake, on the Roxbury/Mine Hill border, the scene of a double-drowning in 2022.
"The only thing I was told was someone on Gregory Drive in Kenvil found someone's wallet and cell phone," said Mine Hill Mayor Sam Morris today. "They were trying to find the person ... I'm not sure how a wallet and cell phone turned into a drowning rumor. I think that's a little improper."
Roxbury police are asking anybody with information regarding Altariq’s whereabouts or the investigation to call them at 973-448-2100.
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]]>BLOOMFIELD, NJ-- At approximately 2:30 p.m.this afternoon, The Bloomfield Fire Department responded to 41 Pitt Street and found heavy fire enveloping the entire first floor, with flames spreading onto the home at 31 Pitt Street.
According to firefighters on the scene, there were residents home at the time of the fire, and they all exited safely on their own.
There were no injuries reported to fire department personnel.
"“Upon arrival at 41 Pitt Street, we were met with intense flames issuing from the first floor, extending to the 2nd floor and impinging on the structure at 31. Our crews immediately launched an aggressive attack to subdue the fire,” said Bloomfield Fire Chief Lou Venezia. “I wish to express my profound gratitude to all the firefighters for their relentless efforts to put out the fire, and to our mutual aid partners for their invaluable support."
Bloomfield was assisted on scene by Belleville, Nutley, Montclair, Clifton, West Orange and Newark.
]]>EDISON, NJ - Police are investigating an attempted carjacking and assault in the parking lot of the Patel Brothers on Oak Tree Road. Authorities have confirmed that the victim was the son of the owner of the Patel Brothers store.
According to police, the assault was on Friday at 4:55 PM. Security surveillance footage of the assault shows three suspects attacking a man as he gets into his orange 2017 Bentley SUV. The man is dragged out of the vehicle and his head slams into another parked car. He did not suffer any major injuries, according to Police Chief Thomas Bryan.
The carjackers entered the vehicle but were unable to drive it because it was operated by a key fob, according to Bryan. As the victim went inside the store to call the police, the suspects fled the scene on foot. No items were stolen from the vehicle, according to the authorities.
Police have not identified any of the suspects nor have they made any arrests at this time. Anyone with additional information about the suspects should contact the Edison Police Burglary Unit by calling (732) 248-7413.
]]>A 2-year-old boy is in “stable” condition after falling out of a second-floor window in the 100 block of South 16th Avenue in Newark on Sunday night, March 17, police said.
The boy’s mother carried him to the 4th precinct police station and police took him to University Hospital, Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said in a statement. The fall happened around 7:26 p.m., police said.
Police did not have additional information to share.
A recent Rutgers New Jersey Medical School report said that over four years, University Hospital treated 30 children for injuries sustained while falling from windows. Most were boys, the report said.
In August, the Newark City Council updated the local requirements for the installation of window guards in rental units. Window guards are metal grills that prevent children from falling out of windows.
The local law requires landlords to install window guards in those apartments in which renters have children 10 years old or younger.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following guidelines on window guards:
WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA—An emergency pipe repair will close Bristol Road between the Route 202 Bypass and Lower State Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for much of the rest of the week.
From Tuesday March 19 through Thursday March 21, a detour will take motorists to Route 202 and Lower State Road.
PennDOT is advising motorists to leave extra time to get through the detour and around construction.
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]]>BAYONNE, NJ - A Staten Island man was arrested by Bayonne police on Saturday after he reportedly lost control of the stolen vehicle he was operating crashed into a traffic light post causing it to fall into the roadway.
According to Captain Eric Amato, the suspect, Tyzay Leecraft, left several other people injured when he struck their vehicles in his attempt to escape from the NYPD who had pursued him across the Bayonne Bridge.
Leecraft was arrested and charged with several crimes.
]]>BAYONNE, NJ - Members of the Bayonne Police Department appear to have brought an end to a long-running scam in which victims were sold stolen cars via Facebook Marketplace.
On Friday, Captain Eric Amato reported that two New York men, Devonte A. Thomas and Justin I Wright, both 23 years old, were arrested and charged with a number of crimes related to their reported criminal actions.
Working from an investigation that was launched in late 2023, Bayonne detectives responded on Friday to a call from a victim of one of the past incidents who advised them that they were attempting to purchase a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace from a male they believe to be the same one that sold them a stolen car in the past.
Detectives confirmed that the vehicle for sale was reported stolen out of Newark and responded to West 37th Street, the location that the seller and buyer agreed upon to make the sale, where they conducted surveillance and observed the vehicle that was to be sold parked on the street.
A plain clothes detective then approached the vehicle before the suspects approached the detective and opened the vehicle using a key fob in Thomas’ possession. Following this, Amato said, several detectives approached the actors and identified themselves as police officers, arresting the two men who tried to escape via foot.
A search at the scene led to the recovery of a US Passport in Thomas’ possession bearing the name Alazim Olasupo Odu, the same used on Facebook Marketplace, as well as a fraudulent New York State vehicle title bearing the same name.
Amato further reported that in addition to believing other victims of the scam exist that have not yet come forward, other instances of similar crimes took place on November 3, 2023, January 16, 2024, and January 18, 2024, involving the fraudulent sale of a stolen vehicle each time, with total proceeds amounting to $26,500.
]]>BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Burlington County Sheriff Jim Kostoplis and Burlington County Sheriff's Officers took to the streets of Bordentown Township over the weekend to highlight the importance of pedestrian safety in crosswalks.
Sheriff Kostoplis is spotlighting New Jersey's pedestrian-crossing law, in which drivers in the state must stop for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Failure to observe the law, which is New Jersey Statute 39:4-36, subjects drivers to one or more penalties, including two points on their driver's license, a $200 fine plus court costs, 15 days of community service and insurance surcharges.
The law is especially important in the face of the fact that New Jersey has one of the highest rates of pedestrian injury crashes and fatalities, according to the Sheriff.
Sheriff Kostoplis, a former Bordentown Township Committeeman, and Sheriff's Officers conducted an enforcement detail on the morning of Saturday, March 16 in Bordentown Township at Crosswicks Street and Charles Bossert Drive to ensure that both drivers and pedestrians were following the law.
Sheriff's Officers are making pedestrian safety a priority, as the Burlington County Sheriff's Department recently received a grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, which assists local and County agencies in the development of comprehensive pedestrian safety programs involving education, enforcement and engineering.
For more information on New Jersey's pedestrian crossing law, visit https://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/pedestrian.html.
]]>FAIR LAWN, NJ - Over the weekend, police tracked down complaints of a burning car that "had driven off the roadway from Saddle River Road," according to a police Facebook post. Two officers had minor injuries and were released at the scene.
The car drove into the park area "behind a home," police said, on Saturday, March 16.
"It was reported the operator of the vehicle was driving recklessly up and down Saddle River Road" prior to the incident.
A woman exited the burning vehicle, claiming her child was in the back seat, police said.
"Officers quickly reacted and determined they didn't see anyone in the vehicle, while they were doing this, the victim fled into a home nearby and was detained," police said.
"The child was never in the vehicle and was safe at a different location."
The woman was transported to New Bridge Medical Center for evaluation.
Police said charges are pending per the outcome of an investigation.
]]>HALEDON, NJ - A routine police stop unearthed a wanted fugitive from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and other New Jersey municipalities.
On March 7, 2024, at approximately 10:10 a.m., police observed a taxicab traveling on West Broadway. The vehicle failed to signal a turn. Upon initiating a motor vehicle stop, a rear-seat passenger in the vehicle displayed signs of being under the influence of Phencyclidine (PCP), a schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and was not wearing a seat belt.
During the encounter, it was discovered that a 42-year-old out of the City of Passaic was a wanted fugitive from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with additional warrants out of the City of Clifton and the Borough of Totowa. A container of suspected PCP was found in his possession, leading to additional criminal charges for possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of Haledon Public School. The man was also charged with being a Fugitive from Justice and ultimately lodged in County Jail.
]]>WAYNE, NJ – With the backdrop of women’s history month, a Wayne woman, Detective Captain Marla Saracino of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, made history on Wednesday when she announced her candidacy for Passaic County Sheriff, becoming the first female to vie for that office.
Saracino moved to Wayne 12 years ago, having been born and raised in Totowa, and is now in the process of retiring after serving 25 years in the county prosecutor’s office.
She talked about the hurdles she had to face as one of the first female officers in that agency, but also how quickly she earned the respect of her peers.
“I think being a woman in law enforcement, especially when I started back in 1999, was a little bit different than it is now because it's more prevalent to see a woman in the field of law enforcement today,” she said. “But when I started, I had to break into that ‘good old boys’ club.”
Having to constantly work harder just to prove herself added more stress to the job, she explained, and added, “When male officers joined, it was different for them, because they just fit right in. They didn’t have anything to prove simply because they were males in law enforcement, which tended to be a masculine profession.”
But it wasn’t every male across the board, and Saracino wanted to make that point clear.
“I would say that men that were closer to my own age were more accepting and open-minded to the idea of a female officer,” she said. “When I was a young detective or even a young sergeant, there were some supervisors that had 20+ years on the job…those were the ones that were harder to get through to.”
Saracino was promoted to Detective and transferred to the Narcotics Task Force just two years into her career and remembers, basically, being the only woman in her unit. She said that “there were some females who came in-and-out of the unit, here-and-there,” but for the majority of her 23 years in that division, she was the only one.
TAPinto asked her when she felt that she had crossed the line, so to speak, and was accepted as an equal by all her peers in the unit.
“When you get into a unit like that, it’s a baptism by fire,” she said. “I was thrown out there and was expected to be able to speak to people and handle myself on the streets. It was a ‘boots on the ground’ mentality, which fit me well. I think it was probably a few months in, that the other detectives started to see what I was all about, that I was really just about the job, and that I could do it just as good as anybody else. To me, that's when the barrier cracked, because then I began to be treated just like everybody else.”
Eight years later, Saracino is promoted to sergeant and is a leader of other officers, most of them men. Even then, she felt that she did “not get the same respect” as her male counterparts of the same rank.
“I still had to continue, if not more so, to work harder, which obviously causes more stress on me – just like any other female working in any other predominantly male workplace - because we had to work harder to prove ourselves. And then, especially when I began dealing with different types of agencies on a local, state and federal level.”
Once she proved herself as a leader a few months into becoming sergeant, Saracino said that was when she felt “much more comfortable in my skin.”
It was around then that her boss, current Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes was appointed to lead the office, becoming the first woman Prosecutor in Passaic County. Times were changing and Saracino had been a part of that incoming tide of women into Passaic County law enforcement.
The Detective Captain explained that she felt a “sense of pride,” that she was one of the women who helped blaze the trail for others in her profession.
“I believe that it gives women hope, in a sense, to see another woman rising through the ranks to a leadership position, in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field,” she said. “I hope that it makes them feel that, if they come in, keep their head down and do the job, that they will have the opportunity to rise through the ranks as well.”
“I say to my daughter all the time, ‘if you put your mind to it, you can do anything,’” she said, and has been setting the example since.
In 2016, she was promoted to lieutenant, and in 2019 was promoted to Captain, taking over leadership of the entire Narcotics Unit.
Now, after a 25-year career where Saracino has become the chair of the County Narcotics Commanders Association of New Jersey, she has broken another barrier as the first female candidate to run for Passaic County Sheriff. With her goal being to break an additional glass ceiling ,and be voted in as the first female sheriff in Passaic County.
TAPinto asked why she decided to run, and while she admitted that as “someone who has never backed down from a challenge,” breaking this barrier appealed to her, added that it was much more about “making sure the job is done right.”
“I’m a cop’s cop,” she said. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was on the streets. So, I have a great grasp of, and a very good eye on what goes on in-and-around Passaic County. My philosophy of policing is built around having sufficient boots on the ground to stop crime and keep our community safe.”
She also mentioned her “unique perspective” as a female police officer.
“I am a law enforcement officer yes, and I am a woman, but I'm also a mom,” she explained. “And I feel that I have a unique perspective, and can look at this through an additional lens, that I don't feel my opponents have. And I feel that I want to take action to protect our families and our children just like any mom would want to do.”
It was because of the untimely death of Sheriff Richard Berdnik that a special election will be held In November, with a primary in June to determine Berdnik’s successor. Currently, Executive Undersheriff Gary Giardina (another Wayne resident) is Acting Sheriff.
Saracino is the Republican candidate for the Sheriff’s election and will take on the winner of the two Democrat candidates facing off in the primary which will be held June 4.
Both of these Democrat candidates are also from Wayne. Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Chief Tommy Adamo lives near Saracino and Paterson Police Director (and former county sheriff) Jerry Speziale has lived in Wayne for 12 years
A follow up to this article will be about the three candidates for Sheriff in the running (so far) are all from Wayne Township, with more details on her two opponents.
]]>SOMERVILLE, NJ - The project manager overseeing construction of the Somerville Public Safety complex on Gaston Avenue expects that hard hats and subcontractors will complete their work at the 46,000 square-foot facility by the end of June, at which time they will hand over the project to the Borough for installation of communications systems, furniture and other infrastructure.
The building will consolidate the borough's four fire companies and the police department under one roof, with additional room for the borough's first aid squad.
Colin Driver, the borough's Director of Economic Development, expects the facility could be operational by fall of this year.
Conner Clark, assistant project manager, project manager for general contractor Harvey Cleary of Bethesda, Md. said work has progressed on or ahead of schedule since crews began working on the site at the corner of Gaston Avenue and East Cliff Street in October, 2022.
The pace picked up in October and November as concrete blocks were cemented into place before steel beams the length of a flatbed truck were swung overhead by a crane and dropped into place.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in October, 2022.
Site work began a few weeks later. There were a few derelict buildings on the 1.77 acre site that were demolished, including a bank, pizzeria, ice cream stand and the Gaston Avenue Bakery,
The vision for the complex goes back 20 years, when forme Mayor David Hollod created the Somerville Emergency Service Facilities Committee.
All borough firefighting apparatus and its four fire companies are now stationed at three firehouses throughout the 2.5-square mile borough. Somerville Police headquarters are located in a makeshift facility at 24 So. Bridge St., according to Kevin Sluka, borough clerk/administrator.
The first floor of the building will include bays for the borough's four fire trucks and a secure entrance for the police department, which will be located on the second floor.
The borough has been working for over two years with FD Stonewater - a Virginia design and financing firm that specializes in government buildings - on specifications, design and cost.
Stonewater will finance the cost of the project, according to Driver.
Somerville expects to repay Stonewater with revenue it receives each year from PILOT funds - Payment in Lieu of Taxes - collected from developers and owners of multi-unit residences.
PILOT agreements between the borough and developers of several apartment complexes signed in recent years provide revenue for the town at a reduced rate for upwards of 20-25 years before converting to regular tax payments. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital/Somerset also pays the borough $300,000 annually in lieu of taxes; as a non-profit entity, the hospital is tax-exempt.
The property was purchased by the borough in 2018 for $1.3 million, according to Sluka.
]]>HACKENSACK, NJ – The Police Department has received reaccreditation, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. The self-examining process comes after recent internal strife that was announced publicly at a January city council meeting.
"We’re proud to announce that the Hackensack Police Department has successfully achieved reaccreditation!"
"Police accreditation is a self-initiated process of adopting and maintaining standardized policies and procedures," according to cops.usdoj.gov.
The voluntary process guides police departments through maintaining standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession.
"We’re proud to announce that the Hackensack Police Department has successfully achieved reaccreditation!" according to the Facebook post. "Accreditation is a progressive and time-proven method of assisting law enforcement agencies to evaluate and enhance their overall performance."
This "accomplishment," attained every three years, department officials said, "underscores our commitment to excellence and dedication to serving our community with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Thank you to our officers and staff for their hard work and commitment to keeping Hackensack safe."
The department has gone through public turmoil recently, outlined by Director Raymond Guidetti's presentation at the January 23 council meeting. Since that meeting, the department brass and its officers have been quiet, at least publicly.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for March 19.
There's No Love Loss Between Hackensack Police Brass & Rank and File
]]>CARMEL, N.Y. -- The Town Board, acting in its role as police commissioners, last week approved the hiring of a Yorktown man as a new officer in the Carmel PD.
Chief Anthony Hoffmann announced the hiring of Justin Goldfine, a 2011 Walter Panas High School in the Lakeland School District, at the board’s March 6 meeting, which took place in Carmel Hamlet instead of its usual Mahopc setting at Town Hall.
Hoffmann said Goldfine, a Yorktown resident, has an associate degree in computer forensics and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Oneonta.
“He joined the NYPD in 2019 and was assigned to the 50th Precinct in the Bronx,” Hoffmann told the board. “He joined the Beacon police force in Dutchess County in 2021, which is where he currently serves.”
Hoffmann explained that as a currently serving officer, Goldfine would not require Academy training and would qualify for a field training assignment for a little more than a month and then be eligible for patrol
“He should be ready in time for our busy summer season,” Hoffmann said.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Goldfine to the position and Supervisor Mike Cazzari said he was happy to welcome him to the force.
]]>RAHWAY, NJ — On Saturday, March 16, the Pleasantville Police Department made the following announcement on its Facebook page:
"On March 16, 2024, 18-year-old Emily Rodriguez was reported missing by her parents. It is believed she boarded [a] New Jersey Transit train to travel to Rahway, New Jersey to meet her boyfriend.
"This is the only information we have at this time.
"If you have any information, please contact the Pleasantville Police Department at 609-641-6100 ext. 0, supervisor@pleasantvillepd.org, or jmorillo@pleasantvillepd.org."
TAPinto Rahway will provide any updates on this story as they become available.
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]]>WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Police are getting more license plate recognition cameras to help fight crime, according to Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.
The LPR cameras alert the police department of a stolen vehicle entering or leaving Westfield. As a result of an alert, responding police officers can use the information to better identify, locate and stop stolen vehicles.
The town council approved the purchase of 10 more cameras, in addition to the 15 the department already had, earlier this year.
“Five of them have already been installed and are fully operational, a sixth is being installed and should be operational later today, and four are pending installation,” Battiloro said Friday.
“The remaining four are intended for locations that will require permits from either the state DOT, PSE&G or Verizon and we have been working on that process,” he said. “This will bring us to a total of 25 fixed LPR cameras. They have been installed at locations in all four wards.”
Fifteen of the department’s police vehicles are also equipped with “mobile LPR cameras,” he said.
Westfield’s town council voted unanimously to authorize a five-year, $64,000 agreement for maintenance of the cameras at its meeting on Tuesday.
ARCHIVE: Police Chief: Vehicle Thefts Were Up 60% in Westfield Last Year
The maintenance agreement with Flock Safety covers both existing and new stationary LPR cameras.
“This is our maintenance agreement for the five-year agreement we have, for the ones that not only are in, but the ones that are going in,” Gildea said. “It encompasses all. I believe it’s 25.”
“The nice thing about these and other towns now, following our lead, we’re able to share information with other towns too,” he noted.
]]>PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - The Pohatcong community came alive with excitement on March 16, 2024, as families gathered at Pohatcong Elementary School for a fun-filled Easter egg hunt hosted by the Pohatcong Police and Station 75.
The event was also a celebration of spring, bringing together residents and children for an Easter Egg Hunt with the community.
The Easter egg hunt kicked off at 11:00 AM with children eagerly searching for colorful eggs and treats by the organizers. Laughter and cheers filled the air as kids raced to find the most eggs, filled with delicious treats and surprises.
The Pohatcong Police and Station 75 team members were on hand, spreading positivity and engaging with the community in a meaningful way.
"We look forward to this event every year," said several residents on social media.
As the day came to a close, children left with Peeps galore, baskets full of treats, smiles on their faces, and hearts filled with the joy of the season.
Follow the Pohatcong Police Department for other community events to build community pride in Pohatcong with local law enforcement and emergency responders.
]]>
PATERSON, NJ - A 31-year-old Paterson man suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds in an incident that took place in the area of Summer Street and Fulton Street on Saturday.
According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In- Charge Isa Abbassi members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched at approximately 4:36 p.m. on the report of a shooting.
Responding officers located a potential crime scene, but no victim. A short time later members of the Paterson Police Department were informed that the man had arrived at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson via private vehicle seeking treatment for non-fatal gunshot wounds.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact them on their tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or to contact the Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.
]]>DOYLESTOWN, PA—PennDOT maintenance crews will be fixing potholes on the following roads in Bucks County during the week of March 17, 2024:
Here's a look at other road closings and slowdowns in the Doylestown area for the week of March 17, 2024.
In Bedminster Township, Route 611/Easton Road between Quarry Road and Spruce Hill Road will have a weekday lane closure for utility construction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through March 31, 2024.
In Bedminster Township, Creek Road/Old Easton Road/Dark Hollow Road between Quarry Road and Wismer Road will have a weekday lane closure for utility construction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through March 31, 2024.
In Bedminster Township, Quarry Road between Creek Road and Deep Run Road will have a lane shift for utility work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through March 31, 2024.
In Bedminster and Plumstead townships, Route 413/Durham Road between Dark Hollow Road and Stump Road will have a weekday lane closure for utility construction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through April 1, 2024.
In Doylestown Township, Easton Road at the intersection of New Britain Road/Sauerman Road will have a full closure with detour from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The closure is scheduled to go from Jan. 25 through the summer of 2026 as part of the installation of a roundabout. For more information on the project and the reasoning behind it, see TAPinto Doylestown coverage.
In Doylestown Township, New Britain Road between Easton Road and Rolling Hill Boulevard will have a single-lane closure 24/7. The work is scheduled to go through the summer of 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Lower Makefield and Falls townships, Pine Grove Road/Yardley Morrisville Road between U.S. 1/Lincoln Highway and Delavue Road will have a single lane closure for milling and paving from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go from March 17 through March 31, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Hilltown Township, Route 309/Bethlehem Pike between Trewington Road and Orvilla Road will have a lane shift for utility maintenance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through April 26, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Hilltown Township, Route 309/Bethlehem Pike between Swartley Road and E. Orvilla Road will have a lane closure for paving from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go from March 18 through March 22, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Lower Makefield Township, Big Oak Road between Makefield Road and Rita Road will have a lane closure for a utility replacement. The work is scheduled to go through May 13, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Middletown Township, Route 213/Maple Avenue between Woodbourne Road and Wheeler Way will have a lane closure for sawcutting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go from March 18 through March 22, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Middletown Township, Route 413/Veterans Highway between Deep Dale West Drive and U.S. 1/Lincoln Highway will have a flagging crew for tree pruning and removal from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go from March 18 through March 22, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In New Britain Township, County Line Road between Maple Avenue and Trewington Road will have a lane shift from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through June 26, 2024.
In Nockamixon Township, Strocks Grove Road between Rock Ridge Road and Perry Auger Road will be closed with a detour for a bridge replacement. The work is scheduled to go through May 3, 2024.
In Plumstead Township, Wismer Road between Stump Road and Point Pleasant Road will have a weekday lane closure for utility construction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go through March 31, 2024.
In Solebury Township, the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge will be closed to traffic from New Hope to New Jersey for several months. The closure will allow for repairs to be made. More information is on the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission website.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Warminster Township, Route 332/Jacksonville Road between Route 132/Street Road and Steamboat Drive will have a lane closure for a storm sewer replacement from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work is scheduled to go from March 18 through March 22, 2024.
NEW THIS WEEK: In Yardley Borough, Woodside Road between Merrick Road and Taylorsville Road will have a single lane closure for utility maintenance from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. The work is scheduled to go from March 18 through April 19, 2024.
For more road closures, see the PennDOT Website.
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]]>
HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NJ - The 2024 Law Enforcement Night that was hosted by the 200 Club of Morris County, Morris County Sheriff's Department and the New Jersey Coalition 4 Education & Positive Choices was a huge success.
Over 100 people attended to hear from, and honor law enforcement represented by the local towns. There were state-of-the-art vehicles, equipment and a lot of cool merchandise for everyone to try and sample. Kids as well as parents enjoyed the festivites.
Sheriff Jim Gannon and his team were on hand to meet everyone and talk to them about safety and heroism. East Hanover and Florham Park were also represented.
]]>WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Bereaved parents of a three-month-old baby boy, mauled to death by their pet pit bull, laid their infant son to rest on Friday, March 15th at St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia, according to a funeral home that handled the arrangements.
The infant, identified as Daymon Jair Balbuena in an online obituary – is the child of Avenel parents Henry and Sierra (Kelley) Balbuena – who died on March 9th, authorities said.
The dog attack happened at the Balbuena family’s Mereline Avenue residence at 6 a.m.. The baby’s mother was badly injured and briefly hospitalized after she and her husband tried to rescue Daymon from the dog.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and Woodbridge police have withheld the infant’s name and his parent’s identities to protect their privacy. TAPinto also, until now, has withheld the baby’s name and his grieving family’s identities.
Flynn & Son Funeral Home has now named infant Daymon Jair Balbuena in its obituary. A family friend, Kayla Gil, has also created a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family in the wake of this tragedy.
The crowdfunding website has, so far, raised over $18,400 worth of pledges that range from $10 to the largest individual offer of $1,000.
News of Daymon’s tragic death brought an outpouring of condolences on Facebook and other social media sites.
Authorities say a local veterinarian has euthanized the aggressive pet pit bull, authorities said.
]]>LITTLE FALLS, NJ - The Little Falls Fire Department has received a $70,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan. The funding is earmarked for essential turnout gear, vital for ensuring the safety of firefighters during emergencies.
"Ensuring that the members of our fire department are protected is always a priority of the Township," Mayor James Damiano said. "Being able to ensure their safety with these grant funds is a huge benefit, taking a financial burden off of the taxpayers while accomplishing this goal."
Fire departments will use the grant funding to help cover costs associated with the purchases of:
With this new equipment, the Little Falls Fire Department is better equipped to handle emergencies and ensure the safety of residents in the community.
]]>SPARTA, NJ – A Newton man is facing drunk driving and “assault by auto” charges after causing a two-car accident at the intersection of Woodport Road and Blue Heron Road. On March 3 around 3:30 p.m. Sgt Joseph Antonello responded to the scene of the accident to find Matthew Boyle, 34 still sitting in his red Chevy Equinox, police said.
The other driver was out of her white BMW walking around, but was taken to Newton Medical Center because of minor injuries and a complaint of “head pain,” police said. No additional information was provided about her condition.
Other officers came to help assess the drivers’ injuries. Ptl Michael Poon spoke with an eyewitness who said Boyle went through the stop sign without stopping, “t-boning” the BMW causing it to roll “multiple times,” police said.
Antonello told Poon he smelled alcohol on Boyle’s breath and his speech was slow and slurred, police said. Boyle told Antonello he had three double screwdrivers prior to driving home, police said.
Because of his injuries, the officers did not have Boyle do field sobriety tests. Boyle was also taken to Newton Medical Center where officers executed a warrant to get a blood sample. The sample was taken to the New Jersey State laboratory for toxicology testing, police said.
Boyle was charged with DWI, reckless driving, careless driving, disregard for a stop sign, failure to yield to right of way. Criminal charges of assault by auto are pending, police said.
Boyle was given his summons, given a court date and released to the care of the hospital staff, police said.
]]>SPARTA, NJ – A Sparta woman is facing drunk driving after causing a crash. No one was injured on February 21 around 1:30 p.m. when Ptl. Alyse Brown and Ptl. Christopher Botta responded the scene of the two car accident on Father John’s Lane near Route 15. Graciela Kozakiewicz, 46 had tried to turn left onto Father John’s Lane from Route 15 south, police said.
She “failed to yield to oncoming traffic,” according to police. Her white Suburban collided with the car driving north on Route 15 and rolled down Father John’s Lane. The other car was disabled on Route 15, police said.
Botta spoke with Kozakiewicz while Brown talked with the other driver. Botta smelled alcohol on Kozakiewicz’s breath and saw other signs of impairment. The officer had Kozakiewicz perform field sobriety tests, according to police.
After the field sobriety tests, Kozakiewicz was taken into custody and brought to the New Jersey State Police Sussex barracks for breath testing. Once there she refused the test, police said.
Kozakiewicz was charged with DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test, reckless driving, failure to yield, unregistered vehicle, careless driving, failure to produce vehicle registration, failure to produce driver’s license.
Kozakiewicz was given a court date and released to a sober adult.
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