MORRISTOWN, NJ — In a troubling development, John Dowd, a 56-year-old homeless man from Morristown, has been arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from an incident reported to have occurred on May 9 at George Gramby Memorial Park in Morristown.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, along with Morristown Police, announced that the juvenile male victim, aged four, reported being assaulted by an unidentified man in the park. Dowd, known to frequent the area, was identified, apprehended, and charged on May 15.
Currently, Dowd is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing, as mandated by the Criminal Justice Reform Act. The charges filed against him include violations of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(1) for aggravated assault, and N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1) for endangering the welfare of a child.
The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies, including the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and the Morristown Police Department, are involved. The public is urged to come forward with any information related to the case by contacting the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office or the Morristown Police Department.
- They Robbed a Local Business Now Newark Police Need Your Help Identifying Them
Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé is calling on the public to help identify two suspects involved in the theft of $7,000 from a local business. The theft occurred on June 7, 2024, around 4:10 PM on Wilson Avenue.
According to police reports, the suspects are described as two Hispanic males who were seen walking east on Ferry Street. They entered the business through an unlocked basement door and proceeded to steal the money from a drawer in the office. The first suspect was observed wearing a black and white Nike tracksuit with sneakers. The second suspect had on a blue and white tracksuit with red and green accents.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspects or the incident to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation. Public cooperation is crucial in apprehending the individuals responsible for this crime.
- Manchester’s Pine Lake Park Splash Pad Opens for the Summer
Manchester Mayor Rob Arace has announced the opening of the Pine Lake Park Splash Pad, inviting residents to enjoy a cool, refreshing summer. The facility, located on Lake Drive at the end of Lockhart Street (off of Rt 571/Ridgeway Road, just east of the Little League complex), is now open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Public Works and Recreation Departments, along with Manchester's Water Utility Division, the splash pad has undergone significant repairs and upgrades. The facility has been repainted, and essential components like pumps, valves, and spray heads have been fixed to ensure a seamless and fun experience for all visitors.
The park offers picnic tables and ample parking, making it a perfect spot for family outings. The use of the splash pad is free for Manchester residents, and no beach badges are required. However, young children must be accompanied by an adult to ensure safety.
Mayor Arace expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Thanks to the combined efforts of our Public Works and Recreation Departments, and Manchester's Water Utility Division, the pad's been repaired and repainted, the pumps, valves and spray heads were fixed, and everything is ready for you and the children."
Residents are encouraged to visit and have a really COOL summer at the newly reopened splash pad.
- Judge in Hot Water After Hot Tub Photos With Defense Attorneys
A Clark County District Court Judge, Erika Ballou, has been publicly censured for actions that violated Nevada's judicial conduct rules, following her inappropriate social media activities. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline imposed the censure, requiring Judge Ballou, 52, to undergo educational courses on judicial ethics in response to her conduct.
The controversy arose from two specific incidents on social media. One involved an Instagram post by Judge Ballou where she indicated attending a late-night concert by Billie Eilish, mentioning her judicial duties the following morning alongside the hashtag: “VacateTheS—OuttaOutOfCustodyCases.” This post was criticized for potentially undermining the public’s perception of her dedication to her judicial responsibilities.
Additionally, Judge Ballou faced scrutiny over a Facebook post that featured her in a hot tub with two public defenders. The image, which showed the group in swimwear, was captioned in a manner that was deemed to compromise the perceived integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
As part of her censure, Judge Ballou will complete an online course titled “Judicial Ethics and Social Media: A Lightning Course” offered by the National Judicial College. She is also required to familiarize herself with relevant sections on social media and judicial ethics in the “Judicial Conduct Reporter,” published by the National Center for State Courts Center for Judicial Ethics.
- NAACP Files Lawsuit Over School Names Honoring Confederate Leaders
SHENANDOAH COUNTY, VA — The NAACP Virginia State Conference has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Shenandoah County School Board. The lawsuit stems from the board's decision to rename two local schools after Confederate leaders, reverting to the schools' previous names.
On May 9, the school board voted to change the names of Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School back to Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School, respectively. These names reflect three Confederate figures: Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, and Turner Ashby, known for their roles in the Confederacy.
The 62-page lawsuit alleges that this decision infringes upon the First and Fourteenth Amendments as it creates a discriminatory environment for Black students, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act.
Historically, the names were removed in June 2020 due to their discriminatory connotations and officially changed in January 2021. However, the May 10 decision to revert to the Confederate names has been met with significant backlash. The plaintiffs argue that this act represents a regression to a period marked by racism and exclusion of Black students, continuing to propagate symbols of racial oppression.
- Millersville Police Stop Ends with Arrest for Illegal Gun
MILLERSVILLE, MD — A routine traffic stop on I-97 near Route 32 resulted in a significant arrest on the evening of June 13, 2024. Omar Garcia Gonzelez, a 40-year-old male from Ingleside, Texas, was taken into custody after police discovered a loaded 9mm handgun in his vehicle.
The incident occurred around 7:55 PM when a local officer stopped a green Ford pickup truck for a traffic violation. During the stop, the officer found the loaded weapon inside the passenger compartment of the truck. Further checks revealed that Gonzelez was driving without a valid license.
Gonzelez has been arrested and is facing charges related to the weapons violation. The circumstances surrounding the possession of the handgun and the traffic stop are under further investigation. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.
- Linthicum Gas Station Robbed at Gunpoint
LINTHICUM, MD — Early this morning, at approximately 3:50 AM, an armed robbery occurred at the Shell gas station located at 724 Nursery Road in Linthicum. The Prince George’s County Police responded to the scene following the incident.
According to police reports, a male suspect entered the gas station, brandished a handgun, and demanded money from the cash register. During the robbery, a female suspect served as a lookout outside the establishment. After the employee handed over the money, both suspects fled the scene on foot.
The male suspect is described as a black male, aged 40-50, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The female suspect is described as a black female, aged 30-35, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. Despite a prompt search of the area, responding officers were unable to locate either suspect.
The Regional Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation and is requesting anyone with information related to the robbery to come forward. Witnesses or those with relevant information can contact the police at 410-222-4730 or use the Tip Line at 410-222-4700.