Two people were killed in a crash Sunday afternoon when an intoxicated driver ran a red light and crashed into their vehicle, according to police. The crash took place on Highway 49 at 4:15 p.m. in Hopewell Township, according to Lt. Ted Schafer, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police. The driver of a 1994…
Taiwan’s premier called for calm Tuesday following a desperate run on toilet paper on the island, sparked by speculation of imminent price hikes. Shelves usually stacked with toilet paper, kitchen paper and boxed tissues stood empty in many hypermarkets and supermarkets as residents stockpiled supplies. Major online retailers had also run out, including PChome which reportedly…
Your regular reminder that weather is a wild system of tiny causes and huge effects. Snow on the Roman Forum in 2012, because this is obviously not the first time it’s even snowed in Rome. Stefano Costantini A butterfly in the form of two tropical cyclones flapped its wings in the Pacific, and now Rome is…
Brynn Cartelli NBC’s “The Voice” is back in action, and it’s safe to say the singing competition is off to a strong start. The show, which kicked off its 14th season on Feb. 26, featured a whole new crop of talented artists in its season premiere, including 14-year-old Brynn Cartelli. The pop-country sounding singer, who hails…
If you want the best doughnuts in the Garden State, Thrillist says you need to head down to the Jersey Shore. The popular food site recently published with its 31 best doughnuts shops in America, and Uncle Dood’s Donuts in Toms River was the lone New Jersey spot to make the list. Thrillist praised Uncle Dood’s…
Kamryn Lister scored a late bucket and converted two free throws to power fourth-seeded Toms River East past 13th-seeded Timber Creek in the first round of the South Jersey, Group 3 tournament in Toms River. Lister finished with a team-high 15 points and scored eight points in the fourth. Teammate Jordyn Madigan netted six of her…
State lawmakers will hold a a marathon public hearing Wednesday to debate seven bills that would further tighten New Jersey’s gun laws on the heels of mass shootings across the country. Many of the measures were introduced during former Gov. Chris Christie’s tenure, but the Republican governor blocked efforts by Democrats in the Legislature to strengthen…
NEWARK-Dr. Salomon Melgen who last year stood trial with New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has been sentenced to prison. While Menendez was spared by a hung jury in his case, Melgen will serve time in prison for defrauding the Medicare program out of tens of millions of dollars.
During the trial of Melgen and Menendez, rumors swirled about the pair utilizing Melgen’s private jet for traveling to the Dominican Republic to have sex with underage prostitutes after federal prosecutors raised the notion during the trial. Neither Menendez or Melgen were ever charged with soliciting sex from children by the federal government.
Bob Hugin, who is challenging Menendez for his seat in the U.S. Senate this year responded to the sentencing.
“Today’s news that a federal judge sentenced Menendez campaign donor and close associate, Dr. Salomon Melgen, to 17-years in prison for 67 felonies is another reminder of Senator Menendez’s egregious violation of the public trust,” Hugin said. “Bob Menendez’s failures continue to embarrass New Jersey. Our state and its people deserve better.”
The following press release was released by the Department of Justice regarding Melgen’s sentencing:
Dr. Salomon Melgen was sentenced to 17 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release by the U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra in West Palm Beach, Florida. This sentencing is the culmination of a multi-year investigation, which was followed by an eight week jury trial in April 2017 that resulted in Melgen’s conviction on 67 counts of health care fraud and related charges.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Miami Field Office; Shimon R. Richmond, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Patrick Fletcher, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General (RRB-OIG); and John F. Khin, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), made the announcement.
Melgen, an ophthalmologist who specialized in the treatment of retinal disorders and who had practiced in Palm Beach and St. Lucie Counties for many years until his arrest in 2015, engaged in a scheme to defraud the Medicare program and other health care benefit programs, by, among other things, falsely diagnosing Medicare patients with macular degeneration and then performing and billing for excessive and medically unnecessary tests and procedures, which included injections of expensive drugs and laser treatments. These tests and procedures resulted in Melgen’s receiving tens of millions of dollars in reimbursement from the Medicare program alone during the six-year period of January 2008 through December 2013.
In sentencing Melgen, Judge Marra found that the intended fraud loss was over $70 million and the actual fraud loss to Medicare was $42 million. In addition to the term of incarceration, the defendant was ordered to make full restitution to Medicare. Losses to other insurance companies and to individual patients will be determined at a future hearing.
“In perpetrating his multi-million fraud scheme on health care benefit programs like Medicare, Dr. Melgen showed complete disregard for what was best for his patients and abused their trust for his own personal financial gain,” stated U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “Dr. Melgen has been held responsible for his egregious fraud scheme. Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to bringing those who illegally divert the community’s tax dollars to justice, regardless of their professional position.”
“The reprehensible conduct of Salomon Melgen is a disgrace to the medical profession,” said Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Not satisfied with being a successful ophthalmologist committed to treating his patients’ legitimate medical conditions, Melgen devised a scheme to enrich himself by defrauding Medicare and other benefit programs to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. The FBI will not relent in its pursuit of Medicare fraudsters – including greedy doctors.”
“Salomon Melgen callously took advantage of patients who came to him fearing blindness,” said Shimon Richmond, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. DHHS Office of Inspector General’s Miami Region. “Instead of treatment, they received medically unreasonable and unnecessary tests and procedures that victimized his patients and the American taxpayer. Today’s sentencing is a stark reminder that the OIG and our partners will not tolerate Medicare fraud and will not rest in our efforts to protect patients in their time of need.”
“The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General is committed to fighting Medicare fraud, waste and abuse and is proud to be part of this collaborative effort with the FBI, HHS-OIG, DCIS-OIG and OPM-OIG,” said Inspector General Martin J. Dickman. “The sentencing of Dr. Melgen sends a loud and clear message that combating Medicare fraud is a top Federal law enforcement priority and unscrupulous Medicare providers will not be tolerated.”
“This sentencing demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint investigations to pursue corrupt health care providers who defraud Federal health care programs,” stated Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin, Southeast Field Office. “DCIS is committed to preserving the integrity of DoD’s TRICARE program which serves America’s Warfighters and their families.”
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, HHS-OIG, RRB-OIG and DCIS. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Roger H. Stefin, Carolyn Bell and Alexandra Chase.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
TRENTON-A Marine Corps veteran from New Jersey has announced he is running for a seat in the United States Senate, challenging embattled Democrat Robert Menendez who has held the seat for 12 years.
Hugin has been a vocal opponent of Menendez who has been embroiled in a bribery and political corruption trial for the past years. Menendez fought charges of bribery, conspiracy, and fraud in connection with Dr. Salomon Melgen, a wealthy donor. Federal prosecutors under President Obama had called their relationship a “corrupt pact“.
Last October, Senator Menendez was accused of having sex with underage hookers.
Hugin said is ashamed of the senator’s actions and feels New Jersey deserves better.
“I am offended by Senator Menendez’s actions. He’s violated the public trust and, at the same time, he’s failed the people of New Jersey,” he said in a Star Ledger report. ‘I’M embarrassed about how people think about New Jersey-based on Senator Menendez’s behavior. It’s embarrassing.”
According to Hugin’s campaign website, he claims to be a New Jersey success story who came from humble beginnings to live the American Dream. Now he’s running for United States Senate to ensure that opportunity is available for future generations growing up in every single community in our great state.
“Bob grew up in a diverse, hard-working neighborhood in Union City, Hudson County, where his parents instilled in him an obligation to serve others. He was the first person in his family to attend college, earning a full scholarship to Princeton University. After graduation, at a time when it wasn’t popular, Bob joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as an active duty infantry officer from 1976 to 1983. Bob participated in multiple deployments and was an instructor at the Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic. He continued to serve as a Reserve Officer from 1983 to 1990, where his assignments included commanding officer roles in Virginia and Battalion staff officer assignments in New York.
“Upon leaving active duty in 1983, Bob earned his MBA from the Darden School of Graduate Business Administration at the University of Virginia. In 1985, he joined J.P. Morgan, ultimately leading several businesses and rising to be a Managing Director, until joining a struggling biotech company called Celgene in 1999.
“At the time, Celgene had approximately 200 employees and less than six weeks of cash. Under Bob’s leadership and through the work of its employees, Celgene was transformed into one of New Jersey’s largest private sector employers – an innovative biotech company that is now known around the world for leading the fight against cancer and chronic disease. Forbes honored Celgene as #5 on a list of “America’s Best Midsize Employers” and #14 on a list of the “World’s Best Employers” in 2017.
“Bob recently completed 19 years of leadership in healthcare and has been a leading advocate for modernizing the American healthcare system during his time as Chairman and CEO of the Celgene Corporation and as a Trustee of the Atlantic Health System for the last decade.
“Bob also volunteered his time to the Board of Trustees of Princeton University, the Darden Foundation at UVA, and Family Promise, a national non-profit network assisting homeless families. He has also served on the NJ-based think tank Garden State Initiative and is the President of the trustees of his church. Bob also previously served on the board of Choose New Jersey and as past Chairman of the Healthcare Institute of NJ.
“At home Bob and his wife of thirty years, Kathy, are the proud parents of three children. Daughter Hilary is a Manager of Media Investments and Connections Planning at Chobani. Sons Robbie and Mac are both officers in the United States Marine Corps. Bob and Kathy are strongly committed to their community and not-for-profit work. A community service-focused individual, Kathy has positions on the Institutional Review Board of the Atlantic Health System and the Board of Directors of Georgetown University. Kathy also previously served as a trustee of the Kent Place School and the Pingry School.”
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Long Beach Township Police Chief today announce the arrest yesterday (2/20) of Colin D. Kerlin, 28, of Ship Bottom for the intentional setting of a fire at 8 West Scott Drive in Long Beach Township. Kerlin is charged with 2nd degree Aggravated Arson and 3rd degree Burglary. He is lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The arrest stems from the investigation begun on Sunday (1/21) at 6:53 pm, when the Long Beach Township Police and surrounding Fire Departments were dispatched to 8 West Scott Drive in the Holgate section of Long Beach Township for a report of a structure fire. Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, heavy smoke and fire was observed coming from the Southeast side of the structure. After the fire was extinguished, it was determined that the house was unoccupied for the winter. Witnesses reported seeing a white male running from the area shortly after the fire was reported. The scene was secured by the Long Beach Township Police Department and notification was made to Deputy Fire Marshall Brian Mount and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit.
The subsequent investigation by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit, Long Beach Township Police Department, Ocean County Sherriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office found evidence of forced entry to a window on the West side of the home. The origin of the fire was on top of a mattress in the master bedroom located in the Southeast corner of the residence. The cause of the fire was incendiary due to an open flame to available combustibles, specifically the mattress. As investigators were determining the cause of the fire, information was also being developed identifying Kerlin as the alleged person responsible.
On February 20th 2018 at approximately 3:30 pm, the completed investigation found that Kerlin allegedly gained access to the home by breaking a second story window. He then allegedly removed a mattress from another room, placed it on top of the master bedroom bed and ignited the mattress using a butane lighter.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced today that a former Dunellen Recreation Director and ex-Middlesex County Men’s College basketball coach pleaded guilty yesterday to criminal charges involving two additional victims.
Christopher Tarver, 46, of Jackson Township pleaded guilty on February 22, 2018, to the remaining charges in an indictment, for endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree by engaging in sexual conduct with the child, two counts of official misconduct in the second degree, and one count of engaging in a pattern of official misconduct in the second degree.
Under an open plea agreement reached with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Shevlin, Tarver is facing a prison term of up to 25 years to run concurrent to the sentence he will receive for his 2017 trial conviction. As an open plea, there is no agreement as to the time he faces in state prison; that is left to the Judge’s discretion.
Tarver is scheduled to be sentenced in New Brunswick by Superior Court Judge Colleen Flynn on May 4, 2018.
Tarver was previously found guilty on November 15, 2017, by a jury in a sex assault trial of 20 counts including 8 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of engaging in a pattern of official misconduct, one count of sexual assault, 5 counts of criminal sexual contact, 4 counts of official misconduct, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child in by possessing child [censored]ography.
Tarver is facing a prison term of up to 50 years in state prison for the 2017 trial conviction.
Tarver was arrested and charged during an investigation by Sgt. Frank DiNinno and Sgt. Karleen Duca, both of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation began after one of the victims, now adult, notified authorities. That victim was a member of the Monmouth Power Sports Club, a travelling basketball team affiliated with the AAU. Tarver had been the coach and executive director of the team since 1995.
Tarver began working as the Dunellen Recreation Director in 2004, but was suspended soon after he was arrested in 2014.
Tarver was employed as a men’s basketball coach at Middlesex County College from October 21, 2006 to March 5, 2014 and became the college’s head basketball coach on June 24, 2010.
Related:
http://shorenewsnetwork.com/news/headline-news/large-scale-shore-area-drug-ring-busted-most-already-released-from-jail/
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd announce the arrest of Matthew Demartin, 37, of Seaside Heights in connection with the death of a woman, believed to be the roommate of Demartin, who was found at their shared residence in the Glendale Motel located at 26 Lincoln Ave in Seaside Heights. The victim has been identified as Sharon Falcetano, age 59.
Demartin is charged with Murder and is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending his first appearance.
On Thursday, February 22, 2018 at approximately 11:19 pm, the Seaside Height Police and local EMS responded to a 911 call at the Glendale Motel. Upon their arrival, they found an unresponsive female who was subsequently pronounced dead at 11:43 pm at the scene. The officers immediately secured the scene and contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI to begin the investigation.
An autopsy conducted by the Ocean County Medical Examiner today determined that the victim suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries to her head and body. The manner of death was determined to be homicide.
The investigation was conducted by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Seaside Heights Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit.
Prosecutor Coronato and Chief Boyd commend the investigative efforts that resulted in the swift apprehension and charging of this suspect.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are only accusations. Each person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
ATLANTIC CITY-Hirsh Singh, a 32 year old aerospace engineer who ran for Governor in the 2017 Republican primaries is now running for Congress. Singh received just shy of 10% of the votes in the 2017 primary.
“Today I am excited to officially announce my candidacy for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District,” Singh said. “South Jersey deserves a conservative champion in Congress – someone who will defend the President’s agenda, fight to bring our fair share of tax dollars back to South Jersey, and stand up to Nancy Pelosi and the radical left. The President’s agenda of slashing regulations, cutting taxes, and returning decision-making to state and local governments is working to grow the economy and must be supported.”
Singh garnered the support from a younger generation of disenfranchised Republicans who were tiring of the establishment, coming off a Presidential election win by Donald Trump in 2016.
“As a trained engineer, I’ve spent my career identifying problems and finding solutions. Our next Congressman must have fresh ideas and a strong commitment to fix what is broken in Washington. We need someone who is not afraid to work with others from across the aisle when there is an end result that will benefit South Jersey,” he added.
“We need a new congressman who will aggressively promote strategic economic development in South Jersey so that our young people can settle their families here and are not forced to flee their hometowns for more affordable states.”
“I’m a proud first generation American who was raised to believe in the American Dream and who saw it work firsthand. I want everyone to have the same opportunity I had – to reach their highest possible potential and achieve the American Dream, just like I did,” Singh added. “In the coming weeks, I look forward to meeting with the residents of the 2nd Congressional District, listening to their concerns and sharing my vision for a stronger and more prosperous South Jersey. We need a new voice in Washington who will fight for all of the residents of South Jersey.”
Rob O’Neill, the former Navy SEAL who claimed to have killed terrorist Osama bin Laden, was thrown out of an American Airlines plane Sunday after officials thought he was too drunk to fly. According to a TMZ report Monday, the jet was due to travel to Dallas in Nashville. TMZ reported that before the plane took…
JACKSON-Jackson Valley was once a proposed 958 unit age-restricted community, but since developer Hovbilt filed for bankruptcy in 2013, it was forced to sell their Jackson holdings through an auction.
UPDATE: This ordinance was approved by vote by the township council. Ken Bressi, Scott Martin and Anne Updegrave voted in favor. Barry Calogero and Rob Nixon voted no. Mayor Mike Reina approved and memorialized the ordinance and did not execute his legal power to veto the ordinance approved by the Jackson Republicans.
In August of 2016, the new property owner “EL at Jackson, LLC” applied to the New Jersey DEP to move forward on their vision of the project, which is a non-age restricted mixed-residential and affordable housing project.
EL at Jackson LLC is associated with US Homes and the Lennar Corporation, according to a public records search.
The development, through township council action, is now zoned as a “Mixed Residential-Affordable Housing-8 Zone”.
The Route 528 housing development project being proposed by EL at Jackson, LLC is 355 acres in size. The site is bounded to the south by West Veterans Highway (CR 528) and with Perrineville Road to the north. The western boundary of the site is Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. The development site contains the drainage area for the headwaters of the Toms River.
Tonight, the council will begin the process to amend the township code to allow for the construction of “Clubhouses/community buildings for social and recreational uses” within the new proposed development.
The Township of Jackson filed a Declaratory Judgment Complaint in 2015 seeking a declaration that the Township’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan adequately addressed the Township’s Affordable Housing obligation.
EL @ Jackson intervened in the litigation, as a successor in title to the Hovbilt Site, which was included in the Township’s prior round as an age-restricted inclusionary development.
The Township was required by the Court to introduce an ordinance permitting EL’s property to be developed as a non-age restricted inclusionary development and EL @ Jackson filed a Motion with the Superior Court, alleging that the MF-AH-8 zone as adopted by the Township did not provide a realistic opportunity for the development of low and moderate-income housing.
Judge Troncone of the Ocean County Superior Court required the parties to mediate the terms the ordinance with the assistance of the Special Master and this ordinance represents the agreement between the Township and EL @ Jackson to modify certain provisions of the MF-AH-8 Zone in order to facilitate the development of an inclusionary development.
Reports on Facebook and Twitter are trending. A “huge monster” storm is heading for New Jersey this weekend, but a local and trusted amateur meteorologist says maybe not.
Bob “Weatherman” Burger operates a popular Facebook weather forecasting page with over 30,000 followers. Burger has become a trusted local meteorologist, routinely providing accurate weather forecasts when the major media networks and professionals blow more calls than NFL referees on Superbowl Sunday.
“I’ve been asked about a huge monster storm for next week apparently posted on other Facebook pages,” Burger said. “As of now, I don’t see enough evidence to substantiate a monster storm.”
Burger said others who posted reports of a massive nor’easter bearing down on New Jersey are engaging purely in the hype.
“I really wish some pages would wait for an accurate forecast before posting hype. And any credible weather page shouldn’t speculate, guess, or irresponsibly post something that s really unknown until all the data is in,” he added. “As of to this morning I see a chance for a low-pressure system over the weekend which could bring some rain.”
But is New Jersey going to feel the wrath of a monster nor’easter?
“As far as intensity etc ( monster) it’s to early to tell,” he said. “I will keep an eye on the data and certainly update everyone. Check back here it’s real weather not hype.”
You can follow Bob “Weatherman” Burger on Facebook.
PHOTO: A photo of the 1991 “Perfect Storm” as seen from space…not this weekend’s system.
NationalEnjoy a FREE short stack of our Original Buttermilk Pancakes and donate to help children battling critical illnesses. Every stack served helps us reach our goal of raising $5 million for local children’s hospitals and health organizations. Since IHOP® National Pancake Day® began in 2006, IHOP®, our franchisees and our guests have raised close to $30 million for our community partners.
by Virginia Aparicio
Little Egg Harbor, NJ – To honor hard-working school bus drivers, the American School Bus Council (ASBC) sponsors the Love the Bus campaign every February to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of drivers who safely transport children to and from school.
Five mornings each week during the school year, often before the sun begins to brighten the sky, our drivers board those big yellow buses to carry out the most important mission of any day – getting the students of Little Egg Harbor to school safely, on time and ready to learn. We are the first and last part of the school day, greeting the students in the morning and asking how their day was in the afternoon. Our drivers and team members are truly dedicated to the students they transport – their “kids.”
We at Durham School Services embrace the campaign by celebrating our drivers and monitors for their dedication to our students. As a way for our drivers to promote the campaign and engage their communities, we sent each one a Love the Bus magnet for their vehicle and pin to wear on their safety vest.
HOWELL-Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley has joined the public in the fight against a proposed solid waste recycling facility in a sleepy Howell Township neighborhood this week.
Curley broke from the silence of his fellow Republican freeholders on the topic. Aside from the public safety risks the facility could propose to the neighboring community, many have also been upset to learn that the project has the appearance of a political insider job as the applicant is the husband of the former county clerk, Claire French.
“There is a move afoot to place a Solid Waste Transfer Facility in Howell, near residents, schools, parks, and businesses,” Curley said this week. “Those advancing the venture are no doubt aware that major tributaries lie beneath the community.”
Curley said he fears the facility could contaminate the major tributaries which feed water to Brick Township residents and the Monmouth County reservoir. In February, the Brick Township MUA also questioned the risk to their residents.
” These underground waterways feed our Monmouth County reservoir, which could risk contamination. I strongly oppose this ill-conceived notion and ask: Why would anyone support the measure,” Curley asked. “The issues at stake are clear: Should we allow cross-contamination of wells and sewers to affect towns? Do we risk poisoning the water all our residents drink? Do we want a waste dump in an active community?”
Curley also criticized the potential for a huge negative impact on the local roadways and infrastructure.
“[The Solid Waste Facility] would allow large trucks to bring solid waste to the town for storage until larger trucks ultimately move it out, all while destroying roadways and infrastructure that were never designed for such traffic flow? Why should taxpayers face that repair expense? How can the Environmental Protection Agency be wrong in fostering policies that place these sometimes toxic facilities in more remote and rural areas, rather than in active communities,” he asked.
Curley demanded his fellow freeholders and other government agencies involved to present the public with more transparency on the proposal. Several times in the past, residents had complained about how the Monmouth County Solid Waste Advisory Council handled the matter.
“Why would anyone support the measure?” Curley asked.
“Over ten years ago, I successfully fought for Red Bank residents in keeping a waste station out of their community. I pledge to do the same for residents of Howell,” he said. “And for the greater good and betterment of Monmouth County.”
by Brick Twp
Brick Memorial High School won this year’s Mayor’s Cup Mock Trial. The students faced off against Brick Township High School in the annual competition, last week. “The Mayor’s Cup Mock Trial has been a long-standing tradition in our town”, said Mayor Ducey. “It’s great to see such spirited competition amongst some of our brightest young minds.” The Brick Memorial team were finalists in the Ocean County Mock Trial Competition but were defeated in the final round by Central Regional.
by Todd Malland, MPD
MANCHESTER-On Monday, February 26, 2018, at approximately 09:16 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Hudson City Plaza on Route 70, to investigate a motor vehicle accident involving a vehicle which had driven into the front of a local pizzeria.
Upon arrival, officers observed a silver, 2011, Toyota Camry parked on the sidewalk in front of Lubrano’s Pizzeria with significant front end damage. The front of the establishment, which was comprised of full-view glass and metal support framing was also heavily damaged. Additionally, officers located a brown, 2010, Ford Edge parked in the vicinity of the pizzeria with passenger’s side damage.
The initial investigation revealed that the operator of the Toyota, 91-year-old, Ruth Aboff of Manchester, was initially backing into a parking space in the plaza when she collided with the passenger’s side of the Ford Edge. After doing so, Ms. Aboff accelerated forward striking the parking block and curb and driving over the sidewalk and into the front of the restaurant. Ms. Aboff was treated at the scene and was ultimately transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for further treatment and evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. The restaurant was unoccupied at the time of the collision and no other injuries were reported. Due to the extent of the damage to the pizzeria it was ordered to be closed pending structural repairs by the Manchester Township Building Inspector.
Assisting at the scene were firefighters from the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, and EMTs from Quality Medical Transport. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Jesse Hoydis of the department’s Patrol Bureau and Patrolman Ian Bole of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.
TOMS RIVER-Toms River residents may never know the findings of the investigation launched by the Clean Slate Democrats which cost taxpayers $16,000 to conduct last year.
2017 was a year filled with turmoil in the Toms River School District as Democrats battled Republicans for political and financial control of the district. Board Democrats secretly launched an investigation which many felt was a political witch hunt intended to harm Republican board members who they accused of leaking confidential documents to the Asbury Park Press.
The board hired a Beachwood private investigative firm, DAR Associates to find out who leaked confidential employment records to the Asbury Park Press. Those records included information used to smear Democrat backed Superintendent of Schools David Healy.
Democrats claimed the timing of the leaked documents was orchestrated to smear Healy ahead of a planned contract extension for the superintendent.
Clean Slate Team leader Ben Giovine has been accused by fellow board members of operating in secrecy, keeping non-aligned board members out of key decision-making processes, including his private investigation into board Republicans.
Last week, the district denied another request to make the findings of Giovine’s $16,000 wild goose chase public.
The Asbury Park Press has also criticized the Toms River School District for operating in secrecy after it refused to release emails last fall that documented the feud between Democrats and Republicans and the new levels of secrecy amongst board members, even calling the district’s denial, “unlawful”.
School officials are now claiming the investigation is a personnel matter and cited client-attorney privilege. The district also denied a request to release financial reports detailing the true costs of the investigation, claiming there are no financial reports on file in regards to the investigation.
The board also refused to release email conversations between Giovine and board Attorney Stephan Leone. The board has taken no actions in public in regards to the findings of the investigation.
The refusal was issued by School Board Secretary Wendy Saxton.
Patients from the Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel were transferred to another facility early Sunday morning after a toaster in the building’s break room caught on fire, a hospital spokesperson said. The fire damage was limited, but sprinklers, which controlled the fire damage, caused water damage in certain areas of the hospital, spokeswoman April Dunic said…
Norway’s ‘doomsday’ seed bank, which seeks to protect the world’s crops from natural disasters, on Monday said it had gathered more than a million varieties as it marked its 10-year anniversary. Dubbed the “Noah’s Ark” of food crops, the Global Seed Vault is located deep inside a mountain on Svalbard, a remote Arctic island in a…
A passenger who said he boarded the wrong United Airlines flight exited the plane in an unconventional way — by opening the emergency door and zipping down the inflatable chute. Troy Fattun, 25, made the mad dash off flight 1640, according to NBCNewYork.com He was arrested by Port Authority police when after he reached the ground.…