Many in our community suffered losses in Hurricane Irene. I am continuing to survey the damage and to consult local officials about their observations.
Traveling by helicopter, by car, and door to door, I have seen that the damage is serious but spotty. Some neighborhoods have escaped damage, while others have suffered significant flooding. It is clear that, for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans, the hurricane’s impact is ongoing. I will continue to work with federal, state, and local officials to ensure that our state has every resource it needs to recover.
In the meantime, I encourage you to document any damage to your property for your insurance company. I also have written to the President to urge him to declare a major federal disaster area, and if and when this declaration is issued, I will follow up with information on any assistance for which you may be eligible to apply.
If your home was affected by flooding, I encourage you to follow guidance from FEMA upon returning home, as dangers may persist even after floodwaters recede.
You may also find New Jersey-specific information on the disaster response on the website of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Up-to-the-minute information on road closures caused by the hurricane may be found at 511nj.org.
Finally, you may have heard that our region is suffering a blood shortage because Hurricane Irene forced the cancelation of many blood drives and donation appointments. If you are able to, I urge you to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible.
All of us owe deep gratitude to the public servants who worked through the storm to keep our communities safe. Princeton in particular suffered a great loss. One of our local volunteer EMTs confronted swift floodwaters in an effort to protect local residents and, tragically, was swept away and killed. His sacrifice reminds us of the dangers that our first responders face willingly each day, and it underscores the debt we owe to those who risk their lives to keep us safe.
Although we have suffered significant losses, already our community is rallying together. Over the weekend, while volunteering at a shelter in Holmdel, I saw firsthand how countless New Jerseyans gave generously to help those displaced by the storm. At times like these, we remember that we are one community, and we are united in our resolve to help our friends and neighbors.
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
Member of Congress
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Crime Scene Middletown: Storm Stories of Burglary and Shoplifting
Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 28, 2011 at approximately 1:55 pm Patrolman Carl Roth and Patrolman Anthony Gigante responded to area of Orchard Avenue in Belford in reference to a report of a neighborhood dispute. The officers were conducting their investigation when one of the involved subjects, identified as Christopher Melchionna, age 28, from Orchard Avenue in Belford, NJ, began to yell and scream obscenities.
The officers advised Melchionna numerous times to calm down but he refused at which point he was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 27, 2011 at approximately 10:05 pm Patrolman James Beirne responded to the Bevacqua’s store located on Port Monmouth Road in reference to a Burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officer was flagged down by a witness who advised the officer that he had observed three male subjects break into the store and then flee on foot. The witness advised the officer that the subjects had removed a piece of plywood that had been used to repair a broken window and then entered the store.
Officer Beirne radioed the description of the suspects provided by the witness to other officers in the area. Patrolman Albert Scott and Patrolman Ryan Riffert located the subjects on a nearby street. Officer Beirne continued his investigation which resulted in the arrests of George Echevarria, age 19, from Monmouth Parkway in Middletown, NJ, for Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools; James Georgianna, age 19, from Hudson Avenue in Middletown, NJ, for Burglary and a 15 year old male juvenile from Port Monmouth, NJ, being charged with Burglary.
The juvenile was released to his father pending a court date and Echevarri and Georgianna were held pending bail being set.
On August 27, 2011 at approximately 5:05 pm Corporal William Kennelly responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed a male, identified as Ryan Durosky, age 25, from East Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ and female subject, identified as Katrina Palys, age 25, also from East Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, attempt to leave the store without paying for approximately $145.00 worth of merchandise.
Corporal Kennelly placed both subjects under arrest for Shoplifting. They were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.
On August 27, 2011 at approximately 6:00 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the area of Wilson Avenue and Highway 36 in reference to a man down on the side of the road. Upon arrival the officer located the subject, identified as Charles Henshaw, age 45, from Front Street in Union Beach, NJ, who was extremely intoxicated and was attempting to stand up.
Officer Keenan assisted Henshaw and attempted to locate a family member to pick him up.
On August 26, 2011 at approximately 4:20 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the Foodtown Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival the store manager advised the officer that he had observed a male subject, identified as Anthony Kane, age 44, from Randall Avenue in Hazlet, NJ, attempt to leave the store with deli meats and beer without paying for the merchandise. He was detained by store employees until police arrival.
Officer Keenan placed Kane under arrest for Shoplifting. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 25, 2011 Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit arrested John Lachawiec, age 23, from Edgemore Road in Belford, NJ for Theft as a result of an investigation into the theft of a laptop computer and jewelry from his parent’s house.
The officers had received information developed by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein that Lachawiec had sold the stolen items to a pawn shop in Keansburg, NJ. The officers located the property at the pawn shop and arrested Lachawiec. He was processed and was held on $5,000.00 bail.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Damian Newell, age 19, from Nautilus Drive in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 27, 2011 by Patrolman Brain Dilworth for Simple Assault. He was held pending bail.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
The officers advised Melchionna numerous times to calm down but he refused at which point he was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 27, 2011 at approximately 10:05 pm Patrolman James Beirne responded to the Bevacqua’s store located on Port Monmouth Road in reference to a Burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officer was flagged down by a witness who advised the officer that he had observed three male subjects break into the store and then flee on foot. The witness advised the officer that the subjects had removed a piece of plywood that had been used to repair a broken window and then entered the store.
Officer Beirne radioed the description of the suspects provided by the witness to other officers in the area. Patrolman Albert Scott and Patrolman Ryan Riffert located the subjects on a nearby street. Officer Beirne continued his investigation which resulted in the arrests of George Echevarria, age 19, from Monmouth Parkway in Middletown, NJ, for Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools; James Georgianna, age 19, from Hudson Avenue in Middletown, NJ, for Burglary and a 15 year old male juvenile from Port Monmouth, NJ, being charged with Burglary.
The juvenile was released to his father pending a court date and Echevarri and Georgianna were held pending bail being set.
On August 27, 2011 at approximately 5:05 pm Corporal William Kennelly responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed a male, identified as Ryan Durosky, age 25, from East Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ and female subject, identified as Katrina Palys, age 25, also from East Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, attempt to leave the store without paying for approximately $145.00 worth of merchandise.
Corporal Kennelly placed both subjects under arrest for Shoplifting. They were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.
On August 27, 2011 at approximately 6:00 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the area of Wilson Avenue and Highway 36 in reference to a man down on the side of the road. Upon arrival the officer located the subject, identified as Charles Henshaw, age 45, from Front Street in Union Beach, NJ, who was extremely intoxicated and was attempting to stand up.
Officer Keenan assisted Henshaw and attempted to locate a family member to pick him up.
However, Henshaw became combative and unruly at which point he was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 26, 2011 at approximately 4:20 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the Foodtown Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival the store manager advised the officer that he had observed a male subject, identified as Anthony Kane, age 44, from Randall Avenue in Hazlet, NJ, attempt to leave the store with deli meats and beer without paying for the merchandise. He was detained by store employees until police arrival.
Officer Keenan placed Kane under arrest for Shoplifting. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 25, 2011 Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit arrested John Lachawiec, age 23, from Edgemore Road in Belford, NJ for Theft as a result of an investigation into the theft of a laptop computer and jewelry from his parent’s house.
The officers had received information developed by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein that Lachawiec had sold the stolen items to a pawn shop in Keansburg, NJ. The officers located the property at the pawn shop and arrested Lachawiec. He was processed and was held on $5,000.00 bail.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Damian Newell, age 19, from Nautilus Drive in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 27, 2011 by Patrolman Brain Dilworth for Simple Assault. He was held pending bail.
A Simple Observation And Reason As To Way Shadow Lake Dam Collapse Wasn't As Bad As It Could Have Been
Bill Stevenson is a life long resident of Middletown who lives adjacent to Shadow Lake. If there is anything anyone wants to know about the lake, he is the one to speak to.
Those are some good observations but it leave the question of why didn't the water go over the 2nd spillway also? If it had maybe Hubbard Rd. wouldn't have been damaged as badly as it has.
Mr. Stevenson sent along, via email, his observations as to why the collapse of Shadow Lake dam was not as cataclysmic as it could have been, it seems that the precautions that were taken back in 1938, after the dam washed out a second time in 4 years, was enough to save it from total collapse 73 years later.
Mr Stevenson also expresses an idea on how to temporarily fix the road and open it back to traffic in a timely manner in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.
The collapse of the Shadow Lake Dam has not caused the water level to drop even 1 inch below normal. Let me explain why.
The dam was originally constructed with a spillway at the south end. After the dam washed out twice (1934 & 1938), they added a 2nd spillway at the north side. This was a few inches higher than the main spillway, so that is only needed when the water rises. Beneath the earthen dam are interlocking steel beams which were pile driven into the earth to about the level of the spillway. In addition, a creosoted wooden bulkhead was constructed between the earth and the water. The top of this was slightly higher than the spillways.
Both the steel beams and the bulkhead survived the washout. Thus the lowest point was the original spillway. The beams may have been bent slightly, but I don’t think that it is serious.
Now as to what happened to cause the washout. This is what I believed happened.
The heavy rain caused the level of the lake to rise well above the spillways. I don’t know how much, but at the west end of the lake at Stevenson Park, the level rose about 3½ feet above normal. At the main spillway, the level was so high that the spillways could not handle it and water started to flow against the berm at the north side of the spillway. Once it had eroded a small portion of earth, the erosion expanded and got worse as it got larger, eventually washing away more than half of the top of the dam and eroding a big hole in Hubbard Avenue. I think that they should fill the hole in the road with large rocks & maybe concrete. There should not need to have a big rush to replace the washed out portion of the dam.
Bill Stevenson
Those are some good observations but it leave the question of why didn't the water go over the 2nd spillway also? If it had maybe Hubbard Rd. wouldn't have been damaged as badly as it has.
I suppose we'll just have to wait for that answer however and be thankful that it a total collapse of the dam did not occur or much more damage would have resulted.
It's Time To Pick-Up Sticks After Hurricane Irene
I spent the 36 hour long duration of Hurricane Irene at work. Someone needed to be there to monitor our plant in Newark, so myself and 3 others stuck out the storm and kept an eye on things. Luckily no damage occurred to the plant site and I was able to make it home safe and sound Monday morning at about 9am.
While at work I was able to keep up with what was happening around the area and am thankful for the updates that were posted on Middletown Patch, Asbury Park Press and RedBankGreen, as well as the many friends that called to inform me of what was happening, without them I don't think I would have been able to stick it out at work for as long as I did.
I stayed in contact with my wife and kids and was glad to here that our power didn't go out, no trees came down and our basement didn't flood (some seepage did occur but was easily cleaned up) even though many in the area suffered through such loses. I consider myself lucky that my parents and in-laws live very close by, they where able to stop by and check-in on my family while I was gone and I thank them for it.
So now after sleeping most of yesterday away, it's time to get outside and finish the clean-up that my wife and sons started yesterday around the yard. There are plenty of sticks, twigs and small branches that need to pick upped and placed curbside for the emergency brush pick-up scheduled by Middletown for later next week.
Now it's off to work of a different kind, it's time to pick up a few sticks.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Middletown Announces Emergency Brush Collection
Due to the volume of brush generated as a result of Hurricane Irene, an EMERGENCY BRUSH COLLECTION will occur town-wide.
All brush must be placed curbside no later than Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Crews will not return for brush once the emergency collection is complete in your neighborhood.
Do not mix leaves with brush. Regularly Scheduled Leaf Collection will occur in November.
All brush must be placed curbside no later than Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Crews will not return for brush once the emergency collection is complete in your neighborhood.
Do not mix leaves with brush. Regularly Scheduled Leaf Collection will occur in November.
Road Conditions Update from Monmouth County 8/29/11
Flooding and power outages that were the result of Hurricane Irene continued to plague residents today, particularly with travel along local roads.
The severe flooding from 9 to 12 inches of rainfall over this past weekend caused two earthen dams to fail, and forced county officials to close five bridges that will be in need of major repair. Because those bridges and dams impacted the roads, detours will be necessary until those repairs can be made.
“Even though these closures will cause an inconvenience, residents should be pleased to learn that the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering was well-prepared for the storm and have since committed the necessary resources to minimize the impact on us all.
For example, all of the county’s engineers have been reassigned to inspect the county’s 980 bridges; 34 of the most crucial structures were to be inspected by the end of today. In addition, personnel in several other divisions have been reassigned to assist with those inspections. They will be working 12-hour shifts for the remainder of this week to get the work done.
The earthen dams that failed and subsequent road closures are:
Hubbard Avenue at Shadow Lake in Middletown;
Ravine Drive at Lake Lefferts in Matawan.
The six bridges and roads that will be closed indefinitely include:
Jackson Mills Road over the Manasquan River in Freehold Township;
Allentown-Crosswicks Road over Doctor’s Creek in Upper Freehold Township;
Southard Avenue over the Manasquan River in Howell;
Swimming River Road over the Swimming River in Tinton Falls, and
Lake Drive over Takanassee Lake in Ocean Township.
Holland Road over Mahoras Creek in Middletown Township
“Fortunately, the designs for many of these bridges have already been completed in anticipation of replacing them, so we are that much closer to getting the work done,” said John W. Tobia, director of the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “For the others, our in-house engineers will be working into the night to develop designs to advance these projects.”
“Our in-house engineers already met with Dam Safety officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and contractors in the field to review the scope of the work,” County Engineer Joseph Ettore said. “Work on Ravine Drive will begin in the morning.”
Another concern residents may have is the number of traffic signals that are out due to continued power outages. As of this afternoon, Jersey Central Power & Light Co. has restored service to approximately 248,000 customers with about 346,000 customers still without power in northern and central New Jersey. In total, more than half of JCP&L’s customers have been affected.
JCP& L crews are making progress, but debris from downed trees and limbs and areas of heavy flooding are making restoration efforts challenging. Many of the outages associated with this storm are isolated and will require a significant number of repairs to bring all residents back in service.
JCP&L is focusing its initial repairs on efforts that can bring up the most customers. For example, if one repair can bring back 1,000 customers, that’s near the top of the list. There are thousands of smaller, localized repair requests; this work is labor-intensive and it will take at least several more days.
There are 1,200 FirstEnergy and JCP&L workers in New Jersey working on restoration efforts. In total, more than 4,000 FirstEnergy employees are involved in the effort.
“A number of Monmouth County intersections are on battery backup and they are still working, but there are many other intersections, particularly state intersections, that may have inoperable traffic signals,” Curley said. “Motorists should treat those intersections as a four-way stop.”
Visit www.visitmonmouth.com for more information
Hurricane Information from Monmouth County
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Picture; Shadow Lake Dam Breach
This picture was sent to me by a friend that lives on Hubbard Rd., just down street from the Shadow Lake Dam. As you can see in the picture this breach isn't any small leak, a large section of the berm seems to be gone. The road is beginning to buckle from all the water washing the soil away from underneath. The guard rail is just hanging, no longer anchored to anything.
It will be a long time before this road is passable, expect travel in the area to be a nightmare for the foreseeable future
Patch Video Depicts Area Around MiddletownMike's Neighborhood
This video was posted on Middletown Patch a few hours ago. It depicts the area in my immediate neighborhood. I was stunned, but not surprised to see the small bridge over the Waackaack Creek totally flood and impassable on Middle Rd. off of Palmer Ave and the portion of Palmer Ave., near Target, flooding all the way into Chery Tree Farm Village. Both these areas are notorious flood zones.
President Obama Signs New Jersey Emergency Declaration
Washington - The President today declared an emergency exists in the State of New Jersey and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Irene beginning on August 26, 2011, and continuing.
The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all counties of the State of New Jersey.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named William L. Vogel as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV
The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in all counties of the State of New Jersey.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named William L. Vogel as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV
Shadow Lake Dam Breached: Portion Of Hubbard Rd Washed Away And Toxic Lake Sediment Spilling into the Navesink River
Big trouble for those living in the Shadow Lake / River Plaza area of Middletown, I've just been told be a friend who lives on West Front Street that the Shadow Lake Dam was breached as a result of Hurricane Irene.
I have been informed that the earthen berm is nearly gone and the water rushing from the lake has washed away a large section Hubbard Rd. and is spilling it's arsenic rich and heavy metal contaminated toxic sediment into the Navesink River turning the river a dark muddy brown color.
I guess there wont be much of a need to dredge Shadow Lake after all seeing how there wont be a much of a lake left if the breach of the dam isn't fixed and the lake waters contained soon.
Also a major concern for the area residents I have been told, is that the recently replaced section of Navesink River Road near Hubbard was also washed out and will need to be replaced again.
This will cause a huge problem once school begins next week, it will be extremely difficult if not near impossible for kids to get school with these roads needing to be closed for an extended period of time.
I have been informed that the earthen berm is nearly gone and the water rushing from the lake has washed away a large section Hubbard Rd. and is spilling it's arsenic rich and heavy metal contaminated toxic sediment into the Navesink River turning the river a dark muddy brown color.
I guess there wont be much of a need to dredge Shadow Lake after all seeing how there wont be a much of a lake left if the breach of the dam isn't fixed and the lake waters contained soon.
Also a major concern for the area residents I have been told, is that the recently replaced section of Navesink River Road near Hubbard was also washed out and will need to be replaced again.
This will cause a huge problem once school begins next week, it will be extremely difficult if not near impossible for kids to get school with these roads needing to be closed for an extended period of time.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
President Obama's Weekly Address 8/27/11: Coming Together to Remember
WASHINGTON— In this week’s address, President Obama called on the American people to come together in the spirit of service and remembrance as we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. All Americans can pay tribute to those who lost their lives during 9/11 by visiting Serve.Gov to find ways to help within their own communities. Through even the smallest of actions, we can reclaim the sense of unity that followed the attacks, and demonstrate that our sense of common purpose is just as strong today as it was ten years ago. Americans can once again come together to mark this solemn anniversary with service, and move towards a bright future as one nation.
Saturday Morning Cartoons: Rugrats - Hurricane Alice
Sit down this morning and relax a little bit before the "big one" hits. Everyone needs to take a break and smile before going nuts about what might or might not happen when Hurricane Irene blows through our area starting later tonight. It's cartoon time as far as I'm concerned.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday Funnies:Haunting New Video Of Exorcism Depicted
Take your mind off the hurricane for a short while and watch this haunting new depiction of an exorcism that has just made its way to the web.
Dirt Devil-The Exorcist from MrPrice2U on Vimeo.
President Obama on Hurricane Irene: Take this Storm Seriously
From the White House Blog
Don’t delay. We all hope for the best, but we have to be prepared for the worst. All of us have to take this storm seriously. You need to listen to your state and local officials, and if you are given an evacuation order, please follow it. Just to underscore this point: We ordered an aircraft carrier group out to sea to avoid this storm yesterday. So if you’re in the way of this hurricane, you should be preparing now.
Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov for resources on how you can prepare your families, home, and businesses for a hurricane. You can get the latest updates on the progression of Hurricane Irene at Hurricanes.gov.
The President also provided an overview of ongoing federal preparations:
Now, since last weekend, FEMA has been deploying its Incident Management Assistance Teams to staging areas in communities up and down the coast. FEMA has millions of liters of water, millions of meals, and tens of thousands of cots and blankets, along with other supplies, pre-positioned along the Eastern Seaboard. And the American Red Cross has already begun preparing shelters in North Carolina and other states.
These resources are all being coordinated with our state and local partners, and they stand ready to be deployed as necessary. But, again, if you are instructed to evacuate, please do so. It's going to take time for first responders to begin rescue operations and to get the resources we've pre-positioned to people in need. So the more you can do to be prepared now -- making a plan, make a supply kit, know your evacuation route, follow instructions of your local officials -- the quicker we can focus our resources after the storm on those who need help the most.
To sum up, all indications point to this being a historic hurricane. Although we can’t predict with perfect certainty the impact of Irene over the next few days, the federal government has spent the better part of last week working closely with officials in communities that could be affected by this storm to see to it that we are prepared. So now is the time for residents of these communities -- in the hours that remain -- to do the same. And FEMA and Craig Fugate, the director of FEMA, will be keeping people closely posted in the next 24, 48 hours.
Middletown Issues State Of Emergency in Wake of Hurricane Irene; Evacuation Of The Bayshore Is Urged
As posted on the Middletown Township website
Right now, residents living in coastal and low-lying areas are urged to evacuate voluntarily, especially those who have experienced flooding before.
Evacuation Routes
Weather Updates - www.noaawatch.gov
Additional Hurricane Information.
Monmouth County has established Red Cross shelters in Holmdel High School, 36 Crawford’s Corner Rd., Holmdel, and Wall High School, 1630 18th Avenue, Wall. The shelters will open at 5 p.m. today. Please note pets are not allowed in the shelters.
Directions to Holmdel High School
Get Google Directions to Holdmel HS
Wall High School Directions
Middletown Township will provide information updates as they become available via
Telephone using the Reverse 911 system,
Middletown Emergency Radio Station 1620 AM
The township website at www.middletownnj.org,
The township’s television station viewable on Comcast Channel 20 and Verizon Fios Channel 26, and E-mail and cell phone text message.
Residents must be registered with the Township Citizen Communications System to receive e-mail updates and cell phone text messages. Residents can register for alerts and updates at https://middletownnj.my.gov-i.com/signup Registration is not required to receive Reverse 911 phone messages.
Gov. Christie warned potential visitors not to come to the shore this weekend, and he urged residents and visitors along the shore to leave tonight.
A state of emergency will allow the Office of Emergency Management to mobilize all county resources and direct them where they are needed to protect life and property. These actions can include ordering mandatory evacuations and controlling traffic on all roadways.
Irene is expected to arrive Saturday night and continue with high winds and rain throughout the day on Sunday. The governor said he is considering ordering a mandatory evacuation, and the county will follow suit if and when that decision is made.
For everyone else, it is important to prepare for the storm before it hits.
Middletown Emergency Management Coordinator Charles W. Rogers strongly suggests that residents assemble a kit of emergency supplies, creating an emergency plan and tuning into local radio and television for current information.
Recommended items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
· Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
· Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
· Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
· Flashlight and extra batteries
· First aid kit
· Whistle to signal for help
· Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
· Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
· Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
· Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
· Local maps
· Cell phone with chargers
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
· Prescription medications and glasses
· Infant formula and diapers
· Pet food and extra water for your pet
· Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
· Cash or traveler's checks and change
· Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
· Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
· Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
· Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
· Fire Extinguisher
· Matches in a waterproof container
· Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
· Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
· Paper and pencil
· Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Plan – create an emergency plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations.
Stay informed – Listen to local radio and television for information on storms and other emergencies
Crime Scene Middletown: Update For August 26,2011
Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Friday, 26 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 24, 2011 at approximately 10:05 pm Patrolman Richard Belmonte was on patrol in the area of Leonardville Road when he observed a subject stumbling and falling to the ground. The officer stopped to check on the subject, identified as a 15 year old, male juvenile from Belford, at which point he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.
Officer Belmonte continued his investigation and was trying to provide assistance when the juvenile began to yell obscenities at the officer. The juvenile was then placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. Officer Belmonte conducted a search incident to the arrest and located baggies containing Marijuana inside a backpack he was carrying.
The juvenile was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with the additional offenses of Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed and released to his father pending a court date.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects on various offenses:
Michael Story, age 19, from Manor Parkway in Lincroft, NJ, arrested on August 24, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.
Ashley Bindewald, age 24, from Norman Lane in Willingboro, NJ, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia for Possession of Heroin and on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Eastampton and Burlington Township Municipal Courts. She was held on $1,718.00 bail.
Stephen Garey, age 41, from Galt Ocean Drive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth for Simple Assault. He was released pending a court date.
Andre lake, age 31, from Atlantic Street in Keyport, NJ, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Lt. John Kaiser on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Tinton Falls Municipal Court. He was released after posting $296.00 bail.
Rashon Martin, age 22, from Brainard Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 26, 2011 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $256.00 bail.
Vaughn Cosby, age 25, from Oakland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Patrolman Michael Reuter on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Holmdel Municipal Court. He was held on $164.00 bail.
Friday, 26 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 24, 2011 at approximately 10:05 pm Patrolman Richard Belmonte was on patrol in the area of Leonardville Road when he observed a subject stumbling and falling to the ground. The officer stopped to check on the subject, identified as a 15 year old, male juvenile from Belford, at which point he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.
Officer Belmonte continued his investigation and was trying to provide assistance when the juvenile began to yell obscenities at the officer. The juvenile was then placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. Officer Belmonte conducted a search incident to the arrest and located baggies containing Marijuana inside a backpack he was carrying.
The juvenile was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with the additional offenses of Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed and released to his father pending a court date.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects on various offenses:
Michael Story, age 19, from Manor Parkway in Lincroft, NJ, arrested on August 24, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court. He was released after posting $500.00 bail.
Ashley Bindewald, age 24, from Norman Lane in Willingboro, NJ, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia for Possession of Heroin and on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Eastampton and Burlington Township Municipal Courts. She was held on $1,718.00 bail.
Stephen Garey, age 41, from Galt Ocean Drive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth for Simple Assault. He was released pending a court date.
Andre lake, age 31, from Atlantic Street in Keyport, NJ, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Lt. John Kaiser on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Tinton Falls Municipal Court. He was released after posting $296.00 bail.
Rashon Martin, age 22, from Brainard Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 26, 2011 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $256.00 bail.
Vaughn Cosby, age 25, from Oakland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, arrested on August 25, 2011 by Patrolman Michael Reuter on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Holmdel Municipal Court. He was held on $164.00 bail.
NJ Senator Barbara Buono: Be Prepared For Hurricane Irene
Here is some good advice that I received in my inbox this morning from NJ Senate Majority Leader, Senator Barbara Buono on being prepared for this weekends hurricane.
This weekend, Hurricane Irene is projected to hit New Jersey. The brunt of the storm will hit our state Sunday. Yesterday, Governor Christie declared a state of emergency, and we should all start preparing now.
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has set up a website – www.ready.nj.gov – where you can find comprehensive instructions on what to do in a hurricane. Please print out their checklist. You can also find links to updated weather maps to track Irene’s path.
Here are a few tips to prepare for the hurricane:
• Make sure you have necessities in your home - including plenty of food, water, blankets, batteries, flashlights and a first aid kit.
• Have a hand-cranked or battery-operated portable radio so you can listen to the latest news.
• Have your pantry stocked with canned food and a can opener in case your power goes out.
• If you take medicine, make sure you have an adequate supply and fill all prescriptions beforehand.
• Fill the gas tank in your car and make sure you have cash on-hand in case local gas pumps and ATMs are also affected by power outages.
• In a worst-case scenario, know your local evacuation route - especially if you live in an area prone to flooding.
To track Irene’s pattern, you can also check ongoing weather coverage at NJ.com, as well as the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center for all the latest updates.
Please do not wait until the last minute to prepare.
Stay safe,
Senator Barbara Buono
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Mid'Town Board Of Education Disfunction Leads To Yet Another Superintendent Resignation; Interim Superintendent Pat Houston Storms Out Of Meeting
It's a shame that I can't make it to every meeting that goes on around town but luckily there are sources of information like friends, neighbors and Middletown-Patch to keep me informed. After reading what went on during last night's Middletown Board of Education(BOE) meeting, there isn't much left to say about how totally dysfunctional the current make up of this BOE is.
According to Middletown-Patch (you can read the article below) Middletown's interim school Superintendent Pat Houston resigned suddenly and walked out of the meeting due to a 5-2 "No" vote on accepting Houston's recommendations to hired Middletown High School South Interim Principal, Patrick Rinnella, as it's new full-time Principal, replacing Dr. Anthony Shallop.
If you remember, last month there was a huge outcry from parents and students when Shallop was demoted as South's Principal and returned to his former position as a science teacher within the school by the BOE. And to add to Houston's sudden resignation last night, Shallop also suddenly resigned his position within the school system.
Now that Houston has resigned, Middletown BOE will be looking for it's fourth Superintendent since January with the possibility of a fifth and High School South will be with out a Principal to start the school year.
When will this insanity stop? I have kids in the school system myself and it's starting to make me very angry at the direction in which Middletown schools seems to be heading - it's been all downhill for the past 16 months or more.
I would be remiss however if I didn't commend board members Vinnie Brand and Mike Mascone for trying to end the craziness last night by voting to approve Pat Houtson's recommendation of Patrick Rinnella. If approved, Rinnella's appointment as South's Principal, as controversial as it my have been, would have shown that a little common sense and stability returned to the school system.
According to Middletown-Patch (you can read the article below) Middletown's interim school Superintendent Pat Houston resigned suddenly and walked out of the meeting due to a 5-2 "No" vote on accepting Houston's recommendations to hired Middletown High School South Interim Principal, Patrick Rinnella, as it's new full-time Principal, replacing Dr. Anthony Shallop.
If you remember, last month there was a huge outcry from parents and students when Shallop was demoted as South's Principal and returned to his former position as a science teacher within the school by the BOE. And to add to Houston's sudden resignation last night, Shallop also suddenly resigned his position within the school system.
Now that Houston has resigned, Middletown BOE will be looking for it's fourth Superintendent since January with the possibility of a fifth and High School South will be with out a Principal to start the school year.
When will this insanity stop? I have kids in the school system myself and it's starting to make me very angry at the direction in which Middletown schools seems to be heading - it's been all downhill for the past 16 months or more.
I would be remiss however if I didn't commend board members Vinnie Brand and Mike Mascone for trying to end the craziness last night by voting to approve Pat Houtson's recommendation of Patrick Rinnella. If approved, Rinnella's appointment as South's Principal, as controversial as it my have been, would have shown that a little common sense and stability returned to the school system.
In an abrupt, unexpected move, Middletown Township Schools Interim Superintendent Patrick Houston, minutes ago during the Board of Education
meeting, announced his resignation.
"I can't work under these conditions," Houston said before leaving the meeting. "Tomorrow I will be resigning as interim superintendent of schools."
The public gasped and grumbled as he slammed his microphone down on the dais, at which point Board of Education President Joan Minnuies called for a five-minute recess and Houston clutched his briefcase and walked out of the Middletown High School North meeting venue.
This happened after a contentious majority "no" vote (5-2, with one absent and one abstention) was taken turning down Houston's recommendation to hire Patrick Rinnella, who was serving as High School South's interim principal until tonight, as its permanent, untenured principal. A very vocal Vincent Brandt cast one "yes" vote; and Michael Mascone cast the other.
There has been much controversy lately over the demotion of Anthony Shallop, former High School South Principal, and Houston's rapid recommendation of a new principal. Board members had complained that the move, albeit legal, was made entirely too autonomously by the interim top administrator.
While parents, students and others in the public questioned what they deemed Houston's lack of transparency about the process to the public and adamantly opposed his earlier recommendation to demote Shallop, they supported Rinella as top candidate to fill the South principal slot.
The majority of the board voted "no" to the recommendation of Rinella's hiring based on what they saw as a flawed procedure. Those who supported Houston's recommendation felt that Rinella, regardless of claims of procedural flaw, was qualified for the job and should not be the one to fall victim to board politics.
Rinella declined to comment when seen outside during the break.
Houston, as superintendent, has the legal right to make such a recommendation without any public or board input. Procedure dictates that once such a staff recommendation is made, the board then votes to either sanction it officially or turn it down, with a majority vote. The recommendation then becomes an appointment.
However, in light of recent contentiousness over the Shallop demotion, there has been an outcry from the community to have more input on such decisions. According to the agenda, Shallop, who was due to return to the classroom as a science teacher in September, resigned effective Aug. 30, "for personal reasons."
While the public, according to comments during the public portion, did not necessarily approve of Houston's method, they were eager to have a new principal in place at South for the start of the school year.
Tired of what many have called a "revolving door" of administrators in the district, many teachers, administrators and other colleagues applauded the notion of having an administrator in place who has demonstrated commitment to the district and is more likely to stay put.
There were 15 candidates for the job, Houston explained. Fourteen of the 15 were out of district. Rinella was the only in-district contender with experience as assistant principal.
Minnuies, before Houston announced his resignation, had made a motion to revise the procedures by which new administrators are hired.
During the recess, people were outside grumbling, milling around, as the recess extended well beyond five minutes to over half an hour. One woman was crying. Another stormed up to the stage and yelled at the board members after the recess was called.
People were clearly upset over the board voting down Rinella's appointment as interim principal for South. Much of the source of their malcontent was derived from the fact that with the "no" vote, High School South will begin the school year
without a principal in place.
Board attorney Chris Parton said that it is legal to be without a principal in a school. That fact did not soothe anyone. On the other hand, it is not legal for a school district to operate without its top administrator, the (interim) superintendent. Resignation or not, Houston is obligated by law to stay for a month.
After reassmembling and hearing more disapproving comments from the public and board member Vincent Brandt (who voted "yes" to Rinella), the meeting ended at about 10:45, with a disgruntled public exiting.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Don't Kill the Dream
Democracy for America targets Republicans for killing the American Dream and failing to create jobs. The ad, "Don't Kill the Dream," which will air both nationally and targeted locally, features Americans who want Republicans in Congress to stop dismantling the middle class and killing the American Dream by slashing vital programs they depend on, while simultaneously insisting on tax breaks and loopholes for corporations and millionaires.
Crime Scene Middletown: Home Health Aid Charged with Forgery And Theft By Deception
Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Wednesday, 24 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 23, 2011 Detective Laurence Schachtel arrested Jennifer Franklin, age 21, from Hudson Avenue in Middletown, NJ, for Forgery, Theft by Deception and Theft as a result of an investigation into a theft from a resident on Harvey Avenue where she worked as a home health aide.
Police say Franklin used the victim’s ATM card to steal close to $5,000.00 from his bank account. The victim confronted Franklin at which point she agreed to pay him back. However, police say Franklin used counterfeit bills to make the payments.
Franklin was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 2:05 am Patrolman John Soltysik was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 and East Road when he observed a vehicle driving through a construction zone set up by road crews paving the highway. Officer Soltysik observed the vehicle swerve numerous times and knock over traffic cones. The officer stopped the vehicle and approached the driver who provided the officer with a fake name.
Officer Soltysik conducted an investigation and was able to identify the driver as Robert Jeffcoat, age 29, from Raritan Avenue in Keansburg, NJ. The officer also located seven outstanding Contempt of court warrants issued by numerous municipal courts for his arrest. Jeffcoat was then taken into custody.
Officer Soltysik continued his investigation and determined that the passenger, identified as Jeron Redway, age 23, from Willow Drive in Ocean, NJ, also had numerous Contempt of Court warrants for his arrest. Redway was also taken into custody.
Officer Soltysik also located Naproxen pills inside the vehicle which neither subject had a lawful prescription for. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters. Jeffcoat was charged with Contempt of Court, Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug, Providing false Information to a Police Officer, and numerous motor vehicle violations. Redway was charged with Contempt of Court, Hindering Apprehension and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug. Jeffcoat was being held on $12,200.00 bail and Redway was held on $7,636.00 bail.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 2:40 pm Patrolman Brady Carr responded to the area of Priscilla Drive in reference to a report of a suspicious female going door to door soliciting magazine subscriptions. Upon arrival the officer located the female who provided the officer with a fake name. Officer Carr conducted an investigation and was able to identify her as Fina Toia, age 19, from Cabrillo Drive in Fairfield, NJ.
Officer Brady confirmed that Toia did not have a permit to solicit and conducted a warrant check. The checked revealed that there was an outstanding Fugitive warrant out of Delaware issued for Toia’s arrest. She was taken into custody and was transported to police headquarters where she was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Soliciting without a Permit and being a Fugitive from Justice.
She was processed and was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, where she was awaiting extradition to Delaware.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 8:55 pm Patrolman Richard Fulham was on patrol in the area of Thompson Avenue and Highway 36 when he observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. The officer stopped the vehicle and approached the driver who provided the officer with a fake name.
Officer Fulham conducted an investigation and was able to identify the subject as Stacy Cook, age 44, from Old Manchester Road in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Officer Fulham arrested Cook for Obstructing an Investigation. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and was held on $2,500.00 bail set by Judge James Berube.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 10:45 pm Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of West Front Street when they stopped a vehicle for swerving from the lane of travel. The officers approached the vehicle at which point they detected an odor of raw Marijuana coming from inside the car.
The officers conducted an investigation and requested a drug detection canine respond to the scene. Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officer Kurt Kroeper and his canine partner Evan responded and searched the vehicle. The dog indicated on the trunk of the car which was then searched by the officers. The search resulted in the recovery of a bag containing Marijuana, a Marijuana Pipe and a scale used to weigh Marijuana which was located in the spare tire compartment and the arrest of Autumn Innocenti, age 21, from Telegraph Hill Road in Holmdel, NJ.
Innocenti was transported to police headquarters where she was charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 22, 2011 at approximately 5:45 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of McMahon Park when he observed several subjects sitting in the dugout of the hockey rink. Officer Hirschbein approached the subjects and located alcoholic beverages in the dugout.
Officer Hirschbein conducted an investigation which resulted in the arrests of a 20 year old female subject from Keansburg, NJ, and a 19 year old female from Kailua, Hawaii. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol and were released pending a court date.
On August 22, 2011 at approximately 11:20 am Patrolman James Beirne was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 and Wilson Avenue when he observed a vehicle being operated carelessly. Officer Beirne stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Manuel Costa, age 32, from Center Avenue in Keansburg, NJ.
Officer Beirne conducted an investigation which resulted in Costa being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after he located a Marijuana pipe with Marijuana residue in it inside the car. Costa was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Alexander Potts, age 30, from Main Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 22, 2011 by Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed and released pending a court date.
Thomas Hardie, age 29, from Hosford Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 23, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.
Ciro Taormina, age 49, from Main Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 23, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein for Shoplifting from the Walgreens Store. He was processed and released pending a court date.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 23, 2011 Detective Laurence Schachtel arrested Jennifer Franklin, age 21, from Hudson Avenue in Middletown, NJ, for Forgery, Theft by Deception and Theft as a result of an investigation into a theft from a resident on Harvey Avenue where she worked as a home health aide.
Police say Franklin used the victim’s ATM card to steal close to $5,000.00 from his bank account. The victim confronted Franklin at which point she agreed to pay him back. However, police say Franklin used counterfeit bills to make the payments.
Franklin was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 2:05 am Patrolman John Soltysik was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 and East Road when he observed a vehicle driving through a construction zone set up by road crews paving the highway. Officer Soltysik observed the vehicle swerve numerous times and knock over traffic cones. The officer stopped the vehicle and approached the driver who provided the officer with a fake name. Officer Soltysik conducted an investigation and was able to identify the driver as Robert Jeffcoat, age 29, from Raritan Avenue in Keansburg, NJ. The officer also located seven outstanding Contempt of court warrants issued by numerous municipal courts for his arrest. Jeffcoat was then taken into custody.
Officer Soltysik continued his investigation and determined that the passenger, identified as Jeron Redway, age 23, from Willow Drive in Ocean, NJ, also had numerous Contempt of Court warrants for his arrest. Redway was also taken into custody.
Officer Soltysik also located Naproxen pills inside the vehicle which neither subject had a lawful prescription for. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters. Jeffcoat was charged with Contempt of Court, Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug, Providing false Information to a Police Officer, and numerous motor vehicle violations. Redway was charged with Contempt of Court, Hindering Apprehension and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug. Jeffcoat was being held on $12,200.00 bail and Redway was held on $7,636.00 bail.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 2:40 pm Patrolman Brady Carr responded to the area of Priscilla Drive in reference to a report of a suspicious female going door to door soliciting magazine subscriptions. Upon arrival the officer located the female who provided the officer with a fake name. Officer Carr conducted an investigation and was able to identify her as Fina Toia, age 19, from Cabrillo Drive in Fairfield, NJ.
Officer Brady confirmed that Toia did not have a permit to solicit and conducted a warrant check. The checked revealed that there was an outstanding Fugitive warrant out of Delaware issued for Toia’s arrest. She was taken into custody and was transported to police headquarters where she was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Soliciting without a Permit and being a Fugitive from Justice.
She was processed and was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ, where she was awaiting extradition to Delaware.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 8:55 pm Patrolman Richard Fulham was on patrol in the area of Thompson Avenue and Highway 36 when he observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. The officer stopped the vehicle and approached the driver who provided the officer with a fake name.
Officer Fulham conducted an investigation and was able to identify the subject as Stacy Cook, age 44, from Old Manchester Road in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Officer Fulham arrested Cook for Obstructing an Investigation. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and was held on $2,500.00 bail set by Judge James Berube.
On August 23, 2011 at approximately 10:45 pm Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of West Front Street when they stopped a vehicle for swerving from the lane of travel. The officers approached the vehicle at which point they detected an odor of raw Marijuana coming from inside the car.
The officers conducted an investigation and requested a drug detection canine respond to the scene. Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officer Kurt Kroeper and his canine partner Evan responded and searched the vehicle. The dog indicated on the trunk of the car which was then searched by the officers. The search resulted in the recovery of a bag containing Marijuana, a Marijuana Pipe and a scale used to weigh Marijuana which was located in the spare tire compartment and the arrest of Autumn Innocenti, age 21, from Telegraph Hill Road in Holmdel, NJ.
Innocenti was transported to police headquarters where she was charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 22, 2011 at approximately 5:45 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of McMahon Park when he observed several subjects sitting in the dugout of the hockey rink. Officer Hirschbein approached the subjects and located alcoholic beverages in the dugout.
Officer Hirschbein conducted an investigation which resulted in the arrests of a 20 year old female subject from Keansburg, NJ, and a 19 year old female from Kailua, Hawaii. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol and were released pending a court date.
On August 22, 2011 at approximately 11:20 am Patrolman James Beirne was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 and Wilson Avenue when he observed a vehicle being operated carelessly. Officer Beirne stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Manuel Costa, age 32, from Center Avenue in Keansburg, NJ.
Officer Beirne conducted an investigation which resulted in Costa being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after he located a Marijuana pipe with Marijuana residue in it inside the car. Costa was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Alexander Potts, age 30, from Main Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 22, 2011 by Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was processed and released pending a court date.
Thomas Hardie, age 29, from Hosford Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 23, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was released after posting $1,000.00 bail.
Ciro Taormina, age 49, from Main Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 23, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein for Shoplifting from the Walgreens Store. He was processed and released pending a court date.
Letters To The Independent Expressing Outrage Over Cancellation Of Fall Brush Pick-Up
This letter appearing online today and in print tomorrow in The Independent sums up how some residents feel towards the notion that Middletown has decided to suspend the fall brush collection and fine anyone putting debris curbside this year.
It just happens to be a nice and coincidental accompaniment to my earlier post.
I have been living in Middletown since January of 2003 and have a totally different view of the brush collection than what was described in the Aug. 11 issue of the Independent (Brush collection at issue in Middletown).
The leaf collections in my district have usually been designated around Nov. 1 of the year. The leaves don’t start falling until Oct. 30 and aren’t finished falling until Dec. 1. I don’t have anything to put out on Nov. 1. It’s unrealistic to think that a leaf pickup can be made around Nov. 1; in general, the leaves haven’t fallen and been gathered until around Thanksgiving.
As long as I can remember, there has been a brush pickup around the third week in August. No one is even thinking about pruning anything during the dog days of August, but since it’s been that way for the past eight years, I started to work in my yard around Aug. 1. I didn’t put anything out, because I was waiting to get the flier in the mail giving the dates. When it didn’t arrive, I checked the Middletown website and it was frozen for about two weeks because a new website was being initiated.
When I didn’t receive my tax bill in the mail, I decided to check for tax information on the Middletown website. While I was looking for the tax deadlines, I saw there was a notice that the brush pickups had been completed and as of July 20, the pickup was suspended until next spring. It came as a complete surprise to me.
As I walked around the area, I mentioned the pickup suspension to neighbors and friends, and no one knew there was going to be a suspension of the brush pickup until the spring.
Your article mentions that some people have put brush out. Of course they have; after all, they’ve been living here for years and there’s always been a brush pickup around the third week in August. No notices have gone out to state otherwise. Surely they could have put a notice in with the tax statements and bills.
The winter of 2009-10 was particularly brutal — ice storms, heavy snow, high winds. There was a tremendous amount of damage in Middletown; it seemed no one escaped it. Our property had huge pine limbs down, from my yard, from neighbors’ yards, blocking sidewalks; everywhere you looked therewere problems. In late February as soon as the snow melted, my husband and I started to make some progress to fix fences, cut limbs and pile up debris on our property. Then on March 13 we had a horrendous wind and rainstorm and that morning when we opened our garage door we had a huge pine tree come down. Thankfully there was no one harmed, no damage to the property, but still a huge tree down.
A leaf pickup had been scheduled for March 18 because the leaf pickup in this area had been in early November and no one had leaves out then because there wasn’t much down at that time. Most of the leaves had been crushed and frozen, so there wasn’t much to put out. Then on the night of March 17, as my husband and I returned from dinner out, there was a message from the township on our answering machine. It was 8 p.m., March 17, and there was a message on my phone that the pickup for leaves and brush would begin on the morning of March 18. We couldn’t believe our ears. The next morning my husband left for work at 6 a.m., and at 7 a.m. I started hauling the logs, limbs, leaves, brush, you name it, out to the street.
By 10:30 a.m. I was exhausted, and there they were, doing the pickup. Maybe 10 percent of it was out. What was I to now do with the 90 percent that remained, including a huge pine tree that needed to be chopped up? That Saturday morning, some friends came to help us and they had a truck and helped us get the debris to the dump. We had gotten a huge 14-hour notice on the pickup — someone must have gotten a big laugh out of that, but believe me, it wasn’t me.
Yes, people do put brush and leaves out too early sometimes — it happens. It seems that not too much thought goes into the scheduling of these pickups and there’s a sincere lack of organization and planning. I have registered on the township website and I have gotten alerts about storms and electric problems, and I think I should have gotten a phone message or an email alert about the suspension of the fall brush pickup. Now I’ve been spending my time breaking brush up into plastic bags and bringing it toKane’s Lane and cleaning my car out after every pickup. Thanks a bunch, Middletown!
Now let’s get to the point of fines. I’d like to fine someone for not picking up my spring pickup until the last week of June this year. That was a disgrace! It was a traffic hazard and a pedestrian hazard, especially where there are no sidewalks. Maybe the citizens should start fining government and things will get straightened out.
Anne and Tom Cafiero Middletown
Middletown Cancels Fall Brush Pick-Up; who will pay to have their brush picked up after Hurricane Irene blows through?
Some may have come to hear that Middletown has suspended its fall brush pick-up this year and will levy a hefty fine on any homeowners placing brush in the street curbside. I would bet however that many more haven’t heard about it.
On July 29th, the Township announced that it was suspending the fall brush pick-up through a newsflash and posting on its website.
During the August 1st Township Workshop meeting a further discussion took place amongst Mayor Fiore, Deputy Mayor Brightbill, Committeeman Gerry Scharfenberger and other township professionals that sighted apathy of residents, the cost to pick-up brush, diminished manpower and the fact that the Fall brush pick-up just isn’t that important.
Furthermore a new and improved brush/leaf ordinance was introduced that puts some teeth into the old brush/leaf ordinance by allowing the Police Department and Code Enforcement Officers to issue summonses of some, as yet undetermined sum. In addition, if the Department of Public Works has to cleanup the improperly placed debris, they will charge the homeowner with the costs of removal and disposal of said debris.
But what will happen to homeowners now that the brush pick-up is canceled, when a hurricane like the upcoming Hurricane Irene, blows through and leaves widespread storm debris and broken tree limbs all over the place; will the Township decide that they must reverse it’s decision and collect fallen debris or just leave homeowners to their own recourses? This isn’t right and seems like way to squeeze residents with a hidden tax to clean up fall brush that has always been part of the residents’ taxes to being with. After all, the cost of gasoline and the amount of roads throughout the township hasn’t changed much from last year; how much additional would it really cost? If you look back to just last year, the Township combined the leaf and brush pick-up in many areas and those on the Township Committee almost fell over backwards, patting themselves on the back and heaping praise on the DPW for completing the job before Christmas.
The same could be done this year.
Another possible solution to the cancelling of the fall brush pick-up altogether and then charging/fining residents if they place debris curbside would be to publish scheduled brush pick-up dates as is normally done, but instead of going house to house picking up brush, have residents call the DPW and inform them of the need for pick-up. In this way the collection can be done efficiently in one or two days as opposed to the several or more days currently scheduled. If after that time, it is found that residents in a given zone have left brush at the curbside do you charge them for pick-up service or send them summonses for non-compliance of the new and improved ordinance.
The past few years the Republican majority in Middletown have ran on slogans like "Taxpayers First" and "New Faces/New Ideas" but all Middletown has gotten is higher taxes and less services from a few new faces that have recycled ideas from others as if they were their own.
If a couple of big storms/hurricanes make it our way before the end of the season there will be a need need for a fall brush pick-up, hopefully that need will not be a burden. All ready stressed residents shouldn't have to pay a hidden tax to have their storm debris collected by the Township when they have become accustomed to this type of public service in the past.
This truly is a "Quality of Life" issue.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Did You Feel It? Earthquake Hits Middletown
Just a few minutes ago my house shook slightly, I didn't think much about it until the kids also felt the house shake. My wife had just pulled into the driveway and said the car shook but didn't think much about it because it was the car.
I went to the Internet and there are already dozens of reports stating that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered near Mineral,Virginia was felt as far away as Ohio,New England and Toronto Canada.
I haven't heard from anyone locally if there was any damage to report but I would suspect that there wasn't other than a few mentions of cell phone disruptions.
I wonder when the local environmentalists will start to say that this quake could have been caused by FRACKING (hydro fracturing shale formations to release natural gas).
Monday, August 22, 2011
It's Your Town - Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 17- 8/15/11
This edition of It's Your Town newsletter covers the Middletown Township Committee regular monthly business meeting that was held on Monday, August 15, 2011.
As is the norm lately, the meeting was rather short lasting about 35 minutes.
Committee members had little to say, Kevin Settembrino and Steve Massell just sat on the dais looking pretty with nothing to say, while Pam Brightbill, Gerry Scharfenberger and Tony Fiore spoke briefly.
Only 5 members of the public took the time to speak at this meeting but their questions,unfortunately, were left mostly unanswered.
Their questions ranged from why there was insufficient information in a $2.85M bond ordinance for tax appeals, that seems to have not appropriated $1M of the total, to what happened to grant money from the latest cable TV franchising contract that would have provided money to televise Township Committee meetings.
The newsletter also contains links to various proposed resolutions and ordinances.
Stay informed and read it all for yourself....Here
Crime Scene Middletown: Overdose In Leonardo Leads To Arrest For Evidence Tampering
Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Monday, 22 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 21, 2011 at approximately 5:40 pm Patrolman Brady Carr responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a report of a Shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed the suspect, identified as John Osman, age 49, from Kupsch Street in Sayreville, NJ, attempt to leave the store without paying for numerous items.
Officer Carr conducted an investigation and arrested Osman for Shoplifitng. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held on $2,500.00 bail with no 10% option.
On August 20, 2011 at approximately 6:00 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein responded to the Target Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed the suspect, identified as Lauren McCrory, age 31, from Aberdeen Road in Aberdeen, NJ, attempt to leave the store with approximately $900.00 worth of merchandise without paying.
Officer Hirschbein conducted an investigation and arrested McCrory for Shoplifting. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 20, 2011 at approximately 11:55 pm Corporal Douglas Wiatrak responded to the area of Harmony Road and Old Country Road in reference to a report of an intoxicated female attempting to drive a vehicle. Upon arrival the officer located the female, identified as Jessica Meyer, age 22, from Maywood Drive in Marlboro, NJ, sitting in the vehicle. Corporal Wiatrak approached Meyer at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath.
Officer Wiatrak conducted an investigation which resulted in Meyer being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. She was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 19, 2011 at approximately 11:30 am Patrolman James Beirne was on patrol in the area of the Henry Hudson Trail when he observed a suspicious male walking in the area. Officer Beirne approached the subject, identified as Michael Calabrese, age 19, from 9th Street in West Keansburg, NJ, at which point Calabrese immediately grabbed the left, front pocket of his pants.
Officer Beirne conducted an investigation which resulted in the recovery of a baggie containing Marijuana from the pocket. Calabrese was arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 19, 2011 Patrolman Stephen Keller arrested Joseph Rovinsky, age 23, from Sunset Avenue in Middletown for Harassment and Lewdness as a result of an investigation he conducted into an incident that occurred on August 18, 2011. Rovinsky is accused of confronting a female subject, pulling his pants down and massaging his genitals.
Police say Rovinsky knew the female who came to police headquarters after the incident and made the report. Rovinsky was processed and was held on bail.
On August 17, 2011 at approximately 3:30 pm Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit responded to the Leonardo Motel in reference to a drug overdose. Upon arrival the officers were advised by witnesses that they had observed a subject, identified as Raymond Haupt, age 39, from Asbury Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, remove pills from the victim’s body and the hotel room where the overdose had occurred and hide them behind the hotel prior to the arrival of the police.
The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in Haupt being arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Evidence and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held on bail.
The Middletown Police report the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Carlos Ortega, age 27, from Pacific Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Municipal Courts. He was held on $385.00 bail.
Clarkson Fisher, age 30, from Gillville Lane in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Adam Vandetti on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Oceanport Municipal Court. He was released after posting $114.00 bail.
John Engberg, age 39, from Indian Key Drive in Holiday, Florida, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Darrin Simon on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court. He was released after posting $106.00 bail.
Debra Sambino, age 51, from Greenwood Place in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 20, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the East Brunswick Municipal Court. She was released after posting $89.00 bail.
Michael Carlucci, age 42, from Burlington Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 20, 2011 by Patrolman Robert Shannon on a warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ.
Kristel Roxas, age 26, from Williams Street in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Joseph Ahlemeyer on three Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Aberdeen and Red Bank Municipal Courts. She was held on $490.00 bail.
Monday, 22 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 21, 2011 at approximately 5:40 pm Patrolman Brady Carr responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a report of a Shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed the suspect, identified as John Osman, age 49, from Kupsch Street in Sayreville, NJ, attempt to leave the store without paying for numerous items.
Officer Carr conducted an investigation and arrested Osman for Shoplifitng. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held on $2,500.00 bail with no 10% option.
On August 20, 2011 at approximately 6:00 pm Patrolman Keith Hirschbein responded to the Target Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed the suspect, identified as Lauren McCrory, age 31, from Aberdeen Road in Aberdeen, NJ, attempt to leave the store with approximately $900.00 worth of merchandise without paying.
Officer Hirschbein conducted an investigation and arrested McCrory for Shoplifting. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 20, 2011 at approximately 11:55 pm Corporal Douglas Wiatrak responded to the area of Harmony Road and Old Country Road in reference to a report of an intoxicated female attempting to drive a vehicle. Upon arrival the officer located the female, identified as Jessica Meyer, age 22, from Maywood Drive in Marlboro, NJ, sitting in the vehicle. Corporal Wiatrak approached Meyer at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath.
Officer Wiatrak conducted an investigation which resulted in Meyer being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. She was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 19, 2011 at approximately 11:30 am Patrolman James Beirne was on patrol in the area of the Henry Hudson Trail when he observed a suspicious male walking in the area. Officer Beirne approached the subject, identified as Michael Calabrese, age 19, from 9th Street in West Keansburg, NJ, at which point Calabrese immediately grabbed the left, front pocket of his pants.
Officer Beirne conducted an investigation which resulted in the recovery of a baggie containing Marijuana from the pocket. Calabrese was arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 19, 2011 Patrolman Stephen Keller arrested Joseph Rovinsky, age 23, from Sunset Avenue in Middletown for Harassment and Lewdness as a result of an investigation he conducted into an incident that occurred on August 18, 2011. Rovinsky is accused of confronting a female subject, pulling his pants down and massaging his genitals.
Police say Rovinsky knew the female who came to police headquarters after the incident and made the report. Rovinsky was processed and was held on bail.
On August 17, 2011 at approximately 3:30 pm Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit responded to the Leonardo Motel in reference to a drug overdose. Upon arrival the officers were advised by witnesses that they had observed a subject, identified as Raymond Haupt, age 39, from Asbury Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, remove pills from the victim’s body and the hotel room where the overdose had occurred and hide them behind the hotel prior to the arrival of the police.
The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in Haupt being arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Evidence and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and held on bail.
The Middletown Police report the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Carlos Ortega, age 27, from Pacific Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Tinton Falls and Shrewsbury Municipal Courts. He was held on $385.00 bail.
Clarkson Fisher, age 30, from Gillville Lane in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Adam Vandetti on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Oceanport Municipal Court. He was released after posting $114.00 bail.
John Engberg, age 39, from Indian Key Drive in Holiday, Florida, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Darrin Simon on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court. He was released after posting $106.00 bail.
Debra Sambino, age 51, from Greenwood Place in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 20, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the East Brunswick Municipal Court. She was released after posting $89.00 bail.
Michael Carlucci, age 42, from Burlington Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 20, 2011 by Patrolman Robert Shannon on a warrant issued by the Monmouth County Superior Court. He was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, NJ.
Kristel Roxas, age 26, from Williams Street in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Joseph Ahlemeyer on three Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Aberdeen and Red Bank Municipal Courts. She was held on $490.00 bail.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Rush Holt:" Made in America" is Making A Comeback
Nearly two-thirds of Americans say that job creation should be Washington’s top priority. Yet the new majority in the House has spent months on phony debates that are more about gaining political advantage than about helping our economy.
The good news is that, even as Washington has taken its eye off the ball, manufacturers have shown a path toward an economic renewal. Although U.S. manufacturing was in decline during the run-up to the Great Recession, it has bounced back noticeably. Last year alone, manufacturers added 152,000 new jobs, and the sector has now seen 21 straight months of growth. Let’s not write any obituaries for manufacturing in our country or our state.
On Tuesday, I toured MICRO Stamping Corporation in Somerset, which employs about 250 New Jerseyans.
This month, I am visiting manufacturers across central New Jersey. These companies employ our neighbors in the manufacture of a wide range of products: everything from medical devices to specialty inks.
My hope is to hear ideas for concrete, actionable steps that Congress can take to build upon the recent resurgence in manufacturing and put more Americans back to work: things like supporting new infrastructure investment, closing tax loopholes for outsourcers, expanding science education, and providing businesses with incentives for new hiring. I hope you’ll share your ideas, too, either by sending an e-mail at holt.house.gov or calling me at 1-87-RUSH-HOLT.
America’s middle class was founded on the strength of our manufacturers. It’s time to rebuild that foundation and renew our manufacturing sector.
Sincerely,
Rush Holt
Member of Congress
President Obama's Weekly Address 8/20/11: Weekly Address: Putting Country Ahead of Party
WASHINGTON— In this week’s address, President Obama spoke to the American people from the Corner Country Farm in Alpha, Illinois on the need to create jobs and strengthen the economy. President Obama reminded the American people that we still have the best workers, entrepreneurs, and students in the world, and called on both parties to come together and act on a series of steps we can take right away to get our nation back to work.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Crime Scene Middletown: Quality of Life Unit Bust Marijuana Smoking Teens Around Town
Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Friday, 19 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
On August 19, 2011 at approximately 2:10 am Patrolman Stephen Greenwood responded to the area of Highway 35 and Cherry Tree Farm Road in reference to a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival the officer located a vehicle lying on its side after it had rolled over after striking a utility pole. Officer Greenwood assisted the driver, identified as Jennifer Healy, age 41, from Liberty Place in West Keansburg, NJ, out of the vehicle.
Officer Greenwood then conducted an investigation which resulted in Healy being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving and Failing to Maintain a Lane of Travel. She was transported to Riverview Hospital for treatment and was released pending a court date.
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 9:25 pm Patrolman Greg Buhowski was directing traffic at the intersection of Highway 35 and Red Hill Road when he observed a vehicle almost collide with another car. The officer stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Richard Bakerowski, age 22, from Stone Road in Union Beach, NJ, at which point he detected an odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the car.
The officer conducted an investigation which resulted in Bakerowski being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana after a cigar containing Marijuana and a baggie containing Marijuana were located in the vehicle. Bakerowski was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 10:50 pm Sgt. Paul Bailey was on patrol in the area of Crab Apple Lane when he observed a group of subjects running from yard to yard and two juveniles standing near some bushes. Sgt. Bailey approached the two subjects at which point he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the juvenile’s breath. Sgt. Bailey began speaking with the juveniles when one of them, described as a 16 year old male juvenile from Hazlet, NJ, began to run from the area.
Sgt. Bailey chased the subject on foot and was able to catch up with him a few blocks away. The juvenile fought with the officer and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. He was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief. He was released pending a court date.
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 2:20 pm Patrolman Richard Fulham responded to the Foodtown Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival the store manager advised the officer that he had observed a subject, identified as Cliff Carpenella, age 22, from Central Avenue in Highlands, NJ, place four packages of razor blades down his pants in order to steal them.
Carpenella was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Shoplifting. He was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 17, 2011 at approximately 6:30 pm Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a report of a Shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they observed a woman, identified as Katherine Canavan, age 44, from Jefferson Street in Middletown, NJ, leave the store with a cart full of merchandise without paying and get into a pickup truck and drive away.
The vehicle was located a short distance away and Officer Fenezia conducted an investigation which resulted in Canavan being arrested for Shoplifting. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 17, 2011 at approximately 8:40 pm Patrolman Michael Reuter was on patrol in the area of Swartzel Drive when he observed three suspicious subjects on skateboards in the street. The officer approached the subjects and conducted an investigation which resulted in the recovery of Marijuana, a pipe used to smoke Marijuana and the arrests of two 16 year old male juveniles from Middletown and a 17 year old male juvenile from Belford, NJ.
All three subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were released pending a court date.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 10:30 pm Patrolman Michael Reuter was on patrol in the area of Middletown Lincroft Road when he stopped a vehicle for having an expired registration. Officer Reuter approached the vehicle at which point he detected a strong odor of raw Marijuana coming from inside the car.
Officer Reuter conducted an investigation which resulted in the driver, identified as Daniel Smith, age 19, from Williamson Court in Middletown, NJ, being arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana after the officer located a Marijuana grinder, which is a device used to prepare Marijuana for smoking and Marijuana inside the center console of the vehicle.
Smith was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 10:00 pm Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of Highway 35 when they stopped a vehicle for changing lanes without signaling.
The officers approached the vehicle and conducted an investigation which resulted in the driver, identified as Meghan Walsh, age 20, from Normandy Court in Middletown, NJ, being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after the officers located a Marijuana grinder, which is a device used to prepared Marijuana for smoking, and some Marijuana inside her purse.
Walsh was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 7:00 pm Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of the Wilson Avenue Deli when they observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot.
The officers approached the vehicle at which point they observed a Marijuana pipe being passed around amongst the occupants of the vehicle. The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in the recovery of the Marijuana pipe and Marijuana which was located under the front seat. The officers also arrested two male juveniles from Middletown, one age 15 and the other age 16, and a 17 year old female juvenile from East Brunswick,NJ.
All three subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.
On August 15, 2011 at approximately 7:20 pm Patrolman Michael Pintilie responded to the Sears Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed five subjects walk into the fitting rooms carrying clothes and then exit the rooms without any merchandise. Security was able to detain three of the subjects until the police arrived but two were able to flee the area.
Officer Pintilie conducted an investigation and determined that the subjects had put the stolen clothes on underneath their own clothes and left the store. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Christopher Wagner, age 19, from Heights Terrace in Middletown, NJ, a 17 year old male juvenile from Leonardo, NJ, and a 16 year old male juvenile from Middletown, NJ.
All three subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Shoplifting. They were processed and released pending a court date. The other two subjects have not been apprehended.
On August 15, 2011 at approximately 10:45 am Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of Wilson Avenue when he observed a subject, identified as Richard Mackie, age 23, from Paul Place in Port Monmouth, NJ, who was wanted on an outstanding Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Old Bridge Municipal Court.
Officer Hirschbein placed Mackie under arrest on the warrant and conducted a search incident to arrest at which point he located Suboxone pills on his person. Mackie was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Contempt of Court and Unlawful Possession of Suboxone. He was processed and released after posting $190.00 bail.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 1:25 am Patrolman John Soltysik responded to the area of Highway 35 and Conover Lane in reference to a report of subjects throwing objects at passing motor vehicles. Upon arrival the officer located the two subjects and requested their identifications.
Officer Soltysik conducted an investigation and determined that one of the subjects, identified as Kevin Andia, age 20, from Walnut Street in Red Bank, NJ, was in possession of a fake driver’s license. Andia was placed under arrest for Possession of a Fake Driver’s License and was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date. Both subjects were also issued township ordinances for littering.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Christian Milanes, age 24, from Erico Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ, arrested on August 15, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Keller on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Middletown and Linden Municipal Courts. He was released after posting $1,500.00 bail.
James Oliver, age 32, from Cedar Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested by Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofied of the Quality of Life Unit on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Keansburg and Hamilton Municipal Courts. He was released after posting $470.00 bail.
Terrance Herron, age 23, from Brevent Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 16, 2011 by Patrolman Jason Caruso on three Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. He was held on $490.00 bail.
Walter Regal, age 54, from Main Street in Belford, NJ, arrested on August 15, 2011 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia for Obstructing the Administration of Law and Resisting Arrest. He was released pending a court date.
Michelle Watson, age 38, from Munn Avenue in Hillside, NJ, arrested on August 16, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $500.00 bail.
Louis Curcio, age 43, from Deepdale Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 17, 2011 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Fair Haven Municipal Court. He was released after posting $200.00 bail.
Jan Alberti-Mejia, age 22, from Garden Terrace in Monroe, NJ, arrested on August 17, 2011 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth on four Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Monroe, Englishtown, South Brunswick and Newark Municipal Courts. He was held on $597.00 bail.
Guillermo Valdez, age 25, from Park Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 18, 2011 by Corporal Keith MacDonald for Simple assault. He was released pending a court date.
Jeffrey Pierre, age 21, from Sutton Drive in Matawan, NJ, arrested on August 18, 2011 by Corporal Daniel Murdoch on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail.
Friday, 19 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions
Officer Greenwood then conducted an investigation which resulted in Healy being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving and Failing to Maintain a Lane of Travel. She was transported to Riverview Hospital for treatment and was released pending a court date.
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 9:25 pm Patrolman Greg Buhowski was directing traffic at the intersection of Highway 35 and Red Hill Road when he observed a vehicle almost collide with another car. The officer stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Richard Bakerowski, age 22, from Stone Road in Union Beach, NJ, at which point he detected an odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the car.
The officer conducted an investigation which resulted in Bakerowski being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana after a cigar containing Marijuana and a baggie containing Marijuana were located in the vehicle. Bakerowski was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 10:50 pm Sgt. Paul Bailey was on patrol in the area of Crab Apple Lane when he observed a group of subjects running from yard to yard and two juveniles standing near some bushes. Sgt. Bailey approached the two subjects at which point he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the juvenile’s breath. Sgt. Bailey began speaking with the juveniles when one of them, described as a 16 year old male juvenile from Hazlet, NJ, began to run from the area.
Sgt. Bailey chased the subject on foot and was able to catch up with him a few blocks away. The juvenile fought with the officer and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. He was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Obstructing the Administration of Law, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief. He was released pending a court date.
On August 18, 2011 at approximately 2:20 pm Patrolman Richard Fulham responded to the Foodtown Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival the store manager advised the officer that he had observed a subject, identified as Cliff Carpenella, age 22, from Central Avenue in Highlands, NJ, place four packages of razor blades down his pants in order to steal them.
Carpenella was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Shoplifting. He was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 17, 2011 at approximately 6:30 pm Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a report of a Shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they observed a woman, identified as Katherine Canavan, age 44, from Jefferson Street in Middletown, NJ, leave the store with a cart full of merchandise without paying and get into a pickup truck and drive away.
The vehicle was located a short distance away and Officer Fenezia conducted an investigation which resulted in Canavan being arrested for Shoplifting. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 17, 2011 at approximately 8:40 pm Patrolman Michael Reuter was on patrol in the area of Swartzel Drive when he observed three suspicious subjects on skateboards in the street. The officer approached the subjects and conducted an investigation which resulted in the recovery of Marijuana, a pipe used to smoke Marijuana and the arrests of two 16 year old male juveniles from Middletown and a 17 year old male juvenile from Belford, NJ.
All three subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were released pending a court date.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 10:30 pm Patrolman Michael Reuter was on patrol in the area of Middletown Lincroft Road when he stopped a vehicle for having an expired registration. Officer Reuter approached the vehicle at which point he detected a strong odor of raw Marijuana coming from inside the car.
Officer Reuter conducted an investigation which resulted in the driver, identified as Daniel Smith, age 19, from Williamson Court in Middletown, NJ, being arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana after the officer located a Marijuana grinder, which is a device used to prepare Marijuana for smoking and Marijuana inside the center console of the vehicle.
Smith was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 10:00 pm Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofield of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of Highway 35 when they stopped a vehicle for changing lanes without signaling.
The officers approached the vehicle and conducted an investigation which resulted in the driver, identified as Meghan Walsh, age 20, from Normandy Court in Middletown, NJ, being arrested for Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after the officers located a Marijuana grinder, which is a device used to prepared Marijuana for smoking, and some Marijuana inside her purse.
Walsh was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 7:00 pm Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit were on patrol in the area of the Wilson Avenue Deli when they observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot.
The officers approached the vehicle at which point they observed a Marijuana pipe being passed around amongst the occupants of the vehicle. The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in the recovery of the Marijuana pipe and Marijuana which was located under the front seat. The officers also arrested two male juveniles from Middletown, one age 15 and the other age 16, and a 17 year old female juvenile from East Brunswick,NJ.
All three subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Possession of under 50 Grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.
On August 15, 2011 at approximately 7:20 pm Patrolman Michael Pintilie responded to the Sears Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed five subjects walk into the fitting rooms carrying clothes and then exit the rooms without any merchandise. Security was able to detain three of the subjects until the police arrived but two were able to flee the area.
Officer Pintilie conducted an investigation and determined that the subjects had put the stolen clothes on underneath their own clothes and left the store. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Christopher Wagner, age 19, from Heights Terrace in Middletown, NJ, a 17 year old male juvenile from Leonardo, NJ, and a 16 year old male juvenile from Middletown, NJ.
All three subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were charged with Shoplifting. They were processed and released pending a court date. The other two subjects have not been apprehended.
On August 15, 2011 at approximately 10:45 am Patrolman Keith Hirschbein was on patrol in the area of Wilson Avenue when he observed a subject, identified as Richard Mackie, age 23, from Paul Place in Port Monmouth, NJ, who was wanted on an outstanding Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Old Bridge Municipal Court.
Officer Hirschbein placed Mackie under arrest on the warrant and conducted a search incident to arrest at which point he located Suboxone pills on his person. Mackie was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Contempt of Court and Unlawful Possession of Suboxone. He was processed and released after posting $190.00 bail.
On August 16, 2011 at approximately 1:25 am Patrolman John Soltysik responded to the area of Highway 35 and Conover Lane in reference to a report of subjects throwing objects at passing motor vehicles. Upon arrival the officer located the two subjects and requested their identifications.
Officer Soltysik conducted an investigation and determined that one of the subjects, identified as Kevin Andia, age 20, from Walnut Street in Red Bank, NJ, was in possession of a fake driver’s license. Andia was placed under arrest for Possession of a Fake Driver’s License and was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date. Both subjects were also issued township ordinances for littering.
The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:
Christian Milanes, age 24, from Erico Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ, arrested on August 15, 2011 by Patrolman Stephen Keller on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Middletown and Linden Municipal Courts. He was released after posting $1,500.00 bail.
James Oliver, age 32, from Cedar Avenue in Middletown, NJ, arrested by Patrolman Christopher Dee and Patrolman Raymond Sofied of the Quality of Life Unit on two Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Keansburg and Hamilton Municipal Courts. He was released after posting $470.00 bail.
Terrance Herron, age 23, from Brevent Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 16, 2011 by Patrolman Jason Caruso on three Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court. He was held on $490.00 bail.
Walter Regal, age 54, from Main Street in Belford, NJ, arrested on August 15, 2011 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia for Obstructing the Administration of Law and Resisting Arrest. He was released pending a court date.
Michelle Watson, age 38, from Munn Avenue in Hillside, NJ, arrested on August 16, 2011 by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $500.00 bail.
Louis Curcio, age 43, from Deepdale Drive in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 17, 2011 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Fair Haven Municipal Court. He was released after posting $200.00 bail.
Jan Alberti-Mejia, age 22, from Garden Terrace in Monroe, NJ, arrested on August 17, 2011 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth on four Contempt of Court warrants issued by the Monroe, Englishtown, South Brunswick and Newark Municipal Courts. He was held on $597.00 bail.
Guillermo Valdez, age 25, from Park Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, arrested on August 18, 2011 by Corporal Keith MacDonald for Simple assault. He was released pending a court date.
Jeffrey Pierre, age 21, from Sutton Drive in Matawan, NJ, arrested on August 18, 2011 by Corporal Daniel Murdoch on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. He was held on $1,000.00 bail.
Russell Pierce, age 43, from Kimberly Court in Middletown, NJ, arrested on August 19, 2011 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert for Simple Assault. He was released pending a court date.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Board Appointments Lead to Term Limits Debate Among Freeholders; Freeholder Amy Mallet voted against the reappointment of a Board of Health member.
Written by Jacklyn Corley, Manalapan Patch-
The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders appointed members to county boards during Thursday’s regular meeting in Freehold.
On the Mental Health Board, Helene Kalkay, of Holmdel, and Sally Pari, of Morganville, were reappointed to three-year terms; David Stout, of Wall, was reappointed to a one-year term; and Ian Nussbaum, of Little Silver, was appointed to a two-year term.
On the Board of Health, June Counterman, of Roosevelt, and Judy Thorpe, of Freehold, were reappointed to three-year terms.
Freeholder Amy Mallet, who has advocated term limits for county boards, voted against Counterman’s reappointment.
“My concern is the consecutive numbers of years served, and in this situation it’s since 1978. Someone can serve for as long as 10, 12 years, but after that I’d like to see more rotation,” Mallet said.
She noted that her vote was not a reflection of Counterman’s work, which she characterized as excellent, but was merely consistent with her position on term limits.
Freehold Lillian Burry said the county’s Board of Health was in dire need of members and has difficulty reaching a quorum to hold meetings. The board currently has a vacancy for a term that ended June 30.
“Here we’re proposing to take a very dedicated, hardworking member and saying ‘Thank you for your service. We’re going to give you the golden handshake, but we don’t need your services anymore.’ And now we’re down another person on the Board of Health. It just defies logic,” Burry said.
All other appointments were approved unanimously.
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