It was billed as a debate between the two state Senate candidates for the 17th Legislative District, but it ended up being more of a policy discussion. To be sure, there were differences in the stands taken by Democratic incumbent Sen. Robert Smith and his Republican challenger, township Mayor Brian Levine, but there was none of the fireworks one might …
Read More »Police Log: Sept. 20-22, 2013
Victor P. Battagliotti of Kendall Park told police Sept. 20 that he was driving south on Route 27, near Andover Road, when the sun blinded him and his car crashed into the rear of one driven by Manoj Kumar of North Brunswick. Kumar’s car was stopped in traffic at the time. § Police said Thomas Conlon, 44, of Philadelphia, Pa. …
Read More »Somerset Man Arrested on Outstanding Warrant After Car Accident
A Somerset man had a double dose of bad luck on Sept. 20 when he was involved in a car accident and was later arrested on an outstanding warrant from Piscataway. Police said Blair A. Wilson, 40, was driving down Girard Avenue when his car struck one driven by Eloise Jacobs, also of Somerset. Jacobs told police that she had …
Read More »Somerset Man Arrested for Shoplifting Nearly $300 From K-Mart
A Somerset man wanted in two other towns was arrested Sept. 20 after police said he was seen trying to leave K-Mart on Easton Avenue with nearly $300 in merchandise. John Highland, 46, was allegedly seen by a store security guard putting $196 worth of Red Bull energy drinks and $98 in miscellaneous clothing items in a shopping cart, then …
Read More »Deadline Looms for Villagers’ New Playwrights Series Submissions
The deadline for aspiring playwrights to submit their scripts to the Villagers New Playwrights Series is Oct.15. Selected straight plays will be presented as staged readings in the Zaidi Black Box Theatre from February to March, 2014, according to the program’s Web site. The series is intended to “provide playwrights with an opportunity to glimpse the performance potential of their …
Read More »Video Reporter: Prostate Cancer Bike-a-Thon Draws More Than 100 Cyclists
The sights and sounds of the Renaissance Community Development Credit Union’s 6th Annual Bke-a-Thon for prostate cancer awareness, which attracted more than 100 riders Sept. 21. Several courses, up to 50 miles, were offered The ride is done in conjunction with Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center. Participants could go on a 3-mile walk/ride through Colonial Park, or bike rides …
Read More »‘Freshman Focus’ Program Comes Under Fire at School Board Meeting
A program supporters say was designed to help ease the transition of freshmen into high school came under fire at the Sept. 19 Board of Education meeting. The program, called Freshman Focus, was started at the high school this year, principal James Bevere told the school board during a 15-minute presentation. Although Bevere spoke highly of the program – which …
Read More »Surveillance Video Leads to Arrest of Alleged Jewelry Thief
A Somerset man faces theft and criminal mischief charges for allegedly stealing jewelry worth more than $6,000 at a Cedar Brook Drive home. Archie Ashley, 26, was arrested after he was seen on surveillance tapes removing items from the home, according to an affidavit filed in Superior Court, Somerville by Franklin Det. Kenneth Daly. Daly wrote that police were notified …
Read More »Thefts, Drugs Lead to Indictments
A Somerset County Grand Jury returned indictments against several township residents on Sept. 19. Oliver Fields, 43, of Somerset was indicted on charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Authorities allege that between April 10, 2013 and July 5, 2013, Fields possessed “film and/or a computer program” depicting a child in prohibited sexual acts. Ashis Ashish-Sharma, 22; Trevor Dawes, …
Read More »Car Burglar Nets More Than $300 in Goods, Cash
More than $300 in cash and items was stolen from a car owned by Sheliza Bacchus of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Somerset. Bacchus told police that she discovered the burglary at about 8:44 a.m. Sept. 19. Police said Bacchus told them she did not lock the car. Stolen was an iPod Touch valued at $150, a GPS navigation system valued …
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