Joseph Micalizzi, 23, was killed around 3 a.m. Monday as he tried to fight off two burglars in the Tau Kappa Epsilon house on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, police said.

NEWARK -- Don't walk around after dark, travel in a group if you do and be careful of making a wrong turn outside of campus.

Students at NJIT said these are the precautions they take and will continue to following the recent arrest of two men accused of killing a fellow student at an off-campus fraternity house this week. 

"My feeling of safety didn't change," 21-year-old architecture student Donovan Kirkland said of the arrests. "We all know the dangers of any city campus, you go the wrong way here and you can end up in trouble."

Kirkland, of Piscataway, said the isolated incident added to the city's stigma and already affects the school. 

"Location is a factor. When students go on tour's here the early question is 'Is it safe?'" Kirkland said. 

Joseph Micalizzi, 23, was killed around 3 a.m. Monday as he tried to fight off two burglars in the Tau Kappa Epsilon house on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, police said.

Last month, Shani Patel, 21, of Toms River, a junior economics major at nearby Rutgers-Newark campus was also shot and killed. 

NJIT President Joel Bloom, reassured students this week saying "there is no imminent threat to the campus." On Saturday, three NJIT police vehicles could be seen either stationed or patrolling the University Heights campus. 

Students told NJ Advance Media Saturday that while on campus their safety has never been a concern. 

"I feel safe. We have a great public safety department," said Jon Vito, a biomechanical engineering senior. 

Vito, of Mount Laurel, said he has noticed a decrease in crimes since he was a freshman due to an increase in officers and their work hours. 

The problem, many students said, is when one ventures off-campus.

"I live in Newark and know it isn't safe around here," said 27-year-old Elizabeth Ayoola. "That this could happen here, it's crazy."

Ayoola, in a masters program at the school, said she takes advantage of online courses during the summer when it is "crazier" than normal. 

Another student said after 9:30 p.m. she avoids the light rail after an incident a few months ago in which a student was robbed.  

"This was not being at the wrong place at the wrong time, this was to another extent," said Palak Tyagi, of Micalizzi's murder.

In response to the shooting, NJIT said college police patrols would be increased in the area and that messages would go out to students on basic safety precautions, including the availability of off and on-campus escorts or rides by NJIT officers.

Students say the school has also been efficient in updating them on the Micalizzi investigation, such as notifying them on Friday of the first arrest. 

John Roach, a sophomore at the school, said news of the arrest made him feel safer, it only a little bit. 

"There's more cops on campus and I feel safe," said Roach. "I'll still have to be careful and take better watch."

Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Riders to include 17 Newark police officers

Participants in the 2015 Police Unity Tour. (Courtesy of Franklin Borough Police Detective Nevin Mattessich) 

Seventeen of those riders will be Newark officers, the department announced. The ceremony, scheduled for noon at the Police Memorial at 22 Franklin Street, will include the riders and a bugler playing "Taps."

Essex County police, firefighters honored for heroics

The Police Unity Tour raises money and awareness for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum, according to a news release. The bike tour will stop in Newark before joining other New Jersey officers in Somerset and reach the nation's capital May 12.

Hernandez Thomas, who retired from the Newark force last month, is making the bike trek for the 19th time.

The tour was launched in 1997 by Florham Park Police Department Officer Patrick P. Montuore. 

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Shooting reported around 3 p.m.

The 22-year-old man was treated at University Hospital for a non life-threatening gunshot wound, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.

The woman was hurt by flying glass when a shot hit her apartment window, according to police. She was treated at the scene and declined further medical care.

The city's Major Crimes Cease Fire Shooting Response Team was investigating after officers responded to the scene around 3 p.m., the statement said.

2 face murder charges after string of Newark killings

Anyone with information was asked to call the Newark 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867). Anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers would be kept confidential.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Charges include carjacking, robbery

Kareem Blake, 25 (Photo: NPD) 

Kareem Blake, 25, was charged with carjacking, robbery, conspiracy and other offenses, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.

Blake was identified as the second suspect in an April 8 carjacking, police said. In that case, a 65-year-old man was tricked into driving a female acquaintance to pay off a debt.

The man drove the woman and two men to a bank to withdraw the money, authorities added. After taking out the cash, the group robbed the man and escaped in his 1992 Mercedes-Benz.

The police department's fugitive unit located Blake Saturday morning at his home in the city, according to the statement.

"Detectives believe that through the continuing investigation the one remaining suspect will be identified and arrested in the near future," Ambrose said.

Carjacking trio scammed man out of his Mercedes, cops say

Police said a woman was previously arrested and charged in the carjacking.

Acting on a tip, fugitive investigators also arrested Shakeem Bernard, 26, on a parole violation, according to authorities.

Also on Saturday, police said fugitive unit detectives arrested Nakiyya Pitts, 24, for the April 15 robbery of an 18-year-old on South 11th Street.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

17-year-old charged with vehicular homicide, death by auto

NEWARK -- A 17-year-old boy faces a vehicular homicide charge in the death of a United Airlines flight attendant, who died after she was hit by a vehicle in Newark, officials said Saturday.

Camille Barletta, 25, was struck Tuesday around 7:20 p.m., according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.

The teen, whose name was not released because of his age, was also charged with death by auto, the spokeswoman added. Additional details were not immediately released.

Barletta, of Chicago, died Wednesday, according to her obituary.

"We are deeply saddened by the news," said United Airlines spokesman Rahsaan Johnson. "We extend our sympathies to Camille's family and loved ones."

It was not clear if Barletta was in Newark for her job with United. 

Barletta worked as a flight attendant at the airline since September 2015, according to her profile on the LinkedIn networking site. She wrote blog posts about fashion and her travels around the world.

"I believe in living life to the fullest and enjoying the beauty this world has to offer, even in the smallest things," an "about" post on her blog stated.

A photo posted by Cami (@yourstrulyff) on Mar 17, 2016 at 7:24am PDT

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Homicide on Mount Prospect Avenue late Thursday

NEWARK -- The Essex County Prosecutor's Office on Saturday identified the man killed on Mount Prospect Avenue as Luis Alequin, 31, of Newark.

The homicide occurred late Thursday, authorities previously said. Additional details were not yet available and no arrests were announced. 

Thirty-four people were slain in the state's largest city this year, an NJ Advance Media tally shows.

2 face murder charges after string of Newark killings

The prosecutor's office on Friday announced murder charges in three separate shooting deaths within the past week.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Saint Vincent Academy announces the winners of their Women's History Month essay contest.

Saint Vincent Academy Women's History Month essay contest winner Rosslyn Cueva, left, honorable mention winner Emelyn Avila, right, and Saint Michael's teacher Nancy Haug, center, with their awards. Haug received the school's inaugural Woman of Distinction Award.

NEWARK -- Rosslyn Cueva, a student at Saint Michael School in Newark, is the winner of the Saint Vincent Academy's inaugural Women's History Month essay contest.

This is the first year that Saint Vincent's has hosted the contest, which invited seventh-graders to write an essay about a "woman who inspires you."

Rosslyn wrote about Mother Theresa. Second-place winner Jae'shauna James from Sacred Heart School in Jersey City wrote about Alice Walker. Saint Michael's student Emelyn Avila, who wrote about her teacher, Nancy Haug, received honorable mention.

The winners were honored at a ceremony held April 21 at the school. During the ceremony the winning students read their essays aloud and Haug, a teacher at Saint Michael's for more than 27 years, received the newly created Saint Vincent Academy Woman of Distinction Award.

To submit school news send an email to essex@starledger.com.

Newark native lobbying for theater against all odds

Carmine Cicurillo has two plans to save Newark's historic Paramount Theater.

Plan A has him winning the lottery.

"Then I'd refurbish it and build a penthouse on top, and live there like the 'Phantom of the Opera,' " he said.

Plan B is to get officials and developers to see what he sees: a majestic part of Newark's glory days. A community gathering place that could again be a downtown entertainment anchor, if only people had his passion and belief -- and the millions of dollars he doesn't have.

Cicurillo admits Plan A has a better chance.

But it would have to be a hefty lottery, the Powerball or Mega Millions kind.

The theater is a wreck inside. Side doors pried open by vagrants and vandals left it exposed to weather. Last week, workers sealing an underground basement along Market Street offered to give Cicurillo a peek inside. But the floors were too rotted and strewn with fallen boards and plaster to proceed.

Still, it can be done, Cicurillo believes, so the 69-year-old retired Newark teacher can dream. And nudge. And nudge again and again.

MORE: Recent Mark Di Ionno columns

"Yeah, I guess I can make a pain of myself," he said. "But I intend to hammer away at this."

He does that by bringing his "research" to City Council meetings and various Newark economic development offices.

The research is in two shopping bags. Copies of articles, books on historic theaters, binders filled with more copies of programs and ticket stubs.

"I have the originals spread out all over the tables in my house," Cicurillo said, moving his hands in a circular gesture that suggests many originals on many tables.

He recites the history of the theater in a stream-of-consciousness soliloquy: Opened, 1886 by H.C. Miner of Brookyn as a vaudeville house. Sold to Edward Spiegel, 1916. Billie Holiday performed there. Jerry Lewis ushered there. "Ben Hur" and "El Cid" played there.

The facts keep coming. Cicurillo has done the research. 

"There's an important history here," he said. "If this theater goes, the history of industrial Newark goes with it."

That's the Newark of blue-collar and office workers at the turn of the 20th century, back when vaudeville was family entertainment.

All along Market Street, east of Broad, are architectural landmarks of the day. The nearly illegible rusted sign of Superior Stamp and Die is on one building. The Bonnell Building, built in 1895, is boarded up. So is the Spingarn Building. Peeking out from the gaps in the buildings across the street is the roof of the Prudential Center and the upper floors of the new Indigo Hotel. New apartments are coming to the Victorian buildings, with retail on the ground floors.

And not the kind of retail from the past few decades. Not chicken or tortilla joints, or bargain stores, where broken signs remain, atop locked metal gates and doors. That Newark history, too, is being shuttered.

The marquee of the Paramount, still intact, sits above two such armored doors. Dees Amazing Deals and an Afrocentric store called Culture & Culture are long gone. They were opened in the lobby space sometime after the theater closed in 1986 and didn't last long. On the marquee are "for rent" signs, no longer applicable. Change is coming.

The theater building is in the architectural footprint of the Four Corners Millennium Project by RBH Group, which will transform the intersection of Broad and Market into something for the 21st century. Luxury apartments, a hotel, retail stores, but no theater. In all, it's $410 million project winding its way through the morass of approvals.

Carmine Cicurillo wants a renovated, refurbished Paramount Theater to be part of it.

 "This is the last of the great mother theaters," he said, naming those that are gone. The Lyric. The Adams. The Luxor. The Branford. "If this goes, it's all gone. We can't let that happen."

In his bags of "research" is a notebook with all the names and phone numbers of people he has tried to enlist to help, written in large letters.

Liz Del Tufo - Mrs. Newark - the president of the Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee, and a persistent, echoing voice of all that is good about Newark, historic or otherwise.

Matt Gosser, the vice president of the group, and a professor of architecture and design at NJIT.

Marion Bolden, former superintendent of Newark Public Schools.

Councilwomen Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins and Mildred Crump.

My number. Colleague Barry Carter's.

Anybody who can get anybody to listen.

The calls come frequently. Think of the "squirrels are back in the attic" mom in the Geico commercial. That's Carmine Cicurillo, first thing in the morning, last thing at night.

"Good morning and good day to you, sir," Cicurillo says, annunciating in a voice made for late-night radio.

He's a nudge, but he's polite. And stubbornly passionate. You have to respect that. This column is a result of two - no, three - years of those phone calls. At some point, you have to admire his quixotic approach. The Man of La Mancha, dreaming the impossible dream.

"His persistence is certainly admirable," Del Tufo said. "But you have to be realistic. No one is going to raise the money needed to renovate it the way it was and there's no market for it in downtown Newark, not with the Prudential Center, NJPAC and Symphony Hall.

"If they save the marquee, that would be great, and that would be all I could wish for," she said.

For Cicurillo, that's not enough.

"At the very least, they should keep the marquee," he said. "It says 'Newark' on the front. It's a celebration of this great city. But why can't we have a majestic downtown theater again? If people believe it can happen, it can happen."

Mark Di Ionno may be reached at mdiionno@starledger.com. Follow The Star-Ledger on Twitter @StarLedger and find us on Facebook.

Past and present troop members gather for an anniversary celebration.

Troop 147 Boy Scouts Jake Shoemaker, Anthony Gingerelli, Suvan Bhat and Frank Bartell with the cake to celebrate the Troop's 95th anniversary. Boy Scout Troop 147 

NUTLEY -- On April 30 past and present members of Nutley Boy Scout Troop 147 came together to celebrate the troop's 95th anniversary during a dinner held at the Franklin Steakhouse.

Current members welcomed 24 former members, who reminisced and shared stories about their time with the troop.

During the dinner, Nutley Board of Commissioners member Steven Rogers read a proclamation recognizing the troop and Scoutmaster Al C. Welenofsky for their service to the community. Rev. Jill Fenske of the Franklin Reformed Church, which has sponsored the troop for all of its 95 years, received a plaque honoring her 25 years as the troop's executive officer.

To submit Scout news send an email to essex@starledger.com.

Anthony Brown was one of three men charged with robbing and shooting a man in 2014.

Anthony Brown, 28 (Newark Police) 

NEWARK -- Police on Sunday asked for the help of the public in finding a man wanted in a 2014 shooting.

Anthony Brown, 28, was one of three men who robbed an East Orange man on March 9, 2014 before shooting him, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.

Brown and Tamodd Young, 22, have been charged with robbery, weapon possession and other offenses, police said. Young is being held at Essex County Correctional facility on unrelated charges.

Brown is at large, police said. Police are looking for him and trying to identify the third man.

A warrant has been issued for Brown's arrest, with a bail of $500,000.

Anyone with information should call (877) NWK-TIPS or (877) NWK-GUNS to leave an anonymous tip.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Camille Barletta, 25, had worked for United Airlines since last September.

NEWARK -- A 25-year-old flight attendant killed by a car in Newark last week was in the city for her job at United Airlines, officials said.

Camille Barletta was hit by a Ford Mustang on Tuesday around 7:20 p.m. in the 100 block of Chestnut Street, according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.

The details of the incident are under investigation, but Carter said Barletta was walking on a sidewalk when the car hit her. The location of the crash is just off McCarter Highway, about one mile south of Newark Penn Station.

Flight attendant killed by vehicle in Newark

She was taken to University Hospital in Newark, where she died Wednesday, according to her obituary.

Barletta, a Chicago resident, was originally from Southern California. She had worked at United since September 2015 and blogged about fashion and travel. She studied English and photography in college, according to her blog.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with vehicular homicide and death by auto in response to the incident, Carter said. The prosecutor's office is not releasing the boy's name because he is a minor. 

#tbt to my time on the Emerald Isle! How I hope to return to Ireland soon [?] #Ireland #stpattysday #eringobragh

A photo posted by Cami (@yourstrulyff) on Mar 17, 2016 at 7:24am PDT

MORE ESSEX COUNTY NEWS

Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Their injuries were not life-threatening.

NEWARK -- Two teens were shot Saturday night on Boyd Street, police said.

The 16-year-olds were shot at about 9 p.m. in the 100 block of Boyd Street, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

They were treated at University Hospital and released. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

Detectives are trying to determine the motive for the shooting, police said.

Police asked anyone with information to leave an anonymous tip by calling (877) NWK-TIPS or (877) NWK-GUNS.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Experts say you can damage your eyes if you look directly at the sun. But there are some safe ways to see this rare event on Monday.

It's a very tiny planet, but Mercury will be making a big move across a giant celestial body -- the sun -- on Monday. 

New Jerseyans and other sky watchers on the East Coast will be able to see a tiny speck moving slowly across the sun from 7:12 a.m. to 2:42 p.m., according to NationalGeographic.com. 

On Monday, May 9, our solar system's smallest planet will resemble a black dot as it passes in front of the sun. This composite image of observations by NASA and the ESA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory shows the path of Mercury during its November 2006 transit. (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/NASA via AP) 

One important note for anyone who hopes to see this: Experts warn you can seriously damage your eyes if you look directly at the sun. But there are some safe ways to view this rare celestial event -- something that happens about once every nine years.

LIVE VIDEO COVERAGE

At least three websites are planning to live-stream this event, so you can watch it from the safety of your computer or smartphone: 

• Slooh.com
• SkyTelescope.com
• VirtualTelescope.com

ASTRONOMY CLUB VIEWING

If you would rather watch this outside and you don't want to run the risk of hurting your eyes, check out some of the free public viewing events being organized by planetariums and astronomy groups that have the proper equipment.

Among the places in New Jersey where filtered telescopes will be set up on Monday are the Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, Ocean County College in Toms River and Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, according to a report by Star-Ledger astronomy columnist Kevin Conod, manager of the Newark Museum's Dreyfuss Planetarium.

BACKYARD VIEWING 

National Geographic advises people who plan to use watch from their own backyard to use a telescope with a solar filter attached, or binoculars with white cardboard "to create a magnified projection of the event."

For more details on how to safely view the sun, check these tips from Sky & Telescope.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Suggestions for ways people who can't adopt but who want to help in caring for homeless animals.

If you're interested in helping homeless animals but aren't able to adopt one, there are a number of other ways you can be of assistance.

Realistically, not everyone can adopt. People who live in apartments or developments that have no-pets policies fall into that category, as do people with allergies or disabilities that will not allow them to care for pets of their own. Adoptapet.com offers these suggestions for ways people who want to help can participate in caring for homeless animals.

* Help out at a local shelter. It's not glamorous work by any means, but it's vital and will be very much appreciated. You can do anything from help walk dogs to bottle feed kittens, help clean kennels or cat's cages or even help with bathing and grooming. Contact your local shelter to find out their policies regarding volunteers.

* If you're handy, you can lend a hand in many ways. Shelters usually need repairs of many kinds, so fixer-uppers can help out like that. If you sew, quilt or crochet, you can make blankets for your local shelter.

* Help out at an adoption event. Many shelters and rescue groups participate in local events by hosting a table with pets available for adoption. They also hold these program at malls, pet supply stores and banks, and can always use a helping hand.

* For galleries like this one and for online adoptions sites, often a shelter or rescue group doesn't have the time or equipment to shoot good photos of their adoptable pets, Something as simple as making yourself available to shoot and provide digital files of pet photos can be a big help.

* Donate. It doesn't have to be money; shelters need cleaning supplies, pet food, toys for the animals and often even things we don't think twice about getting rid of like old towels and newspapers. Every little bit helps.

If you don't know where your local animal shelter or rescue group is, a quick online search will reveal a number of results. It doesn't take a lot of time or effort to get involved but it provides immeasurable assistance.

Here's a gallery of pets in need of adoption from northern and central New Jersey. Be sure to have captions enabled for all information related to each pet. More homeless animals can be seen here and here.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Feeding America released its annual report on food insecurity in every county in the country.

ESSEX COUNTY -- It takes less than an hour to drive from some of the most affluent areas of Hunterdon County to the poorest neighborhoods of Newark. The short car trip will paint a startling picture of the highs and lows of hunger in New Jersey.

According to the recently released 2016 Feeding America "Map the Meal Gap" report, the highest concentration of "food insecurity" in the state is in Essex County. The study identifies the number of food insecure residents in every county across the country, as compared to the population of the county, to determine a "food insecurity rate."

At 18.6 percent of the population, Essex has the highest rate of any county in New Jersey. Hunterdon reported the lowest rate in the state, 6.4 percent. Overall, more than 1 million residents in New Jersey, or about 11.8 percent of the state's population, are "food insecure," the term the USDA uses to indicate people who lack access to enough food to live healthy lives.

CANstruction: Sculptures help fight hunger

"It's here, and it's prevalent - that's the takeaway," said Diane Riley, the Director of Advocacy for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

And, though food insecurity rates tend to be higher in areas of concentrated poverty, she said it exists in "every community...even in the most affluent areas."

Particularly troubling, Riley said, was the rate of child food insecurity reported in New Jersey, 16.8 percent. Though the numbers have dipped slightly from last year's survey, she said they should still serve as a "call to action" for elected officials and residents throughout the state.

The report also uses Current Population Survey and Nielsen data to estimate the average cost of a meal in each county, and maps out the percentages of food insecure residents who do not qualify for meal assistance programs, like SNAP.

Average meal costs ranged from $2.80 in Cumberland County to $3.75 in Hunterdon County. In New Jersey, about 36 percent of food insecure people do not qualify for federal food assistance based on their incomes, the report found.

Nationwide, food insecurity rates ranged from a low of four to a high of 38 percent, in Loudoun County, Va. and Jefferson County, Miss., respectively. Every county in the country was found to have residents who struggle to pay for food. Overall, about 48 million people in the U.S. are food insecure, the report found.

"This new research documents the pervasiveness of hunger in every community in our nation," CEO of Feeding America Diana Aviv said in a release about the report.

"While the economy has improved and unemployment rates have declined, many people are still struggling to access adequate amounts of nutritious food for their families."

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Longtime manager will head Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the Children's Hospital of New Jersey.

Terry's role is going from interim to permanent. (Courtesy RWJ Barnabas Health) 

WEST ORANGE -- Newark Beth Israel has a new president.

Darrell K. Terry, a longtime healthcare administrator in the area, was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the Children's Hospital of New Jersey, according to an announcement from Barry H. Ostrowsky, the President and Chief Executive Officer for RWJBarnabas Health, the hospitals' parent company.

Terry, who was born in Newark Beth Israel, has been serving as interim president since February, and previously served as its Chief Operating Officer.

Third of N.J. hospitals worse off in safety report

"Mr. Terry has a wealth of valuable experience at NBI and CHoNJ," Ostrowsky said in the announcement.  "He has solid roots in the Greater Newark community and will continue to be an exceptional leader for our physicians, employees and the patients we serve."

Terry replaces John Brennan, who according to an NJ Biz report left the hospital earlier this year for a job as executive vice president of WellStar Health System in Georgia.

Terry, who has worked in various capacities at the hospitals for 18 years, has received a litany of awards and commendations for his professional and volunteer work. He is the chairman of the board at the Jewish Renaissance Medical Center, and was appointed by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to the Newark Workforce Investment Board and by Gov. Chris Christie to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission.

The two hospitals are under the RWJ Barnabas Health umbrella, the largest healthcare system in the state since its mega-merger last month. Officials announced several leadership changes in its wake.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Blas Erners Espinal-Cabrera could have gotten life in prison but got less time for cooperating with the government.

NEWARK -- Once he was identified and caught as a leader in a major cocaine distribution ring in the New York metropolitan area, Blas Erners Espinal-Cabrera knew that if he would ever return to his family as a free man, he had to take a risk, authorities said.

So Cabrera, 46, worked with government investigators, authorities said, and wrote an affidavit explaining his knowledge of the cartel that supplied the drugs he had distributed throughout New Jersey and beyond. 

That cooperation earned Cabrera a sentence well below government guidelines for a career criminal who had pleaded guilty to importing cocaine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton Monday sentenced Cabrera -- who potentially could have gotten two life sentences -- to just under 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. 

But she also noted that  Cabrera would probably never have what would be considered a normal life once his prison term is complete. The business of illegal drugs might be highly profitable, but it also is extremely violent, Wigenton said.

"There is no question" that Cabrera could be in danger, she said.

Drug courier sentenced to nearly 6 years

"He is probably going to spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder," said defense attorney Patrick Brackley. 

Since being arrested, Cabrera has been held alone in protective custody for 23 hours each day, Brackley said. 

Cabrera was arrested in 2011 after being involved in drug distribution since 2004, his indictment says. 

He signed a plea deal in 2012. While the charges to which he pleaded say he was involved with the distribution of more than five kilograms of cocaine, probation officials found that he oversaw the distribution of at least 150 kilograms, or 330 pounds of cocaine. 

Cabrera, a native of the Dominican Republic who is a legal permanent resident of the United States, already had a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in California in 2003, court records show. 

He also admitted in New York federal court in 2013 to drug distribution charges, acknowledging that he was facing the charges in New Jersey. 

Court records show that he is awaiting the resolution of the New York case.

Tim Darragh may be reached at tdarragh@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @timdarragh. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Authorities arrested two teenagers and a 24-year-old in Newark, officials said.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, shown in this file photo, announced the arrests. (Steve Hockstein | The Star-Ledger)
 

NEWARK -- One adult and two teenagers were arrested in connection with a trash can marijuana operation near Homestead Park in Newark, authorities announced Monday.

Essex County Sheriff's officers conducting undercover investigations near the Hawthorne Avenue park Friday allegedly saw Shanice 'Safiyah' Morgan, 24, of East Orange, Davon Anderson, 18, and a 16-year-old, both of Newark, conduct two drug deals, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said in a release Monday. After talking with buyers, the three allegedly sold baggies of marijuana that were hidden in trash bags in a nearby garbage can, authorities said.

In the two plastic bags the trio was allegedly dealing from, authorities said they found 191 bags of marijuana. Anderson was also found to be carrying a loaded .22 caliber revolver, officials said.

Trash bag trafficking in Newark

Morgan and Anderson were arraigned Monday, and are being held at the Essex County jail on $40,000 and $60,000 bail, respectively, authorities said.

The teen was placed in an electronic monitoring bracelet and released to his mother's custody, pending a hearing in family court, Fontoura said.

One of the people who was allegedly seen buying a bag of marijuana from the operation was released pending a court date, and the other could not be located, authorities said.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

As the investigation continues, there was an outpouring of grief, fond memories an condolences from family, fellow flight attendants and strangers touched by her death.

A photo posted by Cami (@yourstrulyff) on Mar 17, 2016 at 7:24am PDT

NEWARK -- The teen driver charged with fatally running down a 25-year-old flight attendant last week was not a licensed driver, prosecutors said Monday.

The 17-year-old is charged with vehicular homicide in the death of Camille Barletta, a 25-year-old United Airlines flight attendant, who was struck as she strolled on a Newark sidewalk on Tuesday around 7:20 p.m., then died the next day at University Hospital in Newark.

Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said on Monday that the teen was also charged with being an unlicensed driver. In addition, Fennelly also said Monday that the basis for the homicide charge was that the teen had been driving "recklessly," although he has not been charged with reckless driving at this point.

Fennelly noted that the investigation is continuing and he did not rule out additional charges against the teen, who has not been identified because he is a juvenile. 

"The juvenile has been charge with vehicular homicide, also known as death by auto, a second degree crime," Fennelly told NJ Advance Media. "He's also charged with a third degree offense of causing a death while not being issued a driver's license, basically being an unlicensed driver."

Barletta, who is originally from Southern California, lived in Chicago but spent time in Newark for her job with United, whose northeastern hub is at Newark Liberty International Airport. After studying English and photography in college, she began working at United in September, and also blogged about fashion and travel.

The airline issued a statement expressing its condolences in the wake of her death, but declined to discuss what route Barletta flew or anything else about her work. 

Her death prompted an outpouring of grief, memories and condolences from family members, colleagues in the far-flung community of flight attendants, and Newark residents who didn't know her but were touched by the sudden loss of a vivacious young woman on a sidewalk of their city.

"I didn't know her and began reading her blog," wrote Pamela Brown, a Newark resident, on the tribute.com obituary and memorial site. "Wow, what a beautiful, caring, lovely, inspiring soul was she. My heart goes out to her family, friends, & her love, Pete...I, too, have freckles....Thank you for sharing your travels...God Bless You And I Will Keep You In My Prayers!"

Her grandparents in La Mesa, CA, Michael & Dagmar Barletta, wrote of a "very happy person, always with a smile," especially with her fiance, Peter.

"She couldn't wait to tell everyone of their engagement but had to wait till she came home to California for a short visit before heading back to Chicago," the Barletta's wrote. "There is now an emptiness that will always remain for us."

And Donna Eckhardt, a flight attendant from Montgomery, TX, wrote: "Although I did not know Camille I am her skysister! My love and prayers to her family!!! She flies with the angels!"

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.