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N.J. men sought in Pa. casino parking lot robbery

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Police are searching for the men who were caught on camera following the woman from the Parx Casino in Pennsylvania.

BENSALEM, Penn. -- Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying two New Jersey men who they say made off with an undisclosed amount of cash from a woman leaving a Pennsylvania casino Sunday night.

A 73-year-old woman was walking to her car in the Parx casino parking lot at about 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 11 when a man ripped off the purse she was carrying and ran away, according to a release from Bensalem police, .

Two men had followed her from the casino into the parking lot and were involved in the robbery, police said. The two were seen later driving a silver 2007 Audi Q7 with a New Jersey registration, police said.

The car and both men are believed to be from Newark, police said.

The two allegedly made off with an undisclosed amount of money, and the woman's cell phone,in the purse.

Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to submit an online tip to the police department.

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


'Historic' deal gives N.J. cancer patients more experimental treatment options

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Memorial Sloan Kettering and Hackensack Meridian Health will partner to give New Jersey patients access to more clinical trials and specialists.

NUTLEY -- One of the nation's oldest and most respected cancer care centers is partnering with one of New Jersey's largest hospital systems in what was called a "momentous" deal that could give the state's cancer patients access to more experimental treatments and specialists, company officials said.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York signed the agreement with Hackensack Meridian Health at an event in Nutley on Wednesday, creating one of the largest cancer care partnerships in the nation.

The ten-year deal means some New Jersey patients could get access to a combined 800 clinical trials, including tests of experimental cancer drugs and treatments overseen by Memorial Sloan Kettering doctors in New York, hospital officials said. Some patients may also be able to get access to cancer treatments in New Jersey that had previously only been available in New York.

New concern for prostate cancer patients

The deal will affect about one in every five cancer patients in New Jersey, company officials said. The combined organizations will create the largest cancer care network in the region and one of the largest in the country.

"Through this partnership, residents of New Jersey and beyond will be able to receive unprecedented cancer care close to home," said Robert Garrett, co-CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.

The two cancer care centers will bear each other's names on their buildings, including the John Theurer Cancer Center at HackensackUMC in Hackensack and Memorial Sloan Kettering's locations in Basking Ridge and Middletown and a new center due to open in 2018 in Montvale. 

Though the two sides will continue to independently own and operate their facilities, Sloan Kettering and Hackensack Meridian plan to come together to open new joint ambulatory care centers around New Jersey in areas they don't currently serve. Company officials declined to say what towns they are considering for new facilities.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who attended the announcement event, called the deal the "singular most important moment in health care in our state" in the last 25 years. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9th Dist.) said the partnership would also give New Jersey more access to $1 billion in cancer research funding approved by Congress.

New Jersey patients already have access to clinical trials of new cancer drugs through Rutgers University's cancer center, which also has partnerships with area hospitals. But the Memorial Sloan Kettering-Hackensack Meridian partnership could expand options for some patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

The partnership is another major stride by out-of-state cancer centers to expand into new territory in the lucrative cancer-treatment market. Sloan Kettering, world-renown for its cancer care, now has an outpatient treatment facility in Basking Ridge, and just opened a second outpatient facility in Middletown. That site is expected to offer some surgeries there next year. 

Many of its patients come from Central Jersey and had to travel into Manhattan for chemotherapy or radiation, Sloan Kettering officials said when they recently opened the site.

Another competitor, the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is also expanding to have a national footprint. It has partnered with the largest collective physicians' practice in the state, Summit Medical Group, to provide cancer care in New Jersey under the Anderson name.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering-Hackensack Meridian deal means doctors and researchers will have access to each other's data and research. Together, they will do about 30,000 cancer surgeries a year, officials said. The prospect of having research data on that many cases intrigued some doctors.

"Nobody comes close to these numbers. It's impossible not to be excited about this," said Jose Baselga, physician-in-chief and chief medical officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Hospital officials said the deal will mean:

  • Current patients will continue to see their same doctors and receive their current treatment. Their health insurance will not be affected. However, patients may have access to new clinical trials and specialists they could not see before.
  • Doctors from both organizations will participate in joint tumor boards and other meetings to help chart treatment courses for patients. The two sides will also establish joint standards of care for patients.
  • Students at the new Seton Hall-Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, set to open in Nutley next year, will have opportunities to train at Memorial Sloan Kettering facilities.

The two sides began talking several years ago when Meridian Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering began negotiating a deal to share some services, including coordinating home care for cancer patients in New Jersey.

When Meridian finalized its merger with Hackensack earlier this year, the talks with Memorial Sloan Kettering turned into discussions about a larger partnership, company officials said.

"We had not talked about this type of partnership with any other New Jersey hospitals," said Craig Thompson, president and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

$10K reward offered for information on death of Newark robbery victim

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William Hyder was attacked Nov, 21 and died a few weeks later

NEWARK -- The Essex County Sheriff's Crime Stoppers program is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in connection with a fatal robbery last month, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said Wednesday.

William Hyder, 56, left his home around 9 p.m. Nov. 21 and went to a pharmacy at 199 Stuyvestant Ave. When he came back an hour later, he knocked on his door and stumbled into his house, telling his family he had been robbed, Hyder, a 30-year city resident, had suffered severe injuries.

Screenshot (14).pngWilliam Hyder (Essex County Prosecutor's Office)  

Hyder was taken to University Hospital and died Dec. 6.

The case is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the prosecutor's Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-88- TIPS-4EC or1-877- 847-7432.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.  

Vintage photos from N.J. that are works of art

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Marshall McLuhan's most well-known statement was "the medium is the message."

If you took communications classes in college in the 1970s and 1980s, you likely heard about Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian professor and philosopher who published "Laws of Media: The New Science" in 1966.

MarshalMcLuhan.jpgAnd I'm pretty sure I can figure out his views on coffee, too. 

Perhaps his most well-known statement was "the medium is the message." But another of his observations was that "Xerox makes everyone a publisher."

Similarly, I submit that digital cameras make everyone a photographer.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

The digital camera offers the photographer the ability to scroll through gigabytes of shots so as to pick the perfect one. Prior to this, the one behind the lens had to depend on their skills of composition, lighting and sometimes just being in the right place at the right time.

The photos in this gallery, captured mostly by everyday folks clicking the shutter, were done without the benefit of knowing what the shot would look like; instead, the photographers had to wait for the picture to be processed to determine if it was frame worthy. Not one photographer whose pictures appear in this gallery had the benefit of a do-over.

And, I think you'll agree that they could be considered works of art.

Here's a gallery of superb photos taken in New Jersey before 1986. Have captions enabled to read more about them.

Have some of your own classic snaps taken before 1987? We'd love to see them and use them in a gallery. Attach them as jpgs and email ghatala@starledger.com.

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

NJ Transit bus driver reportedly refused to stop as passenger was attacked

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Anna Kushnareva says that neither the driver nor her fellow passengers stopped the attack or called police

A New Jersey woman alleges she was beaten by a fellow passenger aboard a New Jersey Transit bus and the driver refused to stop despite her cries for help.

Anna Kushnareva told PIX11.com that the other passenger became agitated when the driver got lost while en route from New York to Newark.

Kushnareva told the television station that when she tried to calm the passenger, the woman began punching her in the face. Neither the driver nor other passengers intervened or would call the police, Kushnareva told PIX11.com.

Kushnareva also said that the driver contacted a manager, who suggested not contacting authorities.

The attacker fled when the bus stopped in Irvington. When Irvington police were called, they filed a report on a harassment, not a physical assault, Kushnareva told PIX11 said.

"New Jersey Transit is thoroughly investigating this incident, which began immediately after receiving this customer's complaint," NJ Transit said in a emailed statement to NJ Advance Media. "We take this matter very seriously."

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Carpooling co-workers' argument ends in Fairfield stabbing, cops say

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Police have arrested three David's Cookies employees who they say were involving in stabbing a fellow worker.

FAIRFIELD -- A commute to work turned ugly Tuesday when a verbal argument between carpooling co-workers led to a stabbing, police said.

Four employees of David's Cookies were traveling to work together in a van at 3:52 p.m. when two of them began arguing, according to Fairfield police. It is not clear what prompted the argument.

When the group arrived at work, Stefany Rodriguez, 34, and Maria Cabrera, 33, both of Passaic, charged at a 40-year-old woman they had been fighting with in the car, police siad. Cabrera is accused of holding the woman down while Rodriguez allegedly stabbed her twice with a knife, police said.

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The van's fourth occupant, Oscarina Valdez, 20, also of Passaic, then hid the knife in her purse, police said.

The woman suffered two small wounds and was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center for treatment, police said.

Rodriguez faces charges of aggravated assault with intent to cause bodily injury and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Cabrera was charged with aggravated assault with intent to cause bodily injury. Valdez was charge dwith tampering with evidence, authorities said.

The three are being held at the Essex County jail, Rodriguez and Cabrera on $50,000 bail and Valdez on $10,000, police said.

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

Love ramen? Popular noodle shop opens in Jersey City and more restaurant news

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What's happening in northern N.J. eateries.

LOTS OF NOODLES

ramen.jpg 
Ani Ramen House, the noodle shop in Montclair with lines out the door, is angling for a repeat experience in Jersey City. A second location is opening on Jersey Avenue. The philosophy remains the same, noodle soups and pork buns, but the Jersey City location also will serve alcohol, including sake and craft cocktails. Visit aniramen.com.

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HALAL IN NEWARK

halal.jpg 
The Halal Guys, that food truck you've seen in New York's Midtown for the past 25 years, has come to Newark -- at 72 Halsey St. The business is noted for its gyros, falafel sandwiches and platters, plus hummus, baba ghanoush and baklava. Based in Queens, the concept is expanding; another outpost recently opened in East Brunswick. Visit thehalalguys.com.

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DINKY DELIGHTS

dinky.jpg 
In Princeton, across from the McCarter Theatre, the Dinky Bar & Kitchen has opened. The restaurant, which comes from the folks behind Agricola, emphasizes locally sourced, fresh ingredients in a casual, relaxed setting. The menu includes spicy bar nuts, fingerling chips and deviled eggs, plus lobster rolls, chicken wings, swordfish tacos. Someone has had fun naming cocktails; there's the Smoke Stack and the Ticket to Ride. Visit dinkybarandkitchen.com.

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SETTLE ON THIS PERCH

perch.jpg 
Honey-dipped cornbread. A Norwegian waffle with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and dill. Braised beef short ribs with creamed spinach. Such is the menu of City Perch Kitchen, which has opened a location in Fort Lee. (The one in Bethesda, Md., earned raves.) The restaurant is run by Sherry Wolf, a James Beard award winner and a star on the Food Network. Visit cityperch.com.


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2 arrested after shooting outside West Orange bar

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No one was injured in the shooting, officials said.

WEST ORANGE -- Two men have been arrested after an argument turned into a shooting outside of a township bar, authorities said.

Mackenze PavilusMackenze Pavilus. (Essex County Corrections)
 

The dispute between the two started outside of the Heritage Restaurant and Lounge on Valley Road shortly after midnight on Dec. 10, according to a West Orange spokeswoman.

The fight devolved into a shooting outside the bar, officials said. It is unclear how many shots were fired, but no one was injured in the shooting, authorities said.

Both men were arrested.

Mackenze Pavilus, 24, of Bloomfield, was charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, making terroristic threats, and weapons offenses, officials said.

Isaiah Green, 29, of Orange, was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and criminal mischief, authorities said.

Both are being held at the Essex County jail, Pavilus on $150,000 bail and Green on $100,000 bail, officials said.

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


Newark's 'Old First Church' going strong at 350 | Di Ionno

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First Presbyterian on Broad Street celebrates place in American history

Along the busiest stretch of Broad Street in Newark, a prime piece of American history goes almost unnoticed.

The First Presbyterian Church, also known "Old First Church" is miniaturized by the looming gray walls of the Prudential Center to the east. Its northside neighbor is the 1912 First Bank Building, the first office tower in Newark, built nearly as high as the church steeple. It's now the Hotel Indigo. On the other side of the church is the Courtyard Marriot.

Every day, thousands of people pass the church. More so on hockey and event nights at The Rock.

They might - or might not - notice a scroll outside that lists a timeline of church history dating back to 1644 when it was part of the Puritan's New Haven Colony in Branford, Conn.

The next entry on the scroll is 1666, when Robert Treat and Abraham Pierson Sr. broke off from New Haven and formed their own colony in the Jerseys. Pierson wanted to call it New Ark.

And here we are. The city and church, linked from the start, celebrated their 350th anniversaries this year.

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"This isn't just about Newark history." said Yvonne Garrett Moore, who is co-chair of the church's 350th Anniversary Christmas Celebration, to be held Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. "This church has played a significant role in American history."

True enough.

One of the entries on the timeline is 1775. It says "British Loot Manse."

That's because George Washington was safely harbored in the church during his retreat across New Jersey and the British punished pastor Alexander MacWhorter by taking a torch to his place, burning it down, and damaging the church.

Eight decades later, runaway slaves may have found safe haven in the brick passages ways under the church during the years of the Underground Railroad. While it is not on the National Park Service's official list of sites, Moore said research is underway to support the claim, since Presbyterians were among the most influential abolitionists.

"This is a story that needs to be told," she said.

Inga Malessa Fingal, a church elder and lifetime member, said "this church offered solace and refuge then, and will continue to do that now" for undocumented immigrants who might fear deportation, evidence that the church still sees itself a part of ongoing history.

There's more. In one of the hallways is a drawing of an institutional family tree that sprouted from the church.

Pastor Abraham Pierson Jr., was a founder of Yale University. The Aaron Burr, Sr. - an early pastor whose infamous son grew up in the shadow of the burned church's squat steeple -- became the second president of Princeton (then called the College of New Jersey). The university held its first commencement in the church in 1748.

The church influences were near and far. It formed Presbyterian Hospital of Newark and aided the international American Mission to Lepers

It started the Bloomfield Seminary and supported the Dwight Indian Training School in Oklahoma.

Brenda Bayley, an administrative assistant at the church who has worked for eight pastors 43 years - including Perry Wooten, today's interim leader -- said there is always more to discover about First Presbyterian's history.

"I wasn't always aware of it," she said. "But then you start to see the things around you."

There are two display cases of church treasures, including programs from the 250th Anniversary, correspondence from pastors and prayer books. In one room, there are pencil drawings of the church's first one-room prayer house built in 1668, and the second church, that was burned down by the British. The current church was completed 1792 and the clock in the steeple still works.

One of the pencil drawings is a rear view of the church, taken from vantage point of the cemetery which is now capped by the Prudential Center.

Before the Devils' arena was built, the bodies were exhumed and the remains were cremated. The items from the tombs that did not disintegrate over time are now stored in boxes in the church basement. These oxidized metal handles from coffins, pieces of pottery, clothing buttons and jewelry are a project waiting to be cataloged.

"There is so much here," Moore said. "We have much to do. But we want to really do a better job sharing this history and this building with the public."

While the outside of First Presbyterian is angular and brick in the Colonial architecture tradition, the inside is spectacularly ornate, with carved friezes, ceiling roses and, of course, the organ pipe casings. The pews are covered with red velvet cushions and each row has a door that clicks shut on the aisle.

"It really is a remarkable place," Moore said. "It is a treasure of this city, like many of our churches are. It is a gateway to the city's history. We just wish more people knew about it."    

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

Boys Basketball: The NJ.com Preseason Top 20, 2016-17

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A complete look at the preseason NJ.com basketball rankings.

Newark man, 33, shot to death

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Officials are investigating the Wednesday night killing.

NEWARK -- A 33-year-old Newark man was shot to death Wednesday night in the city, authorities said.

Jason L. Davis was shot at about 8:45 p.m. in the 900 block of Frelinghuysen Avenue, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced in a release.

Davis was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:20 p.m., authorities said.

The prosecutor's office has not identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection to the fatal shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.      

The killing marks the 90th homicide so far this year in the state's largest city, according to an NJ Advance Media count. That's down from the number of homicides in the city this time last year.

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

 

Newark contract dispute forces 41 layoffs, janitorial company says

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United Services, Inc. sued Newark earlier this year, claiming it wrongly conducted a bidding process for janitorial services at 44 city buildings

NEWARK -- The janitorial company that cleans Newark City Hall and 43 other city buildings announced Wednesday layoffs for 41 employees amid an ongoing dispute with the city over its cleaning services contract.

Newark City Hall.jpgUSI provides cleaning services at city hall and 43 other city buildings, it says. (File photo) 

United Services, Inc., which sued the city in July over what it called an unfair bidding process meant to push the company out, said all laid off employees are Newark residents.

Though the company has continued to clean city buildings, it alleges Newark has not paid for its services since June, prompting the layoffs.

In a statement, USI President Raymond Pardo called the layoffs unfortunate.

USI filed a lawsuit in July against the city, alleging that the city wrongly rejected the company's bid to continue providing janitorial services. USI provided the lowest bid by several million dollars, but the city rejected it, claiming that it planned to revise the specifications for the contract, according to the suit.

The company alleged in the lawsuit that the bid was rejected to all city officials to hire a different company with workers in the 32BJ union, a political supporter of many Newark elected officials.

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Gabriel Halpern, the attorney for USI, said a judge issued a restraining order barring the city from rebidding the contract. This month, a judge lifted that order, but denied the city's request to dismiss the suit, Halpern said.

USI is in the midst of amending its complaint to ask for payments it claims are owed since the city stopped paying for services, which Halpern said is more than $1 million.

A city spokeswoman Wednesday declined to comment on the layoffs and claims that the city has not paid the company, saying she was "unable to comment on pending litigation involving the city."

Though 32BJ is not named in the suit, union Vice President Kevin Brown denied the implication that the organization played a role in the ongoing battle.

"This lawsuit has no merit," Brown said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. "The city of Newark acted in the best interest of taxpayers when it rejected this bid because it was too low to provide the services required under the contract."

Pardo said that the company will likely layoff more employees if the dispute continues.

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

Newark man faces up to 10 years after gun conviction

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The man's gun fell to the ground when he got out of a car police had pulled over, authorities said.

NEWARK -- A 20-year-old Newark man is facing as many as 10 years in state prison after he was convicted this week on a gun possession charge, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said.

Screen Shot 2016-12-15 at 11.31.10 AM.pngBraulio A. Lopez. (Courtesy Essex County Prosecutor's Office)
 

Braulio A. Lopez was spotted by police in a car without headlights near Broadway and Elwood Avenues in Newark at about 9:50 p.m. on May 7, 2015, authorities said.

Lopez, a passenger in the car, attempted to hide something when an officer pulled the driver over and approached the car, Murray said.

When Lopez got out of the car, a .38 special black handgun fell to the ground, she said.

On Monday, a jury in Essex County Superior Court convicted Lopez of illegal possession of a weapon, officials said. When he is sentenced on Jan. 30, 2017, he faces up to 10 years in prison with five years parole ineligibility, authorities said.

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

Sheriff delivers 5,000 toys to needy kids (PHOTOS)

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This marks the 27th year the Essex County Sheriff's Office has conducted the holiday toy giveaway.

NEWARK -- The Essex County Sheriff's Office is spreading a lot of holiday cheer.

For the 27th year in a row, a convoy took off from Veteran's Courthouse in Newark Wednesday to drop more than 5,000 toys off to local organizations that will distribute them to needy local kids. Sheriff's officers delivered computer games, books, arts and crafts supplies, dolls, stuffed animals, roller skates, ice skates, bicycles, and other toys to the Salvation Army, local schools, houses of worship, social service agencies, and families.

The deliveries, which kicked off Wednesday, will continue through Jan. 6.

"This project is a labor of love for the officers of our department," Sheriff Armando Fontoura said in a release about the annual event.  

"What began more than a quarter of a century ago with our efforts to provide holiday gifts to a few economically disadvantaged youngsters has expanded so that we now are able to put smiles on the faces of thousands of children throughout Essex County."  

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

3 N.J. men indicted in killing during home invasion robbery

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One of the men charged in the fatal shooting remains at large, authorities said

NEWARK - Three men -- one of them an alleged member of a violent city street gang -- were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on murder and robbery charges in a 2015 home invasion that left one person dead.

lemons-mack.jpgJahad Lemons, 26, (left), Papayaw Mack, 25, (right), and Aaron Terrell, 26, (no photo available) were indicted in a 2015 home invasion robbery. (NJ Department of Corrections) 

Aaron Terrell, 26, Jahad Lemons, 26, and Papayaw Mack, 25, are charged with one count each of murder during a crime of violence, robbery conspiracy, robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Terrell is also facing separate federal charges for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy related to the Grape Street Crips, a violent street gang operating in the Newark area, authorities said.

The three men, along with two unnamed co-conspirators, are accused of an armed robbery at a Newark apartment of a person they believed to be a heroin trafficker on Aug. 18, 2015.

The men robbed the apartment's three occupants at gunpoint before fatally shooting a man identified in news reports at the time as Andre Singh, 32, authorities said.

One of the other occupants -- identified previously as a 31-year-old man -- was also seriously injured by gunfire, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say all three men were originally charged by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Terrell was arrested by the Newark Police Department later that month, while Lemons was arrested in Georgia in October 2015. Mack remains at large, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Mack was convicted in Essex County in 2007 on two robbery counts and sentenced to 10 years in state prison. He was released Aug. 9, 2015, nine days before the Newark home invasion robbery, according to state records.

Lemons was convicted in Essex County in a 2012 armed robbery and sentenced to three years in prison, according to state records.

Prosecutors say the investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force.

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The men face potential life sentences if convicted of murder during a crime of violence, while the robbery and robbery conspiracy charges carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say the charge of using a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential sentence of life, and that sentence must be consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Duo accused of swiping more than 30 packages from houses

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Newark duo was found with more than 30 stolen packages, police say.

NUTLEY -- Police have arrested a duo from Newark who they say are responsible for more than 30 package thefts in the area in recent weeks.

Screen Shot 2016-12-15 at 1.13.00 PM.pngCardenas and Guaman. (Courtesy Nutley police)
 

When a resident reported a package stolen from a home near Hopper Avenue at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, nearby undercover detectives responded to the area and pulled over a 2010 silver Mazda SUV.

Police found more than 30 packages in the car that did not belong to the driver or passenger, authorities said.

Mauricio Guaman and Grace Cardenas, both 33, were arrested on theft charges, police said. The exact worth of the contents of the packages is unclear.

The arrests come a few days after Nutley police said the township was experiencing a string of Christmas light display thefts, as well. Police have said they do not believe light swipes and package thefts are connected.

Newark man, 33, shot to death

Authorities warned of an uptick in package thefts and other similar crimes that usually occur this time of year. Police Director Alphonse Petracco credited the arrests to a policing strategy that identifies crime trends and deploys officers to areas being hit.

"Our department is working smarter and these arrests are the result," he said.

Guaman and Cardenas were released pending a court date, officials said.

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

Court order leaves Newark police review board toothless, activists say

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The injunction resulted from a lawsuit filed by the Newark lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, which has argued the Civilian Complaint Review Board's powers are "too far-reaching."

NEWARK -- A recent injunction restricting the use of subpoena and investigatory powers by Newark's civilian police review board has drawn the ire of activists who say those powers -- long questioned by police union officials -- are necessary tools.

The injunction is the result of a lawsuit filed against the city by the Newark lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, which has argued for almost two years that the board's authority undermines the Newark department's disciplinary process.

At a press conference Thursday at City Hall, representatives of the People's Organization For Progress said the move crippled a civilian body touted by city officials as necessary oversight in the wake of a scathing 2014 report by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Lawrence Hamm, president of POP, argued that without the powers, "you can't seriously process a citizen's complaint."

"When you look at the struggle for a police review board, its a struggle for accountability," he said.

Hamm, was joined by members of the Newark NAACP, the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition and the community at large, as well as Rick Robinson, a member of the review board who Hamm said was unable to speak because of pending litigation.

As an example of the need, the group pointed to New York City's Civilian Complaint Review Board, which they said has long had subpoena powers of its own.

"This is not an unreasonable demand," Hamm said.

In a statement to NJ Advance Media, FOP lodge president James Stewart Jr. said there appears to be a misconception that the Civilian Complaint Review Board was ordered by the Department of Justice as part of the federal consent decree that resulted from the report.

"I can assure you that is not the case," he said.

The consent decree was approved by a federal judge in May, more than a year after the board was created in 2015 by an executive order signed by Mayor Ras Baraka, who called the board the strongest in the country.

Since the day the executive order was signed, Stewart said, it has been the FOP's position that "its powers were too far-reaching and broad, and that it flew against the New Jersey State Constitution, as well as state law."

Newark residents to play role in federal monitoring

"We filed a lawsuit to protect our members, and are prepared to move forward should this injunction be challenged, and let a Superior Court judge make a determination on the matter based on the merits of the case," he said.

A city spokesperson indicated Baraka would not be commenting on the injunction.

Court records show the case is scheduled for a motions hearing on Friday in Newark.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Newark police and clergy patrol for trust

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Newark police and clergy team up to build trust with residents.

Emotions kept shifting Tuesday night between a couple of Newark cops and the residents they were meeting while on patrol. The officers were greeted sometimes warmly, sometimes suspiciously and on occasion with downright icy stares.

But Lt. Wilbur Cole Jr. and Det. Joe Bernal didn't mind the changing attitudes.

Neither did Bishop Ronald Jones of New Life Body of Christ Ministries, who was riding along with another pastor and the police as part of the Newark Police/Citizen Clergy Patrol, a department strategy to build community trust.

MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns  

Shawn McLean, of Newark, said he hopes the initiative is successful. But when  the clergy-cop duo pulled into the parking lot of  a gas station-food mart on Elizabeth Avenue, where he was a customer, McLean got nervous.

The car was yellow and white and had its lights flashing.

"I was alarmed,'' said McLean, who was waiting for a friend.

"I did get spooked.''

That is until Bishop Jones walked over and told him they respresented the law enforcement and spiritual tag team.

"This lets the community know that we're serious,'' Cole said.   "This is the authentication of the police division reaching out to the community to let them know that we can't do this alone.''

But it's not going to be easy. It's going to take some time, especially following a U.S. Department of Justice report in 2014 that said Newark police had violated the rights of its citizens with improper searches and stops.

"This (partnership) is good for helping, but you've got to clean up from before,'' said Darrin Bellinger, a Newark resident who was at the gas station. "That's what made the community not trust the police.''

During another stop, at South 10th Street, near Springfield Avenue, Cole walked inside a fast food chicken spot where young people were standing in line. They didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat.

"We're not here to lock anybody up,'' Cole said. "We're just here to help.''One young lady pulled her hood over her head. The fellas said nothing, facing the glass partition, waiting to order.

Jones tried to break the ice.

"How's everybody doing,'' he said.

Not a peep -  until they left.

One of the teens asked me why the cops had the lights flashing.  Another thought the group was with a different law enforcement agency, because the police car was not black and white.

The patrol car resembles a taxi, except for the lights on top and the black identifying letters on all sides:  Newark Police/Citizen Clergy Patrol.

Wherever the police unit traveled Tuesday night, people were curious, looking out from stores, wondering what was going on. The police lights were flashing purposely when they showed up at restaurants, bodegas, supermarkets, schools and a barbershop.

Some people knew they were working together. Some didn't. Once the program was explained, people were pleased an effort was being made to bridge the divide. Clergy patrols had been curtailed after police layoffs in 2010.

The program returned over a month ago, but it's been expanded, calling on clergy to do more than riding with cops from 5 pm to midnight. Newark police can now rely on religious leaders, including those of Catholics, Muslims, Christians and Jews, to comfort and counsel residents in their time of need.

"We go to hospitals and we pray with people who are distraught or going through something tragic,'' said Pastor Antione Hart, a former youth minister at Jones' church in Newark. 

Hart, now a pastor at Freedom Ministries in Plainfield, was on patrol with Cole and Jones on Tuesday but he recently prayed with a Newark family whose 7-year-old son died from an asthma attack.

Whenever the clergy is needed, Cole said, he can rely on them to spread goodwill that has been missing between officers and it residents.

"We used to know cops by name,'' said D.J. Peeples, a customer at Cut Creators Barbershop when the cops/clergy squad stopped by.

At the corner of South 10th Street and Avon Avenue, Cole was trying to connect in that way with a young man who goes by the name "Brother Malik."

"If you need any help, I'm here for you,'' he said.

Malik appreciated Coles' honesty, his sincere approach.

"These cops don't come like that,'' Malik said. "They're aggressive.''

MORE CARTER: Branch Brook Park's cherry trees in bloom -- with art

Cole heard the same frustration from three young people at a Dunkin Donuts on South Orange Avenue.

"They could be more understanding,''' said Jelanie Webster, an employee.

Her friends - "Sav" and "Grip'' - declined to be identified, but they wanted Cole to know that they think officers don't respect them.

"I kind of feel like every cop is the same, but you're kind of different,'' Sav told Cole.

After their conversation, the young men left with some degree of optimism that things could get better.

The tension, however, is oblivious to Sincere Cox. He's only 8-years-old, but his youthfulness offers hope for Newark police.

The little boy was at a Newark community center on Clinton Place when the yellow police car pulled up.

After he saw the flashing lights, he darted outside and greeted Cole with the most flattering welcome an officer could ever want.

"I want to be a police officer like you,'' Sincere said.

Right now, you can be his friend.

 Barry Carter: (973) 836-4925 or bcarter@starledger.com or nj.com barry carter  or follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL

Young cat is shy with new people

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BLOOMFIELD -- Frances is a 1-year-old female tabby/calico mix at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. Rescued as a stray, she is still wary of strangers and still uncomfortable being picked up and held. Frances needs a home with a patient family. She has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots. To meet Frances and other adoptable pets, visit the Bloomfield Animal...

ex1218pet.jpgFrances 

BLOOMFIELD -- Frances is a 1-year-old female tabby/calico mix at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

Rescued as a stray, she is still wary of strangers and still uncomfortable being picked up and held.

Frances needs a home with a patient family. She has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots.

To meet Frances and other adoptable pets, visit the Bloomfield Animal Shelter at 61 Bukowski Place in Bloomfield. The shelter is open every day from noon to 5 p.m. (Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m.) For more information, call 973-748-0194 or go to awos.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ517.html.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

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

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Former eyesore now site of 90-plus households

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Newark's North Ward has received a boost from the redevelopment of a long-vacant industrial site into an apartment complex.

NEWARK -- City officials Thursday hailed the completion of a Sylvan Street apartment complex as a sign of the city's continued revitalization.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Cherry Park Apartments, a 96-unit  complex built in two buildings on a former industrial site.

"If we had more housing like this in the city of Newark, we'd be a lot better off than we are," Mayor Ras Baraka said during the ceremony.

The complex has 15 affordable housing units and 81 market rate units, with rents ranging from $748 a month for a one-bedroom apartment to $1,435 a month for a three-bedroom.

City officials said the project was built through a combination of financing, including $800,000 from the federal HOME Investment Partnership Program.

Newark also gave the complex a 30-year tax abatement.

The complex was constructed by the Cherry Park Urban Renewal LLC. 

"I grew up a few blocks from here. It's a great source of pride for me to develop something of this quality and class in my neighborhood," Dan Gaglioti, a principal in the company, said. "Projects like this don't just happen, and Cherry Park would never have happened without the timeless efforts of many people."

The Cherry Park complex is about three blocks from the Branch Brook Park, which has more than 4,300 cherry trees.

City officials said the neighborhood had been hit hard when the Elliot Street was demolished after a fire, caused by a lightning strike, ravaged the building in 2006.

A new Elliot Street School opened earlier this year.

"Between the new school and Cherry Park Apartments, there has been a large positive impact on the neighborhood," said P.J. Calello, of the Calello Agency, the Newark company that manages Cherry Park.

Apartments became available for rent in the complex last May, and all the market-rate units are filled," Calello said.

"People who moved out of Newark are now moving back," Calello said.

Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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