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NJ.com's complete 2016-17 wrestling preview

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Time for some wrestling

It’s time to get back on the mat.

KEY PRESEASON LINKS
Preseason Top 20
17 teams will represent N.J. at Beast of the East
31 N.J. wrestlers, 4 teams in national rankings
Star-studded field headed to South Jersey Duals

Ticket information and sales for Atlantic City
Blair wins Caruso Invitational

N.J. well-represented at prestigious Super 32
Football players or wrestling stars? 16 dual-sport stars 
Can Nick Suriano win an NCAA title as a freshman? 

DISTRICT/REGION REALIGNMENT 
New this season: Sites for Districts, Regions 
Where did your school wind up? 
Who were the winners and losers of realignment? 
Why now for realignment? Numbers tell the story

THE INDIVIDUALS
Lightweights to watch
Middleweights to watch
Upper-weights to watch

THE TEAMS 
Preseason look at Group 5
Preseason look at Group 4
Preseason look at Group 3
Preseason look at Group 2
Preseason look at Group 1
Preseason look at Non-Public A
Preseason look at Non-Public B 

RECRUITING NEWS 
National Signing Day 2016: Wrestling commits
Bound Brook's Stephan Glasgow: 'RU felt like home'
Don Bosco's Dom Mandarino picks Stanford 

REGIONAL OUTLOOKS
• Trenton Times: 10 teams to watch | Notebook
Hudson County team-by-team breakdown
St. Peter's Prep primed for breakout season
North Bergen aiming for larger prizes
Hunterdon County dates to keep 
Hunterdon Central looking for first title since 1989

SELECT TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES
Bernards
Bogota/Weehawken
Carteret

Delaware Valley
Emerson/Park Ridge
Hackettstown

Gov. Livingston
Hunterdon Central

Johnson 
Keansburg

Kinnelon
Madison
Mendham

Newton 
North Brunswick
North Hunterdon
Parsippany
Passaic Valley 
Pequannock
Pingry
Secaucus

Sparta
Voorhees

Waldwick/Midland Park
Wayne Valley 

Pat Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatLanniHS. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.


N.J. attorney general warns parents, teens of dangers of social media

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Arrest of accused child predator has state authorities raising the alarm and educating parents.

TRENTON -- New Jersey's attorney general is warning parents about how child predators use social media to find victims after the arrest of an Essex County man accused of targeting young boys online.

Attorney General Christopher Porrino hosted a forum for parents and teens Thursday night in Belleville, where last week state authorities arrested a local man on sexual assault charges.

Hours earlier, Ethan Chandler, who runs a youth sports video production company, pleaded not guilty to a related luring charge. He'll face more serious charges at a January court date.

"This defendant was looking for child victims on social media sites, and he was seeking to communicate with them on the Kik app, which is why we feel it is so important for everyone to be trained about how these apps work and the dangers in using them," Porrino said, according to his prepared remarks.

AG: Accused child predator may have more victims

Authorities said Chandler solicited teenage boys on Craigslist and social media, taking at least one 14-year-old back to his apartment after chatting over Kik and sexually assaulting him on multiple occasions.

The attorney general said there is evidence he had other victims and has asked members of the public to come forward if they have information that could help find them.

On Thursday, those in attendance also heard from Chris Camm, a detective with the State Police Digital Technology Investigations Unit, a specialized unit that routs out child predators and those who share child pornography online.

The detective and the attorney general recommended parents establish ground rules with their kids about what they share online, help them adjust privacy settings and passwords on online profiles and regularly review and discuss what they're posting.

They said to warn children of the consequences of sexting -- sharing intimate images with friends or crushes -- and how such behavior can lead to bullying, blackmail and the spread of personal photos online. 

"It's also the holiday season, and many kids and teens may be receiving new devices or phones as holiday gifts," the attorney general said. "So it's important for the whole family to understand how to use these devices safely and responsibly."

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Complete girls basketball season preview, 2016-17

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Check out the statewide girls basketball preview.

The start of the New Jersey girls basketball season is Friday, Dec. 16.

We've been building this season preview for about a week, and we're only holding a couple of pieces for Opening Day. Check the links below for statewide outlooks. Also below are some select regional previews, team features and team-capsule previews.

Key preseason links
The NJ.com Preseason Top 20
2 N.J. teams ranked in national poll
Divisional alignments for all 15 conferences
WOBM Holiday Classic to feature wide-open field
Key dates for the 2016-17 season

Top returners
A look at the top returning scorers
A look at the top returning rebounders
A look at the top returning 3-point scorers

Players to watch
Non-Public A
Non-Public B
Group 4
Group 3
Group 2
Group 1
Preseason NJ.com Player of the Year watch

Teams to watch
Non-Public A
Non-Public B
Group 4
Group 3
Group 2
Group 1

Still to come
Games to watch during opening weekend
• 10 burning questions entering 2016-17

Select regional outlooks
2 teams emerge as threats to Notre Dame's CVC dominance 
South Jersey Times-area players to watch 
South Jersey Times-area teams to watch 
Times of Trenton-area teams to watch, dates to keep 
Times of Trenton-area players to watch 

Select team features
With key transfer, Gloucester Catholic set for another promising era
No. Hunterdon returns 5 seniors from team that finished strong 

Select team-capsule previews
Absegami
Bayonne
Belleville
Bishop Ahr
Carteret

Cedar Grove
Chatham
Delaware Valley
Edison

Freehold Township
Gill St. Bernard's
Hanover Park
Hunterdon Central
Immaculata
Kinnelon

Linden
Manalapan
Manchester Regional
Manville 
Marlboro
Marist
Matawan
Mendham

Millburn
Montville
Morris Knolls

Mountain Lakes
Newark Central
Newton

North 13th Street Tech
North Hunterdon

North Warren

Oak Knoll

Pascack Valley 
Paterson Kennedy
Patrick School
Perth Amboy Tech

Pequannock
Phillipsburg
Pingry

Piscataway

Piscataway Tech
Point Pleasant Boro

Pope John
Ridge

Rumson-Fair Haven
Secaucus
Somerville
South Amboy
South Hunterdon
South River
St. Rose
Summit 
Toms River East
Villa Walsh
Voorhees
Wayne Hills

Wayne Valley
West Morris
Westfield 
Westwood
Whippany Park
Woodbridge  
Wood-Ridge  

Brian Deakyne may be reached at bdeakyne@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDeakyne. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.

NJ.com's complete 2016-17 boys basketball preview

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Everything you need to know heading into the 2016-17 season

We've made it to Opening Day for the 2016-17 boys basketball season

We've been building this season preview for about a week, and it's complete at last. At the top are key preseason analyses information and statewide outlooks. Below that are some select looks at regions, conferences and individual teams.

Opening Day special
Opening weekend must-see games
13 burning questions entering 2016-17

Key preseason links
Preseason Top 20
Where are they now? The state of the 20156-16 sectional champs

Divisional alignments for all 15 conferences 
 Bourama Sidibe of St. Benedict's commits to Syracuse 

Key returners
A look at the top returning scorers
A look at the top returning rebounders
A look at the top returning 3-point scorers

Teams to watch
Non-Public A teams to watch
Non-Public B teams to watch 
Group 4 teams to watch 
Group 3 teams to watch 
Group 2 teams to watch 
Group 1 teams to watch

Players to watch
Non-Public A players to watch
Non-Public B players to watch
Group 4 players to watch
Group 3 players to watch
Group 2 players to watch
Group 1 players to watch 

Select team features
Rumson tries to continue winning culture created by Brendan Barry
Defending TOC champs St. Anthony in unfamiliar territory
Elite Hudson Catholic squad looking for balance on D
Clayton's Tornado System will be in full force

Woodstown won't sneak up on anyone

Select regional outlooks
SJT-area teams to watch, dates to keep
SJT-area players to watch 
Hunterdon County dates to keep
Times of Trenton-area teams to watch, dates to keep 
Times of Trenton-area players to watch
Trenton-area preview notes: Princeton looks to start fast 
HCIAL team previews Part 1 | Part 2

Select team capsules
Bernards
Bergen Catholic
Brick Memorial
Bogota
Bound Brook

Carteret
Delaware Valley

Donovan Catholic
 
East Brunswick
Edison
Freehold Borough
Glen Ridge

Hanover Park
Hunterdon Central

Jackson Liberty
Kinnelon

Lenape Valley
Madison

Mendham
Middletown North
Millburn 
Marlboro
Montclair Kimberley
Morris Catholic
Morris Knolls 
Mountain Lakes  
Newark Central

Newark Collegiate
New Providence  
North Hunterdon
North 13th Street Tech
Parsippany

Passaic Valley 
Paterson Eastside

Pequannock
Piscataway
Rahway
Roselle Park
Sayreville
Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Somerville  
South Amboy
South Brunswick
South Hunterdon
South River

St. John Vianney
St. Joseph (Hamm.)
Sterling

Toms River North
Union

Union City  
Voorhees
Wallkill Valley
Watchung Hills

Wayne Hills

Wayne Valley 
Westfield
Whippany Park

Glimpse of History: Arcs of fun in Newark

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NEWARK -- India Armstrong, Asia Armstrong and Maurice McKoy from East Orange are shown at play at Weequahic Park in Newark in a beautifully framed photo from the 1970s. If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses...

NEWARK -- India Armstrong, Asia Armstrong and Maurice McKoy from East Orange are shown at play at Weequahic Park in Newark in a beautifully framed photo from the 1970s.

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries Thursdays on nj.com.

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

Gallery preview 

Indian IT manager facing 5 years for role in visa scheme

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The man pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to obstruct justice charge, authorities said.

NEWARK -- A U.S. immigration manager for an Indian IT company is facing five years in prison after admitting his role in a foreign worker visa scheme, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman announced in a release Friday.

fishmanus.jpgU.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman speaks at a March press conference in Newark in this file photo.
 

According to Fishman, Hari Karne, 32, of Hyderabad, India, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to a conspiracy to obstruct justice charge. Karne, authorities said, worked as a manager with SCM Private Limited in India, a company that had service agreements with two American IT companies, Virginia-based MMC Systems and SCM Data Inc., of Jersey City.

The two companies, Fishman said, would recruit foreign workers and sponsor them to obtain H-1B working visas in the U.S., which allow foreign workers with specialized skills to hold full-time jobs in the United States.

Working against the visa guidelines, authorities said the companies would create bogus payroll checks to make it appear as if the workers were full-time, but actually pay them only when they were placed with clients of SCM Data and MMC Systems.  

In court Friday, Karne admitted that he helped carry out the scheme by advising foreign workers to pay the companies their gross wages in cash, authorities said. The companies then paid them back a smaller portion in order to create bogus payroll checks, they said.

Karne also admitted to helping create false leave slips as a way to cover up time periods when workers were not being paid at all, Fishman said.

Several others have been charged in connection with the scheme, and an immigration lawyer for the two companies admitted her role in it in court earlier this year. 

When Karne is sentenced on April 3, 2016, he faces up to five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine, officials said.

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

N.J. man arrested in robbery of 73-year-old woman at casino

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Authorities say they are still looking for the second man involved.

BENSALEM, Penn. -- Authorities have arrested one man and are looking for another who they say robbed a 73-year-old woman who was walking in the parking lot of a Pennsylvania casino.

PA CasinoJason Ballard and Miguel Soto. (Courtesy Bensalem police)
 

Jason Ballard, 33, was arrested and a warrant was issued for Miguel Soto, 31, both of Newark, on robbery, theft, and conspiracy charges, Bensalem, Pa. police said Friday.

Police say the duo had followed the woman from the Parx casino into its parking lot on Dec. 11, and ripped the purse she was carrying from her arm. They allegedly made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, and a cell phone.

Ballard was arraigned and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail, police said.

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

No charges for cop who used racial slurs in 'nanny-cam' attack investigation

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Authorities said the slurs did not amount to criminal conduct.

NEWARK -- The police officer who used racial slurs when investigating a brutal attack caught on a "nanny-cam" in a Millburn home in 2013 will not face criminal charges, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in a release Friday.

Sean Curtis was convicted of severely beating a Millburn woman in May, based largely on evidence of the attack caught on a nanny-cam video. During his trial, it was revealed that the nanny-cam also picked up racial slurs used by investigating detective Colin McMillan in reference to Curtis.

"Those comments did not rise to the level of criminal conduct," the prosecutor's office said in the release. McMillan may, however, still face administrative charges from the Millburn Police Department, Murray said.

Nanny-cam attacker sentenced to life

The nanny-cam video, which captured an African-American man beating a woman and throwing her down the stairs in front of her three-year-old daughter during a home invasion, also recorded McMillan, who is white, uttering racial epithets to other officers. The comments prompted questioning during Curtis's hearing about whether or not McMillan was fit to investigate the incident.

During the trial, McMillan apologized for his comments, noting that he had been placed on administrative duties in the police department since they came to light.

In June, Curtis was found guilty of aggravated assault, robbery, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal restraint. He was acquitted of an attempted murder charge. He has been sentenced to life in prison plus five years in connection with the beating.

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


Slain Montclair college student mourned at funeral

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Sarah Butler, 20, was remembered Friday at a service in Montclair. Watch video

MONTCLAIR -- More than 100 people gathered Friday for the tearful funeral of a 20-year-old Montclair college student, who was killed after she came home from school to visit family for Thanksgiving break.

Sarah Butler, who studied at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, was remembered as a beloved and talented dancer with a bright future. Her funeral, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, was packed with loved ones.

Students with the Premiere Dance Theatre, where Butler attended, danced through tears at the funeral service in honor of the slain former student.

"We love Sarah immensely, and I want to tell you about not just how much of a great dancer she was but a great person," Shirlise McKinley-Wiggins, founder and director of the Premiere Dance Theatre, told NJ Advance Media at a vigil outside Butler's family home Saturday.

Family members reported Butler missing to Montclair police Nov. 23 and she was last seen the night before, according to authorities. Police found her body in the 400-acre Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange more than a week after she was reported missing.

Essex County prosecutors accused Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 20, of Orange, of strangling Butler and leaving her body in the county park. Prosecutors have not publicly disclosed a possible motive in the killing and said Butler encountered her alleged killer in Orange the night before she was reported missing.

Wheeler-Weaver pleaded not guilty this week to murder and other charges in Butler's death. 

Patti Sapone contributed to this report

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

N.Y. man charged after Newark police seize loaded guns, drugs

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City police arrested man as he tried to climb out of a window at Central Ward building, according to authorities.

Alford Kamara  Alford Kamara (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) 
NEWARK -- A 22-year-old Staten Island man was charged with drug distribution and weapons offenses after police discovered an assortment of narcotics and loaded guns at an apartment in the city's Central Ward, authorities said Friday.

Police responded to a report of a man with a gun who was selling drugs at a building on the 100 block of 1st Street late Thursday, according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. Detectives learned the man, Alford Kamara, was hiding in a vacant second floor apartment, authorities said.

Members of the police division's Emergency Services Unit received permission from the building management to enter the apartment and arrested Kamara as he tried to climb out a window, according to Ambrose.

In an open bag, police said they found two loaded 9 mm handguns, along with drugs including 81 glassine envelopes of heroin, a clear sandwich bag of 2.7 grams of heroin, 18 small containers of cocaine, 36 Ziploc bags of marijuana and 5 Xanax pills.

The bag also contained several credit cards, two New Jersey driver's licenses, two social security cards, six cell phones, a camera and black ski mask, Ambrose said in a statement. Detectives also seized $251.50 in the arrest.

Kamara was arrested on various charges, including possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute the drugs within 1,000-feet of a school, trespassing and possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and Xanax.

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

Man sentenced for having gun, drugs in Orange

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Police arrested 28-year-old man after he fled from officers in Orange, according to prosecutors.

Michael FordMichael Ford (Photo: ECPO) 
NEWARK -- A 28-year-old man with a history of arrests was sentenced Friday to state prison time after he was convicted of having a handgun along with cocaine and running from police in Orange.

Michael Ford received an eight year prison term for unlawful possession of a weapon as well as a four year sentence for having cocaine, and 18 months for resisting arrest, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in a statement.

Orange police tried to stop Ford April 29 after they learned he had a handgun near Hickory and Taylor streets, a section of the city that has long been the scene of gun violence.

When officers responded, Ford ran through several backyards and threw a semi-automatic handgun over a fence in the 100 block of Chapman Street, prosecutors said. Ford, an Orange resident, was arrested with 20 Ziploc bags of crack-cocaine and a .380 Smith and Wesson gun.

An Essex County jury convicted Ford Oct. 29 of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and fourth-degree resisting arrest by flight.

1 dead, 2 wounded in Orange shooting

Assistant Prosecutor Casey B. Breslow, who prosecuted the case, credited the work of detectives with bringing the conviction.

Ford must serve four years in prison before he is eligible for parole, the prosecutor's office said.

Records show Ford has eight prior arrests, including for charges of drug distribution, resisting arrest and being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.

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

Newark man in stolen car arrested after crash injures 2, police say

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Two people taken to University Hospital after late night crash in Newark.

Tasheem J. DowneyTasheem J. Downey (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) 

NEWARK -- A Newark man was arrested after he fled from police in a stolen Jeep and crashed into two other vehicles, leaving two people injured in the city, authorities said Friday.

Tasheem J. Downey, 32, was charged with aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, eluding and resisting arrest after the late Wednesday crash.

Officers with the police division's Special Enforcement Bureau saw the 2002 Jeep Laredo fail to stop near North 13th and 7th avenues around 11:40 p.m. and tried to pull the vehicle over, according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

Downey sped away when officers approached the Jeep, Ambrose said. Police discovered the vehicle was reported stolen from Belleville and suspected of being involved in other undisclosed crimes around Newark.

N.Y. man charged after Newark police seize loaded guns, drugs

The Jeep crashed into two stopped cars near Orange Street and Roseville Avenue before Downey jumped out and started to run, according to Ambrose. Downey was arrested after a brief foot chase.

Police said two people in the stopped cars were taken to University Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.

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

Prosecutor to host anti-violence conference for 500 Essex middle schoolers

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Event to feature gun violence survivor, organizations with information on careers and youth programs.

Murray fileActing Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray, in this file photo, announced her office would hold a youth violence prevention conference. (File photo) 

NEWARK -- Essex County's chief law enforcement agency is set to host a violence-prevention conference for nearly 500 middle school students in a daylong gathering that will feature a motivational speaker who was left partially paralyzed by a shooting.

The invitation-only conference, dubbed "What's It All About?," will also include workshops on topics ranging from cyberbullying, teen dating violence, gang awareness, making positive choices, the effects of violence and nutrition, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, whose office is holding the event.

"It is our vision that students will be inspired to become positive role models and peer leaders in their schools and communities," Murray said in an announcement. "Many of the students who will attend this event have been negatively affected by violence in their communities."

The conference is designed to encourage young people to make the positive choices in an effort to prevent violent crime, the prosecutor added.

Essex County town has reduced killings - Here's how

Seventh through ninth graders from schools in Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Orange and Newark are scheduled to attend Tuesday at the Caldwell University Student Center.

Speakers will include Hashim Garrett, who at 15 was shot six times on a Brooklyn, New York, street. Garrett was paralyzed by the waist-down by the attack and underwent years of rehabilitation to regain use of his legs.  

New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman is also expected to address the students.

More than 30 organizations from institutions of higher education, law enforcement agencies, medicine, social services and recreation will also be on-hand to offer information about youth programs and careers.

For more information, contact Nicole Graves-Watson, Essex County Prosecutor's Office community justice coordinator, at 973-621-4317 or nicole.graves@njecpo.org.

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

Andrea Bocelli brings his classics and collaborations to Newark

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The Italian tenor ends his special U.S. holiday tour at the Prudential Center with special guests Katharine McPhee and Ana Maria Martinez.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is a cross-musical genre star perhaps best known for his duets, including his 1996 pairing with Sarah Brightman,"Time to Say Goodbye" and his 1999 recording of "The Prayer" with Celine Dion. His holiday tour of the U.S. -- which began Dec. 3 in Las Vegas and ends Dec. 18 at Newark's Prudential Center -- plays to that strength -- featuring pop singer Katharine McPhee and soprano Ana Maria Martinez -- while shocasing other Bocelli classics and beloved Christmas carols. 

"To sing together, both in opera and in pop, is a very gratifying and intense experience," Bocelli wrote in an email response to questions from NJ Advance Media. "When two voices are intertwined, and reciprocally, enhance their expressive qualities, when this intimate and deep alchemy takes place, then something magical happens."

Two decades in, Bocelli's career is as strong as ever. The in-demand artist will reportedly perform at the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump in January. His latest album,"Cinema," recently received a 2017 Grammy nod for Best Traditional  Pop Vocal Album. The collection features songs from movies including "The Godfather,""Life is Beautiful," and "Love Story"and includes duets with singers Ariana Grande and Nicole Scherzinger

Bocelli said every concert is special to him, particulary ones during the holiday season. 

"If I am in the limelight of the imminence of the CHristmas season, it may be an even more joyful and exciting opportunity to celebrate together through (songs) that will warm up our hearts, thus expressing our best wishes," he wrote.

Expect even more Bocelli in the future. He's planned four concers in Florida and Georgia in February, before the Grammys are held. A film adaptation of Bocelli's 2002 memoir, "The Music of Silence," is currently in production.

In many ways, Bocelli's life has always had the underpinnings of a Hollywood classic. Music was a source of comfort for a young Bocelli, born with glaucoma in one eye and completely blinded during a sporting accident at age 12. The aspiring singer struggled to teach himself to read music in Braille. As an adult, he supported his wife and family by working as a public defender by day and pursued his dream by performing in bars at night. 

A chance meeting with Italian singer Zucchero led to a connection to opera star Luciano Pavarotti, who later said "There is no finer voice than Bocelli." The two became colleagues as well as close friends, with Bocelli performing at Pavarotti's wedding in 2003 and at his funeral in 2007.

"I prefer opera, I make no secret of it, but every genre has its masterpieces able to excite, entertain and make people better when singing or listening," he said. "I have always tried to put my voice and my sensitivity at the service of music, trying to identify the repertoire through which offer my contribution with decent results, primarily to respect music itself, and also my listeners."  

Asked what advice he would give those who are struggling -- with life as well as their careers -- Bocelli wrote, "I would recommend them, first of all, never to give up, never stop believing in their own potential, and then humility, determination, and honesty of purpose. I would recommend being always strict with themselves, but always optimistic, without ever stopping to follow their own passions. I would urge them to have many interests, to have love for life."

Andrea Bocelli

Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Prudential Center, Newark

Tickets: $94 - 2,230, available online or by calling 844-379-0370. Parking can also be purchased in advance.

Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilioFind NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook

8 new, trendy eateries a sign of success in downtown Newark

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City leaders say the restaurants are signs of positive development in the Brick City.

NEWARK -- 2016 has been a banner year for lunch in downtown Newark. The city has seen a flurry of openings and announcements about casual dining options coming soon to the Brick City.

Newark economic leaders say the new businesses are not only a way to give residents and visitors more dining options during the day, but are also signs of the revitalization of the downtown area.

"Newark is just taking off...there are so many good things happening in the city," Scott Blow, the president and acting chief executive officer at the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview Thursday.

Referencing new residential, open space, mixed use, and commercial developments in the works in the state's largest city, Blow said various developments and market forces are combining to make Newark a more attractive city to business investors.

"Historically, Newark has been a commuter city," he said. "The goal is to create a 24-hour city." With other developments coming online, and real estate prices on the rise in New York City and Hudson County, "the opportunities (for new businesses) are here," he said.

Casual dining restaurateurs have been capitalizing on all of the buzz. Amid a sweep of new downtown eatery openings this year was also a slew of announcements about ones that are on the way. Some of the new spots include:

The Halal Guys

The franchise, which started as a food cart in Manhattan in 1990, is gearing up for the launch of its latest location, on Halsey Street. The Newark spot, which is reportedly opening next week, comes on the heels of the first N.J. Halal Guys, which opened in East Brunswick in May. The company says it plans many more New Jersey locations as part of a global brand expansion.

Grabbagreen

City officials gathered at Prudential's 'Shoppes on Broad' Monday to officially welcome Grabbagreen's first location in the Northeast. Founded by two moms in 2013, the company aims to make fast food healthy by offering a clean eating menu featuring foods from local farms.

"It's right up my ally. I need a place like this, I'm a vegetarian," Mayor Ras Baraka said in a video he posted on Facebook welcoming the new eatery. "It's exactly what we're trying to do...(bring) a variety of different businesses to our city."

Barcade

Barcade.jpgBarcade. (Jersey Journal file photo)
 

The trendy chain that features craft beers and vintage arcade games is set to appear before the Planning Board early next year about a new location on Broad Street.

"We are really excited about the opportunities in downtown Newark," Barcade's CEO and co-founder Paul Kermizian told NJ Advance Media. "There's a lot of opportunity to have more nightlife because people are coming into downtown or they are working there."

Redd's Biergarten

Redd's.jpgRedd's in Newark. (Courtesy Redd's)
 

Redd's - the company behind the restaurant and bar outside MetLife Stadium - opened a new concept outside the Prudential Center in May. Part of the "restaurant row" developing between Broad and Mulberry Streets, Redd's owners said they hoped to capitalize on visitors who go to Newark to visit the Rock, NJPAC, and other attractions in the area, and are looking for a fun place to eat.

Freetown Cafe

Freetown.jpgNataki, Kwane and Kanika Williams, owners of the Freetown Cafe, a vegan-friendy restaurant at 41 Halsey Street in Newark, NJ. 08/26/2016 (Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media)
 

For a Caribbean flair, downtown Newark eaters can try Freetown, which Jamaican-American siblings Kwame, Kanika and Nataki Williams opened on Halsey Street this summer. The family opened up shop in Newark after success with Vital Dining in Montclair.

Porto Station Grill

This eatery on Market Street celebrated its grand opening in October. Adding to the famed Portuguese cuisine offerings available in the city's Ironbound district, Porto Station does Portuguese with an Italian twist. The upscale grill and bar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and coffee.

TBD Marcus Samuelsson Project

Screen Shot 2016-11-30 at 1.37.26 PM.pngMarcus Samuelsson.
 

The celebrity TV chef announced last month that he is planning a new concept to open inside the redeveloped former Hahne's department store, a complex that will also be home to the city's first Whole Foods. Though details on the restaurant have yet to be worked out, it could open as early as next year. It will likely be the first of several eateries to open inside that development, and several others starting to take shape downtown.

The influx of restaurants in the area, Blow said, shows that Newark "is becoming a destination." People may come for the Devils game or concert performance, but now, they can stay for the eats.

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

Fire at abandoned Orange house damages neighboring homes; displaces 16

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One firefighter was injured after falling on ice.

ORANGE -- A three-alarm fire in an abandoned city house damaged the neighboring homes early Saturday morning and displaced 16 Orange residents, officials said. 

The fire broke out at around 2:45 a.m. and was put out shortly after firefighters arrived at the Chapman Street house, city spokesman Keith Royster said. 

One firefighter was injured, who slipped on ice and fell while battling the blaze, according to Royster. 

The fire caused structural damage to the two houses on either side of the abandoned home, Royster said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook

 

 

Teen falls from overpass, hit by car and killed, cops say

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Authorities are still trying to determine the circumstances of the girl's fall

NUTLEY -- A teenage girl was killed when she fell from an overpass onto the Garden State Parkway into the path of an oncoming vehicle late Friday night in Nutley, authorities said Saturday.

The unusual scene unfolded at 10:37 p.m. Friday when a 15-year-old girl fell from an overpass onto the southbound lanes of the Parkway at milepost 151.5, said Trooper Alejandro Goez, a New Jersey State Police spokesman.

Goez said the teen was then hit by a 2010 Mazda 3 that was traveling south in the right lane.

The female driver of the Mazda was not injured, he said.

An autopsy is planned for Saturday, Goez said

Investigators are still trying to determine the circumstances of how the girl fell from the overpass, which has fencing, he said.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
 

More than 40 graduate from Newark public safety academy

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Courses covered tops ranging from gang awareness, firefighter training to crime prevention.

Ambrose fileNewark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose (file photo) 
NEWARK -- More than 40 people graduated from the Newark Public Safety Department's Citizen/Clergy Academy, a program that provided an inside look at law enforcement and emergency services in the city, officials said Friday.

"I am proud to see this second class of the Citizen/Clergy Academy earn their certificates," Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement. "These community leaders are now equipped to disseminate important public safety information to their neighbors and constituents and are our partners in the goal to enhance the quality of life for all Newark residents."

The seven-week course covered a range of topics including gang awareness, emergency preparedness, domestic violence, crime prevention, arson investigations, firefighter training, fire safety and other functions of the public safety department. The 47 graduates were recognized at a ceremony Thursday night.

Newark police and clergy patrol for trust

Part of the program also offered a glimpse at the daily work of a Newark police officer, an understanding of how officers are deployed and how emergency dispatchers operate, according to officials.

Ambrose previously announced the department's Citizen/Clergy Academy as a way to build trust between residents and first responders in the city.

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

Officials ID man killed in Irvington crash

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Anyone with information asked to call Essex County investigators.

IPD file.jpg(File photo) 

IRVINGTON -- A Montclair man was killed and two other people were sent to the hospital after a two-vehicle wreck in Irvington, authorities said Saturday.

Police responded to a crash around 10:45 p.m. Friday in the 700 block of Springfield Avenue, where officers found a Honda and a BMW had collided, according to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

The Honda driver, identified as Rabbiel Williams, 32, was unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the crash scene, the prosecutor's office said.

The BMW driver and a passenger were treated and released from University Hospital in Newark, according to authorities.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said no charges have been filed and the crash remained under investigation.

Anyone with information was asked to call the prosecutor's office tip line at 877-847-7432. Detectives with the Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force and township police were handling the investigation.

Additional details were not immediately released.

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

The state of hate, bias and inequality in New Jersey

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Bias, prejudice and hate are part of New Jersey's social fabric today, but discovering how much takes some digging.

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