Court documents allege the man's wife had accused postal workers of tampering with her mail.

NEWARK -- A man accused of assaulting a postal worker in Newark on Christmas Eve made his first appearance in U.S. District Court Thursday on federal charges.

Roger Ross, also known as Orlando Jones, is charged with assaulting a postal clerk during the course of her duties, under a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Ross, his hands cuffed, gave only yes-or-no answers to questions from Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson.

According to the complaint, Ross threatened and attacked the clerk after his wife accused the woman of stealing her mail and stalking Ross.

Ross' wife had previously visited the North Station Post Office earlier in the day in search of packages that hadn't been delivered, according to the complaint, which states she eventually called 911 to complain the clerks had been "messing with her mail."

She later waited for two of the clerks outside the building after closing, the complaint states, which was when Ross approached the victim and punched her in the face as she tried to walk away.

Case of mailman pepper-spraying dog lands in court

Ross also allegedly threatened the victim by implying he had a firearm, and told a witness not to call police because his "boys" were watching.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Merin told Dickson that Ross, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, would be eligible for deportation if convicted.

Court documents state the alleged attack was captured on surveillance video, but federal public defender Carol Gillen told Dickson the footage hadn't been turned over as of Thursday.

Ross is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 12 before Dickson in Newark.

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

This week's questions are based on NJ.com's top local news stories of the year gone by.

The year 2016 is nearly gone, a fact that spells relief for many of us worn down by the news of the year. There were a lot of memorable New Jersey stories of 2016 on NJ.com, some uplifting, others disheartening. How well do you recall them all?

This week's Local News Quiz got its inspiration from the most-viewed New Jersey news stories of 2016 on NJ.com. The seven questions below are ordered by popularity: The story with the most page views in this group is listed first. Take the quiz and see if you can finish out 2016 with a high score.

From all of us at NJ.com, we wish you the best for 2017.

John Shabe can be reached via jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter, and find NJ.com on Facebook.

There was no fire at the Wellmont Theater

MONTCLAIR -- The Bush concert at the Wellmont Theater had to be briefly evacuated after a fire alarm sounded Thursday night, according to reports.

Bush fans spent 35 minutes in the cold after the alarm went off at 9:15 p.m., CBS-2 reported.

There was no fire in the theater, according to News 12. 

The British rock band fronted by Gavin Rossdale resumed its show after fire officials cleared the scene.

@WCBSTV no fire, just alarm, letting us back in now... pic.twitter.com/bpvXZvu7Q7

-- kristin montagna (@krismontagna) December 30, 2016

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

You can't find most in the Garden State anymore.

Authorities are investigating the homicide.

NEWARK -- Authorities have confirmed they are investigating an early morning homicide in Newark.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is on the scene of a shooting homicide on South 11th Street in Newark, agency spokeswoman Katherine Carter confirmed Friday morning. No other details about the shooting or the victim were immediately available, she said.

The killing comes less than a week after officials in Newark announced a 10 percent drop in the city's overall crime rate from 2015 to 2016. Officials called it the largest drop in crime the city has seen in 50 years.

The killing follows a fatal shooting Monday in Newark, and marks the city's 95th homicide of the year, according to an NJ Advance Media count.

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

NEWARK -- Beefcake is a young male Staffordshire bull terrier mix at the Associated Humane Society in Newark. Shelter workers say he is a gentle dog who is calm in social situations. Beefcake, who likes to play with other dogs, has been neutered and is up-to-date on shots. To meet Beefcake and other adoptable pets, visit the Associated Humane Society...

Beefcake 

NEWARK -- Beefcake is a young male Staffordshire bull terrier mix at the Associated Humane Society in Newark.

Shelter workers say he is a gentle dog who is calm in social situations.

Beefcake, who likes to play with other dogs, has been neutered and is up-to-date on shots.

To meet Beefcake and other adoptable pets, visit the Associated Humane Society at 124 Evergreen Ave. in Newark. The shelter is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:30 p.m. and weekends from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 973-824-7080 or go to petfinder.com//pet-search?shelter_id=NJ01.

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.

 

The Newark Walks downtown walking tour highlights 83 spots of interest along 3.1 miles in the city.

NEWARK -- A campsite for George Washington's army, the first performing arts high school in the country, and three lavish, historic mansions.

The landmarks, and the unique histories behind them, could easily go unnoticed while walking through downtown Newark.

But for the past several months, locals and visitors have been stopping to soak up the stories of those, and about 80 other landmarks, thanks to the city's new walking tour, Newark Walks.

Launched in October in conjunction with the city's yearlong celebration of the 350th anniversary of its founding, Newark Walks works through its downloadable app, which guides users through a 3.1-mile walking tour thorough downtown Newark.

Along the way, users can learn the histories of 83 points of interest at 53 locations like Military Park, Arts High School, and the Krueger Mansion.

The app also tracks fitness statistics, like distance walked and calories burned, during the tour.

Newark Walks - October 7, 2016 from Impact Consulting Enterprises on Vimeo.

In a statement at its launch, Mayor Ras Baraka called the tour a "demonstration of our commitment to make Newark a walkable city."

"This 5K pathway throughout downtown Newark shows off many of our historic landmarks, and, when used in conjunction with the mobile app, shares fun facts about the city with people as they walk the trail," he said.

The trail was funded by a $300,000 grant from Prudential Financial, and is maintained by the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors' Bureau. It is one of many initiatives this year meant to increase city pride among Newarkers, its creators said.

Prudential Financial Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld called the trail "a creative way to introduce residents and visitors to Newark's fascinating history, as well as some of the exciting new development underway."

The app can be downloaded for free in the Apple and Google Play app stores.

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

Which news photograph from this past year do you think is the most emotional, the most interesting and has the best story to tell?

Our photographers went through their work from 2016 and found several images that capture a wide spectrum of the events this year.

They selected two very different funerals, one for Deal Police Capt. Earl B. Alexander IV, who was 38 and recently engaged, and the other for Eric "Uggie" Bowens, a 44-year-old beloved street performer in Newark.

There were also photos capturing great joy, including Clearview's Zach Firestone celebrating a win in the final of the NJSIAA State Wrestling Tournament in Atlantic City on March 6, and Piscataway's Kendrea Williams, who sank a buzzer-beater on Jan. 12 to beat South Brunswick High.

Take a look at the photos below and you decide which is the best of 2016. We'll tally the votes and let you know in a few days which photo was selected.

As the Garden State prepares for the first snowfall of the season, check out this list of places to go sledding once the ground is covered in white

Camden County saw at least 191 people die from a heroin or fentanyl overdose in 2015.

CAMDEN -- It's a seasonably cold Tuesday morning in downtown Camden as dozens visiting the Urban Treatment Associates methadone clinic mill about in the shadow of City Hall.

A middle-aged man with slicked-back blonde hair saunters up and murmurs something about having some stuff for sale before suddenly realizing he's wandered into the middle of a drug awareness outreach push.

Just like that, he's gone and those who've managed to keep clean will live to see another day. In Camden County, 191 people out of the 1,587 across New Jersey -- weren't as lucky last year.

"The scourge of heroin is a reality that is affecting every single family across the nation, state of New Jersey and Camden County," Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli said.

'This deadly disease'

According to recently released data from the New Jersey Medical Examiner's Office, Camden County saw 115 fatal heroin overdoses in 2015. That's up from 91 in 2014. Fentanyl -- a prescription opioid far more powerful than heroin -- was attributed to 53 deaths in 2015, according to state data that shows it was responsible for a mere 12 in 2014.

In all, 191 people died from heroin or fentanyl overdoses in Camden County in 2015. Ocean, Essex and Monmouth counties came close, with 157, 146 and 122 deaths, respectively.

"During our brief period of time in existence we have embarked on progressive policies that will have long-term significance against the battle of opioid addiction," Cappelli said of the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force launched in 2014.

Drug outreach hits streets of Camden

"Whether it is getting Narcan in the hands of every police department in the county or setting up pill drop-offs in every town to properly dispose of prescription narcotics, we are working to break the hold of this deadly disease," Cappelli continued.

Beyond partnering with community groups and police departments, Cappelli said the task force has extended its arm into the professional sector to learn more about the disease of addiction.

"This does not stop with just kids and students, but also encompasses the education of medical professionals on identifying someone abusing opioids and looking at alternatives to the prescription of narcotics for pain relief," he continued.

'Truly an epidemic'

Bill Lynch, a member of the task force's education and prevention committee, and pharmacist at a South Jersey hospital, has spent many overnight shifts with overdose victims.

"It's truly an epidemic. The numbers are staggering," he said, adding that the anti-opioid drug naloxone is a life-saver if deployed quickly enough to reverse an overdose.

According to figures provided by Camden County officials, the anti-opioid nasal spray Narcan was deployed 337 times by law enforcement county-wide in 2015.

The Camden County Police Department has used the spray -- which blocks opioid receptors in the body -- to save the lives of more than 260 people since May 2014, including 90 this year. Camden County police figures released in October indicate officers encountered 27 fatal Camden City overdose victims out of nearly 500 overdose calls this year alone.

"I don't know where everybody's rock bottom is," he said of criticism surrounding repeated revivals of overdose victims, adding that he's seen some of those people who got involved in local programs eventually get clean and turn their lives around.

Asked if Camden City is to blame for pushing Camden County's fatal overdose numbers so high, Lynch said regional ports on both sides of the Delaware River provide the proximity to Camden and a means to quickly get smuggled drugs out for distribution.

Moreover, Lynch said the spread of fentanyl is attributed to the fact that it can be synthetically crafted in a lab -- not harvested from poppy seeds halfway across the globe.

"You can traffic fentanyl easier because you don't need as much," he said.

Lt. Bill Fearon, 49, of Cedar Grove, died after battling a malignant brain tumor attributed to his response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

CEDAR GROVE -- Services have been announced for the State Police lieutenant who died Wednedsay after battling a malignant brain tumor attributed to his response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

State Police Lt. Bill Fearon died Thursday. (State Police)

Lt. Bill Fearon, 49, of Cedar Grove, served 22 years with the State Police, including as an assistant division operations officer and as an assistant station commander.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumor on May 3, 2015 and underwent surgery three days later. He returned to work as a trooper part-time even as he went through treatment.

Visitation will be Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., at Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home in Cedar Grove.

A funeral Mass will take place Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington, with interment following at Holy Cross Cemetery, also in North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Fearon's name.

Fearon was born in Kearny and graduated from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange.

The State Police, in a Facebook tribute to Fearon posted late Thursday, cited his enduring positive attitude during the ongoing treatment. He handed out "No Fear" wristbands throughout his battle with cancer, the State Police said.

"Every day I put my feet on the ground and I look forward to winning," Fearon said, according to the State Police post. "This is the mindset that I have, it's about living without fear."

Gov. Christie has ordered all state buildings to fly flags at half-staff on Saturday in honor of Fearon.

Fearon is survived by his wife Janice, and their three children, Ryan, Elyse and Jessie.

State Police Lt. Bill Fearon in a photo posted on a GoFundMe page dedicated to covering his medical expenses. (GoFundMe)

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Balozi Robert A. Harvey, who forged pan-African diplomatic and trade relationships, died Thursday

NEWARK - Balozi Robert A. Harvey, a longtime New Jersey community activist and organizer whose work benefited African-American communities in the state as well as abroad in Africa and the Caribbean died Thursday. He was 76. 

Harvey will be recalled as a champion of African-American issues and forged diplomatic ties to foster better cultural and trade relations between the United States and Africa, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement Friday.

Balozi Harvey.  

"I join the citizens of Newark, the local and global community of pan-African nationalists and the many nations in the African Diaspora in mourning the passing of Balozi Robert Alexander Harvey, an extraordinary community organizer and activist in New Jersey and beyond," Baraka said. "Balozi's life was a love story with Africa and with Newark and its people."

Harvey was born in East Orange and graduated from East Orange High School in 1957, according to his website.

He majored in political science at Seton Hall University and later attended the United Nations Language School, where he learned Swahili, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic and Zulu. Harvey served in the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1961.

"Few have done more to build bridges between African nations and the Black communities of America," Baraka said. "As a businessman and diplomat, Balozi Harvey facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in trade between Africa and the United States, developing trade and investment relationships between American small, minority, and women-owned firms and developing nations."

Throughout his career, Harvey served numerous boards, commissions and companies. From 1977 to 1982, he worked as an aide to Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson focused on trade efforts.

"In Newark, we remember Balozi Harvey as Mayor Ken Gibson's partner in opening up trade between Newark companies and African and Caribbean nations," Baraka said. "We remember him for his work as a trusted advisor to local governments in promoting cultural diversity, affirmative action, job training, and economic development.

"Balozi Harvey will be sorely missed but he made sure that thousands here and in Africa have the determination, skills and knowledge to carry on his life's work."

Services are scheduled for Saturday with a tribute of dignitaries and imams at 11 a.m. followed by Janazah, or Islamic Funeral, according to his obituary.

Prayer will be held at noon at the National Islamic Association, 231 Roseville Ave., Newark. Interment will be at Restland Memorial Park, 77 Deforest Ave., East Hanover. Funeral services are being handled by Islamic Burial Services.

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

LIVINGSTON -- George Elvin stands at far right along with members of the bowling team that participated in the 34th Annual New Jersey State Bowling Association Championship at Livingston Lanes in 1962. The bowling establishment at 615 S. Livingston Ave. at Hobart Gap Road was, according to Clint Elvin, one of 58 bowling centers in Essex County at the time....

LIVINGSTON -- George Elvin stands at far right along with members of the bowling team that participated in the 34th Annual New Jersey State Bowling Association Championship at Livingston Lanes in 1962.

The bowling establishment at 615 S. Livingston Ave. at Hobart Gap Road was, according to Clint Elvin, one of 58 bowling centers in Essex County at the time.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

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.

 

Here are the nine most clicked-on homes in New Jersey in 2016 according to Zillow

The 46-year-old Caldwell man was released without bail, according to court records.

A 46-year-old New Jersey man was arrested Thursday evening after tipping a drinks server with Valium at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Pennsylvania State Police report.

David Carnevale of Caldwell was charged with possession with intent to deliver drugs. It happened at 6:50 p.m. on the main casino floor and the drug was recovered, police said.

Why DA may stop prosecuting Sands cases

He was taken to Northampton County Prison to be arraigned at 11 p.m. before District Judge Roy Manwaring II, police said. Carnevale was released without bail, according to court records.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled Jan. 6 in District Judge Joseph Barner's Bethlehem court.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Authorities said the suspect was spotted with a gun running from a stolen car

Anthony Hernandez(Newark Police Department) 

NEWARK -- An off-duty Newark police officer helped arrest a suspect in a shooting, who police say was driving a stolen car.

Charged in the incident was Anthony Hernandez, 27, of Newark, who authorities say fired shots before trying to get away in the stolen vehicle.

The incident unfolded at 3:08 p.m. on Thursday when an off-duty city police officer heard gunshots in the 400 block of North 9^th Street and saw and man running on Berkeley Avenue, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

While watching that man, he saw another man jump into a gray sport utility vehicle in that area and take off, Ambrose said. Following the SUV, the officer called for assistance, he said.

Other officers tried to stop the SUV at 11^th Street and 6^th Avenue, where the driver, later identified as Hernandez, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole, he said.

Carrying a handgun, Hernandez jumped out of the car and ran off, Ambrose said.

He said police officers arrested Hernandez after they found him hiding behind a house on North 9^th Street.

Detectives determined that the SUV had been reported stolen from West Orange on Dec. 6, Ambrose said.

Hernandez was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, receiving stolen property, eluding and resisting arrest.

Ambrose urged those with more information about this incident or any other crime in the city to contact the Department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877- 695-4867).  All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential.

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

Police are looking for a Newark man in connection with a burglary over the summer.

Michael Thomas, 49, of Newark. (Courtesy of the Newark Police Department)
 

NEWARK -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding a 49-year-old city man wanted in connection with an August burglary.

Officials have issued a $35,000 arrest warrant for Michael Thomas in connection with the burglarly, which occurred on Aug. 3, according to statement from police.

At around 5:45 p.m., police responded to the area of Parkhurst and Brunswick streets for a burglary in which witnessess reported seeing two men carrying an air conditioner, putting it in a silver Monte Carlo, then driving away, the statement said.

Based on their investigation, detectives believe Thomas is one of the suspects, authorities said.

Anyone with information about Thomas' whereabouts can contact the Newark Police Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867).

All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Authorities said the investigation is continuing and there have been no arrests

NEWARK -- A Florida man was identified as the victim of an early-morning fatal shooting in Newark on Friday.

The victim was identified as Anthony Polite, 28, of Sunrise, Florida, Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant Essex County Prosecutor, said Saturday.

Fennelly said the investigation is continuing and no arrests have been made.

Authorities provided little details about the shooting but said that it occurred on South 11^th Street.

Following a fatal shooting on Monday, this shooting marks the city's 95th homicide in 2016, according to an NJ Advance Media count.

The shooting also comes on the heels of an announcement by city officials that the overall crime rate from 2015 to 2016 dropped 13 percent - the largest reduction in crime for the city in five decades.

Authorities say Mathias Estime was driving drunk and fell asleep behind the wheel of his car

ELIZABETH -- Police found an Irvington man who apparently got an early start to his New Year's Eve celebration and fell asleep behind the wheel of his car at the entrance to the Goethals Bridge, authorities said Sunday.

Mathias Estime, 26, was found sleeping in his 2004 Acura in the right lane of the approach to the toll plaza in Staten Island Port Authority of New York and New Jersey when police approached him at 3 a.m. on Saturday, said Joseph Pentangelo, a Port Authority Police Department spokesman.

Pentangelo said Estime had the keys in the ignition and the car was running and in gear.

When police roused him, Estime got out of the car and started to walk away before officers stopped him, Pentangelo said.

He was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, Pentangelo said.

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

Police say the man in this video is a person of interest in connection with the Dec. 29 homicide of Shamar Coleman in Plainfield. Watch video

PLAINFIELD -- The Union County Prosecutor's Office is attempting to identify the individual in this video as a person of interest in connection with the Dec. 29 fatal shooting of Shamar Coleman in Plainfield.

The prosecutor's office says to take note in the footage of the individual's distinctive clothing. Anyone who may have seen this person in the area around the time of the shooting or who has information about his identity or whereabouts is being asked to contact the prosecutor's office.

Coleman, 32, was the owner of the Seafood Rama restaurant on the 1000 block of East Second Street, where he was killed Thursday night. He was gunned down around 5:45 p.m., acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said Friday. He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene, Park said.

A family member at the scene, who declined to give her name, said Coleman opened Seafood Rama over the summer. Another woman, whom she identified as the victim's mother, wept and wailed while others attempted to comfort her.

This incident is now under joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force, Plainfield Police Division, Union County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit. Anyone with information about this matter is being urged to contact Homicide Task Force Sgt. Jose Vendas at 908-358-3048 or Detective Richard Acosta at 908-347-0404.

The killing marked Plainfield's 12th homicide this year.

Another man was killed in a shooting Monday just a few blocks away. Manuel Berrios, 18, died Tuesday morning in a hospital where he was taken after being shot around 9:40 p.m. Monday on the 600 block of East Third Street, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said in statement.

The Union County Crime Stoppers also are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting "UCTIP" plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at www.uctip.org. 

 

Jessica Remo may be reached at jremo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaRemoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.