Who do you have winning this weekend's biggest games?

Online post offered "Super Fire Dogfood Dope," according to police.

William Renfro (Photo: Fairfield police) 

FAIRFIELD -- A Hoboken man used Craigslist to advertise heroin for sale and was arrested after he arranged a drug deal with an undercover detective in Fairfield, authorities said Friday.

William Renfro, 51, was charged with heroin-related offenses, including possession with intent to distribute the drug.

Renfro allegedly advertised heroin with posts on the online classifieds website that promised "Super Fire Dogfood Dope-$60," according to Fairfield police Chief Anthony Manna.

He agreed to sell 50 glassine envelopes of heroin to undercover detectives at a meeting Wednesday in the township, where he was arrested, Manna said in a statement.

'Selfless' cop thanked by suspect after frigid river rescue (VIDEO)

A search of Renfro's Honda led investigators to find 61 glassine envelopes of heroin and about $385 in the car, according to police.

An ad on Craigslist with a Hoboken location and using the same terms remained accessible Friday.

"Get your chow here in this wealthy and hip location, this is not the hood.. I am a white older man sharing this dog food with those tired of being beat and or going to the hood..," the online post stated.

Craigslist did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fairfield police worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force on the investigation. Police and DEA officials could not be immediately reached for more details.

Renfro was released on his own recognizance ahead of an appearance in Essex County Superior Court, according to police.

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

Fans ready to dance all night long in the Brick City will have to wait

NEWARK -- Fans ready to dance all night long in the Brick City will have to wait.

Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey announced Friday the postponement of their upcoming All The Hits tour, which was scheduled to visit the Prudential Center in Newark March 17. 

Richie, 67, is recovering from knee surgery and said on Twitter "unfortunately my recovery from a knee procedure will not have me 100 percent ready to start the tour."

"I look forward to being back onstage so we can all be 'Dancing on the Ceiling' together again." 

Richie added dates would be rescheduled for the summer and new dates will be announced next week. All tickets will be honored. 

#ALLTHEHITS2017 pic.twitter.com/tjZJDq3skY

-- Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) February 24, 2017

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Jose Asencio, 44, who has been in custody since his July arrest, pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving the scene

NEWARK -- The man who struck and killed a Verona artist and longtime business owner was sentenced to three years in prison Friday and could be deported for being in the country illegally. 

Jose Asencio, 44, a Guatemalan national, admitted he fled the scene after fatally hitting Matthew BeneduceMcGrath, 59, near his shop on Bloomfield Avenue on June 24. Asencio previously pleaded guilty to a second degree charge of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that resulted in death. 

Asencio, who has remained in custody since his July arrest, stood handcuffed and silent in court as Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare told him she had received several "heartfelt" letters from the community attesting to his good character and deep Christian faith. 

Jose A. Asencio, 44 (Photo: Essex County Prosecutor's Office) Karen Yi | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

"This is a very tough matter to review," Teare said. "Sometimes a lapse of judgment ... can pay a dear price."

Teare said though Asencio had no prior criminal record, "an individual's life has also been taken." She sentenced him to three years in prison; he is eligible for parole after nine months and will receive credit for the 227 days he's spent in jail.

Asencio's lawyer, Jonathan Kessous of Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, asked the judge to consider a lower sentence to allow immigration authorities to get involved sooner. Otherwise, Asencio could be "compelled to serve significantly longer than what the sentence calls for," Kessous said, citing the backlog in immigration court and a new federal directive widening the net of those targeted for deportation. 

"His biggest mistake was not raising his hand and saying he was the man," Kessous said, adding that Asencio returned to the scene to make sure BeneduceMcGrath was receiving help but did not tell authorities he was the driver. 

Kessous said the whole situation was tragic and an accident. "Everybody lost in this one," he said.  

Tara Creegan, assistant prosecutor in the case, said Asencio did not call 911 or turn himself into police. "This man did not identify himself, that is where the crime is," Creegan said.  

Creegen said a three-year sentence was a negotiated plea and one that had been approved by BeneduceMcGrath's family. She read a letter from BeneduceMcGrath's wife, Gloria BeneduceMcGrath, who she said was "too shocked" to come.

"The emotional pain lives with me every day," the letter said. "I understand what happened was an accident ... He made a big mistake by leaving another human being to die." 

Matthew BeneduceMcGrath owned Benegrathic Sign Design on Bloomfield Avenue and was known for creating hand crafted signs used at parks around the area. The Indiana-native was married for 32-years and lived in Verona for nearly 30 years.

Asencio, of Newark, worked as a painter for the last 15 years and served as a deacon at Iglesia Mision Cristiana Church in Orange. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer request to keep Asencio in custody while his immigration case proceeds but he has yet to appear before an immigration judge, his attorney said. 

"I'm very sorry for these circumstances," Teare told Asencio through a Spanish interpreter. "May you find some peace."

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. 

Check back all night for the latest updates

2017 REGION WRESTLING QUARTERFINAL ROUND

The road to Atlantic City continues with the Region quarterfinals Friday night. Winners will advance to the semifinal round on Saturday morning. Wrestlers losing in the quarterfinal round still have a chance to make it to Atlantic City, battling through the wrestleback rounds on Saturday.   

MORE: What you need to know about changes to the state wrestling tournament seeding process

NJ.com will be your place to follow all of the action. We'll have live updates, results, stories, photos and more from around the state. Check back all night on Friday 

REGION HOMEPAGES
R-1 |  R-2 |  R-3 |  R-4
R-5 |  R-6 |  R-7 |  R-8

NOTE: All brackets will be updated as results come in. Click on a weight within each region to see the brackets.

REGION 1
• LIVE UPDATES at 5 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 1
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 1 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 2
• LIVE UPDATES at 6 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 2
•  Photo gallery to come
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 2 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 3
• LIVE UPDATES at 6 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 3
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 3 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 4
• LIVE UPDATES at 6 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 4
•  Photo gallery to come
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 4 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 5
• LIVE UPDATES at 5:30 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 5
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 5 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 6
• LIVE UPDATES at 5 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 6
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 6 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 7
• LIVE UPDATES at 5 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 7
•  Photo gallery to come
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 7 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

REGION 8
• LIVE UPDATES at 5:30 p.m.
• Staff report from Region 8
•  Photo gallery to come
• Quarterfinals results
• Semifinals pairings
•  Complete Region 8 brackets
106 | 113 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 145
152 | 160 | 170 | 182 | 195 | 220 | 285

The inspirational speaker who went from homelessness to wealth and a PhD, gave a rooftop talk at Fownders, an incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs Watch video

NEWARK -- The speaker was as inspiring as the view.

"He's very inspirational," said Janell Darisaw, a 14-year-old eighth grader at Link Community Charter School in Newark.

Janell was talking about Eric Thomas, the best-selling author and motivational speaker, who went from homelessness to wealth and a PhD, with testimonials from the likes of NBA great LeBron James.

Thomas, known as the "Hip Hop Preacher," gave a talk Thursday afternoon beneath unusually warm, sunny skis on the roof of Fownders, an incubator for aspiring tech entrepreneurs that overlooks downtown Newark from Norfolk Street, in University Heights.

With 60 mostly young onlookers standing and seated in folding chairs, Thomas' backdrop was an unobstructed view of downtown Newark, the Passaic River, Jersey City and Manhattan.

Holding a microphone, gesturing with his free hand, and pacing like a rap artist on stage, Thomas used humor, compassion and ferocity to address his young listeners, who hung on his every word. He said he wanted a 120-percent effort from them, not merely on the football field or the basketball court, but in class.

They didn't have to love school, Thomas told them, admitting that he didn't. But, he said, they did have to put as much effort into it as anything else they did, if not more, in order to succeed in life.

"You could go to Harvard if you wanted to, you could go to Yale, Cornell," he told a group of high school students seated in the front row.

His own life story was his most compelling tale.

Thomas grew up in Detroit, left home and lived on the streets. After a minister convinced him to make something of his life, he worked while going to school part time, taking 12 years to complete his bachelor's degree at Oakwood University in 2001. He then earned a master's at Michigan State University in 2005, and eventually a PhD from MSU in education administration in 2015.

His books include "The Secret to Success," "Greatness Is Upon You: Laying the Foundation," and "Average Skill Phenomenal Will." His YouTube video, "How Bad Do You Want it (Success)" has had over 40 million views.

In his rooftop talk, Thomas invoked the example of a mother who would fight off a Rottweiler attacking her infant. And he told the young men and women present that battling to pass a math or English exam could have similar long-term consequences for their own families one day, determining whether they would be able to protect and provide for them.

"So next time, I want you to think about, 'Am I running? Or am I protecting?'" said Thomas. "Listen to me carefully: My father wasn't in my life, but it feels good taking care of my kids."

Fownders was cofounded by 32-year-old digital entrepreneur and Bloomfield native Gerard Adams and his longtime friend Pedro Gomes of Newark, a housing developer. Their aim is to provide formal training, mentoring and physical space to help youth in Newark and other urban areas realize their potential, creatively and in the business world. 

Before Thomas' talk, Adams played with Fidget 360, an anti-anxiety spinning toy manufactured using a 3-D printer, which he said had been developed by a duo of 17-year-old Fownders alumni known as Alan & Cooper. Adams said the Fidget 360 had sales of $60,000 last month.

The Link Charter School, where Janell is in 8th grade, has a relationship with Fownders, and is developing an elective that will be a middle school version of the incubator's 6-week entrepreneur course, said Natalia Sardo, Link's foundation and corporate grants officer.     

In addition to his talk, Thomas was at Fownders on Thursday to discuss opening a branch in his home town of Detroit, Gomes said.

Meanwhile, Gomes added, Fownders is nearing completion of additional space just around the corner, and developing partnerships with other educational institutions, including the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

One of Janell's Link classmates, Donald Oyebola, said he wasn't aiming to become an entrepreneur. But the 14-year-old said he was inspired by Thomas' talk.

"I have plans to be go to the NBA," Donald said. "But if that doesn't work out, I'd like to be a biomedical engineer."  

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

Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick invited NJ Advance Media to discuss the 1033 program from a law enforcement side Watch video

In the days following NJ Advance Media's article that took a look at the military surplus items doled out to local enforcement agencies over the last two years and the local oversight of the federal program, we've received a mixed response from the public.

From our readers we've heard, on one hand, that many don't have an issue with local agencies receiving surplus equipment where the taxpayers are often only paying for the shipping and upkeep on the items. 

Others said they believe that military items, specifically heavily armored vehicles, have no place in the state. 

In addition, two New Jersey lawmakers, state Sen. Gill (D-Essex) and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Teaneck), said they were "alarmed" by the current process and asked the state Attorney General for the guidance given to local law enforcement and municipalities. 

Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation in 2015 adding levels of public approval to the federal program that started in the late-1990s. The State Police oversees the process in New Jersey.  

Gill -- who led the fight for more state transparency for the program in 2014 -- and Johnson wrote a letter to the Attorney General, which was given to NJ Advance Media. Part of which reads:

We respectfully request you provide our offices with all formal or informal guidance the Office of the Attorney General and/or the State Police have provided to local law enforcement and local governments regarding the 2015 law, including but not limited to any adopted regulations related to implementation of the law. Finally, please provide a list of all municipal and county governing bodies that have filed their resolutions opting into the program with the State Police, as well a copy of each resolution.

As a way to address some of the public's issues following the story, Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, who was interviewed as part of the initial story, invited NJ Advance Media to his department Thursday to further discuss the 1033 program from a law enforcement side. 

Kudrick, whose department was audited last year by an out-of-state official and found in full compliance with state and federal regulations, took us through some of the supplies obtained by the agency, as well as inside the 13-ton mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP.

Watch the full exchange below:

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

2017 girls basketball state tournament brackets

It's been about a week in the making, but all the links are now in.  See immediately below for our statewide analysis and predictions. Below that are section-by-section previews and all the brackets.

Play starts Monday!

STATEWIDE ANALYSIS

• Breaking down the NJSIAA girls basketball brackets by past success

• X-Factors: Predicting the state tournament's game-changers

• From 'Allen' to 'Zero losses' an A-Z guide on the state tournament

• Players to watch in each section of the state tournament 

• Predicting the winner for all 20 state tournament brackets 

SECTION BY SECTION BRACKETS AND PREVIEWS

North Jersey, Section 1, Group 1
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4
• Preview | Bracket

Central Jersey, Group 1
• Preview | Bracket

Central Jersey, Group 2
• Preview | Bracket

Central Jersey, Group 3
• Preview | Bracket

Central Jersey, Group 4
• Preview | Bracket

South Jersey, Group 1
• Preview | Bracket

South Jersey, Group 2
• Preview | Bracket

South Jersey, Group 3
• Preview | Bracket

South Jersey, Group 4
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Non-Public A
• Preview | Bracket

North Jersey, Non-Public B
• Preview | Bracket

South Jersey, Non-Public A
• Preview | Bracket

South Jersey, Non-Public B
• Preview | Bracket

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

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.) faced hundreds of riled up constituents Saturday for the second time this week.

BRANCHBURG -- U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance faced hundreds of passionate constituents Saturday for the second time this week, addressing topics ranging from immigration to Russia as audience members alternately heckled and applauded him. 

The crowd, which filled most of a 900-seat auditorium at Raritan Valley Community College, peppered Lance (R-7th Dist.) with forceful questions about his voting record in Congress and his stance on recent moves by President Donald Trump's administration. 

Lance remained calm as some audience members yelled out insults throughout an increasingly tense event, and he thanked people for their questions. 

"I don't believe anybody in this audience is paid, ladies and gentlemen," he said as the town hall began at 9 a.m. 

Lance is among several Republican federal legislators who faced raucous audiences at town hall meetings in their home districts during this week's congressional recess, but he was New Jersey's only Republican member of Congress to do so.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Wednesday dismissed the protests roiling these town halls, saying they are led by a small group of political activists seeking media attention. 

In Branchburg on Saturday, audience members raised green "thumbs up" signs to express agreement with some of Lance's responses and yelled out to challenge many of his other answers. 

One of the most boisterous moments of the event came when an audience member asked if Lance would support calls for an independent investigation into Trump's ties to Russia. 

The crowd chanted "Yes or no?" as Lance began to respond.

"At the moment, I favor the investigations that are occurring by the two (congressional) intelligence committees," he said. He added that he would not rule out the possibility of an independent investigation if members of the intelligence committees felt the probe had been insufficiently thorough or fair.  

Immigration was also at the forefront of the event, as audience members asked several questions about Trump's travel ban and a potential wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.  

"Congressman, we're scared. What are you going to do about it?" someone yelled as Lance began to answer a question about the executive order on immigration.

"I want to assure all of my residents, including my Muslim constituents, that I certainly favor no ban that would exclude refugees or others coming into this country based on some sort of religious test," Lance said. 

He said he opposes building a wall or a fence across the entire southern U.S. border but believes the country needs to "beef up" security on certain parts. Lance said he would analyze any bill that came before Congress to decide whether he thought it would effectively curb illegal immigration. 

He dodged questions about his views on White House chief strategist Steve Bannon's appointment to the National Security Council. One constituent called Bannon anti-Semitic and said she was offended by his power in the government. 

"Will you denounce Steve Bannon?" she asked.

"I denounce any form of anti-Semitism," Lance responded.

After the town hall, Lance said he had defended his own views and not necessarily Trump's policies. 

"I indicated where I agree with the president and where I disagree," he said. 

Lance has served eight years in his solidly Republican congressional district, which covers parts of six counties in Central Jersey. Although he solidly beat Democratic challenger Peter Jacob in 2016, the district went for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. 

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in January put Lance on a list of congressional seats it plans to target in 2018. 

The anger of some constituents who greeted Lance on Wednesday was again on display Saturday morning as dozens of protesters gathered outside with signs that advocated for progressive issues and expressed anger with the Trump administration. 

Rob Bentlyewski, of Dover, said he was galvanized by the energy he has seen the political left display since November's election.

"I got excited by the mass movement of people showing up to town halls," he said. "I felt like if I didn't join in, I'd look back and feel like I was on the wrong side of history."

About 100 protesters at @RepLanceNJ7 town hall chanting "No hate, no fear. Immigrants are welcome here." pic.twitter.com/dA2Bx3ELQc

-- Marisa Iati (@marisa_iati) February 25, 2017

Flemington resident Joyce Santos said Friday she planned to attend the town hall to probe Lance about his stance on funding Planned Parenthood, climate change, health care and gun control. She sits on the steering committee of the progressive advocacy organization NJ7 Forward, an 800-member group that aims to challenge Lance on his voting record.

Santos said she started lobbying members of Congress about a year ago, but Donald Trump's ascendance to the presidency motivated her to become more politically active. Going to town hall meetings is a way to tell legislators what's on her mind, she said. 

"We're all very grateful that (Lance) is holding the town halls," said Santos, who has lived in New Jersey's 7th congressional district for 30 years. "At least it's giving us an opportunity to talk."

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

"Top member" of car theft ring taken down in "Operation Jacked" admits role, AG says.

NJOAG 

TRENTON -- An Essex County man admitted running an international car theft ring that stole high-end vehicles in New Jersey and shipped them for black market sale in West Africa, authorities said.

Kyle Champagnie, 30, pleaded guilty to a first-degree charge of financial facilitation of criminal activity in front of Superior Court Judge Stuart Peim in Union County, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Attorney General Christopher Porrino said the Irvington man was "a top member" of the ring, which was the target of a 2014 car theft investigation dubbed "Operation Jacked."

'Operation Jacked' nets 160 stolen cars

Authorities said the ring stole luxury cars -- often at gun- or knifepoint -- with brands including Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

They would load the vehicles onto shipping containers at ports in New York and New Jersey and ship them to West Africa, where they could fetch far more than their market value here in the U.S., police said.

The state crackdown recovered more than 160 cars valued at more than $8 million, authorities said. 

Champagnie was one of three accused ringleaders of the operation, which had as many as 30 people working for it, according to police. 

Under a plea deal, prosecutors are recommending he serve 16 years in state prison, including eight years of parole ineligibility.

He is scheduled for sentencing on April 21.

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

This couple wanted an open-floor-plan kitchen and dining area that would better suit the needs of a growing family.

N.J. home makeover is a regular feature on NJ.com. To submit your renovation for consideration, email home@starledger.com with your full name, email address, phone number and town/city. Attach "before" and "after" photos of what you renovated.

As someone who loves to cook, being without a kitchen for nearly four months was one of the toughest things for Elizabeth Gabrielson to endure during renovation of her Upper Montclair home.

Then there was washing dishes in the bathtub -- on the second floor. And farming out family laundry -- including that of two toddlers -- to kind friends and neighbors.

"We couldn't go down into the basement," she said, explaining that areas of the house needed to be closed off with plastic to help control the spread of dirt and dust. "I got to know my neighbors, and some kind friends would deliver (clean laundry) to our door."

Cooking in a slow-cooker generated too many dishes with the requisite slicing and dicing. So with much of the project taking place during summer months, she and her husband, Ross, began to rely on the grill, the microwave, take-out dinners and restaurant meals. 

For all the challenges, there was an upside to living with the dust and dirt of a renovation. She was always on hand to prevent installation errors, answer questions and make decisions. And she learned things about her home she might never have known otherwise. The kitchen had five layers of flooring, for instance.

"It was so interesting, it was just a piece of history," she said. 

The dated doorways were removed along with the flooring, and the updated kitchen and dining room now have oak flooring stained to match floors in the rest of the house.

The goal of the project was to renovate a dated kitchen and formal dining room to become an open-floor-plan kitchen and dining area that would better suit the needs of a growing family. Walls were removed or reduced in size, and a walk-in coat closet was absorbed in the process. The space was reconfigured for efficiency and to add a mudroom and pantry area near a new back entry door that replaced a side entry. The new glass door, enhanced with sidelight windows also allows more light into the renovated area. 

The Gabrielsons chose Benjamin Moore's Intense White with a hint of gray, to complement white cabinetry, black granite counters and satin brass hardware, which Elizabeth Gabrielson wanted to play a key role in the design. To avoid competition from too much stainless steel, the refrigerator and every other appliance beyond the BlueStar range is tucked behind cabinetry panels.

An expansive peninsula that houses cabinetry and a 14-inch Summit wine cooler replaced a wall between the kitchen and dining room. Draped by a taller wooden waterfall-style bar seating area built from three slabs of black walnut lumber, it is the new dividing line between kitchen and dining room.

"I wanted to be able to see all the wood grain," she said of the bar. "It gives some warmth with all the white." 

While she selected a commercial-grade range in Pennsylvania-made BlueStar, she said the 36-inch, six-burner model offered a significant savings over comparable luxury brands. The mix of appliance brands includes Fisher & Paykel, Miele and General Electric. 

The consistent lines of white cabinetry would give a roomier appearance to their small kitchen, she said. She also wanted to avoid visual competition while highlighting the satin brass hardware and black features such as the Blanco sink. "My countertops are 'absolute black' granite, and it matches them seamlessly," she said.

The 1928 house with its eclectic architectural mix of Tudor, Colonial and Arts and Crafts features, has arched doorways that enhance the newly updated kitchen and dining room.

Gabrielson is pleased with the overall aesthetic of the renovated space. "The kitchen is trendy and contemporary, yet classic and traditional," she says. "It boasts unique hardware and fixture choices in satin brass, which are striking against an otherwise black and white space."

At the project's end, she also was overjoyed to return to cooking in a new kitchen. "I've gained 10 pounds since the kitchen went in," she says with a laugh. "I am making up for lost time. I've been cooking and eating and entertaining and doing what I love to do."

What they renovated

The kitchen and dining room of a 2,723-square-foot house with four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half bathrooms.

Who did the work

Keil Design & Construction of Montclair

How long it took

About four months, from July 5 to Oct. 20, 2016

What they spent

$90,000

Where they splurged

"Unfortunately, most of the 'splurging' was behind the scenes for plumbing work and demolition of walls, Elizabeth Gabrielson said. Other splurges included the custom walnut bar, the glass backsplash tiles, an instant hot tank, and a reverse osmosis water filtration system

How they saved

"We bought fixtures online at discount retailers, found an affordable hand-made dining table from Etsy, used factory-made cabinets, and chose reasonably priced appliances that still fit the look we desired," Elizabeth Gabrielson said.

What they like most

We love the bar counter dividing the kitchen and dining spaces and also the functionality of a new back door entrance. The space flows very nicely. 

What they'd have done differently

Move out during renovation!

Kimberly L. Jackson may be reached at home@starledger.com. Find NJ.com Entertainment on Facebook.

Joseph Vas, a once powerful Middlesex County politician, served more than six years in federal prison on corruption charges.

Joseph Vas, a former state assemblyman and Perth Amboy mayor who was convicted on corruption charges, was scheduled to be released from federal prison on Saturday. (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Tom Haydon | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

PERTH AMBOY -- Former state assemblyman and four-term city mayor Joseph Vas is scheduled to complete his federal prison term Saturday, but he is not free to return home.

Vas, who has been serving a sentence at the Federal Correctional at Danbury, Conn., will complete that term and then be turned over to New Jersey corrections officials to complete a state prison term.

"He will be returned to New Jersey," said Pat Lombardi, spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

He said Vas must finish a state prison sentence that could keep him behind bars until June 2.

There has been little talk recently of the former mayor in Perth Amboy, said former city Councilman Ken Balut, but some have anticipated Vas' release from a federal facility.

"There been a whisper in the air that he's getting out," Balut said. "People had posted it. They're passing it around," he said of people mentioning Vas on social media. However, Balut said, he and others are aware that Vas still must serve a state sentence.

In October 2010, a jury in U.S. District Court in Newark found Vas guilty of five of nine corruption charges relating to his quest for campaign funds in his bid for a  seat in Congress.

The jury found that Vas, while mayor of Perth Amboy in 2006, bought a 12-unit apartment building for $660,000, then quickly flipped it for $950,000, closing the deal with a promise to give the buyer $360,000 in city redevelopment funds. The former mayor funneled $80,000 from the sale to his congressional campaign.

The following April he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in federal prison.

A month after his federal conviction, in November 2010, Vas pleaded guilty to state corruption charges after a Superior Court judge rejected a dramatic and desperate last-minute request for an adjournment.

The following April Vas was sentenced to eight years in state prison, and required to serve at least five years before he was eligible for parole. The state sentence ran concurrent with the federal term.

He pleaded guilty in state court two counts of official misconduct and single counts of theft and money laundering to receive illegal campaign contributions.

Vas was accused of billing the city of Perth Amboy for $5,000 worth of clothing, sneakers and other personal items, and of conspiring to rig a lottery that gave city employee Anthony Jones the chance to buy a house built through a federal program for first-time home buyers.

Melvin Ramos, Vas's aide, was a co-defendant in the federal and state cases. Ramos was also convicted in federal court and pleaded guilty to state corruption charges. However, he received shorter sentences. He completed a state prison sentence in 2013 and a federal term in 2014, according to public records.

Balut said Ramos has since returned to Perth Amboy.

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

A woman was fatally shot on Hillside Terrace in Irvington Saturday around 1:30 a.m., the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

IRVINGTON -- A woman was fatally shot on Hillside Terrace Saturday marking Irvington's first homicide of the year, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to Katherine Carter, prosecutor's office spokeswoman. 

No additional information on the shooting was immediately available. The victim has not yet been identified, Carter said. 

Last year Irvington dramatically reduced its homicides after it reorganized its police department and created new units that focus on crime prevention. The new model lets specialized officers collect intelligence on drug trafficking and gangs instead of only reacting to emergency calls. 

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. 

Bus service in place Saturday afternoon.

MADISON -- Train service was suspended on NJ Transit's Morris and Essex line between Dover and Summit Saturday afternoon, according to the agency.

A tree down on wires was impacting both tracks near Madison, NJ Transit said on Twitter.

Bus service was offered for riders in both directions between Summit and Morristown, the transit agency said shortly before 5 p.m.

Delays were reported between Summit and New York.

Authorities released security camera images of the suspect Saturday.

NEWARK -- Newark police are seeking the public's help to find a man they said pointed a gun at a person in a store in the city's Central Ward on Friday.

The gunman pointed a handgun at the victim at the 2-4 Supermarket, near Central Avenue and 1st Street, around 10 p.m., according to a statement from police. There were no injuries.

City Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said a suspect captured on surveillance images is wanted for aggravated assault.

Anyone with information is asked to call the city's 24-hour tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Authorities said all anonymous tips are kept confidential and could lead to a reward.

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

Cause of death is unclear.

ORANGE -- The body of a male was found on Forest Street in Orange Saturday morning, officials said.

The cause of death was not immediately clear. An autopsy was pending, according to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.

The body was discovered outside around 7:30 a.m., the spokeswoman added.

Forest Street, off Scotland Road, is an area with a mix industrial buildings, vacant homes and residences.

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

City police, state animal cruelty investigators at the scene early Sunday. Watch video

NEWARK -- Officials seized multiple roosters and arrested at least one man at a cockfighting operation early Sunday in Newark's North Ward, authorities confirmed.

Police were investigating inside a social club on North 6th Street, near Franklin Street, late Saturday night into early Sunday. Police and humane society officials later removed boxes of live roosters from the building as some of the birds clucked while being brought to an animal rescue van.

Preliminary reports said at least 30 birds were removed, according to officials. A police spokesman confirmed authorities were investigating cockfighting at the scene.

'Selfless' cop thanked by suspect after frigid river rescue (VIDEO)

Police also appeared to be searching the area in a patrol car and officers were using flashlights to check a rooftop next to the club. One man was taken away in the back of a city police car.

In addition to Newark police, New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals police were working at the scene along with Associated Humane Societies officers.

Additional details were not immediately available.

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

Miniature religious scenes at 'Small Wonders' exhibit at The Cloisters

"How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?"

This philosophical musing from the Middle Ages asks if angels take up physical space or have only an ethereal presence.

At the dawn of the Reformation in the Netherlands, a group of unknown craftsmen didn't try to squeeze angels onto pins, but they created miniature, detailed religious scenes that posed a similar question: "How many figures can fit into a space the size of a large walnut?"

What they created surely are "Small Wonders," the name of the exhibit under glass of about 50 astounding works of art at The Cloisters, located in the upper reaches of Manhattan.

"These are fascinating little worlds you can peek into," said Barbara Drake Boehm of Montclair, senior curator at The Cloisters, a museum that specialized in European medieval architecture and art and is a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The works come in the form of round prayer beads or miniature altars, packed with people, angels, lost souls, animals, trees, flames, sunrays and medieval buildings all carved from wood.

In one portraying Judgement Day there are 58 complete, unique figures in an area less than 2-inches wide. Another is of the Blessed Mother amid the apocalypse, with carved fire engulfing lost souls; another has splinters resembling heavenly rays breaking through the sky.

Boehm pointed to one crucifixion scene where the guards' spears have individual carved splinters no wider than a piece of fine thread. Many of the Biblical scenes are placed in Medieval times, and every brick on every castle turret is distinct and to scale.

"The level of detail is truly amazing," Boehm said.

The details are so minute they can only be appreciated with a magnifying glass or very young eyes. In many of the crucifixion scenes, the expressions of grief are as apparent as the grim callousness among the Roman guards -- all carved on faces not much larger than the head of a pin.

The prayer beads and miniature altars were commissioned by noblemen or the wealthy and carved from boxwood, which Boehm described as having "a smooth, fine grain" that held up to "precise detail."

The star piece of the show is a rosary given to Henry the VIII of England and Katherine of Aragon on their wedding day in 1509 "before things went south" Boehm said. (She was the first of Henry's six wives and his desire for divorce was the catalyst for his split from the Roman Catholic Church.)

The largest prayer bead of the 11-bead piece has an example of carver whimsy that is ubiquitous through the exhibit.

Because the three dimensional carvings are made of several pieces and overlaid on top of one another, there is a portrait of the king and queen that is hidden to the naked eye. It was only discovered through a CT scan done at the Art Gallery of Ontario , which owns the piece and has partnered with The Cloisters for this exhibit, which runs through May 21.

"You can see the whimsy in many pieces," Boehm said.

In one scene of Christ before Pilate, a seated man is wearing the type of magnify glasses used by the craftsman. One remarkable detail in that piece is the carving of water flowing out of a pitcher, including the tiny splashes it would have made in the receiving bowl.

One altar pieces is supported by three lions. One is sleeping on the job; another is gnawing at the carver's own wooden base.

"We see a lot of flamboyance in some of the pieces; people are wearing fabulous hats," said Peter Dandridge, the conservator of the exhibit, addressing the whimsy.

Dandridge gingerly took apart and reassembled some of the pieces to get a better understanding of how they were constructed and held together by tiny wooden pins.

"The composition was so carefully created, so the multiple pieces could build up a deep relief," he said. "The altar pieces are like real altar pieces reduced to perfect scale."

Still, there is little known about where the miniatures were made, except that they came from the southern region of the Netherlands.

"We really don't know if they were made by individuals or in shops by different craftsmen," Boehm said. "We do know that the carvers had sophisticated knowledge of biblical scenes and text, because the (prayer bead) carvings have Latin inscriptions that surround the scenes."

Alexandra Suda, the Art Gallery of Ontario curator of European art and prints and drawings, who was at The Cloisters for the exhibit opening, said "there is no documentation of guilds, no records of shops.

"And this was at a time when there were documentations of property ownership and taxes being paid," she said. "We discovered very little about these craftsman."

In the collection, only one piece is signed.

"We're not sure if it was made by that individual or he owned a workshop," Suda said.

One reason for the dearth of information is that the art form had a very short run.

"These were made for 25, 30 maybe 40 years before they went out of fashion," Suda said. "They were the ultimate objects of consumption."

But with the Reformation coming - Henry VIII even outlawed rosary beads in his new Church of England - a "disdain for art objects" set in, Suda said, and the religious miniatures demand ended.

"The mysteries around these pieces are part of the appeal," Suda said. "That's part of what museums are all about."

The other parts, of course, are the awe and astonishment that hands just like ours, 600 years ago, could make such miraculous things.   

This week many area schools will present their spring productions.

Sajeda Cupido, center, is the Scarecrow, and Soula Garcia, Sophie Bell, Nicole Mautone, Lauren Brown, Shannon Bretz and Talia Maldonado are the crows in Bloomfield High School's production of "The Wiz."Bloomfield High School 

ESSEX COUNTY -- Entertainment choices will abound this week as students at area high schools present their theatrical productions.

This afternoon, students at the Cicely L. Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts will present the final performance of the Neil Simon comedy, "The Last of the Red Hot Lovers." The curtain goes up 3:30 p.m. at the school located at 35 Winans St. in East Orange. Tickets are $5.

Bloomfield High School will present "The Wiz." Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5 at the school, 160 Broad St. Tickets are $12, $15 at the door. There will be a free, special preview performance for senior citizens 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. For advance tickets, visit bloomfieldthewiz.bpt.me. For more information, call 973-699-3502.

The Millburn High School Limelight Players will present their spring musical, "A Chorus Line." Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the school's auditorium, 462 Millburn Ave. Tickets are $15, $10 for students, and are available at mhsnj.booktix.com.

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

Scouts participate in the Lenape Trail District Klondike Derby.

Troop 147's Beav-Haw Team, sitting, Pranav Kumara, Rishi Bhandari, and Ethan Wanko; Standing, co-captains Anthony Gola and Bhuvan Dave, Jose Medrano, Kirill Pavlov, Scott Bolton and Aakash Patel at the Klondike Derby.

NUTLEY -- Two teams of Scouts from Nutley Boy Scout Troop 147 braved the snow and participated in the Lenape Trail District Klondike Derby, held Feb. 11 at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange.

The Klondike Derby is an annual event that tests the Scouts on their outdoor survival skills. The event takes its inspiration from prospectors who, during the 1890s, used dogsleds to travel through Alaska and Canada in search of gold; the cold, harsh conditions forced them to use outdoor survival skills.

During the Klondike competition, teams of Scouts used a sled to make their way through a series of stations that tested them on their Scout skills such as compass orientation, knot tying, lashing, first aid, building a fire without matches, field measuring, Scout history and tomahawk throwing.

The Beav-Haw Team of Troop 147 finished third in the Prospector Division, behind Troop 5 of Maplewood, whose teams took first and second place. Troop 147's Golden Eagles team finished ninth in the Panner Division, which was won by Troop 8 of East Orange.

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