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Controversial benefactor in $16M violin deal with the NJSO dies at 89

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Herbert Axelrod, the eccentric millionaire from New Jersey who gained fame with a high-profile deal with the New Jersey Symphony for a collection of "Golden Age" instruments that were apparently not what they appeared, has died in Zurich.

Over the years, Herbert Axelrod claimed to have studied math under Albert Einstein, exchanged letters with Winston Churchill on the merits of goldfish, and hunted for jaguars in Brazil on behalf of the Walt Disney Company.

But it was his claim of a unique collection of rare and valuable violins, violas and cellos by such masters as Stradivarius, Guarneri del Ges, and others that might have raised the most questions.

Axelrod, a wealthy philanthropist and arts patron who gained notoriety over a $16 million deal with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra for a collection later found to be overvalued, died last week at his home in Switzerland, said a spokeswoman for the Zurich Opera House, where he was a major benefactor.

"Dr. Axelrod was a devoted friend of classical music and the world of opera," the Zurich Opera said.

Alan Lebensfeld, his long-time attorney, said in a statement, "Herb was a man for all seasons and a man for all reasons. Brilliant, benevolent and unflappable. He changed many people's lives for the better. I will miss him greatly."

NJSO President & CEO Gabriel van Aalst expressed condolences on his passing.

"We are appreciative of the decades of generous support Herbert Axelrod and his wife, Evelyn, gave to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra," van Aalst said.

Axelrod made his fortune through a Neptune pet care publishing empire and was known as a generous patron of the arts who liked to live large. There was a multi-million-dollar mansion in Deal, a 52-foot Viking sports fishing boat he kept at the Hemingway Marina in Cuba, and his beloved Habana cigars.

Burly and bearded, he was not shy about talking about himself, once telling a reporter if he were to write a book telling his own life story, "you wouldn't believe it."

In his bios, he often described himself as an author, university professor, lecturer, publisher, editor, explorer, adventurer and scientist, as well as "the world's best-known tropical fish expert."

Friends and acquaintances described him as charming.

But in lawsuits coming out of the sale of his publishing company, he was described as a shrewd con artist.

Born in Bayonne during the Great Depression, Axelrod was the son of Russian immigrants--his father a mathematics teacher at Bayonne High School and his mother worked for the Navy. After high school he joined the Army, served in Korea, and said enrolled at New York University on the GI Bill.

After returning from the war Axelrod founded TFH Publications, which was named for the company's flagship magazine, Tropical Fish Hobbyist. TFH became the world's leading publisher of books on pet care and Axelrod wrote hundreds of books on fish, publishing his first book, "Tropical Fish as a Hobby," in 1949.

He said he studied violin in his youth, but admitted he was not a huge talent. As his publishing company grew, however, he began acquiring instruments and donating large sums of money to theater and the arts. He would frequently lend the instruments to musicians. 

It was his deal with the New Jersey Symphony, though, that put him in the public spotlight. In 2002, Axelrod made an offer to sell his collection of 17th- and 18th-century instruments instruments to his home-state orchestra for $25 million--half of what he claimed they were worth.

"I want to put New Jersey on the map, " Axelrod declared when he put his instruments offer on the table. "I want this to be the best-sounding orchestra in the world."

The symphony, seeing the opportunity for international attention and increased attendance with a concentration of instruments like no other orchestra's in the world, launched a massive fund-raising drive. After a year of wrangling with Axelrod, the orchestra wound up borrowing millions to make the deal, including $4 million from Axelrod himself, to buy what was dubbed "The Golden Age Collection."

Questions about the true nature of the collection began to swirl almost immediately after Axelrod was charged in an unrelated federal tax fraud involving the use of Swiss bank accounts to funnel more than $1.4 million in payments to a vice president of his former pet publishing company. He fled to Cuba, and then to Europe, where was arrested and returned to the United States.

In the wake of his arrest, orchestra officials defended the costly purchase. But experts with extensive experience in authenticating and valuing rare stringed instruments interviewed by The Star-Ledger soon expressed doubt over whether a number of the instruments were authentic.

An internal NJSO inquiry mounted in the wake of newspaper's report' concurred with the findings.

Axelrod would plead guilty to the tax fraud charges, while federal prosecutors decided not to seek criminal charges in connection with the NJSO sale. Saddled with debt tied to the deal, the symphony sold the collection in 2007.

NJ Symphony sells its ill-fated strings to twin investment bankers

When he got out of prison for tax fraud, friends greeted Axelrod with a plastic baggy filled with Cuban cigars. He opened the bag, lifted them to his nose and rejoiced. "I'm very pleased to be out, and I don't recommend it to anyone, " he said.

Duane Rosenegard, a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, said he believed people will mostly remember Axelrod's acts of philanthropy.

"I had a lot of colleagues and friends who were lent instruments by Dr. Axelrod over decades," he said. "I don't think he'll be remembered by our colleagues for the fiasco with the NJSO."

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

 


'We need you now more than we ever did' Baraka tells Montclair State grads (PHOTOS)

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More than 2,700 Montclair State University graduates walked the stage at the Prudential Center on Thursday.

NEWARK -- Looking out at an arena packed with future lawyers, social workers and teachers, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka urged Montclair State University's graduates to move forward with courage in a world that desperately needs their help.

"We need you to love harder and more deliberately, to know compassion is not a weakness or a character flaw," Baraka said at the Prudential Center Thursday morning after receiving an honorary degree. "We need you now to be brilliant, to be outstanding, to be impossible, to be extraordinary. We need you to take what you've gathered on this journey, all that you have learned, and use it to transform this world."

Baraka pressed graduates to understand the immorality of striping health care from Americans, avoid the mob mentality of scapegoating neighbors that look different and recognize that "women are our equals" and "black lives matter because all lives matter."

"We need you to understand the rightness of more democracy, not less, to face and correct the ugliness of hatred while knowing this country is only exceptional because it's a canvas of immigrants," he said. 

Graduate Charles Simonson, 23, of Newark, said he was moved to hear his hometown mayor and stood to applaud Baraka.

"He spoke about a lot of things that are happening right now, especially in political, racial issues," Simonson, a child care counselor, said. "That really moved me to really stand up, to go out and to stand up for whatever it is we want to stand up for and make sure we're the difference."

More than 2,700 undergraduate students walked across the graduation stage and decorated their caps with funny quotes, thank you notes to their families and messages of hope.

Samantha Cantaffa, 23, of Old Bridge, adorned her cap in flowers and purple glitter with the words: "Now it's my turn to teach."

"It's a big deal, it took me a long time," Cantaffa said of her degree, adding that she was searching for a teaching job. "I love little kids. When I was student teaching I had the first experience of someone understanding something. I wanted to cry. I couldn't do anything else."

Baraka recalled growing up with parents who were artists and activists, and never thinking a wide-eyed, boy "full of fear and confusion" would one day govern his city. He told graduates to embrace those who helped them along the way and all the "lost steps, bruised knees, hurt feelings" that it took to get to this moment. 

"I want you to contemplate all that it took to get here, your parents that gave their last bit of earnings on hopes and dreams of the achievement, husbands and wives watching the baby at home while you study that encouraged you to find that thing you've always been looking for," he said. "Think of today as the collective effort of the sheer will of a larger community to see that the sun rose on this day."

Graduate Joseph Lombardo, of Caldwell, carried a photo of his grandfather on his cap. 

"He passed away a few weeks ago," Lombardo, 25, said. "He's a real inspiration to me. He was first to go to college, always stressed education, always pushed me to be better."

Savion Glover, a renown tap dancer who made regular appearances on Broadway and Sesame Street, also received an honorary degree.

"We are all artists, some of us are yet to be diagnosed," Glover, a Newark native said. "We are all artists and we all see the world through our eyes and so I encourage you to stay ferocious in your approach toward success, I encourage you to dream and to believe in your dreams and then make your dreams a reality."

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

N.J. identity theft scheme netted more than 20 victims, officials say

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Scam allegedly involved at least 40 credit and debit card accounts.

NEWARK -- A Maplewood man was arrested and accused of redirecting mail from "numerous" people to his address in an identity theft scheme, prosecutors said Thursday.

AniolSejour.jpgAniol Sejour (Photo: ECPO) 

Aniol Sejour, 30, was charged with identity theft and trafficking in personal financial information after the U.S. Postal Inspection Service discovered the scam, said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

Postal officials launched an investigation based on the number of change of addresses that directed mail to Sejour's address, prosecutors said. The post office also received complaints from residents who said they did not request a change of address.

Investigators have identified at least 40 credit and debit card accounts in the names of victims, according to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Walter J. Dirkin, who is handling the case. Sejour also passed checks in the names of his victims.

There were at least 28 victims in the scheme and the investigation was continuing, prosecutor's office spokeswoman Katherine Carter said. 

Authorities arrested Sejour on Wednesday, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. Detectives and postal inspectors found bank books, credit and debit cards, credit card readers or swipe machines and handwritten notes containing other personal information at his house.

Sejour was released from custody ahead of a June 13 court hearing. The prosecutor's office did not disclose more details on the alleged scheme.

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

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New N.J. Jackals owner promises $1M in stadium upgrades

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The owner of the Sussex County Miners has purchased the CanAm League team.

MONTCLAIR -- The New Jersey Jackals have a new owner who promises to put $1 million in upgrades into the team's home, Yogi Berra Stadium.

The professional baseball team, a member of the Canadian American league, and the stadium, have been acquired by University Sports and Entertainment, LLC., the new owner announced Thursday.

Though the company did not disclose the financial details of the purchase, it did say it came along with $1 million in upgrades to the stadium, including renovations of the picnic area, kids zone, craft beer pub, and concessions stand, the company said. Additions to the stadium, which is on the campus of Montclair State University, will also include its first-ever video score board.

"Jackals baseball and Yogi Berra Stadium have long been beloved staples of the local community," Al Dorso, University's CEO, said in a statement about the sale.

"We look forward to working closely with Montclair State University and other local and regional partners to create a vibrant, 'go-to' destination for fun, family and corporate entertainment." 

Dorso also owns the Sussex County Miners, another CanAm team.

According to a New Jersey Herald report, he bought the Jackals from previous owner Floyd Hall.

"My sons had interest in the Jackals, so that really was my interest," Dorso told the Herald.

"In addition, the stadium is located on a college campus and there's opportunities for many other events to happen in the stadium. I think we should capitalize on that."

University also announced Joe Redson, an MSU graduate and former director with the team, is now General Manager of the Jackals.

The stadium will continue to host Montclair State University Red Hawks games, as well as those of other college and high school teams. It is also the planned future home of concerts and other events, University said.

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

Newark police looking for tattooed robbery suspect

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Deandre Parker is also wanted for assault and weapons offenses

NEWARK-- A man who allegedly robbed and then later shot at someone is being sought by police, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.

Screenshot (162).pngDeandre Parker (Newark police)  

Deandre Parker, 28, of Newark allegedly robbed the 21-year-old victim near South 19th St. and Avon Avenue Tuesday. Several hours later, while driving with his girlfriend, the victim spotted Parker and began following him.

When Parker realized he was being followed, he shot at the victim and his girlfriend before driving away. Neither were hit.

Parker is wanted for robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose.  

He is black, 5'11", about 220 lbs and has tattoos reading "973," "WASP", "THUG LIFE" and "D BLOCK."

Anyone with information about Parker or his whereabouts is being asked to call the 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 cash reward.

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

 

Listen up Newark: Students tell the district their voices matter | Carter

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Newark public school students believe the student representative on the board of education should have a right to vote when the district resumes local control from the state.

The message in a two-minute video produced by Newark public school students is clear:

Student voices matter.

It's a new campaign from the Youth Media Symposium, a program offered by the Abbott Leadership Institute, at Rutgers University-Newark, that teaches parents and students how to advocate for education.

The youth in the symposium, both public and charter students, don't believe the district hears them when they complain about conditions in the city's schools, such as broken SMART boards, lack of supplies, outdated books and too many substitute teachers.

"Nobody cares about what we have to say, and it's our education they're making decisions about. It's unfair,'' said Rachael Small, 14, an eighth-grader at University High School.

MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns 

ymsrachaelIMG_3219.JPGRachael Small, an eighth grade student at University High School in Newark, speaks at the Newark Public Schools Board of Education meeting. She told board members that the student representative on the board should have a right to vote.  

I stumbled across their video on Facebook, hours before the Newark Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. The students, poised and prepared, attended the meeting to offer a solution.

They want the student representative on the board to have a vote on issues when the district resumes local control from the state this summer. It's important to them, especially following  21 years of oversight.

"There might be some people that believe that students have a voice, but the fact is that we are not being well-represented,'' said Vivian Peralta, a senior and valedictorian at Barringer High School.

A real seat at the table, they believe, would change that. So would creating their own citywide student school board -- comprised of one representative from each school -- to provide their perspective on issues affecting them. An olive branch from the district also would be meaningful, in their opinion.

"How many of you have reached out to the students, the ones directly affected by your policies, rulings and decisions?" asked Quan'ye White, 15, a sophomore at North Star Academy.

Engagement is doable. So is the idea of a student-run board.

Adding a student vote to the regular school board, however, is not up to the district.

Superintendent Christopher Cerf and Board Chairman Marques-Aquil Lewis said that a student vote would require new legislation to reconfigure the nine-member board.

"That is not something that either I or the elected school board can confer,'' Cerf said in a telephone interview. "The composition of the board, the number of board members, the timing of the election is all set by statute."

If that's not possible, the students need something moving forward. See, they also attended the meeting to support Laura Gould, the elected student representative on the board, who believes the position is nothing more than a title.

"In general, I feel like I was kept out of the loop of board conversations,'' Gould said during the meeting.

For much of the year, said Gould, a 17-year-old senior at Science Park High School, she was trying to figure out where she fit in, having been given a role that should have influence. But she soon learned the position held little weight.

"The general attitude toward my role is that it does not matter," she observed.

Gould's predecessor, Ramon Melendez, said he understands her frustration.

"I always came to meetings and my folder would be slimmer than the rest, meaning I was missing information," Melendez said.

Lewis, who in 2009 was the youngest member ever elected to the board, at age 21, apologized to Laura, telling her that he doesn't want the next student representative to have the same disappointing experience. Overall, though, he said the board in past years has done a good job including student representatives.

Cerf said he admires and respects Gould, but he believes the district worked closely with her to make her time on the board meaningful and successful.

The district, he said, is here to serve students and that's why their collective message as Youth Media Symposium participants hit home. He was impressed with what they had to say.

"Having one student to represent 66 schools in Newark is not realistic,''' Rachel Small said of a district that encompasses 36,000 students. "Without power, we will continue to feel like our voices are not important.''

 MORE CARTER: Newark honors native killed in Charleston, S.C. massacre

The student board, said 15-year-old KryJuan Roberson, would allow them to hold the Board of Education accountable.

"Return to local control must include a place for us,''  said Roberson, a freshman at Central High School. "We want to make sure you don't ignore us this time around.''

Cerf said he plans to meet with them soon. He can expect to hear about school lunch. It's not good, the students say. Many of them sneak in sandwiches or buy snacks from school fundraisers and concession-type stores inside some of the school buildings.

Finally, he can expect them to speak about emotional support. It'd be nice, they say, if teachers would ask how they're doing sometimes. Instruction is important, but they are, too.

Board members praised the students for speaking up, telling them they are their own best advocate. That is in keeping with the sound guidance from Junius Williams, the founder and director of the Rutgers' Abbott Leadership.

"We give them permission to be as great as they really are,'' Williams said. "We feel  they are able to amplify their voices and control the message."

Lewis said the citywide student board concept is similar to the student government organization the district had when Marion Bolden was superintendent from 1999 to 2008. He said the organization had a student representative from each school to share concerns with the Board of Education.

If it worked then, it can work now.

Student voices do matter.

Barry Carter: (973) 836-4925 or bcarter@starledger.com or http://connect.nj.com/user/bcarter/posts.html

or follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL

Irvington High School 2017 prom (PHOTOS)

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RAHWAY - Irvington High School held its 2017 prom on May 25th at the Ariana's Grand. The evening started with a red carpet walk and toast send off at the high school and then students went to Ariana's Grand where they danced to the music played by DJ SonicBoom. Be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom. Irvington 2016 Prom (PHOTOS) Irvington 2015 Prom...

RAHWAY - Irvington High School held its 2017 prom on May 25th at the Ariana's Grand. The evening started with a red carpet walk and toast send off at the high school and then students went to Ariana's Grand where they danced to the music played by DJ SonicBoom.

Be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom.

Irvington 2016 Prom (PHOTOS)

Irvington 2015 Prom (PHOTOS)

Irvington 2015 Prom gallery 2 (PHOTOS)

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @njdotcom and on Instagram @njdotcom. Then tag your photos #njprom. We'll retweet and repost the best pics! 

Aristide Economopoulos can be reached at aeconomopoulos@njadvancemedia.com and you can follow him on Twitter at @AristideNJAM and Instagram at @aeconomopoulos  Find NJ.com on Facebook

Glen Ridge police chief sued for sex harassment by her former assistant

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The borough's first woman police chief is accused of sexual intimidation, ethnic ridicule, and abuses of authority that included attempts to fix tickets and falsify an officer's performance review

Glen Ridge Police Chief by David Gard .jpgGlen Ridge Police Chief Sheila Byron-Lagattuta has been accused of sexual harassment in suit by her former assistant 

GLEN RIDGE -- Glen Ridge Police Chief Sheila Byron-Lagattuta is being sued for harassment for the second time in a year.

Byron-Lagattuta's former personal assistant alleged in a suit filed earlier this month that the chief made inappropriate sexual remarks to her, ridiculed her Dominican accent and created such a hostile work environment that the assistant eventually resigned.

The May 10 harassment suit by 30-year-old Thanny Rodriquez of West Orange is the second one in less than a year filed against Byron-Lagattuta, who in 2010 became the borough's first woman police chief.

Last year, Glen Ridge Police Sgt. Meritt Carr filed a harassment suit against Byron-Lagattuta, charging he was the victim of repeated abuse and misconduct by the chief, including one incident in which she allegedly pressured him to falsify a performance review Carr had conducted to make the other officer's performance appear worse.

The sergeant is represented by the same lawyer who filed the Rodriquez suit, Paul Campano, and Carr's suit is also pending.

Byron-Lagattuta did not respond to a request for comment.

The suit by Rodriquez, filed in state Superior Court in Newark, charges that the relationship between Rodriquez and Byron-Lagattuta began on unusually favorable terms. Rodriquez had been Byron-Lagattuta's masseuse, when the chief began urging Rodriquez to apply for a job as a dispatcher, the suit states.

The chief persisted, despite Rodriguez' insistence that she was unqualified for the job, the suit said. But in July of 2014, after being assured she would be trained, Rodriquez applied for the job and was immediately hired, the suit states.

Just two weeks later, the chief offered to promote Rodriguez to a job as her "confidential" assistant, the suit states. Rodriquez again expressed concern that she was unqualified, but again relented and took the job after assurances from Byron-Lagattuta.  

Then things began to sour, according to the suit.

"Almost immediately, Byron-Lagattuta began implementing a style of management over Rodriguez that was meant to distress, harass, intimidate and dominate," the suit states. "Rodriquez was forced to live through daily discriminatory and harassing tactics employed by Defendants, causing her extreme discomfort and stress."

Ian Doris, the lawyer retained by the borough to fight the suit, declined to comment on specific allegations and he said he had not yet filed papers in response to the complaint. Broadly speaking, however, Doris rejected the allegations as "baseless."

"We can't comment on the factual allegations," Doris said. "But for the chief's sake, we're looking forward to the truth coming out in the course of the litigation."

The suit says Byron-Lagattuta would mock of Rodriguez' Dominican accent, insist that she straighten her naturally frizzy hair -- straight hair made Rodrguez look like one of "Charlie's Angels" -- and make frequent, sexually charged comments about her appearance.

 "Sexual intimidation was Byron-Lagattuta's goal, whether inviting compliments or making her own inappropriate sexual observations," the suit states. "Byron-Lagattuta even gave Rodriquez a pet name, 'Toots,' and often suggested she was 'smoking hot."

The suit also charged that Byron-Lagattuta would receive visits by a woman she said was her manicurist, who would then spend time alone with the chief in her private office. During these visits, Rodriguez was told never to disturb the chief, according to the suit.

"Upon emerging from her office, Byron-Lagattuta made suggestive and indelicate comments indicating a sexual encounter took place," the suit states.

The suit says Rodriguez was once told by Byron-Lagattuta to "take care of" parking tickets the manicurist had been issued during one such visit.

In addition to the chief, defendants include Glen Ridge Borough and officials including Borough Administrator Michael Rohal, asserting that they knew or should have known of the chief's conduct. The suit demands a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damage for emotional distress Rodriquez suffered.

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


Pit/pointer mix needs a home

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CALDWELL -- Griff is a 3-year-old pointer/pit bull terrier mix in the care of the Rescue Haven Foundation. Currently boarded at a veterinarian's office, he needs a home soon. Volunteers describe him as "a lovable, energetic and outgoing dog;" he gets along with most dogs his size and would do best at a home with a fenced-in yard. Griff has...

ex0528pet.jpgGriff 

CALDWELL -- Griff is a 3-year-old pointer/pit bull terrier mix in the care of the Rescue Haven Foundation.

Currently boarded at a veterinarian's office, he needs a home soon.

Volunteers describe him as "a lovable, energetic and outgoing dog;" he gets along with most dogs his size and would do best at a home with a fenced-in yard. Griff has been neutered and is up-to-date on shots.

For more information on Griff, email donnarescuehaven@gmail.com or go to rescuehaven.org. The rescue foundation is a nonprofit group that rescues dogs from animal shelters and provides foster care until they are adopted.

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 Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Hit-by-pitch leaders, May's best and more hot topics in N.J. baseball

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Great buzz under the radar

Orange High School prom 2017 (PHOTOS)

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Students celebrated prom at the Brooklake Country Club.

FLORHAM PARK -- Orange High School seniors celebrated their prom night in style.

Hundreds of students packed the Brooklake Country Club on May 25, donning snazzy tuxedos and full-length gowns, as friends and family members gathered outside to snap photos that would capture the event.

Teachers and other school staff members waited inside for kids to arrive, where they were greeted with a photo booth, portrait photographers, a fancy dinner, and of course, lots of dancing.

Check out the gallery above to see moments from the Orange High School Class of 2017's prom. And, see where and when other seniors from Essex County high schools will be celebrating here.

MORE PHOTOS

Prom season is in full swing and NJ.com is capturing the moments for many New Jersey high schools. Check back at nj.com/essex for other local high school prom coverage in the coming weeks.

Be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom.

BUY THESE PHOTOS

Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link in the photo caption. You'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Let's see your prom photos. Post your pictures on Twitter and Instragram with #njprom. We'll retweet and repost our favorites on Twitter @njdotcom and Instagram @njdotcompix.

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

Picks & previews for 8 boys lacrosse section finals and all 4 non-public semis

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NJ Advance Media previews all 12 of this weekend's games.

Glimpse of History: Bravery above and beyond the call

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SOUTH ORANGE -- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Peter Spencer Connor of South Orange was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Viet Cong forces at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" in Vietnam in 1968. Leading his platoon on a search and destroy operation, Connor...

SOUTH ORANGE -- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Peter Spencer Connor of South Orange was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against enemy Viet Cong forces at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" in Vietnam in 1968.

Leading his platoon on a search and destroy operation, Connor chose to hold a defective grenade against his body and absorb the explosion to spare his comrades.

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 middlesex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries on nj.com.

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

N.J. 8th graders reportedly snub Paul Ryan at D.C. photo opp

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According to a report, about half of the South Orange students on a field trip refused to take a photo with the Speaker.

SOUTH ORANGE -- Are kids refusing a photo with a prominent politician exercising their free speech, or being disrespectful?

That debate has stirred in South Orange after a group of 8th grade students reportedly refused to take a photo with Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan while on a trip to Washington, D.C.

According to a report from The Village Green, the group of South Orange Middle School students were touring the Capitol during a field trip when they were offered the photo opp. About half of the students refused, while the other half took the picture, the report said.

Students told the local news site they had varied reasons for turning down the picture, including that they did not agree with political views expressed by Ryan, a Republican. South Orange is an overwhelmingly Democratic town in Essex County.

According to the report, parents took to social media to express varied reactions to the kids' refusal, with one saying she was "proud" of the students' "powerful statement." Another parent, the report said, wrote "Meeting our representatives is an honor for a kid...I do feel if there had been some conservative school where the kids refused to pose with President Obama, we would have been appalled by that."

A spokesman for Ryan said, "Speaker Ryan always appreciates the opportunity to welcome students to the Capitol." Ryan also posted a photo of the visit to his Instagram account.

A spokeswoman for the South Orange Maplewood school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Got that #FridayFeeling [?]

A post shared by Speaker Paul Ryan (@speakerryan) on

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

Man tied, stabbed, and shot family during savage attack, authorities allege

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A grand jury has handed down a 29-count indictment against Jeremy Arrington, of Newark, in a November 2016 attack and triple murder.

NEWARK -- A grand jury has handed down a 29-count indictment against a Newark man who they allege terrorized a city family last year, attacking as many as eight people, and stabbing six - killing a 23-year-old woman and two children.

The indictment charges Jeremy Arrington, 27, with three counts of murder, alleging he fatally shot Syasia McBurroughs, and stabbed siblings Aerial Little Whitehurst, 8, and Al-Jahon Whitehurst, 11, during the Nov. 5, 2016 attack, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced in a release Friday.

Authorities say Arrington confronted everyone inside a Hedden Terrace home that night, most of whom lived there, but some, like McBurroughs, a family friend, who were visiting.

In the indictment announcement, Murray said Arrington allegedly broke into the home, and tied up six people who were inside before shooting or stabbing them. Three other people who were tied and stabbed - two 13-year-old twins and a 29-year-old woman - survived the attack, authorities said. He is also accused of assaulting two other people in the home, Murray said.

The violent criminal past of man accused in killings

In addition to murder, Arrington was also indicted on attempted murder, aggravated assault, burglary, felony murder, criminal restraint, terroristic threats, tampering with evidence and weapons offenses, Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who is handling the case, said in the release.

Prosecutors have said Arrington, who knew the family that lived in the home, was angered when one of the victims shared a post on Facebook about his wanted status in an Oct. 9 shooting and sexual assault of a woman he knew. He was arrested the day after the murders, and subsequently pleaded not guilty.

Arrington will be arraigned June 12, authorities said.

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

 

Police seek public's help finding Newark bank robbery suspect

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The TD Bank on Mulberry Street was hit Friday morning

NEWARK -- A bank in the 100 block of Mulberry Street was robbed Friday morning, police said.

The robbery occurred at the TD Bank around 10:30 a.m.

The suspect handed the teller a note demanding money and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. He was last seen walking north on Mulberry towards Penn Station.

Screenshot (163).pngStills from surveillance video show the suspect in a bank robbery that took place in Newark Friday, May 26, 2017 (Newark police)  

Police are asking the public's help identifying the suspect, who was caught on surveillance video. Anyone with information can call the 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 may result in a reward.

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

 

Newark man arrested for burglary

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NEWARK -- A 24-year-old city man was arrested Friday for burglary after he was caught leaving a home with a bag of tools, police said. Officers arrived at a Watson Street home around 6 a.m. after receiving reports of someone trying to get inside. Tyheed O'Neil was arrested as he was leaving the home with the tools, according to police....

NEWARK -- A 24-year-old city man was arrested Friday for burglary after he was caught leaving a home with a bag of tools, police said.

Officers arrived at a Watson Street home around 6 a.m. after receiving reports of someone trying to get inside. Tyheed O'Neil was arrested as he was leaving the home with the tools, according to police.

In addition to burglary, O'Neil has also been charged with criminal mischief.

 

Sectional track and field championships, 2017: Results, photos and links

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NJ.com is your place for extensive coverage of the track and field sectional championships

The road to the NJSIAA Meet of Champions starts today as athletes from all over the state try to keep their seasons alive at the Sectional Championships. 

Athletes are split into 20 groups, across five sections and eight locations as they try to advance to next week's Group Championships by placing in the top six. 


FULL RESULTS: Boys events | Girls events


Action gets underway Friday at 3:30 p.m. and resume Saturday at 10 a.m.  

NJ.com will be on hand at seven of the state's eight locations.

Below is your one-stop-shop for everything you need -- live coverage, results, photos, stories, previews and more. We'll be adding more links throughout the weekend so check back often. 

MEET COVERAGE
Complete coverage from Ridge -- North, Section 2, Groups 1, 4 & Non-Public A 
Complete coverage from Hillsborough -- Central Jersey, Groups 1 and 4
Complete coverage from River Dell -- North Jersey, Section 1, Groups 2 and 3 (still to come)

RESULTS 
Results will be added as they become available
Boys results and full coverage for all 20 sections
Girls results and full coverage for all 20 sections

FRIDAY'S BOYS STORIES 
• Meet the Flying Swiss: Princeton's Simon Schenk takes over state lead in pole vault
 Fort Lee's Tahj Martin gets two 1st place finishes on Day 1 at North 2, Group 2-3 sectional championships
• Matawan dominating Central Jersey, Group 2 after one day with several records falling
• Shore's Drew Maher stays alive for sectional 4-peat after 1,600-meter duel
• Late push puts North Hunterdon's Richards on the map
• Yarayah Hawkins of Highland is surprise 1,600 winner in South Jersey, Group 3 (PHOTOS) 
Franklin's Mario Heslop breaks as comeback story builds in Central Jersey, Group 4
• 'Each mark he hits, he's always ready for the next one.' Roxbury's Sembrat wins N1, G3 400m sectional title

FRIDAY'S GIRLS STORIES 
• Sydney McLaughlin wins hurdles and 400, Alyssa Wilson takes discus in South A meet (PHOTOS)
 West Essex's trio of Blum, Richards and Geiger capture 4 individual titles at North 1, Group 3 meet 
• Kyra Velock leads Mountain Lakes with two 1st place finishes on Day 1 at North 2, Group 2-3 meet 
• Allentown and Lawrence in close competition in Central Jersey, Group 3 meet
• Gloucester Catholic's McGonigle earns high jump title at South Jersey, Non-Public B (PHOTOS)  
 Ridge's Creedon, Paramus Catholic's Bautista take two gold medals on Day 1 
 Alentown girls track team in position to win Central Jersey, Group 3 title

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

New drama for Jared Kushner, in a family familiar with controversy

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Reports that Jared Kushner has become part of the FBI inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election is the latest drama for a New Jersey family that has been no stranger to political controversy.

Jared Kushner's father is immensely proud of his son, according to family friend.

Kushner, now a high-level advisor to President Donald Trump and married to his daughter, plays a major role in the new administration and is involved in all major policy decisions.

The son of real estate developer Charles Kushner--who went to prison more than a decade ago in a case spearheaded by then-U.S. Attorney and now Gov. Chris Christie--Jared Kushner has always been close to his dad. He would fly to Alabama on the weekends to visit him when he was in prison. He took the reins of the family business while still a student in law school.

But the disclosure this week that Kushner has become part of the FBI's investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election served to further underscore the drama of the Kushner family, which first came into the public spotlight with Charles Kushner's arrest in 2004.

Who is Jared Kushner?

Jared Kushner, with no background in politics or diplomacy, has emerged as one of the prime forces in the Trump White House, including the oversight of an effort to reorganize the federal government and finding an accord to the decades-long stalemate in the Middle East.

He helped put together the president's recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Vatican. He was also reportedly the one who pushed for the firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

Now, while he has not been accused of any wrongdoing, investigators are said to be focusing on meetings he held in December with the Russian ambassador and a banker from Moscow, according to the Washington Post, in connection with the probe into Moscow's possible interference.

Late on Friday, the Washington Post reported, according to sources, that Jared Kushner asked about setting up a secret channel between Trump's transition team and Russia to shield discussions from oversight.

Jamie Gorelick, one of his attorneys, said in a statement that Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings and will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry.

While a novice in Washington, Kushner grew up in a political household that made its mark both in New Jersey and nationally, with his father's support of Democrats in a number of high-stakes elections.

Charles Kushner--who was on a first-name basis with Gov. James E. McGreevey and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani--was a major political fund-raiser in New Jersey. President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and Sen. Joseph Lieberman all paid calls at Kushner's offices in Florham Park, or his home in Livingston. McGreevey appointed him to become the powerful chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

It all came to an abrupt end in a family feud of biblical proportions that erupted in court between Charles Kushner and his older brother, Murray, who sued him.

Likened by some to the story of Jacob and Esau, the biblical tale of two cursed brothers and a grudge over a first-born's blessing, it grew from accusations of political fund-raising irregularities and charges that money was improperly diverted from business partners, into a lurid tale of sex, lies and videotape involving a prostitute.

In a federal criminal complaint in a case that had begun as a federal tax investigation and grew into something that sounded like it was lifted out of an episode of the Sopranos, authorities charged that Kushner had paid $25,000 to arrange for a prostitute to seduce a brother-in-law, and had videotapes of the motel tryst sent to his sister.

The U.S. Attorney's office accused Charles Kushner of trying to intimidate his sister, after she had taken Murray's side in the tax case and became a witness in the federal investigation that grew out of the feud.

Charles Kushner later pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for violating tax and campaign laws, and for obstruction of justice.

The sordid chapter, which weighed heavily on Jared Kushner, sparked much speculation during the election after Christie (who had aggressively pursued the prosecution and became allied with Trump after his own bid for president failed), was dumped from the Trump transition team after the election.

Christie, though, has repeatedly denied that he and Jared Kushner have a tense relationship.

"That stuff is ancient history," the New Jersey governor said during a television interview in March on ABC's "Good Morning America. "Jared and I get along just great."

Kushner, meanwhile, returned home this week from the president's trip overseas, and back into new controversy involving his meetings in December with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and another meeting he took with the chief of a Russian bank that had been placed on a sanctions list by the U.S. government.

Kushner failed to disclose those meetings when he applied for top security clearance.

Calling it an error, his attorney said the forms would be revised.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

'The world is yours,' judge and Essex County College alum tells new grads

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Essex County College graduated 1,318 students who received associate degrees and certifications in various disciplines.

NEWARK -- They came from 54 municipalities in the state, representing 26 countries. The oldest was 69 years old, the youngest was 18.

But on Friday, all 1,318 graduates of Essex County College gathered together at the Prudential Center in a sea of green robes for the college's 48th commencement -- ready to receive their associate degrees and certifications.

"What an impressive mosaic," said A. Zachary Yamba, the college's President Emeritus and former acting president. "This is the class of 2017. You have a lot to celebrate."

Essex County Superior Court Judge Bahir Kamil, who graduated Essex County College in 1981, told the graduates how the institution helped change his trajectory and eventually led him to Rutgers where he went to law school. 

"That's what did it for me. Essex County College was the change in my life," Kamil said, adding that the school was a "critical lifeline" in the community. "We turn no one away. These are individuals who would not have an opportunity to go into higher education, certificate programs."

Class valedictorian, Jessica Intili, of Caldwell, who will attend William Paterson University in the fall to major in public health, said the college challenged her to "dream a little bigger than I had dreamt before." 

"The true beauty of this college isn't usually apparent to people who haven't experienced it but now that you and I have lived it, you should recognize that colleges like this are the backbone to our community," Intili said. "There are graduates here today of every age, race and citizenship, we come from every walk of life and represent every language and culture."

Alyssa Hawkins, of Newark, was this year's class salutatorian. Hawkins will attend Seton Hall University in the fall and plans to become an attorney.

Kamil, who grew up in Newark, encouraged students to believe in themselves and forge a path forward. 

"You are change agents," he said. "Go out and contribute to the health and vitality of the communities that you come from." 

The college's new president, Anthony Munroe, who began this month, also addressed the graduates. 

"We all stand on the shoulders of many who have sacrificed on behalf of ourselves," he said. "Live your dreams class of 2017, you have earned it."

Five students who earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages - Mohamad Cheikhali, Zachary Cincotta, Elena Prokhorova, Matthew Simonetti and Medinilla Soares - led their peers in the procession. 

Graduate Esdras Malbranche also received the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship, worth $120,000 over three years. 

"Remember where you come from but dream to where you're going. If you want to know what the future looks like, start making it," Kamil said. "Whose world is this? The world is yours. Go out there and claim it."

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

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