He faces 30 years to life in prison at sentencing, according to the Prosecutor's Office

NEWARK -- A Watchung man convicted Wednesday of murder in the killing of his child's mother was found guilty Friday of additional weapons offenses in the same case, and faces the possibility of life in prison.

Latrena May. (Facebook)
 

After deliberating for just 20 minutes, a jury seated before Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler in Newark found Andre Higgs, 45, guilty of first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon as a prohibited person, according to Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case.

The same jury on Wednesday found Higgs guilty of murder, unlawfully possessing a weapon, possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose and hindering in the May 1, 2015 fatal shooting of Latrena May, a 27-year-old East Orange charter school teacher and the mother of Higgs' then 4-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors said Higgs, who has five prior felony convictions, shot May three times on the steps of her two-family building -- which Higgs' company owned -- in front of an East Orange police officer May had flagged down.

That officer, Detective Kemon Lee, subsequently shot Higgs, who retreated back into the home. The officer's use of force was later ruled justified by the state Attorney General's Office. At trial, Higgs' defense attorneys, Remi Spencer and Joseph P. Rem Jr., argued Lee fired first and caused Higgs' to inadvertently discharge a gun he had taken from May only moments before. 

Wigler declined to allow the defense to question Lee about prior shootings he was involved in as a police officer, which also were ruled justified.

Higgs, who took the stand in his own defense, claimed May had followed him out of the house with the gun after an argument.

Jury convicts man of teacher's killing

The jury ultimately acquitted Higgs of a charge of endangering a minor, which stemmed from his daughter's presence inside the home at the time of the shootings.

"Our client is actually quite enthused about his chances on appeal," Rem told NJ Advance Media Friday afternoon.

"He believes the judge's ruling prohibiting the jury from hearing about Officer Lee's checkered past and prior shootings left him literally fighting for his life with one arm tied behind his back. He's confident that he will prevail on appeal."

Higgs faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, according to statement from the Prosecutor's Office.

His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 7.

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

Two men face drug and weapons charges.

(Photos: Dept. of Public Safety) 

NEWARK -- Police seized two loaded guns and various drugs after separate arrests Thursday in Newark, authorities said. 

Detectives received a report of a person with a gun on the 500 block of Clinton Avenue around 10:25 p.m. and stopped a man matching the description in the area, according to city Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

Police found the man, Hakeem O. White, 30, had a loaded .22 caliber handgun, 69 Oxycodone pills, four vials of crack cocaine and about $853, Ambrose said in a statement. The Newark resident was arrested on drug and weapons charges.

Also on Thursday, rookie Newark officers were on patrol on the 700 block of South Orange Avenue when they were alerted by East Orange detectives about a man with a gun, according to authorities.

Newark police arrested the man, Alonzo L. McMiller, who had a loaded .45 caliber handgun, 19 vials of cocaine, 41 glassine envelopes of heroin and $232 in drug money, authorities said. 

McMiller, 31, of Newark, was also charged with drug and weapons-related offenses.

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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The life of Christopher Gibbs, 17, president of the class of 2017 at Barringer Academy of the Arts and Humanities in Newark, was celebrated at this year's commencement.

NEWARK -- The mood was celebratory and joyous at the Barringer Academy of the Arts and Humanities commencement ceremony Thursday evening.

Parents and friends of this year's class lined the outdoor bleachers at Newark Schools Stadium, buying shinny silver balloons with messages of congratulations on their way in.

The only thing missing from this night of pomp and circumstance was the president of the graduating class, Christopher Gibbs, 17, who was struck and killed by a truck near his Newark home on prom night.

Gibbs' friends called him "CJ", and he was best known for his warm hugs and "gentile giant" sensibilities.      

Although the school was in mourning, the faculty and student body were choosing to celebrate the legacy Gibbs left behind, said Principal Kimberly Honnick.

"Our hearts are broken, but we choose to celebrate the life that 'CJ' lived, because if we didn't focus on that we would not be doing him justice," Honnick said. "'CJ' loved school, he loved to learn, he was kind, he was loving. He truly was that presence in our school.

Jim Leonard, senior vice president for the New Jersey Devils, charmed the crowd by taking a few photos of the graduates and audience. He said his daughter believes nothing is real until it's on Snapchat.

During his speech, Leonard gave grads four guiding principles to help them navigate the road ahead: be present, focus on what's most important, always push your limits and spread kindness and love at every turn.

"Each act of kindness creates ripples that impact hundreds of others," Leonard said. "Be known as the person who spreads kindness - it's a wonderful thing to be known for."

Gibbs was hit by a tractor trailer while crossing McCarter Highway near 4th Avenue at 11:30 p.m. on June 1. He was returning home from a nearby convenience store. 

Every speech during last night's engagement mentioned Gibbs' legacy, including the address by keynote speaker, and a New Jersey gubernatorial candidate, Jim Johnson. Barringer's Salutatorian Kiara Tiffany Flores also dedicated her speech to his memory. An empty white folding chair on the stage displayed a poster-size photo of Gibbs wearing his graduation gown.

There also was a moment of silence in his memory.

Gibbs' father planned on receiving his son's diploma, but changed his mind, according to a school official. As Barringer's 110 grads and families left, Gibbs' father walked on to the arena field picking up his son's diploma in private.     

The school held a memorial, a candlelight vigil and opened a forum for students to express themselves about losing their classmate and friend, Honnick said. 

Honnick said Gibbs was overjoyed to be elected class president and honored with the Newark Public Schools Superintendent's "3E" Award, which recognizes academic excellence for graduating seniors. 

David J. Del Grande may be reached at ddelgrande@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SLOSONE. Find NJ.com on Facebook.    

Two Jersey guys set the table for Mitch McConnell's tax trough. Watch video

So this is the new American ethos, as our ruling majority and a few lawmakers from New Jersey envision it:

We must strip 23 million people of their health care coverage, so that millionaires and billionaires can get a $50,000 tax cut.

We must eliminate Planned Parenthood funding for a year, because 13 men decided that the 2.5 million women who rely on it for birth control and cancer screenings can live with less care and more unintended pregnancies.

And we must take a meat axe to the only provider for the most vulnerable population, the 74 million children, elderly, poor, and disabled covered by Medicaid.

These are the bell-ringers from the Senate's "Better Care Reconciliation Act," and if the House repeal of Obamacare was "mean," the Senate version is malicious, with even deeper Medicaid cuts.

And just think: Two wonks from Jersey made this looming disaster possible.

This happened because Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3^rd Dist.) revived the House bill with a brainstorming amendment that allows insurers to charge exorbitantly for pre-existing conditions.

And it happened because Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11^th Dist.) changed his mind about withholding support, because at this point he'll do anything to keep his committee chairmanship.

Trump's betrayal exposes MacArthur and Frelinghuysen | Moran

Duly inspired, the Senate Republicans took a House bill with a robust 17-percent approval rate and released its own toxic version after weeks of private negotiations that did not include a single public hearing or Democratic input.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a superb Parliamentarian and a second-rate human being, wants a vote before his co-conspirators face their voters during the July recess, and judging by the scene outside his office Thursday - when disabled people were hauled into police vans - the PR campaign is off to a splendid start.

Memo to MacArthur: You are the source of fear, not death panels | Editorial

The protests are likely to get louder outside MacArthur HQ in Toms River and Frelinghuysen HQ in Morristown, which is well-earned. Republicans say this was the fix voters demanded, which is a lie on a Trumpian ("I'm not going to touch Medicaid") scale; the mandate was to bring premiums down, and to stop insurance companies from dropping out of the marketplace.

Instead, the CBO score next week will likely confirm that the GOP considers 23 million Americans collateral damage in a giant tax break scheme.

This is not what government is supposed to do. And people like MacArthur and Frelinghuysen should stop pretending that most Americans are as immoral as they are.

Are your interests being served in Congress? Use this tool to keep track.

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Authorities allege the man dumped bags, packing and wrapping material, and Styrofoam outside a closed housing authority complex.

NEWARK -- Officials have arrested a Newark man who they say dumped big bags of trash outside an abandoned housing complex.

Walton-Muhammad. (Courtesy Newark police)
 

Police said Jamal Walton-Muhammad, 43, a driver for The Best Deal Discount Furniture in Newark, allegedly dumped large furniture bags, packing and wrapping material, and Styrofoam outside a closed housing authority complex on Rose Street near the intersection of Jelliff Avenue on June 15.

Walton-Muhammad was arrested this week on illegal dumping and other related charges, police said.

Police said anyone with information on illegal dumping in the city is asked to report it to police at 877-695-8477877-695-4867.

The furniture store could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.

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

Among those picked up were several wanted for robbery, assault and shootings

NEWARK-- A joint operation involving the police division and the New Jersey State Police has resulted in the apprehension of 60 people wanted on outstanding warrants since June 1, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement Friday.

The operation, which included members of the Special Enforcement Bureau, Fugitive Apprehension Team (F.A.T.) and Narcotics Unit in conjunction with the State Police focused on  181 violent offenders with open warrants. Among those arrested were suspects with warrants for robbery, theft and weapons offenses, including shootings.

Among those arrested were city residents Jihad Anderson, 21, who was wanted following his June 1 arrest on charges of assault and weapons offenses; Radee S. Foye, 18, who was wanted following his June 14 arrest on weapons charges; and Dawud Q. West, 28, who was arrested June 16 for possession of a sawed-off shotgun -- a prohibited weapon -- and possession of a defaced weapon.

"I commend the officers, detectives and supervisors who facilitated the success of this operation from both the Newark Police Division and the New Jersey State Police," Ambrose said.

"Removing violent offenders from our streets results in safer neighborhoods and enhanced quality of life for our residents and visitors."

"This massive roundup sends a message to the good, law abiding residents of Newark that we will not allow wanted criminals to roam freely with impunity," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

"We will continue to work diligently with Newark police, and I commend all of the troopers and officers involved with this operation."

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

The lessons of the Democrats' defeat in 2016 have not been lost on Phil Murphy. Watch video

TRENTON -- Former Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) has emerged as a top contender to be Democratic nominee for governor Phil Murphy's running mate, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

Oliver, New Jersey's first African-American woman Assembly Speaker who led the lower house of the Legislature from 2010 to 2014, is highly regarded for the lieutenant governor's spot for reasons of resume and demography.

"She brings intimate knowledge of Trenton and the workings of how legislation moves," said one insider with direct knowledge of the Murphy campaign's thinking. "Which is probably an added benefit, coming to someone of Phil's position."

Murphy spent 23 years as a top executive at investment bank Goldman Sachs and served as U.S. Ambassador to Germany during President Obama's first term, but has no experience in New Jersey government.  

Murphy's campaign strategist, Brendan Gill, declined to comment on the search for a running mate, and a Murphy campaign insider stressed that there was no decision made yet.

Who will be Murphy, Guadagno's running mates?

Oliver, reached by phone on Friday by NJ Advance Media, said she'd heard she was under consideration, but said she hadn't been formally offered the slot and declined to comment on her chances for getting it.

"That's something you'd have to ask Ambassador Murphy," said Oliver. 

But one Democratic lawmaker who'd been under consideration for the slot was emphatic: "I hear it's Sheila."

Bridget Harrison, a professor of law and political science at Montclair State University, who said she'd heard Oliver was in strong contention for the slot, noted that  choosing Oliver would benefit Murphy in several ways. 

"With Oliver having served as Speaker, she brings a skill set that many have noticed is likely lacking in Murphy's toolbox," said Harrison. And, Harrison added: "The importance of African American voters was demonstrated heavily in the 2016 election."

Former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Sheila Oliver listens to Phil Murphy at a an event at the D'lorice Banquet Hall. Tuesday April 19, 2016. Irvington, NJ, USA (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

Hillary Clinton won New Jersey by 14 points last year but Barack Obama carried the state by 17.7 points in 2012.

What's more, exit polling data shows Clinton's failed 2016 presidential bid was informed by weaker turnout by African- Americans and stronger-than-expected turnout among white and Hispanic voters. New Jersey mirrored that trend.

The lowest voter turnout in 2016 was in Essex County, at 59 percent -- three and a half percentage points lower than in 2012, when Obama was reelected.

Essex is 42 percent white and 40 percent black.

"Self-aware Democrats walked away recognizing that it's hugely important that the concerns of African- Americans are addressed," said Harrison. "[Voters of color] are asking, 'Is this a candidate who listens to people like me?'"

Oliver is on a sizeable list of women of color said to be under consideration by Murphy, including state Sen. Shavonda Sumter (D-Essex), Camden mayor and former state senator Dana Redd, as well as state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) and Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

But one Murphy campaign insider stressed the former Assembly Speaker in particular has credibility with the communities she's represented, is a compelling public speaker and comes across as someone with a deep understanding of state and local political issues.

Oliver is "top of the class in all those elements," according this Murphy campaign insider, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the vetting process.

With the exception Redd, all of Murphy's choices for lieutenant governor are from north Jersey, something that Harrison said may be a nod to a potential changes in state Assembly leadership. 

Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) is facing a challenge from Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) who last month announced he'd cobbled together a patchwork of central and southern Jersey lawmakers to defeat Prieto when lawmakers choose leaders after the November election. 

Giving the lieutenant governorship to a north Jersey lawmaker like Oliver helps assuage worry among northern county leaders that they're losing influence in Trenton. The state Senate is led by south Jersey's Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester).

"If it appears that north Jersey is losing the Assembly," said Harrison. "Then giving her the lieutenant governorship can be used to placate those concerns."

Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Does it seem like your favorite performers are getting grayer? They are, and that's good for them and for the concert halls.

Summer is always concert season, but some may have noticed many of the musicians taking the stage this year are, well, seasoned. 

To name just a few: Don McLean will play Saturday night at Bergen PAC; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, four decades into their careers, recently played the Prudential Center; Herman's Hermits and The Buckinghams turn up on a double bill in August at Mayo PAC; and King Crimson will perform at the Count Basie Theatre in July.

Classic rock shows are routinely a venue's best selling concert events, said Fred Jacobs, president and founder of Jacobs Media, a Michigan-based research and consulting firm serving media companies.  

One reason for that success is that these shows are attracting more than fans who heard the music when it was first released. Younger fans are hearing the music -- maybe played by their parents or on a TV show, a commercial or in a movie. One of this summer's assumed blockbusters, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2" has a soundtrack filled with classics, including songs by Electric Light Orchestra, Fleetwood Mac and Cheap Trick.

"It's amazing how many millennials love classic rock. It's become a multi-generational format," Jacobs said. "You can see the wide-ranging demographic spread in the audience. It's not just people with white hair holding AARP cards. There are a lot of young people."

What's considered "classic rock?"  Depends on who is answering the question. Jacobs says the term usually refers to music released n the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Some responders also include the 1990s.

"Everyone has a version of Mount Rushmore, the four heads on the mountain. The Beatles, The Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin. ... Freddie Mercury, Bono, Steven Tyler and Donald Fagan," Jacobs said. "This music has stood the test of time."

Ed Kirchdoerffer, general manager of Mayo Performing Arts Center, agreed that classic rock concerts fill theaters. Songs from the 1950s and early 1960s by bands with a softer sound are also crowd pleasers, he said.

Among Mayo's summer line-up: The Righteous Brothers, the 50 Summers of Love tour featuring Micky Dolenz of the Monkees and the Happy Together tour anchored by members of The Turtles, The Box Tops and The Archies.

"They're fun shows and people have a great time ... The artist appreciate the audience coming out to support them and the audience is appreciate of the artists out there working hard, not calling it in," Kirchdoerffer said. "They may have a few extra pounds and gray hair, but we all do and the audience is forgiving."

More established acts can also draw audiences by adding "last" or "final" to the word "tour." Aerosmith members have said their current European run is part of their "farewell tour." They're "Aero-Vederci Baby."

"You never really know when it will really be the last time to see an artist or a band. That's a catalyst that causes people to go, 'Hey, I want to be part of history. It's worth it to pay $200 to see this band.' " Jacobs said. "The Who has had a number of final tours and now they just signed on with a Las Vegas casino (for a three week run.)"

Creative pairings and approaches also pop up during the summer, like the Hall and Oates/Tears for Fears tour. The Retro Futura Tour features '80s stand outs like Modern English, Men Without Hats and Howard Jones. Asia's current tour is a tribute to singer/songwriter John Wetton, who died earlier this year. 

And even after the last Rolling Stone has shimmied off the stage, fans will still want to hear their music and still attend concerts that offer it, Jacobs predicted. 

"We still love to hear music from dead guys," he said, "whether it's Jimi Hendrix or Beethoven." 

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

The school in Essex County graduated 458 students Friday.

LIVINGSTON -- Livingston High School graduated 458 students Friday in a ceremony on the school's athletic field. 

Valedictorian Howie Shen and salutatorian Kevin Xiang addressed their classmates.

The school's choir and band performed, and students were awarded medallions for academic achievement.

Flip through our photos above for highlights of the ceremony.

MORE PHOTOS

Graduation season is here and NJ.com is capturing the moments for many New Jersey high schools. Check back at nj.com/middlesex for other local high school graduation coverage. Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at nj.com/graduation.

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Graduates of the Essex County school tossed straw hats instead of traditional mortarboards

GLEN RIDGE -- Dressed in white gowns and tuxedos, more than 140 seniors of the Glen Ridge High School Class of 2017 received diplomas Friday night. 

Proud parents and family members filled the packed Ridgewood Avenue School auditorium to hear Superintendent Dirk Philips and Principal Louis Melchor offer advice to the students, ranging from making the right choices to dealing with struggles down the road. 

In her speech, Valedictorian Emily Duffus assured classmates they are "moving onto bigger things."

"True happiness comes from when we do things that are hard for us," said Duffus, who will be attending Rice Univerity in the fall.

"Now is our chance to challenge ourselves," she said. 

A total of 19 students achieved High Honor Roll for receiving high marks throughout every semester of high school. 

After everyone officially graduated, students threw straw hats into the air rather than the traditional graduation caps. 

MORE PHOTOS

Graduation season is here and NJ.com is capturing the moments for many New Jersey high schools. Check back at nj.com/middlesex for other local high school graduation coverage. Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at nj.com/graduation.

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SHARE YOUR GRADUATION PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Essex County College's president says the school received complaints after Adjunct Professor Lisa Durden appeared on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.'

NEWARK -- Weeks after an adjunct professor was suspended in the wake of a raucous appearance on a Fox News television show, the college's president is speaking out about the school's decision to fire her.

In a statement released Friday night, newly appointed Essex County College President Anthony Munroe said the school received complaints about adjunct communications professor Lisa Durden after her June 6 appearance on "Tucker Carlson Tonight."

"The college was immediately inundated with feedback from students, faculty and prospective students and their families expressing frustration, concern and even fear that the views expressed by a college employee (with influence over students) would negatively impact their experience on the campus," Munroe said in the statement.

"I fully believe that institutions of higher learning must provide a safe space for students... The character of this institution mandates that we embrace diversity, inclusion, and unity. Racism cannot be fought with more racism."

Fired president sues Essex County College

The controversy began after Durden's appearance, during which she defended the Black Lives Matter movement's decision to host a Memorial Day celebration in New York City to which only black people were invited. On the show, Durden's comments included, "You white people are angry because you couldn't use your white privilege card to get invited to the Black Lives Matter's all-black Memorial Day Celebration," and  "We want to celebrate today. We don't want anybody going against us today."

Durden said that although she did not identify herself as affiliated with Essex County College on the show, she was forced to cancel her classes and abruptly suspended two days later, a process she likened to a public lynching.

In the statement, Munroe acknowledged that Durden's appearance on the show did not mention the college, but said, "her employment with us and potential impact on students required our immediate review into what seemed to have become a very contentious and divisive issue."

Munroe said the school suspended her with pay for six working days, and after a public meeting at which Durden addressed the school's board on June 20, she was fired.

"The college affirms its right to select employees who represent the institution appropriately and are aligned with our mission," Munroe said, while noting it "supports and affirms the right of free speech and independent views and expressions of those views for our faculty and staff."

In a phone interview Friday, Durden said she has received a lot of support from other staff members and students, but compared her experience to a rape victim who is blamed for the crime, and a person who returns from war to a hostile environment. The Newark resident said she thought living in a "black and brown city" and working for a "black and brown college," she would be supported after a trying appearance on Fox News.

"It should be a safe place for me," she said of Essex County College. "I thought when I came home from war, I would be safe." Instead, she said, "I was fired."

Durden's attorney, Leslie Farber, said the two are considering taking legal action over her firing.

"I believe their first suspending and then firing her was directly because of her appearing on the Tucker Carlson TV show, and is a violation of her federal and state constitutional rights to free speech," Farber said.

The public school, Farber said, "can't prevent (employees) from speaking out on something, whether politics or other subjects."

See Durden's entire appearance on the show below.

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

175,000 gallons of water and a heavy rain gave the multiple sclerosis fundraiser a sloppy 5K course.

WEST ORANGE - A heavy, early-morning rain left its mark on the five kilometer obstacle course in South Mountain reservation today, as 5,000 participants ran, slid, crawled and even swam through the mud at MuckFest MS New Jersey.

The annual event in West Orange is one of 12 around the country which raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fund research and treatment of the disease that attacks the central nervous system and affects more than two million people worldwide. After this weekend's New Jersey event, the MuckFests will have raised over $27 million.

In New Jersey alone there are more that 14,000 people who have self-identified as having MS, according to Lisa Gallipoli, the president of the New Jersey Metro Chapter. The expected $500,000 that will be raised over the two-day event will help provide funding for those residents suffering with MS, said Gallipoli.

The 21-obstacle course needs 175,000 gallons of water to fill the pools and make the mud. Today, however, Gallipoli called the course "extra muddy" following the rain storms which ended just before the first flight was getting ready to take off at 9 a.m.

This year is the debut of a new feature called "Slippy Sloppy," which is a giant waterslide midway through the course and is a welcome feature for the participants who are all covered in mud by that point.

MuckFest MS New Jersey continues Sunday with another day of muddy fundraising. On-site registration is open until 10 a.m

John Munson may be reached at jmunson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @john_munson. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Newark launches task force to combat illegal dumping in the city.

NEWARK -- A law enforcement unit recently formed to target illegal dumping arrested the same truck driver within a week for discarding debris on a city street, officials said Saturday.

Members of the city's Illegal Dumping Task Force went to the 200 block of Fabyan Place Thursday afternoon to investigate a report of debris dumped there, according to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

"Two males arrived at the location, exited a white box truck and unloaded construction debris and furniture boxes before re-entering the truck and driving away," Ambrose said in a statement.

Task force officers identified Jamal Walton-Muhammad, 43, of Newark, as one of the men, according to officials. Walton-Muhammad, a driver for The Best Deal Discount Furniture in Newark, was charged with illegal dumping and illegal transport of solid waste. The second man has not been identified. 

Officials said the company's truck was used to transport the dumped materials. The arrest was the second time in a weeklong span that Newark authorities accused of Walton-Muhammad of illegal dumping. 

He allegedly dumped various debris outside a housing complex at Rose Street and Jelliff Avenue June 15. The furniture company could not be reached to comment.

Newark officials last week announced the formation of the Illegal Dumping Task Force, which includes police, fire and sanitation officials. Offenders, the city said, would have their vehicles towed, be fined for the cleanup and face criminal charges.

"Illegal dumping blights the beauty of our neighborhoods and diminishes the quality of life for all Newark residents," Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. "If you dump on Newark, you will be towed, fined, and even jailed."

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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Seven sent to area hospital after crash.

NEWARK -- Three firefighters and four civilians were sent to the hospital after a Newark Fire Division rescue truck that was responding to a blaze collided with a car in the city's North Ward Saturday, officials said.

(Photo courtesy of JOSEPH JOHN RAMOS/twitter.com/THEMAJESTIRIUM1 

Newark's Rescue 1 truck was heading to a fire on Mount Prospect Avenue, near Montclair Avenue, when it crashed at Orange Street and Clinton Avenue, according to city Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, who said the incident was under investigation.

None of the injuries were considered serious, police said. Several people involved in the crash complained of pains.

All of the injured were listed in stable condition, authorities said. The fire on Mount Prospect Avenue was later declared under control.

Witnesses say fire truck had sirens on when it slammed into 2 cars on Clifton Ave. in Newark, say injured captain jumped out, helped others. pic.twitter.com/WWJYklnnBz

-- CeFaan Kim (@CeFaanKim) June 24, 2017

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Several charges for having heroin, crack.

NEWARK -- Eight people were arrested on narcotics-related charges on a street in Newark's South Ward after police responded to complaints about drug activity in the area, officials said Friday.

The charges were for having heroin and cocaine, and for loitering in an area with the intent to purchase drugs, city Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose and Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino said in a joint statement.

Newark police, working as part of the Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force, focused Thursday on the 400 block of Irvine Turner Boulevard based on neighborhood complaints, according to officials.

"These law enforcement officers responded to residents' complaints and took the necessary action to rid their neighborhood of this criminal activity," Ambrose said.

Police identified the eight facing charges as Arnold Franklin, 62, Vincent Mendez, 59, of Newark, Bryant McMorris, 54, Jeorge Davila, 49, Victor Thomas, 57, Cynthia Jackson, 55, all of Elizabeth, Victor Lloyd, 50, of Irvington and Janice Bowers, 56, of Bound Brook.

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 Jersey Devils president Hugh Weber was the keynote speaker

NEWARK -- Family and friends in a packed auditorium watched as more than 180 Science Park High School seniors walked across a stage to receive their diplomas. 

Dressed in blue and yellow robes, the Class of 2017 was congratulated by Valedictorian Oscar Cosme-Lopez and keynote speaker Hugh Weber, president of the New Jersey Devils.

Seniors presented Weber-- also the president of Prudential Center-- with a banner featuring the New Jersey Devils logo and signatures from members of the class. During his speech, he wished the graduates well on the next chapter of their lives. 

Congrats to the 2017 graduates of Science Park HS thx for inviting me #dreamBIG #goDEVILS pic.twitter.com/BN0jLkqaup

-- Hugh Weber (@hughweber1) June 24, 2017

Student President Yariel Levin addressed his peers in a speech, telling them to work hard and "stay woke." 

The school's chorus and band performed before Principal Kathleen Tierney awarded the diplomas. A total of 182 students graduated.

Once the ceremony ended, students threw their graduation caps and glitter into the air in celebration. 

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Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

In a step toward rehabilitating a low income housing complex, a children's library was unveiled in Georgia King Village.

NEWARK -- In an effort to rehabilitate a Newark housing complex, a new children's library opened its doors to dozens of children eager to see the stacks of books lining the walls. 

The library is in the community room of Georgia King Village, an affordable housing community in Newark's West Ward.

Prior to Thursday's unveiling of the library, bookworms and occasional readers alike walked a mile to the nearest library.

"No one's walking from here to there," Debbie Kenyon, vice chair and senior partner at L+M Development Partners, said. "This is for children to have a warm and secure place to come."

L+M Development Partners, which took over renovations for Georgia King Village last year, surveyed the community to understand their needs beyond just housing, Kenyon said. Surveys found families had no easy access to children's books, and L+M decided to step in.

The company, working with the Newark YMCA, PSE&G and Newark Public Library, renovated an unused room in the basement to a kid-friendly library.

Within six months, the once dusty, smelly basement room ridden with bugs and leaks became a safe space for children, residents said. The walls were painted blue and white, and neon chairs and posters with motivational quotes were added.

The 2,800 books in the library were donated by L+M and PSE&G employees, Kenyon said. The books range from classic novels like "Little Woman" to the latest Frozen pop-up storybook.

"It takes a village," Kenyon said. "This is the first step in community engagement."

Roughly 500 kids live in the complex, West Ward Councilman Joe McCallum said. He said the project was an important promise for him to keep for the community.

"It's positive, it's enhancing the quality of life," he said. "I'm happy for the residents and the kids. This was depressing last year, so this makes me emotional."

Georgia King Village tenant Naimah Bridges, 28, said she's excited for her kids to have a library so accessible to them. 

"They wake up in the morning asking for the library," she said. "It's good for summertime. It gives the kid something extra to do."

McCallum said he was amazed by the end result, and looks forward to working with residents on future projects to continue to improve life in Newark.

The Newark YMCA provides the staff, including interns from Rutgers University, as well as programming that will take place three times a week. Programs include performing arts, STEM and fitness.

"The transformation of Georgia King Village is underway," Kenyon said.  

Prudential Impact Investments and L+M Development Partners collaborated to fix the financial, operation and reputation challenges that have been plaguing Georgia King Village for decades, according to officials.

So far, $9 million has been invested into the first phase of work. However, the reading room project was L+M's philanthropy project.

The second phase of construction will begin early next year, developers said.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snieto-munoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The "School's Out, Drive Safe" event at the library was designed to remind drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to use local roads safely this summer

The death of 11-year-old Nikhil Badlani was preventable, his mom Sangeeta Badlani told a a group of traffic safety advocates and elected officials who gathered at the Millburn Free Public Library on Wednesday afternoon. 

"He died due to someone's negligence, and we paid a price -- a price of the highest kind," said Sangeeta Badlani.

The Badlani family lost their eldest son on June 11, 2011, when a motorist ignored a stop sign and crashed into their car in South Orange.

The "School's Out, Drive Safe" event at the library was designed to remind drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to use local roads safely this summer.

Its sponsors included the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition and AAA Northeast in New Jersey. The 100 days of summer are the most dangerous days on the road, according to the event's sponsors.

The event officially marked the founding of Families for Safe Streets New Jersey, a local chapter of the New York-based road safety coalition.

Nikhil Badlani. 

Sunil and Sangeeta Badlani and a handful of other New Jersey families affected by traffic violence launched the local chapter. 

The Badlanis' mission has been to raise awareness about traffic safety through education and work with local leaders to change legislation, Sangeeta Badlani said. 

The family established the Nikhil Badlani Foundation in their son's honor. The non-profit organization helps underserved children pursue music, offers a scholarship for graduating seniors at West Orange High School who display academic excellence and partners with local and statewide traffic safety organizations. Nikhil was an avid reader, honor student and talented musician.

In 2015, they also worked with local legislators to pass "Nikhil's Law," a bill that emphasizes the importance of obeying statewide traffic laws for new drivers. The law was signed by then-acting Governor Kim Guadagno. 

Assemblyman John F. McKeon, a key sponsor of "Nikhil's Law," said an important part of the legislative process is working for people you may never meet. Although the group gathered today for a somber reason, this coalition brings him a sense of hope, MeKeon said.

"I stand here very saddened by the lives needlessly lost, represented by their loving family behind us, but I also stand here optimistic with all of you growing leaders," said McKeon. "As we go forward in the future, these kinds of laws and efforts of all the advocates will prevent needless and senseless carnage."

Janna Chernetz, director of New Jersey Policy at the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said although there's a vast amount of traffic safety organizations statewide, the founding of Families for Safe Streets New Jersey will be an essential addition to this effort. 

This new statewide organization will be a comprehensive group that will not only provide support for grieving families, Chernetz said, but will work to create a cultural change.

"So that what happened to their families does not happen to others," Chernetz said. "Whether you're a resident in New Jersey, or you're just driving through -- with the goal of, always, zero fatalities on our roadways."

After dipping to a 20-year low in 2013, traffic fatalities are on the rise. There were 607 road fatalities in 2016, which was an 8 percent increase from the previous year, according to State Police statistics.

There were 166 pedestrian and 17 cyclist fatalities last year, said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs and government relations at AAA Northeast in New Jersey. We are sadly on track to have the same statistics this year, Lewis said.  

George F. Serio, Jr., director of housing and community development for Essex County, spoke on behalf of Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Serio said without the help of grassroots organizations like Families for Safe Streets, the importance of traffic safety wouldn't be at the forefront of everyone's mind. He applauded their efforts and extended any future support the county executive could provide. 

Judy Kottick, founder of Families for Safe Streets, said she is determined to make traffic safety a global issue, and the goal is to make people realize this is a public health problem.

Kottick launched the New York-based road safety collation following the death of her daughter, Ella Kottick Bandes, 23, in 2013. She explained she was always concerned about traffic safety, but losing a loved this way is an incomprehensible event.

"You lose your future, you lose your joy, you lose your foundation," Kottick said. "Your whole life is flattened, and we don't want anyone else to go through this."

David J. Del Grande may be reached at ddelgrande@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SLOSONE. Find NJ.com on Facebook.       

The man fired a gun after a fight, police said.

NEWARK -- A 60-year-old city resident was arrested Saturday and charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses, police announced. 

Angel Matos, 60, of Newark. (Newark Police Department)

The arrest came after police responded around 9:13 p.m. to the 300 block of Hawthorne Avenue after receiving a report of shots fired. 

Newark Public Safty Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement that Angel Matos fired a gun after he was in a fight with a person he knew. 

No injuries were reported, Ambrose said. 

Matos was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The arrests came after an operating targeting Hawthorne Avenue and Birks Place over the weekend.

NEWARK -- City police arrested 10 women over the weekend and charged them with soliciting and prostitution, police said Sunday.

The arrests were the result of an operation that started on Friday, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.

The investigation targeted the area of Hawthorne Avenue and Birks Place, Ambrose said.

Arrested and charged with soliciting and prostitution are Yolanda Desmith, 46, of the Bronx, N.Y.; Tracy Ragsdale, 42, of Middleburg, Fla.; Charlise Burns, 45, of Jersey City. The following Newark residents were also arrested and charged with the same offenses: Sanikah Carter, 33; June Hill, 26; Simia Scales, 27; Tanesha Grier, 37; Diane Green, 31; Melisa Cuming, 33; and Robin Johnson, 34.

Ambrose, in the statement, commended the residents who came to police to report the criminal activity in their neighborhood. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.