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Frelinghuysen's only 'concern' is his political survival | Editorial

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It has just occurred to the Congressman that 24,000 people could lose their health care. He voted to make it happen anyway.

With his audience seeking comfort and reassurance, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.) told a telephone town hall Tuesday that the projected mangling of Medicaid in the Senate's health care bill is "a legitimate concern."

It's a curious time for such an epiphany.

It is baffling that the Congressman didn't acknowledge this "concern" on May 4th, when he voted for an Obamacare repeal bill in the House that reeked of malice and government indifference to human suffering, particularly in the way it took a meat axe to Medicaid.

First he voted to cut that safety net by $880 billion and revoke its expansion, just one component in the parade of horribles that were contained in the House bill.

Then he said, "We hope it will be improved by the Senate."

It's an odd risk when coverage for 23,700 people in your district hangs in the balance. But the National Journal deduced that you take this risk when you are threatened with losing your Appropriations Committee chair, after voting against the bill in March.

Finally, he used the party line, spluttering about how "Obamacare is collapsing - doing nothing is not an option!" - which the Congressional Budget Office exposed as a lie Tuesday by projecting "sufficient demand for insurance by enough people, including people with low health care expenditures, for the market to be stable in most areas."

So let's be clear on Frelinghuysen's record:

He voted for a massive tax cut for millionaires like himself, has "legitimate concern" that 23 million people (including 500,000 New Jerseyans) might hold him accountable, and wishes the Senate somehow provides political cover.

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

This bears repeating: Colleagues such as Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.), Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) and Leonard Lance (7th Dist.) kept their heads and salvaged their souls, affirming that we must not reduce human beings to collateral damage and demonstrating they care more about the people in the 11th District than the man elected to represent it.

Ross Baker, the Rutgers political scientist, put it best on NPR. The chairmanship should have been the crown jewel of Frelinghuysen's career, he said, but instead it has been "a poisoned chalice."

The proof is how the prince hides behind the presidential firewall, where 538.com documents him as a 100-percent Trump loyalist.

It had been 1,470 days since Frelinghuysen met with constituents. The number of people who feel betrayed by him probably reaches six digits. Frelinghuysen needs to engage them all - not at some pancake breakfast or middle school art show or choreographed telephone chinwag, but in a place where he must defend a voting record that would make Scott Garrett blush.

It's time for the congressman to come home - time for genuine political soul-baring, sackcloth-and-ashes optional.

Because until we are enlightened by those who blithely lead us into the grimiest depths of the American empire, New Jerseyans will count him among this government's worst parasites and bootlickers, just another fleshy domino tumbling into Camp Trump.

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

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N.J. pets in need: July 3, 2017

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Dogs and cats await adoption at shelters and rescues throughout New Jersey.

It almost seems intuitive, but it's still important to mention that fireworks on the Fourth of July - as well as the celebrations that go along with the holiday - and pets may not necessarily mix.

A national study found that animal hospitals see a 25% increase in patients over the Fourth of July holiday. Here are some reminders to help keep your pet from being one of those medical emergencies.

* It's not unusual for emergency veterinarians to treat dogs for a corn cob or a rib bone they have swallowed. So be careful of what your dog may find during a backyard barbecue or a gathering at the park.

* Dogs are naturally going to want to participate in the vittles at a barbecue, but be aware of things a pet can't eat: foods that can sicken dogs include: avocados, apple seeds, caffeinated beverages or alcohol, onions, potatoes, grapes, tomatoes, chocolate and sugar-free gum containing xylitol.

* Pets that live indoors may become frightened from the sound of fireworks ... and bolt out an open door. If your pet isn't supposed to go out, make sure you and your guests don't leave doors open during the fireworks.

* Many pets are frightened by the loud explosions of fireworks displays. Missing the display is far less important than comforting a family pet in need of attention.

* And if you're a family who sets off their own fireworks or is planning to visit someone who does, keep pets safely secured inside or don't bring them along - inquisitive animals and exploding fireworks are a dangerous and possibly deadly mix.

Mountain bikes already banned in park where fatal fall occurred

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Kerry James Rivera, a Paterson firefighter and father of three, died in a mountain biking accident on a Mills Reservation trail last week

CEDAR GROVE -- People who frequent Mills Reservation to hike, run, or walk their dogs say mountain bikers are a common sight on the trails snaking through the wooded, 157-acre Essex County park.

"We see them all the time on their bikes," said Oscar McKee, a Montclair resident who was walking this week his dog with his wife, Cynthia. "And it's usually older men. They look like hearty, robust guys."

But mountain biking is prohibited at Mills Reservation, according to Essex County officials.

"It's clearly posted, bikes should stay on the on paved roads," said Sheriff Armando Fontoura, whose officers patrol the county park system. "But people will do things that are not allowed or a little dangerous."

Attention was focused on mountain biking at Mills Reservation last week, after a 50-year-old Wayne man was killed Monday morning, while he and his brother were were riding along a cliff at the park's southern rim.

The twisting dirt trail, which rises from the park's Old Quarry Road entrance, is less than two feet wide in stretches where there is an unguarded drop. 

Kerry James Rivera, a 13-year veteran of the Paterson Fire Department and a father of three, lost control of his bike and plunged off the rocky precipice on Jun 26. Fontoura said Rivera fell from a height of at least 40 feet.

Rivera's high school sweetheart and wife of 25 years, Rena Mason Rivera, told NJ Advance Media that her husband lived for his children, his job protecting others, and sports, especially football. She said mountain biking was something he had taken up just a couple of months ago, and enjoyed with his brother.

To defray the family's expenses, friends started a GoFundMe page describing Rivera as, "a hero, in every sense of the word."

For Mills Reservation visitors who have hiked or ridden the trail where Rivera fell, the danger is well known.

"I don't let my kids go near there," nearby resident, Eddie Kloss, said after accident. "You could fall right off. There's no fence."

A few paces from where the accident occurred, there is a bench facing the Manhattan skyline to the east. Nearby is a circular concrete platform that once supported an anti-aircraft gun during World War II.   

"The place is a safe place," Fontoura said. "We patrol there regularly."

Fontoura said his officers issued 33 summons at Mills Reservation last year for violations including riding bikes or letting dogs run free. Another 15 summonses have been issued at Mils so far this year, and two arrests made, both for marijuana possession.

"We're up there regularly," Fontoura said. Referring to Monday morning, he added, "Unfortunately, this was a time we were not there. We can't be everywhere."

The signs at the park at different entrances offer some conflicting information about whether bikes are permitted. One sign near the accident site lists a number of prohibited activities, but biking is not among them.

But a spokesman for Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo reiterated the prohibition against mountain biking at Mills.

The spokesman, Anthony Puglisi, said DeVincenzo visited Mills the day after the accident. But Puglisi declined to comment on any possible steps that might be taken as a result of the accident, whether changes in signage, protective measures along the trails, or otherwise. 

"We have no comment at this time because the investigation is still ongoing," he said.

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

N.J. has unlikely contestant in Nathan Hot Dog Eating Contest

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Rene Rovtar will compete in the Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest televised on ESPN. Watch video

BERNARDS -- A longtime educator in Morris County will be in the spotlight Tuesday in an unlikely setting -- the world's best-known competitive eating event.

Montville Schools Superintendent Rene Rovtar has run 11 Boston Marathons, most recently in 2014, but the 2017 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest is posing an entirely different challenge.

Rovtar, 58, is familiar with pacing herself during long runs. Now she is preparing to consume as many hot dogs as possible -- her goal is 10 -- during a frenzied, 10-minute eating sprint on an oceanfront stage in Coney Island, N.Y., and in front of an ESPN television audience.

Rovtar, of Basking Ridge, said her foray into competitive eating has prompted "a lot of disbelief" from friends and colleagues.

"It's not the kind of thing that people would associate with me," said Rovtar, who is 5'7'' and weighs 102 pounds.

Rovtar is not expecting to win, or even come close. The men's and women's champions in 2016, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, consumed 70 and 38 hot dogs, respectively.

Just being part of the contest, though, is enough for Rovtar, who described taking part in the century-old competition as a bucket list-type goal.

So how did this happen?

Rovtar, a longtime fan, said she was watching on television last year when one contestant caught her eye.

"There was a young woman on the end of the stage, eating hot dogs as leisurely as if she was at a picnic in her yard," Rovtar said.

The woman had eaten only four -- ordinarily a big meal, but paltry by competitive eating standards -- when Rovtar said she thought to herself, "Oh my gosh, I can eat four hot dogs."

Rovtar said it occurred to her, at that time, that perhaps she could find a way into the contest.

She journeyed to Charlotte, N.C., on May 27 for one of 15 regional qualifying rounds for non-invitational competitors.

There, she caught a break. Of the dozen or so entrants, Rovtar was the only woman. She ate seven hot dogs in 10 minutes -- the third-lowest total of the 28 qualifiers, but enough to secure her July 4th entry.

Rovtar will be cheered on Tuesday by her husband of 35 years, Peter, and their two grown children -- Pete and Kristina.

Asked about her game day strategy, Rovtar said she will remove the hot dog from the bun -- a standard tactic -- break it in half and eat both halves before starting on the bun, which she will dip in strawberry lemonade to speed up consumption.

"It goes by very quickly," Rovtar said.

The contest for the women will start at 11 a.m., followed by the men at 12:30 p.m.

Television viewers will have to be attentive to spot Rovtar on the stage.

"The heavy hitters are in the middle. The lesser players, like me, are out on the wings. They pan across everyone from time to time," she said of the camera crew.

Rovtar is spending Monday night in a Manhattan hotel with her fellow contestants. The group will be departing at 8 a.m. Tuesday, three hours before the start, for Coney Island.

Rovtar no longer trains for marathons but still runs up to 35 miles per week. She said she'd love to fit in a 5-mile run before leaving, but is not expecting to have the time.

Asked what she plans on having for breakfast that morning, Rovtar said she'll be skipping it.

Rovtar, a native of Millington, was named Montville's superintendent in 2015 after seven years in charge of the Long Hill school district.

She began her career as a French teacher at the middle and high school levels.

When not competing, she prefers her hot dogs grilled with sauerkraut, but no mustard.

"Hot dogs are just fun food," she said.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook  

Man killed in Newark shooting had a 'heart of gold,' family says

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Darnell Holmes, 20, was killed in a shooting Saturday that also left Nigel Farrell, 26, of East Orange, dead

NEWARK - A 20-year-old city man who was shot and killed Saturday was described by dozens of friends and family members as someone who loved to make people laugh. 

During a candlelit vigil Sunday afternoon, more than 50 people gathered behind homes near the intersection of Quitman Street and Muhammad Ali Avenue to remember Darnell Holmes, who was better known as "DJ."

Standing in a circle, the mourners shared their fondest memories of Holmes. They said he loved spending time with family and enjoyed dancing, singing and pulling pranks on his three sisters. 

Fahtema Smith, who had been dating Holmes for a year when he died, called him a loving man with "a heart of gold." She said when her children's father died seven months ago, Holmes stepped up and helped take care of her three daughters.

"I don't know why they would do this to my baby," she said through tears. "I'm so numb. I just want my boyfriend back. I need him back."

The most notorious, unsolved murder cases in each of N.J.'s 21 counties

Holmes was killed in a shooting Saturday evening in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue near Lincoln Park, authorities said. Another man, Nigel Farrell, 26, of East Orange, was also killed in the attack, police said. 

Two other men, a 25-year-old and a 28-year-old, both of East Orange, were also shot but survived, authorities said.

Smith, 27, of Elizabeth, said Holmes lived with and took care of his two grandmothers. He was killed eight days before his 21st birthday, she said. 

Family, friends and neighbors wrote condolences and memories on boards, lit candles and released balloons, some of which read "Happy Birthday," during the vigil. 

Janiece Shoulars, 29, said her little brother was the youngest of five siblings. He loved to make jokes and "get on our nerves as big sisters," one of his other sisters, 25-year-old Asia Wilson, said with a laugh. 

"He didn't deserve this at all," 29-year-old Teleah Wilson, his other sister, said at the gathering. "It just doesn't feel real." 

The family suffered another loss in 2009 when another one of their brothers was killed, Shoulars said. Khiry Kelley, who lived in the same building complex as Holmes, said he was also "shot out in the street."

Kelley, 24, who now lives in Florham Park, said Holmes looked to him as an older brother after the killing. He described Holmes as having "an uplifting soul."

Raymund Gonzalez, 24, of Newark, agreed, saying Holmes had an "energy you could hear from blocks away."

Earl Best, a community organizer who is better known as the "street doctor," said Holmes had also volunteered to help children with his organization, Believe in Yourself.

No arrests had been made in the killings of Holmes and Farrell as of Sunday afternoon, Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter said. 

Tanaijah Roundtree, 20, of Newark, told the crowd of mourners they "all need to make a change" to help the city. 

"We're getting immune to these deaths," she said. "It's not normal."

Luke Nozicka can be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com or on Twitter @lukenozicka.

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2 killed, 7 wounded in violent start to holiday weekend in Newark

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Authorities have said nine people were shot in four separate incidents.

UPDATE: Woman shot Monday morning dies

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NEWARK -- At least nine people were shot including two people who died from their wounds during a bloody start to Independence Day weekend in Newark.

The violent weekend started Saturday at about 3:30 p.m., when one person was shot on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, authorities said.

Saturday night saw a quadruple shooting that killed two men and injured two others, officials said. Friends and family members gathered Sunday to mourn the deaths.

Sunday night at about 10 p.m., one woman and two men were shot and injured on Stratford Place, police said. In a separate shooting early Monday morning on 6th Avenue, one woman was injured, police said.

Man killed had 'heart of gold'

Authorities have not announced any arrests in any of the shootings.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said early investigations into the shootings indicate they were all the result of "direct personal incidents."

"It's sad the number of guns that make it to our inner cities," he said, adding "every summer, without fail, we see (an uptick) in violence."

Despite the shootings, authorities say homicides are down in the city. As of June 25, the Newark Police Department reported 27 killings in the city, as compared to 45 during the same period last year.

Editor's note: Authorities originally identified the person shot Monday morning as male. This article has been updated to reflect the proper identification as female.

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

Justice delayed: Shutdown of N.J. courts catches people off guard

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Residents left courthouses Monday grumbling, complaining and blaming Gov. Chris Christie for the trouble.

NEWARK -- Juan Vazquez's sister traveled from Buffalo, N.Y. to Newark early Monday to serve as the key witness in his defense in a drug trial in Essex County Superior Court.

But her testimony will have to wait for another day.

"Nobody called us," Vazquez, 42, manager of the Duo Restaurant and Lounge in Perth Amboy, said as he left the courthouse, where he appeared for what he expected to be his second day on trial. "They shut this down without letting anybody know."

Vazquez joined dozens of people caught off guard Monday morning by the state budget shutdown. Most grumbled, others complained.

Some blamed Gov. Chris Christie for the trouble after he ordered all nonessential state services shuttered Friday night after lawmakers failed to pass a new state budget

The shutdown -- only the second in state history -- closed all state-run parks, recreational areas, forests, camping areas, historic sites, beaches and motor vehicle services offices as the July 4 holiday weekend began. It does not affect essential services, such as the New Jersey State Police, psychiatric hospitals and NJ Transit. 

N.J. shutdown gets real Monday: What's open, closed on 1st workday

Monday was the first regular work day of the shutdown and the first day courts were closed.

"I find it absolutely incredulous that New Jersey would shut down vital entities, buildings and services," Kathleena Johnson, 47, of Teaneck, said outside the Bergen County courthouse, where she came to file a civil suit against Kohl's Department store. "Take us into consideration."

Donna Bluze, 50, of Ridgefield Park, showed up at the courthouse in Hackensack because she said she is owed alimony money. Bluze, a hairdresser in East Hanover, said she had been unable to get time off from work until Monday.

She said lawmakers need to pass a state budget so taxpayers don't shoulder the burden. 

"I actually want Chris Christie to be my lawyer, come down here and see what the heck's going on," Bluze said. "They should sit down and come to an agreement without inconveniencing more people and punishing the public, because we do pay a lot of taxes."

PHOTOS: Christie, family soak up sun on N.J. beach he closed to public

On Friday night, Christie said he was ordering the shutdown to "maintain the protection, safety and well-being of the people of New Jersey while I attempt to convince the Legislature to send me a fiscally responsible budget that I can sign and re-open New Jersey's government."

The governor signed the order after Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto refused to let the lower house of the Legislature vote on a bill giving the state power to tap into the reserves of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to fund addiction treatment.

Outside the courthouse Monday in Newark, Sandra Robinson, 45, of East Orange, said lawmakers are "forgetting us small people." Robinson said her car was recently towed and she has been trying to get to motor vehicle services since Saturday. 

Robert Wilkins, 34, of Newark, said he had to take his son to a camp Monday because he couldn't be home with him while in court. Wilkins, who said he is facing a drug possession charge, called the shutdown "crazy." 

As for Marfiz Derego, a 52-year-old woman from Newark who showed up at court for jury duty, she said she was especially upset about the courts being closed after seeing photos of the governor "with his entire family" at the beach early Sunday afternoon. 

"I'm totally disgusted," Derego said. 

Luke Nozicka can be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com or on Twitter @lukenozicka.

David J. Del Grande can be reached at ddelgrande@njadvancemedia.com or on Twitter @SLOSONE

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Newark man charged with shooting at woman during assault

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Dequan A. Farlow, 36, of Newark, faces multiple charges

NEWARK -- A 36-year-old man was charged with aggravated assault late Friday following a personal dispute, authorities said.

Dequan A. FarlowDequan A. Farlow i

Dequan A. Farlow, of Newark, struck a woman with a handgun during an argument and then shot at her around 11:30 p.m. near West End Avenue on Howell Place, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said Monday.

The woman was not hit by the gunfire, but was treated for her injuries from the assault at a local hospital, police said. 

Authorities said Farlow was arrested after fleeing from officers. Police said they found the handgun hidden near the scene of the incident. 

He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and weapons offenses, police said. 

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

 

Woman shot, killed during bloody weekend in Newark

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Authorities have confirmed the fatal shooting

NEWARK -- A woman shot on 6th Avenue early Monday morning has died, officials confirmed.

The woman, who was not immediately identified, died after the shooting, Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter confirmed Monday afternoon. She did not immediately release any other information about the fatal shooting.

The woman's death is one of several during a bloody weekend in Newark that saw at least six others shot, and two others fatally wounded.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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

 

Burgers Grilled Right to open second N.J. location

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Most of the company's 25 locations are in Washington, D.C.

BLOOMFIELD-- Bloomfield residents will soon be a short drive away from what has been named the best burger in Washington, D.C. 

The popular restaurant BGR the Burger Joint, short for Burgers Grilled Right, is slated to open its second location in the Garden State. 

Franchise owners Phil and Paul Sannitti signed a lease in June with the new retail and residential development The Green at Bloomfield, Ripco Real Estate announced in a release. The company negotiated the deal on behalf of the complex's holders.

A father and son duo, the Sannittis decided to open the restaurant's first New Jersey location at the Gateway complex in South Orange last year.

After receiving a "warm response" from the South Orange community in 2016, they decided to launch another BGR the Burger Joint eight miles away in Bloomfield.

"We are thrilled to bring the BGR brand to another location in northern New Jersey.  Our previous opening in South Orange received a tremendous reception, exceeding our expectations, and we anticipate a warm response from the Bloomfield community."

The franchise, with most of its 25 locations in Washington D.C., has won more than a dozen awards over the years. It was named best burger in D.C. by MSN in 2016, and previously earned praise from The Washington Post and Business Insider. 

The recently constructed Green at Bloomfield-- BGR's new home-- is located near the Bloomfield train station and Bloomfield College campus. 

Ripco realtors Ira Kerner and David Townes called the development a "quality location in Northern New Jersey."

They added, "The Green offers retailers tremendous exposure to a vibrant downtown and college campus."

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

Handgun found hidden in suitcase at Newark airport, officials say

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The man was arrested and charged with weapons offenses, authorities said.

NEWARK -- A man was arrested Monday at Newark Liberty International Airport after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents caught him trying to sneak a gun through security, officials said.

The unloaded .22-caliber handgun was found by TSA officers underneath the lining of a piece of checked luggage at a security checkpoint at Newark airport, according to a statement from the TSA.

"During routine screening of checked baggage, TSA's baggage scanning system alarmed which required that the suitcase be opened and inspected," the statement said. "Once all of the contents were removed from the luggage, TSA officers unzipped the bag's lining and discovered the unloaded .22 caliber gun strapped to the frame of the suitcase."

The man, who was attempting to take the gun with him to Jamaica, was arrested by police officers with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, officials said. He was charged with weapon offenses.

The man's identity was not included in the statement. A spokesman for the Port Authority police did not immediately respond to an email seeking further information on the arrest.

Firearms are permitted in luggage if they are "properly packed and declared," the TSA said.  

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

Newark man wanted for shooting that killed 1, injured 1

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Alquan B. Council, 27, of Newark, should be considered armed and dangerous, authorities said.

NEWARK -- Authorities are searching for a 27-year-old city man they say is responsible for a June 25 shooting that left one man dead and another man in critical condition. 

image003.pngAlquan B. Council, 27, of Newark. (Essex County Prosecutor's Office)

Alquan B. Council faces charges of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses in connection with a shooting that killed 39-year-old Newark resident Rayshawn Ross, acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced in a statement.

Council is at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, the statement said.

Authorities said Ross and another man were shot shortly before 9 p.m. on Edwin Place, near Willoughby Street.

Ross was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. 

The second man, whom authorities have not identified, was taken to University Hospital in Newark in critical condition. 

Authorities urged anyone with information about the murders to call the county prosecutor's tip line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

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

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

 

West Orange remembers its fallen sons of Vietnam with traveling memorial wall | Carter

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West Orange honored veterans who lost their lives during the Vietnam conflict, including six of its own service members, when the traveling Vietnam memorial wall came to town for this Independence weekend.

West Orange remembers its fallen sons of Vietnam

Joseph Boland travels at least once a year to Washington, D.C to see his brother's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall.

This year the wall - a traveling replica - came to him.  It has been in West Orange, on the football field at the high school since Friday.

Joseph didn't have a hard time finding his big brother, Pfc James R. Boland, this past Saturday.

"Panel E5, line 70,'' he said.

Joseph, a Whippany resident who grew up in West Orange, already had it memorized.

MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns  

West Orange arranged for the wall to be in town during Independence Day weekend to honor all who made the sacrifice, and to pay homage to its own sons who did not return home.

Please stand and salute:

Pfc. James R. Boland. Army, 1st Infantry Division. Died Feb. 24, 1966.

Pfc. Gerald L. DeRose. Army, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade. Died March 31, 1968.

Pfc. Peter F. Kovach. Army, 25th Infantry Division. Died Aug. 24, 1968.

Maj. Charles V. Lang. Army, 1st Calvary Division. Died Sept 12, 1970.

Pfc. Charles D. Pizzi. Army, Military Assistance Command Advisors. Died June 9, 1965.

SP4 Robert W. Woods, Army, 1st Infantry Division. Died Aug. 13, 1968.

They were among 58,000 names listed on the wall, including 15,062 from New Jersey.

Mayor Robert Parisi read the names of the town's service members on Saturday, telling some 200 people during an opening ceremony that, "we pay specific attention and our respect to the sons of West Orange who were called to service and who made the ultimate sacrifice, serving their country in Vietnam.''

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno was there on the podium, too. She understood.

"We're here to thank them and more importantly to remember them,'' said Guadagno, whose son, Kevin, is a fighter pilot in the Air Force. "We're here to feel the depth of their sacrifice and the sacrifices of their families.''

Joseph Boland, who plans to head to Washington this summer to see the actual memorial, said he was pleased by what the town did to honor the men from West Orange.

He misses James, who taught him how to play baseball and to be handy with tools.

"He was a great big brother,'' Joseph said. "He lost 46 years of his life.''  He was killed eight days before his 22nd birthday.

Louis DeRose, of Allamuchy, talked about Gerald, describing his brother as a great athlete, a young man with a sense of humor, who wanted to serve his country. He was 21 when he was killed.

"This is an honor,'' Louis said.

There was a rifle salute and taps was played. Veterans who came stood reverent, their right hand raised to salute the men and women who had served. The six from West Orange were honored with a wreath of flowers and a plaque commemorating their service and their lives. To the right of the podium sat the "Fallen Comrade Table" with one place-setting. It was there to symbolize that each of the fallen is still with us.

For Army veteran Albert T. Hughes, that person is Philip Hayward, a 1964 graduate from Central High School in Newark.

They were friends and enlisted together.

MORE CARTER:  Newark residents rail against city development plan

 When Hughes returned from Vietnam, he learned that Hayward had not. Hughes, who stayed in the Army for 22 years, retiring in 1987as a First Sergeant, said he has been to the actual memorial wall in Washington and found Hayward's name.

He came to the football field on Friday in West Orange to see his name again.

Panel 13E Line 38.

"The wall is special to me for that reason," Hughes said.

The replica, which stands 6-feet high at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end, is in town until closing ceremonies from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

It came from Florida, courtesy of Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard, which is one of several organizations with traveling walls around the country.

Doc Russo, the wall manager, said he likes to bring it to small towns such as West Orange.  They appreciate it, he said, and understand what this is all about, what it truly means.

Yes, the town does.

The names of three of its sons - Boland, DeRose and Kovach - have streets named after them. 

Barry Carter: (973) 836-4925 or bcarter@starledger.com or 

nj.com/carter or follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL

How fast can complaint about a Route 21 pothole be answered?

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A reader reported about a Route 21 pothole. How long did it take to go from complaint to repair?

Drive over the same pothole everyday on the way to work and it is bound to get under a driver's skin, especially if it's on a state highway used by thousands of motorists a day.

That led one reader to ask about the crater he'd been driving through day after day on Route 21-McCarter Highway in the heart of Newark's business district, which somehow was missed during the state's annual pothole filling blitz.

"McCarter Highway in Newark is a disgrace. Be in right lane going North at the intersection on Market Street, just five yards into the intersection is a deep chuck hole that has been there for a very long time," he wrote. "A tire changer's dream."

We wanted to make sure we gave the precise location to the state Department of Transportation, so our reader did some reconnaissance to pinpoint it in the extreme right lane on northbound Route 21

Q: Is the DOT aware of this and will it be repaired?

A: We asked the DOT about the pothole on June 22.

"A crew inspected the area and the necessary repairs were made today ( Friday, June 23)," said Dan Triana, an NJDOT spokesman.

Our intrepid reader confirmed on the morning of Monday, June 26 that the pothole was filled.

Triana said the DOT encourages motorists to report potholes by calling 1-800-POTHOLE or going to the DOT website at www.nj.gov/transportation to fill out a convenient form to report potholes on state roads. To report potholes on county or municipal roads, drivers need to contact the appropriate jurisdiction

Have a question? Answers can take time, but we try to get them, whether it is how to define the difference between similar sounding traffic signs or what's slowed down work at a nightmare traffic circle. Send us yours.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Man found dead in Newark apartment building fire

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Tyrone Heard was found in his first-floor apartment at the Seth Boyden Apartments when firefighters went in extinguish the blaze.

NEWARK -- A 68-year-old man was killed in an apartment fire Tuesday morning, authorities said. 

Tyrone Heard was found in his first-floor apartment at the Seth Boyden Apartments when firefighters went in to extinguish the blaze, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said. 

He was pronounced dead at 1:33 a.m. after officials were notified of the fire at 12:55 a.m., authorities said.

The cause of Heard's death is pending an autopsy.

The Newark Fire Department and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office's Homicide and Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the blaze.

Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

9 fun facts about the Fourth of July: Can you pass this quiz?

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Impress your friends and family with your newfound holiday knowledge

Attention all trivia buffs! Like you, we're ready to have some fun and celebrate America's 241st birthday.

We all know the meaning behind the Fourth of July: It is a time to celebrate our independence. This year, however, we're quizzing you on some of our country's most quirky, fun facts. Do you know where that American flag you're waving was made? How about the bonus General George Washington gave his troops on Independence Day?

Take our quiz and impress your friends and family with your newfound holiday knowledge. At the very least, it will give you something to talk about while sitting in shore traffic. Don't worry, this isn't a history test.

No arrests made in Newark woman's fatal shooting, authorities say

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Officials identified the woman as Clintonia Walker, 48, of Newark.

NEWARK -- Authorities have identified the woman fatally shot in Newark early Monday as Clintonia Walker, 48. 

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office and Newark Police said Tuesday they have not arrested anyone in the killing.

Walker, of Newark, was shot at about 3:08 a.m. on the 300 block of 6th Avenue, authorities said. She died at University Hospital at 3:54 a.m.

At least nine people were shot in Newark over the holiday weekend. Three have died from their wounds. 

Newark Police have said shootings are down in the city this year. There were 27 killings as of June 25, in contrast to 45 during the same period last year, police reported.

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

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

 

Mt. Rushmore: VOTE to pick Montclair's 4 best athletes of all time

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The Mounties boast one of the top sports programs in all of New Jersey, producing graduates that have gone on to Olympic, Super Bowl and MLB glory.

Plotting a Plan B along rail line bearing brunt of Penn Station work

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Commuters who want an alternative to riding trains diverted to Hoboken during summer Amtrak track work have some options, depending on where they live.

With Penn Station track work away that could send up to 16,000 extra Morris & Essex rail line commuters to Hoboken instead of New York less than a week away, commuters are preparing their "plan B" to get to work during the summer-long disruptions.

Alternatives to joining the crowd at Hoboken Station when NJ Transit diverts Morris & Essex trains there starting July 10 range from private commuter bus service to New York, to setting up libraries as work spaces.

Two tech companies are offering morning and evening commuter bus service between some M&E towns and New York during Amtrak's Penn Station track project, which runs from July 10 to Sept. 1. That project will close several tracks in Penn Station and reduce train capacity by 25 percent.

A private parking app company, Boxcar, is offering bus service from Madison, Chatham, Short Hills, Summit and Millburn. Commuters have to purchase tickets using the Boxcar app in advance.

Our Bus plans to offer bus service from West Orange and Livingston and is crowd sourcing potential bus stops from commuters, a spokesman said.

Morristown officials have arranged commuter bus service with Skeedaddle, which offers morning and evening bus service. Tickets are purchased online.

A company spokesman said Skedaddle has held initial conversations with other cities and towns about offering commuter service this summer.

Local and state officials also successfully lobbied NJ Transit to add express morning commuter bus service to New York from Maplewood and Summit, Mayor Victor De Luca of Maplewood said. 

Maplewood is offering residents the use of work space in the township library main branch, which includes the use of office equipment, high speed wifi, and use of a private work room, which can be reserved by residents who hold a library card.

The library has expanded morning hours at the main library, which will open at 9 a.m. weekdays for commuters.

Work And Play, a child care and co-working space in South Orange, is offering daily free co-working trials for commuters to see if that option works for them during the NJ Transit repairs, said owner Deborah Engel. 

Summit, Madison, Morris Township, Maplewood, South Orange and Morristown have set up commuter notification centers on municipal websites, which link to NJ Transit.com.

Commuters said they are on the hunt for alternatives to keep them out of the crush in Hoboken terminal.

"I most certainly am looking into alternative ways to work. I'm one of the lucky ones who can bring their laptop home, but that doesn't mean I'm not expected in the office," said commuter John Ohlson of South Orange.

Others said that letters from South Orange and Maplewood officials informing their employers about the looming commuter delays have helped them.

Some commuters may taking vacation time, arranging to work from home or to work from New Jersey offices of their company, said Len Resto, New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers president.

"I think it will be a bit chaotic during the first week; but, once people get the hang of it, they will adapt and things will go smoothly," he said. "The service workers, such as cleaners, admins, secretarial help, cooks, waiters, etc. have no choice but to go in and out every day."

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Where to eat now in N.J.: The 10 hottest restaurants for July

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If you're headed to the Jersey Shore, make sure you check out these new waterfront winners, including Marina Grille in Belmar and Parker's Garage in Beach Haven


1. Beach Plum Farm, West Cape May

The 62-acre farm that supplies the Ebbitt Room, the Blue Pig Tavern and other celebrated Cape May hot spots has been a picturesque and delicious go-to for farm-fresh breakfast and lunch ($6 to $12 range) in its Amish-built barn, and now chef Todd Phillips offering casual dinners Thursdays to Sundays, with formal dinners beginning in August. The menu is always changing depending on what's in season -- right now, they're harvesting summer squash, bok choy, leeks, candy-striped Chiogga beets, heirloom radishes and cucumbers. Don't miss the weekend walking tours of the farm at 11 a.m.

Beach Plum Farm, 140 Stevens St., West Cape May, (609) 602-0128. beachplumfarmcapemay.com 


2. Slamwich Scratch Kitchen, Madison; Slamburgerz, Whippany

The two-year-old artisan deli with a cult following for its duck confit Sloppy Joes and smoked brisket has exported its juicy Slam Burger to the Anchor Golf Center with Slamburgerz. It's the same commitment to quality and homemade ingredients, but a more tightly-edited menu -- four types of burgers (beef, turkey, salmon and veggie, starting at $9.50), fries, loaded sweet potatoes and other sides, plus a kids' menu. Back at Slamwich, the incredibly inventive menu changes with the season -- right now there's a wild boar with mole and a crispy coconut plantain fritter ($13.50) -- but among those that will never budge: the barbecue brisket ($11), the house-cured pastrami with Swiss ($11), and duck confit Sloppy Joe ($14.50).

Slamwich, 143 Main St., Madison, (973) 520-8957; Slamburgerz, Anchor Golf Center, 21 Route 10, Whippany, (973) 887-0898. slamwichscratchkitchen.com


3. Parker's Garage and Oyster Saloon, Beach Haven

Named for an early 20th century restaurateur and mechanic who built his business on the bay, the BYO Parker's Garage, from the team behind Ship Bottom Shellfish and the Black Whale Bar & Fish House, is a seafood lover's dream, but the menu goes beyond straightforward interpretations of shore classics: The Jersey Devils app combine sriracha deviled eggs with fried oysters ($12), the lobster corn dog comes with a smoked tomato mayo ($18), and the grilled or blackened fish filets ($25-$28) can be sauced with a green romesco or chimichurri if desired. If you're out on the bay, no worries -- the restaurant has its own boat slips. 

Parker's Garage, 116 Northwest Ave., Beach Haven, (609) 492-1066. parkersgaragelbi.com 


4. FM, Jersey City

Swedish meatballs and fondue, Harvey Wallbangers and Colt 45 tall boys -- can you dig it? This groovy '70s-themed bar and restaurant, in the old Union Republic space, celebrates the classic comfort foods of the Me Decade, but with a twist: fried deviled eggs ($8), short rib stroganoff ($20), a chicken parm with the cheese and tomato tucked inside ($18), and even TV dinners du jour -- perhaps Salisbury steak with potatoes and veggies, and yes, a little brownie square as well. "It's really tough with comfort food, it's the food of their grandparents and their families," says Carlos Jewett, who co-owns FM with Alan Rudolph. "By using high-end ingredients and with a chef with a good understanding about how to create flavor, that makes it different and unique." 

FM, 340 Third St., Jersey City, (201) 222-2870. fmjerseycity.com



5. Taco Bao's, Lake Hiawatha

This new storefront uses Asian fusion as a mere starting point, with Chinese steamed buns and crispy scallion pancakes sitting in for taco shells, and the fillings taking off from Japan, Korea, Peru and Mexico. Make your own creation (rice bowls, salads and lettuce wraps are also an option), or order one of the house specialties -- the beef bulgogi with kimchi, bacon and Peruvian queso sauce ($8) perhaps. Sides include baked loaded plantains with cheese, bacon, spicy mayo and wasabi sour cream ($7), and if you've still got room, there's fried ice cream topped with breakfast cereal and drizzled with syrups ($7) for dessert. 

Taco Bao's, 122 N. Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, (973) 794-3833. tacobaos.com 


Starting the weekend off right! Hickory smoked pulled pork topped with signature slaw and our OG BBQ sauce [?] [?]

A post shared by OINK and MOO BBQ (@oinkandmoo_bbq) on

6. Oink and Moo BBQ, Voorhees

Consistently named one of the nation's best food trucks by the Daily Meal, Oink and Moo has now opened its second non-wheels location in Voorhees, offering up its award-winning chicken chipotle and pickled poblano tacos ($6.95 for three), hickory-smoked brisket sliders ($8.95 for two), chili made with brisket and pulled pork ($4.50-$6.50), and half-racks of mouthwatering baby back ribs ($14.95).

Oink and Moo BBQ, 910 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Suite 3, Voorhees, (856) 282-7630. oinkandmoobbq.com


7. Marina Grille, Belmar

Follow the crowds to Manutti Marina, where this enormous 500-seat restaurant and bar on the scenic Shark River has been packing them in since opening in May. (And be prepared for a wait.) The menu goes a bit beyond standard the-view-makes-up-for-the-food: pizza speckled with soppressata and drizzled with warm honey, $15; a burger from a custom blend of sirloin, short rib and chuck, $14; and, if you've worked up an appetite, the Reef and Beef, an eight-ounce filet mignon topped with a crab cake with bearnaise, whipped potatoes and crispy onions, $40. There is also live music every weekend.  

Marina Grille, 905 Route 35 South, Belmar, (732) 894-3211. marinagrillenj.com


8. Eons Greek, Paramus

George Georgiades was the executive chef of Ramsey's high-end and Greek-inspired seafood house Varka, but his wife happened to be a fan of Chipotle, which led, a couple of years ago, to a Eureka moment "Oh my God, we could make this Mediterranean and make it work with healthy ingredients." This assembly-line eatery doesn't skimp on quality or technique: the proteins, including steak, lamb and octopus, are grilled in front of customers ("I call it full disclosure," he says), and  sides are bursting with flavor (the roasted beets in citrus olive oil is a must). The bowls, with white or brown rice or salad, include a protein, two sides and a topping, and range from $8.25 for falafel to $14.70 for the octopus. This is the second location after he opened the original in Murray Hill; he's scouting for more. Chipotle, watch your back. 

Eons Greek, 501 Route 17 South, Paramus, (201) 523-9500. eonsgreek.com


9. The Farmhouse, Cherry Hill

Five years after the beloved French BYO La Campagne shut its doors, the 150-year-old farmhouse that housed it is once again in business, and, fittingly enough, as The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table bistro with an unkitschy Southern flavor and easygoing charm: crispy chicken skins with a spicy butter sauce, $9; griddled johnny cakes with pulled pork, $12; bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with cheddar grits, braised purple cabbage and a whole-grain mustard and apple cider vinaigrette, $25. 

The Farmhouse, 312 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, (856) 528-2249. farmhousecherryhill.com


10. The Crosby, Montclair

This new indoor-outdoor gastropub from the folks behind Fin and Salute has been hopping since its (garage) doors opened in April, thanks to an extensive selection of beer and imaginative cocktails (the Pork Chops & Apple Sauce features housemade bacon bourbon and apple schnapps), fun pub grub, including a slider bar, "grown-up Spaghettios" and beer can Cornish hen with pineapple-habanero sauce, and an open, industrial chic vibe that makes mingling easy. If that wasn't enough to convince you, here are two magical words: frozen rose. 

The Crosby, 193 Glen Ridge Ave., (973) 509-2337. thecrosbymontclair.com


Our selections are based on personal visits, word of mouth, OpenTable availability, crowdsourcing websites and local food blogs. If you'd like to recommend a restaurant to be considered for a spot on a future "Where to eat now in N.J." column, let us know in the comments section below, or e-mail vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. 

Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook

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