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The NJ.com football Top 20 for Sept. 3: Teams take the field

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The 2017 football season is underway, though only a handful of teams played in Week 0.


Which girls soccer teams are contenders to take home a state title in 2017?

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Take a look at the teams that can go all the way this season and win a state title.

Man hit by NJ Transit bus settles suit for $2.5M

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The 72-year-old's foot was crushed after being struck in a crosswalk in Newark

NEWARK -- A pedestrian whose left foot had to be amputated after he was struck by a New Jersey Transit bus two years ago settled his lawsuit for $2.5 million, according to a report.

Ex-NJ Transit exec calls agency dysfunctional

The bus hit Antonio Almeida in a Newark crosswalk as the driver was turning left from Ferry Street onto Union Street, NJLawJournal.com said.

The driver first claimed Almeida walked into the bus but later admitted he was checking his mirrors and didn't see the 72-year-old until he hit him.

Almeida said he thought the driver saw him. By the time he realized the bus was going too fast, it was too late to avoid being hit. His foot was crushed, the report said.

Almeida now wears a prosthetic foot but his mobility has been limited since being hit

The accident took place on Aug. 3, 2015 and was settled July 6.

NJ Transit didn't immediately return a message from NJ Advance Media seeking comment on the settlement.

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

 

 

3-year-old victim of hit-and-run released from hospital

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Police are still searching for a suspect in Sunday incident, which occurred in Newark.

NEWARK -- The 3-year-old injured in a Sunday afternoon hit-and-run crash was treated and released from Rutgers University Hospital, according to Newark Police spokesman Derek Glenn.

The child was struck by a black Mercedes-Benz convertible while crossing Ridgewood Avenue in Newark at around 5:20 p.m. The child followed a relative into the street, and the relative was unaware that the child was in the road until the child was struck by the vehicle, Glenn said. The child sustained minor injuries.

The police are still looking for the vehicle and the suspect, who was described as a bald, light-skinned black man wearing sunglasses. The car was last seen heading down Ridgewood Avenue toward Avon Avenue. Authorities plan to search for surveillance camera footage of the incident to help identify the car.

Anyone with information about the crash, or the the driver or car, can call the department's confidential 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Tipsters can also contact police at newarkpd.org or on the Newark Police Department's mobile app.

 

Erin Petenko may be reached at epetenko@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @EPetenko. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

Woman killed in East Orange shooting, authorities say

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Breanna Williams, 23, of Orange, was shot and killed while sitting in a car on Chelsea Place in East Orange, police said.

EAST ORANGE -- A 23-year-old woman was killed in a shooting early Monday morning in the city, authorities said.

Breanna Williams, of Orange, was shot at 1:40 a.m. while sitting in a car on Chelsea Place, authorities said. She was taken to University Hospital, where she died at 2:19 a.m., Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly of the prosecutor's homicide unit said.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force and city police are investigating the killing.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call them at 877-847-7432.

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

Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Labor Day rally and march in Newark 2017 (PHOTOS)

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NEWARK--Hundreds turned out on City Hall's front steps for a Labor Day rally and march on Monday. Workers and their supporters turned out on a beautiful day and listened to more than a dozen speakers. Gladys Sanchez, a member of 32BJ SEIU, used a megaphone to lead chants calling for higher wages and union rights. The Rev. Timothy Graff...

NEWARK--Hundreds turned out on City Hall's front steps for a Labor Day rally and march on Monday.

Workers and their supporters turned out on a beautiful day and listened to more than a dozen speakers.

Gladys Sanchez, a member of 32BJ SEIU, used a megaphone to lead chants calling for higher wages and union rights.

The Rev. Timothy Graff from the Archdiocese of Newark blessed workers and their tools.

After the rally, people marched down Broad Street to Washington Park.

Ed Murray may be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Ed on Twitter at @EdMurrayphoto. Find NJ.COM on Facebook.

49 arrested in weeklong Newark drug sweep

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Public safety director says citizen complaints prompted drug crackdown.

NEWARK -- City police say an ongoing operation to stem the city's drug trade resulted in 49 arrests and the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of drugs.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said the weeklong sweep, prompted by citizen complaints over drug sales in their neighborhoods, turned up of 392 decks of heroin, 129 vials of cocaine, 23 plastic bags of marijuana and 16 pills.

He said the drugs had an estimated street value of $5,600 and authorities also confiscated $5,239.14 in "proceeds from drug sales."

The majority of the arrests were for outstanding warrants, according to a statement from the Newark Police Department detailing the results of the weeklong drug sweep. Five were arrested on new drug charges.

They include 55-year-old Robert Bryant, who was allegedly drinking in public and dropped a packet of heroin from his pocket when officers approached and asked him for identification. 

The following day, police pulled over 24-year-old Marcus E. Kelly for using his cell phone while driving and allegedly saw him attempt to hide 111 glassine envelopes of heroin. He was charged with possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, authorities said. 

On Sunday, Tony Carr, 55, and Ahmed A. Jones, 20, were allegedly "seen selling narcotics in the area of South Orange and Fairmount avenues," on Sunday, according to the statement.

Carr was charged with heroin possession and ones was charged with possession within a school zone and with intent to distribute.

That same day, city police charged Teddy G. Rodriguez with assaulting a police officer after he allegedly attacked one of them following a traffic stop. He was arrested on charges including drug possession, aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest.

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

Why it's better to be a LGBTQ college student in N.J. | Editorial

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For the last decade, the national nonprofit organization Campus Pride has offered up a list of the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in the country. And for two years running, New Jersey has topped the list.

At Montclair State University, the LGBTQ Center holds a Pride Awards Ceremony every spring semester, recognizing individuals for their contributions to the community on campus.

At Princeton University, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center, created in 2005, works to create a safe and supportive academic environment for students. Its website includes a list of gender-inclusive bathrooms on the venerable campus.

At Rutgers, the Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities offers a weekly guide to social-justice programs across campuses and in neighboring communities. Six LGBTQ organizations include Queer and Asian, and Out in Science, Technology, Engineering (oSTEM).

For the last decade, the national nonprofit organization Campus Pride has offered up a list of the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in the country.

New Jersey leads the nation this year with three of its institutions making the list, more than any other state. The same made the list in 2016.

"In the current political climate, where executive orders by the president of the United States are rescinding decades of progressive work, this work on college campuses is more important than ever," said Dr. Sue Rankin, volunteer director of Campus Pride's Q Research for Higher Education.

3 N.J. colleges rank among most 'gay-friendly' in the nation

Campus Pride, a volunteer-driven network, partners with students, faculty, staff and administrators of more than 1,400 campuses - public and private -- to support and improve the quality of life for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (or queer) communities.

In order to make the Top 25 List, institutions have to score well in a number of metrics, including policies, programs and practices.

Sixteen states are represented in the highest rankings this year, including some that Campus Pride describes as "more conservative," such as North Carolina, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky.

New Jersey of late has taken laudable steps to provide civil rights to the LGBTQ community, as the statewide blog Blue Jersey pointed out in a comprehensive overview last month.

Among other advances, the site applauded recent laws barring health insurers and health-care providers from discriminating in their coverage or services based on gender identity, and mandating guidance from the state commissioner of education to ensure the safety of transgender students.

Other legislation provides lesbians and others access to insurance coverage for fertility treatments if they work for state government or public schools.

These advances come as the White House is doing its level best to erase landmark progress made under previous administrations, most notably by issuing an executive order banning transgender troops from serving in the U.S. military.

New Jersey residents have every right to share a sense of accomplishment that we're showing the way in terms of human rights, as evidenced by the programs at Montclair, Princeton and Rutgers.

But that doesn't mean we can be complacent. Far from it, as recent events show so compellingly.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

 

NJ.com's boys soccer preseason Top 20: Which new teams are in?

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Find out where N.J.'s top teams stack up in the preseason.

Jury selection begins for trial of Jersey City man charged with strangling girlfriend

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Jury selection began this morning for the murder trial a Jersey City man accused of strangling his girlfriend and then leaping 40 feet from a highway bridge during a police pursuit.

JERSEY CITY -- Jury selection began this morning for the murder trial a Jersey City man accused of strangling his girlfriend and then leaping 40 feet from a highway bridge during a police pursuit.

Nathan Williams III broke his legs and hip in the jump from a Newark overpass hours after authorities say he strangled Marilyn Albizu, the 33-year-old mother of his child, on June 17, 2014.

At 10 a.m., the first pool of potential jurors filed into the benches of the courtroom of Hudson County Superior Court Judge Militello in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Jury selection is expected to stretch into next week.

On the day of the homicide, police were dispatched to the couple's Old Bergen Road home where Albizu told an officer that Williams, 36 at the time, assaulted her. She refused both medical attention and a restraining order, but police issued a warrant Williams' arrest, officials said at the time.

When police returned to the home for a welfare check around 6:30 p.m. that night, they found Albizu's body inside. A car chase ensued later that night when Williams was spotted driving a Cadillac Escalade with stolen license plates heading east on I-78, authorities said at the time.

Troopers pursued the vehicle north on the New Jersey Turnpike and onto I-280 west, before Williams bailed out and jumped off the overpass in Newark police said, adding that a gun fell from his pocket during the fall.

Several weeks after Williams' apprehension Albizu's death was ruled a homicide when an autopsy revealed she was strangled, leading to the murder charges against Williams, authorities said.

Williams faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. He was also charged with weapons offenses related to firearms, including possession of a firearm by a felon. He has a prior drug conviction. 

Williams was also charged with the federal offense of failing to have trigger locks on weapons found in the vehicle and on his person. Finally, he was charged in Essex County with attempting to elude police.

Williams is represented by attorneys James Lisa and Max Novel. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor David Feldman is representing the state. 

NJ.com's girls soccer preseason Top 20: It's a Shore thing

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A certain conference makes an impact on the preseason Top 20 for the 2017 girls soccer season.

Football preview: The best offensive linemen in N.J.

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A look at the best linemen in the state.

Newark boosts public safety presence with start of school year

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More cops deployed on school day afternoons.

NEWARK -- Police and firefighters will help monitor streets around Newark public high schools during afternoons beginning with the start of school Tuesday.

The effort, dubbed the Safe Schools Passageways Program, will bring officers to school areas between 2:30 and 5 p.m. each school day, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced in a news release.

"The Safe Passageways program protects one of our city's most preciously resources, it young people," Ambrose said. "Students present the next generation of Newark teachers, professional and public servants and they deserve every additional measure of safety...to help ensure that they feel safe after school each day."

In the city's South Ward, officials announced a related-program will use designated retail stores as locations where students can go if they "experience threatening situations" heading to and from school.

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

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

 

Unidentified body found in East Orange vacant lot

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Investigators trying to determine the cause of death.

EAST ORANGE -- An unidentified body was found Monday afternoon in a vacant lot in East Orange, authorities said.

The body, described only as female, was found near Rutledge Avenue and North 21st Street, according to Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly.

An autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death, Fennelly said.

East Orange police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Task Force were handling the investigation. 

It was not yet clear if any foul play was suspected in the death. More information was not immediately released. 

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

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

 

PHOTOS: Back to school in N.J.'s largest district

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Newark kids went back to school in what is poised to be a big year for the district.

NEWARK -- Tuesday marked the start of what will likely be a historic year for the state's largest school district.

More than 35,000 students and 2,700 teachers bid goodbye to summer Tuesday, heading back to Newark's 64 public school buildings. As older kids navigated their new classes and younger children waved goodbye to mom and dad for the first time, Superintendent Christopher Cerf and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka spent the first day at Technology High School, touting the district's progress toward regaining local control -- a step it's expected to take this year.

Since 1995, the district has been controlled by the state. School officials say improving student test scores and graduation rates should help allow residents to take back control of the schools.

"The return to local control of Newark schools, combined with the good news about academic achievement, makes this a first day of school that parents, students, teachers and our entire community can celebrate," Baraka said in a statement.

The two leaders also praised work done over the summer to prepare for back to school, including a leadership summit for principals, professional development for teachers, and about $5 million in facilities work, including an ongoing lead remediation project.

"We are excited to kick off another successful year for Newark students, and to build on recent progress," Cerf said in the release.

"Thanks to the hard work of our school leaders, educators, and community members, Newark's schools are as prepared as they have ever been to serve the students walking through their doors this morning."

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


Newark police looking for driver in hit-and-run that injured 3-year-old

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NEWARK -- Police are asking for the public's assistance locating the driver of a Mercedes that struck a toddler Sunday and left the scene. The 3-year-old victim was hit around 5:22 p.m. as he was crossing Ridgewood Avenue near Avon Avenue with a relative. The child was treated at University Hospital and released shortly afterwards. The driver is a bald,...

NEWARK -- Police are asking for the public's assistance locating the driver of a Mercedes that struck a toddler Sunday and left the scene.

Screenshot (203).png 

The 3-year-old victim was hit around 5:22 p.m. as he was crossing Ridgewood Avenue near Avon Avenue with a relative. The child was treated at University Hospital and released shortly afterwards.

The driver is a bald, light-skinned black male who was wearing sunglasses. The car is believed to be a 1997 to 2000 CLK with chrome rims. It may have been seen on multiple occasions on Chancellor Avenue near the Irvington border.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877- NWK-TIPS (1-877- 695-8477) or 1-877- NWK-GUNS (1-877- 695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

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

 

Newark American Legion post doesn't forget neighborhood it calls family

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American Legion Guyton-Callahan Post 152 has not forgotten the Newark neighborhood where its building was destroyed in a fire.

The American Legion post in Newark told Paige Blue that it had a proclamation for her 8-year-old son, Teron.

And when Teron was given the document from the Newark Municipal Council and members of the Guyton-Callahan Post 152 on Saturday, Blue tried to hide her tears, but couldn't contain her emotion.

Blue just didn't expect her own name to be mentioned in it, too.

"You deserve this,'' said Tracey Gilliam, a senior vice commander, who had his arm around her shoulder for comfort. "You're raising a good son.''

The proclamation was a salute from the post to thank Teron and his mother for their kindness when a two-alarm fire in January destroyed the legion's building at the corner of Elizabeth Avenue and Branford Street.

MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns 

Teron and his mother collected $55 in a glass jar to help Post 152 rebuild. They solicited donations from people on Elizabeth Avenue and Branford Street, which is their block and a few addresses from the vacant lot that once housed the legion building.

The gift was Teron's way of giving back to a post that has adopted the neighborhood and showered it with years of community service since the 1990s.

Guyton-Callahan is known for giving out toys for Christmas, turkeys at Thanksgiving, back-to-school supplies and hosting an annual cookout this time of year.

Post 152 members fired up the grill again Saturday on the empty land where the building stood. American flags lined the fence, framing a banner with Guyton-Callahan's name.

"We didn't want to let the kids down,'' said Kyle  Bowman, the present post commander. "We wanted to keep the tradition. We haven't abandoned them.''

Teron continues to think about them, too. After collecting the $55, he and his mother raised $235 more for the post.

One particular act of Teron's generosity left post members stunned: He gave $30 of his birthday money to the post for its upcoming toy drive.

"I told him that he didn't have to do that,'' Blue said.

But he remembered what his mother taught him, that he should share with other kids who are not as fortunate.

"I wanted to help out,'' he said.

"I just thought that was beautiful,'' Blue said.

Since the fire, the post has been meeting at Club Mentors, the Newark headquarters for the Bronze Shields, an organization of African-American Newark police officers.

Although it's a struggle, the post members have stuck together to have its annual gala and to pay homage to Emmet Guyton and Archie Callahan, the two African-American soldiers for whom the post is named.

In 1929, the post was started at 264 Prince Street with Guyton's name. He was an Army-Air Force veteran killed in World War I. Callahan's name was added to the post in 1958. The 19-year-old Navy seaman was the first Newark resident killed during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The post relocated to the Elizabeth and Branford site in the 1990s.

Blue is confident Guyton-Callahan will return there, and, in fact, the post has raised $311,000 of the estimated $450,000 it needs to rebuild.

Architectural plans have been drawn, and its members hope Newark's zoning board gives them the OK next month.

"Once people see that we are doing it, we believe we'll be able to raise the rest,'' said Michael Jackson, a past post commander.

The neighborhood can't wait. Residents have a relationship with the post members and miss having them around. Members invited them in to the building, which had a security camera system that kept an eye on the block. 

Without their presence, residents said, cars on Branford Street are routinely vandalized.

"It has been continuous,'' said Fatima Koroma, whose car was broken into recently.

"We're hoping they rebuild. The street has become very destructive.''

"When they are around," agreed Esther Blamo, "they make people happy and feel safe."

MORE CARTER: After five years, Newark and Essex County finally decide to fix a hole in the sidewalk

Residents said they were glad the post members didn't forget them this year. With the building gone, many didn't think they would return for the end-of-the-summer cookout.

Blue wasn't surprised, though, that the neighborhood cookout continued.

"Even though they are going through something, they still want to help people,'' Blue said.

"This is what we do,'' Jackson said. "This is our job."

Post 152 members say the lack of a permanent home won't keep them from staying in touch with the people.

"Just because the building is not here, it doesn't mean our presence won't be felt,'' Gilliam said. "We're always going to be there for them. This is our family.''

This time next year, let's hope the neighborhood family takes a tour of the new home of Guyton-Callahan Post 152.

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

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

Their votes in 2 elections didn't count. Will 3rd time be the charm?

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The convoluted path an N.J. community is taking to elect its own school board.

2 hurt when bus flips over on I-280

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Traffic is backed up through Roseland

ROSELAND -- Two people were hurt when a bus overturned on eastbound Interstate 280 Wednesday morning, State Police said. 

overturned-bus-280_360.pngA bus overturned on Interstate 280 on Wednesday morning. 

There were five people aboard the bus when it flipped over near milepost 3.8, which is west of Eisenhower Parkway (exit 4). 

Both injuries were minor, according to authorities. 

A traffic camera showed the bus on its side in the grassy median. 

The left lane is closed and traffic is backed up, according to a tweet from State Police.

The bus is registered out-of-state, according to Trooper Lawrence Peele.

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

 

10 big construction projects changing the face of Rutgers

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The campus landscape at Rutgers University keeps on changing, with a slew of construction projects recently completed or in the works. Here's a look at the major changes on the campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway, Newark and Camden.

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