The Hahne & Co. building ... was one of the most elegant department stores in America.

NEWARK -- This undated photo shows Hahne and Co. department store on Broad Street in Newark.

Writing in a July 2015 article in the Bergen Record, Joan Verdon notes that "when it opened in 1901, the Hahne & Co. building ... was one of the most elegant department stores in America. For more than 80 years, it was a symbol of the golden age of department stores, and it was among the last surviving downtown department stores in New Jersey, after most stores moved to the suburbs."

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

The flagship store closed in 1986 and the building sat vacant for 29 years, but Verdon points to coming revitalization.

"The 400,000-square-foot building is being converted into a mixed-use complex," she wrote, "that will include apartments, an arts and cultural center for Rutgers University, a Whole Foods store and other retailers on the ground level."

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries Thursdays on nj.com.

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

 

Newark police are investigating the death of a man witnesses said jumped from a Jay Street building Tuesday in an apparent suicide, officials say.

(File photo)

NEWARK -- City police are investigating the death of a man witnesses said jumped from a Jay Street building Monday in an apparent suicide, said department spokesman Sgt. Ronald Glover.

The investigation began at approximately 11 p.m., when officers responding to reports of an injured person arrived at a building in the 100 block of Jay Street and found emergency personnel treating a male suffering life-threatening injuries, Glover said.

According to witness reports, the man, whose name has not been released by authorities, jumped from a seventh-floor window in the building and landed on his head.

Emergency officials at the scene transported the man to University Hospital for treatment. He died a short time later, Glover said.

After a preliminary investigation, police do not currently believe foul play factored into the incident.

An investigation into the incident by the department's Robbery Squad is ongoing, Glover said.

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

The 12-member panel will include representatives from colleges, law enforcement and the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, among others.

TRENTON -- New Jersey is creating a task force to investigate methods of preventing sexual assault on college campuses and improving how schools respond to reported incidents. 

The 12-member panel, created through legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday, is charged with evaluating current policies and practices at New Jersey college and universities as well as hearing testimony from sexual assault survivors and advocates for victims.

It will be asked to make recommendations about sexual assault prevention and protocols for responding to reports of campus sexual assault and providing victim support services.

The task force will include representatives from colleges, law enforcement and the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, among others.

http://www.nj.com/education/2015/09/rutgers_report_sexual_violence_starts_before_colle.html

The Democratic sponsors of the bill (A4156) said they introduced it because they were disheartened by the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses and the low percentage of assaults that are reported. 

A recent study by Rutgers University, the state's largest college, found that one in five female students reported unwanted sexual contact in their time at Rutgers, a similar rate to students at other schools, according to the university. 

However, the study also found that problems begin before students ever step foot on campus. Nearly a quarter of female students surveyed by Rutgers said they were the victims of 'sexual violence,' including persistent sexual advances or unwanted remarks about their physical appearance, before college. 

Appointments to the task force are to be made within 30 says, and it's final report is due within a year, according to the new law. 

"If we want victims of sexual assault to report these crimes and prevent others from becoming another statistic, then we have to change the culture that is discouraging victims, whether intentionally or inadvertently, from speaking up and seeking justice," said Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden), one of the bill's sponsors. 

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

More than 50 donors kicked in more than $30,000 to send the Brick City Lions teams to Walt Disney World this week

NEWARK - The Brick City Lions were on the brink of a championship run, but were nearly stopped at the goal line.

With wins at regional championship tournaments last week, the Newark-based Pop Warner football club's Pee Wee (ages 10-12) and Junior Midget (ages 11-13) teams clinched invites to the 59th Annual National Championships at Walt Disney World in Florida.

What should have been a joyous occasion, however, was overshadowed by the steep price of the trip - about $30,000 for both players and coaches.

Within a matter of days, however, the money was in hand. More than 50 supporters donated through a GoFundMe page, and local organizations such as the Parent Coalition For Excellent Education helped them raise enough for plane tickets, hotels, food and the like.

MORE: Newark firefighters donate coats to needy schoolchildren

Coach Nasir Gaines said he was "thrilled" by the support that will allow the players to compete on a national stage.

"Every young man on this team has dedicated themselves not only to football, but to values such as teamwork, togetherness and working for a greater good," he said in a statement. "Thanks to PC2E and the Newark community, we are showing these future leaders that hard work and dedication is valued and appreciated in our city."

PC2E Executive Director Muhammad Akil echoed the sentiments, saying he was happy to kick in $6,500 to help represent the organization's mission of encouraging children to achieve both in and out of the classroom.

"I know we speak for the whole city and the many who also contributed their support in sharing our pride for these young men," he said. "Travelling and representing a community is a unique and wonderful experience for a child's development and PC2E is proud to assist in ensuring this opportunity became a reality."

The national championship tournament is set to begin on Saturday, with three rounds continuing through Dec. 12. Brick City Lions are still raising funds to cover additional expenses on the trip through its GoFundMe page.

Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The former Irvington police officer who has been accused of stabbing the mother of his child, fleeing with their child and leading cops in a Parkway chase will be extradited back to New York to face charges. Watch video

PATERSON -- The former Irvington police officer accused of stabbing his child's mother and fleeing with their 3-year-old daughter into New Jersey will be extradited back to New York to face charges.

Diomedes Valenzuela, who was shackled and had a bandage on his left wrist, waived his right to contest his extradition Thursday during his appearance before Judge Joseph Portelli in Passaic County Superior Court. Valenzuela faces charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and assault in New York, his attorney Anthony Iacullo said.

Authorities say Valenzuela critically injured the 31-year-old woman with whom he has a child on Tuesday afternoon in the Bronx before abducting their daughter, Rebecca. He then fled in a Dodge Caravan, and officials issued an Amber Alert in New Jersey and New York.

New Jersey State Police were on alert for the Dodge Caravan when they spotted it on the Garden State Parkway in Clifton Tuesday night.

Dashboard camera footage released Wednesday showed State Police cars box in and stop Valenzuela's vehicle on the highway. Valezuela was then arrested at gunpoint and his daughter was pulled from the vehicle and rushed to safety.

A bail hearing for Valenzuela will be held once he returns to New York, Iacullo said.

Man arrested after stabbing, Amber Alert is former N.J. cop

"Mr. Valezuela looks forward to his opportunity to contest these charges," Iacullo said. "There's always two sides to every story and we trust that'll come out at the appropriate time and appropriate way."

At Thursday's extradition hearing, the judge agreed to dismiss a New Jersey fugitive from justice charge since Valenzuela waived his right to contest his extradition. However, if New York authorities fail to extradite him back to the Empire State in 30 days, Valenzuela will be back in Passaic County Superior Court on Jan. 5 on the fugitive from justice charge.

An Irvington spokeswoman previously confirmed that Valenzuela was a township officer until March 2002. He was found guilty of filing false reports in connection with the November 2001 arrest of a taxi driver and later banned from public employment.

Reporting by Jessica Mazzola was used in this article.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Track work will cause delays for passengers on the Morris & Essex and two other NJ Transit rail lines.

Riders who use three NJ Transit rail lines will experience some delays on Sunday due to track work.

Riders on the Morris & Essex, Gladstone and Montclair-Boonton lines could see 15 minute delays between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., Sunday when crews are replacing track and doing other rail maintenance in Harrison, said Jennifer Nelson, an NJ Transit spokeswoman. 

That work will take  a track out of service and riders should allow extra  travel time.

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

 

Planners, developers, and artists are planning a new study that aims to answer the question.

ORANGE -- How have highways divided and defined communities in New Jersey? A new study is looking at the impacts Route 280 has had in urban communities in Essex County to find out.

A $200,000 study funded by ArtsPlace, a national organization supporting art-based community planning, will look at how the 1960s construction of Route 280 through the center of Orange has impacted the community. The study is one of several initiatives that the Urban Essex Coalition for Smart Growth, a local group working to develop plans for transit-oriented developments in Essex County, will discuss at an upcoming daylong forum.

I-280 in Newark. (Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
 

"The forum is designed to provide information about redevelopment plans for the areas surrounding five commuter rail stations in Newark, East Orange and Orange," said Tom Schulze, the coalition's coordinator.

The ArtsPlace study will use a technique called "reverse archeology" to document the history of the highway through paintings, essays, plays, and other art projects. Multiple collaborators, including the local ValleyArts District and Montclair State University, will help put the project together, Schulze said.

On its website, ArtsPlace calls Route 280 "an infrastructure investment that divided the city." 

Revitalizing urban N.J.: After 10 years of strides, arts district says more to do

The nearly 18-mile long highway that connects I-80 with Newark and the New Jersey Turnpike has long been blamed for many of the city's ills, including a 20th Century loss of business and an exodus of residents. Schulze called the project a way to combat the "divisive impacts" of the highway.

"The primary goal for the ArtPlace Grant is to explore the effects the construction (of) I-280 in 1967 had on the city at that time, and the residual effects (it is) still having (on) life in Orange," ValleyArts Executive Director Candace Gabbard said.

"Art is being used as a medium to educate, collect information and eventually to convey that information to the public."

The project, she said, will include:

• An interactive exhibit at the Orange Public Library depicting I-280 and Orange before and after
• Artifact collection/digital recording from Orange residents
• Interactive website to store archives and gather information
• Orange as a walking museum - plaques with QR codes will be placed around the city. People can either use the QR codes or a phone number and hear oral history about that location
• A "block party" in front of Orange library to connect residents to the project
• A paper of research gathered, conclusions made and possible remediation

A second $200,000 study, Schulze said, also to be outlined at the forum, will look at three NJ Transit stations in Orange and East Orange, and how they relate to the communities surrounding them, to Route 280, and to Freeway Drive, which runs parallel to the highway. The study, being done in connection with the county, aims to create a vision for the several mile stretch along the rail line, Schulze said.

Broad Street Station in Newark. File photo. (Jessica Mazzola | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
 

Once the plan is completed, the coalition will seek state and federal funding to implement it, he said.

The coalition, formed in 2013 as a result of the Together North Jersey planning initiative, focuses on redevelopment opportunities at five Essex train stations along one NJ Transit rail line. The line ties the communities of East Orange and Orange with the state's largest city at the Broad Street Station in Newark.

NJIT President Joel Bloom will speak at the forum about the way an ongoing expansion at the school can combine with the potential developments surrounding the station.

The end result of the initiatives being discussed at the forum, he said, will be a greater connection between some of these previously separated areas, which could bring a jolt to their local economies.

"We're excited about the plan for the Broad Street Station because it creates a needed corridor connection from University Heights to downtown Newark," Bloom said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

"NJIT has more than 11,000 students plus faculty and staff, so creating an attractive, safe and technology-embedded corridor will be helpful and bring that spending power to downtown Newark." 

The forum discussion is happening Thursday, Dec. 10.

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

 

Orange policeman Ricardo Arias-Vasquez was arrested Wednesday on charges he inappropriately touched a woman during a traffic stop, sources say.

Vasquez faces charges of witness tampering and criminal sexual contact (Essex County Prosecutor's Office).

NEWARK -- A Thursday afternoon announcement by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray confirmed an earlier NJ Advance Media report of an Orange officer arrested Wednesday on charges he groped a woman during a November traffic stop.

Officer Ricardo Arias-Vasquez, 34, of Hampton, surrendered to authorities in Newark Wednesday, confirmed Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter.

Arias-Vasquez has been charged with criminal sexual contact and witness tampering, Carter confirmed. 

Investigators said Arias-Vasquez was on duty and in uniform on Nov. 18 when he allegedly pulled over a woman for a traffic violation. At some point afterward, he allegedly touched the woman inappropriately, Carter confirmed.

Authorities have also charged Arias-Vasquez with witness tampering for allegedly attempting to interfere with a prosecutor's office investigation of the incident, officials said.

A veteran officer, Arias-Vasquez previously worked for the Paterson Police Department from May 2007 to April 2011, when he was laid off, Carter said. He joined the Orange Police Department later that year, serving until July 2012, she added.

Arias-Vasquez later joined the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, where he worked from July 2012 to June 2013 before returning to the Orange Township Police Department, Carter said.

Attempts to reach Arias-Vasquez and Orange police officials were not immediately successful.

Bail for Arias-Vasquez has been set at $25,000, Carter said. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance before Judge Ryan on Dec. 30.

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The freshman senator said he acted in "good faith" while overseeing the now-bankrupt agency and took immediate action after learning of possible wrongdoing

NEWARK - U.S. Sen. Cory Booker has asked a federal judge to move claims he played a key role in the gross mismanagement of the now-defunct Newark Watershed Conservation Development Corporation out of bankruptcy court.

In the Nov. 25 filing, Booker's attorneys claim that the allegations he breached his fiduciary duty as chair of the agency's board of trustees are not covered under bankruptcy law, and should thus be withdrawn and moved to a federal district court.

The filing also denies any wrongdoing on his behalf, saying he acted in "good faith" while serving as chairman of the agency's board of trustees, and was never alerted to any malfeasance by lawyers or accountants hired to oversee its dealings.

"When serious evidence of wrongdoing at (NWCDC) emerged, (Booker) took immediate action to dissolve it and bring its operations under direct control of the City of Newark," it reads.

MORE: Booker: I'll fight ban on Syrian refugees pushed by Christie, others in GOP

Booker also argues that he cannot be held personally liable for any wrongdoing at the agency because his position as chairman was an ex officio appointment granted to all mayors, and for which he received no direct compensation.

The freshman senator was one of 18 people named as defendants in a Nov. 6 lawsuit filed by government-appointed trustees for the NWCDC as part of its ongoing bankruptcy case. They allege that the group, which includes former executives, employees, contractors, accountants and trustees, is responsible for the mismanagement and lack of oversight that led to the agency's liquidation.

The complaint borrows generously from a 2014 state comptroller's report that accused Linda Watkins-Brashear, the agency's former executive director and a political ally of Booker, of gross mismanagement and widespread corruption.

The report alleges Watkins-Brashear received more than $600,000 in severance packages, used a checkbook from the agency to write herself $200,000 in unauthorized payouts, and awarded millions of dollars' worth of no-bid contracts to her ex-husband, close personal associates and agency employees.

It also chided Booker and members of his mayoral administration for failing to provide proper oversight, saying he did not attend a single board of trustees meeting despite his role as chairman.

Watkins-Brashear has not been criminally charged in relation to the alleged schemes, though at least two contractors accused of benefiting from them have pleaded guilty to conspiracy, tax evasion and other federal charges.

An attorney representing the trustees could not immediately be reached for comment.

The NWCDC had received millions of dollars each year to treat and deliver water to 500,000 customers in North Jersey and manage Newark's 35,000 acres of reservoirs, but was officially dissolved in March 2013.

In December 2014, a newly constituted board under the city's control voted to file for bankruptcy in an attempt to recover the assets allegedly stolen from the agency.

Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Police confirmed they are investigating an incident at the church.

File photo of Glen Ridge. (Jessica Mazzola | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
 

GLEN RIDGE -- Police are reportedly investigating graffiti on the walkway of a New Jersey church depicting a number sequence commonly associated with the devil.

Glen Ridge Police Lt. Fred Egnezzo confirmed that the department is investigating a vandalism incident at St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church on Clark Street, but declined to comment further on the incident, citing the investigation's ongoing nature.

According to a NorthJersey.com report, church officials say someone wrote "666" on a walkway leading up to the church's meeting place, a chapel it rents next to the Glen Ridge Congregational Church.

The "American National Catholic Church" is one of six parishes that separated from the Roman Catholic Church about five years ago. The independent churches say their parishioners share faith-based beliefs with the RC Church, but disagree with some of its traditional stances on social practices.

The American National Catholic Church has disagreed with the Roman Catholic Church's refusal to let priests marry, and its stance on gay marriage, for example.

Church Bishop Rev. George Lucey told NorthJersey.com that the group does receive hate mail for its beliefs, but has never before been the target of vandalism.

Based in a Biblical reference, "666" has become known popularly as a symbol of Satan.

The church did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

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

 

The residents allegedly purchased auto insurance following a crash and then filed claims for those accidents now each face up to five years in prison, authorities said.

TRENTON -- Six New Jersey residents who allegedly purchased auto insurance following a crash and then filed claims for those accidents now each face up to five years in prison, authorities said.

All six residents, including a mother and daughter, were charged with one count of third-degree insurance fraud this week for the "crash-and-buy schemes," the New Jersey Attorney General's Office and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor announced on Thursday.

Kevin Ford, 29, of Egg Harbor Township; Rajinder Kaur, 35, of Jersey City; Wilson Njenga 31, of Belleville; and Yasmeen Scudder, 26, of East Orange were all charged in separate incidents, officials said. The charges against Newark residents Annette Smith, 52, and her daughter, Nanette Smith, are in connection with the same incident. 

None of the defendants were represented by attorneys, officials said.

Ex-state worker pleads guilty to insurance fraud, food stamp theft

The defendants purchased auto insurance after their vehicle was involved in an accident, officials said, and then "within days or months of obtaining insurance" they allegedly filed claims for those previous accidents. 

One of the claims was filed with GEICO, while  the others were filed with Progressive Garden State Insurance Company, officials said. 

The residents face up to five years in prison and $15,000 in fines if convicted.

New Jersey's acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi said "drivers tempted to commit this kind of illegal chicanery after a crash should think about the serious criminal penalties they'll face."

Erin O'Neill may be reached at eoneill@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LedgerErin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Four people, including teen, picked up Wednesday night

NEWARK -- Various special law enforcement units made four arrests in quick succession Wednesday night, recovering three weapons, city police spokesman Sgt. Ron Glover said.

 

The Gang Enforcement Division, State Parole and Essex County Sheriff's Department -- all operating as part of the city's Violence Reduction Initiative -- arrested a youth near Avon and Jeliff avenues after the teen was found with a loaded .380-caliber handgun, Glover said.

Officers were patrolling in the area when they spotted a taxi ignore a stop sign, then pulled the cab over. The 17-year-old passenger, who was wearing a ski mask,  was seen throwing away a marijuana cigarette, Glover said. The teen was arrested after police also allegedly spotted the handle of the weapon sticking out from the pocket of his coat.  

MORE: Newark ties November temperature record 

Around the same time, at 9 p.m., violence-reduction personnel, along with Cease Fire and Gang Enforcement officers, received a tip from two bounty hunters that a man wanted on an outstanding warrant was seen in the 100 block of Brunswick Street.

As officers approached the area, Jameel Daniels, 26, ran off, Glover said, but was caught after a short foot chase. Police found him in possession of a loaded 9-mm handgun that had been reported stolen in North Carolina, Glover also said.

Daniels, who was also allegedly clad in a bulletproof vest, was charged with being in possession of a large-capacity weapon and other weapons offenses, as well as unlawful use of a body vest and receiving stolen property.

About 15 minutes after those arrests, officers with another unit, the Model Neighborhood Initiative, were patrolling near 15th Avenue and S. 19th Street when they saw two people inside a vehicle fighting. When police approached the car to investigate, they spotted an open container of alcohol as well as a handgun, which was seen in the glove compartment as the driver retrieved his credentials, Glover said.

Deon Warren, 28, and Marcus Young, 19, were both charged with possession of a weapon, an automatic handgun. Young was also charged with hindering apprehension after police said he gave them a false name, Christopher King. Young was wanted on an East Orange warrant.

"I can not say it enough -- the officers are addressing all infractions, whether large or small, they encounter. Any and all quality-of-life issues are being confronted. As a result, police have arrested three suspects and removed three loaded guns and drugs from our city streets," said Newark Police Director Eugene Venable.

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

 

If you've been on NJ.com this week, these questions should be no problem for you. Watch video

It's been a busy week in New Jersey news. Have you been paying attention? Prove it now in this week's news quiz. All the questions below are from popular NJ.com stories from the past week. Take the quiz and then share your score in comments to see how you stack up with other NJ.com users.

John Shabe may be reached via jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and find NJ.com on Facebook.

Discover how familiar you are with the holiday season in the Garden State.

MORE FROM INSIDE JERSEY MAGAZINE

Follow Inside Jersey on Twitter. Find Inside Jersey on Facebook and Google+

Calculus and AP computer science teacher Alison Cuttler was announced as the recipient of the $25,000 Milken educator award — which some call the "Oscar" for teaching.

NEWARK— When calculus and AP computer science teacher Allison Cuttler was announced as the recipient of the $25,000 Milken Educator Award — sometimes called the "Oscar" for teaching — students at North Star Academy in Newark stood up and gave her an enthusiastic, standing ovation.

Cuttler, who has a master's from the University of California in applied math, was surprised with the award during an assembly Thursday afternoon on college and career readiness.

"Surreal," the teacher said afterwards. "I love these kids, I love this school, and these students are just phenomenal."

RELATED: N.J. teacher from Union City receives $25K national award for health care teaching

Cuttler, who has been teaching at North Star Academy for five years, was chosen for the award by the Milken Family Foundation, a private foundation focused on education, public health and medical research.

Cuttler's high-performing charter school serves over 4,000 students, 94 percent of whom are African-American or Hispanic, and 87 percent of whom qualify for free or reduced price lunch, according to the foundation.

When officials asked the students at the assembly who was going to college, all hands appeared to go up.

Cuttler was recognized by the foundation for starting the AP computer science program and an after school club, "Girls Who Code," as well as working with teachers to provide professional development, lesson plan feedback and student data analysis. 

Last year, in her second year teaching computer science at North Star, Cuttler said, 100 percent of her 14 students passed the AP exam, getting a 3 or higher.

The national pass rate is 64 percent, school officials said, and 10 of the 39 African-American students from N.J. who passed the AP computer science test last year were from North Star Academy.

What's her teaching "secret"?

"I think when students see you are 100 percent committed to their learning, and you are doing everything necessary to help them improve, they respond by doing their best," Cuttler said. "The first time they'e get the computer to do something they want it to do, it's an amazing moment for me."

Cuttler's computer science students begin their year by getting a computer to do something simple, like typing out "Hello World," she said. Then, they progress to learning Java, and eventually some make "80s style" video games, like Pacman and Pong.

Her no-strings-attached $25,000 check, she said, would probably be going toward the school: "all of the technology and cool gadgets" that can get students excited about the computer science program.

Earlier this year, the Milken Foundation presented its award to a health care teacher at a traditional public high school in Union City. Cuttler is the second N.J. recipient of the national award this year, which will ultimately go to up to only 40 teachers across the U.S., the foundation said.

Michael Mann, the head of the school, said that he believed Cuttler has "changed (her students') life trajectories." 

Among the students who jumped up to clap for Cuttler was junior Steven Hightower, 17, a calculus student who called Cuttler "very supportive and patient."

"She actually fully made me understand it and actually have a passion for understanding calculus," he said. "I love her as a teacher."

Hightower takes advantage of Cuttler's lunch and after-school tutoring, and enjoys her "brownie points"; Cuttler gives the class brownies when it does well, he said. 

"Calculus is never supposed to be easy, you know. It's about not being a math whiz. It's about how hardworking you are... It's rigorous, but if you persevere against all the obstacles, and all the difficulty, then you will be successful," he observed. "(Ms. Cutler) actually did say that."

Laura Herzog may be reached at lherzog@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LauraHerzogL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Lily walks well on a leash and could use regular exercise.

Lily 

BLOOMFIELD -- Lily is a 3-year-old terrier mix at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

Rescued as a stray in West New York, she has been described by shelter volunteers as a dog who loves human contact.

Lily doesn't seem to mind cats and gets along with some dogs, but she should meet any other pets that would be in her home prior to adoption.

Lily walks well on a leash and could use regular exercise; she is housebroken, spayed and up-to-date on shots.

For more information on Lily and other adoptable pets, visit the shelter at 61 Bukowski Place in Bloomfield. The shelter, which is caring for 50 animals, is open from noon to 5 p.m. seven days a week with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, call 973-748-0194 or go to njhumane.org.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

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

 

Sheriff's office investigators arrested four suspects following separate Wednesday undercover drug surveillance investigations in Newark and Bloomfield, officials say.

NEWARK -- County sheriff's officers arrested four suspects on drug-related charges following separate Wednesday surveillance investigations in Newark and Bloomfield, announced Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

Khari Bradley, 19, of Montclair, and Nicholas Lawhorn, 27, of Paterson, both face charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and other charges after sheriff's office detectives discovered them in possession of a bag filled with 700 envelopes of heroin, Fontoura said in a released statement.

Carlos Sanchez, 37 of Newark and Chelsea Caracozza, 32, also of Newark, were detained shortly after sheriff's detectives observed the two in an alleged cash-for-narcotics exchange near Broadway and Delavan Avenue in Newark, authorities said.

A third suspect, Juan Ruiz, 42, of Newark, was later found at the scene sitting in car authorities later discovered belonged to Sanchez. Ruiz was arrested after a search of the car turned up multiple illegal handguns, authorities said. 

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/12/suspects_busted_in_drug_sweep_found_with_marijuana.html

Sanchez was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and other, drug-related charges. Carcozza, who was found in possession of one vial of crack cocaine was issued a court summons for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and released in her own recognizance, authorities said. 

Ruiz was found to be the subject of an open burglary warrant and remanded to custody at the county jail.

Jerrell Williams, age 30 of Newark, was arrested following a third surveillance investigation near Fabian Place and Hawthorne Avenue in Newark. According to investigators, Williams allegedly exchanged cash for vials of crack cocaine with William Drisdale, 57 of Andover.

Williams was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and multiple other drug-related charges, authorities said

Drisdale was issued summonses for the possession of a controlled dangerous substance and other charges, authorities said. He was released in his own recognizance and he will be arraigned at a later date, authorities said.

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Veterans say the 18th Century building has historic significance, but the town said the property is deteriorating and unusable in its current condition.

IRVINGTON -- Veterans clubhouse or fast food restaurant? Those are the two options for an 18th Century building in Irvington that has a group of residents and the town's administration at odds.

According to members of the Irvington Volunteer Network for Veterans, the nonprofit veterans association has occupied the same building at 1111-1113 Springfield Ave. in Irvington since 1921. Known as the "Servicemen's Clubhouse," members say the building served not only as a meeting place for the town's veterans, but as a host to larger community celebrations, like those on Memorial and Veterans Days.

Several years ago, the township moved the club to the Irvington senior center, citing the building's deteriorating condition, and in May 2014, the building was closed, members said.

But, a new plan for the township to sell the property to a developer who will turn it into a Taco Bell has the club fighting to get the building back.

Irvington mayor defends putting his portrait on new bus, street sweepers

"The veteran community and citizens are outraged," said Brenda Jenkins, the Secretary-Treasurer of Volunteer Network for Veterans. "Do we really want to support a Taco Bell over our veterans?"

Jenkins said she led a group of residents and veterans who voiced their concerns about the sale at a township council meeting earlier this year. The group has also been generating paper and online petitions against the sale, and is launching a larger scale demonstration against the sale, she said.

The potential cost of rehabilitating the building remains unclear, but Jenkins said the organization would be willing to raise the funds if the town agreed to retain ownership of the building.

The group, which has partnered with other area service organizations, is working with Preservation New Jersey in an attempt to stop the sale, Jenkins said. In a letter addressed to Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss, the preservation organization's vice president, Margaret Hickey, said the building was constructed in the 18th Century, and was known as the "Baldwin House" after its owner Moses Baldwin, an early settler to the area.

"The Baldwin House is an irreplaceable historic resource that is locally significant for its association with the Baldwin family and with our vast and complex military history," Hickey said in the letter. "Every effort should be made to protect this resource."

Hickey did not respond to a request for comment on the letter Friday.

But Stephanie Bush-Baskette, a spokeswoman for Irvington who confirmed that the town is about to go into closing on the property, said that the sale will convert a building that is not currently being used to something that will generate tax revenue and jobs.

"It's going to be a very good situation," she said. "(The building) has been substandard. It wasn't being used...this will contribute to the revitalization of that corner...instead of having a dilapidated building there."

Franchisee Nirav Mehta, who said he and his wife Rupl Patel are also building a fast food franchise in nearby Orange, said the property was up for an open bid when they submitted an offer. Though they still need to have the plans for the Taco Bell approved by the Irvington planning board, Mehta said he was optimistic about it, because the building, as is, "is unusable."

And, the eatery - which would be located close to Irvington High School and a considerable distance from many of the other dining options in Irvington - would bring about 30 jobs to the area, he said.

"The town is trying to attract new buildings, development, and business to build up the area and generate tax revenue," he said. "It will be a beautiful looking building."

Mehta also said he thought locals would appreciate the convenience of another eating option on that side of town.

"It should be a successful location...(and) a viable project for the township," he said.

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

Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler deferred to a Family Court judge to decide whether Andre Higgs should be allowed to see his four-year-old daughter

NEWARK -- A Superior Court judge on Friday declined to rule on whether an accused murderer should be allowed to see his four-year-old daughter in a case where he is charged with killing the child's mother outside her East Orange home while the girl was inside the residence.

Saying he was "punting" on the issue, Judge Ronald Wigler deferred the question of Andre Higgs visiting with the child to a Family Court judge. State authorities have taken legal custody of the girl, and she resides with her aunt.

"A judge in Family Court is in a better position to determine whether or not visitation should or should not take place and, if so, under what conditions," Wigler said during Friday's hearing.

Higgs, 43, of Watchung, was indicted last month on murder, endangering the welfare of a child and related charges in connection with the May 1 killing of Latrena May, 27, who also was a beloved teacher in East Orange.

With their daughter inside May's Tremont Avenue home, Higgs and May were arguing on the porch of the residence, authorities said. As May flagged down a police officer patrolling the area, Higgs shot her three times and the officer then shot Higgs, authorities said.

After the shooting, Higgs went into the house and threw the gun on the floor of a hallway before he was ultimately apprehended, according to Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who is handling the case. The girl, who lived with May, was in their first-floor apartment at the time of the shooting, and then ran to the second-floor apartment afterward, Edwab said.

May was pronounced dead at the scene. A teacher at Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange, May has been remembered as a dedicated and passionate educator who showed "unconditional kindness" to others.

Higgs was released from custody on Aug. 14 after posting $1 million bail. As one of the bail conditions, Higgs was ordered to have no contact with his daughter.

During Friday's hearing, Higgs's attorney, Thomas Ashley, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf when Higgs was arraigned on the charges.

Ashley then asked Wigler to remove the bail condition prohibiting him from having contact with the girl. When Higgs agreed to his bail conditions, he did not understand that he would be prevented from visiting his daughter and perhaps also having custody of her, Ashley said.

Ashley argued it was unlikely for the child to be a witness in the case, saying she could not testify about any interactions leading up to the shooting.

Ashley added that one of the issues will be Higgs's state of mind at the time of the shooting, and he said the girl does not have any knowledge relevant to that issue.

Before the incident, Higgs and his daughter were "very close," according to Ashley. He said the child would visit with Higgs and spend weekends with him.

Latrena MayFile photo 

"Certainly, it's traumatic enough not to have your mother," Ashley said. "It's even more traumatic not to have your mother or see your father, and there is a presumption of innocence in the case."

But Edwab argued the girl was both a witness and a victim herself in regard to the child endangerment charge.

That charge relates to how Higgs left the gun in the hallway where the child passed through to go upstairs, and how bullets went into the house during a shootout between Higgs and the police, according to Edwab.

"I think it is unconscionable to allow this defendant to be able to see this child when he took the child's mother away from her," Edwab said.

Wigler said he would lift the bail condition barring Higgs from contacting the girl, but he deferred to a Family Court judge to hold a hearing "to see whether or not visitation would or would not be in the child's best interests."

"I'm not ruling, by the way, that Mr. Higgs can see his child. That's not what I'm saying here," Wigler said. "I'm saying that that decision is better left for a Family Court judge to determine."

"Yes, I'm punting," the judge added.

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

After busting four earlier this week, Essex County County Sheriff's Office investigators have arrested another three suspects on drug-related charges, officials say.

NEWARK -- After busting four earlier this week, Essex County County Sheriff's Office investigators have arrested another three suspects on drug-related charges in Newark, announced sheriff Armando Fontoura.

City residents Richard Mitchell, 44, and Tatiyana Robinson, 21, were arrested Thursday near the intersection of Washington and Hill Street after investigators with the department's Bureau of Narcotics observed them loitering in an "open-air drug market," Fontoura said in a released statement.

Fontoura said that after arriving at the scene, undercover officers observed  Robinson allegedly conduct a drug transaction. After detaining Robinson, investigators allegedly found her in possession of 10 envelopes of crack cocaine.

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/12/four_locked_up_in_county_drug_sweeps_officials_say.html#incart_river_index

A search of Mitchell turned up a glass vial filled with 36 grams of PCP, or as it's alternatively known "Angel Dust," hidden inside his underpants, Fontoura said.

A third man, Robert Davis, 43, of Newark, was found in possession of a small bag of marijuana, Fontoura said.

Mitchell and Robinson were both charged with the possession of a controlled dangerous substance and various other drug-related offenses, Fontoura said.

Davis was issued a court summons on his marijuana charges and was released on his own recognizance.

In a separate incident, sheriff's department officers arrested a Pennsylvania man suspected of conducting drug sales in Newark.

David Griffis, 33, of Easton, Pennsylvania was taken into custody after officers arriving at a residence in the 400 block of South 17th Street found him in possession of a loaded handgun, hollow-point bullets and 46 vials of crack cocaine, authorities said.

Griffis was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon and multiple drug-related charges, Fontoura said.

Two other men detained at the residence were arrested on outstanding warrants, Fontoura said.

Dwone Orr, 36, of Newark, now awaits extradition to Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, where he's wanted on an open narcotics warrants, authorities said.

Wil Smith, 29, also of Newark, was taken into custody after detectives discovered three open Newark Municipal Court warrants for his arrest.

Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.