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Immigration detentions decline in N.J. despite nationwide raids

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Numbers obtained from the N.J. office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement show no difference in apprehensions and detentions of undocumented immigrants in the month of Jan, when raids were announced by the federal Government. Watch video

The number of people apprehended by officers with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Office in the Garden State last month declined, despite the federal government announcing nationwide raids that sparked protests across the state. 

ICE officers in the state apprehended and detained 139 people during the month of January, according to Alvin Philips, the New Jersey spokesperson for ICE. The numbers fall in line with apprehensions for previous months and was actually lower than December. 

"We have absolutely no part in enforcement that has occurred in other states," said Philips Thursday. "We are not targeting any individuals from Central America or anywhere else, we are targeting priority one and some cases priority two, as usual."

Under ICE's own guidelines, priority one cases are those who pose, "threats to national security, border security, and public safety," such as suspected terrorists and those convicted of major felonies. Priority two cases are those with serious misdemeanors, three or more misdemeanors or "significant" visa abusers. 

"Whether these are new raids or ongoing enforcement is unclear, what's clear is that communities are reporting that ICE has been very active and visible in New Jersey in recent months," said Johanna Calle, spokesperson for the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. "These aggressive tactics are terrorizing immigrant families and children, who are more fearful than anyone can remember in recent memory, and that is a problem.

Last month, immigration advocates in the state were spurred into action after Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson announced that immigration officers would target certain undocumented immigrants for deportation across the U.S. -- particularly those families fleeing violence and poverty from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador since 2014.

In the first weekend in January, 121 people were taken into custody, primarily from Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, Johnson announced. 

The numbers show that despite advocates' concerns and the government announcement, not much as changed in immigration enforcement in the Garden State.

Jorge Torres of ICE Free N.J. took issue with Philips' comments about ICE's actions in New Jersey. Phillps previously told NJ Advance Media, "There have been no raids in New Jersey, no doors have been kicked down."

Last month, ICE agents allegedly broke down a door, entered a New Brunswick home and detained a 20-year-old who had received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

"ICE New Jersey says there are no raids and we have proof that it is happening," said Torres.

Torres said judging by January's decline in apprehensions, Johnson's announcement was most likely a scare tactic and that advocates stemmed the numbers of those detained.

"No matter which way you look at it, ICE is criminalizing our communities," said Torres. "They do this every day and every time, and even if the numbers are not the same they violate the human rights of the community." 

In the last fiscal year -- which ran from Oct. 2014 to Oct. 2015 -- ICE officers in N.J. apprehended and detained 1,960 people. Of those detained, 1,130 were later convicted and sent back to their home county, according to Phillips.

As of the current fiscal year, 659 were apprehended. According to Phillips, a breakdown of those numbers by county and the number of those people who were sent back home was not available.

"We don't want people to think that we are going around breaking up families and homes," Phillips said.

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Cory Booker ( D-N.J.) have called for the Obama administration to put an end to the raids. Johnson, however, said last week no end was in sight. 

"While the one-month decline in January is encouraging, this does not mean we can dial back our border security efforts," Johnson said in a Feb. 2 memo detailing a decline in people crossing the U.S-Mexico border. "Recent enforcement actions, which focus on those apprehended at the border on or after Jan. 1, 2014, will continue."

Advocates like Torres say people like Neito-Cruz and others are being swept up in the raids, regardless of numbers. As a result they will continue to protest, they said. 

Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.


Virtual tour: Essex County towns by average home value

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Average home values vary by almost $1 million depending on which Essex town you are in.

ESSEX COUNTY -- If you're looking to buy a home in Essex County, your budget will definitely depend on where you want to settle.

According to data released by the state Department of Community Affairs, Essex County has one of the highest discrepancies between towns' property values of any county in New Jersey.

At the low end of the market is Irvington, an urban town of about 54,000 people that borders Newark, with an average property value $131,170. It also reported one of the lowest average tax bills in the county.

Just seven short miles away, you can find some of the most expensive homes in the county in Millburn. Property in the ritzy suburb averages $1,080,264, and homeowners in the area have some of the highest tax bills in the state.

Still, realtors in the area say they are more likely to sell homes in the more expensive areas of the diverse county.

See how much your town's taxes have gone up

"Most homes in Millburn and Short Hills that go on the market and are priced properly will have multiple offers," said Amy Harris, a Keller Williams realtor who focuses on the wealthier western half of Essex County.

"In Newark and Irvington, the demand is lower. It's harder to sell."

Take the virtual tour below to see the average home values in all Essex County towns, and how they compare to their neighbors'.

 

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

Foul play not a factor in prominent Irvington pastor's death, authorities confirm

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An exact cause of death for Rev. Ron Christian, who was found dead in his parish Oct. 30, has not been released

NEWARK - Foul play was not a factor in the unexpected death of prominent Irvington pastor Rev. Ron Christian last year, authorities have confirmed.

The determination was made after an autopsy and an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, according to spokeswoman Katherine Carter.

A precise cause of death was not released, though the investigation has been completed. Carter said the prosecutor's office maintains a general policy of only releasing causes of death for homicide cases.

A longtime pastor at Christian Love Baptist Church in Irvington, was found dead inside his parish on Oct. 30. He was just 51 years old.

Irvington church community mourns Rev. Ron Christian

Authorities previously stated that they did not believe foul play was a factor, though it had yet to be confirmed until last week.

The son of a pastor who lost a successful career as a correction officer to drug addiction, he emerged from prison in 1998 ready to follow in his father's footsteps. He eventually took over then-bankrupt Christian Love in 2000, growing its congregation from only about a dozen to more than 6,000.

Known for his seemingly boundless energy and generosity, he became a force across the Newark area - held in high esteem by gang members and police officers alike.

His funeral, held earlier this month at Essex County Newark Tech high school, drew more than 2,000 mourners.

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

Opera Theatre of Montclair brings avant-garde Mozart to the suburbs

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Male characters sing to toy dolls and everyone seems to wind up under the covers of a young girl's bed.

Who knew suburban New Jersey was such a hotbed of avant-garde, European-style opera dramaturgy?

Last Friday, one of the Garden State's more tranquil hamlets witnessed the opening night of Opera Theatre of Montclair's preternatural presentation of Mozart's "The Abduction from the Seraglio." It's perhaps the last thing followers of this fledgling company would have expected.

Indeed, recent productions of Opera Theatre of Montclair, including "Nabucco" and "The Magic Flute," were little more than modest stagings that served as traditional backdrops for local singers to bring opera to new audiences.

Enter German director Dirk Schattner, and his daring, if uneven take on Mozart's comic singspiel. "The Abduction from the Seraglio" is set in a Turkish harem, though most American opera companies ignore the seedier side of this story and stress the cross-cultural, east-versus-west comedy. (The sets usually employ picturesque vistas of classic Ottoman architecture with lots of pointed arches). 

Schattner, though, places this "Seraglio" (staged, as was OTM's "Nabucco," at a Unitarian Church) in the contemporary bedroom of a young American girl (a non-speaking part, added here by Schattner, and played by Mia Balsamo), wearing Hello Kitty pajamas, and surrounded by balloons and a big toy chest.

This is justified early in the opera, when the characters are singing about the opera's backstory of three Europeans abducted by pirates and held captive by the Turkish Pasha; here the young girl runs around her room with toy pirate ships. But as the opera progresses, these details fade. Joyce Korotkin's set designs make the bedroom look like a shiny Vegas marriage chapel. In this version, the various male characters sing to toy dolls and everyone seems to wind up under the covers of the young girl's bed. 

These are all striking choices, but the overall effect is to distract from Mozart's tale of love and mercy. Is Schattner commenting on men's view of women as dolls?  Or is he saying western women are infantilized in today's society or that all young girls fantasize about being ravished by eastern men? (And let's not even get into the question of why the servant character at one point starts dry humping a large stuffed teddy bear.)

Much of this would be almost de rigueur if you were seeing "Seraglio" in Paris or Vienna, but it definitely seemed an odd fit for Montclair. (And, all in all, this was tame compared with a recent Berlin production that hired real sex workers as extras in the harem and tacked on a Tarantino-style shoot-out at the end.) The wonderful thing about opera, though, is that Mozart's music is pretty indestructible and the silly, Orientalist plot works regardless of Schattner's Freudian stagecraft.

What's interesting is that whereas audiences in Manhattan tend to walk out or boo at this kind of directorial fussing with opera, the Montclair audience didn't mind at all -- even giving the director a warm hand at the curtain call. (Those searching for a traditional version of "Abduction from the Seraglio" can see John Dexter's classic staging at the Met for five performances starting April 22.)

Still the biggest ovations were for two singers.  Alexis Cregger was a formidable Konstanze; her belting soprano revealed stamina and force throughout the opera. Displaying a real Mozartean sense of lightness and grace was Japanese Soprano Aine Hakamatsuka in the role of Blondchen. (Cregger and Hakamatsuka will be performing the parts again on Saturday night; alternate cast members will appear on Friday and Sunday.) 

Most of the acting onstage was broad, bordering on the cartoonish. That, along with lighting problems throughout and dropped sheet music, brought the performance to a local level despite the ambitions on display elsewhere.

Throughout the good and the bad, conductor Markus Grae-Hauck brought a steady hand to the music. The 29-person band rarely sounded refined, but in both the overture and the choral finale, they were well paced and did achieve a full sound that resembled richness.

One final note: "Abduction from the Seraglio" is infamously the opera described by Emperor Joseph II as having "too many notes." OTM eliminated one intermission but kept most of the music and the German language for the songs.  But the comic scenes in between numbers were spoken in English. This is rarely a good practice. Two languages for this opera are one too many.

The Abduction from the Seraglio

Performances continue, Feb. 18 to 20. 

Opera Theatre of Montclair

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, 67 Church St., Montclair

Tickets: $20 - $40; www.operamontclair.org

Man armed with 3-foot metal bar robs N.J. Krauszers

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Police are searching for the convenience store robber.

Krauszers Suspect.JPGSuspect via a surveillance photo. (Courtesy Montclair Police)
 

MONTCLAIR -- Police are looking for a man who they say stole money from a convenience store after threatening its cashier with a metal bar.

According to a release from police, the man entered the Krauszers food store on Valley Road at about 10:45 p.m. holding a 3-foot metal bar. A woman working at the store was alone when the man entered, brought her to the register, and demanded money, police said.

The employee gave him an unknown amount of money from the cash register, and he ran from the store, police said.

The woman was not injured, authorities said.

The man is described as black, between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7 with a stocky building, wearing a hooded army green jacket, black mask, and gloves.

Anyone with information on the suspect or robbery is asked to contact the Montclair Police Department.

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

 

Half of Newark high schoolers are 'chronically absent' - here's what's being done

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Superintendent Chris Cerf announced the formation of a new committee aimed at reducing the alarming truancy rates

NEWARK - A recent study that found nearly half of all city high school students miss school at an alarming rate has local officials springing into action.

On Wednesday, Superintendent of Schools Christopher Cerf announced the formation of a new "Attendance Committee" focused on reversing the trend throughout the city's school system.

In a statement, he said the group would consist of both school district leaders and community members, and would focus on both the causes and effects of chronic absenteeism - defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days.

"There are a number of great things happening across our schools, but if a child is not present in the classroom, it makes it difficult for educators to help them succeed," Cerf said.

Judge puts controversial benefits switch for Newark teachers on hold - for now

The move comes one month after a study by Advocates for Children of New Jersey found chronic absenteeism to be disturbingly high across the district.

Truancy was far and away the most prevalent in high schools, where 49 percent of students missed 18 or more days during 2014-15 - up 8 percent over the last three years. Fast Track Academy and Newark Leadership Academy, two alternative high schools, had the highest rates at 92 and 84 percent, respectively, while  Weequahic High School and West Side High School each came in at 74 percent.

Elementary schools claim much lower rates, though they were still significant enough to cause alarm.

The study pegged the rate throughout the district at 22 percent, an uptick of 4 percent since 2011-12. The Speedway Academies, in the city's West Ward, claimed the highest rate at 42 percent.

Although relatively consistent with rates over the last five years, the increases  come despite targeted efforts over recent years to reduce what has been called an "epidemic" in Newark schools.

In 2013, after a study found that the average child in the district missed more than 15 days of instruction the prior school year, then-superintendent Cami Anderson kicked off an initiative aimed at cutting rates in half.

Entitled "Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow" the program moved away from punitive measures and toward a more rehabilitative approach toward offenders. Principals were required to work with community members and other district employees who could reach consistently truant students to create a personal accountability plan to increase attendance.

Prior to introducing the plan, the district had laid off 46 attendance counselors charged with locating students who were absent and unaccounted for. Last week, a an administrative law judge ruled that the layoffs violated civil service law, giving State Education Commissioner David Hespe 45 days to decide whether to restore the positions.

It is unclear whether the counselors might fit into new plans to address what has become a persistent issue in the state-controlled district.

Much of that work will fall to the Attendance Committee, though Cerf said programs aimed at reengaging floundering students, such as the so-called "Community Schools Initiative" in the city's South Ward, are already in the works.

Whatever direction officials ultimately take, Advocates for Children of New Jersey Executive Director Cecilia Zalkind, one of the committee's 12 members, said the numbers uncovered by the organization's report represented an urgent "call-to-action."

"The best response to research is action, and this is what we are committed to do in the weeks and months ahead," she said.

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

Correction: An earlier version of this article ascribed an incorrect chronic absenteeism rate to Ann Street School.

Menendez: Obama 'has every right' to name Supreme Court candidate (VIDEO)

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U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) made the statements during a speech for a Black History Month event. Watch video

Antonin ScaliaSupreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died Feb. 13, 2016. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said on Wednesday that Pres. Barack Obama should be able to nominate a replacement. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

NEWARK -- U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said Wednesday that President Obama, "under the Constitution, has every right" to nominate a U.S. Supreme Court judge to take the newly vacant seat.

Menendez (D-N.J.) made his statement before a room of politicians and members of the public who gathered for a Black History Month celebration at 12 p.m. in the Essex County Hall of Records.

Antonin Scalia, a main conservative voice on the U.S. Supreme Court and a N.J. native born in Trenton, died Saturday at the age of 79.

Obama says he will fill Scalia seat over GOP objections

His death has started an immediate political battle, since he was part of what was considered a 5-4 conservative majority. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.) has said that the vacancy on the court should not be filled until a new president takes office.

But Obama has said that he will seek to fill the seat, despite Republican objections.

After Menendez made his statement, the senator received a loud round of applause.

"I found it incredibly interesting to listen to so many of my colleagues, I heard speech after speech about 'strict, strict' interpretations of the constitution," he told the crowd. "There is nothing in the constitution that says that in an election year, or in the final year of a president, that he shall not nominate someone for a vacancy (in) the supreme court."

Earlier in his speech, Menendez also said he was bemoaned how "the type of discourse that exists today is about division, is about fear, is about bitterness" and he invoked Dr. Martin Luther King's words about how "darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that."

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

Accused 'nanny-cam' attacker fights to keep bloody clothes out of trial

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Shawn Custis, 45, of Newark, is facing attempted murder and related charges in connection with the 2013 home invasion attack Watch video

NEWARK — At his upcoming trial on charges of beating a Millburn woman in a 2013 home invasion attack caught on a "nanny-cam," Shawn Custis is looking to stop prosecutors from presenting his clothing that allegedly contains the victim's blood.

To support Custis's motion to suppress that evidence, his former girlfriend, Monita Johnson, testified at a hearing Wednesday that police forced their way into her New York City apartment where the clothing was later seized and threatened her into signing a consent form permitting officers to search the residence.

Johnson claimed authorities "came to my apartment and they threatened to damage my apartment if I did not let them search."

But Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Jamel Semper, who is handling the case, confronted Johnson about how she did not tell police about those alleged misdeeds in a video-taped statement she provided hours after the search was conducted.

In that statement, Johnson said there were no conflicts when she consented to the search.

On the witness stand Wednesday, Johnson acknowledged what she had told police in her statement, but maintained she was telling the truth about how police forced their way into the apartment and threatened her. At that time, Johnson said she was only wearing a tank top, a bra and underwear.

"I don't have no reason to lie," Johnson testified. "I have nothing to gain or lose at all."

Semper and Custis's attorney, John McMahon, are expected to present oral arguments on the motion Thursday afternoon before Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler.

Custis's trial is expected to start over the next few months. Custis — who has an extensive criminal history — was declared last year to be competent to stand trial.

Custis, 45, of Newark, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, robbery, burglary, criminal restraint and theft in connection with the June 21, 2013 incident.

Authorities have said Custis kicked, punched and threw the woman down the basement stairs as her daughter sat on the living-room couch. Her 18-month-old son was asleep in an upstairs bedroom, authorities said. Custis also stole various items from the house, authorities said.

At a hearing in October, Semper said the evidence against Custis includes the "nanny-cam" video and DNA evidence showing that the victim's blood was found on Custis's clothing.

The clothing was seized on June 28, 2013 at Johnson's apartment in a building on 10th Avenue in Manhattan after Custis had been arrested while he was leaving the building.

During Wednesday's hearing, Sgt. Chris Smith of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office testified that a cell phone belonging to Custis was traced to Johnson's apartment. Following Custis's arrest, Smith said he and an FBI agent visited the apartment.

Contrary to Johnson's claims, Smith said Johnson allowed them to come inside and she indicated Custis had just left the apartment. Smith said they asked Johnson whether Custis had brought any clothing to the apartment. Johnson said he had and Smith said they then asked her to show them the clothing, according to Smith.

After Johnson led them to the pile of clothing, Smith said they presented her with a consent form that permitted authorities to search the apartment and remove any items. Johnson signed the form and authorities seized the clothing, Smith said.

Smith said the authorities did not threaten Johnson when they obtained her consent to search the apartment.

When Johnson later testified, she claimed she did not lead authorities to the clothing. Johnson said she did not feel she voluntarily signed the consent form, "because they was telling me they were gonna rip my apartment up."

Before Johnson took the stand, however, McMahon challenged how, according to Smith's testimony, authorities asked Johnson to lead them to the clothing before obtaining her consent to search the apartment.

Based on that scenario, McMahon argued prosecutors failed to establish that Johnson was aware of her right to refuse before signing the consent form.

Semper said no search occurred before Johnson signed the consent form, but McMahon argued that, by asking Johnson to show them the clothing, authorities conducted an illegal search.

But Wigler told McMahon he was not convinced "that your interpretation carries the day."

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


Bench-clearing fan brawl at HS girls basketball game sends at least 6 players to hospital

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Ref: "One of the worst things witnessed on the court"

Ref: "One of the worst things witnessed on the court"

Feds to seek longer prison terms for alleged Crips kingpin, members

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Under federal law, prosecutors can seek "enhanced" penalties for those with prior convictions on their records. Watch video

corey_hamlet[1].jpgCorey Hamlet (Essex County Correctional Facility) 

NEWARK -- The alleged kingpin of the Grape Street Crips gang in Newark Wednesday learned that he faces the potential of a mandatory sentence of life in prison as federal prosecutors filed notice that they intend to seek tougher penalties because of prior convictions.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Madeline Arleo, Corey Hamlet, 39, of Belleville and eight other alleged members of the gang were told the government would try to extend their imprisonment if they are convicted on drug and other charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Osmar J. Benvenuto told Arleo that prosecutors would seek so-called "enhanced" penalties because the alleged gang members had prior drug-related convictions. 

In Hamlet's case, the potential additional penalty adds to the legal challenge he already faced. Prosecutors last week filed conspiracy charges against him related to four murders, three attempted murders, robbery, extortion and drug dealing.

Feds charged alleged longtime gang kingpin, Crips members, in N.J. 

Some of those complaints carry penalties, that, if maximized, would result in a life sentence. With the enhanced penalty, however, the discretion to set a penalty below the maximum is removed.

If convicted of a charge of conspiracy to sell crack cocaine, Hamlet could be imprisoned for life. 

According to court records, Hamlet has drug-related convictions in 1997, 2001 and 2006. 

Besides Hamlet, other alleged gang members who face mandatory life sentences if convicted on certain charges include Rashan Washington, who Benvenuto said has two prior felony drug convictions; and Khalil Stafford, who also has two prior felony drug convictions, he said.

Other alleged gang members who also face additional penalties of at least a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted are: Aaron Terrell, Tony Phillips, Justin Carnegie,  Ahmed Singleton, Eric Concepcion and Hanee Cureton.

Tim Darragh may be reached at tdarragh@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @timdarragh. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The 7 best things to do in N.J. this weekend

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Polar Bear Plunges in Seaside Heights, DeNiro directing, country in Central Jersey, and a home improvement showcase headline this weekend in NJ.

NXT SUPERSTARS FIN BALOR AND BAYLEY AT IPLAY AMERICA

WWE's NXT brand will be at Convention Hall in Asbury Park on Friday February 19. Tickets are pretty scarce for this show, but if you're missing out you can still catch two of the top stars from NXT in Freehold on Saturday. The charismatic NXT Champion Finn Balor, and NXT Women's champion Bayley will be appearing at iPlay America for a special meet and greet session at 10 a.m. Balor, who signed with NXT last year, is known for his hard-hitting, death defying aerial artistry,  as well as his wild "demon" persona. Bayley has worked her way up from plucky fan favorite to one of the premier women's wrestlers in the world. Fans can purchase two types of tickets -- a regular "Meet & Greet" pass which will get you an autograph and photo with the wrestlers, or a "VIP Package" which offers a pre-signed autograph, a personal photo op, and allows for you to get something personal signed by both wrestlers. $25-$80. Saturday, 10 a.m. 110 Schanck Road, Freehold. 732-577-8200.

NXT-Finn-Balor-Bayley.jpgNXT Champion Finn Balor (left) and NXT Women's Champion Bayley (right) will be a part of a special meet and greet at iPlay America in Freehold this Saturday. 

"FANTASIA" IN CONCERT

The music from one of Disney's most beloved animated films, "Fantasia," comes to life on Friday at the NJPAC, courtesy of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra will be conducted by Tony award-winning composer Ted Sperling (he snagged the award for 2005's "The Light in the Piazza"). He will conduct the symphony as scenes from "Fantasia" and "Fantasia 2000" play on the big screen behind the orchestra. 39.50 - $79.50. Saturday, 8 p.m. 1 Center Street, Newark. 1-888-GO-NJPAC.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

Seaside Heights bursts back to life on Saturday for the annual polar bear plunge. The plunge, which benefits the Special Olympics, is one of the biggest charity, and party days in the famed beach town. Last year the plunge raised over $1.6 million for Special Olympics, and they are looking to top that number this year. If you have not registered to take part in the plunge, you need to be in Seaside between 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to sign up. Cost for 'day of' sign-ups is $125 per person and will take place at 62 Grant Avenue. The plunge itself will commence at 1 p.m.. This has always been one of the most popular plunges of the year, so we recommend you get there early in order to get a prime plunging spot. $125. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (sign-up/check-in), 1 p.m. (plunge). 

kacey-musgraves.jpgCountry star Kacey Musgraves will headline The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville this weekend. 

KACEY MUSGRAVES AT STARLAND BALLROOM

One of the rising stars in the country music world, Kacey Musgraves, will be headlining the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville on Saturday. The multi-Grammy and Country Music Award winner -- who has opened for the likes of Eric Church and Katy Perry -- will be bringing the second leg of her "The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue' tour to New Jersey in support of her 2015 record "Pageant Material." Speaking of support. The Cactus Blossoms will be in tow for this tour. $29.50-$35. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville. 732-238-5000. 

ATLANTIC CITY HOME SHOW

How many winters in a row have you come up with a home improvement plan, but failed to see it through in the spring? This year, change all that by checking out the Atlantic City Home Show, Friday through Sunday. The show, which is free to the public (you do need to register however), will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center, and will feature over 150 home improvement companies. If you're a fan of the DIY Network or HGTV you'll be stoked that Jeff Devlin will be hosting three home improvement workshops. If you're a fan of free money, you'll be stoked that you can win $5,000 to improve your home by entering a free contest. Free. Friday (1 p.m. - 7 p.m.), Saturday (11 a.m. - 7 p.m.), and Sunday 11 a.m. - - 5 p.m.). 1 Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City. 888-228-4748

THE COMEDY GET DOWN AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER

The Prudential Center in Newark will play host to one of the biggest comedy shows of the year on Saturday. The "Comedy Get Down" will feature stand-up routines from: D.L. Hughley ("The Hughleys," "The Original Kings of Comedy"), Cedric the Entertainer ("The Soul Man," "The Original Kings of Comedy"), George Lopez ("The George Lopez Show," "Lopez Tonight"), Eddie Griffin ("Malcolm & Eddie," "Undercover Brother"), and Charlie Murphy ("Chapelle's Show," "Black Jesus"). $49.75-$89.50. Saturday, 8 p.m. 25 Lafayette Street, Newark. 973-757-6600.
Saturday, February 20 at 8:00 PM"The Comedy Get Down"Prudential CenterSEE FULL EVENT DETAILSnj.com

"A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL" AT The PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

It's not everyday that Hollywood royalty decides to direct a musical for a New Jersey stage, but that's exactly what's happening with "A Bronx Tale: The Musical" at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Legendary screen actor, and Oscar winner Robert DeNiro has stepped behind the curtain to direct the musical based upon the 1993 crime drama. The film, written by Chazz Palminteri (who also wrote the book for the musical), revolves around an Italian-American teen who must choose between the working class life of his father, or the world of organized crime led by a local mob boss. The musical will run until March 6$37 - $134. Now - March 5. Wednesdays (7:30 p.m.), Thursdays (1:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.), Fridays (8 p.m.), Saturdays (1:30 p.m., 8 p.m.), and Sundays (1:30 p.m., 7 p.m.). 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn. 973-376-4343.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.

 

Newark council upset over attempt to oust top economic official

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Sources say the city's administration has been jockeying to oust two top Newark Economic Development Corp. officials

NEWARK — A surreptitious effort to oust the head of one of Newark's top economic development agencies has sparked conflict between Mayor Ras Baraka's administration and members of the City Council.

At a preliminary council meeting Wednesday afternoon, local activist Tyrone "Street Counselor" Barnes accused West Ward Councilman Joe McCallum of approving unauthorized bonuses for employees of the Newark Community Economic Development Corp., and signed off on a "lavish" contract for its president and CEO Otis Rolley.

McCallum was not present at the meeting, and police eventually removed Barnes after council members and Corporation Counsel Willie Parker attempted to keep him from speaking.

The councilman struck back Wednesday night, claiming the accusations were part of an orchestrated attack by Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Baye Adofo-Wilson.

Here's what happened to those 100 lots Newark gave away last Valentine's Day

Multiple sources in City Hall said Wilson has been among a number of administration officials negotiating to oust Rolley and his chief financial officer, Kevin Seawright, to leave the CEDC.

"I don't appreciate the director of economic development giving someone a script to try to impugn my integrity, and I won't have it," McCallum said. "I'll put my integrity against anybody. They should have known that before they came at me with that nonsense."

City Communications Director Frank Baraff said Wilson had no relationship with Barnes and categorically denied any influence on public comments during Wednesday's meeting.

Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 10.42.40 AM.pngJoe McCallum

While funded by Newark, the CEDC is a quasi-governmental agency governed by its own board, and the council and other city officials have no direct power regarding personnel decisions. Its board of directors was scheduled to hold its monthly meeting Thursday morning.

Rolley, who ran for mayor of Baltimore in 2011, was handpicked by Baraka's administration to run the Brick City Development Corp. in August 2014, and Seawright followed shortly thereafter. Three months later, the agency was re-launched under its new name.

Rolley is also a sitting member of the city's Central Planning Board.

In an interview, Barnes — a vocal Baraka supporter who was among a number of activists involved in a December anti-violence protest turned skirmish - denied that anyone had influenced him into making the comments.

"I think this is a misuse of public trust," he said. "If you suck from the poor and serve your own interests, you're going to hear about it."

Both Rolley and Seawright remain in their positions as of Thursday. Neither could be reached for comment, and current CEDC chairwoman Joyce Harley did not return calls from a reporter.

After McCallum's comments Wednesday night, other council members also expressed their dismay at what they viewed as underhanded tactics by the administration.

Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins noted that Barnes was reading from a sheet of paper during his comments, and wondered aloud how he became privy to discussions held during private CEDC board meetings.

"We live a public life so we know that we're going to be attacked. But when you get set up by somebody from the inside to attack you, then that should teach all of us a lesson," she said.

Councilman At-Large Luis Quintana urged Business Administrator Jack Kelly to "take charge" of his team of directors, warning that the airing of personal grievances in public forums could lead to legal disputes.

Many also took issue with what they felt had been an attempt to bypass the executive body's authority.


"If there are some concerns on the city side, the administration's side, than rather than feeding this chatter of campaign, then come before this body...and have a conversation with the council about what your concerns are," said North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr.

"The fact that there is this kind of chatter campaign going on is what leads to what happened here today."

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

Former N.J. high school basketball standout arrested in shooting

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Keywon Savage, a standout guard at Newark Central High School, was arrested Monday.

Keywon SavageKeywon Savage (Courtesy of the Newark Police Department)

NEWARK -- A onetime Newark high school basketball standout was charged Monday in connection with a November 2015 shooting, according to sources and court papers.

Keywon N. Savage was apprehended by detectives with the department's Fugitive Apprehension Team at a home in the 200 block of Littleton Avenue without incident, said Detective Hubert Henderson, spokesman for the Newark Police Department.

The shooting occurred in the 200 block of South 11th Street, Henderson confirmed. No one was injured in the incident, he added. Police declined to say exactly when the shooting occurred, saying the shooting remains under investigation.

Savage's troubles with the law began in 2014 during a senior year campaign that saw him score 1,000 points and earn first-team All-Division honors as a member of the Newark Central High basketball team, said head basketball coach Shawn McCray.

McCray confirmed Savage was a member of the boys varsity team from 2010 to 2014. An arrest during his senior year nearly derailed his season, the coach said.

In February 2014, a story on NJ.com reported that an 18-year-old named Keywon Savage was charged with the robbery of a man shoveling snow in his driveway.

The charge is still pending, according to court documents.

While he was able to graduate, the arrest complicated Savage's efforts to pursue an athletic scholarship with colleges that had shown interest, McCray said. In the aftermath, Savage's opportunities seemed to fizzle, he said.

"Before that he had done all the right things," McCray said. "He qualified to go to college and did well on his SAT's. And then it fell apart."

Police confirmed Tuesday that Savage was arrested in December 2015 on multiple drug and gun-related charges.

Savage was taken into custody and charged after investigators found him in possession of multiple vials of heroin and cocaine, a police spokesman said.

Savage is now being held on charges of aggravated assault in connection with the November 2015 shooting incident, authorities said. His bail has been set at $150,000.

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

Glimpse of History: Lining up for work in Newark

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Few skills beyond being able to wield a pick or a shovel were required for many WPA jobs.

NEWARK -- In this photo taken on April 3, 1935, job hunters line up outside Newark City Hall.

The Library of Congress notes that the job seekers were seeking Works Progress Administration jobs in construction; few skills beyond being able to wield a pick or a shovel were required.

Gardenstatelegacy.com notes that during the Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 through the beginning of World War II, the nation saw unemployment rates that never went below 14 percent and, for four years from 1932 through 1935, did not dip below 20 percent.

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.

Gallery preview 

Ex-student athlete sues 'bully' coaches, school district

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Graduate says the Columbia High School baseball program is riddled with instances of bullying and retaliation.

MAPLEWOOD -- When a group of parents brought their complaints about what they claimed was a culture of intimidation and bullying within the Columbia High School baseball program to district officials last year, they said they were hopeful that it would result in change.

At a meeting last February, school officials called parents who stepped forward "courageous," but in the months since, the parents and players say the tense atmosphere has remained, and even intensified.

The alleged retaliation and bullying led former CHS student and player David DeFranco, who graduated last June, to file suit last week against the district, the school, its administrators, and the baseball coaching staff.

Among other allegations made in the suit, DeFranco, of South Orange, claims:

  • The baseball team coaches made sexist, racist, vulgar, and other demeaning comments to players, including cursing at them and referencing the students' sexual activity.
  • After DeFranco complained about bullying, he was cut from the team his senior year, after having been on the team the previous three years. He was reinstated after claiming the cut was an act of retaliation.
  • DeFranco said he was told every game that he would start, but was then benched right before the games started. After he had not played, the coaches would taunt him by saying things like, "good game."
  • DeFranco said he was disinvited from the team's year-end banquet.
  • Four coaches cornered DeFranco in a small room asking him why he went to the school's administration with his allegations, and encouraging him to quit, DeFranco said.
  • The suit blames the district and administrators for allowing the alleged behavior to continue despite his and other students' ongoing complaints, and a district investigation that found instances of harassment, intimidation, and bullying within the team.
  • It also claims that the behavior continued this school year, when the coaches posted a sign about "losers" complaining about their coaches.

"It's ridiculous how frequently the board was on notice and did nothing," Jeffrey Youngman, one of the attorneys representing DeFranco, said in a phone interview.

"There were a tremendous number of complaints."

But, school officials say that they are taking steps to be compliant with the HIB law, passed by the state in 2011 to combat harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools.

"Over the last few months, the Board has drafted several policy changes that impact our athletic programs including on Athletic Department and Coaches, Sportsmanship, Athletic Code of Conduct, and Volunteer Athletic Coaches," district spokeswoman Suzanne Turner said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of all of our students - whether in the classroom, or on the field of play - is our highest priority."

The new policies, and the coaches' contracts for the upcoming baseball season, are set to be voted on at the board's Feb. 22 meeting. District officials said they could not comment specifically about the allegations made in the lawsuit. Head Coach Joseph Fischetti did not respond to a request for comment on the suit. 

Lawyers say DeFranco is looking to receive a sum of money that has yet to be determined, but that would cover legal costs, compensation for stress and emotional impacts, and doctor's bills associated with treatment for that. But, money is not the only motivator, they say.

Coach's bullying ruined game, ex-player says

The alleged treatment "had a tremendous impact," on DeFranco, now a freshman at Lehigh University, attorney Luanne Peterpaul said.

"We are looking to make a change in the climate and culture of our athletic system."

Last year, DeFranco was one of several boys and their parents who brought complaints to the board. Randy Nathan, a national speaker on bullying in sports who claims his son, too, was intimidated by the coaches, has been leading the charge against the baseball program to the board of education.

Though his son also graduated last year, Nathan said his goal is to see personnel changes on the team, and in the school's administration.

Other students and parents who have come to the coaches' defense in the past have argued that Nathan and other parents were motivated by their own sons' playing time, and a losing 2014 season, to criticize the coaches. But, Randy denies that.

"Someone has to accept responsibility for what happened to our boys," he said.

"If parents (in the past) had stood up, it might have prevented what happened to our kids."

The lawsuit marks the second time in recent years that the district has been hit with a lawsuit claiming unfair treatment of students. In 2014, the New Jersey ACLU claimed the district's classroom procedures were unfair to minority students.

In regard to the baseball allegations, Turner said the district's goal is to create a positive environment for all students.

"It is the Board and the District's intention that all District programs provide constructive experiences for students, and that we foster an environment where students and parents can come forward to report concerns without fear of reprisals and retaliation," she said.

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

 

Mother's murder case reveals how 8-year-old girl spent final days

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Krisla Rezireksyon Kris said she provided "tender loving care" to her daughter in the days before the child was found dead

NEWARK -- In the days before her 8-year-old daughter, Christiana Glenn, was found dead in the family's Irvington apartment in 2011, Krisla Rezireksyon Kris said she provided "tender loving care" to the child.

During a video-taped statement played for jurors on Thursday at Rezireksyon Kris's trial on murder and related charges, Rezireksyon Kris told police the child had fallen while taking a bath two days before her death.

"I'm not gonna say she was walking a hundred percent," she said. "I'm not gonna say that, but she was walking fine."

The following day, when Christiana's leg appeared "swollen" and she had trouble walking, Rezireksyon Kris said she applied "cornmeal and salt" to the leg and wrapped it in bandages.

"You could say there were times she was crying," Rezireksyon Kris said.

Then on the morning of May 22, 2011, Rezireksyon Kris said she bathed Christiana and brushed her teeth, and they prayed and ate. Christiana was "fine, laughing, giggling," Rezireksyon Kris said.

But after Christiana had laid down to take a nap, Rezireksyon Kris said she called the child's name around 11 a.m. and didn't get an answer. Rezireksyon Kris said she approached the child to wake her up, but found she was not breathing and had no pulse.

Rezireksyon Kris said she, her two younger children and her roommate, Myriam Janvier, prayed over Christiana's body for an hour to 90 minutes. Since Christiana was then still unresponsive, Rezireksyon Kris said she went outside to a payphone and called 911.

"I was like, 'She can't breathe. She can't breathe,'" Rezireksyon Kris recalled saying to the 911 operator.

Rezireksyon Kris recounted those details in her interview with two detectives in the hours after her daughter died in the Chancellor Avenue apartment. A medical examiner later determined the girl died from severe malnutrition and an untreated broken femur.

In addition to being charged with murder in Christiana's death, Rezireksyon Kris, 34, is accused of abusing and neglecting her two younger children, 7-year-old Christina and 6-year-old Solomon. Authorities have said they were starved and sustained fractures that went untreated. The three children also were tied to radiators, authorities said.

Janvier, 27, also has been charged in the case, but she is expected to be tried separately at a later date.

During Rezireksyon Kris's trial, her attorney, Adrien Moncur, has argued she suffers from "diminished capacity" and did not have the requisite state of mind to be found guilty of the charges. Moncur also has stressed the role of her pastor, Emanyel Rezireksyon Kris, and suggested that he had cast a spell over the two women.

Rezireksyon Kris legally changed her name from Venette Ovilde in order to match the pastor's name, according to Moncur. The children's names also were changed to Kristiana, Kristina and Solomon Rezireksyon Kris, according to trial testimony.

Christiana GlennCopy of a 2006 photo of Christiana Glenn, looking at her reflection in a mirror before attending a family wedding as a flower girl. Eight-years-old Christiana Glenn, (now called Kristiana Rezireksyon Kris.) was found dead from malnutrition and a broken leg. Her mother, Venette Ovilde (Krisla Rezireksyon Kris), has been charged with the death of her daughter. Saddle Brook, NJ 6/3/11 McCoy Family Photo

On Thursday, Rezireksyon Kris's video-taped statement was played during the testimony of Sgt. Michael Davidson of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, one of the detectives who interviewed her.

During the statement, the detectives indicated the three children looked frail, but Rezireksyon Kris said they were healthy. She said the children did not eat meat and followed a diet during the week that included vegetables, bread and beans. They fasted on the weekends by only eating soup, she said.

"They look healthy to me," she said.

Rezireksyon Kris said she noticed other bruises on Christiana. Rezireksyon Kris said the child's skin looked like she was "burnt," and appeared that she had sores. She also described the bruises as "little red pimples."

Davidson asked her where those marks came from, but Rezireksyon Kris seemed uncertain. Rezireksyon Kris said she didn't know if they were the result of the girl's initial fall or from her leg being swollen.

"Her body started being really sensitive," Rezireksyon said.

When Davidson asked Rezireksyon Kris if she punished her children, she said, "I don't beat them," but later acknowledged how she would "tap" them sometimes.

Rezireksyon said she wouldn't use a belt. "I use my hands," she said.

The other detective questioned her about ropes found tied to a radiator, but Rezireksyon said she did not restrain the children by tying them to the radiator.

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

What is 'sprint' football, and why has a second N.J. college signed on to play?

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The sport has the same rules as football, but all of its players are under 172 pounds.

CALDWELL -- A second college in New Jersey has added "sprint football" to its varsity lineup. The sport has all the same rules as NCAA football, but all of its players weigh 172 pounds or less. And, officials at Caldwell University say it will help attract more male students to, and create more of a community atmosphere on and around its campus.

"I think it will be very attractive for our location," said Mark Corino, the Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics at Caldwell, a Division II school.

"(This are is) very competitive, football-wise, and there are a lot of students who don't get the opportunity to play (in college) because of their size."

According to school officials, the sport was created in 1934 at the University of Pennsylvania as a way to give smaller athletes a chance to play collegiate sports. Though membership in the Collegiate Sprint Football League has waxed and waned in the years since, Caldwell will bring its membership up to 10 schools, including Princeton in New Jersey; Chestnut Hill College, UPenn, and Mansfield University in Pennsylvania; Army West Point and Cornell University in New York; Post University in Connecticut; Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire; and the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Caldwell University to the Collegiate Sprint Football League and we are excited about the future of our league," said CSFL Commissioner Matthew Munnelly in a statement.

"Caldwell University will be a great representative for the state of New Jersey. We look forward to a long and flourishing relationship."

Caldwell University's commencement 2015

Sprint football will be Caldwell's 16th varsity sport. It currently has 280 student athletes on campus. Corino estimates that once the school begins recruiting for sprint, it will attract an additional 60 to 70 male student athletes to the college.

In a school that's population is currently split 70 percent female, 30 percent male, Corino said part of the reason officials agreed to add the sport was in an effort to attract more male students.

"It's an enrollment initiative," he said. "It's a good opportunity for the school and the students...and it'll be exciting for the community to have college games to go to on the weekends."

Caldwell is now in the process of hiring a full-time coach, six part-time coaches, and administrative personnel to support the program. It will begin its first sprint football season in the fall of 2017.

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

 

Hundreds say tearful goodbye to Port Authority officer

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Funeral services were held Thursday morning for Elise Bastardo, the 24-year-old Port Authority police officer who died on Feb. 12 after being injured in a crash. Watch video

MANASQUAN - Hundreds of family, friends and fellow Port Authority police officers packed St. Denis Church on Thursday morning to pay their final respects to Elise Bastardo.

The 24-year-old Port Authority police officer died on Feb. 12 after she was seriously injured in an off-duty crash in Plumsted on Feb. 6.

Bastardo was an All-State field hockey player for Wall High School and graduated cum laude from Rutgers University in 2013 with a bachelors degree in psychology and criminal justice and a minor in criminology.

According to Michael A. Fedorko, the director of public safety and superintendent of police for the Port Authority, Bastardo was a member of the Port Authority's 113th police academy class, which graduated in August 2014.

"The commanding officer of the Port Authority academy said she was a model recruit and was selected to many positions of leadership in the recruit academy structure," Fedorko said during her funeral.

She was assigned to the Newark Liberty Airport command where Fedorko said her commanding officer "praised her work ethic, her dedication to duty and her overall job performance."

"Police Officer Bastardo was well liked and held in high esteem by everyone; she will be sorely missed by the police department. ... She will always be remembered as an outstanding member of the Port Authority Police Department," said Fedorko, who presented Bastardo's parents with a flag that was flown over the World Trade Center site on Jan. 21.

A relative who eulogized Bastardo during her funeral said she "lived a truly beautiful life."

"Elise, you definitely had a unique way of looking at life, which kept things interesting and made us think. You were tough on the outside, but deep inside you maintained the joy you were born with," she said. "Your infectious smile and fiery spirit filled every room you entered. You will be missed beyond comprehension."

The relative said the funeral was not a "goodbye" to Bastardo, but rather a celebration of her life.

"We will miss your smile, laugh, even your eye rolling and sarcasm. Actually, especially your eye rolling and sarcasm," she said. "We will miss your free spirit, athleticism and fierce independence. The people who loved you most will miss that uniqueness."

Bastardo was driving east on Archertown Road in Plumsted on Feb. 6 when her Jeep ran off the road, struck a utility pole and overturned, police said. Authorities have not released additional details about the crash.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Fugitive wanted on attempted murder charges arrested in Newark

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Martina Jenkins is wanted by South Carolina authorities on attempted murder charges.

Martina JenkinsMartina Jenkins (Essex County Corrections)

NEWARK -- A woman wanted on attempted murder charges in South Carolina was arrested Wednesday in downtown Newark, according to an Essex County Sheriff's Office news release.

Members of the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, which included Sheriff's Office detectives and local police officers, arrested Martina Jenkins, 22, of Lancaster, South Carolina, as she exited a coffee shop in the area of Newark's Broad and Thomas streets, said Sheriff Armondo Fontoura.

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/02/delaware_man_arrested_in_newark_drug_bust.html

Jenkins is wanted by South Carolina authorities on attempted murder and weapons possession charges in connection with a February 1 shooting incident that wounded a local South Carolina man, Fontoura said.

Jenkins is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility while she awaits extradition to South Carolina, Fontoura said.

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

Delaware man arrested in Newark drug bust

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Michael Williams, of Middletown, Delaware was arrested Wednesday on multiple drug-related charges, officials said.

Michael WilliamsMichael Williams (Essex County Corrections)

NEWARK -- Investigators with the Essex County Sheriff's Office have arrested and charged a 49-year-old Delaware man after he was allegedly observed selling narcotics near Davenport Avenue and North 11th Street, said Sheriff Armondo Fontoura.

Michael Williams, of Middletown, was allegedly found in possession of multiple quantities of cocaine and heroin on Wednesday, Fontoura said. Officers also allegedly found him in possession of a 25-caliber handgun, he added.

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/02/south_carolina_fugitive_arrested_in_newark.html

Williams now faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a weapon while committing a narcotics crime and other drug-related offenses.

Following his arrest, Williams was transferred into custody at the county correctional facility, where he's being held on bail $75,000.

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

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