Group sues New Brunswick officials in change-in-government flap

by Chandra M. Hayslett/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 5:53 PM

The grass-roots organization working to change the form of government in New Brunswick filed a lawsuit today against the city clerk and council, seeking to overturn the clerk's decision that denies residents a say in determining the next form of government.

City Clerk Daniel Torrisi twice denied petitions submitted by Empower Our Neighborhoods, which collected hundreds of signatures of residents who want to vote on if the form of government should change, from an at-large to ward-based system.

EON hopes the latest lawsuit, filed in state Superior Court, will allow the people's voices to be heard.

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Teen enters not guilty plea in stabbing death of New Brunswick man

by Jim O'Neill/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 3:59 PM

A not guilty plea was entered this afternoon on behalf of a 19-year-old New Brunswick man, who was brought into a Middlesex County courtroom to face charges of fatally stabbing another city man and wounding his companion.

Eujevel Lopez remained silent during the brief hearing on charges he killed 20-year-old Luilly Hernandez and wounded the victim's companion during a fight Sunday on Gerorge Street near Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Police are withholding the name of the companion, who is a witness to the slaying.

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Signs aim to deter suicides on Victory Bridge

by The Associated Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 2:29 PM

State officials hope new crisis-intervention signs will deter some people from jumping off Victory Bridge in Middlesex County.

The 110-foot span, part of Route 35 that connects Perth Amboy and Sayreville, has been a draw for people wishing to commit suicide.

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Cranbury man pleads guilty to charges that led to cop's death

by Guy Sterling /The Star-Ledger

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:58 PM

A Cranbury man with a history of fleeing authorities pleaded guilty today to three criminal charges stemming from a car chase last year that led to the death of a Newark police sergeant.

William Rodriguez, 22, faces a sentence of 30 years in prison with no opportunity for parole after pleading guilty to felony murder, eluding and escape before Superior Court Judge Michael Nelson in Newark. He was named in a 14-count indictment returned late last year in connection with an incident that took the life of Sgt. Tommaso Popolizio on March 3, 2007.

Popolizio, a 33-year-old father of four, died after his police cruiser flipped over during a chase on Doremus Avenue in Newark. He and several other officers had responded to a report of drag racing when he pulled over Rodriguez and arrested him.

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Authorities probe Perth Amboy land deal involving ex-Mayor Joseph Vas

by Sharon Adarlo/The Star-Ledger

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 5:48 PM

Investigators probing former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas' administration have subpoenaed records related to a 2006 land deal in which Vas sold a city apartment building he owned to a developer who was then awarded a $360,000 city rehabilitation grant a month later.

Perth Amboy Law Director Mark Blunda sent a letter to former city attorney Frank Capece last month requesting all information that resulted from Capece's review last year of the land deal at the city council's request. Blunda's letter, obtained by The Star-Ledger, states the subpoena involves "all documents relating to the transactions involving 97-99 DeKalb Ave., Perth Amboy."

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North Brunswick man faces charges in stabbing death

by Jim O'Neill/The Star-Ledger

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 4:44 PM

A 20-year-old North Brunswick man, who allegedly eluded police since October, appeared in a Middlesex County courtroom this afternoon to face charges of fatally stabbing another man during a fight in New Brunswick.

A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Jorge Pellot III, who was charged with murder and a weapons offense after the Oct. 10 slaying of Tony Forde, 20, of Franklin Township.

Pellot did not speak during the brief hearing in New Brunswick. Superior Court Judge Barbara Clark Stolte continued his bail at $750,000.

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Man wanted in New Brunswick slaying captured in New Hampshire

by Jim O'Neill/The Star-Ledger

Monday December 01, 2008, 7:16 PM

Police in New Hampshire arrested a 19-year-old New Brunswick man today after Middlesex County authorities charged him with fatally stabbing another city man and wounding one of the victim's companions early Sunday.

Evjevel Lopez was charged with murder, a weapons offense and aggravated assault. New Brunswick police and members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office identified him as the man who allegedly killed 20-year-old Luilly Hernandez, and stabbed the companion, who has not been identified.

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Middlesex Freeholder Director David Crabiel is dead at 78

by Diane C. Walsh/The Star-Ledger

Monday December 01, 2008, 12:06 PM

Middlesex County Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel, whose pride showed through in the trademark way he ended every speech by declaring "Middlesex County is the greatest county in the land," died today.

Mr. Crabiel was rushed from his Milltown home to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick this morning. He was 78.

"We lost a good friend," said Freeholder Deputy Director Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina of Woodbridge. Dalina said the county administrator's office notified him of Crabiel's death. County Administrator John Pulomena could not be reached for comment however.

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