Latest news with #HunterdonCountyProsecutor'sOffice
Hindustan Times
07-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Who was Lauren Semanchik? GoFundMe launched to support New Jersey vet fatally shot by state trooper ex-boyfriend
A New Jersey State Police lieutenant who once served on Governor Phil Murphy's security detail is facing murder charges after allegedly following his ex-girlfriend home from work and fatally shooting her and her new boyfriend on Friday evening. The girl is identified as Dr. Lauren Semanchik, and her new boyfriend is Tyler Webb, as reported by NBC News. Dr. Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb were found dead; the police lieutenant accused of their murder was later found deceased in his SUV.( According to a news release shared by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office, the incident occurred near a residence in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township. The two were found dead on Saturday with apparent gunshot wounds. The prosecutors said that Police Lt. Ricardo Jorge Santos is accused of Semanchik and Webb's murder before he killed himself. He was found dead inside a White Mercedes SUV, which was parked in Piscataway. Also Read: Tacoma shooting: Man dead, woman injured as gunfire erupts at MultiCare Allenmore Hospital About Lauren Semanchik The 33-year-old Semanchik was a veterinarian by profession. She grew up in Tewksbury, NJ, and began her career as a Veterinarian with her job at Oldwick Animal Hospital while she was still in high school, as reported by The Bergen Record. Shemanchik went on to earn her Microbiology degree, and then her veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Semanchik was especially passionate about geriatric and end-of-life care, internal medicine, and dentistry, and she participated in community outreach to support both pets and people. According to a GoFundMe page set up for Shemanchik, she was working at Long Valley Animal Hospital, and the account was set up by her team there. Also Read: 2 Indian nationals crossing international border illegally apprehended by US Border Patrol agents in Bridgewater Her colleagues shared that Shemanchik was 'Deeply and unequivocally loved by her family, friends, co-workers, clients, furry patients, classmates, and anyone who had the pleasure of conversing with her or getting a glimpse of her rockstar smile and genuine kindness," according to her Go FundMe page which has raised $61,366 so far of their $70,000 target.
Politico
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Sayegh considers Pou challenge
Good Thursday morning! Democrats have been girding for a competitive challenge to freshman U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou after her shockingly narrow win last year. Now, there may be a primary as well. . Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, who's been the subject of speculation in Paterson that he may challenge Pou in the primary next year instead of seeking reelection to a third term as mayor, confirmed to me that he's thinking about it. Or at least something along those lines. 'I do keep my options open,' Sayegh told me on the phone. As Sayegh said this, he was on his way to a golf outing fundraiser for his mayoral campaign. He declined to elaborate further. But Sayegh can't run in both elections. Not realistically, at least. Paterson's municipal election is in May 2026 — a month before the House primary. And Pou recently told New Jersey Globe she plans to run for reelection. So if Sayegh really wants to challenge her and likely go up against the district's Democratic establishment, he'll probably have to decide soon. So many primary candidates. We're living in a post-county line world. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ SHOW ME THE WAY: No public schedule. QUOTE OF THE DAY: [Censored] — This very, very not-safe-for-work exchange between fair-right influencers Emily Wilson and Ian Smith, a former New Jersey congressional candidate (the only parts I can confirm as true are the DUI arrests). HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Elizabeth Meyers, Steve Stern WHAT TRENTON MADE NJSP — 'Murder victim told cops her ex was stalking her. Did police do enough to protect her?' by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: 'The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office says it will investigate murder victim Lauren Semanchik's previous interactions with police regarding her ex-boyfriend, a police officer who authorities believe killed her this past weekend. Lauren Semanchik's family has said Ricardo J. Santos, a New Jersey State Police lieutenant, stalked and harassed Semanchik when their relationship ended in September 2024 and her pleas to police went unheeded. … Prosecutor Renée Robeson's office issued this statement Monday: 'The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office (HCPO) is aware of the community's concerns regarding local law enforcement's prior interactions with Dr. Semanchik and the domestic violence relief she may have requested. A formal investigation into this has been initiated.'' —'Authorities tight-lipped on NJ state trooper suspected of killing two and then himself' —'Trooper who killed ex-girlfriend was protecting First Assistant Attorney General' THE VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CASE — Yesterday, I wrote that I wasn't quite clear on whether Raul Luna-Perez, the undocumented immigrant who allegedly killed a woman and her daughter while driving drunk, had been initially released from custody last week. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billheimer told me in a statement that 'although the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office moved to detain Raul Luna-Perez on July 31, 2025, he was released by the Court on level 3+ monitoring (strict home detention).' 'Luna-Perez was subsequently taken into custody on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer and is presently in federal custody,' Billheimer said. I also asked Judiciary spokesperson MaryAnn Spoto, who told me that Luna-Perez did not make it home before ICE took custody. He was immediately released to the ICE detainer, she said. Spoto said that Raul-Perez's public safety assessment considered him low-risk but that the judge — Wendel Daniels, a retiree on recall — upgraded his home monitoring to the strictest level. WHO TO BLAME — New Jersey voters aren't sure who to blame for rising power prices, according to a new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll, done in cooperation with the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey. The poll found that more than half of Republicans blame Trenton Democrats, while Democrats tend to blame utility companies and the federal government. 'The bottom line is that people in New Jersey don't really know why their electric bills are going up, so they're blaming whoever they don't like,' Dan Cassino, the executive director of the FDU poll, said in a statement. — Ry Rivard 0.03 NJEAS — DNC invests $1.5 million into New Jersey ahead of gov race, by POLITICO's Madison Fernandez: The Democratic National Committee is investing $1.5 million into New Jersey as Democrats attempt a feat that has not been accomplished in decades: hold the governorship for three terms in a row. The initial investment, which the committee touted as 'one of the largest and earliest' it has made to the New Jersey Democratic Coordinated Campaign in an off-year cycle, will support Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who is locked in a competitive race with Republican Jack Ciattarelli to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. —'Clean slate for serious juvenile criminal offenses? N.J. court just made it possible' —'NJ GOP sees big increase in voters, but Dems maintain healthy lead' —"Abene still wins Dem Assembly primary in 39th after recount" —'RGA chair raises money for Ciattarelli In N.J' —'NJ bill would require breakdown of how much Trump tariffs are affecting the price of goods' TRUMP ERA MR. SMITH VOTES TO GUT WASHINGTON — 'These GOP lawmakers referred constituents to the CFPB for help. Then they voted to gut the agency,' by ProPublica's Joel Jacobs: 'A New York business frozen out of its checking account. A Georgia chemotherapy patient denied a credit card refund after a product dispute. A New Jersey service member defrauded out of their savings. These consumers — along with hundreds of others — reached out to their congressional representatives for help in the past 12 months. … Records show their representatives — all Republicans — referred them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the watchdog agency formed in the wake of the Great Recession to shield Americans from unfair or abusive business practices. All three consumers got relief, according to agency data. Then the lawmakers — along with nearly every other Republican in Congress — voted to slash the agency's funding by nearly half as part of President Donald Trump's signature legislative package, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a step toward the administration's goal of gutting the agency. … Wittman and Cornyn didn't respond to questions from ProPublica about the disconnect between their offices' use of the CFPB's services and their votes to cut it. Neither did New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, whose office fielded the defrauded service member's complaint' —'Who's to blame for humanitarian crisis in Gaza? The question is dividing North Jersey Jews' LOCAL FIRST IN PLIGHT — 'Residents fighting against Trenton-Mercer Airport expansion hit another roadblock,' by WHYY's Zoë Read: 'Proponents of the expansion say it will boost the local economy while making the airport a regional hub. But some nearby residents have fought against the project, arguing it will worsen noise pollution. They're also concerned construction activities may harm the environment, as the site has a history of toxic PFAS contamination. But opponents hit a roadblock in June when state environmental regulators denied their request for a hearing on a permit that would clear the way for the beginning stages of construction. 'For years, we've been trying to get information from the airport and New Jersey DEP, and basically, we've had the door slammed in our face at every turn,' said Rich Preston, who lives in nearby Yardley, Pennsylvania.' UNSHORETAINTY — 'Jersey Shore towns given ultimatum: Agree on beach fix, or money for $54M project goes away,' by NJ Advance Media's Eric Conklin: 'A $54 million beach fill project to strengthen five miles of New Jersey beaches may be in jeopardy after federal officials informed several towns that funding may be reallocated. State, local and federal officials began planning the project for Five-Mile Island, which houses the Wildwoods and part of Lower Township, after Superstorm Sandy decimated much of the Jersey Shore in 2012. The project, which would add about 2 million cubic yards of sand, is being funded by about $34 million, and roughly $19 million has been promised by the state. However, the towns' mayors have disagreed on its value to their communities. Wildwood Crest went as far earlier this year to withdraw from the project, citing its impact to tourism, a move that's the subject of ongoing litigation. Now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is giving local officials an ultimatum - reach an agreement on the project by September's end, or congressionally backed funding will be allocated elsewhere. … North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello told NJ Advance Media that he, leaders from the three other towns and NJDEP met last week over the Army Corps's letter. The long-time mayor fears a resolution won't be reached before the Army Corps' deadline, he said.' MISTRUSTEES — 'Lack of transparency with Newark Public Library financial documents continues,' by TAPIntoNewark's Nicole Zanchelli: 'Major renovations to Newark Public Library's Springfield Branch have been stalled, as the architectural contract has gone back to the drawing board after library board members expressed frustration with the lack of information regarding the bidding process. A resolution to approve a $59,000 contract with OCA Architects, Inc. to renovate the Springfield Branch, located at 50 Hayes St., came before the Newark Library Board of Trustees at its July 23 meeting. However, the agenda, and the committee reports, were not publicly posted prior to the July 23 meeting. It was also made clear that financial documents – including the architectural contract, any Requests for Quotes (RFQs), and the long-awaited Memorandum of Agreement with library employees – were not provided to the library board trustees for review.' R.I.P. — 'John Sweeney, Somerset GOP surrogate candidate, dies at 63,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Peapack-Gladstone Council President John L. Sweeney, the Republican nominee for Somerset County Surrogate, died this morning. He was 63. Sweeney first won election to the council in 2001 on a ticket with William Horton; he served from 2002 to 2013, and again since 2019. His council colleagues have elected him council president for the last three years. 'John led the effort to preserve the land as council president twenty years ago,' said Tim Howes, a former Peapack-Gladstone councilman and Somerset County GOP chairman' NO SPORTS BALLS IN THE SACK — 'Hackensack halts $40 million sports complex plan after years of delays,' by News 12's Tony Caputo: 'A long-awaited sports complex project in Hackensack has been officially suspended after nearly a decade of delays and rising costs. Hackensack Council Members have pulled the plug on the planned sports complex slated for Johnson Park just off River Street. At a special council meeting Monday night, city officials voted to scrub the idea after the contractor increased construction costs from an initial $7 million deal in 2016 to $40 million now. Construction was supposed to take 2 years and be finished by 2018.' —'Hackensack City Manager Vincent Caruso resigns, replaced with retired fire chief' R.I.P. — 'Former Cape May County judge, sheriff John F. Callinan dies at 90' —'[Woodbridge] ambulance service is suddenly shutting down at midnight' — 'The (ongoing?) Battle of Montville' EVERYTHING ELSE UNACSEPTABLE — 'SEPTA funding troubles leave NJ commuters worried,' by NJ Spotlight News' Ted Goldberg: 'A funding fight in Harrisburg could determine the future of commuting between Trenton and Philadelphia. SEPTA, the authority that regulates mass transit into and out of Philadelphia, is proposing a 20% fare increase and substantial service cuts as it faces an annual deficit exceeding $200 million. The first wave of cuts, reducing service out of West Trenton and the Trenton Transit Center, would begin on Aug. 24 if Pennsylvania's leadership can't agree on a funding bill. … Further cuts taking effect in January 2026 include the elimination of the Trenton Line, one of SEPTA's busier regional lines. SEPTA spends $65 million a year to lease rail lines from Amtrak, making their elimination a money-saver, officials said.' CALIFORNIA OF THE EAST — 'Why 2 earthquakes jolted New York and New Jersey recently,' by The New York Times' Samantha Latson: 'A 2.7- magnitude earthquake hit northern New Jersey on Tuesday, just days after a 3.0-magnitude quake struck the same area on Saturday, shaking parts of the state and New York City. The recent temblors were classified as 'weak,' according to the U.S. Geological Survey's Mercalli Intensity Scale. Still, they were a shock to New Yorkers and New Jerseyans generally unused to the earth shaking beneath them. But several experts consulted by The New York Times all agreed: The two quakes were not out of ordinary for the area. And a bigger one is not out of the question. Since 1900, there have been 355 earthquakes in the New Jersey area with a magnitude of 1.0 and above, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In those 125 years, only 20 earthquakes have had a magnitude of 3.0 and above that people can actually feel.' NO RISK, BECAUSE IT ONLY EATS BRAINS IN STATES WITH NO GOOD PIZZA OR BAGELS — 'What is the brain-eating amoeba and what's the risk in NJ? What to know now,' by The Record's Juan Carlos Castillo: 'The so called brain-eating amoeba, or Naegleria fowleri, killed a South Carolina boy early in July after swimming in a lake there. … In the past, New Jerseyans wouldn't have to worry as Naegleria fowleri was found in warmer Southern states, given that the amoeba prefers warmer freshwater. However, climate change has raised temperatures across the country, and now cases are being identified in colder northern … There is no confirmed report of Naegleria fowleri in New Jersey waters.' ALL POLITICS IS LOCCO — 'From political candidate to political forecaster: the journey of Patrick Allocco,' by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack: 'Patrick Allocco ran for Congress back in 2018 and didn't fare all that well in what was a crowded Republican primary in CD-11. Local Assemblyman Jay Webber won that race and ultimately lost to Democrat Mikie Sherrill. There is a connection here - as there often is in New Jersey politics. Allocco has morphed from congressional candidate to political forecaster via a tech company called Zoose. Here is how he describes it: 'Zoose® is a tech company leveraging advanced AI and human-to-human solutions to solve real-time challenges. While Zoose remains focused on enhancing global communication and support, we also apply our AI-driven insights to critical areas like election analysis - bringing data-backed clarity to complex political landscapes.' What does all that mean regarding the race for governor? 'I am the only forecaster who has Jack up ... right now,' he said when we met Wednesday morning in this Morris County town.' RUDOLPH THE RED TAPE BARN DEER — 'From rescue to courtroom: Lawrence woman faces charges for keeping a deer,' by The Jersey Vindicator's Steve Janoski: 'When an orphaned fawn wandered onto Cammy Lowe's farm in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, in 2019, she quickly took him in, fed him, and devoted herself to keeping him warm and safe — and, in the process, became the only mom the deer ever knew. Now, more than six years later, she's battling over the deer against an unforeseen enemy: the State of New Jersey. Lowe, who owns TLC Country Stables in Lawrenceville, has been fighting over the deer she named Rudolph (or Rudy for short) for the past year. She kept Rudy in a barn on her 30-acre farm on Van Kirk Road until last summer, when a New Jersey Fish and Wildlife conservation officer came knocking on her door with a long list of charges. Lowe removed the deer from her property for fear that he would be euthanized, but state officials still went after her.' —'Seal pup that washed up on Brigantine beach is healing, vets say'
