Latest news with #SouthBrunswick
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal judge's son remembered on the anniversary of his tragic death
The life and sacrifice of Daniel Anderl will be remembered July 19, the fifth anniversary of his death by a gunman targeting his mother, U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas. A Mass of Remembrance for Anderl is scheduled for 5 p.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, with the Rev. Canon Robert G. Lyman, the church's pastor, serving as celebrant and homilist. Anderl was killed five years ago at the family's North Brunswick home by a gunman posing as a delivery person. The gunman was a disgruntled attorney with a case before Salas. When both Daniel and his father, attorney Mark Anderl, answered the door, the gunman opened fire. Daniel was killed and his father was seriously injured. Salas, who was in another part of the home and was not injured, said her son gave his life to save his parents. The gunman, who later took his own life, had personal information about Salas and her family, including where they lived. Salas, who was recently named to the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni, has advocated for laws to protect judges' personal identifiable information. In 2020 Gov. Phil Murphy signed Daniel's Law, legislation aimed at keeping personal and home identifying information of current and retired judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officials and their families from the public, including online. More: NJ Supreme Court says Daniel's Law is constitutional, journalists must abide In addition, the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act protects the personal information of federal judges and their families. Salas has said she has relied on her faith to move forward after her son's death and forgave his killer because "hate is heavy, love is light." Anderl was his parents' only child, a 2014 graduate of the St. Augustine of Canterbury School and 2018 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. He was studying at Catholic University to become a lawyer like his parents. More: NJ federal judge whose son was murdered: Attacks on judges worrisome for democracy On July 19, 2020, 72-year-old Roy Den Hollander, a self-proclaimed anti-feminist attorney who had a case before Salas, went to the family's home dressed as a delivery person with the intent of attacking the judge. Den Hollander, who found Salas's personal information on the internet, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Rockland County, New York the day after the shooting. Email: srussell@ Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today This article originally appeared on NJ federal judge's son remembered on anniversary of his tragic death
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
South Brunswick police officer arrested, charged with stealing $75K from PBA, shoplifting
A South Brunswick police officer has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $75,000 from his Police Benevolent Association (PBA). Patrolman First Class Abraham "Jason" Gassman, 53, a 19-year department veteran, was charged with official misconduct and theft by deception, both second-degree crimes, hindering apprehension, official misconduct and theft by deception, all third-degree crimes, falsifying records, a fourth-degree crime, and shoplifting, a disorderly persons offense, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced July 16. Gassman turned himself in on July 16 and was lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court, the prosecutor's office said. During those proceedings the prosecutor's office intends to ask that Gassman be barred from contact with his former PBA chapter executive board and ordered to surrender his firearms and submit to monthly reporting as the case proceeds. According to the prosecutor's office, an investigation led by the members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Professional Responsibility Unit revealed that earlier this year Gassman allegedly shoplifted bedding items worth about $100 from an Ocean Township department store, and left the scene in his South Brunswick police vehicle. The investigation also revealed that Gassman had served as his local PBA chapter's treasurer since 2009 and had exclusive control over the union's finances and had stolen more than $75,000 from the PBA in different ways over the last six years, including using the PBA credit card to make personal purchases and steal cash proceeds from PBA charity fundraisers and other events, according to the prosecutor's office. The personal purchases included home improvement items such as patio furniture, storage containers, vacuums, propane gas, a leaf blower, televisions, a home gym kit, microwave, luggage, and food, the prosecutor's office said. The investigation found Gassman allegedly used the PBA credit card to purchase lodging, parking, gas and food for himself and another officer on a business trip and then submitted a purchase order to be reimbursed by the police department. Gassman also allegedly submitted documents to the PBA accountant falsely indicating he had paid back personal purchases, and also changed the password to the PBA's credit card when questioned by the PBA's leadership, effectively locking them out. 'We sincerely thank the South Brunswick Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Raymond J. Hayducka, as well as South Brunswick PBA Local No. 166, under the leadership of Chapter President Gerald Sarno, for the resoluteness with which they approached this matter and their consistently helpful cooperation during the course of our investigation,' Prosecutor Santiago said. Hayducka said Gassman was suspended without pay shortly after he learned of the accusations and because it appears Gassman has not lived up to the department's CORE values of integrity, respect and professionalism. "The standard for suspending a police officer without pay in New Jersey is a high bar to achieve and I did not make this decision without a careful review of the facts and circumstances, which led me to conclude that the immediate suspension was necessary to maintain safety, health and order of effective police services," Hayducka said. "The accusations and arrest of Mr. Gassman is extremely disappointing to me and all members of the agency. The accusations against him do not reflect the character and practices of the hardworking men and woman of the South Brunswick Police Department that do serve honorably each and every day and live up to our agency CORE Values. I am extremely proud of the officers that came forward and reported the alleged misconduct by Mr. Gassman," Hayducka continued. 'While we are unable to comment on the specifics of an active legal matter, we reaffirm our strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical practices. We are proud to serve every individual in our vibrant South Brunswick community. It is a privilege that we do not take lightly, and it deserves our deepest respect and unwavering dedication," PBA Chapter President Sarno said. "The strong relationships we've built, along with the continued support of our residents, have empowered us to drive meaningful, lasting change both within our organization and throughout the community we are honored to protect." The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco director of the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit. Gassman is represented by attorney Mitchell Ansell. Anyone with information about Gassman's activities is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Detective Dylan Lovgren at 800-533-7433. Email: srussell@ Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today This article originally appeared on South Brunswick police officer charged with stealing $75K from PBA
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New car wash may be coming to Middlesex County
SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A car wash may be coming to a vacant gas station and convenience store site on Route 1. Spark Car Wash, which leases the property at 3703 Route 1, is seeking township approval to build an approximately 4,841-square-foot automated car wash with a drive through lane, 22 vacuum parking spaces, four employee parking spaces and signage at the site. The approximately 1.47-acre property has driveway access to both Route 1 and Finnegans Lane. According to its website, Spark has multiple locations in New Jersey, with only one in Central Jersey in Woodbridge. However, the company has plans to open in Piscataway, Flemington, North Brunswick and Linden. Spark Car Wash, founded in 2018, "provides an energizing car wash experience that is both effective and efficient," according to a company press release. More: South Brunswick Police Department announces 2025 award recipients In 2023, Spark raised $30 million in private equity for expansion. The public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for the 7:30 p.m. July 17 Zoning Board meeting at the municipal building. Variances are required for minimum lot size, setbacks from Route 1 and Finnegans Lane, landscaping setback and signs. Email: sloyer@ Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Spark Car Wash proposed for Route 1, South Brunswick
CBS News
24-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Small towns in N.J. feeling the crunch of nationwide volunteer firefighter shortage
Fire departments across the country are sounding the alarm — not over flames, but over a shortage of volunteer firefighters. It's a nationwide problem. According to the United States Fire Administration, in the last 40 years, the number of volunteers across the country has dropped from 897,000 to 676,000. In New Jersey, volunteers say the firefighter shortage is putting pressure on small towns that rely on them the most. Volunteer firefighter shortage strains resources The Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 has been protecting South Brunswick for 100 years. Lt. Cheng-Yu Lee has been volunteering with the company for about eight years. "To save someone from those situations is just so rewarding," he said. When he's not responding to calls or working his fulltime job in marketing, Lee works with junior firefighters, training the next generation of first responders. "I wish I knew what volunteer firefighting was when I was much younger. And I would've been doing this," he said. But fire departments like Lee's are struggling to recruit. Kingston Fire Company No. 1 Chief Chris Ciabattone says that strains resources during emergencies. "In a perfect world, we'd roll a few pieces of apparatus ... for each call. But sometimes we don't have that luxury, so in certain cases, we have to call for additional resources or additional help from neighboring towns," he said. Training could be condensed, task force recommends When fewer people volunteer, some towns are forced to hire paid firefighters at the expense of taxpayers. "Volunteers are getting scarce because of work obligations, family obligations, the training obligations," Ocean County Chief Fire Marshal Dennis Allen said. Allen says firefighters, paid or not, have to complete hundreds of hours of training — a lot to ask of a volunteer. A New Jersey task force on volunteer retention and recruitment released a report in 2023 which recommended that the training for volunteers be provided in a condensed version. That, they say, would attract more volunteers. "You always have to stay fresh on the training. Could they scale back a little bit of the training? I believe so," Allen said. Back in South Brunswick, Lee hopes more people sign up to serve their communities. "I not only dedicate myself to being a firefighter, I'm dedicating myself to South Brunswick firefighter. Because I'm going to live here until the day I die," he said.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
South Brunswick fireworks: What to know
Where: Crossroads South Midde School field, 195 Major Road, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. When: July 1. Rain date: July 2, Festivities: Music, food and entertainment, 6 p.m. Fireworks approximately 8:45 p.m., Information: 732-329-4000, ext. 7671. Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for This article originally appeared on South Brunswick fireworks: What to know
