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Sussex Assemblywoman McHose stepping down Saturday

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The longtime lawmaker announced she was leaving Legislature Jan. 1

SUSSEX COUNTY -- Alison McHose, a member of of the Littell political dynasty, has announced that she would be giving up her Assembly seat Saturday, several months after she said she would be stepping down from the post but without giving an exit date.

mchosejpg-jpg-10e79920f2f20889.jpgAlison McHose (File photo)  

RELATED: McHose leaving Assembly to take municipal post in Franklin


"I will be resigning from the NJ General Assembly effective 10-17-15," she wrote in a brief statement to the media released Friday afternoon. "It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve in the third generation of the Littell family in the people's house."

McHose announced her departure from the Legislature Jan.1, after being named   administrator for Franklin Borough. Since then observers have been waiting to see when she would actually leave the seat representing the historically Republican district.

Earlier this year, McHose had endorsed a Sussex County freeholder, Gail Phoebus, to succeed her in the 24th District. She also said at the time that she was holding off on resigning in order to finish work on pending legislation.

McHose served in the Assembly for 12 years, representing a district that consists mostly of Sussex County towns but also includes parts of Morris and Warren counties. She is the daughter of Robert Littell, who served in the Legislature for 40 years and who died in 2014.

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

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Woman gets 10 years for plot to have daughter's ex burned alive

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Pa. woman paid an undercover state trooper $1,000 to kill the man, telling him to "burn him alive"

TRENTON -- A Pennsylvania woman who admitted she tried to hire a hit man to kill her daughter's ex-boyfriend and two others was sentenced Friday to 10 years in state prison.

Denise Marie Nagrodski, of Easton, paid an undercover state trooper $1,000 to kill the man, telling the fake hit man to "burn him alive."

Denise-Marie-Nagrodski.jpgDenise Marie Nagrodski, 52, of Easton, Pa., was sentenced to 10 years in prison for arranging with an undercover detective to kill her daughter's ex-boyfriend and two others, state authorities said.  

Nagrodski, 52, claimed the ex-boyfriend had physically abused her daughter, causing her to have a miscarriage when she was pregnant with twins. Authorities said she hired the detective to kill the man, and to shoot the ex-boyfriend's sister and his sister's boyfriend twice in the forehead each, "one for each twin."


RELATED: Woman admits plotting to have daughter's N.J. ex-boyfriend burned alive

The State Police foiled the plot after receiving a tip from the New York City Police Department last year that Nagrodski was looking to hire a hit man, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

A detective from an organized crime unit within the State Police met with Nagrodski at the Phillipsburg Mall in Lopatcong, authorities said. There, she told the detective she wanted all three victims, who lived together in Somerset County, shot and killed, but she could not provide a gun.

Ultimately, authorities said, she agreed the hit man should "bash in" their heads and set the home ablaze.

"Once you step out of the car, this is on," she said, giving a down payment of $500, according to police. "I need it done."

At a second meeting, on Nov. 25, she gave the undercover detective photos of the victims and a map to their home, along with another $500. She was arrested as she drove away, authorities said.

"If Nagrodski had succeeded in her gruesome plot, three people would have been murdered in horrific fashion," acting Attorney General John Hoffman said Friday, adding that investigators "saved lives."

Nagrodski was arrested in November and pleaded guilty on June 25 to charges including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was sentenced to 10 years, including eight and a half years of parole ineligibility under the No Early Release Act, by Superior Court Judge Robert Reed in Warren County, authorities said.

An attorney for Nagrodski could not be reached Friday.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Have you seen these suspects? Fugitives of the week Oct. 17, 2015

North Hunterdon girls soccer team beats Belvidere in overtime in H/W/S quarterfinals

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On the Lions' 20th shot of the game, Heather Tostevin found the back of the net following a direct kick by Rebecca Fontana.



North Hunterdon 1, Belvidere 0 (OT) — Rapid Recap


North Hunterdon girls soccer team's perseverance paid off as senior midfielder Heather Tostevin scored with 4:56 left in the first overtime to give the Lions a 1-0 road win over Belvidere on Saturday in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex quarterfinals.


Turning point: On the Lions' 20th shot of the game, Tostevin found the back of the net following a direct kick by sophomore Rebecca Fontana.


Top performer: Tostevin was strong all game before getting the goal, producing a number of the chances for the Lions, including hitting the post five minutes into the first half. Honorable mention goes to Belvidere junior goalkeeper Christine Fox, who made 15 saves, including a few impressive ones. Also, Olivia Ripnyak made five saves for North Hunterdon to preserve the shutout. 


What it means: North Hunterdon advances into next Saturday's H/W/S semifinals against the winner of the Sparta/Pope John quarterfinal, which was played on Saturday. Belvidere shows it can hang with a much bigger school and take them into overtime.


Full box score and more coverage.


H/W/S girls soccer bracket.


Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.



Months of Route 94 lane closures begin Monday

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Work will continue into the spring on about five miles of the northern Warren County road.



Drivers who use Route 94 in northern Warren County should expect lane closures starting Monday and lasting into the spring.


A contractor with the New Jersey Department of Transportation will begin milling and paving about five miles of the road in Blairstown and Frelinghuysen townships, according to a DOT news release.


The work will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights, weather permitting, the DOT said. The affected stretch is between Mohican Road in Blairstown and Kerr Road in Frelinghuysen.




RELATED: How long did Lehigh Valley commuters sit in traffic last year?




The $2.7 million project is designed to be a moving operation, with one side of the road left open for travel at a time. Some local detours for drivers crossing Route 94 will be implemented as necessary, the DOT said.


Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.


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Warrern Hills field hockey team fueled by spirit of Evan Murray against Voorhees

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The Blue Streaks won the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinal for Murray, the former three-sport athlete who died Sept. 25 from a lacerated spleen.

His physical presence wasn’t there. But Dani Profita truly believes Evan Murray was there in spirit on Saturday morning.

Profita scored the decisive goal on a penalty stroke to give Warren Hills Regional High School’s field hockey team a dramatic 2-1 win over host Voorhees in a Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinal in Lebanon Township.

Murray is a former three-sport athlete at Warren Hills who died Sept. 25 from complications of a lacerated spleen suffered while playing football against Summit High School.

Afterward, an emotional Profita said Murray is always on the minds of the Blue Streaks players.

“We basically won it for him,” said Profita, a junior forward. “Most of us were friends with him. We said the whole game that ‘We have to do it for Evan.’ He was definitely here. You could feel it.”

Warren Hills goalkeeper Jackie de Raismes had a key stop on Voorhees star Kathryn Roncoroni during the penalty strokes. de Raismes also feels the impact that Murray has had on the team since his passing.

“I didn’t personally know him, but I wanted to win it for my teammates who did,” said de Raismes, who made 13 saves. “I understand where they’re coming from and why they dedicated the season to Evan.”

Warren Hills (13-1) advances to play Hunterdon Central, which defeated Hackettstown 1-0 in the other semifinal, for the H/W/S title next Saturday at Hackettstown at a time to be determined.

The Blue Streaks avenged a 2-1 overtime loss to Voorhees (14-3) on Sept. 15, which was 10 days before Murray died. On Saturday morning, Murray essentially served as the 12th man and this time it was a much happier ending for the Blue Streaks.

Tom Hinkel may be reached at thinkel@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook

10-year-old rescued after getting stuck 30 feet up in tree

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Washington Township police, firefighters and emergency personnel helped get the boy down.



Jeremy Thompson likes climbing, according to his great-grandmother.


But the 10-year-old may not have realized how high up in a tree he was Saturday when one of the branches beneath him broke, leaving him stranded about 30 feet up.


"I kept telling Jeremy to hold on. He kept saying 'I'm OK, mom.' But he was scared," said Barbara Thompson, who a few years ago adopted her great-grandchildren Jeremey, Jordan and Jaelyn.


Police, firefighters and emergency personnel from the area responded to Thompson's home on Route 57 in Washington Township, Warren County, and in about 45 minutes had Jeremy safely on the ground, Barbara said.


They never scolded the boy, who was uninjured, she said. But he had "a good learning experience."


"He was holding on for dear life," she said. "I don't think he'll do that again."


Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.



Warren Hills field hockey goalie Jackie de Raismes saves the day in county win over Voorhees

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de Raismes made a key save of a penalty stroke by Voorhees star Kathryn Roncoroni



Kathryn Roncoroni got the ball rolling early on Saturday morning. However, Jackie de Raismes ultimately had the final say.


de Raismes stopped a shot by Roncoroni in the first round of penalty strokes and Warren Hills Regional High School’s field hockey team went on to post a 2-1 win over Voorhees in a Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinal in Lebanon Township.


The Blue Streaks (13-1) will play Hunterdon Central for the H/W/S title next Saturday at Hackettstown at a time to be determined. The Red Devils defeated Hackettstown 1-0 in Saturday’s other semifinal.


“Oh my god, this is so much fun,” de Raismes said. “I love playing.”


Roncoroni, a high-scoring senior forward who owns virtually every school record, gave Voorhees (14-3) a 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal just 2:58 into the game.


The Vikings were unable to pad their lead and Rebecca Sigman tied it for Warren Hills with a goal assisted by Dani Profita with 10:18 left in regulation.


Neither team was able to score again for the remainder of the second half and two 10-minute overtime periods.


Roncoroni, An American University recruit, led off for Voorhees in the first of five rounds of penalty strokes but her shot was smothered by de Raismes.


Mikayla Dugan converted to give Warren Hills a 1-0 advantage in the strokes. Successful strokes by Voorhees’ Isabelle Houser and Laura Chen were offset by Warren Hills goals from Tali Popinko and Katie Thompson to give the Blue Streaks a 3-2 advantage.


Hannah Schiavo was next up for Voorhees but her shot was wide left. Profita, a junior forward, converted for the Blue Streaks to clinch the victory.


“We work on strokes every practice, especially for moments like this,” Profita said. “We were ready.”


de Raismes always takes a businesslike approach whenever she defends penalty strokes.


“I didn’t even know that was her (Roncoroni), to be honest,” de Raismes said. “Every player is just another player to me.”


de Raismes has no special formula or technique in penalty stroke situations.


“I don’t really prepare myself for this,” she said. “I just kind of focus and do what I need to do.”


Mission accomplished.    


Tom Hinkel may be reached at thinkel@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.




 


 


 




Warren Hills field hockey team unfazed by slow start against Voorhees

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The Blue Streaks faced an early deficit before rallying to win the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinal.



Kathryn Roncoroni has been tormenting Warren Hills Regional High School’s field hockey program for four seasons.


And it looked like the Blue Streaks’ recurring nightmare might continue when the Voorhees senior star scored less than three minutes into Saturday morning’s Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinal.


Warren Hills apparently wasn’t intimidated.


The Blue Streaks eventually recovered to tie on a goal by Rebecca Sigman before posting a dramatic 2-1 victory on penalty strokes in the game played in Lebanon Township.


Warren Hills (13-1) outscored Voorhees (14-3) by a 4-2 margin in the penalty strokes. Junior forward Dani Profita converted the stroke that clinched the victory. The euphoric win avenged a 2-1 overtime loss to the Vikings on Sept. 15.


“These games mean the world to us when we play Voorhees,” an emotional Profita said with tears of happiness streaming down her face.”


Profita indicated she unaware of the exact situation when it was her turn to shoot the stroke.


“To be honest, during strokes I never count because I’m afraid I’ll get flustered and mess up,” Profita said. “At first I didn’t know it was over, but when I saw Rachel (Phillips) running toward me I figured we won.”


Roncoroni scored the overtime goal to win the first meeting this season. And it looked like it might be a bad omen for Warren Hills when she gave the Vikings a quick lead on Saturday.


First year Warren Hills coach Kate Rothman felt it was just a matter of time until her team got untracked.


“We made some changes in the second half just moving some people around,” Rothman said. “I told them (before the penalty strokes) that no matter what happens, they played a great game. We played our hearts out. It’s going to be a happy bus ride back.”


Although it’s easier said than done, Rothman placed special emphasis on stopping the talented Roncoroni.


“Roncoroni is a fantastic player,” Rothman said. “We didn’t want her to beat us. We wanted the rest of the team to beat us. At times it was a bit scary, but I think we did a pretty good job on her.”


“We were super pumped on the bus,” Profita said. “We knew (Voorhees) would come out hard. We just had to stay confident.”


Warren Hills will play Hunterdon Central, a 2-1 winner over Hackettstown, for the H/W/S title next Saturday at Hackettstown. No matter what the situation, Rothman maintains faith in her team.


“When these kids get down they don’t get upset,” Rothman said. “These girls are able to stay focused and in control. We have a bunch of mentally smart players.”


Tom Hinkel may be reached at thinkel@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.



 


 


 


 



Warren Hills, Voorhees field hockey teams should have played in Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex final

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The perennial state powers were clearly the two best teams in the tournament.



Saturday morning’s Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex field hockey semifinal between Warren Hills and Voorhees was probably played a week early.


The way the brackets fell, the perennial state powers were matched up in one semifinal with Hackettstown and Hunterdon Central in the other semifinal.


Warren Hills and Voorhees played another one of their epic games Saturday with the Blue Streaks prevailing 2-1 by outscoring Voorhees 4-2 on penalty strokes.


Hunterdon Central edged Hackettstown 1-0 in the other semi, meaning Warren Hills and the Red Devils will play for the H/W/S title next Saturday at Hackettstown.


Warren Hills trounced Hunterdon Central 7-1 on Oct. 6.


“We (Warren Hills and Voorhees) are two very even teams,” Blue Streaks coach Kate Rothman said. “The worst part to me is that this game should have been the final. These two teams shouldn’t have played today.”


“This game had a finals atmosphere and this really should have been the final,” Voorhees coach Taylor Vidak said.


Voorhees captured the first meeting between the teams 2-1 in overtime on the Blue Streaks’ turf field on Sept. 15.


‘We won on their turf and they beat us on our grass,” Voorhees assistant coach Ann Bonavita said. “This should have been the final.”


Vidak says she hates to see such an important game between two great teams come down to strokes.


“It’s really unfortunate to have two teams of this caliber decide a game on strokes,” Vidak said. “I don’t think that’s the best way to do it, but that’s the way the rules are and you have to make the most of it.”


Voorhees’ Claire Whiston nearly won the game in the second overtime period but her apparent goal was nullified because of pushing violation.


“I didn’t see it (the push),” Vidak said. “It’s unfortunate because she made a great shot.”


On the surface, Warren Hills-Voorhees would have been the ultimate final. At the end of the day, you can only plays who’s on you scheduled and the Blue Streaks were up to the task on Saturday.


   Tom Hinkel may be reached at thinkel@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook



 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 



Complete coverage: Warren Hills field hockey team nips Voorhees in county tournament

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The Blue Streaks prevail 2-1 by outscoring the Vikings 4-2 on penalty strokes.



Warren Hills Regional High School's field hockey team went to penalty strokes before edging Voorhees 2-1 Saturday morning in a Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinal in Lebanon Township.


Follow the links below for complete coverage of the game:


Rapid recap: Warren Hills field hockey team edges Voorhees on strokes


Warren Hills field hockey team fueled by spirit of Evan Murray against Voorhees


Warren Hills field hockey goalie Jackie de Raismes saves the day against Voorhees


Warren Hills field hockey team unfazed by slow start against Voorhees


Warren Hills, Voorhees field hockey teams should have played in H/W/S final


Tom Hinkel may be reached at thinkel@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomHinkelLV. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook



Belvidere girls soccer team not afraid of big challengers

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Belvidere might be a little school. But the County Seaters girls soccer team isn't afraid of going toe-to-toe with the big boys.  For the second straight week, the Group 1 school took on a Group 4 challenger. On Saturday, the...

Belvidere might be a little school. But the County Seaters girls soccer team isn't afraid of going toe-to-toe with the big boys. 

For the second straight week, the Group 1 school took on a Group 4 challenger.

On Saturday, the County Seaters took North Hunterdon to overtime before falling 1-0 in a Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex quarterfinal at Belvidere.

"I'm extremely proud of my players," Belvidere second-year coach Pete Huryk said. "To go up against a Group 4 school and take them into overtime. To play the way the girls did, which isn't to just stand there and deflect pressure but try to go at them at times. I just couldn't be prouder of my girls. They played extremely well. We're not trying to play like a little school. We're trying to play like a better school, like a soccer school."

The week before the County Seaters challenged Hunterdon Central. And it wasn't because of how a tournament worked out. It was by choice.

"The game against Hunterdon Central, we had a bye last weekend in the county tournament and so did they. And they looked for a team to play and we jumped right on it because we want to play against the bigger schools," Huryk said. "We want to play against meaningful competition. Hunterdon Central is in a war every game they play. I used to coach there so I know what they go through. I want my girls to be playing at that level. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best."

Christine Fox kept the County Seaters in the game against North Hunterdon, recording 15 saves, including a diving stop on Heather Tostevin with 7:10 left in reg

ulation. The junior goalkeeper also made a stop in the final moments on a Rebecca Fontana direct kick before Tostevin got the rebound to end the game.

Belvidere is now 9-4 on the season with two of its losses coming against Group 4 schools.

Huryk, who coached at Hunterdon Central for four years, hopes his team's games against big schools will get the County Seaters ready for the state tournament, which starts in early November.

"We played against Hunterdon Central last weekend because we want to prove we can play," Huryk said. "It doesn't matter the size of school, we'll take on anybody that comes our way. I'm getting my girls prepared for the state tournament. And we're not going to be playing against Group 4 schools in the state tournament. We're going to be playing against little guys like us. We're going to go at it with everybody."

Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

Complete coverage: North Hunterdon girls soccer gets past Belvidere in H/W/S tournament

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Heather Tostevin scored with 4:56 left in the first overtime to deliver the 1-0 win for the Lions.

North Hunterdon girls soccer team beat Belvidere in overtime on Saturday to advance to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex semifinals.

Heather Tostevin scored with 4:56 left in the first overtime to deliver the 1-0 win for the Lions. Olivia Ripnyak had five saves for the Lions.

Click the links below for complete coverage of the game:

North Hunterdon girls soccer team beats Belvidere in overtime in H/W/S quarterfinals

North Hunterdon soccer's Heather Tostevin talks after OT goal against Belvidere (VIDEO)

Heather Tostevin wills North Hunterdon soccer to victory over Belvidere

North Hunterdon girls soccer team shakes off grassy surface at Belvidere

Belvidere girls soccer team not afraid of big challengers

Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

North Hunterdon girls soccer team shakes off grassy surface at Belvidere

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Olivia Ripnyak was able to handle the bounces on Saturday no matter the surface, making five saves to keep Belvidere off the scoreboard and preserve the 1-0 win.

North Hunterdon girls soccer team only played one game on grass all season.

It was against Voorhees on Sept. 26.

So when the Lions had to play their Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex quarterfinal on Saturday on the grass at Belvidere, things didn't go as smoothly as they liked.

"As much as I hate to admit this, I think playing on a grass field actually kind of hurt us a little bit. We're so used to playing on turf," North Hunterdon coach Steve DeLorenzo said. "I think our touches weren't as crisp as they normally are. But they are a tough team. They play with a lot of heart and a lot of desire."

Thankfully for the Lions, they had some experiencing practicing on a grass field.

"It was a little of a struggle to play on the grass field. But we had practice on grass so that helped us out a lot," North Hunterdon junior goalkeeper Olivia Ripnyak said. "Having one of our tournament games on grass, we were a little scared but we knew we could do it because we were practicing on grass."

Ripnyak was able to handle the bounces on Saturday no matter the surface, making five saves to keep Belvidere off the scoreboard and preserve the 1-0 win.

"It was a big team effort," Ripnyak said. "I didn't get much action today. But the defense helped keep the ball away."

The goalkeeper was also relieved that her teammate Heather Tostevin was able to score in the first overtime and end any chance at penalty kicks.

"I was really excited," Ripnyak said. "I mean in overtime, I thought in my mind we were going to PK's. Then Heather knocked it in and I was like, 'yea!' Less stressful for me."

The Lions held a 20-6 edge in shots in the game. And although they had trouble getting one past Belvidere goalkeeper Christine Fox, DeLorenzo was confident that his team would eventually get the job done.

"I'm sure it's frustrating," DeLorenzo said about coming up empty on so many chances. "I have such a great group of girls this year. They are just an incredible group. They work really hard. The fact of the matter was it wasn't our best game. We didn't play as well as we have been playing. For whatever reasons, I don't know. The one thing we always do is, we play hard. These girls play as hard as any team I ever coached in my life. And that's 20 years worth of coaching. They play hard even if they aren't clicking on all cylinders. We had our chances and I think they knew sooner or later, we would get our chance and they just kept plugging away."

It is DeLorenzo's first season as North Hunterdon girls coach after assisting Lions boys coach John Simpson the last 12 seasons. 

North Hunterdon, the sixth seed, will play at second-seeded Sparta on Saturday in the semifinals.

The Lions are 7-5-2 on the season and Ripnyak thinks the team is in a good place right now.

"I think our team is playing fantastic," the goalkeeper said. "As a team, we're really coming together. We're all really close. We bond really well and I think that definitely shows on the field."

Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

Financial gains, lower taxes projected in Commerce Park redevelopment

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Proposed warehouses could produce $3.7 billion in the region over the next 10 years, according to an analysis by the developer.



The proposed redevelopment of Commerce Park could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars for two communities, and billions of dollars for the region's economy.


An economic impact analysis recently presented to the Phillipsburg planning board showed what that town and neighboring Lopatcong Township should expect from the massive warehouse project proposed within their borders.


"I think that speaks volumes for the site itself and what it's going to bring to Phillipsburg, Lopatcong and the entire area," said Phillipsburg Mayor Harry Wyant Jr. He said town residents will see lower taxes next year as a result of the project.




RELATED: Will Lopatcong politics slow Commerce Park progress?




Medford, N.J.-based Opus Investments has proposed taking the nearly 400-acre site -- which includes the former Ingersoll Rand property -- and building more than 4 million square feet of warehouse space, along with the supporting infrastructure.


The developer hopes to begin work next year and complete construction by 2021.


The analysis provided by 4ward Planning Inc. -- which has offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh -- indicates the full economic benefit of the redevelopment won't be realized until 2022, when it anticipates the final tenants will occupy the new space.


When that happens, the report says, Commerce Park is expected to provide 2,765 jobs -- 1,683 employed full- or part-time in the warehouses, with the rest generated in supporting roles.


By 2022, the project will generate $425 million annually in economic output, the report says. It also projects Commerce Park -- both directly and through its impact on other local businesses -- producing $3.7 billion within Warren County over the next 10 years.


"As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I am proud and grateful to be involved in the redevelopment of a former industrial facility into a thriving logistics park that will employ thousands of people long term," Opus principal Erin Murphy said. "The citizens of Phillipsburg and Lopatcong have earned the right to benefit from the various economic and fiscal impacts that this project will have on their municipalities and the surrounding area."


As the warehouses are constructed over the next seven years, Phillipsburg and Lopatcong will each see financial benefits, the report says: About $1.3 million for Phillipsburg and $420,000 for Lopatcong.



The report is based off current negotiations for payments the redeveloper will make in lieu of taxes during construction, and subtracts anticipated costs to the towns. The numbers will change if circumstances are altered.


According to the analysis, the net gain to the municipalities increases each year as more warehouses are built. Lopatcong sees a quick initial gain as the 1 million-square-foot building on its portion of the property is to be one of the first to go up.


Murphy said the economic impact report has been provided to Lopatcong, but has not been discussed yet.


Phillipsburg's financial benefit is to be seen over several years as more buildings are constructed on its side.




MORE: Answers to questions about remaking Commerce Park




In September, the town officially sold its portion of the property to Opus for $2.5 million, with a $100,000 down payment. That was not included in the economic impact study.


Wyant said he anticipates lower taxes next year as a result of sale.


Exactly how much depends when the sale is closed, he said. Though the agreement called for closing at the end of October, Wyant said the developer will be asking for an extension as they get other necessary approvals.


Under the agreement, any extension requires a non-refundable $50,000 payment to the town. The mayor said there is "no question" town officials will grant it.


Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.




Visitors flock from all over to take part in Truckfest (PHOTOS)

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Warren County Habitat for Humanity benefited from Oktober Truckfest, which featured truck displays, live music, children's activities, product demonstrations, trophies and vendors.

Visitors from various states flocked Sunday to view an estimated 200 vehicles on display at the Oktober Truckfest in Franklin Township, Warren County.

Warren County Habitat for Humanity benefited from the event, which featured truck displays, live music, children's activities, product demonstrations, trophies and vendors. The annual event is hosted by OK Auto, 4WD and Tire and featured more than 200 trucks and SUV's.

OK4WD modifies four-wheel-drive vehicles and dates back to 1979. The company also provides service, work and products for off-road and other vehicles.

Guests Sunday traveled from throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland to take part in the event. More than 100 people were estimated to have attended.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

See who's running for office in Warren County

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Election Day is Nov. 3, and voters in several municipalities have choices to make.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and voters in several Warren County municipalities have some choices to make.

There are contested mayoral races as well as council contests in Alpha and Phillipsburg.

Candidates for councils and committees in Belvidere, Hackettstown and the townships of Blairstown, Franklin, Lopatcong, Pohatcong and White also face challenges.


RELATED: 13 apply for 3 open seats on Greenwich Twp. Committee


In addition to the local races, state Assembly seats in both of the county's legislative districts are contested:

  • In the 23rd District, Republican incumbents John DiMaio and Erik Peterson face Democrats Maria Rodriguez and Marybeth Maciag.
  • In the 24th District, Republican incumbent Parker Space and running mate Gail Phoebus face Democrats Michael F. Grace and Jacqueline Stapel, as well as Green Party candidate Kenneth Collins.

The county's lists of candidates for municipal offices and school board are below.

Warren County municipal candidates 2015

Warren County school board candidates 2015

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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Crash on Interstate 80 involves entrapment, ejection, authorities say

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The Warren County Department of Public Safety locates the accident near the Frelinghuysen Township-Allamuchy Township border.



UPDATE: 5 people treated at hospital after I-80 wreck, police say



At least one person was trapped after a vehicle overturned Monday morning on Interstate 80 West in near the Frelinghuysen Township-Allamuchy Township border, according to the Warren County Department of Public Safety and New Jersey State Police.


Police at the Hope barracks couldn't confirm reports that five people were in the vehicle that crashed about 8:38 a.m. The department of public safety also reported someone was thrown from the vehicle.


The New Jersey Department of Transportation did not immediately update its highway traffic site with any lane closures between mile markers 15 and 16.


Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.


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Phillipsburg man accused of sexually assaulting young girl

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Juan L. Ocasio is charged with sexually assaulting a girl less than 13 years old.



Phillipsburg man is in jail after allegedly having sex with a girl who was less than 13 years old.


Juan L. Ocasio, of the 600 block of Warren Street, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and debauching the morals of a child. Ocasio's age was not listed in court documents.


Between April 1 and Oct. 17 when he was arrested, Ocasio engaged in sex acts with the child, according to a criminal complaint filed in state Superior Court in Belvidere.


Ocasio's bail was set at $200,000.


Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.


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N.J. foreclosures 1st in nation; Pa. ranks 17th, report says

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Data for local counties puts them in the middle of the pack for foreclosure filing rates, according to RealtyTrac.



New Jersey ranks first in the nation and Pennsylvania is 17th in foreclosure filing rates, according to a report released last week.


New Jersey's foreclosure rate was the highest in the nation in the third quarter of 2015, edging out Florida for the top spot, according to a story on nj.com.


The report was based on new data from the Irvine, Calif.-based housing firm RealtyTrac.




ALSO: Lehigh Valley real estate market may be making comeback




New Jersey's rate is more than double the national average. Pennsylvania is in the middle of the pack.


In Pennsylvania, Northampton and Lehigh counties had a combined 1,360 vacant homes -- 779 in Lehigh and 581 in Northampton.


Northampton County had 164 foreclosure filings in September, an increase of 32 percent from September 2014, according to RealtyTrac. As a result, one in every 734 homes had a foreclosure filing -- fifth overall for Pennsylvania counties.


Lehigh County had 120 filings in September, down 14 percent from the prior-year month, according to RealtyTrac. As a result, one in every 1,189 homes in the county had a foreclosure filing -- 14th overall for Pennsylvania counties.


In New Jersey, Warren County had 89 filings in September, down 6 percent from September 2014. With one filing for every 506 houses, Warren County ranked 11th of New Jersey's 21 counties, according to Realty Trac.


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