'Mighty' Mike Simmel, a motivational speaker, visited the school in Warren County on Friday. Watch video

Pohatcong Elementary School got a visit from a motivational speaker Friday.

"Mighty" Mike Simmel, a former member of the Harlem Wizards, entertained students with a motivational speech and his basketball skills.

Simmel founded the Bounce Out the Stigma Project Inc., a program aimed at special needs children.

Using his basketball skills, he gives motivational speeches to kids about bullying and urges kids to believe in themselves.

Sue Beyer may be reached at sbeyer@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sbeyer_photo. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

New Jersey's winter landscape remains snowless, gray and frankly just plain 'blah' as we head into the dead of winter. The best way to liven and brighten your backyard vista? Put up a bird feeder. But when the birds arrive for lunch, can you identify them? We've selected 10 of the most common visitors to winter feeding stations from...

New Jersey's winter landscape remains snowless, gray and frankly just plain 'blah' as we head into the dead of winter. The best way to liven and brighten your backyard vista? Put up a bird feeder.

But when the birds arrive for lunch, can you identify them? We've selected 10 of the most common visitors to winter feeding stations from Cape May to High Point. How many can you identify? Take our quiz to find out. Share your score and any other birding questions or observations in the comments.  

Northampton, Warren and Hunterdon county authorities say they are looking for three individuals.

Northampton County authorities seek Brahseen Ruff - fugitive of the week

Warren County authorities seek Vicky Herrera - fugitive of the week

Hunterdon County authorities seek Daniel Eachus - fugitive of the week

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

"We'll be bringing new business into the county," Jason Sarnoski says.

Jason Sarnoski says a lot has changed since he became a Warren County freeholder five years ago, when "the financial trend of the county was unsustainable."

Warren County Freeholder Director Jason Sarnoski kicked off his re-election campaign Jan. 15, 2016, at Warren County Community College. (Courtesy photo)

"This year, for the first time in a very long time, Warren County has a sustainable, balanced budget that does not require one time tricks or fixes to balance, that does not call for a tax increase, and that is predictable year over year," he said.

Now the three-member freeholder board's director, Sarnoski on Friday at Warren County Community College officially kicked off his re-election campaign with a pledged focus on economic redevelopment.

"We'll be bringing new business into the county," the Republican from Lopatcong Township said in a phone interview Saturday.

A newly formed economic development committee and the planned hire of a contracted economic development director will help toward that goal, he said.

The freeholder director also said the county budget will be the lowest-spending since 2005, after last year's sale of the Warren Haven nursing home to a private operator, among other cost-cutting efforts.

Sarnoski also promised upgrades to the county courthouse. The project is under review by state historic preservation officials.

"We've got some great plans for the future," Sarnoski said. "The bottom line is that you look at all the issues going on in the state and various other counties ... those things don't happen in Warren County. We work together, we make hard choices and we do things right."

New Jersey's primary is April 4. The general election is Nov. 8.

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

Johnny Bamford scored 17 points and Buster Bamford hit a key 3-pointer for the Blue Streaks.

Warren Hills 47, Hackettstown 40 -- Rapid recap

The Warren Hills Regional High School boys basketball team pulled away in the last two minutes Saturday night for a 47-40 victory over Hackettstown before a raucous capacity crowd in the Blue Streaks' gym.

Turning point: Warren Hills trailed 39-38 when Buster Bamford hit a 3-pointer, his only points of the night, to give the Blue Streaks a 41-39 lead with 1:43 remaining. Anthony Lea was fouled setting a screen for Bamford and made both free throws to complete a five-point play.

Top performers: Johnny Bamford, Buster's brother, poured in a game-high 17 points for the Blue Streaks. Lea, Anthony Veneziano and freshman James Jordan each had nine points. Veneziano also had nine rebounds.

James Britt led Hackettstown with 15 points and Jelani Awai finished with 14.

What it means: Warren Hills improves to 7-2 and Hackettstown falls to 7-3. It's the first time the Bamfords have defeated Hackettstown in their four year varsity careers.

Hackettstown is a force to be reckoned with despite featuring virtually a new team with the exception of Britt, who is the squad's only returning starter.

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

Johnny and Buster Bamford team up for a critical 3-pointer against rival Hackettstown.

Buster Bamford had that certain look in his eye, certain feel in his shooting hand, and certain desire to come through in the clutch.

Bamford, a senior guard on Warren Hills Regional High School’s boys basketball team, hit perhaps the biggest shot of the game against rival Hackettstown.

Bamford hit a 3-pointer, his only points of the game, to give his team the lead with 1:43 remaining Saturday night and Warren Hills pulled away for a 47-40 victory before a raucous capacity crowd in the Blue Streaks’ gym.

Senior Johnny Bamford, Buster’s brother, had the assist on Buster’s huge shot.

“I was coming off a screen,” said Johnny Bamford, who scored a game-high 17 points. “I got to the top of the key, saw Buster in the corner with his hand up and I gave him the ball.”

Buster Bamford released the ball with one smooth motion and the shot hit nothing but net to give Warren Hills a 41-39 lead.

“I was waiting for it all game and I took it,” said Buster, who missed his only two previous attempts from the floor. “He gave me the ball and I made it. That’s that brother-brother connection.”

Buster Bamford, who made five 3-pointers and scored 19 points in a recent loss to Bound Brook, said he felt confident stepping up in that spot.

“Of course, I’m always confident,” he said. “I’m a 3-point shooter. I’m never not confident.”

The play became even bigger when Anthony Lea was fouled while setting a screen for Bamford’s shot. Lea went to the line and made both free throws to complete a five-point play.

“Lea set a beautiful screen for me,” Buster said. “The kid knocked him down and I picked him up.”

The pivotal play reminded Johnny Bamford of last summer when he and his brother played at Meadow Breeze Park.

“We all went to the park and Buster knocks down everything at the park so I fed him the rock,” Johnny said. “It’s just instinct. It’s a natural instinct to kick it out.”

Johnny Bamford made four free throws down the stretch to put it away. It was the first time Warren Hills has defeated Hackettstown in the Bamfords’ four-year varsity careers.

“Since my freshman year I hadn’t beaten them,” Johnny said. “It means a lot, especially for us seniors.”

“I was just trying to win,” Buster Bamford said. “I’m a winner. I don’t lose. This was one of the big ones. It was pretty (darn) big.”

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

Aided by a lively student cheering section, the Blue Streaks outscored Hackettstown 9-1 down the streetch.

It was a setting not often seen in these parts for high school boys basketball.

Longtime rivals Warren Hills and Hackettstown played in Washington Township on Saturday night before a lively standing room only crowd. Each student section cheered their hearts out for their respective schools.

The teams proceeded to put on quite a show for the packed house. It was nip-and-tuck throughout. There were 11 lead changes and eight ties before the Blue Streaks ended the game on a 9-1 run to pull out a hard-fought 47-40 victory.

Senior guard Johnny Bamford scored a game-high 17 points for Warren Hills (7-2). James Britt, also a senior guard, paced Hackettstown (7-3) with 15 points.

Surprisingly, it was the Blue Streaks’ first win over Hackettstown since the 2008-09 season. However, many of the games have been cliffhangers just like this one. Veteran Warren Hills coach Stan Kubbishun has become accustomed to these intense battles with Hackettstown.

“This is how it’s been the last couples years,” Kubbishun said. “It always comes down to the end. It’s always close. There may have been a few games we should have won that we lost at the end. Tonight we were fortunate.”

Warren Hills trailed 39-38 when it used a rare five-point play – on Buster Bamford’s 3-pointer and two Anthony Lea free throws – to take a 43-39 lead with 1:43 remaining. The Blue Streaks didn’t trail again.

“This was a huge win,” Johnny Bamford said. “Everyone stepped up and did what they needed to do. Every fan did their part. There was a huge amount of energy in the gym.”

Bamford says the raucous environment for Hackettstown-Warren Hills has become the norm.

“Last year we played both games at their place and it was packed,” he said. “Their fans always come. Our fans always come. It’s been that way all four years.”

“I couldn’t even hear the coach call the plays,” Buster Bamford said.

The game developed into a chess match of sorts with Kubbishun inserting Corey Smith into the game for defensive purposes. With two minutes left Buster Bamford re-entered and hit the clutch 3-pointer for his only points of the game.

“In crunch time we put Buster back in and he responded with the big play,” Kubbishun said. “He’s more than capable of hitting 3s.”

The Blue Streaks then held Hackettstown to one free throw the rest of the game and six points in the fourth quarter.

“It was just a defensive battle,” Buster Bamford said. “We started locking down, getting in there face. They missed their shots. We made ours. We’re the more experienced team.”

Johnny Bamford was simply elated to finally walk off the court a winner against Hackettstown.

“To get that ‘W’ at the end of the game was awesome,” he said. “It feels great.”

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

The Tigers fought hard before falling in the final minutes to Warren Hills.

Mike McDonagh has won a lot of games in his six seasons as Hackettstown High School’s boys basketball coach.

However, the Tigers’ boss got as much satisfaction with Saturday night’s 47-40 loss to Warren Hills as he has for most of his victories.

“You know what, I’m so proud of the effort we gave tonight,” McDonagh said. “It was awesome. This is my first loss to them in six years and I’m smiling because we haven’t been consistent the last four or five games. Tonight we were consistent for four quarters. Win or lose, I’ll take this effort any night from our guys.”

McDonagh is encouraged by the caliber of play by his team, which has just one returning starter in senior point guard James Britt. Saturday’s loss dropped the Tigers to 7-3.

“Britt’s the only one back with four new kids,” McDonagh said. “They’re new, they’re young, they’re inexperienced. But in a game like this they were awesome. And so was Warren Hills. They’re a very good team.”

Britt led Hackettstown with 15 points. Sophomore guard Jelani Awai added 14 points for the Tigers including 12 in the first half.

In a game that featured 11 lead changes, Hackettstown took its biggest lead at 16-9 on Ed Omelia’s short jumper early in the second quarter.

The game continued to go back and forth and Hackettstown took its last lead, 39-38, when Awai pulled up and banked in a jumper with 2;19 left in the game.

“(Awai) played very well,” McDonagh said. “They all did. They all had their moments. James (Britt) didn’t have to do it all by himself. Everyone contributed. It was a great team effort.”

Aftre Awai’s basket, Warren Hills proceeded to go on a game-ending 9-1 run. But it couldn’t dampen the spirits of McDonagh.

“It was a great game for three quarters and six or seven minutes,” McDonagh said. “For 31 minutes it was almost a tie score. You can’t win them all. The effort was great and I’m proud of my guys tonight.”

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

The Warren Hills Regional High School boys basketball team overcame a one-point deficit in the last two minutes to post a 47-40 victory over visiting Hackettstown on Saturday night. Follow the link...

The Warren Hills Regional High School boys basketball team overcame a one-point deficit in the last two minutes to post a 47-40 victory over visiting Hackettstown on Saturday night.

Follow the links below for full coverage of ghe game:

Warren Hills boys basketball edges Hackettstown -- Rapid recap

Bamford brothers shine in the spotlight for Warren Hills basketball

Warren Hills boys basketball team feeds off its raucous crowd

Hackettstown boys basketball team has nothing to be ashamed of

Full box score

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

Eskil "Scott" Danielson, 49, was an Andover Borough councilman and division manager for Warren County Communications.

A public servant and rescue squad member with longtime ties in Warren and Sussex counties died Saturday of a heart attack after answering a crash call that involved his 19-year-old daughter, officials said.

Scott DanielsonFacebook photo 

Eskil "Scott" Danielson, 49, of Andover Borough in Sussex County, served on the Lakeland Rescue Squad, an emergency services unit.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the squad was dispatched to a crash along Route 206 on the border of Byram Township and Andover Borough.

Danielson quickly learned his 19-year-old daughter, Alycia, was the crash victim and helped the squad treat both her and the occupant of the other vehicle, said Andover Township Police Chief Eric Danielson, Scott's brother.

Scott Danielson traveled to Newton Medical Center to check on his daughter, and while in the waiting room suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed, Eric Danielson said. Scott was airlifted at 4:34 p.m. to Morristown Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Alycia Danielson has since been discharged from the hospital, Eric Danielson said.

Scott Danielson also leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Tammy, and two other children: Aaron, 28, who is with the U.S. Air Force at Fort Dix, N.J., and daughter Amanda, 21. He is also survived by his parents, father Eskil "Skip" Danielson, retired police chief of the Byram Township Police Department, his mother Judy Danielson, and brother Kevin Danielson, who serves as a firefighter in Clifton.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cochran Funeral Home in Independence Township in Warren County.

Ties in the community

Friends say Danielson and his entire immediate family had a passion for community service.

"Scott will be deeply missed," said Frank Wheatley, director of the Warren County Department of Public Safety, who worked closely with him. "His knowledge of emergency communications is unsurpassed."

Police in Washington Township, Warren County, took to the department's Facebook page Sunday to express condolences, calling Danielson a fixture in the community.

"Capt. Danielson was an invaluable asset to this department and many other public safety agencies in Warren County. Scott always put the public's safety first and foremost in his work and he was a true professional. He will be missed by many," the department said.

Scott Danielson began serving as a Lakeland Rescue Squad worker at age 14 in the role of "cadet." He went on to eventually serve as squad chief.

Immediately following graduation from Lenape Valley Regional High School in 1984, he became an emergency services dispatcher in Hopatcong, in Morris County and with the New Jersey State Police.

Many other roles in community service followed, with Eric Danielson saying his brother followed in their father's footsteps in helping the community. Eventually, Eric said, Scott finally found his niche with Warren County Communications in the early 1990s.

Capt. Scott Danielson most recently served as division manager for Warren County Communications, overseeing 35 employees. He also served on the Warren County Haz-Mat Team.

Wargo Law for 1st responders heads to governor's desk

In Sussex County, he served as Office of Emergency Management coordinator for Andover Borough; he was a past member of the Andover Borough Fire Co.; and he was currently serving his third, three-year term on Andover Borough Council.

Scott Danielson also was a former member of the New Jersey Fire Service.

"He's going to be well missed in the community," said Andover Councilman Robert Smith.

Pursuing a passion

Friends and family recalled Scott Danielson on Sunday as a man who always focused on the greater good.

"He was pursuing the biggest passion of his life in helping others, and unfortunately, succumbed to it," his brother said.

In recent years, he worked tirelessly to secure federal grants to buy more than $100,000 in new fire equipment, as well as funding for two new ambulances for the Lakeland Rescue Squad. He also was part of a team in 2006-07 that obtained about $800,000 in grant funding for new radios to aid Warren County police, fire and emergency medical technicians.

In his free time, family said, Scott Danielson enjoyed sporting events and was an avid fan of the Miami Dolphins, New York Yankees, New Jersey Devils and NASCAR driver Jimmy Johnson.

His family vacationed every year at Walt Disney World in Florida.

"There's a phrase in a war movie that can sum up Scott and his life," Eric Danielson said. "There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. That's no doubt the truth."

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

Monday is a federal holiday in commemoration of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist who led the movement to end racial segregation in the United States.

His most famous address, the "I Have A Dream" speech, was delivered Aug. 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., before more than 250,000 people.

Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000.

Students mark MLK Day of Service in Easton

In the Lehigh Valley, Martin Luther King Day is observed as a day of service. Here's a list of closings for Monday.

State, county, local government: State offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are closed.

Municipal offices in the cities of Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown are closed, however many municipalities will remain open. Be sure to check with your individual municipality.

All local county offices - Northampton, Lehigh, Warren and Hunterdon - are closed.

U.S. Postal Service: No mail delivery on Monday.

Department of Motor Vehicles: Driver's license centers in Pennsylvania and DMV offices in New Jersey are closed.

Financial markets: The New York Stock Exchange and most banks and financial institutions are closed.

Libraries: Many are closed, including: Easton Area, Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, Bethlehem Area, the four branches of the Warren County Library, the Alpha Public Library and the Hackettstown Library. Mary Meuser Memorial Library in Wilson Borough is always closed Mondays.

The Phillipsburg Free Public Library is open Monday and at 7 p.m. will host the screening of a documentary "Alice's Ordinary People," about Chicago civil rights activist Alice Tregay. Allentown Public Library also is open.

Liquor stores: All Pennsylvania state stores are closed. New Jersey liquor stores are privately owned and open at the discretion of the proprietors.

Transportation: LANTA bus schedules are unaffected by the holiday.

Email KJ at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

There are a number of ways to make New Year's resolutions beneficial for both people and their pets.

As people and their pets start a new year, there are a number of ways to make resolutions beneficial for both.

According to a 2016 Milk-Bone Canine Resolutions Survey, the top pledge for the new year is "I will spend more time with my dog." Other pledges range from both humans and dogs eating more nutritiously to personal care including weight loss and dental hygiene.

Milk-Bone pet insights expert Jesse Vasquez has some suggestions.

"Have a resolutions buddy." Because dogs follow through with rituals even better than humans, you can better stick to your personal health and wellness goals by including your pet. The survey noted that 55 percent of dog parents say their dog helps them exercise more.

MORE: Mayor urges public to adopt dogs, cats abandoned in North Bergen

"Create nighttime rituals." Because such rituals help calm and relax people and pets, try to stick with a regular routine that focuses on stress-reducing activities like a soothing petting session with your dog while watching your favorite television program.

"Give Yourself a reward." Just as dogs love treats when they exhibit good behavior, make sure you regularly reward yourself and your dog for following through on resolutions.

Here's a gallery of adoptable pets from northern and central New Jersey. Other galleries of pets in need can be seen here and here.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Beginning as early as March 3, high school thespians will be showing their talents in an effort to win Freddy Awards as the scholastic theater season gets underway.

It may only be January, but Freddy fever is already spreading in the Lehigh Valley as schools prepare for their 2016 spring musical productions.

The 14^th annual Freddy Awards ceremony will be held May 26 at the State Theatre in Easton.

And while that might seem like a long way off, six area schools are getting ready to take the stage in less than seven weeks.

Full list of 2015 Freddy Awards winners

Here's a listing of all the Northampton, Warren and Lehigh county schools participating in this year's Freddy Awards, and the shows they will perform.

• Northwestern Lehigh High School, "Annie Get Your Gun," March 3-6


• Salisbury High School, "The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," March 3-6


• Saucon Valley High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," March 3-6


• Bangor Area High School, "Ragtime (School Edition)," March 4-6


• Moravian Academy, "Big Fish," March 4-6


• Easton Area High School, "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Broadway Edition)," March 4-6


• Emmaus High School, "Once Upon a Mattress," March 8-13


• Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter High School, "Mirror the Musical," March 10-13


• Belvidere High School, "Little Shop of Horrors," March 11-12


• Wilson Area High School, "Gigi," March 11-13


• Northern Lehigh High School, "Legally Blonde," March 17-20


• North Warren Regional High School, "Godspell," March 18-20


• Warren County Technical School, "Annie Get Your Gun," March 18-20


• Allentown Central Catholic, "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)," March 31, April 1-2


• Northampton Area High School, "Oliver," April 1-3


• Whitehall High School, "Guys and Dolls," April 7-10


• Bethlehem Catholic High School, "Wonderful Town," April 8-10, April 15-17


• Southern Lehigh High School, "Carousel," April 7-10


• Freedom High School, "Guys and Dolls," April 8-10


• Nazareth Area High School, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," April 8-10, April 15-17


• Parkland High School, "Titanic," April 13-17


• Hackettstown High School, "No No Nanette," April 14-16


• Warren Hills Regional High School, "Guys and Dolls," April 14-16


• William Allen High School, "West Side Story," April 14-17


• Phillipsburg High School, "Carousel," April 15-17


• Liberty High School, "Pippin," April 21-23


• Notre Dame High School, "She Loves Me," April 22-23


• Catasauqua High School, "All Shook Up," April 22-24, April 29-May 1


• Dieruff High School, "The Producers," April 28-30

Email KJ at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Eskil "Scott" Danielson, 49, of Andover Borough in Sussex County, was the "ultimate volunteer," friends and family said.

Scott Danielson kisses his daughter, Alycia, who was crowned "Miss Andover Borough a couple years ago." (Facebook Photo)File photo | lehighvalleylive.com 

A viewing and funeral services are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday for a public servant and rescue squad member who died after responding to a call involving his 19-year-old daughter.

Eskil "Scott" Danielson, 49, of Andover Borough in Sussex County, was pronounced dead around 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Morristown Medical Center. Danielson had been dispatched to a crash scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday along Route 206 on the border of Byram Township and Andover Borough.

He learned his daughter, Alycia, was the crash victim and helped the squad treat both her and the occupant of the other vehicle, said Andover Township Police Chief Eric Danielson, Scott's brother.

Scott Danielson traveled to Newton Medical Center to check on his daughter, and while in the waiting room suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed, Eric Danielson said.

EMS official dies after answering crash call involving teen daughter

Alycia has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering from minor injuries, family members said.

A viewing is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St., Independence Township. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Locust Hill Cemetery, 168 North Sussex St., Dover, N.J.

Danielson leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Tammy, and two other children: Aaron, 28, who is with the U.S. Air Force at Fort Dix, N.J., and daughter Amanda, 21. He is also survived by his parents, father Eskil "Skip" Danielson, retired police chief of the Byram Township Police Department, his mother Judy Danielson, and brother Kevin Danielson, who is a firefighter in Clifton.

"I love you so much, daddy. I'll take good care of mom, I promise. Please watch over us," Alycia wrote Sunday in an emotional Facebook post, along with a photograph of her dad kissing her on the cheek when she was crowned Miss Andover Borough.

Aaron Danielson posted a photo of him and his dad during a trip to Niagara Falls.

"It was an amazing trip and never in a million years thought it would be our last, Pops. You made me the man I am," he wrote. "You shaped me, you taught me what it means to be selfless and watch out for others. I miss you more than words can describe and I can't wait til the day we see each other again. I love you, Dad, Rest in Paradise."

Scott Danielson was a captain with Warren County Communications, the county-run emergency dispatch service. Staffers decorated his office door Monday with bunting and his number: 77-2.

Several law enforcement, emergency service workers and firefighters have taken to social media to express their condolences to the Danielson family.

According to Danielson's obituary, he served more than 35 years with the Lakeland Emergency Squad and was the immediate past chief. He managed the Warren County 911 Center for more than 10 years and a member of the Warren County Hazardous Materials Response Team. He had previously served the Sussex-Morris Regional, Bernardsville, Morris County and NJ State Police communications centers.   

Danielson was serving his third term on Andover Borough Council and was active in emergency management. He was a past firefighter on the Andover Borough Fire Department and a deputy district warden with the NJ Forest Fire Service. 

Danielson graduated from Lenape Regional High School and attended Sussex County Community College, studying criminal justice and EMS. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop No. 276 and Explorer Post No. 231 in Byram.

He graduated from the Sussex County Police Academy as a special officer with the Byram Police Department and completed the intense Certified Public Manager Program through Rutgers University, according to his obituary.

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

The St. Joseph Knights of Columbus Council earned the international organization's top award.

St. Joseph Council Knights of Columbus Council 10627 in High Bridge received the Star Council distinction, the international organization's top award.

(Courtesy image) 

The Star Council award recognizes overall excellence in the areas of membership, promotion of the fraternal insurance program, and sponsorship of service-oriented activities.

Council Grand Knight Kevin J. Loughney, of High Bridge, accepted the award from District Deputy Wayne J. McKay. 

Members of the St. Joseph Council support charitable activities including volunteer service at the Open Cupboard Food Pantry in Clinton, annual collections for the ARC of Hunterdon, assisting veterans at the VA campus in Lyons and Veterans Haven North in Glen Gardner, assisting military through Operation Shoebox, supporting pregnancy centers Life Choices in Phillipsburg and the Friendship Center for New Beginnings in Flemington, awarding annual scholarships to high school seniors and conducting annual youth soccer and basketball tournaments.   www.kofc10627.org.

The National Weather Service said the timing for the forecast storm looks to be Friday through Saturday night for the Lehigh Valley region.

So what does the potential for late-week snow mean right now in the Lehigh Valley region?

Prepare, experts say.

The National Weather Service on Monday said the timing for precipitation of some kind looks to be Friday through Saturday night for the region. But forecasters at its Philadelphia region forecast office won't go public with how much snow is possible until the pre-dawn hours Wednesday.

We could be measuring snow in feet, not inches this weekend

"The potential exists for a high-impact winter storm," the weather service said in a briefing late Monday afternoon from its Mount Holly, New Jersey, office.

The briefing hedges, in saying: "Right now this storm is still several days away. It should be noted a track closer to the coast would result in more rain and a track further offshore would lessen the overall impacts. Computer models are still differing on the ultimate solution, which is very common several days from the event."

This National Weather Service graphic issued Jan. 18, 2016, puts Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton plus northwestern New Jersey directly in the center of the mid-Atlantic region most likely to see a winter storm Jan. 22-23, 2016. (Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

But as of Monday, a weather service graphic put Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton and northwestern New Jersey directly in the center of the mid-Atlantic region most likely to see the storm.

"Right now, the highest impacts from this winter storm are generally north and west of Philadelphia," the briefing states.

The takeaway, for now, is preparedness, said Hunterdon County's emergency management coordinator, Brayden Fahey.

"Monitor future forecasts, inventory resources and take appropriate measures to prepare for a potentially significant winter storm approximately four days from now," he said in an email Monday.

Mount Holly-based weather service forecaster Gary Szatkowski echoed Fahey's advice in a series of tweets Monday afternoon:

Threat continues for region to experience a high impact winter storm, with heavy snow, high winds and major coastal flooding late this week.

-- Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 18, 2016

Again, at this point, you should be continuing to monitor the forecast and make preparations for a high impact winter storm.

-- Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 18, 2016

If you want to go through a winter storm checklist to make sure you are prepared, visit https://t.co/rZPhXyVsWP

-- Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 18, 2016

In the nearer term, the weather service says there is the possibility of light accumulating snow Wednesday night, resulting in spotty half-inch totals in eastern Pennsylvania.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The state Legislature has approved all of these measures for New Jersey schools. The governor must approve the bills for them to become law.

TRENTON -- New Jersey lawmakers sent dozens of bills to Gov. Christie Christie's desk last week, including nine ideas about school recess, bus safety, special education and other education topics. 

Christie has until today to decide whether he wants to sign the bills and make them law. 

What do you think he should do? 

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

"Patrolman Joseph Wargo's Law" directs the Department of Transportation to establish a roadside memorial sign program for police, firefighters and EMTs killed in the line of duty

ROXBURY -- Judy Shoudy of Roxbury felt something special needed to be done after her friend, Mount Arlington Police Officer Joseph Wargo, was killed in an on-duty accident by an alleged drug-influenced driver headed the wrong way on Route 80 on Oct. 16, 2011.

"He was a great cop and a great human being," said Shoudy, who was then working as an emergency medical technician in Mount Arlington and served with Wargo on emergency calls. "Everyone misses him."

Mount Arlington police created a "beautiful memorial" for Wargo on Route 80 near the site of the crash in Roxbury, Shoudy said. But she wanted a way to permanently remember Wargo, a resident of Lopatcong Township in Warren County, and to ensure the memorial is always there.

More than four years after the crash, both the Assembly and Senate have passed "Patrolman Joseph Wargo's Law," which directs the state Department of Transportation to establish a roadside memorial sign program for police, firefighters and emergency medical service workers who die in the line of duty.

The Senate approved the bill in June, the Assembly passed it a week ago and now it awaits only the signature of Gov. Chris Christie before it becomes law.

While a number of memorials to fallen police officers and other first responders have been erected around the state (see accompanying photos), the new law ensures there are standards in place for roadside memorials and that the memorials are not torn down, Shoudy said. 

Among those honored by memorials are the late Trooper Werner Foerster, killed in a confrontation involving radical Joanne Chesimard in 1973; and the late Trooper Philip Lamonaco, killed by anarchist Thomas Manning following a traffic stop on Route 80 in 1981.

Wargo's killer, Michael Cassella, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in 2013, but is now seeking to throw out blood and urine tests used against him in the case, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision. A hearing in that case is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday.

Shoudy, whose husband is a retired police officer, and who has one son who is a policeman and another pursuing a career in law enforcement, said she did some research and realized there was no law allowing a roadside memorial to be put up, so those that exist "could be removed at any time."

Shoudy said she carried a petition with her "everywhere I went,' including public gatherings."

"I feel those lost in the line of duty should be honored every way possible," she said.

Shoudy said she approached Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco (R-Morris), convinced him the project was worthwhile, and he led the effort and sponsored the bill in the Assembly.

"For a civilian to come up with something and have it actually happen, it's quite unusual," Shoudy said. "I am absolutely thrilled."

Assemblyman Bucco, in an interview, acknowledged the bill was Shoudy's idea.

"She came to me and said she was concerned" about Wargo's memorial, Bucco said.

"She wanted to be sure that what was being done would not be disturbed," Bucco said. "I could not have agreed more." 

"I thought it was a great idea and I ran with it," he added.

The bill was also sponsored by Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union) and in the Senate by Bucco's father, Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris).

"The selfless acts of fallen heroes should never be forgotten, and the memorial sign program is just one small way that we can help to preserve the memory and legacy of those who died in the line of duty," said Bucco, a 30-year member of the Boonton Volunteer Fire Department and a life member of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association.

Bucco said there had been problems in the past, recalling one instance when a state trooper was killed in an accident and "his family and friends put up flowers at the site."

"Somebody cleaned it up," Bucco recalled. "The family and friends were mortified when they heard about it."

Bucco said he looked into what other states had done regarding roadside memorials and used some of those measures as guidance.

Now, "The DOT will come up with regulations and a process" by which people can build a roadside memorial, Bucco said.

Bucco said the memorial will not cost taxpayers anything, because "the people requesting the memorial have to pay the cost." 

The monuments won't be funded by state or local governments, although they will require some staff time by the DOT, Bucco acknowledged.

Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Two-thirds of the Garden State are now under a blizzard watch for the weekend snowstorm. Watch video

Forecasters at the National Weather Service have placed 11 more counties under a blizzard watch for the weekend storm that is expected to pound New Jersey with heavy snow, high seas and dangerous winds.

As of early Thursday morning, only three counties -- Essex, Hudson and Union -- were under a blizzard watch. But shortly before 11 a.m., the weather service added these counties to the blizzard watch area: Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland.

A winter storm watch remains in effect for Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Cape May counties.

A Blizzard Watch is now in effect for the areas in green. For more information please visit https://t.co/5xLdUpKDgr pic.twitter.com/dsIc2WOqJf

-- NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) January 21, 2016

Areas under the blizzard watch could get hit with as much as 18 inches inches of snow from late Friday night through early Sunday, along with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts as high as 50 mph closer to the Jersey Shore. 

"The strongest winds and greatest potential for blizzard conditions will be on Saturday," the weather service said in its blizzard watch advisory. "The combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds could produce whiteout conditions and extremely dangerous travel conditions."

PLUS: What to expect across N.J. as storm approaches

Snow could be dry and fluffy when it starts, but as the storm intensifies it will become wetter and heavier, increasing the risk of downed trees and power lines, the weather service said. "Roads will become impassable due to increasing snow accumulation during the event."

Timing of the storm

The National Weather Service expects the snow to start moving into southern New Jersey between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, central New Jersey around 10 p.m. Friday and northern New Jersey between 10 p.m. and midnight Friday.

In most areas of the state, snow should be the heaviest Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon, then lighter Saturday night, before the storm system pulls away by Sunday morning.

The current snowfall projections could be revised again because of discrepancies among the various computer models that help forecasters make those projections, said John Murray, a meteorologist for the weather service office in Upton, N.Y.

"Those numbers could change," Murray said. "There are models out there that are showing a little higher, there are models out there that are showing a little lower."

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A new team joins the top 10 after an upset.

There's some shifting in this week's boys swimming rankings as Freedom defeated Southern Lehigh on Tuesday.

A new team also joins the top 10 after an upset.

Click through the gallery at the top of this post for the latest rankings.

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