Woman stole twice from Walmart before being asked not to return to the store, Mansfield police say.

A repeated shoplifter asked not to return to Walmart now is facing a defiant trespass citation after entering the store, Mansfield Township police say.

Courtesy photo 

Reyanne George, 22, of Hackettstown, entered Walmart at 2 p.m. Sept. 15. A store loss prevention officer noticed her and contacted police.

Police say George had previously been issued a "no trespass order" resulting from past arrests for theft and shoplifting in December 2012 and March 2015, respectively. An NJ.com report stated she allegedly stole cosmetics during the March incident.

George was released pending a court appearance.

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

Testimony was heard by those who were collecting evidence after the fatal 2012 shooting in town.

In the hours and days after an attendant was shot at a Phillipsburg gas station, investigators scoured the scene and the surrounding neighborhood looking for clues that could lead them to the killer.

Tuesday was the second day of testimony in the trial of Andy Torres. The 26-year-old from Allentown is accused of fatally shooting 47-year-old attendant Kismathdas Kasam during a robbery about midnight on Jan. 5, 2012, at the BP gas station on Phillipsburg's South Main Street.

In the first two days, jurors heard from witnesses who either heard the gunshot or came across the scene and dialed 911.

MORE: Witnesses recall hearing fatal gunshot

Over the course of the second day, testimony began to delve into the crime scene itself and the ensuing investigation.

Detective Teddy Garcia and Lt. John Serafin from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office described how evidence was marked. Photographs of shotgun pellets and blood spatter were shown to the jury.

Jurors also saw a photograph of EMTs treating the wounded Kasam, who was on the ground in a pool of blood with bandages on his leg.

Phillipsburg police Lt. Michael Swick said the incident was quickly suspected to be a robbery attempt, and several patrolmen were sent to canvas the area to look for potential witnesses.

Swick said he went to what was then Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg to check on Kasam's condition. A doctor there told him Kasam had lost a lot of blood.

"They were doing everything they could for him at that point," he said. Kasam was pronounced dead two days later.

Phillipsburg police on Jan. 5, 2012, released this composite sketch of a shooting suspect. (Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

In officers' canvassing efforts, they found two people, Phillipsburg residents William Flanagan and Sandra Cresler, who told police they heard a gunshot and had seen two men running away. Swick said he arranged for a Pennsylvania State Police sketch artist to draw up Cresler's description.

The sketch, which does not resemble Torres, was brought up in earlier testimony. Defense attorney Michael Priarone has said he intends to show Torres was not at the scene, suggesting one of his co-defendants was the gunman.

MORE: Police sketch comes into play in homicide trial

Arrested at the same time as Torres were Zachary and Alexis Flowers, of Allentown, and David Beagell, of Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. All pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for their testimony, but Zachary Flowers' plea was revoked this month when he refused.

Swick said his investigation continued by seeking video from the gas station and other nearby businesses. The gas station's video system had not worked for a month, he said, and other recordings were not informative.

When authorities returned to the gas station two days later, they found that phone lines in the rear of the building had been cut.

Swick's testimony will continue Wednesday morning.

With 30 to 40 potential witnesses to be called, the trial is expected to last about a month.

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

Centenary College is opening a new academic center to train students and the public in the use of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms.

HACKETTSTOWN -- As more jobs require applicants to have an expertise in social media, Centenary College is opening a new academic center to train students and the public in the use of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

The Warren County-based private college will debut its new Social Media Center for Expertise next month, school officials said. The center, which will offer classes for students and help for local businesses, is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country.

Centenary students will be able to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in social media marketing. Students will also be able to add a social media minor to other majors, including communications and graphic design.

College officials said demand is growing for graduates who know how to use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Periscope and other emerging social media platforms.

"We had a course in social media and I said I think we need more," said Kathy Naasz, a veteran Centenary College professor and dean of the new center. "There are jobs out there and student demand . . . I said let's start this central command center."

Over the last few years, several colleges around the country have launched master's degrees and certificate programs in social media. But few offer four-year degrees focused on social media.

Centenary College officials said they reviewed programs at more than 500 colleges and could not find any other schools offering a business administration degree with a concentration in social media.

Naasz rejected any criticism that social media is too new or too lightweight a topic to be worthy of an academic degree.

"It is not a passing trend. I believe it is here to stay," Naasz said. "Look at where companies are spending their money."

The new center, which the college has dubbed #theVIBE on social media, will officially launch Oct. 9, though some students are already taking classes.

The center is housed in a section of Centenary College's historic Seay Building on the Hackettstown campus. The space has been renovated with exposed brick walls, modular furniture, video monitors on the walls and a bring-your-own-device bar.

It is designed to look like the New York City tech start-ups Naasz, a former AT&T sales executive, visited while researching ideas for the new program.

The new center will also offer a social media certificate program for professionals and free help for some small- and medium-size businesses in New Jersey who want to use social media to attract and track customers.

Google was among the companies Centenary officials consulted when designing the program.

"The program Centenary College is launching in social media will help fill the gap we see today in analytic talent and appears to be on the forefront of instilling the skills colleges should be teaching to future professionals," said Kevin Hartman, head of analytics for Google's consumer goods and entertainment sector.

The first courses at the center include Social Media Marketing, Digital Advertising, Digital Analytics and Social Media Strategy and Consulting.

Naasz said she is co-teaching all of the courses this semester, but eventually hopes to hire adjunct professors who work in the social media field to teach the classes.

The private college, which charges undergraduates $31,754 in annual tuition and fees, is funding the start-up of the new social media program and center, school officials said.

"Providing our students with the opportunity to study this field that is predicted to experience accelerated job growth through 2022 is one that is valuable and unique," says Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary's  president.  "This is an exciting new venture that will provide students and businesses alike with knowledge that is now fast becoming essential in the business and communication field."

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Joan and Jim Hunter, owners of The Willows, received the Civic Beautification Award.

Warren Garden Club was so impressed with the transformation of the grounds and entry area of The Willows restaurant, 288 Anderson Road, in Asbury, that they wanted to be sure the owners were recognized for their efforts. 

RELATED: Lightning caused Hunter's Tavern fire

A committee consisting of Arletta Smith and Wally Altobelli, of Asbury, and Betty Smith and Rhoda Duve, of Washington, presented the Civic Beautification Award to Joan and Jim Hunter. 

Borough resident Thomas Bray earns preservation award.

Washington resident Thomas Bray holds the award plaque given to him from the Washington Historical Society in recognition of his commitment to the historic preservation of a local Washington home.

The Washington Historical Society presents this award annually to a local homeowner who has preserved and restored a historic house in Washington Borough.

There is a new team entering the top 10.

With another week of girls soccer finished, there is some shifting at the bottom, middle and top of the rankings.

There is also a new team entering the top 10.

Scroll through the gallery at the top of this post to see this week's rankings.

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

The jury was dismissed as the court watched Andy Torres' police interrogation.

Andy Torres suddenly sat straight up when the officers interrogating him said he was being charged with murder.

"What the (expletive) did I do?" he shouted.

In the video, Torres told officers that one of his co-defendants was the gunman in the fatal robbery Jan. 5, 2012 in Phillipsburg, and that he was reluctantly roped into the scheme by his girlfriend and others.

Jurors won't see the recording until at least next week, but it was the first time that Torres' own description of that night's events were heard in public.

Torres, 26, of Allentown, is accused of fatally shooting Kismathdas Kasam, a 47-year-old attendant at the BP gas station on Phillipsburg's South Main Street.

MORE: Phillipsburg homicide trial delves into crime scene investigation

The jury was dismissed early on Wednesday, the third day of testimony in the trial, before the court reviewed Torres' recorded statements to police.

Torres, his attorney Michael Priarone, Warren County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald and Judge Robert Reed sat in and around the jury box, comparing written transcripts with the video recorded six days after the shooting. The transcripts were edited for clarity and to remove any potential implications of prior wrongdoing by Torres or his co-defendants.

The four people charged in connection with a fatal shooting Jan. 5, 2012, in Phillipsburg are, from left, Andy Torres, Zachary Flowers, David Beagell and Alexis Flowers. (Courtesy photos)

Also charged in the crime are Zachary and Alexis Flowers, of Allentown, and David Beagell, of Blakeslee, Pa.

Alexis Flowers and Beagell are expected to testify against Torres after pleading guilty to lesser charges under offers made in 2012. Zachary Flowers this month said he would not testify and his plea was revoked.

Authorities say Torres and Zachary Flowers robbed Kasam after the other two distracted him, and that Torres blasted the attendant in the leg with a shotgun. Kasam died two days later.

In the video, Torres said that it was Zachary Flowers and Beagell's idea to rob the gas station and that they used his shotgun. He said he reluctantly went along and was in the car with Alexis Flowers while the other two initiated the robbery. He and Alexis drove away, Torres said, when Beagell pointed the shotgun at the attendant's head.

When they regrouped later, Zachary Flowers and Beagell had $400 to $500, he told police.

"Nobody told me anything," Torres said in the video. "Everybody got in the car and was all psyched up."

It wasn't until later, after seeing media reports about the robbery, that Torres said he realized the gun had been used.

"Dude, I never shot anybody in my whole freaking life," Torres said early in the video. "I know what you're talking about ... but I never pulled the trigger."

MORE: Police sketch comes into play in homicide trial

Later in the interview, Torres, wiping his eyes, expressed frustration with the others in the group. The Flowers family didn't like him, and Alexis, his girlfriend, would often use him as a scapegoat, he said.

"I try to help her better herself all the time," Torres said. "I try to tell her to get a job, to go to school ... I try to do everything all the time and this is what (expletive) happens."

Torres' statements to police were a source of contention before the trial began. Priarone in 2014 argued that they should be tossed and that Torres' arrest was on a "cooked-up" warrant.

Earlier Wednesday, jurors heard testimony from Phillipsburg police Lt. Michael Swick and Detective Douglas Baylor, who described the investigation that led them to Torres and the others.

McDonald said he may recall them to testify about Torres' statement, and Priarone said he would cross-examine them then.

The trial will resume Monday. With more than 30 witnesses expected to be called, it is anticipated to last about a month.

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

The former county library headquarters is now the base for the prosecutor's office.

The annexation of the former county library headquarters is complete.

Warren County and law enforcement officials on Wednesday cut the ribbon on the Courthouse Annex, the former library site across from the county courthouse in Belvidere.

County and law enforcement officials officially marked the opening of the Warren County Court House Annex with a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 23, 2015. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)

The freeholders last year awarded a $3.61 million contract to refit the site at 199 Hardwick St. for the Warren County Prosecutor's Office. Overall costs, including furnishings, totaled $4.3 million, but the project is expected to save about $400,000 annually, according to the county.

Prosecutor Richard Burke called it "a tremendous day not only for us in the prosecutor's office but also for the taxpayers of Warren County."

The space has already been in use for several weeks. The prosecutor's approximately 60-person staff -- previously spread out over a number of sites -- moved into the new space over the summer.

MORE: Prosecutor's office consolidating in new location

Burke said the larger space will benefit a modern-day prosecutor's office.

"We have to deal with a lot of technology because we have to keep up with the criminal element," he said.

The original section of the annex dates back to the 1800s.

The library moved its headquarters to White Township in 2013 after 39 years in the building. County social services also moved to the township building, on Shotwell Drive off Route 519.

The freeholders said they plan to refurbish the Warren County Court House next year.

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

The bill by Rep. Joe Emrick would require an annual financial and management audit, and provide the governor

State Rep. Joe Emrick says he's hoping the third time is the charm.

Emrick's legislation authorizing annual audits and greater state oversight of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously Monday.

Emrick, R-Northampton, said the same bill was approved in the last two legislative sessions, but each time died in the Senate.

He said a similar piece of legislation aimed at reforms of the Delaware River Port Authority -- another bi-state agency -- could help give traction to the toll bridge commission bill this session.

The DRPA reform package is sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty Jr., R-Montgomery, who is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

"I'm hopeful that we can push both pieces of legislation through together and I hope that would happen this fall," Emrick said.

RELATED: Toll bridge contract peeves Pa. lawmaker

Emrick first proposed his legislation after the toll bridge commission raised commuter tolls to $1 in 2011. He renewed his calls for greater oversight earlier this year after a $6.32 million construction contract was awarded to the company that employs the commission's chairman.

The toll bridge commission anticipates 2015 revenues of about $124 million.

"I think it's appropriate to have an independent set of eyes on what's going on," Emrick said. "It's a continuation of the efforts we started in 2011 to have oversight, transparency and accountability for what goes on at the bridge commission.

"It's a lot of money that comes out of the pockets of very hard-working people and businesses to pay those tolls. I don't see an issue with the accountability factor of it."

The bill would require an annual financial and management audit performed jointly by the auditor generals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

It also would give Pennsylvania's governor power to veto any actions by commission members from Pennsylvania within 10 days of the action. The commission is comprised of 10 members, five from each state.

New Jersey has already approved toll bridge reform legislation. Emrick's proposal mirrors that. Because the commission is a bi-state agency, both states must approve changes to the agreement that governs the commission's operations.

Toll bridge commission spokesman Joe Donnelly said the commission doesn't comment on legislation.

The Delaware River Port Authority legislation, Senate Bill 286, passed the Senate this year and is now with the House Transportation Committee.

Nolan Ritchie, a spokesman for Rafferty and the Senate Transportation Committee, said the committee is on track to consider the toll bridge commission bill.

"It is our understanding that the intention of Rep. Emrick's bill is comparable to the reforms that Senator Rafferty has proposed for the Delaware River Port Authority," he said. "It would make sense we would review and consider Rep. Emrick's bill as well."

The toll bridge commission oversees 19 free and toll bridges between Delaware Water Gap and Trenton.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

 

A new bill require residents in certain areas of New Jersey inhabited by black bears to use bear-resistant trash and food storage containers and would prohibit them from feeding the bears or deposing of food in a way that would attract the animals Watch video

TRENTON -- Feed a bear, get a fine -- even if you do so inadvertently. 

Such is the gist of a new bill that began advancing in the state Legislature this week. 

The measure (S687) -- which the state Senate's economic committee approved Monday -- would require residents in certain areas of New Jersey inhabited by black bears to use bear-resistant trash and food storage containers and would prohibit them from feeding the bears or deposing of food in a way that would attract the animals.

The bill would also ban intentional baiting practices in the municipalities located in the areas.

First offenders who violate the ban would be fined $50. The fine for second offenses would be $50 to $250, followed by $250 to $1,000 for subsequent violations.

"Food is the biggest factor when bears are drawn to residential communities or businesses," said state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), the main sponsor of the legislation. "Our waste is their food. They come to eat, but it brings them too close to people. Eliminating the attraction will reduce the risks, making it safer for humans and the bears."

Agricultural operations that inadvertently lead to bear feedings would be exempt from the ban.

Lesniak added that the measure could eliminate the need for the state's controversial bear hunt -- something critics say is cruel but advocates say is needed to keep the bear population down.

"This is a smarter and more humane way of managing the bear population in a heavily populated state that includes wildlife and natural resources," the senator said.

The measure still needs to be passed by the full state Senate and full state Assembly and then signed by the governor to become law.

MORE POLITICS

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs host their Bacon and Brews Bash on Saturday; the Greek Food Fest in Wilson Borough runs now through Sunday.

1.) Get your Greek on

Moussaka. Pastitsio. Galaktoboureko. Kourambiedes.

No, our keyboard buttons aren't stuck.

Those are just a few of the delectable delights that will be served up this weekend as Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson Borough celebrates its Greek Food Fest.

The festival -- a showcase of Greek food, culture and tradition -- will be held at the church at 20th Street and Hay Terrace. Folks of all stripes are invited to participate and support the Easton-area church.

The festival actually got underway Thursday and continues 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Besides the food, there are drinks and Greek dancing scheduled each night. You can eat there or get take-out.

Orders can be placed ahead of time for pickup by calling 610-253-8147.

What's that? You don't eat meat? No problem.

They will make you lamb.

Opa!

2.) Bacon and brews

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs know how to entertain a crowd. And they'll be pulling out all the stops Saturday during the Bacon and Brews Bash at Coca-Cola Park.

From 1 to 5 p.m., the on-field party will feature unlimited beer tastings of craft brews and food trucks serving bacon-themed dishes.

There also will be live entertainment, games and other fun, including the Lehigh Valley's 2nd annual hog-calling competition.

A limited number of tickets still remain.

Tickets are $45 per person for the four-hour unlimited tasting or $35 a ticket for three hours, from 2 to 5 p.m. For $5, tickets are available for designated drivers who will receive complimentary soda, or for those just wishing to eat bacon. You must be 21 to attend.

You can order tickets online, by calling 610-841-PIGS (7447), or by visiting the Coca-Cola Park ticket office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

3.) Pope on the big screens

Not up for the trip to Philadelphia on Sunday to see the historic visit by Pope Francis?

You can still experience it in a community setting at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

MORE: Allentown bishop hopes papal visit inspires young Catholics

A full afternoon of events is planned by the Diocese of Allentown, starting with celebration of a Mass at noon that will be lifted by a 70-voice choir made up of the Diocesan Choir and Cathedral Choir.

Entertainment, food and games are set from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

At 4 p.m., the papal Mass from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia will be shown on three outdoor giant-screen TVs at SteelStacks.

4.) Life's been good

Joe Walsh brings his musical talent to the Lehigh Valley with a sold-out show at 8 p.m. Saturday at Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

Walsh, a music icon of The Eagles and The James Gang, performed with The Eagles in 2014 when they opened the PPL Center in Allentown. He also brought his solo act to the main stage at Musikfest in 2007.

5.) Warren County festivals

There's plenty going on in Warren County this weekend.

The Warren County 4-H Renaissance Faire will be held noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the county fairgrounds at 1350 Strykers Road in Harmony Township. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 5 through 13.

Four Sisters Winery is holding its Apple Wines and Music festival from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $12 at the gate for those 21 and older and $6 ages 6 to 20. Kids 5 and under are free. The winery is at 783 Route 519 in Belvidere.

And Alba Vineyard in Pohatcong Township is hosting the Foodshed Alliance Wine and Food Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at the vineyard at 269 Route 627. Tickets at the gate are $35, including a wine-tasting; $10 for nondrinkers and free for kids under 16.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Seven members of the Washington High School Class of 1948 attended a class reunion recently.

A luncheon reunion of the Washington High School class of 1948 was held recently at Hawk Pointe Golf Course in Washington.

Members of the class in attendance included, from left, Raymond Bellini, Emma Stuphen Kimball, Bernice Alpaugh Seifert, Dolores Barron Moffett, Janice Alpaugh Merritt, Kenneth Swift and Douglas Markle (not pictured).

A team of girls from Phillipsburg won the Forks Summer League basketball championship.

The Phillipsburg Lady Liners finished the Forks Summer League basketball season as the 9th Grade Champions with a come-from-behind dramatic win.

The team is made up of all 8th graders and includes: Malaysia Kellem, Daniella Ellerth, Taylor Rapel, Jenna Hartzler, Curran Marron, Erin Glassmacher, Grace Moser, Morgan Barna, Amanda Gargone, Maddie Faychak, Abby Brown, Madi Mitchell and Coach Sue Dvorin.

Two New Jersey residents even pitched a tent in a nearby campground after winning a lottery for tickets to see Pope Francis in Washington.

WASHINGTON -- When U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance raffled off tickets to see Pope Francis at the U.S. Capitol, Michael Flynn jumped at the chance to enter.

Flynn's son Ronan, 7, was preparing to receive his First Communion, and he thought a visit to see the pope would be especially meaningful. So when Flynn, a financial adviser from Cranford, landed two tickets, he took his son with him to Washington.

They stood outside with thousands who had made the trek to the nation's capital to catch a glimpse of the pope, who stood at the West Front of the Capitol and spoke briefly to the crowd after he delivered a historic speech to the U.S. Congress.

"The connection between our faith and our country -- what an opportunity," Flynn said.

Lance was inundated with requests and his staff managed to secure around 150 tickets, many of them from lawmakers whose districts are hundreds of miles further from Washington than the area he represents in New Jersey.

"Pope Francis has captured the imagination of the world," said Lance (R-7th Dist.).

Mount Arlington Council member Stephen Sadow also came to hear the pope.

"The speech was amazing," he said. "It has a beautiful thread that ran through it. No matter who you are, you had to respect what he had to say."

Jennifer LaParch and Annemarie Stanton, both of Harmony, pitched a tent in a campground in the Washington suburbs Wednesday night in order to get a head start on the day.

"It was inspiring," said Stanton, a quality assurance administrator. "It was asking people to do better."

LaParch, who had won the ticket lottery and invited Stanton to join her, called it "a great experience.''

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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Blame the drones. At least that's how it appears as a model airplane club that has been flying for more than 20 years is being asked to vacate Hialeah Trailhead off River Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area....

Blame the drones.

At least that's how it appears as a model airplane club that has been flying for more than 20 years is being asked to vacate Hialeah Trailhead off River Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The Roxbury Area Model Airplane Club, or RAMAC, which is 60 members strong, has long used the site, and the DWGNRA even promotes the club on its website, inviting visitors to watch the air show.

But a new National Park Service moratorium on unmanned aircraft -- announced last summer, sparked by a series of noise and nuisance complaints at other parks -- requires superintendents of national parks to consider evicting any flying clubs using park land. Many of those complaints, however, involved disrupting herding animals and roaming wildlife.

Flying Hawks operates another model airplane field in the park, near Route 209 just south of Milford.

Both groups' permits expired at the end of last year, according to Park Service spokeswoman Kathleen Sandt of DWGNRA. But Howard "Skip" Berka, of Blairstown Township, speaking at a public input hearing attended by about 30 people at Bushkill Inn on Sept. 12, says RAMAC still has a permit.

"We're trying to save the field," said Berka. "They say the noise from the fuel (engine) airplanes does not fit the demographic of the park."

Berka said there is concern by park officials about the noise carrying over to nearby Turtle Beach and the McDade Trail, which is a quarter of a mile away. Sandt said the concern is even farther than that, to Smithfield Beach and the Delaware River, according to prior reports.

Berka, who has flown for RAMAC, said he and a few others from his group are looking to keep RAMAC at its site and even suggested switching the model airplane engines from fuel to much quieter electric engines. He said Donohue heard their suggestion and it will be examined.

But there is a second concern about planes disrupting the overall tranquil experience for hikers and perhaps posing a safety hazard, although RAMAC members, mostly from New Jersey, must join the Academy of Model Aeronautics, which provides $1 million in liability insurance for its members.

"We want to do something about it, but many club members do not want to speak up," Berka said at the hearing. "But if they have to leave, I don't know if there is any other place for them to go. I've seen this for 30 years here, and no one has ever complained about the planes. People come to watch us all the time."

MORE: 5 things to do: Bacon and brews, Greek food and pope parties

Berka said people vacationing at Shawnee Inn and Fernwood Resort in the summer bring their model airplanes to fly with the club.

"He (Donohue) has said, 'We want you to move in two to three years, and there are sites just as good on the Jersey side, and we'll help you move," Berka said.

If it has to leave, Berka said the club "does not have the wherewithal" to go to another field, which would mean a costly lease and force an inevitable disbanding of the club.

Wing spans range from 18 inches to 10 feet for planes flown by the club that take off and land on a 100-foot-by-500-foot runway. They fly below 400 feet as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

RAMAC operates under guidelines that include requiring the operator to see the aircraft at all times, which is different from the unmanned drone aircraft that use cameras beyond the line of sight of the operator, a growing hobby that is believed to have pushed the National Park Service to its directive.

Berka has said that members of the club have wanted to be good citizens and have participated in maneuvers at the airfield without incident. Members even mow the airfield with the club's own mower, a requirement under the Park Service's agreement.

But Sandt said the decision no longer rests in the DWGNRA and her only comment was that any request for an exemption permit allowing for continued flying would have to go to the main office in Washington, D.C.

 

Were you paying attention to local news this week?

As the calendar turns to autumn, it's time for another NJ.com New Quiz. There are no mentions of pumpkin spice or fall leaves here; just seven questions based on the biggest local stories of the week gone by. Once you're finished, share your score in comments to see how you stack up with other NJ.commers. And please, no Googling.

John Shabe may be reached at jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johndshabe. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Traffic was being detoured through the visitors center, New Jersey State Police report.

UPDATE: 1 dead, 2 hurt in I-80 East crash, police say; lanes reopen

The New Jersey Department of Transportation, in overnight alerts, randomly mentioned both I-80 East and West. The DOT at 4:45 was showing an eastbound backup on 511nj.org. Delays were 5 to 10 minutes, the DOT said.

There were injuries but a sergeant at the Hope barracks wouldn't say if there were fatalities.

Traffic was being detoured through the visitor's center in Hardwick Township, he said.

The investigation was continuing at this hour, police said.

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

 

The eastbound lanes had been detoured through the nearby visitors center.

One person died and two people were transported to hospitals after a crash early Friday morning on Interstate 80 East in Hardwick Township, New Jersey State Police report.

A tractor-trailer and an SUV crashed about 1:20 at mile marker 0.5 in Warren County and a passenger in one of the vehicles died at the scene, police said.

Another person was flown to Morristown Medical Center and another driven to Pocono Medical Center for treatment, police said.

Eastbound traffic was routed through the nearby visitors center after all lanes in that direction were closed, police said. Delays at 6 a.m. were 5 to 10 minutes as troopers worked to clear the crash, police said. The lanes reopened by 6:09 a.m., the New Jersey Department of Transportation said.

The state police Fatal Accident and Crime Scene Investigation units responded as well as troopers from the Hope barracks, police said.

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

 

After a legal battle over sightlines, the county and state will split the $15,000 cost to change the courtroom's layout.

A legal battle over sightlines has been settled -- Warren County and state will split costs to rearrange a courtroom that had been deemed unconstitutional.

After Courtroom 2 was completed in a $6 million Warren County Court House renovation, it was determined to be unfit for jury trials because a load-bearing pillar blocked views between the jury box, defense table and witness stand. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

Courtroom 2 was part of a $6 million renovation to the Warren County Court House completed in 2011. Shortly after its completion, a defense attorney argued, and a judge later agreed, that the layout made it ineffective for trials: A pillar blocked views between the defense table, jury box and witness stand.

"This courtroom is just poorly conceived from a trial standpoint," Judge Ann R. Bartlett ruled in 2012. "The result is a courtroom that ... is constitutionally defective."

The county sued the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts in January 2014, saying the state should contribute financially to any alterations. The county estimated fixes could cost up to $1 million.

This week, a settlement was reached that will reorganize the courtroom's layout, splitting the $15,000 cost down the middle between the county and the state.

The jury box will be moved, the defense and prosecution's tables will be arranged at 90-degree angles to each other rather than a straight line, and the judge's dais will be lowered to clear the line of sight to the witness stand, Freeholder Director Ed Smith said.

"I think that we got a good practical solution," he said.

The $1 million the county cited in its lawsuit estimated the cost if the load-bearing pillar had to be removed, Smith said. The lawsuit has been withdrawn under the settlement.

The rearrangement could be done early next year, Smith said, rolling it in with other courthouse improvements that are planned.

RELATED: State meddling stops courthouse facelift, freeholders say

Courtroom 2 has been used since 2012 for civil cases that don't require juries. But having it available for criminal trials will allow for restoration of the facility's other criminal courtroom, Smith said -- the cavernous Courtroom 1 has paint peeling and plaster crumbling from the walls and ceiling.

The changes will also allow Courtroom 2 to address courthouse security concerns, like it was meant to do.

Sheriff's officers routinely must clear the second-floor hallway when moving prisoners or juries. Courtroom 2 will eliminate that need, allowing prisoners to be transported via an elevator and juries direct access to the deliberation room.

"That should ease the inconvenience that people encounter when we have to clear the hallway when we move an inmate," Sheriff David Gallant said Friday. "I'd rather not expose the inmates to the civilian population."

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

 

Phillipsburg student to attend Boy's State this summer.

American Legion Post 528, in White Township, selected two Warren County Vo-Tech students to attend Boy's State this summer. Kevin Villatoro, of Phillipsburg, was the candidate. At the event, his peers elected Villatoro sergeant-at -arms.

Washington Post 103 sponsored the alternate delegate, Alex Bloom.

Both were presented American Legion Good Citizenship Citations.

WCCC offering dialysis technician training

Warren County Community College is offering a dialysis technician program to equip students with necessary knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of a dialysis technician including operating a kidney dialysis machine. The course will be held at the Phillipsburg Education Center 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday, Oct. 19 and ending Dec. 9. Tuition is $999 and includes all books and materials. Funding is available through the Health Professions Opportunity Grant for those that are eligible.

Grant will fund science fair project developement

Jessica Donahue, a seventh-grade science teacher at Harrison-Morton Middle School, has secured a $500 grant from the American Chemical Society' Science Coaches program. The grant will furnish her classroom with supplies to help students develop science fair projects under the mentorship of Frank K. Schweighardt, Ph.D. - a retired chemist with Air Products and Chemicals Inc., and former chairman of the Da Vinci Science Center's Board of Trustees.

The Da Vinci Science Center is the founding and managing partner of the STEM Valley Mentoring Coalition.