Injuries are minor, authorities say. Watch video

There were minor injuries Friday morning when a tractor-trailer overturned on the ramp from Route 173 to Interstate 78 West near the Pohatcong Township-Greenwich Township line, authorities said.

The highway wasn't affected, but westbound traffic was slowed by rubberneckers.

The ramp was shut.

The crash happened about 9:50 a.m.

Two heavy-duty wreckers were attempting the right the truck.

New Jersey State Police from the Perryville barracks were investigating.

The Phillipsburg Rescue Squad, the Clinton Rescue Squad (for heavy rescue), the Alpha Fire Department, Huntington Fire Company, Warren County HazMat (for a fuel spill), and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Highway Department assisted at the scene.

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

Officials hope to reopen by the weekend.

A thunderstorm knocked out power in the Phillipsburg area Thursday night, and forced the community pool to close Friday amid sweltering summer heat.

Town officials hope the Walters Park facility -- typically open noon to 6 p.m. daily -- will reopen for the weekend.

A tree downed by Thursday evening's storm took out a power line, disrupting residents and shutting off the pool's pump, said Kelly Post-Sheedy, the town's recreation supervisor.

The pool manager, Post-Sheedy, and fire and public works personnel helped to shut valves as pool water drained into a filter tank below, the supervisor said. When the pool reopens depends on when power is fully restored to the facility, and how long it takes the pumps to send the water back up, she said.

"We know that it is of the utmost importance that residents have power first," Post-Sheedy said.

As of late Friday morning, JCP&L showed only small, sporadic outages remaining around Warren County, and none in the Phillipsburg area. The situation was similar for Met-Ed's service area in the Lehigh Valley. PPL showed no outages around midday in its local service area, but hundreds were still in the dark near Scranton.

Friday's high in Phillipsburg is expected to reach 95 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The weekend should be slightly cooler, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s.

Another unfortunate effect of the power outage in Phillipsburg: The pool's ice cream stock did not make it. Post-Sheedy said that new orders have been placed and it should be fully stocked with frozen treats when it does reopen.

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

Edward Kramer, of Kramer Chiropractic in Blairstown, was accused of groping two female patients.

A Warren County chiropractor will surrender his license as part of a plea agreement on sexual assault charges.

Edward Kramer, 61, was accused of groping two female patients at his practice, Kramer Chiropractic in Blairstown Township, in 2015 and 2016.

Kramer, a Blairstown resident, was suspended in November by the New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners until someone could be put in place to oversee his interaction with female patients. Criminal charges were filed two weeks later.

Under the plea, Kramer on Thursday was admitted into the pretrial intervention program for two years, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday. The rehabilitative program is offered to first-time offenders as an alternative to prosecution.

The plea also requires Kramer's license to be revoked and bars him from ever practicing in New Jersey again.

The Kramer Chiropractic website does not list Kramer among its staff. A voicemail greeting said the office was closed Thursday and Friday, but was to reopen Monday.

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

The road was closed in Franklin Township.

A section of Route 57 in Warren County was closed Friday afternoon after a utility pole fell across the road.

The downed pole, which also involved a fluid spill, was east of Liberty Road (County Route 637) in Franklin Township and traffic was detoured as of about 3 p.m., a New Jersey Department of Transportation website confirmed.

A small dump truck was nearby, and Route 57 was closed between Stewartsville Road and Richline Road.

The detour was still in place as of 4 p.m.

(NJDOT) 

Freelance photographer Rich Maxwell contributed to this report.

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

A toddler was present for the crime, compounding the recommended sentence.

A toddler was nearby when a 31-year-old Phillipsburg man tried to kill his girlfriend in 2016, which could add to his potential sentence.

Lee Capers (Courtesy photo)

Lee Capers, of the 300 block of Heckman Street, admitted to the crimes Friday, pleading guilty to charges of first-degree attempted murder and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office announced.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors will recommend he serve 13 years in prison -- 10 for attempted murder and three for the endangerment charge -- with five years of parole supervision upon his release.

Sentencing will be scheduled for a later date.

Capers stabbed 30-year-old Carmen Figueroa about 7 a.m. Jan. 14, 2016. She suffered at least two stab wounds, one to the back and one to the chest, authorities said at the time.

An indictment returned that April said she was repeatedly cut, stabbed and slashed, and that it occurred in the presence of a 2-year-old for whom Capers had a legal responsibility.

Capers fled, and Phillipsburg police found his vehicle about 20 minutes later. A Washington Township police K-9 unit found a knife in a ditch. 

The search lasted about 90 minutes before Capers was found and arrested in Pohatcong Township.

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

The 50-year-old is wanted on a narcotics charge.

Michael Swann (Courtesy photo) 

Michael E. Swann, 50, is wanted on a narcotics charge under a warrant dated March 10, according to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

Swann, whose last known address was in to 400 block of Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, is described as 6 feet tall and 240 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

The prosecutor's office asks anyone with information about Swann to contact investigators via a tip line at 908-475-6643, the fugitive unit at 908-475-6272 or via fugitive@co.warren.nj.us.

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

Raritan Township Police arrested Ian C. Crosbie, 18 of Herndon, Va., after finding he was in possession of fireworks overnight on July 17, 2017.

RARITAN TWP. - Police arrested an 18-year-old Virginia teen after finding he was in possession of fireworks overnight on Monday.

Ian C. Crosbie, 18 of Herndon, Va., was charged with possession of explosive fireworks after Sgt. Robert Landolina found him while checking on several vehicles parked near the back of the Flemington Ice Arena on Case Boulevard at 12:21 a.m., police said.

He was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Other arrests reported by township police include:

Jordan M. Richmond, 27, of Raritan Township, charged with possession of hashish oil and drug paraphernalia following a motor-vehicle stop on Bristol Avenue at 1:21 a.m. on Sunday. Richmond, who was also ticketed by Officer Connor Gallagher for a view obstruction, was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Nathaniel P. Washington, 29 of Willow Grove, Pa., was arrested and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at 1:40 a.m. on July 15, police said.

Sgt. Robert Landolina found him in a running vehicle in the parking lot of Marvic Supply on Hampton Corner Road. He was also ticketed for driving while suspended and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, police said.

Washington was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Zachary D. Klein, 25 of Clifton, was arrested and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia by Sgt. Robert Landolina at 1:40 a.m. on July 15, police said.

Landolina arrested Klein after responding to the Ramada Inn after seeing a large group, presumed to be juveniles, on the landing of the second floor. Klein was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Daniel G. Godfrey, 35 of Washington, and Erich R. Nething, 29 of Hackettstown, were both arrested and charged with narcotics offenses following a stop on Route 31 at 11:28 a.m. on July 13, police said.

Godfrey, initially stopped by Officer Adam Swiatek for failure to wear a seatbelt, was charged with possession of heroin and hypodermic syringes, police said. He was also found to have a $500 traffic warrant out of Washington Township Municipal Court. The court decided to release him on his own recognizance with a new court date, police said.

Godfrey was ticketed for failure to wear a seatbelt and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, police said.

Nething was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of hypodermic syringes and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Both were released after their arrests pending a court appearance, police said.

Dustin R. Nylander, 19, and Orane V. Venson, 33, both of Hamilton, were arrested and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana following a Route 31 motor-vehicle at 12:30 a.m. on July 10, police said.

Nylander was initially stopped by Officer Ismael Mendez for a view obstruction. He was also charged with possession of Clonazepam and possession of drug paraphernalia and ticketed for obstructed view and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, police said.

Both were released pending court appearances, police said.

It's not just the Jersey Devil lurking in the forests. But these 11 things aren't myths, they can actually kill you.

Water was pumped back into the pool and treated after systems shut down during a storm.

The pool has been filled, the water is getting checked and fresh ice cream is en route -- all signs point to Phillipsburg's municipal pool in Walters Park opening as usual Saturday.

The facility was closed Friday after a storm the night before knocked out power, shutting down the pumps and causing the pool to partially drain.

The town recreation department posted updates on Facebook, including Saturday morning where it said the final chemical check on the water would be done about 9 a.m.

"Looks like we're 99% in the clear to be fully operational by our normal opening time at 11AM today!" the latest post said.

Just as important: While the facility's ice cream unfortunately all melted while the power was out, patrons will be glad to know a fresh delivery is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

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

The 22 kids learned drills and police procedures over a week.

Sgt. Larry Marino spoke into his radio. A second later, it crackled to life over the auditorium's speakers.

A dispatcher congratulated the 22 graduates of the Phillipsburg Police Department's first-ever junior police academy.

Marino coordinated the week-long academy, which showed the middle-schoolers the ropes, running them through drills and classes about what it takes to be a cop. It included self-defense courses, a visit from the New Jersey State Police bomb squad and a state police helicopter.

Friday afternoon's graduation ceremony at Phillipsburg Middle School was held before an audience of dozens of proud parents, as well as the cadets' instructors. Marino and Phillipsburg police Chief Robert Stettner delivered some remarks, saying how proud they were of the kids.

"We appreciate that as graduates, you mastered every challenge in front of you," the chief said. "And we expect no less in the future."

THE GRADUATES

James Alvarez

Alex Bittenmaster

Adin Bittenmaster

Kyle Campbell

Trevor Cecere

John Michael Forbes Jr.

Gia Fulper

Steven Fulse

Taylor D. Green

Joey Haley

Zihare McLuney

Jacob Miller

Buster Penrose

Joshua Rivera

Daniel Rivera

Sarahi Rivera

Hillary Viviana Garcia Santos

Loran Tenezaca

Asenath Tetteh

Taylor Thatcher

Quian Wlaters

Brandon Wyant

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

The New Jersey Legislature is taking a welcome stand against Trump's Environmental Protection Agency and its chief, Scott Pruitt, over a pesticide called chlorpyrifos.

As the White House continues to systematically shred many of the safety nets put into place by previous administrations, it's up to the states to act like the grown-ups in the room.

Governors, mayors, attorney generals and state lawmakers are increasingly resisting ill-conceived moves, such as President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accords, or taking the teeth out of regulations designed to keep our air safe and our water clean.

Now the New Jersey Legislature is taking a welcome stand against Trump's Environmental Protection Agency and its chief, Scott Pruitt, over a pesticide called chlorpyrifos.

The chemical, widely used on crops like apples, grapes and cranberries, has been shown to lead to developmental problems in children, and to nausea and other woes in adults.

Based on an agreement with the EPA, its manufacturer voluntarily agreed to phase chlorpyrifos out of use in residential areas in 2001. Later, the Obama Administration followed scientists' advice and banned it more widely.

But earlier this year, Pruitt decided to drop the ban, despite a petition by the Pesticide Action Network of North America, which cautioned that "Short-term symptoms of low-dose exposure may include headaches, agitation, inability to concentrate, weakness, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea and blurred vision."

Spraying for pesky black flies resumes along the Delaware

Higher doses, the advocacy group warned, "can lead to respiratory paralysis and death."

The American Academy of Pediatrics said it was "deeply alarmed" by Pruitt's action, noting that "There is a wealth of science demonstrating the detrimental effects of chlorpyrifos exposure to developing fetuses, infants, children and pregnant women.

"The risk to infant and children's health and development is unambiguous."

Heeding these warnings, and those of numerous respected researchers, N.J. Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen) who chairs the Assembly's Environment and Solid Waste Committee, has introduced a bill to prohibit the sale, purchase, use and application of the insecticide.

Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Mercer) sponsored an identical bill in the Senate.

When Dow Chemicals introduced the pesticide in 1965, it quickly became one of the most widely used tools farmers employed to keep their crops insect-free.

But there were concerns early on.

Under current state law, chlorpyrifos is regulated as a "restricted use" insecticide, which means it can be purchased and/or used only by certified and licensed users.

We're sympathetic to farmers concerned that a state ban would put Garden State farmers at a disadvantage, but would point out that other states - including highly agricultural California - are faring quite nicely with alternative treatments and preventive measures.

On Tuesday, a federal appeals court threw out an appeal of the EPA's decision not to ban chlorpyrifos, making it even more vital that Turner and Eustace's measure get the hearing it deserves - and that New Jersey residents get the health protections they entitled to.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

A Philadelphia woman was charged with DUI after Sgt. Robert Landolina found her in a car parked in the road on July 4, 2017, Raritan Township police said.

RARITAN TWP. - A Philadelphia woman was charged with DUI after Sgt. Robert Landolina found her in a car parked in the road on July 4, police said.

Jamie F. Spratford, 23, was arrested at 1:48 a.m. on July 4 following a stop on Old York Road. Landolina initially saw her vehicle parked on Horseshoe Drive with the headlights on, police said.

When Spratford saw Landolina get out of his vehicle and approach on foot, she turned the headlights off and drove away. He stopped her vehicle stopped a short distance away, police said.

Spratford was issued additional motor-vehicle summonses for failure to use headlights, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and reckless driving, police said.

She was released to a friend pending a court appearance.

Other recent arrests and investigations include:

Clinton Township

Schquanna Thompson, 26, of Newark was arrested and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana following a stop on westbound Interstate 78 near exit 12 at 12:05 a.m. on July 5, police said.

Police were initially alerted to a possible impaired driver heading south on Route 31. While searching for the vehicle, the person who called police told dispatchers the driver was getting on westbound Interstate 78, police said.

Thompson was also ticketed for driving while suspended. She was released with a date to appear in Municipal Court.

Adler Hartfelder-Denney, 18, of Asbury, was arrested and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana following a stop on Petticoat Lane near Spencer Lane at 9:55 p.m. on July 3, police said.

A passenger in the vehicle, he was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released with a pending court appearance.

Hartfelder-Denney was previously charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana following a stop on Petticoat Lane on April 20, police said. Police also found prescription drugs inside the vehicle that were not being stored in the proper container.

Robert Traetta, 44, of Hackettstown, was arrested and charged with DWI following a traffic stop on northbound Route 31 north near Halstead Street at 11:39 a.m. on July 2, police said.

Traetta was also ticketed for reckless driving and use of cell phone while driving before being released with a pending court appearance, police said.

Jeannie Bisoglio, 50, of Glen Gardner, was arrested and charged with DWI following a traffic stop on southbound Route 31 at 6:30 p.m. on June 22, police said.

Bisoglio was also charged with refusal to submit to a breath test, and ticketed for reckless driving and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, police said. Officers stopped her after receiving a report of an aggressive driver.

Bisoglio was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Lambertville

A box of pictures and frames were reported stolen from the front of a North Union Street residence on July 10, police said.

Anyone who has any information on the items or has the items in their possession is asked to call police at 609-397-3132.

Steven L. Peterson, 26, of Trenton, was arrested at 2:13 a.m. on July 8 for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, police said.

Sgt. Michael Gramlich stopped Peterson's vehicle at Bridge Street and McCreedy's Alley. He was also ticketed for driving while suspended and released with a court date, police said.

Mark G. Higgins, 59, of Lambertville, was arrested at 3:58 p.m. on July 7 on a fugitive warrant out of New Hope, police said.

Sgt. Anthony Memolo took Higgins into custody after receiving an anonymous report of a wanted person in the area of George Street, police said. He was held awaiting an extradition hearing.

Michael D. Malka, 26, of Morrisville, Pa., was arrested at 8:44 a.m. on July 3 and charged with harassment and eluding, police said. He was also wanted on an outstanding fugitive warrant from the Bucks County Sherriff Department.

Lt. Robert Brown initially responded to South Union and Bridge streets for a stalking complaint. Malka was located, but ran away before captured, police said. Malka was held awaiting an extradition hearing.

Several home sewing goods, including a Singer Sewing machine, five custom-made handbags, five custom-made men's newsboy hats and five custom-made children's sun hats were reported stolen from a curb on York Street at 8:18 p.m. on July 1, police said.

Anyone who has any information on the items, or has the items in their possession, is encouraged to call police at 609-397-3132.

Raritan Township

Shannon N. Carney, 21 of Port Murray, was arrested and charged with theft from BJ's Wholesale Club on Route 31 at 12:43 p.m. on July 11, police said.

Officer Adam Swiatek was called to the store by store managers for a report of theft by an employee. The managers said Carney had been taking money from cash drawers from June into July, police said. The total amount taken was over $500, but less than $75,000.

Carney was released with a pending court date, police said.

Kyle A. Rogers, 31, of Raritan Township, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin and tampering with physical evidence at 7:19 p.m. on July 11, police said.

Officer William McEnroe, III was called to a Stagecoach Court residence for a reported heroin overdose. Police were directed to the victim, an unresponsive male, by the caller, police said. Corporal Christopher Vallat administered Narcan to the victim, which revived him. He was then taken to Hunterdon Medical Center by the Flemington-Raritan First Aid and Rescue Squad for treatment, police said.

Rogers, who was also present at the residence but had not called police, was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Jose Antonio Hernandez, 32, of Raritan Township, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a stop on Old Croton Road at 12:58 a.m. on July 8, police said.

Hernandez was initially stopped by Sgt. Joseph Canonica for failure to stay in his lane and failure to stop, police said.

He was ticketed for failure to maintain lane control, failure to stop, being an unlicensed driver and reckless driving, police said. The vehicle was towed and Hernandez was released to a family member pending a court appearance.

Tommy Goncalves, 30, of Raritan Township, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a stop on Bartles Corner Road at 9:29 p.m. on July 6, police said. Goncalves was initially stopped by Cpl. Christopher Vallat because he could not stay in his lane. Goncalves was also ticketed for reckless driving, police said.

The vehicle was towed and Goncalves was released to a family member pending a court appearance.

Brian L. Dileo, 33, and Michael A. Dileo, 24, both of Waterbury, Conn., were arrested and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana following a stop by Sgt. Robert Landolina on Routes 202/31 at 11:53 p.m. on July 2, police said.

Dileo was initially stopped for having several lights out on his vehicle and was ticketed for maintenance of lamps and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, police said. Both were released pending a court appearance.

Yonel Jean, 58, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property following a stop by Officer Ismael Mendez on Route 202 at 5:10 a.m. on June 27, police said.

Jean was initially stopped for speeding. The license plate on the vehicle Jean was driving had been entered as stolen by the Duval County Sheriff's Office in Jacksonville, Fla., police said.

The vehicle was towed and Jean, ticketed for speeding, was released pending a hearing, police said.

John M. Osborne, 23, of Raritan Township, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a single vehicle crash on Voorhees Corner Road at 3:30 a.m. on June 24, police said.

Sgt. Joseph Canonica initially spoke to Osborne after stopping to check on an apparent disabled vehicle on the side of the road. Osborne was ticketed for careless driving, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident, police said.

The vehicle was towed and Osborne was released to a family member pending a court appearance, police reported.

Tewksbury Township

Frederick J. Sweeney, Jr., 58, of Gladstone, was ticketed for not having a motorcycle license after the motorcycle he was riding overturned while he was trying to u-turn. The accident happened at 4:54 p.m. on July 9, police said.

Sweeney was taken to Morristown memorial Hospital by the Whitehouse Rescue Squad, police said.

The fair finished Sunday in Chubb Park

CHESTER -- The Morris County 4-H fair finished up its four-day run Sunday at Chubb Park in Chester.

The fun included a watermelon-eating contest that provided a bit of cool entertainment. Some contestants started out fast, some went the steady-and-a bit-slower route but all ended up a little cooler than when they started.

The fair also featured animals, amusement rides, a petting zoo and many other activities.

The event was sponsored by the Morris County 4-H Association in support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Ed Murray may be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Ed on Twitter at @EdMurrayphoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Dogs and cats of all shapes, sizes and ages need your love.

Here is this week's collection of some of the dogs and cats in need of adoption in New Jersey.

We are now accepting dogs and cats to appear in the gallery from nonprofit shelters and rescues throughout New Jersey. If a group wishes to participate in this weekly gallery on nj.com, please contact Greg Hatala at ghatala@starledger.com or call 973-836-4922.

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

Police charge a 54-year-old man once the folded paper is recovered, a news release says.

A 54-year-old Hackettstown man tried to toss the evidence Monday night and, when confronted, said it wasn't his, town police report.

But Guillermo Ramos-Infante's argument was cut short when an officer took a closer look at the paper that contained suspected marijuana, police said.

It was a receipt with Ramos-Infante's signature, police said.

MORE: 1 killed in accident on farm

Ramos-Infante was pulled over at 9:41 p.m. after rolling through a stop sign, police said. He got out of the vehicle, walked to the front and then returned, police said. The officer then found the wrapped piece of paper in front of the car, police said. It smelled like pot and that's what it contained, police said.

Ramos-Infante is charged with possession of fewer than 50 grams of marijuana, driving with an expired license and the stop sign violation, police said.

He was released pending a court appearance.

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

Details of the two-vehicle wreck were sketchy.

A Pohatcong Township police officer was involved in a crash Sunday night on Interstate 78, New Jersey State Police report.

While details of the 9:07 p.m. wreck at mile marker 3 westbound are sketchy because the investigating trooper wasn't working Monday and the report wasn't complete, state police say the officer was driving a department Ford. It was in a crash with a Chevrolet driven by Robert Mundy, 51, of Richmond, Kentucky, police said.

Shelia Mundy, 48, of Upper Macungie Township, a passenger in the Chevy, suffered minor injuries, but it wasn't clear if she was taken to a hospital or treated at the scene, police said.

MORE: If you're going to toss alleged evidence ...

The initial notes didn't provide the Pohatcong officer's name or say which car caused the crash, police said.

The township police chief couldn't immediately be reached to find out if the officer was hurt.

The investigation is continuing, state police said.

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

Our latest group of semifinalists includes a pizzeria inside a log cabin and the state's coolest pizza hangout

Tom McGuire told the board he was stepping down for personal and family obligations.

The leadership of the Phillipsburg Board of Education has changed following the resignation of the board's president.

Thomas McGuire announced he would step down at a special meeting July 10 for personal and family reasons, said Staci Horne, the district's business administrator and board secretary.

Following policy, Vice President Matt Scerbo assumed the presidency. At the board's regular meeting Monday, Vickie Mendes-Branch was chosen as the new vice president, while Phil Mugavero was selected among four applicants to fill the vacancy among the board's ranks.

'Hometown hero' leading Phillipsburg schools

The leadership will remain in place until the usual reorganization meeting in January.

On Monday, the board also addressed other positions within the district, including naming Kathleen Troxell as the middle school principal. Among other staff decisions, McGuire's daughter, Kelly McGuire, was approved as a middle school math teacher.

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

The company employee was from Washington, police say.

A 46-year-old Washington man died Tuesday in an industrial accident at a Lopatcong Township manufacturing company, police report.

Berry Plastics in Lopatcong Township. (Tony Rhodin | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

The man was working in an area with numerous machines at Berry Plastics, 190 Stryker Road, police Chief Jason Garcia said at the scene.

A preliminary investigation indicates the man was struck in the head just after 11:30 a.m. "as he was tending to a possible problem with the machine he was manning," Garcia said later in a news release. The machine printed labels for plastic bottles before they were shipped, the chief added.

The man was a company employee, Garcia said.

The Morris County medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death and the man's identity will be released once family is notified, Garcia confirmed.

OSHA sent personnel to investigate the workplace incident at the specialty plastics maker, according to the Avenel, New Jersey, office.

A local plant manager didn't immediately return a phone call seeking more information. The company is based in Evansville, Indiana, with several plants throughout the world.

MORE: Pohatcong officer in crash on I-78

As a light rain fell early Tuesday afternoon, a few employees quietly got in their cars and drove off, but outside of police vehicles, it was hard to tell something had happened.

A sign outside an entrance says, "Safety's not a job it's our way of life."

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

Freeholder boards range from three to nine members in New Jersey. Each county's freeholders earn salaries that they set for themselves.