Bethlehem resident Albert Augelli, 61, worked at the high school 19 years and had a passion for baseball.

Albert Augelli had a passion for baseball.

The Phillipsburg High School guidance counselor, who died Wednesday at age 61, was a Mid-Atlantic Conference first-team third baseman in his playing days at the University of Scranton, according to his obituary.

Albert Augelli, 61, of Bethlehem, was a guidance counselor for 19 years at Phillipsburg High School. (Courtesy photo)

He went on to coach baseball camps for Phillipsburg, Lafayette College and DeSales University, among other places.

The Bethlehem resident worked as a counselor in Phillipsburg for the last 19 years.

Viewings for Augelli will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at noon at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 450 E. Washington Ave. in Bethlehem.

Phillipsburg Superintendent George Chando on Thursday said Augelli was well-regarded among students and staff. The counselor was not at work for about a week prior to his death following an undisclosed medical incident.

He is survived by his mother, two sisters and nieces and nephews.

"When I think of Al, I think of somebody that was a dedicated and loyal member of our faculty," the superintendent said.

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

American Legion hosts an annual coloring contest for kids at Knowlton Township School.

The American Legion held a coloring contest at Knowlton Township School for students in 4^th grade. This year the students had to color in a picture of the Emilio Carranza Crash Monument in Tabernacle, N.J.

How to pay tribute on Memorial Day

Students learned about this pilot's trip from Mexico City to New York on the Mexico-Excelsior. Carranza's plane crashed in the New Jersey Pine Barrens while making this trip. The winners were Isabella Grogan, Jake Oliveira and Giannah Kenstler.

Do you have education news to share? To see it posted here and possibly in The Express-Times and Warren Reporter, send me an email.

Michael J. Troncone, 35, stole more than $322,000 in construction equipment to fuel his heroin habit.

When Michael J. Troncone started taking drugs, he never envisioned he'd get hooked.

His brother told a Northampton County judge the 35-year-old Blairstown Township man was seriously injured in a four-wheeler crash that left him in a medically induced coma for three months and in pain for the rest of his life.

He started taking drugs for that pain and never stopped.

He's serving an eight-year prison sentence in New Jersey for taking $300,000 in construction equipment and selling it to feed his drug habit.

Northampton County Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden added a concurrent one- to two-year sentence in Pennsylvania on Friday for stealing $22,000 in lawn mowing equipment in the Slate Belt.

"My brother did not choose to become a drug addict," said Tom Troncone, who is a managing producer for NJ Advance Media. NJ Advance Media provides content for lehighvalleylive.com and nj.com.

Tom Troncone said his brother's chest was crushed when the brakes on the four-wheeler he was riding failed in 2002. He cracked his ribs, lacerated his spleen and shattered bones in his leg. His leg pain continues to this day.

N.J. man stole $300K in equipment

"The pain is intense and constant and the only thing that stops it are the buckets of Oxycontin he's taking," said Tom Troncone.

Doctors started cutting back his oxycodone dosage, so he turned to heroin, according to Tom Troncone.

Michael Troncone got a settlement from the four-wheeler manufacturer, which he spent on a car and illegal drugs.

Assistant District Attorney Laura Majewski said the estimated restitution in Pennsylvania was initially $100,000, although that figure was later cut down to $22,000.

One of his victims, Renee M. Gale-Falcone, teared up in court. She co-owns Hilltop Sales and Service in Washington Township, Northampton County, with her husband.

They put in a lot of hours away from family to keep the business running, and the theft on Sept. 12, 2014, hurt them personally.

"Each time an individual comes here and takes what is not theirs, they also take a piece of us," she wrote in a letter to the judge.

In the letter, she said she knows someone addicted to drugs and is sympathetic to those who can't control themselves under drugs' influence.

In the letter, she asked that Troncone get treatment, stay clean and apologize.

"I'm sorry," Michael Troncone told the judge.

"My brother is not a bad man," Tom Troncone said. "He's an addict."

The crime baffled the judge. She couldn't understand how Michael Troncone had the gall to hitch the lawn equipment trailers to the back of his truck and drive away without fear he'd be seen.

"It had to be one of the most obvious thefts ever," she said. "It sounds like something SNL (Saturday Night Live) would do."

She said she's suffered pain but had the discipline to keep herself from letting pain medication take over.

"I can't identify with this problem," McFadden said. "I believe it's a problem but I can't understand it."

She hopes that once Troncone leaves prison several years from now he never takes drugs again.

"You're going to spend a whole lot of time undoing your drug problem," she said.

Troncone pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and one count of conspiracy to commit theft.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

The race between Rep. Scott Garrett and Democrat Josh Gottheimer should be New Jersey's biggest 2016 donnybrook.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Scott Garrett and his Democratic challenger, former White House speechwriter Josh Gottheimer, both have banked millions for what is expected to be New Jersey's only competitive House race.

Garrett reported a bank account balance of $2.6 million through May 18, according to reports filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission in advance of the June 7 primary. Gottheimer had $2 million.

The two candidates already have raised more money than the $3.5 million spent during the entire 2014 campaign by Garrett and Democratic opponent Roy Cho. which up until now had been the most expensive race the seven-term incumbent had run in.

Gottheimer outraised Garrett, $2.3 million to $1.2 million, through May 18 and the candidates have brought in more money since then. If the trend continues, it will be the first Garrett brought in less money than his Democratic opponent since his first congressional election in 2002.

N.J. could see expensive House race

The Democratic challenger received $5,000 from the National Association of Realtors political action committee, significant because the Realtors PAC earlier contributed $2,000 to Garrett's re-election and because the incumbent chairs a subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the real estate industry.

Gottheimer received $2,700 from Peter Scher, head of corporate responsibility for JPMorgan Chase & Co., and $2,500 from Joseph Evangelisti, who directs corporate communications for the company also regulated by the House committee that Garrett sits on. Scher co-hosted a Washington event for Gottheimer in September.

Some financial companies have cut off funding to Garrett following reports last year that he would not contribute to the House Republicans' fundraising arm because it backed gay candidates. Garrett said in March that he wasn't talking about sexual orientation but whether a candidate backed the party platform's opposition to same-sex marriage. Garrett has said his position on the issue is rooted in his beliefs as a "devout man of faith."

He and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) are among 169 House Republicans -- a majority of the conference -- who are sponsoring legislation to allow groups and individuals to cite their religious beliefs and deny service to same-sex couples.

Garrett was helped out financially by the House Freedom Fund PAC, which raised $26,912 for his campaign. He is a member of the Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative House members that has pushed for more cuts in federal spending and has been credited with helping to bring down House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

He also received $2,000 from the campaign committee of House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas).  Garrett spent $15,000 on research from America Rising, a Republican opposition research organization.

First, Garrett must get by two challengers, Peter Vallorosi of Newton and Michael Cino of Demarest, in the June 7 GOP primary. Cino lost to Garrett in 2012. Vallorosi and Cino did not report raising any money.

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

The memorial golf outing to the Phillipsburg teacher and coach raises money for college scholarships.

The 13th annual Jason Frey Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Friday, June 24, at Southmoore Golf Club in Moore Township.

Jason Frey (Courtesy photo) 

The golf outing memorializes Frey, a Phillipsburg Middle School teacher and wrestling coach who died in 2003, and raises money for college scholarships awarded in his memory.

Organizers have awarded 30 scholarships to Phillipsburg High School graduates with financial need.

They are seeking sponsors to donate up to $500 for scholarships, as well as donations such as gift certificates, tickets and merchandise to be given as prizes at the golf outing.

About 150 golfers are expected.

Entry fee is $85 per golfer and includes a post-tournament banquet at Huntington Fire Company in Pohatcong Township. The entry deadline is June 12.

For information, contact Bob Lilly at 908-859-2084 or robertlilly@yahoo.com.

Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

The middle school club raised $1,700 for charitable causes this past year.

Stewartsville Middle School Interact Club had their year-end meeting with awards for achievement and an introduction to Shelly Miller, Phillipsburg High School Interact adviser.

The SMS Club raised a record near $1,700 this year for causes such as Rotary Polio Plus, Susan Komen, NORWESCAP and St Jude's Children's Hospital.

The Warren and Sussex colleges will share administrative costs over health-related certification programs.

Two New Jersey community colleges are partnering up to share costs of workforce certification programs.

Sussex and Warren County community colleges are partnering in workforce development certification programs and courses. (Courtesy graphic)

Officials from the Warren and Sussex county colleges inked the agreement Wednesday, with several courses expected to begin in the fall, according to a news release.

The courses include health-related programs, such as physical therapy aide and veterinary assistant certifications.

While each school will hold its own classes, the partnership is a cost-saving measure for the colleges as the programs will be administered under one roof, requiring less staffing overall, said Warren County Community College spokesman Dan Hirschberg.

"This is a win-win for residents of both counties," said WCCC President Will Austin. "The partnership streamlines our efforts so that residents can get the most out of their educational pursuits."

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

Hawk Pointe is the setting for Warren Tech's prom.

Warren County Technical School students had their prom Friday at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington.

MORE PROM

If these photos have you looking for more prom, check out the photos from last year.

Warren County Technical School prom 2015 (PHOTOS)

Don't forget to check back to lehighvalleylive.com/prom for full coverage of the celebrations across our region.

SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS

Don't forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we'll highlight the best pics!

BUY THESE PHOTOS

Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

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

Warren County authorities seek Damian Borges - fugitive of the week

Northampton County authorities seek Tanysha Mathis - fugitive of the week

Hunterdon County authorities seek Roger Boyd - fugitive of the week

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

Folds labeled "Instagram" were found in all four cases, authorities say.

An especially dangerous batch of heroin may be making its way around Phillipsburg, police warn.

Four people overdosed on heroin between Friday and Saturday, town police said in a news release. All were saved when police used an antidote, according to Lt. Michael Swick.

In all four cases, a blue "Instagram" stamp was found on wax folds of suspected heroin, authoritites said.

"This (announcement) is intended for the safety and welfare of individuals suffering from addiction," the news release said.

Police in New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley are increasingly being trained to administer opiate overdose antidotes like naxalone, sold under the brand name Narcan. Experts say that surviving a near-death experience could be a wake-up call for addicts.

Is overdose antidote worth it?

"Most overdoses occur in people who have a pretty high tolerance, as in you've built up your usage so you're using much higher quantities than one would use if you never used before," William Matthews, from the New York City office of the Harm Reduction Coalition, told lehighvalleylive.com earlier this month.

"The person who overdoses wakes up and as they are waking up they are waking up in withdrawal," he said. "It varies from being really uncomfortable to being really horrible. This is a safety net that no one wants to fall into."

The medicine was used about 50 times last year in Warren County, and about 15 times as of mid-May, Prosecutor Richard Burke previously said.

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

Hannah Foley matched a PR in the pole vault by clearing 11 feet on Saturday.

Chances are it wasn’t 91 degrees at Heights Unlimited Pole Vaulting Club when Warren Hills’ Hannah Foley was training there this week.

That didn’t stop the senior from translating her indoor success into the scotching sun during the NJSIAA North 2 Group 3 meet, though.

Foley won the girls pole vault, clearing 11 feet, at Ridge High School on Saturday. The result was the continuation of a successful practice session on Thursday.

“My jumps were really great,’ Foley said of her in-week work. “I felt excellent about today. I was still a little nervous, of course — as anyone should be — but my vaults from 10, 10-6 and 11, I got them all on the first attempt. That just built my confidence.”

The senior matched her personal record on Saturday and, while she was hoping to set a new mark, she feels a greater height is on the horizon.

“I felt amazing,” Foley said. “Last year, it was just me and Julia (Mszanski) from Mendhem and I got second. So, today was most definitely exciting for me. I felt great coming here. I felt really determined. I was hoping for a PR, but I know next week I’ll obtain that PR.”

Mszanski was runner-up on Saturday at 10 feet, 6 inches.

Foley advances to the Group 3 championships June 3-4 at Northern Burlington County Regional High School. The top six finishers in each event move on to the state meet.

“I felt like I was at my highest peak, but I just keep getting higher, so I’m extremely excited about that,” Foley said.

Phillipsburg freshman Sydney Hawkins is headed to her first state meet after a successful weekend at Ridge in North 2 Group 4 action.

The freshman won the 100-meter dash (12.46) on Friday and followed it up by taking the 200-meter dash on Saturday in 25.24.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve done over yesterday and today,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins is also part of the 4x100 relay team that’s booked for the Group 4 meet, June 3-4 at Egg Harbor Township High School, after a sixth-place performance (49.61). Jessica Manners, Nhyira Quaye and Amira Sparks are the other three relay members.

“As a team, it feels good because we get to go to states together — instead of being by myself,” Hawkins said.

The freshman stood out during Saturday’s race, not just because she won, but because she ran past a cast of girls with more imposing physical builds.

“I don’t really look at my competition because if I do, I get more scared and more nervous,” said the soft-spoken Hawkins. “So, I try to stay as confident as possible.”

The Stateliner knows the opposition is going to continue to crank up.

“As I progress up more and more, the competition is more fierce,” Hawkins said. So, I have to work harder.”

P’burg junior Morgan Weindel paced second in the girls javelin with a throw of 115 feet, 8 inches. North Hunterdon junior Jordan Beneducci was fifth (99’00”).

North Hunterdon freshman Elena DiMarcello earned gold in the girls 3,200 in a time of 11:16.36. Lions junior Megan Stenberg was fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.28), followed by teammate Emma Mikitiuk in sixth (15.56).

North Hunterdon junior Anna DiMarcello, who won the girls 1,600 on Friday (5:04.40), placed third in the 800 on Saturday (2:15.47).

Warren Hills junior Paris Boucher was third in the N2G3 girls 800 (2:18.79). Blue Streaks freshman Alexa Westley and sophomore Ashley Childs placed fifth in the 3,200 and long jump, respectively.

More from Friday: North Hunterdon’s Elena DiMarcello placed third in N2G4 girls 1,600 in 5:09.32 and junior Kelley McCarten was sixth (5:22.24).

Anna DiMarcello, Elena DiMarcello, Angela Kearsley and Madeline Wolf combined to earn silver in the 4x800 relay, besting the previous meet record in 9:27.00. Ridge took first in a record 9:20.36.

Lions freshman Gabrielle Beneducci placed fifth in the girls 400-meter hurdles (1:05.89).

Kyle Craig may be reached at kcraig@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KyleCraigSports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

The pavilion, being dubbed as a veterans "rally point," was dedicated Sunday at Lopatcong Township Municipal Park to all the servicemen and women missing or killed in action.

More than 1,000 people gathered Sunday to dedicate the new veterans memorial in Lopatcong Municipal Park and pay tribute to the late veteran who helped make it happen.

Bill Nixon, chairman of the nonprofit Phillipsburg Area Veterans group, welcomed the community to the "Veterans Rally Point" pavilion. The memorial was dedicated to all the servicemen and women missing or killed in action.

The 40-by-30-foot concrete pad and a 24-by-28-foot pavilion includes a gazebo, sitting wall and memorial bricks, and it also honors the late Terry Lee, a U.S. veteran and former Warren County clerk.

Nixon described it as a "place for everyone to meet; a place to muster." And when events aren't being held, it most definitely will become a place for loved ones to go to pay respects, guests said.

American flags Sunday adorned the grounds in memory of deceased veterans. About 20 family members of Terry Lee sat in the front couple rows of the tribute.

"He would have absolutely loved it," said Nelson Lee of Stewartsville, Terry's brother.

Lee of Harmony Township, a Coast Guard veteran from the Vietnam era and known by many as "Mr. Warren County," died in January at age 68 following a battle with brain cancer.

Nixon and Lee  about two years ago began envisioning the memorial. The pair was certain on having it become a rally point for the community and not just veterans.

But Lee never made it to see the project completed -- something Nelson Lee called "bittersweet" while standing alongside the pavilion.

"He was humble," Nelson Lee said when describing his brother. "But he was the type of person who wanted to get things done and get it done properly ... And, for the people."

Late veteran gives community something to rally around

In remembrance

Bells rang out one-by-one Sunday in memory of an estimated 20 local veterans who have passed away. As each name was called, guests bowed their heads in a moment of silence.

The ceremony began with a procession led by Jim Turner of the Lehigh Valley Branch of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 115 and Brian Hoey, a bagpiper.

The procession included members of the Brown & Lynch American Legion Post No. 9 Honor Guard; various veteran groups, all local veterans and active military personnel.

Pat and Denise Skattery of Phillipsburg, the niece and sister of William Konyu, laid a wreath in memory of the veteran, who is MIA from the Vietnam War era.

The ceremony continued with a live performance by the Phillipsburg High School Barbershop Chorus, which included "America The Beautiful," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

The National Anthem was sung by Shawna Van Oosten, a Phillipsburg High School sophomore, and guests were led in the The Pledge of Allegiance by Caitlin Vielstich, a Phillipsburg High School senior.

The ceremony concluded with The Rev. George Shumack, chaplain of the FRA Branch 115, leading everyone in prayer followed by Hoey, the bagpiper, playing "Amazing Grace" and Phillipsburg High School Band members playing TAPS.

Shortly after 2 p.m., the Memorial Day tribute was rounded out by a Blackhawk military helicopter landing.

Amish work crew builds veterans' pavilion in 1 day (PHOTOS)

Place to rally

An estimated 150 pavers at the rally point were all bought in the names of veterans from around the country. To cover the $55,000 cost for the site, Phillipsburg Area Veterans sought and received donations and grants from several sources, Nixon said.

Materials were donated, and the Lopatcong Township government recently pitched in $10,000, he said.

In Lee's obituary, his family asked that donations be made to Phillipsburg Area Veterans. All $6,000 donated in Lee's name has gone toward the rally point, Nixon said.

Without so many folks pitching in, Nixon said the project would have never come to fruition.

"There were high school students, veterans, community members, police kicking in their time," he said. "I would wake up at 5:30 a.m. and come out. In the horizon, I would see kids on bicycles coming to work and being here til dark."

"It was just months and months of work by so many volunteers."

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

It happened about 10 a.m. Sunday.

A goose crashed into a moving vehicle's windshield about 10 a.m. Sunday on Route 57 just west of Route 182 in Hackettstown, police report.

The goose died and a passenger in the westbound vehicle suffered a minor injury, police said.

The road is near both the Musconetcong River and Hackettstown Fish Hatchery, but police said such crashes are rare.

The vehicle needed to be towed, police said.

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

The woman attempted to steal about $80 worth of items in N.J. on Monday, police said.

A Hackettstown mother is accused of using her 6-year-old child as an accomplice as she tried to make off with stolen items from Wal-Mart.

Police say sometime before 3 p.m. Monday, Alicia F. Stadtler, 36, entered the store with two children, ages 2 and 6. She took a television, valued at $348, off the shelf and attempted to return it, according to police.

Once denied the return, Stadtler allegedly grabbed two other items, valued at $79.96, from a display and handed one of the items to her 6-year-old child. She then attempted to walk out of the store without paying for the items, according to police.

Stadtler is charged with shoplifting, criminal attempt and employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime. She 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.

Seventeen N.J. counties paid the state too much for their share of Medicaid funding.

WASHINGTON -- New Jersey owes its counties $37 million because they paid too much in Medicaid expenses as the nation recovered from the Great Recession, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. said Tuesday.

President Barack Obama's stimulus package, which the Congressional Budget Office said created or saved millions of jobs, provided extra federal funding for Medicaid as the economic downturn forced more Americans into the health care program. For New Jersey, that meant an additional $2.7 billion.

The counties' contributions to the state for Medicaid, however, were too high under the stimulus law.

Bill named for Springsteen gets fans

Pascrell (D-9th Dist.) said Tuesday that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services informed the state it needed to pay back the money.

"I applaud CMS for its decision to reimburse New Jersey counties for Medicaid overpayments they made during the recession," Pascrell said. "I urge the state to act expeditiously to complete this process and redistribute these funds."

Gov. Chris Christie's administration plans to appeal. Nicole Brossoie, a a spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services said the agency was "surprised" at the decision. In 2014, CMS Deputy Director Kristin Fan told the state that it was "in compliance."

"The department continues to dispute the audit findings and now will move forward with a formal appeal to the federal Departmental Appeals Board," Brossoie said.

A July 2014 report by the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general said that 17 of the state's 21 counties may have overpaid. Final figures have yet to be released and fewer counties may be reimbursed.

The counties that may be affected are Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Salem, Sussex, Union and Warren.

"This is an issue the counties have pursued for several years and the findings of the federal government have validated our cause," said Hudson County Administrator Abe Antun, president of the state Association of County Administrators.

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

The $2.7 million resurfacing project was put on hold for the winter.

A $2.7 million project to resurface Route 94 will resume Wednesday, meaning periodic lane closures into the summer.

In its announcement Tuesday, the New Jersey Department of Transportation said the work that began in October was halted for the winter when crews saw some additional concrete work was needed.

The project extends from Mohican Road in Blairstown Township to Kerr Road in Frelinghuysen Township.

Goose hits windshield, injures passenger

Starting 7 a.m. Wednesday and continuing into Friday, alternating lanes and shoulders will be closed as a concrete slab is removed and replaced. After that, one side of Route 94 will be closed as the operation moves up and down the road.

Some detours will be necessary for crossing traffic, the DOT said.

Motorists can check the DOT's travel information website 511nj.org or follow @NJDOT_info on Twitter for updates.

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

Help us pick the 15 schools for our second summer of Mount Rushmore polls

Help us pick the 15 schools for our second summer of Mount Rushmore polls