Legislation has been proposed to change public records redaction rules in New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ – The Newark Department of Public Safety, led by Director Fritz G. Fragé, is appealing for the public’s help in identifying a male and female suspect in connection with a theft incident that occurred on the night of Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. near Mulberry Street and Edison Place, where a female suspect allegedly bumped into a woman and stole her wallet. The stolen pink wallet with a gold lock contained $200 in cash, various credit cards and other personal items. Of note, one of the stolen credit cards was later used at a Walgreens store in Piscataway.

The woman suspected of involvement in this theft was described as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, with long, dark brown hair and was last seen wearing khaki pants. She was observed walking in the area with an accomplice shortly before the incident.

Newark detectives are conducting a thorough investigation and are asking anyone with information about the suspects or the incident to assist with the investigation. Public input is invaluable in resolving such matters and keeping communities safe.

Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé is calling on the public to help identify two suspects involved in the theft of $7,000 from a local business. The theft occurred on June 7, 2024 at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Wilson Avenue.

According to police reports, the suspects are two Hispanic men who were seen walking east on Ferry Street. They entered the business through an unlocked basement door and proceeded to steal money from a drawer in the office. The first suspect was observed wearing a black and white Nike tracksuit and sneakers. The second suspect was wearing a blue and white tracksuit with red and green accents.

Authorities are appealing to anyone with information about the suspects or the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Public cooperation is crucial in apprehending those responsible for this crime.

Manchester Mayor Rob Arace announced the opening of the Pine Lake Park Splash Pad, inviting residents to enjoy a cool, refreshing summer. The facility, located on Lake Drive at the end of Lockhart Street (off Rt 571/Ridgeway Road, east of the Little League Complex), is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Department of Public Works and Recreation and Manchester’s Water Management Department, the splash pad has undergone significant repairs and improvements. The facility has been repainted and essential components such as pumps, valves and spray heads have been repaired to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

The park has picnic tables and a large parking lot, making it an ideal place for family outings. Use of the paddling pool is free for Manchester residents and no beach badges are required. However, small children must be accompanied by an adult to ensure safety.

Mayor Arace expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating: “Thanks to the combined efforts of our Public Works and Recreation Departments and the Manchester Water Management Department, the pad has been repaired and repainted, the pumps, valves and spray heads have been repaired and everything is ready for you and the children.”

We encourage residents to visit the newly opened paddling pool and spend a really COOL summer.

Clark County Circuit Court Judge Erika Ballou has been publicly condemned for actions that violated the Nevada Rules of Court Conduct over her inappropriate social media activity. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline imposed a censure requiring Judge Ballou, 52, to take educational courses on judicial ethics in response to her conduct.

The controversy arose from two specific incidents on social media. One of them involved Judge Ballou’s Instagram post in which she referenced attending a late-night Billie Eilish concert and mentioned her court duties the next morning along with the hashtag: “VacateTheS – OuttaOutOfCustodyCases.” This post was criticized for potentially undermining the public’s perception of her dedication to her judicial duties.

Additionally, Judge Ballou faced criticism over a Facebook post that showed her in a hot tub with two public defenders. A photo showing the group in swimsuits was captioned in a way that was seen as undermining the perceived fairness and impartiality of the justice system.

As part of his reprimand, Judge Ballou will complete an online course entitled “Judicial Ethics and Social Media: A Crash Course” run by the National College of the Judiciary. He is also required to read the relevant chapters on social media and judicial ethics in the “Judicial Conduct Reporter” published by the National Center for State Courts Center for Judges’ Ethics.

SHENANDOAH COUNTY, VA — The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Shenandoah County School Board. The lawsuit stems from the board’s decision to rename two local schools after Confederate leaders, restoring the schools’ previous names.

On May 9, the school board voted to change the names of Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School back to Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School, respectively. These names reflect three Confederate figures: Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, and Turner Ashby, known for their roles in the Confederacy.

The 62-page lawsuit alleged that the decision violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments because it created a discriminatory environment for black students, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunity Act.

Historically, the names were removed in June 2020 due to their discriminatory connotations and officially changed in January 2021. However, the May 10 decision to revert to the Confederate names was met with significant opposition. The plaintiffs argue that this act is a throwback to a period marked by racism and the exclusion of black students, continuing to promote symbols of racial oppression.

MILLERSVILLE, Maryland – A routine traffic stop on I-97 near Route 32 led to a serious arrest on the evening of June 13, 2024. Omar Garcia Gonzelez, a 40-year-old man from Ingleside, Texas, was arrested after police found in his a loaded 9 mm handgun in the vehicle.

The incident occurred around 7:55 p.m. when a local officer stopped a green Ford pickup truck for a traffic violation. During the arrest, the officer found a loaded gun in the passenger compartment of the truck. Further checks revealed Gonzelez was driving without a valid driver’s license.

Gonzelez was arrested and charged with weapons violations. The circumstances surrounding the possession of the weapon and the traffic stop are under further investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.