Project improves Musconetcong River water quality

by Keith Elphick/Warren Reporter

Sunday November 30, 2008, 6:40 PM

Like so many citizens of Warren County, the Warren County Rod & Gun Club Unit No. 1 takes pride in the rural environment the county has to offer. The members of the club dedicate themselves to protecting the natural landscape and preserving the county's woods and waterways.

The club recently celebrated the completion of a 3,500-foot restoration project on the Musconetcong River that took nearly two years to accomplish. The project included a section of the river that passes along the club's property.

The club's president, Mike Zackawski, began discussing the planning of a habitat enhancement project on the river with his club members and, future contractor of the project, Joseph Urbani from Montana, in January 2007. Urbani's company is stationed out of Montana and has accomplished ample projects involving habitat reconstruction, both on land and in water.

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Former Warren County PCFA clerk rejects plea deal

by Jacqueline Lindsay/Warren Reporter

Sunday November 30, 2008, 6:24 PM

BELVIDERE -- A former accounts receivable clerk for the Warren County Pollution Control Financing Authority charged with pocketing over $200,000 while working at the facility has rejected a plea offer from the county prosecutor's office that carries a minimum five-year prison term.

Lucinda Janda appeared before Superior Court Judge John J. Pursell at the Warren County Courthouse in Belvidere on Thursday, Nov. 13. Janda, who is accused of stealing funds while working at the PCFA, rejected a plea offer made by Assistant Prosecutor Craig Barto.

"The offer that was made was for state prison, five years, no parole," Barto said in a later interview. "The offer was declined so now the matter is going to the grand jury."

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Volunteer for VITA

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Sunday November 30, 2008, 3:49 PM

PHILLIPSBURG -- NORWECAP is requesting volunteers to help complete taxes at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in 2009. Training for individuals will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2; 9:00 a.m. till noon on Thursday, Dec. 4 and from 9:00 a.m. till noon on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Frost Ave., Phillipsburg.

Registration required.

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Grand Jury adds charges to Belvidere soldier homicide case

by Jacqueline Lindsay/Warren Reporter

Saturday November 29, 2008, 12:54 PM

A Virginia Grand Jury has added a string of charges, including first degree murder, to the homicide case of the son of Belvidere Mayor Charles Liegel, Sr.

Last Wednesday, the Grand Jury issued an eight-count indictment against an 18-year-old Virginia teen, who has been arrested and charged with the alleged murder of Charles "CJ" Liegel, Jr.

Officials with the Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney's office said Tyrell Clemel Winslow, now 18, was 16 at the time of the crime and 17 when he was arrested in September and charged with allegedly killing CJ Liegel.

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Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice's Lights of Life Memorial Tree Lighting can be found in many places

by Warren Reporter

Thursday November 27, 2008, 10:56 AM

Tree lighting to take place Dec. 1 in Belvidere NEWTON -- The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Lights of Life Memorial Tree Lighting campaign has been a holiday season staple for friends and family in the tri-state area for many years. This year, the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice extended the Lights of Life to three locations throughout Sussex, Warren and Pike counties to allow many more families to participate in this tradition.

The Lights of Life memorial trees will be illuminated with hundreds of white miniature lights, representing donations in memory or in honor of a family member or friend. Each memorial name will be read by guest speakers including area leaders, hospice employees, volunteers and family members.

Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home has been the Event Sponsor of the Lights of Life for seven years and continues to assist Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice with the presentation of this community outreach to the area residents.

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Musconetcong Watershed Association honored by governor

by The Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 26, 2008, 4:54 PM

The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) has been notified that it will receive the 2008 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award in the "Healthy Ecosystems" category. The Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards were established in 2000 by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to recognize outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects in the state.

The awards ceremony and press event will be held at Drumthwacket, the official residence of the governor, on Dec. 4.

The application to nominate the MWA was submitted by Nancy Lawler, technical assistant, NJDEP Volunteer Monitoring Program and Danielle Donkersloot, NJDEP volunteer monitoring program coordinator.

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Warren Reporter Belvidere curfew editorial: Surrogate parent is an unwelcome role for government

by Kevin Lechiski/Warren Reporter

Monday November 24, 2008, 8:23 PM

When a parent isn't parenting, what's a town to do?

With teens hanging out to the wee hours of the morning and residents complaining about noise and property damage, Belvidere Council has been forced to consider an unwelcome role as surrogate parent by considering the enactment of a possible curfew ordinance. If adopted, the ordinance would require anyone under the age of 18 to be off the streets by midnight.

Thus far, the proposed curfew has drawn passionate responses from community members both in favor of and against the measure.

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Given the slowing economy, is the decrease in the price of gas helping?

by The Warren Reporter

Monday November 24, 2008, 4:09 PM

Is the drop in gas prices making a difference for you? E-mail us at warrenpr@njnpublishing.com or leave a comment below.

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Pohatcong police investigate accident involving patrol car

by Warren Reporter

Monday November 24, 2008, 10:56 AM

The Pohatcong Township Police Department is currently investigating a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Route 519 in the Springtown section at approximately 1:34 p.m. Nov. 22.

The accident involved a Pohatcong police car and a 2001 Plymouth Neon, operated by Jennifer Mann, age 37, of Durham, Pa. The Plymouth was traveling south on Route 519 and the police car was making a left turn onto Route 519 from a private driveway. The cars collided.

Mann sustained injury to her knee and ankle. A passenger in the Plymouth, Janice Mann-Firmbach, also sustained injury. She was flown via helicopter to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment. At the time of this press release, Firmbach's injuries were unknown.

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Washington Township, Warren County farmer ready for big turkey day

by Jacqueline Lindsay/Warren Reporter

Saturday November 22, 2008, 6:39 AM

WASHINGTON TWP. -- The quiet serenity of Greenwood Farm was periodically interrupted last week by the comical gaggling "laughter" of hundreds of white broad breasted turkeys. Each time Anthony Vacchiano laughed while talking about his turkey operation, the big birds burst into loud laughter too and jostled close to capture the coveted feed as it spilled from his hands.

Vacchiano smiled as he set himself to the task. Knowing the large white feathered turkeys would soon be the centerpiece of many a Thanksgiving dinner across the region -- Vacchiano says he's proud to be a part of the American tradition.

"I get a lot of satisfaction from raising the turkeys," Vacchiano said, leaning on a fence post as turkeys milled around pecking grain and sometimes directing a well aimed peck at each other. "I feed all of these turkeys myself. The people that we sell to appreciates that its healthy food. They're not being processed in some plant."

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Warren County farmer re-elected New Jersey Farm Bureau president

by The Warren Reporter

Friday November 21, 2008, 8:47 PM

Richard Nieuwenhuis, a Warren County farmer, was elected to a fourth two-year term as president of the New Jersey Farm Bureau during the organization's 90th annual convention held late-November in Princeton. He also serves on the board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation, representing the northeast region and on that organization's Trade Committee.

"It's an honor and my pleasure to continue leading this important organization," said Nieuwenhuis. "New Jersey Farm Bureau continues to be widely respected in Trenton and throughout the state, and with the economic constraints now on our state government, the Farm Bureau will be increasingly important as the voice of our agricultural community.

"The country's agricultural industry is in for an uncertain future along with everyone else. We are all well aware of the economic downturn. This period of high input costs and lowering commodity prices will certainly impact our business decisions in New Jersey agriculture. We need to be very concerned that any stimulus legislation recognizes agriculture's needs. We will monitor this closely both at New Jersey Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau."

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Sluggish economy cited in slow-down of Oxford Textile redevelopment plan

by Jacqueline Lindsay/Warren Reporter

Friday November 21, 2008, 6:39 AM

OXFORD -- Township officials authorized Township Attorney Michael Lavery to work on extending a re-development agreement between the township and owners of Oxford Textile LLC, a 285-acre site located on Foundry Street slated for future development.

Oxford Textile owners also reported they signed a contract with a wetlands mitigation company to utilize the 166 acres of wetlands located on the property.

The Guarriellos, owners of Oxford Textile, attended the Nov. 5 regular meeting with their attorney, Lloyd Tubman. The Guarriellos said they are seeking an extension on their agreement because of a lagging housing market and slow approvals with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

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Belvidere residents to decide fate of curfew plan

by Jacqueline Lindsay/Warren Reporter

Thursday November 20, 2008, 11:52 PM

BELVIDERE -- Whether or not the town should re-enact a juvenile curfew was a hot topic during a council meeting held earlier this month. Residents filled the room to offer opposing views on the issue. Town officials agreed to poll the town via a survey to let the residents decide.

Former councilman Ben Ritter said both he and his teenage daughter oppose a juvenile curfew. Ritter read a two-and-a-half page statement to council at the onset of the Nov. 13 meeting in which he noted there are a "very small percentage" of kids causing problems in the town.

"Giving the police the power to arrest someone solely because of their age and the time of day is wrong. It sounds a little like Germany 70 years ago," Ritter said. "If a person or a group of people are causing problems, use the existing ordinances or state statutes and go after them. Leave law-abiding citizens, regardless of age, alone."

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'Heartfelt' thanks to those who made National Night Out a success

by Washington Township Police Department

Thursday November 20, 2008, 8:51 AM

To The Editor:
We would like to extend a belated but heartfelt thank you to all those who made Washington Township's National Night Out a huge success. Thanks to our tireless volunteers and the generosity of our local businesses, we were able to provide three hours of free fun to the residents of Washington Township.

It is hard to believe that this was our 10th successful year of hosting this night of community awareness and appreciation for those who keep our community safe.

We would like to acknowledge the following local businesses and community groups for their continuing support of this worthwhile event: Taylor Rental, Arctic Foods, Washington One Step, Fancy Free Productions, Rainbow Ranch, R.J. Strunk, Pepsi,

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New Jersey Department of Transportation announces aid grants to Warren County

by Warren Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 5:47 PM

The New Jersey Department of Transportation has awarded over $78 million in municipal aid grants to fund street improvement, rehabilitation and safety projects, a move that will create jobs and help keep property taxes in check statewide.

Grants were awarded to 372 municipalities, including 10 in Warren County. These grants include:

Belvidere -- $120,000 for improvements to Third Street and Fourth Street.
Blairstown -- $85,000 for an overlay on Benton Road.
Franklin Township -- $120,000 for a section of Willow Grove Road.

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