Mondrae Lamond Anderson was charged in 2007 with aggravated assault in Hunterdon County.

FLEMINGTON -- A man wanted on a warrant issued in 2007 is the featured fugitive on the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's website.

Mondrae Lamond Anderson, 36, was charged with aggravated assault in Hunterdon County, and failed to appear in court on the charges. An arrest warrant was issued on Nov. 16, 2007.

Anderson is 6-foot-1, weighs 190 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lt. Mike Nugent, Detective Sgt. Ed DeFilippis, Detective Frank Modaffare or Detective Lamont Garnes of The Joint Hunterdon County Fugitive Task Force at 908-788-1129 or the local police department.

Information can also be left at online at Crime Stoppers of Hunterdon County. 

Report a tip in four ways for cash rewards:

• call the tip line at 800-321-0010 (The line has no recording device)
• text HCTIPS plus your tip to: 274637 (CRIMES)
• submit online at www.crimestoppershunterdon.com by clicking on the Submit link to fill out the online form (form also in Espanol)
• download free app "Tipsubmit" by Public Engines; select Hunterdon County, submit the tip.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The following deeds have been recorded in the Hunterdon County Hall of Records in Book 2379 through June 17, 2016

The following deeds have been recorded in the Hunterdon County Hall of Records in Book 2379 through June 17, 2016

Alexandria Township

Neil F. Picone ad Jane S. Picone to Mark Coughlin and Laura Coughlin, property at 9 Rupells Road for $356,000.

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to Joseph Villiano III and Colleen A. Villano, property at 1 Split Rail Court for $400,500.

Debra Lynn Nicholson to Michael C. Leek and Gillian Leek, property at 1484 County Road 519 for $504,000.

Raymond J. Godward and Donna N. Godward to Thomas Czerula and Colleen L. Cahill, property at 8 Colt Road for $450,000.

Anette T. Dacey to LeClere English and Jennifer English, property at 31 Shy Creek Road for $562,500.

Henry A. Jones and Howard D. Jones to Alexandra Zolton, property at 567 LT York-Springmills Road for $255,000.

to Jacqueline Litchman, property at 570 Ludlow Station Road for $380,000.

Califon

Brookfield Relocation Inc., to Sean M. Norris and McKenzie S. Norris, property at 15 First St. for $290,000.

Delaware Township

Kathryn Stout to Jason Fahnestock, property at 959 Sergeantsville Road for $159,900.

Glen Gardner

Gregory Sereico and Deborah Sereico to Joseph D. Cecere and Kellie A. Gilbert, property at 542 Brian Drive for $385,000.

Michael P. Rush to Renee B. Clark, property at 1012 Spruce Hills Drive for $145,000.

High Bridge

Sean Lyon and Lisa M. Lyon to Teresa Dovale, property at 37 Beavers St. for $258,000.

Kingwood Township

Lawrence S. Harris Jr. and Joan D. Harris to Thomas Parsons and Kimberly Parsons, property at 439 Barbertown Point Breeze Road for $269,900.

Lambertville

Rene Richards to Patrick Strizki, property at 110 Swan St. for $240,000.

Lebanon

Debra A. Belcastro to Augustine Jochec and Zuzana Jochec, property at 161 Conover Terrace for $157,000.

Lebanon Township

Nikki Fentzlaff to Petros Eleftherakos and Margareth Eleftherakos, property at 116 Forge Hill Road for $90,000.

Raritan Township

Jeff Sherwin and Lindsay Sherwin to Bryan Garlick, property at 179 Sergeantsville Road for $462,000.

Roger Ahrens and Linda Nevalls-Ahrens to John R. Thall, property at 59 Samson Drive for $342,500.

Eric Baumann to Nicholas A. Chavez and Lindsay N. Chavez, property at 12 Meadowbrook Road for $315,000.

Stonegate Developers, Inc. to Diane M. Durac, property at 713 Reed Court for $145,000.

John M. Basford and Dawn L. Basford to Safi M. Subakhan, property at 22 Olden Court for $510,000.

William T. Freyvogel to Michael D. Carman, property at 24 Bonetown Road for $314,200.

Readington

Francis J. Garry and Donna D. Garry to Michael C. Dellipoali and Danielle M. Dellipoali, property at 16 Apple Tree Road for $535,000.

Anthony F. Fernicola to Evan North and Erica North, property at 9 Plantation Road for $455,000.

Readington Township

Teresa Haines Martin to Jocelyn Marie Bishop Van Den Akker and Stefan H. Van Den Akker, property at 238 Potterstown Road for $350,000.

Mary P. Suessmann and Robert S. Suessmann to Sharon M. Eosso, property at 45 Ebersohl Circle, Unit B1 for $355,000.

VC XXVII, LLC to HC87WH, LLC, property at 87 Dreahook Road for $285,000.

Frederick W. Brown to Anthony Malinowski, property at 109 Pulaski Road for $352,000.

Lori Reid to Thomas A. Savastano, III and Jamie Savastano, property at 6 Timber Court for $710,000.

Robert Romash to Michael Nugent and Barbara Nugent, property at 85 Old Highway 28 for $220,000.

Casey Maureen Becker to XIYOU XU, property at 45 Myrtle Court, C-45 for $320,000.

James R. Ferraro to Mark Kaniewski and Julianne Mason Kaniewski, property at 4 Clover Court for $235,000.

Thomas A. Savastano, III and Jamie B. Savastano to Randy Skellington and Dawn P. Skellington, property at 209 Adrian Drive for $525,000.

Scott Barton and Anna Barton to Matthew Reiman and Simone Strauss, property at 125 Main St. for $359,500.

LFP Holdings Limited Liability Company to Scott A. Barton and Anna M. Barton, property at 63 Old Highway 28 for $419,000.

Suzanne M. Petrovich to Jay D. Weider and Rachel Weider, property at 149 Aster Court for $235,000.

Tewksbury Township

Hill and Dale Farms, Inc. to Terry Miller, property at 74 Rockaway Road for $237,500.

Linda W. Dujack to Patrick Loya and Heather Baird Loya, property at 2 Schoolhouse Lane for $500,000.

Union Township

Patricia Ann Allen to Peter G. Deane and Alexandrea Schwarz, property at 44 Sam Bonnell Drive for $127,000.

Thomas Czerula to Cara Richardson, property at 42 Grandin Court for $385,000.

See if you can get all seven questions right.

Time to see how well you recall the biggest NJ.com stories of the week gone by. Answer the seven multiple-choice questions below, and then brag on your score comments. Need to study up before you begin? Here are the stories we used to create this week's quiz.

• Miss New Jersey: Meet the 30 contestants
• Minimum wage bill gains Senate committee approval
• Matawan, N.J.'s 100-year struggle with bloody legacy
• A special girl, a special night and Eric LeGrand
• EMT's suspended for ignoring call while live-streaming incident
• Sting from dangerous clinging jellyfish lands N.J. man in hospital
• Rare 'fire rainbow' appears over N.J.

Contact John Shabe via jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow John on Twitter and find NJ.com on Facebook.

A recent Delaware Valley Regional High School graduate speaks out the reaction of some in Hunterdon County to the mass shooting in Orlando on June 12, 2016.

To the editor:

In light of the recent mass shooting in Orlando, I am filled with exhaustion.

We as a country should rest. There is pain within, engulfing and drowning marginalized groups, and yet I see argumentative subtext and and bigoted social media outcry.

And -- though lacking gravity or intellectual weight -- it garners hate in this community.

Hunterdon County is full of wonderful people, with the best of intentions for themselves and their families. I am sure of that. But where, in this county, is the compassion?

My graduation from Delaware Valley Regional High School was only a few years ago, and the growth in my peers has seen little change in the ideologies that pervade the rural gem.

I loved growing up in the 908.

Red Bank holds vigil for Orlando victims

Lemonade stands, open fields, loving neighbors. Community.

But where, where now is the collective nurturing? I see hate pouring into the internet sphere. My former classmates post the most spiteful pieces of media, while holding their heads high as if their good deed saved someone today.

To those people, I say it is your hate speech and rejection to hear the pain of others that helps silence the forty-nine murder victims from the Pulse night club.

Their dead voices are in your hands.

Does this sound like a fear-mongering, melodramatic statement? Well, the political jargon and cage-lining, sensationalism is the millennial's way of fear-mongering. And it works. They write it because you post it.

Remember that.

This county is not one to be very accepting the queer community. That said, Del Val is a place for which I have a fondness. The people who live in this place are not irredeemable, or malicious (generally), but certain hidebound ideas are too much for this decade, or century for that matter.

I'm not asking for an overhaul of the politics held in this region. This county, as true as the river runs murky and brown, will be red. I resigned to that many years ago. What I am calling for is compassion. Find it in your hearts to accept the differences in our society.

Educate yourselves on the LGBTQ+ people of this great nation. Especially queer people of color. Regardless of your political leanings, or religious practices, these people died for their existence: 49 individuals. 49 minds. 49 voices. 49 extended families.

Can weapons used in Orlando be bought here?

Educate yourselves on what gun laws in this country. It's time for change. I cannot pretend I am well-versed enough in this discourse to take a specific stance on this; it is too nuanced and steeped in corruption for me to make such a statement. Learn before you post or speak.

Educate yourselves on the Islam. Before you judge a group, or make assumptions about their beliefs, learn. Talk to someone you know who practices the religion. Or reach out to someone you do not know personally. Start a dialogue.

Communicate. Find the community again. Make a lemonade stand for all I care! But recognize the humanity in this situation. We are numb to events such as these, and I am terrified. I'm afraid for the lives of many of my friends and for myself in the years to come.

This is not an issue that evades you. A hate crime, a mass murder was committed in Florida during Pride Month, at a gay dance club, on a Latinx-centered night.

These people could, and very well may have been, your friends, family, colleagues, classmates, or children. If you think that's terrible, imagine how those who face this as a reality must be feeling at this moment.

Thoughts and prayers are always welcome. But, my fellow 908ers, it's time for action.

John Michael Rezes

Milford

Rezes is currently a student at Vassar College and a member of the Class of 2018

Raritan Township Mayor Karen Gilbert says law officials are looking into the mailing.

RARITAN TWP. -- Law enforcement investigators are looking into a mailing that went out under Mayor Karen Gilbert's name, which she says she knew nothing about.

The mailing contained copies of what appear to be two ordinances, Gilbert said. "They look like they were drafted by an attorney, and they had my name on them," she said.

One of the ordinances calls for dissolving the Raritan Township Municipal Utilities Authority, which serves about half the households of Raritan Township, all of Flemington and a little of Readington Township. "The second would have our DPW assume responsibility of the sewers," Gilbert said.

"There have never been any discussions with me about this," she said. "My name is on those documents, and I had no knowledge of them."

She's been making calls, but she's not sure how widespread the mailing was. "The Township Committee received it, and everyone who works for the RTMUA. They all thought their jobs were in danger," Gilbert said.

It also went to municipal utilities commissioners, municipal officials in Flemington and Raritan and Readington townships, the Hunterdon County Freeholders and people in the business community, Gilbert said.

"There was no cover letter, just the ordinances," she said. "Our ordinances are written with a signature line at the bottom over the mayor's name," she said. "They become official when they're signed." The mailings had her typed name under the signature line, but bore no signature, and the purported ordinances weren't numbered.

Gilbert didn't want to speculate on the motives behind the mailing, but said, "This mailing was widespread; it was meant to get attention. My reputation is associated with that."

She spoke with Raritan Township Police Chief Glenn Tabasko on Thursday, and he spoke with county Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, Gilbert said. Kearns, reached Thursday night, declined to comment.

"I'm not going to do my own investigation," Gilbert said. "I'll leave that to the prosecutor. But I am not going to look away.

"I'm offended by it and hurt by it. It's beyond despicable, and potentially criminal."

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

William Honachefsky, Jr., a lifelong Hunterdon County resident, has put together a new book that highlights the history of High Bridge through postcards.

William Honachefsky, Jr., a lifelong Hunterdon County resident, has put together a new book that highlights the history of High Bridge through postcards. 

The book, "Postcard History Series: High Bridge," published by Arcadia Publishing, will be available on July 11.

'Postcard History Series: High Bridge'

Honachefsky is an advocate for the protection of the state's natural environment and historic heritage and has served on the New Jersey 350th Commission and Union Forge Heritage Association.

According to a news release, "The history of High Bridge is intertwined with the development of the iron and steel industry in the United States.

"As early as the 1700s, the framework of this little hamlet had already been created by English investors who carved up the rich wilderness of the New World, brimming with iron ore that would be essential to the county's development."

High Bridge evolved around the Taylor Wharton Foundry, established in 1742. With the passage of time, however, the borough has lost its farming and foundry roots, evolving into what is often referred to as a bedroom community.

"Just like the lofty trestle from which High Bridge derived its name, the city now runs the risk of being lost to time, forsaking the resilient character of the immigrants who forged a nation," according to the news release. "This book aims to preserve High Bridge's glorious history for future generations."

Billy Pauch of Frenchtown has been selected as a 2016 inductee into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame.

By Buffy Swanson

FRENCHTOWN -- Billy Pauch, one of the region's most prolific and versatile drivers of the modern era, has been selected as a 2016 inductee into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame.

Driver inductions and special award ceremonies are scheduled for Aug. 8 at the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame and Museum in Weedsport, N.Y., the night prior to Weedsport Speedway's Super DIRTcar Series Hall of Fame 100.

A second generation racer and New Jersey farm boy, Pauch was "on tractors and farm equipment all my life. So I guess learning to drive and harrowing and plowing and bouncing around over plowed fields was normal, you know?" he related. "I think that enabled me to get a jump on racing."

His father, Roy, who passed away earlier this year, never made a mark as a race car driver, "but he knew a lot about motors and chassis and he was always trying to figure things out," Pauch stated. "That put me ahead of the game. I didn't have to take all the hard knocks he took because he taught them to me. I could skip right over them."

Right over them and into the winner's circle: In 1975, Pauch's debut season running a homebuilt Sportsman car, barely out of high school, he collected 16 wins at Flemington, Nazareth and Bridgeport, and was named Flemington's Rookie champion.

His career pretty much exploded from there.

A December 2001 national poll rating America's best short-track racers in Dick Berggen's Speedway Illustrated magazine ranked Pauch third in the country. Berggren, himself, more recently noted, "I would surely put Billy Pauch in my top five."

The Eastern Motorsports Press Association twice voted Pauch its Driver of the Year, in 1987 and 1992. For six straight years, from 1987-92, Area Auto Racing News lauded Pauch as the winningest driver in the Northeast -- in any division.

Validating those accolades and national notoriety are Pauch's numbers. As of this writing, he has racked up an astounding 723 documented feature wins (as well as 34 championships) at 30 speedways in seven states, including over 100 each at Flemington, East Windsor and New Egypt.

Although he seldom ran at either track, Pauch is the all-time winner of both Grandview's marquee Freedom 76 and Fulton's Victoria 200 classic, with a half-dozen each.

He's won the DIRT 320 Nationals at Syracuse; Big Diamond's Coalcracker (twice); Ransomville's Summer Nationals; Hagerstown's Octoberfest and the Delaware State Dirt Track Championships (multiple times); and has 14 victories on the Super DIRTcar Series, despite the fact that he never followed that circuit.

That's just Pauch's highlight reel in the dirt Modified ranks, which accounts for more than 80 percent of his winning record. Yet, his national reputation is founded, not solely on his dirt Mod success, but his uncanny ability to climb in almost any car and get the job done.

As a reader commented in Speedway Illustrated, "He wins in dirt Mods, pavement Mods and Sprint Cars, at times all in the same weekend."

In a world where most racers rarely venture for long outside their chosen division, Billy Pauch may be the only driver to score significant wins in dirt and asphalt Mods, winged and wingless Sprints, Midgets, Late Models and SpeedSTRs, under NASCAR, World of Outlaws, DIRTcar, USAC, CRA, SCRA, All Stars, KARS and URC sanctions.

"Go figure," Pauch mused. "I won 500 races in the Modifieds. But it wasn't until I won in a Sprint Car that everyone knew who I was."

It was a "starting over" period and quite a transition when Pauch began splitting his schedule between Mods and Sprints in 1993. "Here I was dominating on Fridays at East Windsor, pulling out 18 wins a year in a Modified. The next thing I know, I was getting my ass kicked at Williams Grove in the Zemco (Sprint) Car," he remembered. "I probably would have had a lot more wins if I'd just stayed with the Modifieds."

But Pauch was never into tallying wins or titles. For him, it was always about the challenge, "something different," he said. And it didn't take long for his learning curve to land some stellar results.

In 1994, Pauch shocked the racing world, routing reigning Sprint Car royalty to win the World of Outlaws Champion Spark Plugs Sprint Nationals at the NY State Fairgrounds, and setting a world speed record on a mile dirt track in the process -- a record that still stands.

When young would-be racers ask "The Kid" about turning that 144.590 mph lap in a Sprint Car on the onerous Syracuse mile, without an iota of irony Pauch tells them: "Drive it like you want to die."

Pauch further proved his prowess in the open cockpit camp, winning another WoO event at Rolling Wheels in 1996; and in '98, the National Open at Williams Grove, the Holy Grail of the Pennsy 410 Sprint circuit. He is the all-time winner of the Thunder on the Hill Sprint Series at Grandview Speedway.

He likewise ambushed the asphalt Mod contingent, when he was called in as a last-minute sub to drive Mario Fiore's #44 in the 1993 NASCAR Race of Champions at Flemington.

"I didn't know much about those cars, but I knew that was a good car," said Pauch. In an unfamiliar racer, rebounding from a heat-race crash, starting 43rd on the field, the local dirt driver persevered through a grueling 250 laps to make his moves stick and pull off a huge victory against all the blacktop series bigshots. "That was a big deal," Pauch chuckled. "Most of those guys didn't even know who I was."

"Billy is the most tenacious driver you will ever meet," a long-time friend observed. "He has this burning desire to win because, when all is said and done, he doesn't want to disappoint himself."

That stubborn "refuse to lose" mindset has taken its toll. Physically, Pauch bears the battle scars of his career. His knees were broken in two separate incidents, at Williams Grove and Penn National. The plates in his right arm are courtesy of a Knoxville Sprint mishap. He broke his wrist in a pavement Mod at Flemington (right before he was scheduled to start a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race).  And suffered burns in one of Tony Sesely's Mods.

"But I can't complain," said Pauch, looking back. "I did something I loved to do all my life, and I enjoyed it. I won a lot of races, and I had fun.

"Really, it was more fun when I was younger and I didn't know as much," the 59-year-old driver reflected. "Back then, you raced, you won races -- it didn't seem that complicated. Now, with all the rules and sponsor stuff..." The thought trailed off.

Oh, he's still got more wins to celebrate -- by the end of May, Pauch already had three scores on the season. But he knows his career is finally winding down, and he's OK with that. While he's always been selective in regard to his racing schedule -- concentrating on the high dollar payouts, calculating the travel expenses, all the pros and cons of rules packages and politics -- he picks and chooses even more judiciously these days. Pauch, after all, makes his living racing. It has put bread on his family's table for the past 40 years.

He enjoys a nice life with wife Barbara, two great kids (Billy Jr., who's making his own imprint as a driver, and daughter Mandee, who works public relations at Kutztown's Action Track), and another "Billy," grandson William Arthur, Billy and Michelle's boy who was born on New Year's Eve.

At the end of the day, aside from some momentary major-league NASCAR dreams, there isn't much he hasn't accomplished in a race car.

"I drove for a lot of good people to make it all happen," Pauch said of his success. "It always took a team effort, and I was lucky to click with a lot of different teams. And I'm still friends, and still keep in touch, with most of those guys."

A Readington resident feels it is time for New Jersey residents to elect a new group of leaders come November.

To the editor:

Driving back from the airport Monday, I was listening to the radio.

There were two reports back to back, which got me thinking about how we as the electorate have abrogated our responsibility as citizens.

The first report was about the shooting in Orlando, where 49 people were killed by a man armed with weapons that included an assault rifle. There were several  references about how we had a national ban on those weapons, but it lapsed because Congress did not renew it.

How come there is still no requirement for all buyers of guns to go through a background check, as well as internet and gun show loopholes? Why are people on the no-fly list still allowed to buy guns?

The second report was about how the state government was about to pass a bill that, on the one hand, reduces to zero the estate tax - which only applies to the wealthy - and, at the same time, increases the tax on gasoline, which is a regressive tax impacting the poor and middle class far more than anyone else.

As a kicker, Gov. Chris Christie isn't satisfied with phasing out this over four years, but is holding out for two.

Ban assault weapons now | Editorial

The common theme between these two reports is how the vast majority of people will be harmed by, and are against, the outcomes of what our politicians are doing.

After the massacre at Newtown, an overwhelming majority of citizens wanted more background checks, and less guns, especially assault weapons, to be available in the U.S.

We overwhelmingly approved of a blanket requirement for background checks. Our politicians did not follow our will, and then we re-elected them.

N.J. Politics Roundup: gas tax hike

What does that say about us?

The increase in taxes will go to replenishing the transportation fund, which runs out of money at the end of this month. This deadline has been known for months and years, but our elected officials did nothing. Their 11th hour plan is to reduce taxes on the wealthy while increasing a regressive tax.

When we re-elect all of these same politicians, what will that say about us?

Ken Becker

Readington Township

Wiley will be available for adoption on July 1.

Wiley 

LAMBERTVILLE -- Wiley is a 1- to 2-year-old mastiff/terrier mix in the care of Animal Alliance.

He was rescued along with 170 other dogs from a South Korean dog meat farm by Humane Society International in April.

Wiley is still learning to trust people; he will be available for adoption on July 1, when his training is completed.

Wiley will be neutered and up-to-date on shots at adoption.

For more information on Wiley or to apply to adopt him, go to animalalliancenj.org or call 609-818-1952. Animal Alliance is a nonprofit rescue and fostering organization serving Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email somerset@starledger.com or hunterdon@starledger.com.

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

 

Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale is hosting its 15th annual Parish Festival through Sunday, June 19, 2016.

ANNANDALE - Immaculate Conception Church's 15th annual Parish Festival, continuing through Sunday, features a little something for everyone, from carnival rides and food vendors to a pig roast on Friday and fireworks on Saturday.

The church is expects some 30,000 to attend over a five-day period.

One of the food vendors is the "Aw Shucks" stand, a crowd favorite at Musikfest in Allentown.

For Sharon and Don Smar, it's the food and atmosphere that has been drawing them back to the festival for over 10 years. "It's on nice grounds and it's not as crazy or congested as others can be," Don Smar said. 

The 191 summer events in N.J.

Tia Ramos, mother of three, came out to the festival for the first time on Thursday night. Her son, Leo, whose favorite ride was the Surge, went the year before without her and begged her to come back with him. 

"It's a great place to bring people together and socialize," ride-goer Paige Lipoczky said. 

"Plus, the rides are really fun," added friend Hannah Flemming. 

The festival wouldn't be able to run without the help of some 1,000 volunteers.

Laura Vitelli, who has been co-chairing the event with her husband from the beginning, said the planning process begins as soon as the previous festival ends.

Vitelli said the work can be tiresome and frustrating in the days leading up to its start, but on the first day - when the first kid comes running through, screaming with excitement - she said that makes everything worth it.

"That's why we do what we do," Vitelli said. 

Diane Wanko has been volunteering with the church for seven years. In past years you would find her behind the counter serving food to the families. This year she had the opportunity to host children's games.

Delaware Valley High School graduated 228 on Friday, June 17, 2016.

FRENCHTOWN - Students filed one-by-one onto the Tap Webb Football Field with their teachers lined on both sides Friday morning as Delaware Valley Regional High School celebrated its Class of 2016 graduates. 

The 228 graduates were welcomed by Class President Anthony Amorim, who provided a humorous address that poked some fun at his teachers and also included some inside jokes for seniors.

Amorim said his senior class is the coolest class Del Val has ever encountered, adding they have left a legacy that will be irreplaceable. Included in that legacy were seniors who have set new sports records and made it to state finals, including the baseball team that won its first sectional title since 1959.

"We are an incredible diverse class and that is something nobody will take away from us," Amorim said. "I am leaving today with the highest admiration for this class."

Delaware Valley H.S. students shine at prom

Following Amorim's speech, the school choir sang "Best Day of My Life" during  which the senior class had a little fun by tossing up a beach ball. 

The ceremony also included a speech made by Principal Adrienne Olcott. She challenged the graduates to compare their lives to that of a butterfly and how, as a butterfly changes in stages, they too should change and transform with grace. 

Olcott ended with a quote, "May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to land on, to bring you luck, happiness, and riches for today, tomorrow and beyond."

Graduates Lake Cole and Marissa Skripko were brought on stage during Olcott's speech to release butterflies into the sky.

More than 700 Hunterdon Central Regional High School students graduated on Friday, June 17, 2016, on the school's Stewart Field.

RARITAN TWP. -- More than 700 students graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School Friday morning. Under clear skies with a light breeze blowing across Stewart Field, Class President Kasey Gantner welcomed everyone.

Class speaker Peyton Williams spoke of how the graduates could look at their years at Central like a Star Wars battle: "The battle to scamper from 300 to 900 in eight minutes flat, the battle to switch from our beloved block schedule to A-B days, the battle to be the first car out of that parking lot.

More graduation photos

"As incoming ninth graders we weren't aware of the wars ahead of us," she said. "As sophomores we tried on different hats. We were more formal, took responsibility, like C-3PO, 'It's all my fault,'" she said. As juniors "we were rebellious, independent, attempting to do everything solo, until we learned we shouldn't go it alone."

As seniors, she said, "we had daily words of wisdom from Obi-Wan Schneebeli," she said, referring to Vice Principal Richard Schneebeli, and drawing a huge laugh from her classmates.

"Your time at Hunterdon Central has charged your light saber with knowledge," Williams said, pulling out a blue light saber. "May the force be with you. You are the force."

Principal Suzanne Cooley invoked the words of Margaret Mead, saying, "'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' I look forward to watching you change the world," she said.

Before diplomas were awarded, a memorial was held for classmates, faculty and staff who passed away: students Katherine Cassidy Schaefer and Zachary James Allen, teacher Deborah McKenna, and substitute teacher Ted Deptulski. Balloons were tied to vacant seats in their honor. Four doves were released overhead as the Senior Chorus sang "For Good," which closes with the line, "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Diplomas were awarded in quick order, and then it was time for their final act as students -- jointly switching the tassles on their graduation caps in synchronization. 

Class Officers are: President Kasey Gantner, Vice President Amelia Miller, Secrtary Jenna DeLoria, and Student Council reps Jessie Farrigan and Baylee Ryan. Members of the Class of 2016 include:

Anwar Alexander Afifi, Samuel Paul Ahern, Alexandros Nicholas Alectoridis, Maxwell Tyler Alessandri, August Alicandri, Zachary James Allen-In Memoriam, Matthew V. Alonge, Austin Zachary Alonzo, Ethan Robert Amato, Stephanie Natalie Amaya, Sierra Noel Amen, Alexa Heidi Amiano, Sarah Mae Andersen, Brianna Michelle Anderson, Anthony John Angelo, Christina Jane Angelo, Brittany Brielle Aponte, Michael Joseph Appel Jr., Michael Apruzzese, Mia Marie Apsley, Gissel Aquino Perez, Alyson Francis Arbach, Brandon Arias, Lauren Nicole Armellino, Avery Anne Armstrong, Jenna Lynne Atzert, Ava Aulisi, Thomas Henry Auriemma;

Timothy Michael Baber, Alexander Robert Baker, Kyra Maddison Baker, Ian Morgan Baldwin, Kerstin Alexandra Baran, Katherine Teresa Barbieri, Teresa Lauren Barrett, Euan Eliot Bartlett, Gianna Joy Bass, Sarah Elisabeth Bausmith, Ashelly Regine Bazelais, Meghan Elizabeth Bedard, Joshua Beers, Kristina Avalon Benton, Sabrina Ann Besser, Dylan Keith Beyer, Galina Andreevna Bianco, Tatiana A. Bianco, Ryan Michael Binz, Joshua Howard Blutfield, Michael Fisher Bogart, Jamie Elizabeth Booth, Brianna Danielle Borden, Kelsey Ilyssa Bornstein - Murphy, Madison Elizabeth Boyd, Stephen James Boylan, Aedan Sean Boyle, Christopher John Bradley, Allison Faith Brembt, Melissa Jayne Bridenbaugh, Maxwell Almon Brimmer, Daniel Christopher Brink, David Hamilton Brown, Paige Frances Brown, Samantha Lynn Brown, Mackenzie Ellen Bruzzio, Alexandra Marie Bullock, Jason Taylor Burd, Jacob Cole Busher, Jenny Butler, Malcolm Harrison Butts;

Claire Elise Cahill, Claudia Calix-Zepeda, Hannah Rose Calvelli, Thomas James Campbell, Brandon Cannizzaro, Dominic Joseph Capone, Gabino Esau Careaga, Timothy Carman, Colin Steven Carroll, Pietro Caruso, Gianna Aldina Castaldo, Joseph Castillo, Megan Elizabeth Cataldi, Sara Morgan Catanzaro, Ryan William Cathcart, Casey Onstead Cavallaro, Shayna Nicole Cesaro, Pavana Chandrasekhar, Frances Chavarria, Erika Theresa Cheh, Noelle Marguerite Cheh, Jesse Fu Chen, Lia Chen, Chloe Ann Christopher, Daryna Volodymyrovna Chumak, Brian Joseph Ciarrocca, Alexander Patrick Cicala, Gina Marie Cillo, Frank Paul Ciszkowski, Caroline Ann Ciuffreda, Melissa Lynn Clark, Benjamin Daniel Coakley, Angelo Peter Cocco, Connor Michael Coiante, Emily Alyssa Colalillo, Madison Paige Colon, Mirella Columbro, Daniel Giusseppe Compeau, Teresa Rose Coppola, Cynthia Giselle Corado, Ashley Rose Cornetta, Zachary Thomas Cortelyou, Steven Alexander Coury, Christopher Edward Cozzi, Leah Marie Creter, Emily Nicole Crisafulli, Alexus Danielle Cruz, Alivia Rose Cuccaro, Ana Maria Cuquej Chun, Benjamin Scott Currie, Allana Marie Cursley;

Radha Dahanukar, Aia Dakka, Amanda Joy Dallenbach, Kasey Jane Dameo, Hannah Leigh Davis, Lily Genevieve Davis, Gwendolyn Victoria Dayton, Austin DeCicco, Michael Eric Degen, Maria Helen DeGenova, Austin Joseph Del Carlo, Jennifer Mckenzie Delaney, Emily Rachel DeLessio, Jenna Catherine DeLoria, Allyson Margaret DeMarco, Madison Hope DeMaria, Paul Nicholas Denning, Nicholas John DeOre, Catherine Sophia Deptuch, Rajvi Desai, Ryan Anthony DeSiena, Bianca DeSousa, Julia Christine DeStefano, Crystal Eileen Desvousges, Griffin Strong Deysher, Nadya Karin Diaz, Carolyn Waters Dickson, Jyoti May DiClemente, Alexandra Rae DiDario, Christopher Paul DiGiacomo, Alexander James DiGiovanni, Jake DiGiovanni, Alec Christopher DiRenzo, Sadie Lilly Disbrow, Micaela Rose Dix, Zachary John Djamoos, Dylan Michael Dobrosky, Lianna Shawn Doley, Giselle Jacqueline Dos Santos, Jordan Kaye Dowling, Karen Elizabeth Drake, Tyler Matthew Dribbon, Heather Lynn Dunham, Lauren Amber DuPas, Elizabeth Ann Duplay, Olivia Lynne Durr, Andrew Michael Dyer, Matthew Gregory Dzwonczyk;

Elizabeth Marie Eckel, Kevin Peter Eichhorn, Jr., Bethany Mae Ellis, Amaly Yaser ElMenshawy, Alex Michael Eng, Thomas Charles Engelke, Jonathan Michael Eppler, Erin Marina Esposito, Harrison Alexander Esserman, Gabriella Evans, Amy Lynn Fallat, Jessie Ann Farrigan, John Michael Fastenau, Gregory Keen Fawcett, Hannah Elizabeth Fay, Katherine Anne Febles, Eva Lin Feindt, Hayley Morgan Fico, Austin William Fields, Evan Alan Fimiani, Ashley Taylor Finkelstein, Emma Hope Firestone, Hannah Rose Fisher, Megan Ann Fisher, Daniel Brian Flood, Elwyn Flores, Kristen Amanda Florio, Brendan Thomas Foley, Hunter Wild Forestiere, Kathryn Ann Foster, Augusto Estanislao Franco Salusso, Sabrina Malen Franco Salusso, Cole Thomas Fratesi, Michael Tyler Fratesi, Kelsey Shea Freedman, Maddie Grace Freeman, Kevin Li French, Frederick Runyon Fulper, Catherine Futterman, Tyler James Gabel, Tanner Western Gaccione, Gavin Timothy Gallagher, Tyler Andrew Gallo, Nathan Brooks Gambrill, Christopher Daley Gansfuss, Kasey Michele Gantner, Xining Gao, Brian Garcia, Brian Christopher Gartland, Christina M. Gaudino, Kevin Michael Gengoult, William Harold Getz, Noah Zachary Gichan, Sarah Gabrielle Gichan, Amanda Nicole Giliberti, Chloe Marie Gilio, Kristopher Steven Ginder, Alexa Nicole Giordano, Stephen Robert Giordano, Samantha Paige Gisewhite, Matthew James Giuliano, Benjamin Aaron Goldberg, Jason Todd Golis, Steven Harrison Gomberg, Diego Gomez-Valdez, Henry Michael Gonzalez, Daniel Justin Gordon, Samantha Melanie Gorman, Stephanie Gotfried, Danielle Marilyn Granski, Kyle Anthony Grau, Stephen Lyle Greene, Caitlan Marina Griffith, Cade Hunter Grimes, Kyra Lexi Grimes, Robert John Groel, Emily Christine Grube, Emily Josefina Guerra, Evelia Guerrero, Ana Cristina Guevara, Kyle Richard Guinness, Maanus Singh Gulia, Julia Rose Guzman, Courtney Ann Gwizdz;

Andrew Byron Thomas Hallam, Cassandra Ann Halper, Dana Kamal Hamed, Garrett Gerard Hamilton, John W. Hamrick, Neil Hancart, Cassandra Lynn Haney, Karissa Marie Haney, Sienna Genesis Haney-Ott, Jacquelyne Sarah-Ann Hankard, William McAfee Hanna IV, Cole Preston Hanntz, Emily Jordan Hansen, Nina Alexandra Harbourt, Scott Thomas Harchar, Joseph James Harkness, Eric Richard Harnack, Amanda Marie Harris, Connor Winfield Harris, Gwendolyn Helena Harvey, Michelle Nicole Hatfield, Josephine Elizabeth Hatton, Katie Janling Hau, Carter Adrian Hawkinson, Jelani Souza Headley, Amber Lynn Heaton, Brandon Joseph Heaton, William Carl Heidersberger, Lukas Kenneth Helgesen, Cameron McKinley Helwig, George Edward Hendershot III, Jake Herdman, Eli Gabino Hernandez, Quinn Rose Hickey, Matthew Kyle Hitchner, Suzanne Nicole Hlinka, Lauren Michelle Hodkey, Gavin Karl Hoff, Christopher William Hoffman, Brooke Lynn Holmes, Caleb Paul Hosta, Charles James Howarth, Jr., Kalysta Marie Hoyvald, Michael Joseph Hrebella, Erika Lynn Hudkins, Dylan Hudson, Justin Scott Huebner, Kelly Ann Hughes, Andrew Douglas Hunter, Gabrielle Gene Huntington, Mark Christopher Hurban, Manal Nida Hussain, Ryanne Lisa Hutchinson, Ariel Kimberly Hylton, Kyrollos Ibrahim, Benjamin Michael Incantalupo, Alissa Lauren Indeck, Anthony Jackson, Rebecca Martha Jacque, Tiffany May Jiang, Courtney Ann Johnson, Maxwell Adam Johnson, Stephen Eugene Johnson, Taylor Lanier Johnson, Jacob John Jones, Kyle Gregory Joseph, Briana Alejandrina Juergensen;

Dhwanil Thakor Kadakia, Erik Eugene Kaiser, Matthew James Kane, Adam Richard Karas, Allyson Marie Karpew, Jonathan Michael Kaye, Felix X. Ke, Dylan James Kearney, Samuel Joseph Keegan, William Patrick Kelleher, Hailey May Kenyon, Meagan Anne Kern, Laura Annette Kershaw, Faraz Ahmad Khan, Nora Trifillis Kiledjian, Megan Tyler Kilkenny, Avery Vincent Kilpatrick, Amanda Paige Kirchner, Rachana Kishor, Alexander Lance Kispert, Garrett George Kleinknecht, Alyssa Danielle Klemmtz, Elizabeth Anne Knoop, Lauren Kate Kochbarski, Kristen Nicole Koep, Emery Benjamin Kohn, Andrew Michael Kong, Hannah Eastman Koontz, Eric Matthew Kostakis, Chase Robert Kovalchick, Nathan William Kowalski, Nicholas Gerald Kowalski, Paul John Kramer, Amanda Lynn Krantz, Emily Ann Kraus, Brianne Elizabeth Krause, Rhett Francis Krieger, Danielle Natasha Krivoshik, Gwendolyn Grace Krol, Andrew Joseph Kuphal;

Emmy Michelle La Fevre, Molly Elsie Lafferty, Lisseth Carolina Lainez Alfaro, Osmin Rigoberto Lainez - Alfaro, Zachary George Lalas, Mark William Lalor, Timothy Dominic Lamberta, Emily Ann LaMorte, Bradley Joseph Lanza, Shannon Marie Larmore, Kailey Theresa Latargia, Kayla Alexis Lawrie, Noelle Christiane Lecusay, Bryan Christman Lederach, Veronica Anne Lees, Kelly Tara Lehmann, Anthony Alexander Leidli, Hannah Jennifer Lelah, David Frank Leshik, Trent Stanton Levitt, Jacob Allan Lewis, Ashley Elizabeth Liedl, Jonathan Kenneth Lin, Brent A. Lincoln, Charles A. Little, Julia Denise Lloyd, Nicholas J. Lombardi, George Lopac IV, Qaadir Shaidic Lowery, Fan Lu, Natalie Dian Lubaszka, Nickolas Robert Luciani, Gabriella Paige Luciano, Amber Christine Ludwig, Kurstin Ann Lyman, Jane Catherine Lynch, Owen Thomas Lyons;

Sebastian Machado, Alex Richard Mack, Cole William MacKnight, Robert James MacMahon, Lauren Alissa Magro, Matthew Barton Mahoney, Alejandra Gloribeth Maldonado-Aguirre, Miriam Lizet Maldonado, Abigail Rea Mallea, Megan Therese Manalo, James Patrick Mania, Alese Maniragaba, Alexandra Margaret Mannix, Anastazia Victoria Mantineo, Bethaney Victoria Mantineo, Dakota M. Marsh, Adrian De Jesus Marsiglia, Joanna Elizabeth Marton, Samantha Ann Mastriano, Rebecca Leann Masut, Olivia Rose Matko, John A. Matthews V, Emma Isabella Maurice, Michelle Renee Mayersky, Brian William Mazzucco, Kyle Reid McCracken, Nicholas Timothy McDermott, Matthew James McGarrity, Eleanor Teresa McGeary, Ryan William McGibbon, Samuel Adam McGriff, Claire Catherine McGuire, John Richard McKeown, Kristen Elizebeth McKool, Colin James McNeil, Hazel Dominique McQueen, Imani Elizabeth McRae, Mark Meddleton, Margaret S. Meiman, Paul Andriss Weigand Mejia, Brenna May Melick, Anthony Alexander Mennito, Katherine Elizabeth Mensching, Cyrus Hoshi Merchant, Erin Lauren Merkel, Joseph Robert Merker, Jr., Gary Micco, Andrew Thomas Millar, Amelia Christine Mary Frances Miller, Rylie Alexis Miller, Bennett Ross Mirabito, Michael Joseph Mitchell, Nicholas James Mitchell, Alyssa Nicole Mitchko, Kelly Lynn Monahan, Steven M. Montero Blanco, Melissa Nicole Moody, Ian Matthew Morales, Katherine Annette Moran, Eric Thomas Morehouse, Lauren Mary Morello, Ty John Morris, Rachel Leigh Moskowitz, Peter Devon Mount, Peter-Jacob David Mummey, Kaitlynn Marie Murphy, Jillian Brielle Murray;

Veronica Nicole Nagorna, Abhinav Shiv Nair, Andres Manuel Navarro, Vail Steven Nazaryk, Olivia Elenora Neuhaus, Mason Palmer Nickel, Brandon Scott Nicol, Maria Elizabeth Niedziejko, Briana Marie Nunez, Sven Nussgruber, Eamonn Michael O'Connell, Brendon Thomas O'Grady, Samantha Ashley Oestreich, William James Ogle, Meredith Rose Okamoto-Buhl, Paige Elizabeth Palazzi, Jason Hao Pang, Andrew Lucas Pannone, Maria Angelina Pansari, Bradley Steven Papp, Jacob Michael Papp, Allison Paran, Aashish Trilok Parekh, Christiana Nicole Parrack, Adriana Pasquale, Daniel Patrick Pasquarelli, Erica Marie Pastore, Alisa S. Patel, Anjali Nish Patel, Khevin Ashish Patel, Tushar Patel, Yvonne Patino, Courtney Paige Patterson, Ryan D. Pecoraro, Nicholas Michael Pedro, Alexa G. Perez, Alexys Perez - Albiar, Brian Richard Phillips, Maria Jacqueline Picasso, Lindsay Marie Pierle, Jacquelyn Rose Pierre, Christina Nicole Pierson, Kelly Andreia Santinha Pimenta, Kathleen Josephine Pinizzotto, Sara Rose Pizzico, Bristol Lyn Pizzuto, Charlotte Judith Pizzuto, William Robert Plummer II, Jana Katherine Plutnick, Andrew Benjamin Poepoe, Kayla Anne Polito, Emily Elizabeth Polkowski, Jared David Posselt, Adam Christopher Powell, Nicole Rose Prager, Patrick Thomas Presuto, Emily Renatta Proctor-Marulli, Kallie Marie Pyatt;

Victoria Ruijia Qian, Alexandra Lynne Quirke, Aidan Anthony Ragno, Aakash Badri Raman, Caroline Elizabeth Rapp, Matthew Cameron Rashak, Scott Nicholas Rasile, Bria Louisa Joy Reasoner, Nash Robert Reba, Ronald Gordon Reid, Mary Katherine Reilly, Emily Susan Renjilian, Emily Anderson Reyes, Joshua Phillip Richards, Lauren Phillips Ringel, D'Anna Lynn Rios, Aidan David Ripley, Trevor Donald Risavy, Jeremy Jay Rivera, Michael John Rizza, , Andrew E. Rizzo, James Alexander Rizzo, Garrett Michael Rocco, Tobias Stanley Rodland, Joshua Rodriguez, Matthew Justin Roff, Daniel Martin Romeo, Sophie Farro Rosenberg, Erica Anastasia Rosenborg, Noah Eli Rosenthal, Danielle Maryann Ross, Jack David Rosse, Torianne Nicole Rozansky, Katelyn Emily Rudko, Elena Rudy, Jessica Amy Ruffa, Emily Jayne Rugg;

Adrianna Rose Ruggieri, Olivia Mason Ruggiero, Gerardo Enrique Ruiz-Diaz-Silva, Katherine Victoria Russo, Andrew Mercer Russomagno, Baylee Elizabeth Ryan, Nicole Lynne Ryan, Olivia Nicole Rymsza, Kara Ann Sahlin, Melanie Christine Sailer, Ilan Edward Samoun, Emily Watson Samsel, Lino Emmanuel Santiago, Alejandra Santos, Nadia Celeste Saponara, Kristine Yvonne Sauerborn, Michaela Joy Saunders, Alexander Edward Scaler, Katherine Cassidy Schaefer-In Memoriam, Blake Jonathan Schipper, Emma Lyndsay Schlosser, Katelyn Elizabeth Schnell, Samantha Anne Schnitzlein, Peter William Schoderbek, Colten Michael Schreiner, Jenna Marie Schuchardt, Kyle Sterling Schwab, Victoria Lynn Schwoerer, Amanda Clare Scully, David Q. Sevilla, David C.J. Shafiei, Soham Shah, Saarah Gabrielle Shaikh, Deur Shausupov, Nicholas James Siani, Madison Michaela Sias, Michael Allen Sidler, Elizabeth Alice Sieck, Justin T. Siegel, Alexandra Maria Silva, Keimy Karina Silva, Emily Marie Simone, Robert Ryan Singleton, Adam Jurgis Sirusas, Dilan Amit Sishta, Julia Immacolata Skala, Jenna Marie Skee, Jordan Ayala Sloss, Ashley Elizabeth Smith, Cassandra Mackenzie Smith, Daniel James Snyder, Zachary Basil Sokol, Jonathan David Solek, , Michael Albert Solimani, Wilson Alejandro Solis, Julia Marie Sorg, Michael Anthony Squicciarini, Benjamin Patrick St. John, Francis St. John III, Sean Anthony Stacer, Christopher Michael Staikos, Morgan Leigh Staples, Cameron Leigh Stark, Phoebe Nicole Stein, Austin Jonathan Sterling, Katherine Johanna Edith Stiefel, Allyson Rose Stillwell, April Lynn Stricker, Danielle Carol Stubbins, Emily Nicole Sutphen, Jesse Morley Szwed;

Ryan Joseph Harrigan Taylor, William Allen Taylor, Vaughn Matthew Teague, Katherine Ann Testa, Ana Joelle Thomas, Samuel Lamartiniere Thomas, Elisabeth Mary Thompson, Eva Tillett, Dylan Richard Tinney, Felicia Magdeline Tirone, Ian Tobin, Matthew Steven Toke, Michael Jan Topolski, Kyle Lee Trasak, Tyler Ash Tregoning, Samuel Louis Trifun, Samantha Leigh Triolo, Michael Alexander Tronolone, Thomas A. Tross Jr., Feodor Tsabrov, Nicholas Adam Turkynak, Grant Edwards Turner, Timothy Alfred Ubel, Georgia Cassandra Ulassin, Bradley David Ungar, Yosselin Carolina Urbina Serpas, Saifil Saukatali Vahora, Ryan Tomson Van Doren, Eric Alexander Van Note, Alexander Lucas Van Orden, James Russell Van Patten, Stephen James Varga, Alisson Vargas Madriz, Dominic Lawrence Vastano, James G. Vena, Zachary Venne, Lena O'Brien Verga, Melissa Shanele Viana, Kenneth Alan Virostek, Dominick John Vitale, Chase Lewis Voldase, Andrew Xavier Vollenberg, Lynn Patricia Vorwick;

Melissa Joy Wachino, William Jeffrey Wadsworth, Philip LaRon Walker, Lilly Marie Walsh, Sarah Marie Walsh, James Patrick Waltermire, Shijie Wang, Fahima Noor Waqqas, Emily Lauren Ward, Eric Joseph Ward, Jeffrey Michael Warrington, Kevin Charles Wash, Nia Cinclaire Washington, Alexander Bennett Wasserman, Emily Rose Wavrek, Colgan Phillip Webb, Jacqueline Nicole Webb, Courtney Rose Webster, Katherine Ann Weger, Abigail Margaret Weinick, Matthew Stuart Weippert, William John Whalen, Connor William Wheatley, Ana Amelia Mattei White, Daniel James White, Amanda Joan Whitlock, Sterling Richard Whitlow, Steven Patrick Whittaker, Peyton Aster Williams, George Joseph Wisniewski, John Albert Witt, Melanie Corin Wolff, Shelby Connell Woodhull, Julia Michelle Worden, Lauren Elizabeth Wougk, Kiri Ann Faith Wowchuck, Sarah Elizabeth Wyatt, Walter Russell Wynkoop IV, Morgan Marie Yazujian, Austin Jude Young, Terynn Noelle Young, Aldahir Zacarias, Thomas George Zahos, Jr., Matthew John Zaleski, Frank Lou Zavis, Frank W. Zheng, Michael Nagel Zimlinghaus

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle crash in Califon on Friday, June 17, 2016.

CALIFON - Two vehicles crashed at the intersection of Main and Academy streets on Friday afternoon.

The accident was reported at 4:45 p.m. and involved a Dodge Challenger and a Ford pickup. Those on the scene reported at least one person was injured. They were transported to a local hospital by Califon Rescue Squad. No other details were available Friday evening.

Responding were the Washington Township Police in Morris County, Califon Rescue Squad and Califon Fire Deptartment.

The Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association's bank account was drained by March 2014.

Catherine Brady (Photo courtesy the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office)

The former treasurer of the Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association was sentenced to five years of probation for the theft of the organization's funds.

On June 17 in Superior Court in Flemington, Judge Angela Borkowski also ordered Catherine L. Brady, 47, of Lebanon Township to repay more than $65,000.

Two executive board members along with association president, Sue Haydu-Bok presented a letter to the court at the sentencing.

According to the letter, the Delaware Valley Horsemen's Association (DVHA) was founded in 1949. "Our founder Dr. Welling C. Howell started DVHA with the philosophy that 'The Spirit of Belonging' would be the key to DVHA. While our membership is large we still are a close knit family.

"Ms. Brady was one of our family.

"Not only did Ms. Brady take and use money from the association that took us many years to save for her own personal use, but she also betrayed the trust of her DVHA family. She also left the association with a large number of unpaid bills. The association owed back taxes on the property, our phones were already shut off, the power was about to be shut off and we had no insurance due to lack of payment."

According to the letter, Brady took all of the money the club had saved, including what was raised for the "Riding for Cancer Care" donation to Hunterdon Medical Center's Regional Cancer Center. Over the last decade DVHA has donated more than $75,000 to help cancer patients with non-treatment expenses not covered by insurance.

"It has been a little over two years since we discovered what Ms. Brady had done, and with hard a lot of work the association is finally out of debit and back on our feet," the letter said, "We at DVHA are survivors and we will continue to grow and be there to run horse shows and also be there to support both the Horse community and the local community in general," the letter said.

The financial discrepancies were discovered shortly after the annual awards dinner in January, 2014. At that dinner, Brady and her family had been lauded as volunteers of the year. Unbeknownst to the club members, Brady had been taking money for nearly a year at that point.

Brady was arrested in April, 2015 after a grand jury returned an indictment on one count of third-degree theft. Then a warrant was issued and Brady was arrested.

Brady was taken to the Hunterdon County Jail and subsequently released after posting $20,000 bail set by Judge Bradford M. Bury.

She pleaded guilty on Jan. 29, 2016.

Brady paid $10,000 to DVHA on June 17 and will have to pay the rest back over the five-year probation period.

"We are grateful to have received this amount today and hope that we will actually receive the full amount of the balance," Haydu-Bok said.

Meanwhile, the DVHA show season is well underway. June shows are dedicated to Riding for Cancer Care. The next show is Sunday, June 19.

[enhanced link]

Enter the 2016 Horse News Equine Art Contest

For current equestrian news see Horse News or check out the online version of the print edition.

The Raritan Township Fire Company held a truck muster and open house at its main station on Saturday, June 18, 2016, to celebrate the arrival of its new 2015 Pierce 100-foot tower ladder. Watch video

RARITAN TWP. -- The Raritan Township Fire Company held a truck muster and open house at its main station on Saturday to celebrate the arrival of its new 2015 Pierce 100-foot tower ladder, called Tower 21.

Tower 21 has been at work in Raritan Township since December.

Several fire departments from Hunterdon and Somerset counties, as well as from Pennsylvania, came to the celebration and were awarded trophies for best engine, tanker, ladder truck, antique truck and furthest traveled.

Tower 21 was dedicated when Raritan Township Fire Chief Steven Wetter smashed a bottle of champagne across the front bumper. Mayor Karen Gilbert and Deputy Mayor Michael Mangin were on hand to help with the dedication.

As is tradition, the new ladder truck was pushed into the fire house, which is a long standing tradition for the arrival of a new truck.

The Amwell Valley Fire Company was dispatched Monday, June 20, 2016, to a three-alarm house fire on Rosemont-Ringoes Road in East Amwell.

EAST AMWELL - One person was hospitalized with smoke inhalation during a three-alarm fire early-morning Monday at a residence off Rosemont-Ringoes Road, Amwell Valley Fire Company Assistant Chief Max Jason confirmed. 

One of the residents suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. It was not known what hospital they were taken to and their condition was not available. No other injuries were reported.

The Amwell Valley Fire Company was dispatched at 12:29 a.m. Monday morning for a fire that had started in an enclosed porch in the back of the house. The fire was contained to within the room, but caused substantial damage. The family will not be able to return to the home until township officials have inspected it, Jason said. 

The fire was brought under control within two hours and by 4:30 a.m. firefighters left the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

Other fire departments also responding to the blaze included Sergeantsville Volunteer Fire Company, Stockton Fire Company and West Amwell Township Fire Department. 

The south county tank task force was also requested to provide water to the scene. Fill up stations for the tankers were at two locations - Amwell Valley Fire Company and the Delaware Township School. 

Hunterdon Healthcare is opening a new urgent care center in Flemington in July.

FLEMINGTON -- Hunterdon Healthcare plans to open an Urgent Care Center in the borough on July 25.

The Urgent Care Center will be at 63 Church St., in the building formerly occupied by Reebok. Its hours will be Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

"Situations calling for urgent medical attention cannot always wait for when your physician's office is open, but often do not always warrant a trip to the Emergency Department," Robert P. Wise, president and chief executive officer of Hunterdon Healthcare, said in a release announcing the center's opening.

Hunterdon Healthcare's new site in Warren County

"Hunterdon Healthcare Urgent Care is the perfect alternative and the center is staffed by the same board-certified emergency specialists who are caring for patients in our Emergency Department," Wise continued. "We are committed to providing high-quality, convenient, efficient and affordable medical treatment to our residents."

The Urgent Care center is Hunterdon Heathcare's latest effort to expand services into communities. In January it announced it will be leasing space in a facility that's being built in Washington, next to the Hawk Pointe Golf Club. And this month it's opening the Somerset Medical Office Building in Bridgewater.

Hunterdon Healthcare Urgent Care services include treatment for allergies and colds, cough/sore throats, acute illness, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary infections, injuries, conjunctivitis, cuts/minor burns, sprains/fractures, pains, animal bites/insect stings and more. Sports and camp physicals can also be done at the center.

The center will offer onsite X-rays, EKGs, blood work/lab testing, immunizations, audiometric testing, spirometry and vision screening. It will also provide occupational health medical services to employers throughout the area and offer Department of Transportation physicals, pre-employment physicals, HAZMAT physicals, OSHA respirator physicals, initial work injury, fitness for duty and return to duty physicals, drug and alcohol testing and medical review officer services.

Bridgewater site opening in June

"The best place to be treated for your acute problem is at your primary care office and Urgent Care is not a substitute for your medical home," Wise said in the release, noting that the Urgent Care center can help people when they can't get to their own doctors.

"For our patients who currently see a Hunterdon Healthcare practice, the Urgent Care will be able to view that patient's medical record from their primary care office or specialist so the care will be coordinated and seamless," said Christine Bogard, executive director of Hunterdon Medical Practices and Hunterdon Medical Management.

The Hunterdon Healthcare Urgent Care Center will offer walk-in appointments. Patients will be able to see wait times online and add their name in queue, so when they arrive they are able to walk through the doors and be seen more quickly. The Urgent Care Center will participate in most insurance plans.

To learn more about Hunterdon Healthcare, visit hunterdonhealthcare.org.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Thousands of bees were found hanging from a tree branch in Clinton. Watch video

CLINTON -- Faced with a swarming hive in the parking lot, members of Clinton United Methodist Church were helped by beekeepers in Hunterdon County. 

On Wednesday night, as the praise band at Clinton United Methodist Church pulled in for practice, they were greeted by thousands of honey bees hanging from a tree branch overlooking the church parking lot.

While the bees were not attacking anyone, an active parking area was clearly not a good place for this swarm to call home. A quick internet search turned up the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association and the band was soon on the phone with S&F Honey Farm and Stan Wasitowski, a beekeeper for more than 50 years.

Wasitowski put them in touch with Robert Simonofsky of Annandale, aka The Bee Man, who quickly came to the rescue. Simonofsky, who specializes in honeybee removal from the walls of homes, "buzzed in" in a truck he's dubbed the "bee mobile."

Working without a veil and aided by curling smoke from a cigar, Simonofsky started carefully gathering the bees using a special vacuum that doesn't hurt them.

The idea of going without a protective veil in a swarm of bees may seem a bit dangerous. The Bee Man, however, says honeybees are actually very gentle when they swarm because they don't have a hive to protect. The bees are merely looking for a new home and often settle in trees or the eaves or walls of a house.

Bees will swarm if their current home becomes too small. Half the honeybees will then move on with the queen while the rest of the hive remains in place and makes a new queen.

According to Simonofsky, this traveling swarm amounted to a nice size of about 20,000 bees (there are some four thousand bees per pound and the swarm weighed five pounds). In about an hour, vacuuming was completed and the rescued honeybees were whisked away in the bee mobile to a new home.

Once there, the bees and their queen were released from the vacuum into a new hive, where they'll begin the important job of pollinating Hunterdon County and producing honey.

As bee populations continue to be wiped out by Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and other threats, rescue missions like these play a critical role in their ongoing survival.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A total of 11 people were indicted on charges of having heroin and other drugs in Hunterdon County.

FLEMINGTON -- Eleven people were indicted by Hunterdon County grand juries recently on charges of possessing heroin or other drugs. 

On June 16, a grand jury indicted the following people:

• William N. Pesyk faces one count of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, for allegedly having heroin in Raritan Township on April 6.
• Yasir H. Fahmy faces a third-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance for allegedly having cocaine in Raritan Township on March 19.
• Traci Mrozinski faces a third-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and a third-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. On March 29 in Clinton Township, Mrozinksi allegedly had heroin.

On June 9, a grand jury indicted the following people:

• Jessica E. Carvalho faces two third-degree counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance for allegedly having crack cocaine and Alprazolam (Xanax) in Readington on Feb. 21.
• Alshyneek Norman faces a fourth-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance for allegedly having Atropine Sulfate/Diphenoxylate in Raritan Township on April 16.
• Megan D. Lovett-Marion is charged with a third-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance for allegedly having heroin in West Amwell Township on April 17.
• Casey L. Rondello, Melissa D. Dunzik, Nicholas S. Sarullo and Laura J. Diozzi each face a third-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance for allegedly having heroin in Flemington on April 18.
• Alaa Alzoubi is charged with a third-degree count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance for allegedly having oxycodone in Readington Township on Feb. 13.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Here are six places to get ice cream in Hunterdon County.

My mother used to combine milk, cream, sugar and lots of eggs in a big pot, mix it all up, and set it on the hot stove.

I was told to stir until the mixture thickened into a custard. Then mom set it aside to cool a bit. After stirring in a little vanilla, she poured the custard into a hand-cranked ice cream churn.

The churn had been prepared, already packed with ice and salt. My sister and I alternated, turning the handle that kept the custard in constant motion. Ever so gradually, it turned into one of mankind's crowning achievements  -ice cream.

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"Our ice cream is made fresh daily," said Kayla Nelson at Flemington's Cold Stone Creamery. It's located in the Flemington Mall at 325 Route 202.

Your favorite ice cream is prepared on a frozen granite stone here. Choices include chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, cookie, cheesecake, mud pie and many more. Mix and match with all sorts of add-ins. It's chopped and folded as you watch and your taste buds perk up.

"One favorite is peanut butter cup perfection," Nelson told me. Another is banana caramel crunch.

Or go for the hot stone creations. In these, your ice cream is combined with chocolate chip cookies, brownies, funnel cakes, or other choices.

Cold Stone Creamery does more. Take home the pre-packaged ice creams, or order a special cake for a party or wedding.

For more information, call 908 788-0770. The place opens at noon with hours extending into late evening. Check out the website or on Facebook.

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"We have over 80 flavors of homemade gourmet ice cream, including soft serve," said Rachel Carhart. "And we have fat-free, sugar-free frozen yogurt."

Carhart runs Thee Ice Cream Parlor located at 299 South Main St., Flemington.

This is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, and it looks like an operation from the 1950s. Relax in a red-cushioned metal chair at one of the tables. The floor is a checkerboard of black and white tiles.

Popular flavors here include tiramisu, pretzel, salty caramel, cotton candy, coconut almond, moose tracks, a variety of chocolate types, and many more. Order cups or cones, sundaes, banana splits, belgian waffles or hot brownies - all with a variety of toppings.

Ice cream cakes are popular. Take home or make arrangements for your special party for birthdays, retirements, and other occasions.

"We'll be at the Music Under The Stars events with hot dogs and ice cream," said Carhart.

This annual summer music series kicks off Thursday with the Hunterdon Symphony doing a concert of pop music. It's held at Deer Path Park, 120 Woodschurch Road.

For more information, visit TheeIceCreamParlor.com or call 908 284-1233. Also on Facebook. The place is open seven days, noon to 9.

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Donna Cocco opened Cocco's Cafe & Gelato some twelve years ago in Flemington. Five years ago she expanded and is now located at 52 Main St.

"Gelato is like European ice cream," Cocco explained. "It's lower in fat and held at a higher temperature." It comes in different flavors.

This is a good place for a quick meal. Paninis and salads are favorites. Or stop in for a gelato, cookies, milk shakes, cappuccino or espresso.

For more information, including hours, call 908 968-3837 or visit CoccosCafe.com. Also on Facebook.

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J.J. Scoops has been a destination in Clinton for more than 20 years. It is located at 1 Main St. and opens seven days at 11:30 a.m.

"We are an old fashioned ice cream shop," said Laurie Rodriguez, part owner. "We have many flavors of hard ice creams, along with frozen yogurt, soft serve, and sundaes."

That's not all. They serve shakes, malts, smoothies, floats, egg creams, Italian ices, and they have ice cream cakes in three sizes.

"Our most popular ice cream flavors are sweet and salty caramel pretzel, Maine blueberry, oranges and cream, and sea salt chocolate malt crunch," she added.

The patio is available for private parties, or simply relax and enjoy your sundae. The Clinton Book Shop holds book signings here throughout the summer.

For more information, call 908 730-0988. Visit JJScoops.weebly.com and on Facebook.

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In Sergeantsville, Nina's Waffles & Ice Cream opened at the end of March. It's at 567 Rosemont-Ringoes Road.

"Flavors are always changing," said Heather Lacey. "We make over 100 different flavors, all hand-crafted, small batch with natural ingredients." Some favorites are caramel, Madagascar vanilla, cookies and cream, and chocolate-chocolate.

The Belgian Liege waffles are made with "our own dough," she explained.  

Nina's is open Wednesday through the weekend, serving lunch and dinner. Currently featured is chef Marty Hadicke's barbeque. Soups, salads, and sandwiches round out the menu.

If you cannot get to Nina's, they will send one of their trucks to you. Spice up your event with the goodies these people offer. Take-out and catering are available.

Nina's Waffles & Ice Cream has four locations - in Princeton at 252 Nassau St. and in New Hope and Doylestown.

For more information, call 609 397-8787 or visit NinasWaffles.com.

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In Lambertville, OwowCow serves up artisanal ice creams, crafted every day from scratch. The batches are made from grass-fed dairy, cage-free eggs, raw honey and seasonal fruits.

OwowCow is located at 237 N. Union St. Call 609 397-2234 or visit OwowCow.com.