Find flashes of familiar sophisticated fare at this Whitehouse Station standout.

The Ryland entrance is stately but not imposing -- the stone terrace, the pillars, the post-and-rail fencing, the crisp white paint. In whole, the inn radiates the serenity and chaste grandeur of a New England church, while also conveying the friendly mischief of a gentleman's horse farm.

One young man in the group ventured a story. "This building burned down a few years ago," he said. "They completely rebuilt everything." The others were stunned. "Wow, really?" Their immediate and unabashed respect for such an accomplishment prompted a hasty recalculation on the storyteller's part. "Of course, I could be completely wrong about that."

The young man was completely wrong about that. But the notion that the Ryland's past is the story that prevails is no longer true.

Today, the chef is Craig Polignano and he is rightly focused on weddings -- 90 couples will celebrate their nuptials at the Ryland this year, and construction is underway to allow the restaurant to host two weddings on the same day in the future, plus offer overnight space for the bridal party.

Yet Polignano begins his days outdoors, wandering through the woods, foraging for handfuls of pansies in the spring, garlic mustard and wood sorrel later in the season. He'll also check the garden, a half-acre plot behind one of the Ryland's out-buildings, where the kitchen grows zucchini, squash, eggplants, peppers.

His herb garden is seeded with species you won't find at your local farmers' market -- bronze fennel, lemon balm, anise hyssop. Polignano is a big fan of the brisk taste of parsley, but he especially likes the mystique of the lesser-known herbs.

This half-acre garden is not the famous Ryland Inn garden. The famous Ryland Inn garden was 3 acres, and its creation was such a novelty back in the day that it warranted the attention of national media -- a restaurant with a garden, can you image, as if New Jersey were the south of France! The famous Ryland Inn garden is now overgrown, but the garlic remains, sprawling wild all over the property. Polignano forages for that as well.

Polignano is the old Ryland and the new Ryland. He was there when the old Ryland closed in 2007, when dinner was haute cuisine, each dish a 19-step process, lobsters and cote de boeuf. And he was there when the new Ryland opened in 2012, at the portentous gala, with pork sandwiches and fireworks, horses and hounds.

The fireworks are over and the new Ryland, as a business model, has become a wedding and banquet mecca. You knew it all along, despite deep protestations that the kitchen would revere the culinary legacy of the past. You knew it all along, haute cuisine is dead.

And yet, Polignano manages to surprise. First with the octopus and the cavatelli, then with the Carolina sea bass. And you leave thinking that he's quietly managing to pull off a masterly high-wire performance, offering a collection of uniquely refined yet unpretentious specialties amid his other work, the more efficient but equally challenging array of modern banquet fare. In a kitchen that remains, no matter what young men know or do not know, haunted by the grandiose French-inspired culinary wizardry of its past.

The octopus ($17, appetizer; $31, entree) is a process, tenderized with the acidic whey the kitchen reserves from its house-made ricotta (the whey also imparts a lively sour note). It's then grilled, for smokiness, and served with house-made Italian sausage, fresh cranberry beans and fava beans. This is feisty yet remains carefree; Polignano credits the dish to his chef de cuisine A.J. Capella. Beef carpaccio ($18) is also a remarkable appetizer, gently enhanced by avocado and lime.

House-made cavatelli ($15, appetizer; $28, entree) is even more beguiling. The pasta is made with ricotta, of course, which explains its youthful weightlessness. But the ricotta chosen for this recipe is dry and rich, giving the cavatelli a slightly brash taste, also youthful. The pasta is served with succulent bits of braised lamb, topped with mint chiffonade and fried capers, and then -- then -- christened with Castelmagno cheese. "It's a beautiful cheese," says Polignano. "No doubt about it." He's downplaying. The cheese, with its slightly spirited mustiness, is the consummate embellishment to an already estimable creation, the understated and unlikely hero of the dish.

Carolina sea bass ($35) is even better. The waitress describes it as fish in a bowl. Polignano describes it as a piece of fish with a salad on top. Both descriptions are too blunt. This dish is elegant and modern, and just stuns. The fish is luminous, mild and firm, the sauce an enhancement of a classic French white wine sauce. Polignano adds a few plump mussels as embellishments, some rough-cut cucumbers (slightly marinated, very nice), a few fresh garden vegetables. It's the essence of summer, only more pure and light, in fact, maybe it's the idyll of summer and you'll want it again as soon as it's gone.

It's a slow build, the evolution of the new Ryland, and other dishes are not as well executed. Skip the jerky ($8), which is just strips of beef in a jar, but then again it is jerky, so maybe that's on us. The hanger steak ($26) is nice, as steaks go, although the au poivre presentation seemed too old-fashioned, and the fries alongside were limp and tired, as if they were straight from the bottom of the bag.

Desserts also were not masterful. Torn bits of angel food cake ($12), served with drunken strawberries and a too-sweet sauce, were arranged on the plate with the artistic flair of a kindergarten student, and not in an endearing way. Sweet potato doughnuts ($12) were actually fine, but you have to be persuaded to order sweet potato doughnuts in the first place. Perhaps a more enticing name and/or menu description?

Service should be more polished; we were greeted with grace, but otherwise the staff is too casual for the space.

MORE FROM INSIDE JERSEY MAGAZINE

If the proposed referendum is passed by voters, it will not raise the North-Hunterdon Voorhees School District debt service tax for anyone.

To the editor:

As a parent of North Hunterdon High School graduates, a 28-year resident of Clinton Township, and Board of Education president, I recognize the correlation between exceptional schools and stable property values.

It is the reason many families with young children continue to move to Hunterdon County.

I support our school districts because I want our children - and future generations - to continue to receive a stellar education, and to do so in top-notch facilities.

On the Nov. 8 ballot, the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District board of education is asking for support on a referendum that will help maintain safe facilities and enhance students' learning environment. We need the community's support so our students have safe and outstanding facilities to meet the high academic standards of our District.

The projects included in the referendum are necessary, no frills repairs, renovations and energy-efficient upgrades that address our aging facilities from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. An approved referendum will not raise taxes.

That's right - if the referendum is passed by voters in the district's 12 municipalities, it will not raise the North-Hunterdon Voorhees School District debt service tax for anyone.

In addition, the district will receive state aid to cover nearly 30% of the costs, but this money only will be received if voters pass the referendum on Nov. 8.

I encourage families from North Hunterdon-Voorhees, to please take a few minutes to become informed about the referendum question by visiting the district website, www.nhvweb.net, under Referendum 2016. Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation on the referendum on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at 7 p.m. in the library at North Hunterdon High School. Please join us.

Sandra Seidorf

Annandale

The writer is president of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Board of Education.

The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Board of Education will hold a public presentation on the $9.7 million referendum at its Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, meeting.

ANNANDALE - The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District Board of Education will hold a public presentation on the $9.7 million referendum at its Oct. 18 meeting.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the North Hunterdon Regional High School Library. Those who live in the 12 communities served by the regional district will vote on the referendum during the Nov. 8 general election.

If approved by voters, the district is eligible to receive nearly 30 percent - nearly $3 million - in state aid, reducing the local taxpayers' share, according to a news release.

The state aid, combined with the district's retiring debt from the 2001 bond referendum, will result in no increase on the portion of the school property tax covering debt service.

Board of Education OKs referendum question

The new referendum includes the following projects:

North Hunterdon Regional High School:

• Replacement of windows (projected cost not to exceed $1.635 million)
• Renovations of the library/technology center (projected cost not to exceed $1.073 million)
• Upgrades to HVAC system, which will provide air conditioning to 21 classrooms and ancillary spaces (projected cost not to exceed $2.024 million)
• Replacement of stadium visitor bleachers and tennis court bleachers  (projected cost not to exceed $1.13 million)
• Renovation of the athletic field house (projected cost not to exceed $565,000)

Voorhees High School

• Replacement of all windows (projected cost not to exceed $1.419 million)
• Renovations of the library/technology center (projected cost not to exceed $1.073 million)
• Replacement of the stadium visitor bleachers with ADA upgrades (projected cost not to exceed $598,000)
• Addition of an ADA ramp to stadium home bleachers ($226,000)

The 522 fatal car crashes in New Jersey last year led to 562 deaths. Here's how they happened.

Chocodiem, a Belgian chocolate shop on Main Street, has been named one of the 10 best chocolatiers in North America by the Institute of Culinary Education.

CLINTON - Chocodiem, a Belgian chocolate shop on Main Street, has been named one of the 10 best chocolatiers in North America by the Institute of Culinary Education.

Chocodiem is owned by Jean-Paul Hepp. He was honored by the institute in New York City on Monday.

Hepp opened Chocodiem after a 23-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. He didn't know what he would do next until he traveled.

"The one thing I missed from home was Belgian chocolate," said Hepp. "It struck me that other people might enjoy this type of old world confection as much as me."

In April, to celebrate the historic charm of downtown Clinton, Hepp collaborated with sculpture artist Rachel Bottcher to create a 12-inch replica of the town's famous Red Mill made from chocolate.

Belgian chocolate is recognized as a gourmet standard for the quality of ingredients and precise adherence to production techniques.

Chocodiem recently opened a second, larger location inside the Easton Public Market, with both locations offering hand-painted truffles, chocolate gelato, salted caramel brownies and an array of French macarons. The company also caters weddings and parties with customized dessert tables.

Craig Turpin may be reached at cturpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @NJeditor. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday, religious and spiritual leaders in Hunterdon County will be speaking to their members about the heroin epidemic.

Beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday, religious and spiritual leaders in Hunterdon County will be speaking to their members about the heroin epidemic.

The conversations are taking place thanks to One Voice, an initiative that addresses social issues through Hunterdon County's faith communities. One Voice is a coalition between the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office, faith leaders and the Safe Communities Coalition.

Part of the goal of this weekend's conversations are to not only help those addicted to heroin, but to address what leads people to turn to drugs in the first place.

The launch of this year's topic begins Friday and will be addressed by faith leaders in their sermons this weekend. The same message will be delivered in the appropriate way for each denomination. It's the information that matters, and each pastor, rabbi, imam or other faith leader will present it in his or her own way.

"Often, there might be something missing in their lives or they may not know how to cope with the stressors or problems they may be facing in their life," Msgr. Randy Vashon of Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale said in September. "Talking to someone about a difficult problem in your life is one way to get you through that challenge. Sometimes, one may turn to their faith leader for that counseling and guidance."

One Voice was launched in 2012, and each year focuses on a specific issue.

"Our faith leaders are being asked to bring to their communities the awareness of the profound life threatening dangers of heroin/opiate addiction," Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, said. "We further asked them to look inward to their own communities with the understanding that a lack of connectedness - loneliness - often precipitates addiction.

"Faith leaders are in a unique position to address this dilemma. It seems possible that this disconnectedness, in part, derives from the fact that we are more connected with technology than ever before while at the same time, less connected from a human relationship point of view. As a result of this disconnectedness, people are in a great deal of pain and heroin/opiates are often used to numb that pain. These opiates are highly addictive and have reached a nationwide epidemic."

The coalition held a summit titled The Heroin Epidemic - Healing through Faith Communities at The Farmhouse at Grand Colonial in Hampton on Sept. 29.

"Faith leaders have a strong and respected voice within their congregations and can make a huge impact in their community, especially in regards to substance abuse prevention," Safe Coalition Project Director Lesley Gabel said. "We are so very grateful for our One Voice Community and their ability to work collectively for the greater good."

According to One Voice, the goal is "to have 'one voice' when addressing today's difficult challenges like substance abuse, crime and the safety of our community. Social level change can be achieved with all groups working together, delivering the same message."

Kearns said: "Law enforcement will continue to serve our community in its role by helping to thwart the supply of drugs on our streets, arresting those that distribute or possess illicit substances or engage in any other illegal activity.

"I am asking faith leaders to provide a place of education and solace to struggling families dealing with addiction," he continued. "I am further asking them to help address those in our community who have not been directly affected by addiction and encourage them to open their hearts and minds to those that are suffering and ultimately offer a connection and a safe place for them to deal with their pain."

Anyone interested in learning more about One Voice can contact Gabel at Hunterdon Prevention Resources at 908-782-3909 or email lgabel@hunterdonprevention.com. Additional information can be found by visiting www.safecoalition.org and selecting the One Voice tab.

Hunterdon County has been overwhelmed by calls from individuals posing as employees of the Internal Revenue Service demanding payment for tax money owed, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, said.

FLEMINGTON - The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office has joined with local police, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell to track and investigate on-line and telephone crimes, also known as confidence schemes.

These crimes, also known as confidence schemes, are committed by contacting a person and making them believe the e-mail or caller is a representative of a bank, an online retail company or government agency, according to the prosecutor's office.

Hunterdon County has been overwhelmed by calls from individuals posing as employees of the Internal Revenue Service demanding payment for tax money owed, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, said. Similar scams are also taking place across Central Jersey.

These thieves demand payment through gift cards or wire transfers. Unfortunately, a number of residents have been taken advantage of by these criminals and lost significant sums of money, Kearns said.

"While the threat to our senior citizens is of great concern because of their vulnerabilities and trusting nature, it is important that all citizens remain alert to this type of criminal activity," Kearns said. "Through this partnership with the New Jersey State Police and the NJCCIC, we are hoping to bring awareness and eliminate this victimization."

Why are scammers telling victims to buy gift cards?

Many residents and businesses have fallen victim of confidence schemes that began through an e-mail, a phone call or when someone has visited a website.

Nearly all the confidence schemes revolve around the victim sending money, disclosing account information, or disclosing other personal information such as passwords.

The prosecutor's office says that unsolicited e-mails and phone call from those asking for money, credit cards information, Paypal, gift cards, wire transfers, social security, bank account or any account information are often a scheme to steal money, or identity in order to access accounts.

Following a few simple precautions, most people can avoid becoming a victim of a confidence scheme:

E-mail

Do not reply to or click on links included in the body of unsolicited e-mails.

Telephone calls

Do not engage in conversations with anyone you don't know; especially about money. Report the activity to authorities

Verify

If you are suspicious, contact the company or agency being represented by telephone using the official listing for their customer service.

Scare tactics

These are often used by thieves to demand money or personal information. These tactics can include telephone calls and e-mails in which the thieves threaten you with bad credit, criminal charges, arrest, or an audit from an alleged governmental agency. These are all scams meant to scare an unsuspecting person to rush and hastily fulfill a demand.

Be vigilant

"Citizens who receive suspicious calls or emails demanding money should contact their local police department and report the incident," Kearns said. "Local law enforcement officers will take the information and forward it to an intelligence database maintained by the New Jersey State Police and NJCCIC for further analysis. These reports will allow law enforcement to track the perpertrators and educate the public about new scams.

"Vigilance is important. In law enforcement, our best weapon against crime is an educated and knowledgeable public. We constantly remind people that if you see something, say something."

A link to New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell is on the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office website and on the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers website.

A re-opened Jersey Shore icon, a highly-touted BBQ joint, fine Italian comfort food in Montclair, and a Chinese-American fusion restaurant are some of the highlights of our 10 best New Jersey eateries for October

Welcome to NJ.com's monthly feature, "Where to eat now in N.J.," highlighting the most exciting restaurants of the moment, including places new to the scene and ones that have been here a while but are still firing on all burners. If you'd like to recommend a restaurant to be considered for a spot on a future "Where to eat now in N.J." list, let us know in the comments section below, or e-mail: bodkinwrites@gmail.com.

THREE IN ONE: Inman Avenue in Colonia, littered with fast food restaurants, pizzerias, and take-out joints, has never been known as a bastion for culinary excellence. Three in One changes all of that. The "wok, grill and bar" combines everything you love about a Chinese restaurant, and combines it with the menu and vibe of an all-American bar and grill. You can sit down and order wonton soup, dumplings, chicken chow mein, or General Tso's chicken while the person next to you chows down on a plate of wings, a burger with an egg and bacon on top, or seared Atlantic salmon. The menu sports a "Love of Bacon" section that includes bacon and egg-fried rice, butterfly shrimp with bacon and bacon-wrapped filet mignon on a stick. Speaking of "on a stick," there is a section of the menu dedicated to skewered dishes such as shrimp, steak and chicken kabobs. On Tuesday and Wednesday Three in One does a full Chinese take-out menu. 616 Inman Avenue, Colonia. 732-382-7868.

Giant Bavarian pretzels with mustard and liptauer, a seasoned cheese spread, at Pilsener Haus & Biergarten in Hoboken.Pilsener Haus & Biergarten 

PILSENER HAUS AND BIERGARTEN: You cannot talk about food in the month of October without bringing up Oktoberfest. The Pilsener Haus in Hoboken (the sister restaurant of the Asbury Festhalle) is celebrating its fifth Oktoberfest with a number of special events and a handcrafted menu (available until Oct. 23) by chef Martin Schaub. The menu includes roast suckling pig, Schweinsaxen (roasted pork shank for two), wurst salad made with bier sausage and Emmentaler cheese, and cream of cauliflower soup. You can also get your Bavarian on by chowing down on Mitteleuropean dishes off the everyday menu such as Hungarian beef goulash ($17), sauerbraten ($19), or smoked kielbasa ($11). For those looking to just hoist a stein and not take a chance on Austro-Hungarian fare, there's plenty of burgers, steaks and seafood as well. 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken. 201-683-5465.

THE LOVIN' OVEN: The Lovin' Oven is one of the "don't judge a book by its cover" restaurants. On its surface, the Oven seems like a quaint family-style restaurant that's simply meat and potatoes. But if you dive into the menu, you'll find outside-the-box thinking combined with down-home comfort food and mouthwatering desserts made on premises. Take breakfast for example -- you can get your classic pancakes ($11-$12), but you can also find New Orleans shrimp and grits ($12.50). Throughout the day you can find delectable dishes such as roasted spiced chickpea tacos ($13), a local cheese board ($15), eggplant caponata ($18), and, from the weekend farm-to-table menu, lobster pot pie ($28) or a fresh fig salad ($12). The menu here does change with the season, so keep checking for updates and tweaks. 62 Trenton Ave, Frenchtown. 908-996-7714.

RED, WHITE & QUE SMOKEHOUSE: Red, White, and Que Smokehouse has received a tremendous accolades in 2016. In May we named it one of the top 10 best barbecue houses in New Jersey, and last month the popular food/travel/drink website Thrillist, named Red, White, and Que the best barbecue joint in the entire state. Owned and operated by a former Marine, the restaurant prides itself on "represent[ing] a rebellious spirit while still holding fast to old school American traditions." The menu sports an array of succulent delights -- Carolina pulled pork ($5-$18), St. Louis-cut ribs ($8-$16) and the "BBQ Sundae" ($12), in which the meat of your choice is heaped atop baked beans and topped with coleslaw and pickles, all served in a Mason jar. 266 Davis Ave, Kearny. 201-998-2271.

ROMANO'S DISCO FRIES: Go to any event in New Jersey, and you're bound to find a food truck. The sheer number of trucks in this state is mind-boggling, but it's also pretty awesome. Why? Because it allows for trucks such as Romano's Disco Fries to exist. The truck's motto is "It's a Jersey Thing," and that couldn't be more accurate. Cheese and gravy-smothered French fries are inherently a Jersey thing, but the food truck offers intriguing variations, such as Buffalo chicken fries and meatball parm fries. The truck also serves corn fritters, nachos, pulled pork and fish tacos. 732-477-1564.

The mushroom stack at the newly relaunched Morris Tap & Grill in Randolph. Morris Tap & Grill 

MORRIS TAP AND GRILL: This month, chef Eric LeVine's Morris Tap and Grill relaunched the restaurant with the unveiling of a brand new bar area with 50 beers on tap. The relaunch also includes the rollout of a new street food-inspired menu, including a variety of mac and cheese bowls, sweet and spicy duck legs, pork sticks with ginger scallion glaze, soup buns, and cheddar beer dip with pretzel chips. Outside of the additions, the menu sports "rustic pizzettas" ($12-$14), an eclectic burger menu ($12.50-$17), and entrees such as chicken roulade ($18), lobster ravioli ($18), and BBQ ribs ($26). 500 State Route 10, Randolph. 973-891-1776.

SURF TACO: The mantra of "good food, good vibes, and good people" sojourns north, as the legendary Jersey Shore taco restaurant comes to Rutgers University. Surf Taco New Brunswick (the restaurant's first non-Shore location) opened in September at The Yard on College Avenue. The Yard is a sprawling residential and commercial space that also sports a 25,000-square-foot public green space that broadcasts Rutgers sports on a Jumbotron. Alumni will remember this location as the home of the Grease Trucks. You can find all the Surf Taco favorites, including the Buffalo Soldier (breaded chicken smothered in spicy Buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing) and the Aloha Wrap (teriyaki chicken, sesame seeds, pineapple, jack and cheddar). 97 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick. 732-214-0528.

NOCE 77 RISTORANTE: Montclair is an oasis of culinary excellence, with offerings that span the globe.Yet with all these choices, sometimes you really just want a great, classic red sauce dinner, the kind you could find at an Italian grandmother's house on a Sunday. Noce 77 is a purveyor of this type of classic Italian comfort food. But don't let the "classic" nature of their cuisine fool you -- everything prepared here is done at the absolute highest level. Highlights of the menu include  homemade meatballs over a creamy risotto ($13), house pappardelle with lamb Bolognese and melted goat cheese ($21), lobster ravioli with shrimp ($24), and capellini di mare with shrimp, mussels, calamari, and crabmeat ($24). 77 Walnut St, Montclair. 973-233-1019.

MCLOONE'S RUM RUNNER: For 25 years McLoone's Rum Runner was a landmark Jersey Shore establishment. It was a restaurant, a nightspot and a popular wedding venue. Sadly, during Hurricane Sandy the Rum Runner was severely damaged and forced to shut its doors for nearly four years. This summer, the Rum Runner made its glorious return to the Shore dining scene. From a visual standpoint, throw out everything you remember about the old restaurant, because what has been erected in its stead is one of the most impressive new restaurants in the region. The menu here is classic McLoone's -- small plates featuring crab cakes ($14.50) and fish tacos ($17) and large plates such as bronzed swordfish ($28), a flat iron steak ($27.50) and local sea scallops ($29.95). 816 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright. 732-842-2894.

RED STORE: The Red Store may look like a general store ripped from the pages of the history books, but it's actually a multi-faceted eatery owned and helmed by James Beard nominee Lucas Manteca. Manteca has taken notes from his South American heritage and fused it with the traditional style of American restaurant one could find in a shore town such as Cape May Point. His menu (which is updated seasonally) currently includes Barnegat scallops ($31), monkfish ($32), Green Goddess empanadas ($9), and fluke crudo ($16). There's also a brunch menu where you can grab the traditional omelette ($11-$18) or go for something more unusual, such as the Red Store pancake (crab, corn, roasted poblano pepper and feta cheese pancakes with arugula, creme fraiche and bacon, $15) 500 Cape May Point, Cape May Point. 609-884-5757.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.

A look at Week 5's complete coverage.

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A township man had two pipe bombs and hollow-point bullets in his home, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced Oct. 7, 2016.

CLINTON TWP. - A township man had two pipe bombs and hollow-point bullets in his home, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

Jeffrey Werch, 34, is facing a number of charges as a result and is being held in the Somerset County Jail on $50,000 bail pending a court appearance.

Township police officers and detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office had a search warrant for Werch's residence as part of an investigation. They arrived at his house at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

"During the search of the residence, officers located two pipe bombs and hollow-point bullets," Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, said. "A Trooper from the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad responded along with a bomb-detection K-9 to assist."

Werch was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, possession of an explosive device for an unlawful purpose, possession of hollow-point bullets and certain persons not to possess a weapon.

Werch was arrested in July 2006 in connection with a series of car break-ins in the Village Green neighborhood of The Hills in Bedminster, according to NJ Advance Media archives. He served six months in prison in 2009 after being found guilty of of a 2007 burglary.

Clinton Township police charged him with being in possession of a starter pistol in the glove box of a vehicle he was driving in 2007. He also faced a number of drug-related charges stemming from the stop. In 2015, he was stopped by township police again and charged with possession of prescription medications not prescribed to him and hypodermic needles.

His arrest on Tuesday was jointly announced by Kearns, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski and Clinton Township Police Lt. Doug Higgins.

Craig Turpin may be reached at cturpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @NJeditor. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A township man had two pipe bombs and hollow-point bullets in his home, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced Oct. 7, 2016.

CLINTON TWP. - A township man had two pipe bombs and hollow-point bullets in his home, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

Jeffrey Werch, 34, is facing a number of charges as a result and is being held in the Somerset County Jail on $50,000 bail pending a court appearance.

Township police officers and detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office had a search warrant for Werch's residence as part of an investigation. They arrived at his house at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

"During the search of the residence, officers located two pipe bombs and hollow-point bullets," Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, said. "A Trooper from the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad responded along with a bomb-detection K-9 to assist."

Werch was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, possession of an explosive device for an unlawful purpose, possession of hollow-point bullets and certain persons not to possess a weapon.

His arrest was jointly announced by Kearns, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski and Clinton Township Police Lt. Doug Higgins.

Craig Turpin may be reached at cturpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @NJeditor. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Seven groups opposing the proposed PennEast Pipeline are holding a protest walk along the Delaware-Raritan Canal on Oct. 8, 2016.

Seven groups opposing the proposed PennEast Pipeline are holding a protest walk along the Delaware-Raritan Canal on Saturday.

The walk begins at 10 a.m., with those taking part meeting at Riegelsville Borough Park, 402 Easton Road (Route 611), in Riegelsville, Pa. A shuttle will transport walkers to the beginning point down river between 8:30-10 a.m.

The 2-mile walk ends back at the park, where invited guests will speak at noon. The Lenape will present a special blessing of the river. Food and drink will be available for sale, as well as special commemorative water bottles.

The New Jersey Sierra Club will also be taking part.

N.J. Rate Counsel: PennEast fails to show pipeline needed

"We're coming together to join with friends and neighbors from both side of the river to stop this pipeline," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "PennEast pipeline is a threat to the Delaware Valley and our homes."

The walk is sponsored by The Sourlands Conservancy, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, PA Food and Water Watch, Berks Gas Truth, Pennsylvania Earth Guardians and Halt PennEast.

In addition to Tittel, other speakers include Maya van Rossum of Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Vince DiBianca of HALT PennEast, Peace Youth members, Susan Meacham of Holland Township (a member of HALT PennEast),  Michael Brogan of Rider University, Kaia Elinich of Bucks County County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and Earth Guardians, Caroline Katmann of the Sourland Conservancy, Mike Spille of The Cost of the Pipeline and HALT PennEast and Linda Christman of Save Carbon County.

Serious drought conditions and other extreme weather conditions this year have hurt many farmers and ranchers across New Jersey.

New Jersey farmers and ranchers have been hit with large crop losses and financial losses because of the extreme weather conditions this spring and summer, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare 11 counties as primary natural disaster areas.

The disaster declaration was triggered by "losses caused by the combined effects of freeze, excessive heat and drought that occurred from April 1, 2016, through Sept. 19, 2016," the agriculture department said in a statement released on Friday.

The 11 New Jersey counties named in the disaster declaration are Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Ocean, Salem, Somerset and Union.

Drought fears growing as N.J. stays dry

Farmers and ranchers in those counties -- as well as those in the neighboring counties of Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and Warren -- are eligible for low-interest emergency loans because of the declaration, the agriculture department said. 

Also qualifying for federal disaster assistance are farmers and ranchers in these nearby counties: Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, Richmond County in New York, and Kent and New Castle counties in Delaware.

The disaster declaration was welcome news to Peter Furey, executive director of the New Jersey Farm Bureau.

Furey said some farmers in the Garden State, particularly peach growers, were hit very hard by two nights of freezing temperatures in the early spring. 

"There were a handful that got completely wiped out," he said, adding that other peach growers lost a substantial chunk, but not all, of their peaches.

Other farmers lost crops from the excessive heat and dry weather conditions, Furey said.

The low-interest loans serve as a good "safety net for those who had a severe direct impact," he said.

"Our hearts go out to those New Jersey farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy by sustaining the successes of America's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times.

"We're also telling New Jersey producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood."

Expanded drought watch

The disaster declaration came just two days after the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection placed six more counties under a drought watch and said it might upgrade the current drought watch to a drought warning in 12 other counties.

Those actions were prompted by the large rainfall deficits, which reduced the amount of drinking water that's available in New Jersey, the DEP said.

Although reservoir storage levels usually go down in the early fall because of heavy water usage and normal summer weather patterns, the DEP noted that "major reservoir systems are below their normal levels for this time of year, and may need management of interconnections to balance storage if significant rainfall does not occur" by the time a public hearing is held on the proposed drought warning.

The drought hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Millburn Free Public Library, at 200 Glen Ave. The DEP is required to hold a public hearing before formally declaring a drought warning.

"The purpose of the hearing will be to gather information from the general public, water suppliers and other stakeholders on the current status of water supplies and to discuss steps that can be taken to mitigate water use and manage those supplies, while enhancing public awareness," the DEP said in a statement earlier this week.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two people posing as a couple who stole a $3,500 diamond engagement ring from a Bridge Street jeweler on Sunday.

LAMBERTVILLE - A reward from Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two people posing as a couple who reportedly stole a $3,500 diamond engagement ring from a Bridge Street jeweler on Sunday.

A reward is being offered for information on two people who reportedly stole a $3,500 diamond engagement ring from a Bridge Street jeweler on Sunday. (courtesy photo)

The city police department is continuing to investigate the theft, and has released an image taken from a security camera of the pair.

Police Director Bruce Cocuzza said Friday the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers organization has offered a $250 reward.

The couple entered Vecere Jeweler's on Sunday reportedly to shop for an engagement ring. The owner, who showed them several diamonds, briefly left them to assist another customer. During this time the woman placed a diamond ring worth $3,500 in her left coat pocket at that time, police said.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-321-0010, online at www.crimestoppershunterdon.com or by text messaging "HCTIPS" to 274637 (CRIMES).

Tipsters can also download the free mobile app "Tipsubmit" and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and confidential. Rewards may also be claimed anonymously.

Man allegedly bludgeoned his grandparents to death with a baseball bat.

SOMERVILLE -- Ezra Simon-Daniels, who has been charged with murder in the deaths of his grandparents, is undergoing a psychological evaluation, his attorney said Friday during an initial disposition conference in Somerset County Superior Court.

Daniels, 20, of Branchburg, allegedly bludgeoned his grandparents to death with an aluminum baseball bat on Feb. 13 while they were lying in bed. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Louis Simon, 78, and Beatrice Simon, 65, in the Branchburg home they shared with their grandson.

Hours following the alleged murders, Simon-Daniels was arrested after making a 911 call at approximately 5:57 a.m. from the parking lot of a Hunterdon County WalMart.

Readington Township police found Simon-Daniels in the driver's seat of a vehicle covered in blood. He was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, but no shoes, despite freezing temperatures, authorities said.

Simon-Daniels, who is being held on $2 million bail, appeared relaxed as he entered the courtroom handcuffed Friday and slumped down as he sat in the defendant's chair beside his attorney, Todd Hess. He looked into the gallery at his mother, Eva Simon, and smiled.

Assistant prosecutor Robert Hawkes told the court that the state has completed discovery, but is waiting to address the psychological issues surrounding the case. He said he hasn't offered Simon-Daniels a plea deal because he wants to get the results of further psychological examinations before making an offer.

8 major crimes in Somerset County

Hess said Dr. Howard Gilman, a Ridgewood-based psychiatrist, has examined Simon-Daniels once in the jail and wants to evaluate him again.

"Dr. Gilman is intrigued by the case and wants to see Ezra in the jail again," said Hess.

As State Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed and the attorneys discussed the next court date and the complexities of the case, Eva Simon became upset when Reed suggested a Dec. 9 hearing date in an effort to expedite moving the case forward.

"I think there's a lot more involved than just the time frame on the calendar," Eva Simon told Reed from the gallery. "You want us to talk about this at the dinner table on Thanksgiving minus a couple of people."

Simon, who was tearful while speaking to Reed, was referring to her parents and son.

Reed explained to Simon that he understood her pain, but he was keeping the Dec. 9 date. He set Dec. 31 as the final date for discovery and the psychological examinations of Simon-Daniels.

Eva Simon declined to speak to the media.

An elderly township woman was scammed out of nearly $38,000 by a person claiming she had won $1 million, police said on Oct. 7, 2016.

CLINTON TWP. - An elderly township woman was scammed out of nearly $38,000 by a person claiming she had won $1 million, police said Friday.

The 86-year-old woman told police on Tuesday that on March 24, a man identifying himself as Mike Stuart told her she had won the $1 million. Through Sept. 9, she continued to receive calls demanding money orders before she could receive her winnings, police said.

In all, she sent money orders totaling $37,296.50 sent to Stuart and others. She was not able to provide any phone numbers or other contact information for those who received the money orders, police said.

5 ways to avoid being the victim of a scam

The announcement about the scam comes on the same day the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced it has joined with local police, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell to track and investigate on-line and telephone crimes, also known as confidence schemes.

Thieves often demand payment through gift cards or wire transfers, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, said.

"While the threat to our senior citizens is of great concern because of their vulnerabilities and trusting nature, it is important that all citizens remain alert to this type of criminal activity," Kearns said. "Through this partnership with the New Jersey State Police and the NJCCIC, we are hoping to bring awareness and eliminate this victimization."

A Newark man has been indicted by a Hunterdon County Grand Jury after being arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a dump truck, trailer and Komatsu excavator.

FLEMINGTON - A Newark man has been indicted by a Hunterdon County Grand Jury after being arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a dump truck, trailer and Komatsu excavator.

The indictment was unsealed on Friday. According to the indictment, Deibi Ramos, 40, reportedly stole a Peterbilt 335 dump truck with a low body trailer carrying a Komatsu excavator from IEW Construction Group in Clinton Township.

He was indicted in July on second-degree theft and second-degree conspiracy. The theft took place on Nov. 21, 2015.

If convicted on both charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $300,000 fine.