One team falls out in the first regular-season edition of the Top 20

Two Frenchtown residents were arrested and charged with possession of heroin and hypodermic syringes following an investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Gangs, Guns, & Narcotics Task Force and Frenchtown police.

FLEMINGTON - A pair of Frenchtown residents were arrested and charged with possession of heroin and hypodermic syringes following an investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Gangs, Guns, & Narcotics Task Force and Frenchtown police.

Jacob Carom, 26, and Shayla Solarczyk, 22, both from Frenchtown, were arrested and charged on Dec. 15, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski and Frenchtown Borough Police Chief Al Kurylka jointly announced.

Carom was held in the Somerset County Jail on outstanding warrants while Solarczyk was released on her own recognizance.

Kearns said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force at 908-788-1129.

Two separate accidents in Clinton Township left three people with minor injuries, police said.

CLINTON TWP. - Two separate accidents left three people with minor injuries, police said.

A 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Donna Burdge, 59, of Readington Township, struck a 2006 Mazda Tribute driven by a 65-year-old township man on eastbound Route 22 near Main Street at approximately 5:35 p.m. on Monday, police said.

Both driver's complained of minor injuries and both vehicles had to be towed. Burdge was given a motor-vehicle summons for careless driving, police said.

A second accident happened at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday when a 67-year-old township resident lost control of his 2002 Ford Explorer while traveling north on Route 623 near Meadowview Drive, police said. He crossed the roadway, spun, struck a curb and overturned. He suffered minor injuries and the vehicle had to be towed. No summonses were issued.

The Hill & Dale Preserve just expanded to nearly 300 acres with the addition of another 100 acres of farmland on the south side of Hill & Dale Road.

TEWKSBURY TWP. - The Hill & Dale Preserve just expanded to nearly 300 acres with the addition of another 100 acres of farmland on the south side of Hill & Dale Road.

New Jersey Conservation Foundation purchased the land on Tuesday for $1.2 million, an amount covered entirely by gifts from private donors and a grant from Hunterdon County, according to a news release.

The 100 acres will be added to the existing Hill & Dale Preserve, which is managed for public recreation and enjoyment. A portion of the preserve will continue to be farmed and grazed. A new marked trail system is in the planning stage.

"We're excited to expand Hill & Dale Preserve, and we encourage the public to come out and enjoy this spectacular place," said Michele S. Byers, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. "We're extremely grateful to all of the donors and funders for making this happen."

In May, an additional 100 acres of the farm were permanently preserved thanks to a partnership between Hunterdon County, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the State Agriculture Development Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

A free public hike will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 8 to mark the latest parcel and introduce community members to the preserve. Registration for the hike can be done online.

Major funding for the land purchase was provided by the River Branch Foundation, whose trustee, Jennifer Johnson Duke, is a township native. Other funding came from Hunterdon County, Victoria Foundation, Tewksbury Land Trust, 1772 Foundation and numerous private donors.

"It is great to see the County Nonprofit Grant Program utilized to expand the Hill & Dale Preserve, especially due to the number of partners brought together to make the purchase happen," said Hunterdon County Freeholder Director Suzanne Lagay. "It is a fantastic public benefit to have this land preserved for all to enjoy."

Another 100 acres of landmark N.J. farm are preserved

Duke and her husband, Joseph, also provided support to preserve 50 acres of Hill & Dale in September 2014.

"We love the gorgeous views from the top of the Hill & Dale Preserve and want to make sure this vista stays unchanged for all to enjoy," said Duke. "We're thrilled that the community will have more land for hiking, riding horses, fishing and enjoying nature."

From Creek to Mountainside

The Hill & Dale Preserve was created in 2011 from 115 acres of the landmark Hill & Dale Farm and enlarged through subsequent land purchases. The preserve begins in the Rockaway Creek valley and climbs the steep Hell Mountain hillside.

The newly-preserved land includes two tributaries of the Rockaway Creek, a pristine trout production stream that flows into the Raritan River, a major water supply source for central New Jersey residents. The land adjoins hundreds of previously preserved acres, including Tewksbury Township's Hell Mountain Preserve, bringing the contiguously preserved land tally to nearly 900 acres.

Funding from the River Branch Foundation will cover more than 80 percent of the purchase price. New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the Tewksbury Land Trust each contributed $60,000 in grants from Hunterdon County, Victoria Foundation contributed $50,000, dozens of individual donors added another $56,000, and the 1772 Foundation gave $10,000.

"Victoria Foundation is delighted to partner with New Jersey Conservation Foundation in this successful effort to enlarge the Hill & Dale Preserve," said Irene Cooper-Basch, executive director of Victoria Foundation. "This multi-use preserve in the New Jersey Highlands is a wonderful community asset, providing outdoor recreation while supporting local agriculture."

For nearly a century, Hill & Dale Farm operated as a dairy and horse farm that grows its own hay, corn and grains. Its Dutch-style barns are an iconic sight along Rockaway Road. New Jersey Conservation Foundation began working in 2004 with the longtime owners, the Rothpletz family, to preserve the majority of its acreage. The acquisition of the 100-acre property is last of several purchases from the family.

"We are delighted to complete our plan for preserving much of Hill and Dale Farm," said Michael Rothpletz. "We are very fortunate to have worked with New Jersey Conservation Foundation on this effort. Their dedicated and extremely effective staff was a great pleasure to work with and really deserve all the credit for making it happen. We look forward to continuing to work with NJ Conservation Foundation as our neighbor and friend."

New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a private nonprofit that preserves land and natural resources throughout New Jersey. Since 1960, it has protected 125,000 acres of open space. For more information about the foundation, go to www.njconservation.org or call 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728).

Jason Kurtz was arrested twice in Bucks County, in Doylestown Borough and Buckingham.

A New Jersey man was sentenced to two to four years in prison in Pennsylvania this week for selling marijuana in Bucks County, Pa., the Bucks County Courier Times reported.

Jason L. Kurtz, 31, of Ringoes in East Amwell was sentenced Tuesday in Bucks County. He pleaded guilty in August to eight counts of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, the paper said.

Kurtz was arrested twice in Bucks County, first in April 2014 in Doylestown Borough and in October 2015 in Buckingham.

The 2014 arrest followed a yearlong undercover investigation in which police arranged to buy marijuana from Kurtz. The purchases took place in Doylestown Township, Doylestown Borough and New Hope and Kurtz collected $9,350 from the sales, the report said.

His second arrest occurred after he crashed his car in Buckingham, telling a police officer he swerved to avoid a herd of deer. An officer found near the crash six sizable bags of marijuana inside a trash bag belonging to Kurtz, the paper reported.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Katie M. Ternus, 35, of Lambertville, was one of two city residents charged with DUI between Dec. 18-19, 2016.

LAMBERTVILLE - A 35-year-old city resident who drove her vehicle into a parked car on Sunday was charged with DUI, police said. She was one of two city residents charged with DUI between Sunday and Monday.

Katie M. Ternus was arrested after Patrolman Jeffery Cooper responded to a report of an accident at 11 p.m. on Route 179 and North Union Street. Ternus had struck a parked car, police said.

Ternus, who was reportedly found to be under the influence of alcohol, was also charged with refusal to submit to chemical testing and issued motor-vehicle summonses for cell phone use and careless driving. She was released pending a court appearance, police said.

A second city resident, Luke P. Dumas, 20, was arrested at 1:48 a.m. Monday and charged with DUI and possession of marijuana.

Lt. Robert "Bob" Brown reported seeing Dumas driving erratically on Coryell Street. During a stop at Coryell and North Union streets, Brown found marijuana in Dumas' vehicle, police said. Brown said Dumas was also under the influence of alcohol.

Dumas was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drugs in a motor vehicle and DUI. He was released with a pending court date.

City police also reported that Alexander J. Gaudreau, 25, of Wrightstown, was arrested at 8:42 p.m. on Dec. 14 and charged with marijuana possession.

Patrolman Brian Pascoe stopped Gaudreau's vehicle on Route 29 at Weeden Street because it had a license plate light out and tinted windows, according to a report.

Gaudreau was found to be in possession of marijuana, a blue glass pipe with marijuana residue, a silver metal grinder and rolling papers, police said. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and given a motor-vehicle summons for maintenance of lamps. Gaudreau was released with a pending court date, police said.

In Readington Township, Cpl. Steven Rindock arrested Cyle T. Connors, 22, from Hampton, and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana during a motor-vehicle stop on Route 22 at 11:28 p.m. on Saturday, police said.

A marijuana cigarette and blunt wrappers were reportedly found inside the vehicle, police said. Connors was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, and issued a motor-vehicle summons for maintenance of lamps. He was released pending a hearing in municipal court.

A Lebanon Township man who plead guilty to possession of child pornography has been sentenced to 364 days in jail, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said.

FLEMINGTON - A Lebanon Township man who plead guilty to possession of child pornography has been sentenced to 364 days in jail, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said Thursday.

Ronald Yourth, 68, will also be on probation for five years and will serve his sentence in the Somerset County Jail. His sentence was handed down by state Superior Court Judge Angela F. Borkowski.

Yourth plead guilty to the third-degree crime on Oct. 21. As a condition of his probation, his computer and phone usage monitored by the Probation Division, Kearns said.

Yourth was arrested in April after a joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit and the Lebanon Township Police Department revealed he was in possession of child pornography, according to a news release.

If he violates the terms of his parole, Yourth will face up to five years in prison, Kearns said.

James W. Novack, 44, of Kingwood Township, was sentenced on Dec. 22, 2016, to 364 days in jail for aggravated assault.

FLEMINGTON - James W. Novack, 44, of Kingwood Township, who had plead guilty to aggravated assault, was sentenced to 364 days in jail by state Superior Court Judge Angela F. Borkowski, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III said Thursday.

Novack plead guilty to the third-degree crime, as well as harassment, a disorderly-person offense, on Oct. 21. He was also given four years of probation, Kearns said. He will serve his sentence in the Somerset County Jail.

Kearns said Novack is prohibited from contacting the victim and will be required to successfully complete anger management counseling. He will also be required to pay restitution to the victim. No details about the assault were available as of Thursday.

If Novack violates parole, he will face the maximum sentence of five years in prison, Kearns said.

Novack had previously been sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation for violating a restraining order, according to court records.

Delaware Valley High School's new digital Hall of Fame was unveiled to the public on Dec. 20, 2016.

ALEXANDRIA TWP. - Delaware Valley High School's new digital Hall of Fame was unveiled to the public Tuesday.

The brief ceremony took place near the Hutchins gym.

Honoring the school's athletic champions and academic standouts in recent decades, the virtual Hall of Fame can be viewed on any of three big-screen monitors at the school or via the Internet through the school website.

The new Hall of Fame resurrects both the athletic Hall of Champions and the Academic Hall of Fame, two in-school shrines to excellence that had been dismantled for logistical reasons.

It was announced at the ceremony by Principal Adrienne Olcott and Athletic director Bill Deniz that the digital Hall of Fame will eventually include two additional elements - a Performing Arts Hall of Fame, with honorees selected in a manner yet to be determined, and an Athletic Hall of Fame, whose inductees will be coaches and former teams and athletes chosen by a panel of current coaches.

Del Val High School crowns homecoming royalty

The Hall of Champions was established shortly after the 1979 expansion that included the new Hutchins gym. Situated in the new corridor beside the gym, it consisted of framed photos of individual champions and title-winning teams.

It was initiated by the Sports Booster Club and some coaches, led by assistant athletic director Tap Webb. Reaching back for old team photos, its earliest honorees were the girls who won the field hockey conference championship in 1972.

In 2015, block scheduling required the entire student body to eat lunch simultaneously. To make that possible, portable lunch tables are wheeled into the old gym each day, turning it into an auxiliary mess hall. When the tables are not in use, they are folded up and stored in the former Hall of Champions.

"No one liked this arrangement, including me," said Olcott, who is a former coach. "But there's nowhere else to put those tables - and soon there would've been no wall space for additional championship photos."

On the positive side, she said, the new Hall of Fame can be accessed from anywhere in the world that has Internet access. "So our far-flung alumni can revisit their high school triumphs, or impress their kids, by just pulling out their smartphones," she said.

The Academic Hall of Fame, dating back to 1990, was in the media center's entryway. It consisted of framed portraits of Del Val's straight-A students. Its first inductees were Shannon Brown, Melinda Payton-Lippincott, Laurie Turenne and Mark Topolewski.

The pictures were sometimes swept off their hooks by passing backpacks. Also, the gallery had overflowed the entryway into the library proper, where an unreceptive wall made it difficult to hang the photos securely.

Tired of picking Del Val's best brains up off the floor along with shards of broken glass, several years ago school personnel stacked the photos and put them away.

After the Hall of Champions was dismantled, Olcott and Deniz met with some of the most aggrieved fans of the Hall of Champions to seek a new way to honor the athletic stars of the past, present and future.

The panel included coaches Andy Fitz, Paul Petro Jr. and Jim Stryker, plus Don Hutchins, father of the late wrestling champ Daniel R. Hutchins, namesake of the new gym; and retired teacher, coach and assistant principal Lou DiLullo, who had been the painstaking curator of the Hall of Champions for many years - even to the point of making the picture frames and shooting and developing the photos.

The new virtual Hall of Fame is a product of the group's collaborative thought, realized with donations of $5,000 from DiLullo and $2,000 from the Class of 2016.

The money enabled the school to buy a 70-inch monitor that is near the main entrance, and two 55-inchers that are in the hallway that leads to the Hutchins gym. That corridor, which will be a new Hall of Champions, will also be a place to display some of the school's most-coveted plaques and trophies.

The work of digitizing and configuring the content was carried out by IT manager Matt Cirigliano and his colleague Paul Tomko, with a big scanning assist from teacher Carlos Webster.

After DiLullo retired in 2007, no one was keeping the Hall of Champions current until Deniz became athletic director in 2013. He has been photographing the conference champs ever since. In order to fill in the missing years, Deniz has been sifting through the unlabeled yearbook files, with coaches Bill Petty and Scott Cariddi helping him identify the photos needed for the new Athletic Hall of Fame.

Olcott praised the efforts of all involved, and noted that the Hall of Fame pictures are readily searchable by decade. When idling, the monitors present an inviting home page or photos of honorees or intriguing photo mosaics of the school, its seal and a corridor.

This article was written and submitted by Rick Epstein.

EAST AMWELL -- Luna is a 31/2-year-old black and white cat at Tabby's Place. Her original owners had her declawed and then abandoned her. Workers at Tabby's Place describe her as "quirky, smart and even a bit goofy." She is a social cat who likes being near people and who gets along well with other cats. She has been spayed...

Luna 

EAST AMWELL -- Luna is a 31/2-year-old black and white cat at Tabby's Place.

Her original owners had her declawed and then abandoned her.

Workers at Tabby's Place describe her as "quirky, smart and even a bit goofy." She is a social cat who likes being near people and who gets along well with other cats.

She has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots.

To meet Luna and more than 100 other adoptable cats in their cage-free sanctuary, visit Tabby's Place at 1100 Route 202, Ringoes, East Amwell Township. The shelter is open daily from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 908-237-5300 or go to tabbysplace.org.

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.

 

The following deeds have been recorded in the Hunterdon County Hall of Records in Books 2392 and 2393 through Dec. 23, 2016: Alexandria Township Robert C. Runge and Linda Runge, as to one-half interest, to Charles F. Runge and Rose I. Runge, as to one-half interest, property at 6 Creek Road, for $390,000. Bethlehem Township Rainbow Associates, L.L.C., to...

The following deeds have been recorded in the Hunterdon County Hall of Records in Books 2392 and 2393 through Dec. 23, 2016:

Alexandria Township

Robert C. Runge and Linda Runge, as to one-half interest, to Charles F. Runge and Rose I. Runge, as to one-half interest, property at 6 Creek Road, for $390,000.

Bethlehem Township

Rainbow Associates, L.L.C., to Anthony Carrone and Michele Carrone, property at 9 Hawk Ridge Road, for $400,000.

Clinton

Chris Mazzei Builders Group, LLC, to Sean E. Gallagher and Bryanna M. Durant, property at 160 Leigh St., for $251,500.

Clinton Township

Trent R. Aurand and Lisa Ann Aurand to William X. Linney III and Kristy L. Linney, property at 17 Berkshire Court, for $700,000.

Thomas J. Bennett and Kristin E. Bennett to Trent R. Aurand and Lisa A. Aurand, property at 14 Pine Place, for $925,000.

John S. Dady and Susan D. Whelan to Karen A. Patrick, property at 19 Inverarry Place, for $265,000.

Sarah Meller to Meryl A. Grieg, property at 14 Royce Brook Court, for $333,000.

Melissa A. Graham to Thomas Bennett and Kristin E. Bennett, property at 1 LaCosta Drive, for $445,000.

Leighann Farrar to Nicholas R. Finamore and Marie E. Finamore, property at 4 Sawgrass Way, for $363,000.

David V. Greaves to Aureo Pena, Jennier Pena and Alexis Pena, property at 160 Lambertville Headquarters Road, for $550,000.

Delaware Township

Theodore Porczynski and Traci Porczynski to Hidden Valley Nursery, Inc., property at 8 Federal Twist Road, for $175,000.

East Amwell

Adam Lucarini and Joseph Lucarini to Luke Kiensicki and Colleen Kiensicki, property at 57 John Ringo Road, for $314,000.

Flemington

Scott Miesbauer to Christopher Smego and Andrea Smego, property at 10 New Jersey Ave., for $320,000.

William M. Reed and Judith O. Reed to Gregg E. Williford and Jennifer L. Williford, property at 41 Pennsylvania Ave., for $400,000.

Lawrence E. Lambelet Jr. and Rosemary T. Lambelet to Anthony Rose and Angelina Rose, property at 2 Stout Court, for $425,000.

Franklin Township

Margaret E. Shepperd and Gary J. Shepperd, executor of the last will and testament of Kenneth R. Shepperd, to Richard E. Frondorf III and Shana B. Frondorf, property at 148 Sidney Road, for $219,000.

Frenchtown

Annette P. Polcaro to Lynn M. Altmaier and John F. Altmaier, property 36 Seventh St., for $285,000.

Glen Gardner

Ellgy David Heaven and Ilma Zeli Heaven to Brian Schroeder and Sheryl Schroeder, property at 136 Hockenbury Drive, for $330,000.

John C. Cookson and Erin E. Cookson to Nicholas Sperling, property at 137 Hockenbury Drive, for $335,000.

Hampton

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, an officer of the U.S., to Antionette Della Fera, property at 21 E. Grand St., for $40,100.

High Bridge

Leslie E. Wade and Beth Wade to Sebastian Michael DePietro and Kerrie E. DePietro, property at 8 Jane Lane, for $310,000.

Holland Township

Linda J. Kopaciewicz, as executrix of the estate of William Kopaciewicz, to Micahel L. Oudersluys and Sara Knies, property at 546 Ellis Road, for $210,000.

Lambertville

Michael Strober to Tamar Holdings, LLC, property at 16-18 So. Franklin St., for $400,000.

Donald P. Schroeder and Patricia E. Ivey to James Gater and Kathleen Gater, property at 4 Raritan Pointe, for $319,900.

Matthew Larkin and Douglas Graiver to Michael E. Zareva and Julie M. Hennagin, property at 57 So. Union St., for $582,500.

Cecilia Kristin Rue, Albert Dean Dedmon and Robert E. Rue, executor of the estate of Annette Rue, deceased, to Alan Lavery Jr. and Laura Lea Lavery, property at 15 Perry Road, for $250,000.

Robin R. Bengochea to Ready Cash Holdings LLC, property at 66 Elm St., for $280,000.

Lebanon Township

Colleen M. Hahn and Michael J. Hahn to John Kranyak and Tanina Kranyak, property at 175 Mount Grove Road, for $425,000.

Kirk G. Willett and J. Chandler Willett to Melissa Markey, property at 14 Country Woods Drive, for $640,000.

Georgia Cudina to Jeffrey B. Lanka, property at 2 Oak Hill Trail, for $590,000.

Dana Weiss to Joelle Defreitas, property at 3 Heather Hill Road, for $337,500.

Milford

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to PS3, LLC, property at 132 Hillcrest Dr., for $152,000.

Raritan Township

Steven D. Hernandez and Patricia S. Hernandez to Robert George Downie and Cristy Marie Downie, property at 1 Riversedge Drive, for $675,000.

Jennifer Morris to Frank Michael Garritano, property at 32 Worthington Terr., for $329,900.

Daniel Shainheit and Donnamarie Brennan-Shainheit to Christopher Bisignano and Valerie Bisignano, property at 4 Savannah Court, for $639,000.

Stonegate Developers, Inc. to Kevin N. Muldowney, property at 807 Reed Court, for $130,000.

Readington Township

Hans Henry and Callahan, LLC to Cardoodle, LLC, property at 217-218 Halls Mill Road, for $827,500.

Mary P. DeMatteo to James Evans and Nicole A. Evans, property at 82 Pleasant Run, for $315,000.

Jess W. Gardner, an incapacitated adult, by Jesse Gardner, Jr., court-appointed guardian, to C. Scott Sekel, property at 484 Route 22, for $145,000.

Gregg  E. Williford and Jennifer L. Williford, property at 279 Mountain Road, for $325,000.

Alex Campbell and Andrea Campbell to Qayyim Said and Sophia Said,  property at 229 Johnson Road, for $579,000.

Brett Palmer and Stephanie Palmer to Brian Zimliki and Tara Zimliki, property at 11 Isaac Graham Road, for $675,000.

Union Township

Fannie Mae to Jed Passafaro and Carrie Passafaro, property at 10 Overlook Drive, for $112,000.

M&T Bank to Juan Carlos Santiago and Nefferty Marisol Santiago, property at 1 Stirling Place, for $580,000.

West Amwell

Edward D. Moran and Mimin Sumiati-Moran to Paul Masaba and Esther Munene, property at 27 Music Mountain Blvd., for $580,000.

Mark Tomasello and Beth Tomasello to Vincent Marino and Michael Rampel, property at 530 Brunswick Pike, for $237,000.

As they have been doing for the past four years, State Police troopers from the Kingwood Barracks have pitched in several hundred dollars to buy gifts for a special-education student at Delaware Valley Regional High School.

FRENCHTOWN - As they have been doing for the past four years, State Police troopers from the Kingwood Barracks have pitched in several hundred dollars to buy Christmas gifts for a special-education student at Delaware Valley Regional High School.

State Police Trooper Mike Guenther, who graduated from the school in 2006, and his father, Frank Guenther, the school's director of special services and the child study team, came up with the idea. Mike Guenther is also the school's resource officer.

"Our job is to help people," Mike Guenther said, "and not just in emergencies. For the troopers and for police in general, we enjoy helping people."

The special education staff works with Frank Guenther to select a deserving student, while Mike Guenther collects money from his fellow troopers at the Kingwood station.

This year the trooper's purchases included binoculars for birdwatching, a yoga ball, a soccer ball, writing supplies, coloring books and Crayola markers, plus plenty of toys, including cars and Legos. A ShopRite gift card was included.

The gifts were a complete surprise for Jason Wrede, who was ecstatic.

Jason Wrede, along with his mother and sister, received the gifts on Thursday. Also there were Frank Guenther, Mike Guenther, Principal Adrienne Olcott, a few staff members and Lt. Roger Malone, commander of the Kingwood station who drove in from Hudson County on his day off.

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

For New Hope, Pa., sisters Maddie and Kiki Mauer, ages 14 and 12, raising funds to build a school in rural Guatemala represents the continuation of a family tradition.

NEW HOPE -- For sisters Maddie and Kiki Mauer, ages 14 and 12, raising funds to build a school in rural Guatemala represents the continuation of a family tradition.

Their mother, Jennifer Mauer, and grandmother, Ann Fron, traveled to Guatemala back in 2007 after working with the nonprofit group Miracles in Action to open School #12 in the village of La Pedrera, located in a remote mountainous region.

Now the girls, who live in New Hope and attend the private Hun School in Princeton, are raising money on behalf of Miracles in Action to build School #55 in Sacapulas, located in another rural, mountainous section of Guatemala.

"I've seen how education is the surest way out of poverty," Maddie said in a telephone interview, explaining her motivation in pursuing the project. "I'm really blessed to have a great education and I want other kids to have it.'

Kiki added, "I too believe in education," lauding Miracles founder Penny Rambacher for "doing a great job.

"I can't wait to get to Guatemala," Kiki said.

Although the girls have not yet been in Guatemala, they will be traveling there over the coming spring break to meet with people in the Sacapulas area and see how the project is going.

For now, the family is accepting donations through the Miracles in Action website and also has a Facebook page, Mauer School Project: Guatemala.

Rembacher, the founder and leader of Miracles in Action, first visited Guatemala when she was working as a flight attendant and wound up starting the organization after she saw "how poor the people were there," Kiki said.

The fundraising goal for the school project is $20,000. The girls say they have raised about half of that and are hoping to reach their goal by June 30, 2017.

The girls have actually been working on behalf of schools for Guatemala since they were 5 and 3, when they collected seashells and sold them so that students at School #12 could have stuffed animals and backpacks along with school supplies.

"Now we're doing something bigger," Maddie said.

The girls have been involved in a number of fundraising efforts. Last weekend, they set up a booth at the Stockton Market where they sold beads and other jewelry items created by people in Guatemala.

"We were blown away by all the people being there to help our cause," Maddie said.

Their mother, Jennifer, explained that in impoverished Guatemala, the government does not always operate schools in the remote mountains areas, often populated by indigenous people descended from the Mayans.

However, if the local people can find a way to build a school, Jennifer Mauer said, the government will provide teachers.

Jennifer Mauer said that from these impoverished areas, the young men often leave for urban areas and the U.S. and send money back to their relatives.

However, the young women, if they can get an education, stick around to become teachers, she said.

In the case of School #12, she said, there was no school in the area, while School #55 will be a four-classroom structure that will replace a one-room schoolhouse.

The elementary school will run through the equivalent of sixth grade and after that, the students must leave for other areas if they want to continue their education.

The Guatemalans "are beautiful people, kind and grateful," Jennifer Mauer said. "This isn't something they take lightly or take for granted."

No one was injured in the crash

BETHLEHEM-- No one was injured when a vehicle struck and killed a bear on I-78 Sunday night, State Police said.

A silver SUV traveling in the westbound right lane hit the animal around 8:45 p.m. The collision is believed to have sent the SUV into the center lane, where it struck another vehicle and set off a chain-reaction collision, Trooper Lawrence Peele said. As many as five vehicles may have been involved in the accident, which was still under investigation as of 10 p.m., Peele also said.

Two lanes were briefly closed in the wake of the accident but had been reopened within about an hour.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Dogs and cats throughout New Jersey await adoption.

Here is this week's collection of some of the dogs and cats in need of adoption in northern and central New Jersey.

If a nonprofit rescue group or animal shelter in any of the following counties wishes to participate in this weekly gallery on nj.com, please contact Greg Hatala at ghatala@starledger.com or call 973-836-4922:

* Bergen County

* Burlington County

* Essex County

* Hudson County

* Hunterdon County

* Mercer County

* Middlesex County

* Monmouth County

* Morris County

* Ocean County

* Passaic County

* Somerset County

* Sussex County

* Union County

* Warren County

More pets in need of adoption can be seen here and here.

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

Jamie M. Lepoidevin, 38, of Piscataway, has been named the Fugitive of the Week by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office.

FLEMINGTON - Jamie M. Lepoidevin, 38, of Piscataway, has been named the Fugitive of the Week by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office.

Jamie Lepoidevin

She was charged with theft in Hunterdon County, and an arrest warrant was issued on April 15. She is 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 195 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 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 your tip.

Scroll through the gallery to view 30 people wanted by agencies throughout the state on the most serious criminal charges.

NEWARK -- More than two years after authorities named Lamont Stephenson in his fiancee's killing, police still don't know where he is.

Olga Dejesus, 40, was found dead on Oct. 17, 2014, in her apartment in Newark's North Ward. Her cause of death was ruled as asphyxiation.

Two weeks later, the Essex County law enforcement officials obtained a warrant for Stephenson's arrest on a homicide charge.

But as 2016 winds to a close, Stephenson is one of hundreds of people still wanted by local, state and federal authorities throughout New Jersey in connection with crimes ranging from drug possession to homicide.

In some cases, the defendants were arrested, charged and released, and failed to appear for future court dates. In other cases, like Stephenson's, arrest warrants were obtained but never successfully served.

Cumberland County seeks most wanted fugitives

In some cases, authorities have posted cash rewards for information leading to arrests and/or convictions.

Walter Yovany Gomez has been a wanted man since Sept. 19, 2013 -- the day a federal grand jury indicted him and 13 of his alleged fellow gang members on murder and racketeering charges.

Authorities say Yovany Gomez, an alleged member of Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, was one of two men responsible for a May 8, 2011 killing in Plainfield of a man they believed to be a rival gang member.

This summer, the FBI's Newark Division announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Scroll through the gallery to view 30 people wanted by agencies throughout the state on the most serious criminal charges. This is only a sample hundreds of people wanted by law enforcement throughout the state.

John Amos, who bought the home in 1990, lives in Baja California but took part in anti anti-violence march with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka last year

John Amos, the Newark and East Orange native who rose to fame in "Roots" and "Good Times," is selling his longtime Tewksbury Township home on four wooded acres for $429,900, the Trulia listing shows. 

Amos, who bought the home in 1990, now lives in Baja California, according to his Facebook page. The brick and cedar shake home, built in 1968 and with few apparent updates, is being marketed "as is." It has four bedrooms, three full baths, and a half bath in the basement. Property taxes are $9,770.

Amos still maintains ties to the area, joining Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in an anti-violence march last year. The actor, who appeared in the Netflix comedy "The Ranch" last year and has toured with his one-man show "Halley's Comet," is best known for playing the adult Kunta Kinte in "Roots," Gordy on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and James Evans, Sr., the patriarch of Norman Lear's "Good Times."

Even though Evans was unceremoniously killed off from "Good Times" after its third season (and even though Esther Rolle, who plays his wife Florida, died in 1998), Amos joined his fellow cast members in trying to fund a reunion movie on Kickstarter earlier this year. It fell very short of its goal. 

Check out more celebrity real estate deals in New Jersey here. 

Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out Remote Possibilities, the TV podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or Spreaker, or listen below or here.

Some parts of New England, particularly Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, could get pounded with as much as 12 to 18 inches of snow from this storm, which will bring blizzard conditions to some of those areas. Watch video

If you have to drive in northern New Jersey Thursday morning, you might want to give yourself some extra time. Light snow is expected to start falling around daybreak, and it could accumulate to 1 to 2 inches in parts of Sussex, Morris, Warren, Somerset, Hunterdon and Passaic counties before the snow changes to rain by the early afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Drivers traveling in central and southern New Jersey will likely see some light snow early Thursday morning, but it should change to rain within an hour or two as temperatures rise into the mid-30s to low 40s, said Dean Iovino, a meteorologist at the weather service's regional forecast office in Mount Holly.

Most of the precipitation should be over before the evening rush hour, but there could be scattered snow showers in parts of the state Thursday night as temperatures fall below the freezing mark, Iovino said. 

This forecast map from the National Weather Service, updated at 3:05 p.m. on Wednesday, shows slightly lower snowfall projections than were previously predicted. (National Weather Service) 

Additional snow showers are likely to develop across the state on Friday, "but they won't be widespread, they'll be hit or miss," Iovino said.

No winter weather advisories or storm watches are currently in effect for New Jersey, but the weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties, as well as several counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, saying "periods of snow Thursday may make travel hazardous at times during the morning."

"The best chance for daytime accumulations of 1 to 3 inches is over the high terrain from near Reading northeastward to northwestern New Jersey, north of Interstate 78," the outlook says. "Snow may change to rain there late morning or during midday." 

National Weather Service 

Big snowstorm further north

Thursday's precipitation is tied to a low-pressure system that will be developing along a cold front that's moving into our region from the west. As the system moves off the New Jersey coast, it is expected to rapidly intensify into a major snowstorm over New England and southeastern Canada late Thursday night into Friday, the weather service said.

Some parts of New England, particularly Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, could get pounded with as much as 12 to 18 inches of snow from this storm, which will bring blizzard conditions to some of those areas, according to AccuWeather.

"Some of the mountains of New Hampshire could receive two feet of snow or more," said Henry Margusity, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. "This storm will be a skier's dream for northern New England."

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

As we conclude another year of posting our "Vintage New Jersey" photo gallery, we humbly present what we think were the "best of the best" from 2016. This year, we posted 51 galleries and shared photos from all areas of the Garden State. We covered topics such as holidays, shops and favorite spots, seasonal snapshots and "things we survived"...

As we conclude another year of posting our "Vintage New Jersey" photo gallery, we humbly present what we think were the "best of the best" from 2016.

This year, we posted 51 galleries and shared photos from all areas of the Garden State. We covered topics such as holidays, shops and favorite spots, seasonal snapshots and "things we survived" We also introduced new concepts, including classic New Jersey music venues and "This month in N.J. history."

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

But even though we call this collection "our favorite photos," our absolute favorites are the ones our readers share.

If you're a regular reader, you know the topics we cover, from all four seasons and all corners of the state. Send in your snapshots (scanned as .jpg files) to the email address shown below, and we'll do everything we can to get them into a future gallery. Photos must have been taken in New Jersey at least 30 years old to be considered.

So here's a farewell to 2016 through vintage photos; help us get 2017 off to a great start with your own submissions of vintage photos.

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