The County Economic Development Plan will replicate Raritan Township's sprawl all across Hunterdon County.

To the editor:

The following is an open letter to Sue Dziamara, Hunterdon County Planning Board director:

Which Hunterdon County towns will stand up and say they want to look like Raritan Township?

At a public input meeting of the Hunterdon County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee on Jan. 19, 2016, I made the comment that CEDS - the County Economic Development Plan - was created to give politicians and developers phony justification for development projects and Raritan-style sprawl, and that it would be falsely cited as "what the towns and the people want."

I criticized the freeholders and your planning board for permitting special interests to produce the CEDS plan without real input from municipalities and the public.

After more public comments, the Open Space Committee decided to remove all references of CEDS from the Open Space Plan. You categorically responded that the CEDS plan was far from complete and that there was more work and public input to come before CEDS was finalized.

Vote extends redevelopment designation

Turns out that was not true at all. It's embarrassing and shocking how the Hunterdon County Freeholders and your planning board created a CEDS plan for the benefit of special interests - a plan designed to impose a "vision" of sprawl that would be presented as "the will of the people."

The truth is, there were only a few token municipal officials involved in developing CEDS. The rest were business and special interests, including Jack Cust, Jr., who stand to profit from a phony planning document about "what the people want."

The county planning board tried to circumvent municipal input once before, on the State Cross Acceptance Plan a decade ago. But seven towns in the Route 31 and Route 78 corridor revolted and cooperated to produce a legitimate bottom-up plan with integrity. Now, you've succeeded in producing the CEDS plan without even a rubber stamp from the municipalities.

Look around at Raritan Township and Flemington and at the plans Cust is getting approved for massive, unjustified and unnecessary development. Raritan is the embarrassment of Hunterdon - wall to wall strip malls, congestion, over-development and sprawl. Residents have deservedly made it the butt of jokes. Which of our towns actually participated in the CEDS plan and agreed to look like Raritan Township?

Your phony CEDS plan is now being used by developers and the freeholders to shove unwanted, imprudent projects into all our towns - without our involvement, input, or approval.

Developers and the freeholders will point to CEDS and claim, "This is what the public said it wants - we had public input!" But the truth is, the CEDS plan was created without the proper participation of all 26 Hunterdon municipalities and the public. It's a fraud.

It now seems CEDS was rushed through to benefit one developer, Jack Cust, Jr. CEDS is a shameful and a perfect example of institutionalized corruption and county planning board misfeasance. Your office has produced a plan to replicate Raritan's sprawl all across Hunterdon County.

Nick Corcodilos

Clinton Township

The writer is a former township mayor.

Clinton Township police responded to two separate accidents in December 2016 that left one person injured.

CLINTON TWP. - Township police responded to two separate accidents that left one person injured.

A 57-year-old Bethlehem, Pa., woman was injured when her 2004 Mercury Sable struck a deer standing on Route 31 north near Payne Road at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 21, police said.

The woman was taken to Hunterdon Medical Center for treatment of apparent minor injuries, and the vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

On Dec. 23 at approximately 3:35 p.m. a 2014 Nissan Verlander driven by a 48-year-old Flemington resident, was struck from behind by a 2010 Toyota Camry driven by a 59-year-old from Flemington, police said.

The Nissan had been stopped at a stop sign on Center Street at the intersection with Route 31 south. The driver of the Camry complained of apparent minor injuries, and both vehicles were eventually towed from the scene. No summonses were issued.

Rita M. Desanto, 66, of Clifton Park, N.Y., has been indicted on one count of third-degree theft by receiving stolen property by a Hunterdon County grand jury.

FLEMINGTON - Rita M. Desanto, 66, of Clifton Park, N.Y., has been indicted on one count of third-degree theft by receiving stolen property by a Hunterdon County grand jury.

The indictment against Desanto was unsealed on Dec. 22.

Desanto, who was staying at the Hampton Inn on Royal Road in Raritan Township, called police at 5:50 a.m. on Oct. 31 and said items had been stolen from the 2015 Freightliner Sprinter van she was using. The items were found still inside the van, which had been reported stolen from a Ryder Truck Rental in Massachusetts.

Desanto apparently rented the vehicle, but failed to return it, Raritan Township police said at the time.

Through Unity Bank's Employee Volunteer Program, 40 employees provided more than 220 hours of volunteer help to America's Grow-A-Row and NORWESCAP through the end of 2016.

CLINTON - Through Unity Bank's Employee Volunteer Program, 40 employees provided more than 220 hours of volunteer help to America's Grow-A-Row and NORWESCAP through the end of 2016.

The program is meant to build on the bank's community outreach efforts and give employees to work with the bank's non-profit partners.

"We launched the employee volunteer initiative to strengthen our community outreach efforts because community involvement is a key part of our mission," said Unity Bank President and Chief Executive Officer James A. Hughes. "This effort has also provided an unanticipated benefit for employees - allowing our staff to work together and to get to know each other outside the bank. There is no corporate hierarchy when it comes to hands-on volunteer activities like picking corn and fresh produce for food banks.

"The volunteer program enables employees from different departments, branches and levels of seniority to share experiences and interact on a deeper level, resulting in stronger relationships."

America's Grow-a-Row, based in Pittstown and Milford, is a non-profit organization that grows fresh fruits and vegetables, donating its harvests to those facing hunger throughout New Jersey.

WATCH: Gary Busey impersonates Unity Bank CEO

Every month during growing and picking season, Unity Bank sends out a team of employees to Grow-a-Row's farms. Unity also sponsored Grow-a-Row's fourth annual Farm to Fork fundraiser and received the organization's 2016 Growing with You Rookie of the Year Award.

NORWESCAP is a non-profit organization providing a wide range of services for those in need in Hunterdon and Warren counties. Unity Bank volunteers provide monthly administrative and organizational support for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Cancer Education and Early Detection, a screening and education program designed for those underinsured or uninsured.

Unity also sponsors NORWESCAP's annual Transitions 5K Walk/Run and the organization's Celebration Brunch fundraiser.

"Many employees let us know that they wanted to volunteer, but found it hard to find the time after work or on weekends so we have given them the opportunity to step away from their desks once a month and contribute during work hours," said Hughes. "The feedback from employees on the volunteer initiative has been very positive. It's been a fun and rewarding program."

The new year brings a new installment of our monthly series, "This Month in New Jersey History." This gallery, which supplements our Glimpse of History feature as well as our regular vintage photo galleries, offers a snapshot of significant events and important people in Garden State history. New Jersey is among the select few states that have noteworthy historical...

The new year brings a new installment of our monthly series, "This Month in New Jersey History."

This gallery, which supplements our Glimpse of History feature as well as our regular vintage photo galleries, offers a snapshot of significant events and important people in Garden State history.

New Jersey is among the select few states that have noteworthy historical events dating back almost 400 years. But history doesn't necessarily have to mean "long ago;" many important events have taken place in the Garden State in recent times as well.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

If there are dates you don't see on our timeline but believe should be remembered, let us know in the comments section.

And, be sure to enable captions for the gallery so you can read all the information associated with each day in New Jersey history.

Here are links to previous "This month in N.J. history" galleries:

December          November          October

September          August              July

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

A Hunterdon County grand jury indicted two men on gun possession charges.

FLEMINGTON - A Hunterdon County grand jury indicted two men on gun possession charges.

One, Matthew M. Gray, 34, of Willards, Maryland, was indicted on second-degree certain persons not to have weapons, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun and third-degree possession of drugs.

The indictment, handed down on Dec. 22, stems from an Aug. 30 traffic stop in Readington Township.

The second man, Chad M. Wood, 26, whose last known address is Rieglesville, Pa., was indicted on second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree burglary and third-degree theft. According to that indictment, Wood allegedly broke into a Mt. Joy Road residence in Holland Township on July 22 and stole a 9mm Glock handgun with three full boxes of ammunition.

Gray was stopped on Route 22 at 1:08 a.m. because the Civic he was driving was seen weaving, it was previously reported. Gray appeared to be under the influence, and there were signs of drug use inside the vehicle, police said.

A search of the Civic turned up several capsules believed to contain heroin, numerous hypodermic syringes and marijuana, police reported. Police also found handgun packaged along with ammunition inside the vehicle's spare tire compartment, hidden behind the tire, police said.

If convicted of all charges, both men face up to 25 years in state prison and $315,000 in fines.

Winter is the perfect time for comfort food, like soup.

By Al Warr

The shortest day of the year is behind us. The dreamy days of autumn slipped into winter unnoticed as we concerned ourselves with holiday activities.

Ahead we face snow and ice. Just the thought of the coming cold and windy days of January and February sends shivers down my spine.

It's time for comfort food. And nothing warms me like a big bowl of hot soup. Steamy tomato. Earthy onion. Mysterious mushroom. Tasty chicken. All with hot cornbread.

***

"We make more than 30 different soups," said Rich Goldstein. "Two are made fresh every day."

Rich and Susan Goldstein operate the Lebanon Boro General Store. It's located at 83 Main St. and it is open every day for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Soups here include carrot-cauliflower, cream of chicken, celery, split pea with ham, sausage and kale, sauerkraut and kielbasa, plus all the others. You get the idea.

Weekday breakfasts begin at 6 a.m. Weekends at 7.

"Eggs benedict with smoked salmon are popular," said Goldstein. "Along with huevos rancheros and stuffed French toast."

This is a busy destination. For lunch you can choose from the sandwich menu or opt for the quiche of the day. And, of course, soup.

Gigantic corn or blueberry muffins can make a quick meal if you're on the go. Or sit at the counter or a table and enjoy a brownie or a raspberry crunch square.

Lunches and meetings are catered to businesses and corporate offices. And individual orders can be called in for delivery locally.

For more information call 908-287-2835. Visit LebanonBoroGeneralStore.com which takes you to the Facebook page with pictures and reviews. Also on Instagram.

***

Teaberry's Tea Room in Flemington is famous. Go here for a full lunch or stop in later for afternoon tea. Either way, you can enjoy one of the soups available here.

"Our soups include lobster bisque, Hungarian mushroom, asparagus potato leek, smoked cheddar shrimp corn chowder, wild mushroom, cheddar bacon baked potato, and others," said Sara Peterson. "All these are served with homemade crackers."

Call ahead for availability of your favorite, or be surprised when you are served.

Salads and sandwiches fill a revolving weekly menu according to Peterson. The winter selection includes a warm ham sandwich with cranberry-applesauce. Top it off with the sticky toffee pudding-date cake with caramel sauce and gelato.

"We offer 120 types of loose tea," said Sara Peterson. Hot teas are served in half pots or full pots. Or choose iced tea, lemonade, coffee or hot chocolate.

Browse the delightful shop located behind the main house. The carriage house is filled with everything tea - and more.

For more information, call 908-788-1010 or visit Teaberrys.com and on Facebook. Teaberry's occupies the Federal style colonial house at 2 Main St. Closed Mondays.

***

The Highland Gourmet Market is a big place located at 343 Route 519 outside Stockton. It is operated by Ben and Denise Avila who raise 100-percent all natural grass fed beef.

"We have homemade soups," said Denise. "These include cream of potato along with bean, chicken and others." Breakfast sandwiches are a specialty.

You'll also find homemade chili here, made with their own beef. Hot dishes are prepared to take home - these include shepherd's pies, chicken pot pies, meatloaf, brisket, pork tenderloins and pork chops.

This market includes a full service deli. Other items are some local cheeses, olive oils, honey, roasted local coffees, meats, wines, and all that take-out.

"Our wines are hand-picked," Denise said. "They include selections from Portugal, Italy and this country." No New Jersey wines, however.

Highland Market is closed Mondays. You'll also find the Highland Market products at the year-round Stockton Farm Market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For more information, call 908 996-3362 or visit HighlandMarket.com.

***

The annual Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival is set for Jan. 21-29. It's nine days of festive activities that are spread across the two towns.

"This year they decided to do soups," said Tom DiNapoli. Restaurants on both sides of the river are participating in a Soup-A-Thon, offering cups or bowls.

"We are a family-run operation," he added. "And we decided to feature my mother's celery and white bean soup. It's a unique Italian soup bursting with flavor and nutrition."

DiNapoli's opened three years ago. It's located at 15 Kline Court, Lambertville.

Authentic Italian dishes are featured here - sandwiches, hoagies, paninis. You'll find the flavors of North Jersey and South Philadelphia permeating the menu, from roast pork and beef to meat balls. All with brick oven bread and music all day.

You don't have to wait for the Winter Festival to head to DiNapoli's. The meatballs won an award for the Best in New Jersey. And don't forget the homemade cannoli. Open seven days.

For more information, call 609-483-2977 or visit DiNapolisRestaurant.com.

For more information about the upcoming Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival, go to WinterFestival.net. Nine days of activities can be found there, including a chili cook-off, beef-and-brew, gallery crawl, ice sculpting, karaoke night, tours, family activities and much more. Some events are ticketed, others are free.

Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com 

Jeremy Singleton, 30, of Austell, Ga., is facing a number of charges after Clinton Township police reported finding him in possession of a magnetic credit card skimming device, 11 blank credit cards and two credit cards with different names on them on Dec. 28, 2016.

CLINTON TWP. - A 30-year-old Georgia man is facing a number of charges after police reported finding him in possession of a magnetic credit card skimming device, 11 blank credit cards and two credit cards with different names on them.

Jeremy Singleton, of Austell, Ga., was stopped while on westbound Interstate 78 near exit 17 at 9:45 p.m. on Dec. 28 for driving a 2008 Mercedes-Benz with a taillight out, police said.

Police detected the odor of marijuana and found Singleton in possession of a small amount of it, as well as a pack of rolling papers. A search also turned up the skimming device and credit cards, police reported.

Singleton was arrested and charged with fraudulent use of a credit card scanning device, credit card theft, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also issued motor-vehicle summons for operating a motor vehicle while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, fictitious plates, maintenance of lamps and failure to wear seatbelt, police said.

Singleton was held in the Somerset County Jail in default of $10,000 bail pending a court appearance.

Township police also made two additional marijuana arrests and one DWI arrest toward the end of December.

As Readington Township continues to do nothing to improve the safety and quality of life along Foothill Road, several more residents and non-residents sustain flat tires because of gravel and large rocks that are dug up by the town grader.

To the editor:

As Readington Township continues to do nothing to improve the safety and quality of life along Foothill Road, several more residents and non-residents sustain flat tires because of gravel and large rocks that are dug up by the town grader.

Please read the below emails that were sent several weeks ago:

Hello Wayne and Neighbors,
I was the lucky homeowner that got yet another flat tire today.  I have lost several days from work in the past two years due to flat tires on Foothill Road. Add insult to injury, my tires are very expensive to replace. The inconvenience, cost and knowledge that this is unnecessary has become extremely irritating.
Rebecca

Hi Wayne,
I sent an email to you a few weeks ago to let you know my cleaning lady got a flat tire on Foothill Road.  She was very upset because she couldn't get home in time to pick up her child off the school bus.  Plus she didn't have AAA or any support service to help her with the tire.  My husband had to leave work and help her change the tire.  (Please convey this incident to the town as well).

Thanks again for spearheading this issue on behalf of the residents of Foothill Road.

Rebecca

Let me help clarify for all of the readers who express disbelief that gravel and rock can puncture a tire.

Have a look at our Facebook page and you will see several instances where gravel  has punctured several tires and has become impaled in the tire making in difficult to patch or plug. 

While certain types of tires may be prone to being punctured more than others it honestly has no relevance mainly because people should not have to worry about the puncture rating of a tire if one existed and moreover, we have had landscaping trucks, minivans, sport vehicles, cab drivers and police cars all experience flats on Foothill Road. 

What it really comes down to is how lucky a person is on any given day, or unlucky for that matter.   

The conditions of Foothill Road are considered by many to be a public safety nuisance at this point.   

Residents cannot drive down the road without fear of getting a flat tire or sliding in the mud or the ice. The dust during summer months leaves residents with lung disorders unable to open their windows or sit and enjoy their front porch and pools.    

The residents of Foothill Road are once again asking the township of Readington for a reasonable solution.

Wayne Borella

Readington Township

Which N.J. natives put in the best performances of the postseason?

Two new teams join the NJ.com Top 20 for Jan. 5

After 56 years of wrestling in The Pit, Phillipsburg officially opened its state-of-the-art gymnasium in its new high school with a 39-30 win over Bound Brook.

Two people suffered minor injuries in the blaze that damaged two Firth Street homes.

The fire damaged two homes, temporarily displacing the occupants less than a week before the holidays.

And investigators say they know who set it.

Erik J. Gall, 22, of Milford, N.J., is charged with aggravated arson. He allegedly set a Dec. 20 fire at 309 Firth Street in Phillipsburg. (Courtesy photo) 

Authorities have charged 22-year-old Erik J. Gall, of Milford in Hunterdon County, with aggravated arson, alleging he poured gasoline on the exterior of 309 Firth St. in Phillipsburg.

Flames were reportedly showing at 3:38 a.m. Dec. 20 when authorities arrived at the address, across from a town fire station. It took the approximately 60 town firefighters about 30 minutes to get the blaze under control, according to a news release later that day from fire Chief Rich Hay.

Phillipsburg police had evacuated residents from both 309 and the attached home at 311 Firth St. before firefighters arrived, the release said. And a resident and firefighter who both suffered minor injuries were treated at St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg and released.

The home at 309 is owned by Heather M. Gallagher, who lives there, and 311 is owned by Angel and Donna Arce, of Readington Township in Hunterdon, the release said.

Both homes sustained fire, smoke, heat and water damage but were insured and could be repairs, Hay said at the time. The Morris County chapter of the American Red Cross assisted the occupants in the meantime.

Gall is a Delaware Valley Regional High School graduate attending Raritan Valley Community College, according to his Facebook page. He is not suspected of setting other fires, Warren County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald said.

Authorities did not immediately disclose a possible motive for setting the fire, though McDonald did say Gall knew the owner of the house.

Aggravated arson is a second-degree crime, meaning Gall could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Gall was scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Belvidere on Thursday and was sent to the Warren County jail in lieu of a bail hearing.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

An accident at the intersection of Route 31 and Allerton Road in Clinton Township injured at least two people on Jan. 5, 2017.

CLINTON TWP. - An accident at the intersection of Route 31 and Allerton Road injured at least two people on Thursday night.

The accident happened at approximately 10:10 p.m. and involved a Volkswagen Jetta and a Honda CRV.

At least two people were transported to Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township by the Clinton First Aid and Rescue Squad. One person in the Volkswagen had to be extricated by emergency workers, according to those at the scene.

Allerton Road west of Route 31 was closed, as was the right lane of southbound Route 31.

Responding to the crash, in addition to the rescue squad, were township police and Annandale Hose Company.

A proposed law would allow the sale of raw milk at New Jersey farms.

To the editor:

New Jersey is one of only eight states that continues to completely block local distribution of fresh unprocessed milk, commonly referred to as raw milk. 

Fresh unprocessed milk differs from commodity raw milk in that it is carefully produced with the understanding that people will be drinking it without undergoing pasteurization. 

The raw milk revolution is part of a renaissance of demand for local fresh foods of exceptional quality sweeping across our nation. It is only a matter of time before New Jersey decides to join with other states in allowing local farmers and consumers to enjoy this same freedom.

The Garden State is blessed with good soils, a favorable climate for growing forage, and talented dairy farmers. 

How N.J. raw milk sales would affect region

The current prohibition against sales continues a policy that results in an annual loss of $95 million in revenue for New Jersey farmers. 

Surveys have shown that the number one reason people want to drink raw milk is taste. Other reasons include a compelling body of new science from Europe showing that drinking unpasteurized milk offers protection from allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections.

Unfortunately, people in New Jersey must pass up local farms with their weekly drive to other states to purchase fresh unprocessed milk.

For the above reasons, and as a New Jersey Farmer and as a consumer of fresh milk, I appreciate Assemblyman John DiMaio's (R-23rd) leadership in sponsoring a bill that would allow local on farm sales of raw milk that is regulated and inspected by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

Joseph R. Heckman
Neshanic Pastures
Ringoes

Rudolph Drakeford, 39, from East Orange, allegedly stole more than $500 in merchandise from CVS off Route 202 in Raritan Township.

FLEMINGTON - A 39-year-old East Orange man who allegedly stole more than $500 in merchandise from CVS off Route 202 in Raritan Township has been indicted on third-degree shoplifting and theft.

The indictment by a Hunterdon County grand jury was unsealed on Dec. 22.

Rudolph Drakeford allegedly stole Prevagen Extra Strength, Zanfel Wash, Prevagen Chewable Tablets, Alli Refill Pack, Prevagen Dietary Supplement, Floarastor Probiotic, Dr. Scholl's Wart Remover, Braun Digital Forehead Thermometer and Aubio Cold Sore Treatment Gel.

Drakeford has previous convictions in New Jersey of theft, burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon and receiving stolen property, and served 364 days in jail, as well as four years on probation.

If convicted on both third-degree charges, Drakeford faces up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of $30,000.

The following deeds have been recorded in the Hunterdon County Hall of Records in Books 2393 and 2394 through Jan. 6, 2017: Alexandria Township Carol C Services L.L.C. to Allison J. Mortara, property at 210 Cedar Bridge Lane, for $83,500. Walter C. Miller and Dawn M. Miller, trustees and their successor trustees of the Walter and Dawn Miller Revocable...

The following deeds have been recorded in the Hunterdon County Hall of Records in Books 2393 and 2394 through Jan. 6, 2017:

Alexandria Township

Carol C Services L.L.C. to Allison J. Mortara, property at 210 Cedar Bridge Lane, for $83,500.

Walter C. Miller and Dawn M. Miller, trustees and their successor trustees of the Walter and Dawn Miller Revocable Living Trust, to Matthew A. Hubert, property at 532 Milford-Frenchtown Road, for $30,000.

Bethlehem Township

Kenneth M. Horner to Amaury Humberto Farias, property at 168 Asbury-West Portal Road, for $300,000.

Califon

Joseph D. Gangemi and Claudia M. Gangemi to Daniel Perez and Jessica M. Karelas, property at 17 Hofffman Drive, for $419,000.

Clinton

MTGLQ Investors, LP, to Christina Latona-Anand and Amitoz Anand, property at 3 Cypress Court, for $219,000.

Clinton Park Management, LLC to Riuscita Management LLC, property at 33 Main St., for $770,000.

Clinton Route 31 LLC, to Beena Halari as trustee of the Bhaskar Halari GST Exempt Family Trust, property at 32 Q Farm, Route 31, for $1,700,000.

Marjorie Mahony, sole trustee of the Mahony Keystone Inheritance, to Amanda D. Callahan and John J. Callahan, IV, property at 7 Spruce Run Road, for $325,000.

Clinton Township

Douglas Dopp and Cecelia Dopp to Umesh S. Bhatt, property at 15 Grandin Terrace, for $535,000.

Family I, LLC, to John Blackadar and Patricia Blackadar, property at 630 Rosemont Ringoes Road, for $375,000.

Delaware Township

Michael Sassman to James H. Bernard, property at 110 Seabrook Road, for $181,000.

Glen Gardner

Daniel F. Nash to Lindsay Licwinko, property at 1409 Spruce Hills Drive, for $125,000.

Hampton

Francis R. Deluca and Florence O. Deluca to James Anthony Bryant and Denise Bryant, property at 11 Blossom Road, for $271,000.

High Bridge

Anthony Alfano, Jr. and Kristy Alfano to Heriberto Reyes, property at 5 Sycamore Ct., for $167,500.

Holland Township

Frederick G. Bidwell, Jr. and Joan A. Bidwell to Brent Joseph Croasdale, property at 328 Mt. Joy Road, for $190,000.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Anne E. Seibel, property at 624 Milford Mt. Pleasant, for $272,500.

Craig M. Petrullo and Laura Lambert-Petrullo to Michael Witman and Carolyn Witman, property at 9 Crestview Dr., for $415,000.

Kingwood

Robert B. Miller and Linda M. Miller to Kent C. Woolf and Samantha Miller, property at 1048 County Line Road, for $268,000.

Sara Honeymar and Peter Honeymar to Robert Boyd and Leslie Stahl, property at 189 Kingwood-Locktown Road, for $300,000.

Lambertville

Joan Evans by her power of attorney, Debra S. Forman, to James Steen, property at 98 No. Main St., for $185,000.

Kristina A. Scholz to Alfia Fahrutdinova, property at 36 Wilson St., for $220,000.

Lebanon Borough

Thomas M. Browne to Dina Caivano, property at 8 Irvin Ct., for $230,000.

Raritan Township

Bradley Sanford and Linda Sanford to Bryan Sculthorpe, Jr. and Hillary M. Blum, property at 2 Old Clinton Road, for $405,000.

Sean Ely to Gregory Michael Randazzo, property at 103 Village Commons, for $145,000.

Judith S. Lassman to Christopher Monaco and Jennifer Monaco, property at 12 Madison Ave., for $420,000.

Jichang Du and Ting Liu to Martha Rodriguez, property at 11 Surrey Lane, for $352,500.

Dan-Maur Builders, Inc., to William Loften and Caroline Loften, property at 103 Old York Road, for $555,000.

Matthew A. Vastano and Christine Vastano to Timothy J. Nugent and Laura D. Nugent, property at 5 Trotter Lane, for $461,875.

Robert Graef and Nancy E. Graef to Sean Carnavale and Wendy Carnavale, property at 225 Old Croton Road, for $350,000.

Janet Chamberlain to Kristen Rosati, property at 118 Franklin Ct., for $222,500.

Wayne D. Menke and Leesing Menke to Timothy J. Dolgos and Elizabeth L. Dolgos, property at 1 Blackwell Road, for $437,500.

Robert G. Perehinys, Jr., to Richard G. Morris and Vicki Morris, property at 133 Copper Hill Road, for $200,000.

Linda Schaefer to Anthony V. Ferraro and Cheryl Ferraro, property at 11 Barley Sheaf Road, for $410,000.

The Street Corp. to Silvio J. Bet and Kelly A. Bet, property at 12 Goose Island Road, for $460,000.

Anelise Sieber to Carol Prignoli, property at 415 Village Commons, for $152,000.

Readington Township

Stanley Hrynyk, as executor of the estate of Mary Hrynyk, deceased, to MAGA Farm, LLC, property at 119 Hoffman Road, for $575,000.

Keith Jeffcoat and Nichole Jeffcoat to Neil Strotman and Hallena Rogers Strotman, property at 10 Smith Road, for $685,000.

James D. Gordon and Mary Ellen Sullivan to Christopher M. Kilker and Mikaela B. Kilker, property at 108 Dreahook Road, for $519,000.

Tewksbury

Mark Chuhinko, as executor of the estate of Frances C. Hildreth, deceased, to Jacqueline A. Perrotti, property at 12 Church St., for $560,000.

Maylen Pierce and Andrew Popp to Keith Decker and Barbara Decker, property at 17 William St., for $429,000.

Graham Summerfield and Francine Summerfield to Juan A. Nunez and Michele Brennan, property at 56 Philhower Road, for $429,000.

Union Township

Patricia Devine to William J. Dinwoodie, property at 26 North Slope, for $129,000.

Magnus Bjorkman and Marie Bjorkman to Rubama Jahangir, property at 4 Rupell Road, for $415,000.

West Amwell

Charles J. Hunter and Elizabeth Hunter, co-executors for the estate of Lowell S. Hunter, deceased, to Joseph Anthony Poleo, property at 23 Barry Road, $225,000.

Rachel Prohigh, 44, from Levittown, Pa., is facing child neglect and DWI charges after West Amwell Township police allegedly found her driving drunk on Route 31 on Dec. 24, 2016, police said.

WEST AMWELL - A 44-year-old woman from Levittown, Pa., is facing child neglect and DWI charges after police allegedly found her driving drunk on Route 31, police said.

Rachel Prohigh was stopped by Patrolman Joseph Cesare at 5:54 p.m. on Dec. 24, who was responding to a report of a possibly intoxicated driver traveling on Route 31.

Prohigh was released with a court date.

Township police also reported five DWI arrests in December, and two drug-related arrests during the same month.

Yasir Fahmy, 21, of Flemington was arrested and charged with DWI at 7:17 p.m. on Dec. 27 after Patrolman Paul Wolf responded to a report of a suspicious person on a motorcycle at Quick Check on Route 31, police said.

An accident on Brunswick Pike near Hunter Road at 8:51 p.m. on Dec. 23 resulted in the arrest of Daniel McDonald, 22, of Monmouth Junction, for DWI, police said. The arrest was made by Sgt. Timothy Vanselous.

Vincent Albano, 24, of Hopewell, was arrested and charged with DWI by Patrolman Cory Flemming following an accident on Brunswick Pike near Barry Road at 3:21 p.m. on Dec. 12, police said.

During a stop on Brunswick Pike in the area of Corsalo Road at 9:06 p.m. on Dec. 15, Patrolman Matthew Kelly arrested and charged Stephen Thomas, 54, of Hopewell, with DWI.

Daniel Colon, 37, of North Brunswick, was arrested and charged with DWI during a motor-vehicle stop by Cpl. Jonathan Sellner on Route 202 at 10:25 p.m. Dec. 15, police said. Colon was also charged with refusing to submit to breath testing.

Benjamin Tumolo, 19, of Blue Bell, Pa., was arrested and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana during a motor-vehicle stop by Corporal Jonathan Sellner on Route 202 at 8:26 p.m. Dec. 20, police said.

Patrolman Joseph Cesare arrested and charged Davon Edwards, 32, of Bronx, N.Y., with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana during a motor-vehicle stop on Linvale-Harbourton Road near Route 31 at 11:50 p.m. Dec. 9, police said.

Stephen Gibble, who oversaw Hunterdon Central Regional High School's wrestling program for 22 years, has filed a lawsuit in federal court stating his rights were violated when he was fired from his position in 2014 because of an alleged bullying incident at a wrestling camp.

TRENTON - Stephen Gibble, who oversaw Hunterdon Central Regional High School's wrestling program for 22 years, has filed a lawsuit in federal court stating his rights were violated when he was fired from his position in 2014 because of an alleged bullying incident at a wrestling camp.

Gibble, 55, inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008, became head coach of the wrestling team in 1991, taking the program to four Skyland Conference titles, and 11 of 19 sectional championships.

Between 1991 and 2013, Hunterdon Central Regional High School's wrestling team had a 348-119 overall record. His teams also reached the Group 4 finals seven times between 1993-2010, and won the North 2 Group IV title during the 2012-13 season.

The 10-count lawsuit charges the district violated his civil rights, his right of equal protection under the 14th amendment, age discrimination, and violation of rights, including equal protection, under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act.

The suit also alleges the district interfered with Gibble's attempts to obtain a coaching job after his termination, and defamed him. Gibble continues to teach social studies at Hunterdon Central.

Despite outpouring of support, H.S. fires coach

Nancy Tucker, communications officer with Hunterdon Central Regional High School, said the district does not comment on ongoing lawsuits. A scheduling conference before Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni is planned to be held on March 7.

This is the second federal lawsuit to be filed against the district. Sireen Hashem, a Muslim teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, sued the district in federal court in Newark in 2015 stating she lost her job because of religious discrimination. That lawsuit is ongoing.

Gibble, a 1980 graduate of the high school located in Raritan Township in Hunterdon County, was terminated during a Nov. 17, 2014, Board of Education hearing. He had also been an assistant football and lacrosse coach.

Gibble filed an appeal to Department of Education Commissioner David Hespe on Feb. 4, 2015, and, on April 12, 2016, Administrative Law Judge John S. Kennedy determined that allegations against Gibble were improperly investigated, he was not given due process and that any documents regarding the alleged violation of the district's Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policy be expunged.

Since 2011, 14 Hunterdon Central staff members have been the subject of HIB complaints, but only one person, Gibble, has been found to have violated the district's policy, according to the lawsuit, "based on a single comment at a non-school event."

"Defendants have intentionally and inconsistently enforced their policies to benefit members of the staff and administration who are their friends and supporters," it is alleged in the lawsuit. "Because he has been labeled by the defendants as a bully under the law, (Gibble) has been denied several coaching positions within the state."

Gibble, hired by Ridge High School as an assistant lacrosse coach for the 2016 spring season, was terminated after one day of coaching based on the HIB complaint filed at Hunterdon Central, according to the lawsuit, which claims the district provided negative information about Gibble to Ridge High School.

According to the lawsuit, Gibble's firing in 2014 centered around an incoming Hunterdon Central freshman, identified only by his initials, who attended a wrestling camp hosted by the Rutgers University wrestling team where Gibble served as a volunteer coach.

The teen did not want to attend the camp, according to the lawsuit, and Gibble "made numerous attempts to help (the participant) relax during his time at camp." The teen's mother alleged that Gibble asked him if he had access to firearms or weapons, it was stated in the lawsuit.

Another wrestler, who was sharing a room with the teen, said the comment was made during the second day of camp, and "certified it was obvious to him that 'Coach Gibble was trying to get (the teen) to relax and to have fun,'" according to the suit.

That participant also "stated he did not recall (Gibble's) exact words, but that (Gibble) said something like 'does the gun cabinet have a lock?'"

The lawsuit stated that, according to the other wrestler, Gibble "did not speak to (the teen) in a belittling or demeaning tone. In addition, (the teen) did not reach negatively to (Gibble's) statement. (The teen) merely smirked and laughed."

Gibble informed then Superintendent Christina Steffner, Principal Suzanne Cooley and then Athletic Director Robert Rossi that the teen left the camp early, even though it was not a school-related program, according to the lawsuit.

"For the next two months, defendants attempted to railroad (Gibble) into resigning his position with the Hunterdon Central wrestling team, even though this was initially treated as a non-issue," it was stated in the suit, which claimed the district had determined by July 2014 that Gibble had violated the district's Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policy.

On Aug. 21, Gibble was told his comment was against district policy, despite no complaint having been filed, nor any investigation taken place, prior to that date, according to the lawsuit. A complaint was filed, according to the lawsuit, by the teen's mother on Sept. 8.

An Oct. 22 letter from Cooley stated Gibble had committed "an act of HIB" and that the board would review the findings at its Nov. 17 meeting. Gibble was only provided a portion of the HIB investigation file and was denied a request to have a hearing before the board, according to the lawsuit.

Jon Cantagallo-Rohm, then 38 and an assistant wrestling coach, was named as head coach after Gibble's termination. "The new coach is friends with the defendants, in particular defendants Steffner and Cooley," according to the lawsuit.

Steffner left Hunterdon Central in June to become superintendent of the Livingston district. Rossi retired from his position last summer.

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

Superior Court Judge Yolanda Ciccone appointed a special master who will determine the specific amount Readington Township must pay to the owners of Solberg Airport.

READINGTON -- The owners of Solberg Airport are entitled to recover legal fees in a lawsuit that successfully overturned a zoning ordinance adopted by the Township Committee that limited aviation activities at the airport, a Superior Court judge has ruled.

In a ruling handed down Wednesday, Judge Yolanda Ciccone, the assignment judge for Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties, granted Solberg Aviation's motion for fees, but did not award a specific amount.

Ciccone appointed a special master, Thomas Quinn, who will study the legal bills and recommend an amount that the township must pay to the Solberg family. Quinn will be compensated by the parties equally at a rate of $400 per hour, Ciccone said in her ruling.

The motion, filed for the Solbergs in November by attorney Larry Orloff, sought a reimbursement of $338,664 for legal fees and expenses in the zoning case.

However, with the litigation continuing since November, the legal costs are now in excess of $372,000 for the Solbergs and more than $386,000 for Readington, Orloff said in an interview Friday.

Orloff sought the fees after a decision in September by Superior Court Judge Thomas Miller, who threw out the zoning ordinance adopted in 2007 that limited aviation at the airport to the 102 acres that have long been used for flight activities.

Last year, Orloff succeeded in obtaining a decision ordering the township to reimburse the airport for the $2,970,983 it spent on a legal fees in a separate but related lawsuit in which another judge, Paul Armstrong, threw out the township's 2007 move to condemn the airport and take it over by eminent domain.

Quinn also served as special master in determining fees in the condemnation case.

In that case, the township had tried to take over the 624 acres at the airport not used for aviation and also took the development rights to the 102 aviation acres.

In opposing paying legal fees for the zoning case, the township took the position that because it was a "prerogative writ case," it did not allow for "fee shifting."

However, in her ruling, Ciccone found that whether or not a prerogative writ action is "directly related" to a condemnation action, for the purpose of fee-shifting, is a "fact-sensitive endeavor" that must be decided on a case-by-case basis. "Were that not the case, the Supreme Court would have more clearly excluded such fees," Ciccone said.

Citing Miller's ruling in the prerogative writ action, Ciccone said it was "directly related to the condemnation action," adding that the zoning ordinance in question was "an adjunct" to the township's "eminent domain scheme."

"The facts before this court ... clearly demonstrate that the (zoning) ordinance was enacted specifically for the purpose of obtaining remaining acreage that (the township's) condemnation action could not claim. Indeed, for all purposes besides docket number, these two matters are one in the same," Ciccone said.

Ciccone said her finding is "consistent" with Special Master Quinn's recognition in the condemnation case that the law "could support a fee award if (the airport) overturned the ordinance, establishing that the ordinance was the direct result of the public entity's formal action targeting the property for condemnation."

Because of his familiarity with the issues, Quinn should also serve as the special master in the zoning case, Ciccone ruled.

Readington Mayor Betty Ann Fort, reached by telephone on Friday, said she has not yet seen the decision and therefore could not comment on it.

"Our attorneys will review it and we'll take it from there," she said.

The township's attorney, Richard Cushing, was unavailable for comment Friday.

Orloff, the Solbergs' attorney, was pleased with the decision. "Now we have three judges in the Superior Court who have ruled in our favor," he said.

"I remain perplexed as to why Readington doesn't want to sit down and try to come to some reasonable resolution with the Solbergs as to the future of the airport, and why they continue to spend enormous fees for their attorneys," Orloff said. "One must wonder if they would be doing this if the money were coming out of the board members' individual pockets."

Township officials have said they would like to prevent the airport from expanding beyond its present uses and also would like to preserve the area around the airport as open space.

Orloff has acknowledged the Solbergs want to expand and modernize the airport, but are "not looking to make this a monstrously large airport."

Although the township has reimbursed the Solberg family for its fees in the eminent domain case, it is appealing that decision and will try to get those fees back if it wins its appeal.