Hunterdon County, NJ News

Local news from Flemington, Clinton, Lambertville, Lebanon, Raritan & more

“It’s hunting season which is our chance to feed many hungry people in New Jersey but we can’t do it without the public’s help,” says Les Giese, co-founder and Board Trustee of the group Hunters Helping the Hungry. The Hunters Helping the Hungry Program was developed by Giese, of Clinton Township (Hunterdon), and other hunters during the 1997-1998 hunting season... Full story »

Hunterdon’s representatives Democrat Rush Holt and Republican Leonard Lance voted “yes” when the House of Representatives passed legislation, 403-12, last night, Thursday, to extend unemployment benefits. It's for 14 weeks for individuals who have exhausted their current benefits in all states and by an additional six weeks for individuals in states like New Jersey with an unemployment rate above 8.5%.... Full story »

Hunterdon County residents voted Tuesday to keep Republican incumbents Matt Holt and Ron Sworen on the county freeholder board, but will get a new freeholder next year anyway, as Freeholder Erik Peterson moves to the state Assembly. Peterson was elected to the Assembly, representing the 23rd district along with incumbent Republican John DiMaio. That means Peterson’s spot on the... Full story »

Hours at the Route 12 county library could change dramatically on Jan. 1, opening later on weekdays and closing early on Mondays and Fridays. On Wednesday, the Freeholders told Library Director Mark Titus he could not hire someone to replace North Branch supervising librarian Barbara Riesenfeld, who is set to retire at the end of this year. The Freeholders’ hiring... Full story »

HOLLAND TOWNSHP -- A controversial ordinance banning wolf dogs in Holland Township has been tabled again while local officials continue to negotiate with the dogs’ owner. The township committee voted Wednesday to push back its decision on the ban until its Nov. 24 meeting. Mayor Ed Burdzy said negotiations are about 80 percent complete, with about 20 percent left... Full story »

Authorities arrested 11 people and confiscated more than $10,000 worth of crystal meth, following an investigation that spanned several counties and stretched into Eastern Pennsylvania. Two of the defendants were accused of being the primary suppliers in a crime network that consistently distributed the drugs to individuals throughout Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties, said Chief Dan Hurley, spokesman for... Full story »

A Raritan Township man is in the county jail facing drug distribution charges after being arrested Friday following a three-month undercover investigation by Prosecutor’s Office detectives. Antonio Rodriguez, 42, of Larch Court is alleged to be one of two primary suppliers in an 11-man crime network that Chief of Detectives Dan Hurley called “an extensive drug distribution network.” Rodriguez and... Full story »

BRANCHBURG — The Branchburg Police Department releases the following information about a recent string of car burglaries at Raritan Valley Community College: William L. Portacio, 20, Green Brook, has been charged with two counts of theft for car burglaries occurring on September 29 and October 6 at Raritan Valley Community College. He was also recently charged by the Bridgewater Police... Full story »

Antonio Rodriguez, 42, of Raritan Township, is accused of being the ringleader of the crystal methamphetamine ring. Full story »

As influenza-like illness, perhaps swine flu, spreads through Hunterdon, absenteeism at some county schools has exceeded 15%, and children are staying home in growing numbers. At slightly more than 5%, school absenteeism around the county is more than double what is typical for this time of year, officials said, chiefly due to influenza-like illness. Health officials said that 5% is... Full story »

Mayor Edward Burdzy would like a decision when the township committee meets again on Nov. 24. Full story »

STRATFORD -- The Stratford Police Department advertised the 2000 Honda Civic on eBay as a car that was missing a stereo and showing normal signs of age, but still in good condition. It was enough to entice Kerry McTiernan to place a bid in the online auction and pay $4,049, hoping it would be a suitable ride for her son.... Full story »

A box truck that caught fire behind the Flemington ShopRite this afternoon was extinguished by volunteer firefighters from Raritan Township Fire Company. Raritan Township police said they received a report of the fire around 1:10 p.m. The Rider truck was rented to Tomark Maintenance, which was powerwashing shopping carts when the fire broke out. Police said no injuries were... Full story »

Republicans in Hunterdon here and across the state rejoiced at Chris Christie’s victory for governor Tuesday, with Hunterdon giving Christie his biggest percentage victory of all 21 counties. Christie, a former U.S. attorney, crushed Gov. Jon Corzine, 33,283-12,866, or 66%-25%, with 4,088 (8%) for independent candidate Chris Daggett. County GOP Party Chairman Henry Kuhl said the Christie campaign had... Full story »

ALEXANDRIA TWP. — In a race that pitted a candidate who isn’t yet out of college against a third generation resident and former municipal tax assessor, a large turnout by young people may have helped Gabe Plumer, 21, trounce Curtis Schick, 59, by a vote of 1,213-625. In some ways, the race was overshadowed by a public question that asked... Full story »