Domestic Affairs

Bodycam footage of fatal police-involved shooting during Fort Lee mental health call released

Bodycam footage of fatal police-involved shooting during Fort Lee mental health call released

EDITOR’S NOTE: This news report contains graphic details of the police-involved shooting and vulgarities that could be offensive or disturbing to some readers. Aug. 19 (ZFJ) — Body camera footage of the fatal shooting of Victoria G. Lee, 25, of Fort Lee, by Fort Lee Police Officer Tony Pickens, Jr., during a mental health call on July 28 was released by the N.J. Attorney General’s Office (OAG) on Friday, Aug.
30-inch water main breaks on Woodbrook Drive

30-inch water main breaks on Woodbrook Drive

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 13 (ZFJ) — Someone just had the front of their house unexpectedly power washed. A 30-inch water main was broken by contractor work on Woodbrook Drive, said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi on social media on Monday, Aug. 12. The water lines are operated by the Middlesex Water Company. Residents shouldn’t have water flow disrupted because the broken line is separate from the ones used for residential distribution, according to Joshi.
Retired Edison Firefighter Raymond Tibok dies at 58

Retired Edison Firefighter Raymond Tibok dies at 58

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 12 (ZFJ) — Retired Edison Firefighter Raymond Tibok, 58, of Edison, died peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 8, at JFK Medical Center. He was born in Perth Amboy and a lifelong resident of Edison. He served Edison as a firefighter for 30 years before retiring in 2022. Tibok graduated from John P. Stevens High School in 1984. “He loved fishing, working on cars, and playing southern rock with his guitar.
Edison Firefighter Howard C. Tarlow dies at 47

Edison Firefighter Howard C. Tarlow dies at 47

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 12 (ZFJ) — Edison Firefighter Howard Chaim Tarlow, 47, died on Wednesday, July 10, reported the Edison Firefighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1197. MyCentralJersey.com reported that township officials said that Tarlow died unexpectedly at home. Tarlow began his career in fire services when he joined the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department in 2008 “after expressing to a friend he wanted to give back to the community,” said IAFF Local 1197 on social media.
Edison police Lieutenant Donald Ship dies at 38

Edison police Lieutenant Donald Ship dies at 38

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 11 (ZFJ) — Edison police Lieutenant Donald Ship, 38, of Piscataway, died on Wednesday, July 10. New Jersey 101.5 reported that Police Chief Thomas Bryan told them that Ship died at home following a “short illness.” “Lieutenant Ship grew up in Edison and dedicated his entire life and career to giving back to the community that raised him,” said the Edison Police Department on social media. Ship began his career in law enforcement as a Kean University police officer before he transferred to the Edison Police Department on Jan.
28 AP exams are going digital from May 2025

28 AP exams are going digital from May 2025

Aug. 1 (ZFJ) — The College Board has announced that, starting May 2025, 28 AP Exams will have their standard paper testing discontinued. Instead, these exams will be administered digitally through the Bluebook app. All schools and test centers will have to administer these exams digitally, though paper exams will still be available to select students approved by the College Board. The acceleration to digital testing was done to further protect the integrity and security of AP exams.
Fort Lee police officer fatally shoots woman during mental health call

Fort Lee police officer fatally shoots woman during mental health call

July 30 (ZFJ) — A Fort Lee police officer responding to a mental health call fatally shot Victoria G. Lee, 26, of Fort Lee, on Sunday, July 28, according to the N.J. Attorney General’s Office (OAG). OAG said in a press release that on Sunday, at about 1:25 a.m., Fort Lee police responded to “The Pinnacle” apartment complex on Main Street after receiving a 911 call from a man reporting that his sister was having a mental health crisis and needed to go to the hospital.
One dead, one injured after Route 1 crash in Edison

One dead, one injured after Route 1 crash in Edison

EDISON, N.J., July 30 (ZFJ) — One motorcyclist was killed and one motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash at the intersection of Route 1 North and Old Post Road in Edison on Sunday, July 28. On Sunday, at about 8:13 p.m., authorities responded to the intersection after receiving a report of a multi-vehicle crash, according to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Police located Alexander Teshima Chong, 44, of Belleville, who had been operating a motorcycle at the time of the collision.
Din Tai Fung makes East Coast debut in New York City

Din Tai Fung makes East Coast debut in New York City

July 26 (ZFJ) — After much anticipation—two years after its initial announcement—the renowned Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung celebrated the grand opening of its first East Coast location in New York City on July 18, 2024. Besides being the first location on the East Coast, it is also the world’s largest Din Tai Fung. Located at 1633 Broadway, the restaurant occupies a vast 25,000-square-foot space, capable of accommodating up to 450 diners and 500 employees.
Edison man charged for Millbrook Village stabbing

Edison man charged for Millbrook Village stabbing

EDISON, N.J., July 26 (ZFJ) — Joan Franklin Polanco, 37, of Edison, has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing that occurred in Edison on Sunday, July 21, 2024, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department. On July 21, Edison police responded to a call for a welfare check of the victim, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit. Shortly after, at about 4:37 p.