NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 22 (ZFJ) — Jacob Beacher, 24, of North Plainfield, has been charged with a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) on 122 College Avenue in New Brunswick, announced federal authorities on Monday, April 22.
Beacher, not affiliated with Rutgers, was arrested this morning and federally charged with one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities.
April 14 (ZFJ) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the toughest emissions standards yet for light and medium-duty vehicles of model years (MY) 2027-2032, announced the agency on March 20.
The agency projects that the updated standards in Multi Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles will avoid 7.2 billion tons of carbon emissions between 2027-2055 and provide almost $100 billion of net benefits to society, including improved air quality and reduced annual fuel and maintenance costs for drivers.
WOODBRIDGE, N.J., April 4 (ZFJ) — Woodbridge Center has been sold to new management, announced Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac in his State of the Township address on Feb. 23.
“Woodbridge Center, like major malls across America, has struggled because of the internet and the ease of buying directly online,” he said. “It has done an admirable job of diversifying outside of basic retail by attracting new tenants, but it has just not been enough.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 14 (ZFJ) — The Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) was broken into and vandalized on Eid.
The Center reported on Instagram that art pieces with Quranic verses, windows, TVs, printers, artwork, and the Palestinian flag were damaged.
“This reprehensible act, occurring on our sacred day, is undoubtedly fueled by Islamophobia is clearly a hate crime targeting our Muslim population at Rutgers,” the Center wrote.
EDISON, N.J., April 4 (ZFJ) — Marcus Wright, 27, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of an Edison Speedway gas station employee that occurred on Dec. 20, 2018, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone.
Wright was convicted on Sept. 12, 2023, of the murder of John Bertram, 38, of the Fords section of Woodbridge; armed robbery; conspiracy to commit armed robbery; and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
EDISON, N.J., April 5 (ZFJ) — A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck seven kilometers north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. on Friday, April 5, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Wow! A M4.8 struck in New Jersey this morning around 10:30 am local time. Shaking was widely felt from Maine to Washington D.C. Did you feel this earthquake? Share your experience here: https://t.co/xdohQbzpcq https://t.co/ADcDLsTp8b pic.twitter.com/bAjEbSgvwc
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) April 5, 2024 ZFJ reporters and residents in Edison, about 25-35 miles out from the epicenter, reported feeling their houses shaking for about 10 seconds.
April 4 (ZFJ) — Wayne Bagley, 68, of South Brunswick was arrested following a five-month investigation, announced South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka on Tuesday, March 5.
According to Hayducka, the joint effort by the South Brunswick Police Department, ATF, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Bagley traveled to other states, purchased handguns at gun shows, and transported the firearms back to New Jersey for resale. Over the course of the investigation, he traveled to West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
EDISON, N.J., April 4 (ZFJ) — Comcast has been approved to provide internet services to Edison, announced the company on March 20, 2024.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities granted its application for a system-wide franchise to operate in Edison, allowing it to offer its Xfinity and Comcast Business services to the township.
Residents will have access to all of Xfinity’s internet products. According to the company’s website, costs range from a starting price of $20 a month for a 150 mbps connection to a starting price of $85 a month for a 1,200 mbps connection.
EDISON, N.J., April 3 (ZFJ) — Edison Board of Education President Biral Patel announced measures to tackle substance abuse in schools at the Feb. 27 action meeting.
“It has been brought to our attention that issues persist, especially in two of our high schools,” Patel said in prepared remarks during the meeting. “To have an enforcement so everyone feels safe, updating policies are very important so administrators have the tools to address the issues.
EDISON, N.J., March 31 (ZFJ) — The railroad crossing gates on Inman Avenue, nearby CVS Pharmacy and the Westgate neighborhood, malfunctioned on Saturday, March 30.
Two ZFJ reporters were buying doughnuts (Boston Kreme remains our forever beloved) when they noticed the crossing’s lights flashing and alarm ringing despite no train being in sight. Upon closer inspection, they saw one gate on the Westgate side stuck in the closed position.
A police officer on the scene told The ZFJ that they called the rail company at about 5:00 p.
