Mountainside resident admits smuggling $65 million in sensitive electronic components to Russia’s ministry of defense, federal security service

  NEWARK — A Mountainside man today admitted his role in an international procurement network that obtained and smuggled more than $65 million worth of electronics from the United States to Russia in violation of export control laws, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Alexander Brazhnikov Jr., 36, a naturalized United States citizen born in Moscow, pleaded guilty […]

Donate blood for World Blood Donor Day

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The American Red Cross seeks eligible donors to give blood in honor of World Blood Donor Day, June 14, and throughout the summer to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients in need. Summer is an especially difficult time to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients. […]

Bio-Blitz to explore the many mysteries of the Watchung Reservation

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The public will have a chance to experience the hidden side of Union County parks at the 11th annual Bio-Blitz, from 5 p.m. on Friday, June 12, to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, in the Watchung Reservation. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour nature survey that tallies up hundreds of plant and […]

Judge sentences gang member from Hillside to 18 years for homicide at barbecue

NEWARK — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the Criminal Presiding Judge in Essex County, sentenced Richard Whatley, 21, of Hillside to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison for fatally shooting Teshon Clegg, a 32-year-old father of three. Clegg was fatally shot on May 27, 2013 at a Memorial […]

Westfield attorney sentenced to one year in prison for role in large scale mortgage fraud scheme

NEWARK — A Westfield man was sentenced to 12 months in prison for his role in a large-scale mortgage fraud scheme in which he obtained more than $1 million in illegitimate proceeds, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Amedeo Gaglioti, 60, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with […]

Elizabeth man convicted of manslaughter

ELIZABETH — A Union County jury has returned guilty verdicts against a man accused of being responsible for the fatal beating of Elizabeth resident Victor Vasquez in 2012, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced. Abraham Roman, 33, of Elizabeth was convicted of second-degree reckless manslaughter and third-degree theft after about four hours of jury deliberation following […]

Union woman charged with fatally stabbing husband

UNION — A Union woman has been arrested and charged with stabbing her husband to death on Monday, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced. Julia Morris, 73, is charged with murder in connection with the death of 80-year-old George Morris. Members of the Union County Homicide Task Force arrived at the couple’s home on […]

Public frustrated at open meeting as NJ Transit proposes fare hike

NJ Transit will vote in July on measure for 9-percent fare hike in October

Peter Fiorilla, Staff Writer UNION COUNTY, NJ — On a ninth-floor boardroom at New Jersey Transit Headquarters in Newark, where NJ Transit’s proposed fare hike and service cuts were being publicly discussed, there wasn’t enough room for everyone who wanted a seat. Not even close. The room’s 60 or so seats were occupied well before the […]

Linden Police record second Narcan save in two weeks

LINDEN, NJ — On May 25, at 1:35 p.m., police responded to a residence on the 10 block of West Edgar Road on a report of an unconscious female who possibly overdosed. Officers say they found a 27-year-old Linden woman who was unresponsive and barely breathing. Linden Officers Dan Turon and John Vasquez administered Narcan […]

County plans to resurface roads

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the schedule for the county’s 2015 Road Resurfacing program. The project will resurface 13 County roads in 12 towns. The program is scheduled to begin in late June and run through September. Work is scheduled for nighttime in all but one instance. […]