Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
News
Handgun Recovered From Man Killed In Sussex County Police Shooting, State AG Says Handgun Recovered From Man Killed In Sussex County Police Shooting, State AG Says
Handgun Recovered From Man Killed In Sussex County Police Shooting, State AG Says A man armed with a semi-automatic handgun was killed in a police-involved July 4th shooting in Newton, the state's top law enforcement official confirmed Monday. Three uniformed police officers in the Sussex County town were responding to a 911 call when they had an encounter with the man outside a Clive Place home around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said a preliminary investigation found. "Two Newton police officers fired their service weapons, fatally wounding the man," Grewal said. "First aid was rendered by officers. The individual was pronounced deceased at the s…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
News
Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More
Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More A Sussex County man who was seized by federal agents as he tried to board a flight to Pakistan admitted fraudulently collecting $5.6 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic business loans that he put to personal use, authorities said. Azhar Sarwar Rana, 30, of Newton, used the money -- designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during the pandemic – to millions in the stock market, make a payment to a luxury car dealership and send hundreds of thousands of dollars to accounts in Pakistan, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Rana submitted an application for a stimulus loan und…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Obituaries
21-Year-Old NJ Healthcare Worker Dies Of COVID-19 21-Year-Old NJ Healthcare Worker Dies Of COVID-19
21-Year-Old NJ Healthcare Worker Dies Of Covid-19 Sussex County high school graduate and local healthcare worker Abel Sanchez-Casas died from COVID-19 complications at Newton Medical Center on June 18. He was 21. Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Sanchez-Casas grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 2017, his obituary says. Sanchez-Casas worked in healthcare at Broad Step Willow Glen in Sparta. He was known as a loving son, brother and friend, his memorial says. Sanchez-Casas loved music, basketball and animals and had an extensive collection of sneakers. Sanchez-Casas is survived by his parents, Abel Sanchez and Francisca Cas…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
News
Sussex County Man, 22, Pleads Guilty To Assault By Auto In Head-On DWI Crash That Injured Child Sussex County Man, 22, Pleads Guilty To Assault By Auto In Head-On DWI Crash That Injured Child
Sussex County Man, 22, Pleads Guilty To Assault By Auto In Head-On DWI Crash That Injured Child A Sussex County man pleaded guilty to assault by auto and DWI in connection to his role in a head-on DWI crash that injured two victims, including a young child, authorities said Tuesday. Kyle D. Smith, 22, admitted to using marijuana when he crossed the center line and crashed head-on into another car on Route 206 near Whitehall Hill Road on Feb. 12, Byram Township Police said at the time. The crash seriously injured the other driver and hospitalized a young child, police said. Smith, of Newton, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault by auto and a summons for driving while under the influ…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Police & Fire
KNOW HIM? Newton Police Seek ID For Man In Attempted Luring Of 14-Year-Old Boy KNOW HIM? Newton Police Seek ID For Man In Attempted Luring Of 14-Year-Old Boy
Know HIM? Newton Police Seek ID For Man In Attempted Luring Of 14-Year-Old Boy Police in Newton are seeking the public’s help identifying a man they say attempted to lure a 14-year-old boy into his vehicle. The man, pictured above, drove past the boy and signaled several times for him to enter his vehicle around 4:50 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, Newton Police said in a release. The boy yelled at the man before returning to his home and contacting police. The suspect is described as a Hispanic/Middle Eastern man in his 40s or 50s with a short beard and short salt and pepper haircut. He was between 5 feet 1 inch and 5 feet 8 inches tall, police said. The man’s vehicle is b…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Obituaries
Sussex County Native, High Point Regional HS Grad Anthony James Bush Dies, 29 Sussex County Native, High Point Regional HS Grad Anthony James Bush Dies, 29
Sussex County Native, High Point Regional HS Grad Anthony James Bush Dies, 29 Sussex County native and High Point Regional High School graduate Anthony James Bush died at his home in Wantage on June 6. He was 29. Born in Jersey City, Bush grew up in Wantage and participated in the SCARC work program, his obituary says. Bush was known for his love of all things food and going out to eat. His greatest love, however, was his family, according to his memorial, which is flooded with condolences from the many individuals whose lives he touched over the years. “It was my honor to be Anthony’s aide for 3 years,” writes Mary Thompson. “We were a force as a team! There are s…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Lifestyle
'They Lost Everything:' Support Surges For Family Of 7 Displaced In Sussex County House Fire 'They Lost Everything:' Support Surges For Family Of 7 Displaced In Sussex County House Fire
'They Lost Everything:' Support Surges For Family Of 7 Displaced In Sussex County House Fire Support is surging for a family of seven after a fire tore through their Sussex County home over the weekend. A grandmother, daughter and five children ages 6 to 17 lost everything after their rental home in Newton was ravaged by fire Saturday around 5 p.m., according to a GoFundMe launched by Emily Perez. Fire departments in Byram and Stillwater helped to douse the blaze and provide mutual aid, ensuring that everyone escaped safely — including the family’s dog. Last night Byram Fire was dispatched into the town of Newton, for a structure fire. Once on scene, 43-Rescue 3 assisted in f…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Lifestyle
Popular Thai Restaurant Shuts Doors Of Sussex County Location After 10 Years Popular Thai Restaurant Shuts Doors Of Sussex County Location After 10 Years
Popular Thai Restaurant Shuts Doors Of Sussex County Location After 10 Years Popular Thai eatery Thai Nam Phet has closed the doors of its Newton restaurant after a decade in business. The announcement was made on the restaurant’s Facebook page on May 14. “It’s time to say goodbye to our Newton location,” the post reads. “We would like to thank you for your tremendous support throughout the years, last year especially. It was such an honor to be a part of this neighborhood and serve the Newton community.” The restaurant’s last day open was May 15. Formerly located at 7 Woodside Ave., the popular eatery had become well known for its huge range of authentic Thai op…

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by Valerie Musson
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Police & Fire
Woman, Teen Charged With Criminal Mischief; Cops Investigating Morris County Apartment Burglary Woman, Teen Charged With Criminal Mischief; Cops Investigating Morris County Apartment Burglary
Woman, Teen Charged With Criminal Mischief; Cops Investigating Morris County Apartment Burglary Police are investigating a Thursday morning burglary at a Morris County apartment complex in connection with a criminal mischief incident that led to charges for an adult and teen. A unit at Village Green Apartments in Budd Lake was broken into and items stolen shortly before 9:30 a.m., Mount Olive police said. The victim’s motorcycle was also knocked over and spray-painted during the incident, police said. Two suspects — Ashley Camacho, 19, of Newton, and a 17-year-old boy from Budd Lake whose name was not released — were arrested and charged with criminal mischief in connection with the …

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Obituaries
Sussex County High School Grad, Mother Angelina Jordan Dies Unexpectedly At 20 Sussex County High School Grad, Mother Angelina Jordan Dies Unexpectedly At 20
Sussex County High School Grad, Mother Angelina Jordan Dies Unexpectedly At 20 Sussex County high school graduate and mother Angelina Julia Jordan died unexpectedly from childbirth complications on April 19. She was 20. Jordan was born in Brooklyn and spent several years there before moving to Long Island and attending high school in Newton, her obituary says. Described as a “social butterfly who made friends easily,” Jordan was known for her friendly nature and her love of movies, music and laughter, her memorial says. Jordan is survived by her mother, Lillian (nee Gonzalez) Jordan; her daughter, Brooklyn Grace Ford; her brothers, Mike Gonzalez Edgar Jordan, Sebasti…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Lifestyle
Most Popular Brunch Spots In Sussex County Most Popular Brunch Spots In Sussex County
Most Popular Brunch Spots In Sussex County Mother's Day is coming up — have you booked brunch yet? Whether it's a Bloody Mary, a sizzling side of bacon or a tall stack of pancakes you're after, there are plenty of breakfast and brunch spots in Sussex County to choose from. The spots you see on this list were top-rated on several user-generated review sites and featured in local publications. Bell’s Mansion (11 Main St., Stanhope) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bell's Mansion (@bellsmansion) Hampton Diner & Family Restaurant (36 Hampton House Rd., Newton) Lake Ho…

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by Valerie Musson
Highland Lakes-Vernon, NJ
Business
Chipotle, Starbucks, Panera Locations Proposed For Former G&H Property In Sussex County Chipotle, Starbucks, Panera Locations Proposed For Former G&H Property In Sussex County
Chipotle, Starbucks, Panera Locations Proposed For Former G&H Property In Sussex County The former G&H property in Sussex County may be getting new Chipotle, Starbucks and Panera locations. The Town Council in Newton made residential and commercial ordinances for a PILOT (‘Payment in Lieu of Taxes’) plan at the location on Water and South Park Drive, NJHerald reports. The commercial and residential portions of the property will be divided for separate ownership, according to the report, which cites Town Manager Thomas S. Russo. In addition to 100 market-rate rental units, the proposal includes a plan for a pair of one-story commercial buildings with a maximum square foota…

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by Valerie Musson