All posts by Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police: Chase Yields Marijuana Possession, Dealing Arrest; $20K Bail

A young Fair Haven man has been arrested on marijuana possession, dealing and associated charges in connection with a traffic stop incident on Sunday night.

At 10:42 p.m., Jonmichael Puryear, 23, was stopped on Harding Road for a traffic violation, Fair Haven Police Chief Joseph McGovern reported.

After the stop by Patrolman Brooks Robinson, as an investigation ensued,  Puyear attempted to flee the scene on foot, he said in a released statement.

Patrolmen Robinson and Michael  Volker chased and apprehended Puryear, who was arrested and charged with: eluding, aggravated assault, possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, failure to observe a traffic signal and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle, according to the report.

Puryear is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold, on $20,000 bail.

Further investigation after the arrest led to an additional charge of distribution within a school zone. An additional $35,000 bail was set.

Puryear remains held on bail at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

Local Life

Focus: Honoring Fair Haven’s Vets

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“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t ever want to be anywhere else but here today,” Fair Haven’s second oldest living World War II and Korean War veteran Ray Taylor said with a teary-eyed smile as someone shook his hand and thanked him for his service. He then gently placed his decorated hat back on his head after holding it over his heart for The Pledge of Allegiance that began the Fair Haven Veterans Day service on Friday.

Memorial Park was filled beyond capacity with veterans, police, firemen, children, parents and officials who were there to pay homage to those who have served and still are serving.

The fall sun cast a warm glow on the patriotic spirit of the ceremony of honor.

Take a look … Thank you to our veterans.

— Elaine Van Develde

 

 

 

 

Local Life

Focus: Honoring Rumson’s Vets

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The sun shone bright in Rumson’s Victory Park on Friday, casting a bright light of honor on the borough’s vets.

Homage was paid to all the living who served their country, those presently in service and those who have passed.

There was a call for respect — of them, the freedom of choice for which they fought, and for peace.

Thank you to all of our veterans. Take a peek into the Veterans Day 2016 moment in Rumson …

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Local Life, Opinion

An R-FH Area Vets Remembrance

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Their faces are the faces at the core of a close-knit community.

They were neighbors, dads, and just plain friendly faces around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns. They were also veterans.

They served. They fought for freedom in World War II and the Korean War.

They lived their lives with hometown pride, honor and respect. They were founding fathers, friends. They were cornerstones of the sense of community that is the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

The gift of their legacies bears no upscale real estate market value. They passed along a love of country and community that is priceless.

Thank you, on Veterans Day, to the veterans of the area who have passed. You are cherished, honored.

Take a look at some of their faces and remember.

— Elaine Van Develde

— Photos, courtesy of families of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Elections, News

At the Polls: Local Elections 2016

It’s election day 2016; and the choices at the polls in the Rumson-Fair Haven area are a mix of longtime incumbents, newcomer challengers and one mainstay  …

Fair Haven Borough Council

The incumbents … 

Republican sitting councilmen Rowland Wilhelm Jr. and Jonathan Peters are hoping to keep their council seats on the six-member, weak mayor strong borough council form of government dais. There is a lone Democrat serving on the present GOP-dominated council.

Wilhelm and Peters are running on a “Family Friendly — Fiscally Prudent” platform which touts experience, preservation and fiscal responsibility.

The Democratic challengers …

for the two seats up for grabs are Shervyn von Hoerl and Christopher Rodriguez. Rodriguez is relatively new to Fair Haven and von Hoerl ran for mayor last year.

Rodriguez’ wife, Karen, is running for the Fair Haven Board of Education.

The two seek to break the long-time Republican majority on council with what they have said is a non-partisan, unifying mission to serve and represent residents.

Rumson Borough Council

Two seats are up for grabs on the six-member dais in Rumson. The two Republican incumbents, Joseph Hemphill and Laura Attwell are being challenged by Democrat Michael Steinhorn, who has run for local mayoral and council office several times and has made a bid for Monmouth County Surrogate as well as clerk.

Hemphill, a longtime resident, has served on council for 10 years. Atwell, also a longtime resident, has served for the past three.

The two, according to their campaign brochure are running on a platform of experience and accomplishment.

Atwell has served as the council’s liaison for the borough’s Department of Public Works and the Historic Preservation Commission.

Fair Haven Board of Education 

There are five candidates running for the three Fair Haven Board of Education seats up for grabs on the nine-member dais. They are: Karen Rodriguez, Carol Lang, Sherri D’Angelo, incumbent Marisa Coar and Ellen Iovino.

The only seated BOE member who is running again is Marisa Coar. Michael Bernstein and Jeff Spector’s terms expire in December of 2016. Both opted to not run again.

Rumson Board of Education

There are two uncontested seats up for grabs on the nine-member board in Rumson. They are those of: Diane MacGillis and Elaine Melia.

 

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Seek Help in ID of Driver in Dog Hit-and-Run

From Rumson police …

At approximately 8:40 am this date, RPD received a report of a smaller black Labrador retriever that had been struck by a car in the area of E. River and Ridge Road.

A few people stopped to help the injured animal who has unfortunately expired.

If anyone has any information, please contact us at 732-842-0500.

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Spotlight: RFH Student Artwork

There’s a new arts-inspired initiative at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) that is casting a bright spotlight on students’ artwork.

The RFH National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and the RFH Multiple Disabilities (MD) Program have teamed up to provide artisan frames for the display of creations by RFH students. Featured will be paintings and photography by NAHS and MD students. The collection will be rotated regularly and be featured prominently throughout the school building on an ongoing basis.

Photographs of works by RFH art students at all levels will also be enlarged and placed above the student locker areas.

“This project has brought warmth and enhanced the school climate,” said Special Services teacher Jennifer Dellett. “Our goal is to have all three floors at RFH filled with stimulating artwork by the end of the school year.”

The purchase of 40 frames was made possible by a grant from the RFH Education Foundation. The grant request was written and submitted by Dellett and Art teacher Kristen Lanfrank.

For those who would like a closer view of the artwork, an event dubbed Community Art Opening is planned for the spring of 2017.

As part of the event, students involved in the program will provide community members with a tour of RFH and a discussion of all the art and images on display.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH)

Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Drug Distribution Ring Busted; 42 Arrested

A five-month undercover drug distribution investigation conducted by federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies dubbed Operation Justice Served culminated in the arrest of 42 people within the past  month, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Thursday.

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