All posts by Elaine Van Develde

Local Life

Rewind: Ode to Fair Haven Police

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A look back at Fair Haven police Photo/Fair Haven Police Department
A look back at Fair Haven police
Photo/Fair Haven Police Department

In keeping with our Retro Pic of the Day homage to first responders, today we honor Fair Haven Police for their service to the community.

The above photo is a look back at the officers in the department not long ago.

Patrolman Robert J. Henne, included in this photo, passed away on March 23. He was loved by his community and colleagues and is sorely missed by both. RIP, Patrolman Henne.

And thanks to the Fair Haven police for protecting and serving the residents of Fair Haven and beyond!

Have you thanked an officer today?

Arts & Entertainment, Local Life

R-FH Area Weekend: Kites, Beach Sweeps, Flavour Fest & More

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The National Weather Service is telling us that the weekend weather forecast calls for brighter skies and higher temps.

So, what better time to take advantage of the events planned for the area this weekend. And there’s lots to do …

Friday

• Everyone’s hangin’ loose in memory of Silvio Fabbri in the back room of Umberto’s in Fair Haven on Fridays, starting at 7 p.m.

It’s a great way to remember Silvio, the iconic Fair Haven pizza maker and friend to all, and hang with friends and neighbors in the community.

“Hanga loose,” reminisce and enjoy!

• Coastal Decor in Fair Haven is hosting at 7:30 p.m. a Green Beachy Living event billed as a “fun night of shopping and nutrition” at it’s River Road store.

Click here for more information.

• Noel Coward’s Present Laughter is playing at the Navesink Library Theater tonight and tomorrow night, April 24, 25, with an 8:15 p.m. curtain.

A matinee is set for Sunday, April  26 at 2 p.m.

For more information, click here.

Saturday

• It should be a great day to fly a kite, and just in time for Sea Bright’s Come Fly With Us Kite Festival at Sea Bright Public Beach.

People of all ages are invited to gather at the beach at 11 a.m. and, well, go fly a kite!

There will be prizes and giveaways.

• Don’t forget that Saturday is Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps Day.

In the immediate area, the twice annual beach clean-up is being held at Sea Bright Public Beach, the beach in back of Borough Hall and Gaiter’s Restaurant in the northern section of Sea Bright from 9 to 12:30 p.m..

Here’s a list of other locations close by:

• Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, 29 Ocean Avenue, Monmouth Beach;

• Leonardo Public Beach South, 1 Concord Avenue and the beach, north side of Leonardo State Marine Launch ramp, Leonardo section of Middletown;

• Ideal Beach at Ocean and Bayside, Middletown;

• Bayshore Waterfront Park, 719 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth section of Middletown;

For more locations and information, click here.

• Rumson’s First Presbyterian Church is hosting a healthy earth, body and mind slate of events showcasing healthy cooking, gardening, exercise and aromatherapy starting at 1 p.m. at the church on River Road.

• Monmouth Players’ Present Laughter at 8:15 p.m. (See the above entry.)

Sunday

• The annual Red Bank International Flavour Festival comes to the borough’s White Street parking lot from noon to 7 p.m.

The festival features the usual tastes and toasts of area food and craft booths and music by several area bands.

Proceeds for the event are donated to Monmouth Day Care Center, Red Bank RiverCenter and Parker Family Health Clinic.

• Matinee of Monmouth Players’ Present Laughter. (See Friday’s entry above).

Crime

Police: Machete-Wielding Area Man Arrested, $200K Bail

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An area man, who was found by police fleeing a home with a machete in hand on Thursday, is being held in jail on $200,000 bail and facing multiple charges, including burglary, weapons possession and terroristic threats.

Brian O’Herron, 29, of Seabreeze Avenue in Middletown, was arrested by Middletown police after officers Adam Colfer, Brian McGrogan and Kent Thornton responded to a burglary in progress at a Seabreeze Avenue residence, the release said.

Upon arrival, the officers were informed that O’Herron had run from the residence carrying a machete. After a search of the area, O’Herron was found by police and an investigation ensued, police said.

As a result of the investigation, O’Herron was charged with: burglary, violation of a court order, criminal restraint, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats, harassment and resisting arrest, police said.

O’Herron was held on $200,000 bail, set by Judge Escandon.

Crime, Police and Fire

Police: Alleged Marijuana Dealer Busted

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An area teen is facing drug dealing and possession charges.

On April 23, Robert Fiore, 18, of Walling Street in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested by Middletown police and charged with: possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, possession with over 50 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a release from Middletown police.

Police said that they were called to investigate an “occupied suspicious vehicle, a tan Mazda Protege, parked in the street with no license plates,” according to the release.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the officers reported that they found Fiore holding a bag of marijuana. Fiore was placed under arrest and police searched the vehicle.

As a result of the search, police said they found “a large bag containing more marijuana as well as drug paraphernalia.” In addition, the release said, they found Fiore to be in possession of $2,100 in cash.

The $2,100 was seized and the car was seized for forfeiture.

Fiore was released on his own recognizance.

Officers Michael Heaton and Richard Belmonte made the arrest.

 

Local Life, News

Going Retro with Rumson Cops

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Rumson police at the 2015 borough Veterans Day ceremony Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Rumson police at the 2015 borough Veterans Day ceremony
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

With all the talk about emergency responders and Monday’s Rumson fire, it seemed logical to take a moment to focus on Rumson police.

In this Retro Pic of the Day, Rumson officers and Chief Scott Paterson were poised to remember the borough’s residents who served in wars at the 2015 Veterans Day ceremony at Victory Park this past fall.

They are charged with protecting and serving; and, that’s just what they do.

Kudos to our community police officers! Have you thanked your local cop lately?

Police and Fire

Arresting News: Contempt of Court

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The following arrests were made recently by Red Bank police on contempt of court charges.

• Guy Abrahamsen, 34, of Brick, was arrested on April 14 by Patrolman Tanner Shea in the area of Monmouth Street on a contempt of court charge.

• James Kirgan, 55, of Keansburg, was arrested on April 14 by Patrolman David Smith in the area of Riverview Plaza on a contempt of court charge.

Continue reading Arresting News: Contempt of Court →

News, Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Prosecutor: Rumson Blithewald Fire an Accident

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They weren’t able to rule out electrical malfunction as a cause of Monday’s Rumson fire, but the tri-fold investigative team has determined that, regardless, it was an accident, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Charles Webster said.

There were “energized electric circuits or equipment” in the area  of the fire’s origin, “in the area of a wall located between a guest bedroom and an en-suite bedroom, both located on the second floor” of the 19th century mansion dubbed Blithewald, a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Fire Marshal and Rumson Police Department determined, Webster said.

There were no injuries sustained from the six-hour, four-alarm blaze fought by several area fire departments at the 76 Buena Vista Avenue home owned by the Widener family.

Designers had been on site putting finishing touches on the home that was to be the centerpiece of the Visiting Nurse Association’s Stately Homes by-the-Sea Designer Show House event slated to kick off on Saturday.

 

Local Life

Fair Haven Shore Signs of Spring

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The temperature may have plummeted a bit, but spring has just about sprung on the banks of the Navesink River in Fair Haven.

Tree leaves and blossoms have or are just about to bloom. The tide has been low, boats being readied for the season and waters calm.

It’s the perfect time for a walk down by the river.

Take a look at why Fair Havenites treasure their river time and memories. 

You may purchase photos from this gallery, but may not publish them anywhere. They are copyrighted.

— Photos by Elaine Van Develde/Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

Local Life

Retro Ode to Fair Haven Firemen

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Firefighters from several area municipalities swarmed to the scene of Monday’s fire at the historic Blithewald mansion in Rumson.

All are volunteers. The fire took roughly six hours to quell at the hands of hundreds of area firemen.

Yesterday, we took a look back at the 2015 Rumson Reorganization and its firemen at the ceremony.

Today, we take a look back at the Fair Haven Reorganization and the first responders sworn in and offer another thank you to all of those who volunteer to protect us.

The other fire companies that responded to the Blithewald fire were: Sea Bright, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Asbury Park.

Have you thanked your local firefighter lately?

 

Police and Fire

Police Report Contempt, Probation Violation

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The following recent arrests on contempt of court and violation of probation charges were reported by Middletown police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• James Georgianna, 23, of Port Monmouth Road in Middletown, was arrested on April 14 by Patrolman Stephen Greenwood of the Anti-Crime Unit on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $4,416 bail.

Continue reading Police Report Contempt, Probation Violation →

Local Life, News

Fair Haven: Poised for a Park

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By Elaine Van Develde

The Fair Haven house that Charles Williams built is gone.

But the historic significance of the freed African-American slave’s family homestead at the foot of DeNormandie Avenue has not been forgotten as the borough preps the swath of Navesink riverfront property for it’s new life as a park.

Fair Haven officials have said all along that once the transformation to passive recreation park takes hold, a plaque commemorating the Williams family and its Robards descendants will be anchored on the site. The plaque will include a brief history of the land’s significance.

For now, though, getting set for some major landscaping is the priority.

“The DPW is finishing up with clearing the property of any remaining bits of debris from the demolition,” Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said. “The borough’s arborist has assessed the trees on the property and made a determination of which can be cut down and which must be saved. Becker Tree Service, which has a contract with the borough, will soon remove the trees that cannot be saved.”

After that, the property will be readied for turf and landscaping.

Taxpayers contributed roughly $200,000 to the acquisition of the $1.2 million plat. The remainder of the money to purchase it came from state, county and non-profit grants — all of which were contingent upon a commitment to eternally preserve the land as open space.

Take a look at the above slideshow for a glimpse into the property’s history, from borough acquisition to the home’s demolition.

— Photos and slideshow/Elaine Van Develde

News, Police and Fire

Sea Bright Fire Company’s Focus on the Rumson Blithewald Fire

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The Sea Bright Fire Company has shared its view from a head cam of Monday’s Rumson fire at the Blithewald historic mansion via a post on its Facebook page.

In the post, the company’s representatives said that the release of the video on YouTube, they felt, would “not only give the public insight on what we do but will allow our brothers and sisters of the service an opportunity to better both themselves and ourselves in the future.”

No cause has been as of yet determined. The fire is under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Rumson police and the county fire marshal.

Take a look for a glimpse into the life of a local firefighter on the job. Firefighters have asked that the public excuse their language at some points.