All posts by Elaine Van Develde

Police Ask for Help in Finding Missing Man

February 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Middletown police have asked for the public’s assistance in finding a missing person, a post on the Middletown Police Department’s Facebook page said.

Anthony Tassello, 55, of Middletown, was reported missing by his family. “He was last seen at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Monday …” the post said.

At the time he went missing, police said the white man, described as a standing 6-foot, 3-inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, was wearing a gray tweed cap, vest and blue jeans when he was last seen.

Police ask that anyone with information about Tassello call Detective Keith Hirschbein at 732-615-2068.

Local Life

A Paddle Back to Warmth in Rumson

February 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Kayaking on a warm summer's day by Victory Park in Rumson. Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Kayaking on a warm summer’s day by Victory Park in Rumson.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Yes, the chilliest cold snap of the year has had people thinking more of warmer times — and counting the days.

Well, our Retro Pic of the Day is a toasty bounce back to the summer of 2013 and a fundraiser day that had participants languishing in the Navesink River waters ’til the end.

The event was dubbed Paddle with a Purpose. It was a fundraiser that had people paddle boarding and kayaking in part for Sea Bright Rising.

The participants paddled their way roughly five miles up and down the Navesink, ending at Victory Park in Rumson.

Time for that warm-up!

Do you kayak, paddle or just wade in the river water? What’s your favorite spot?

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Report: Theft, Assault, Identity Theft

February 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven police reported the following incidents and arrests for the month of January. Arrests do not constitute convictions.

Incidents

• An Oxford Avenue resident reported on Jan. 1 an identity theft with an $800 loss.

Detective Steve Schneider is investigating.

• Patrols responded on Jan. 3 to a report of a possible assault on Battin Road. Neither of the parties involved wanted to sign complaints.

Special Officer Henne took the report.

• A theft of services was reported on Jan. 4 by a River Road business.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria took the report.

• An identity theft report involving a purchase at a Bridgewater Best Buy was taken for a Dartmouth Avenue resident on Jan. 8.

Detective Steve Schneider is investigating.

• A Battin Road resident reported the theft of a watch valued at $8,000 on Jan. 12.

Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took the report. Detective Steve Schneider is investigating.

• A River Road business patron reported on Jan. 16 that his vehicle had been keyed while in the parking lot.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria took the report.

• On Jan. 26, Sgt. Jesse Dykstra took a report of an assault at a River Road business. Both parties involved were located and neither opted to sign a complaint.

• A McCarter Avenue resident on Jan. 30 reported his bicycle was missing/stolen from McCarter’s Pond.

Special Officer Brooks Robinson took the report.

Arrests

• Conor Ban,18, of Rumson, was arrested by Sgt. Jesse Dykstra on Jan. 22 on the charge of an outstanding warrant.

He was released after posting cash bail.

• Kyle Jadevaia, 22, of Rumson, was arrested by Patrolman William Lagrotteria on Jan. 30 following a traffic stop and charged with an outstanding warrant out of Belmar.

He was released after posting cash bail.

• William A. Crawford Jr., 22, of Long Branch, was arrested on Jan. 2 and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop by Special Officer Brooks Robinson.

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime Close By: Theft by Deception & More

February 17, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent criminal incidents and arrests were reported by Shrewsbury police. Arrests do not constitute convictions.

Incidents

• An alleged incident of theft by deception was reported in the area of Adams Way on Feb. 7. The victims reported that an unknown person or persons cashed checks totaling $500 under false pretense.

Patrolman Matthew Clark is investigating.

• An incident of criminal mischief in the area of White Street was reported on Feb. 10. The victim reported that $100 worth of damage was done to property.

Patrolman Joseph Barnicle is investigating.

Arrests

• Deion E. Martin, 19, of Red Bank was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Ryan Cullinane in the area of Yale Boulevard and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

• Rachel Lamanno, 26, of Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 12 by Patrolman Matthew Clark in the area of Broad Street and charged with driving under the influence.

News

Snow Issue: Delayed R-FH School Openings

February 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

All the school districts in the Rumson-Fair Haven area have announced delayed openings for Tuesday.

Rumson School District:

From the schools website …

“The Rumson School District will have a 90 minute delayed opening on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 with the possibility that school may be closed. You will be notified tomorrow morning if school will be closed.

For the delayed opening the AM Preschool will report to school at 10:10 am to 12:00 noon. Students in grades K-8 will report to school at 10:10 am to 3:05 pm.

Please allow the same amount of time to report to your bus stop as you normally would.”

Fair Haven School District:

From the district’s website …

“As a result of the current forecast for overnight accumulating snow and continued frigid temperatures, along with the need to prepare both campuses for students and staff, FH Schools will operate under a 2 ½ hour Plan B delayed opening schedule for tomorrow, Tuesday February 17th. AM Pre-K and Kindergarten both begin at 10:30; PM Kindergarten begins at 1:00, followed by PM Pre-K at 1:10. No lunches will be served.”

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School District:

From the high school’s website …

“Staff sign in is at 9am.
The warning bell is at 9:10am.
Period 1 starts at 9:15am.

Buses will be running this morning on a 90 minute delayed schedule.”

Police and Fire

Arresting News from Nearby: Contempt of Court

February 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following contempt of court arrests were recently reported by Middletown police:

• Robert Ellis, 51, ofSuburban Road in Brick, was arrested on Feb. 4 by Cpl. Joseph Ahlemeyer on contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $4,433 bail.

• Jessica Swartz, 30, of Howard Avenue in Keansburg, was arrested on Feb. 4 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth on contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

She was held on $2,500 bail.

• Alexander Giuriceo, 20, of Greenfield Way in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Patrolman John Walsifer on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $1,500 bail.

• Brittany Carr, 24, of Atlantic Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel on contempt of court warrants issued by the Woodbridge and Middletown municipal courts.

She was held on $918 bail.

• Gregory Bruno, 49, of Garden Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Antonio Ciccone on contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $577 bail.

• Gregory Bruno, 49, of Garden Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Antonio Ciccone on contempt of court warrants issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $577 bail.

• Christina Villena, 23, of Rhea Road in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 5 by Patrolman Adam Vendetti on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Monmouth Beach Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $405 bail.

• Bruce Vaughn, 40, of Pearl Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was held on $405 bail.

• Selina Lester, 30, of Kimberly Court in Red Bank, was arrested on Jan. 28, 2015 by Patrolman Michael Heaton on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Red Bank Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $468 bail.

• Steven Ciufo, 38, of Shoal Harbor Court in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 25 by Patrolman Adam Colfer on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.

He was held on $236 bail.

• Paul Summey, 32, of Terry Lane in Tinton Falls, was arrested on Jan. 25 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $250 bail.

• Selina Lester, 30, of Kimberly Court in Red Bank, was arrested on Jan. 28, 2015 by Patrolman Michael Heaton on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Red Bank Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $468 bail.

• Brian Chevalier, 43, of Broadmoor Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 28 by Patrolman Michael Heaton on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Jackson Municipal Court.

He was released after posting $200 bail.

• Gabrielle Sulner, 22, of East 14th Street in Brooklyn, NY, was arrested on Jan. 30 by Patrolman Michael Allen on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $250 bail.

• Lisa Smith, 26, of Church Street in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 6 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel on a contempt of court warrant issued by the Hazlet Municipal Court.

She was released after posting $250 bail.

Schools Scene

RFH Girls Winter Track Team Scores Big

February 15, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Girls Winter Track Team has earned a double victory.

The team garnered the school’s first Group II State Relay championship for Winter Track and scored its fourth consecutive Central Jersey Group II Sectional title.

The historic State Group II Relay Championship was the result of a first-place finish at the State Relays in January, where 24 teams competed and RFH bested Holmdel by three points.

Continue reading RFH Girls Winter Track Team Scores Big →

Police and Fire

Police Report: Nearby Thefts, Criminal Mischief

February 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent criminal incidents were reported by Red Bank police:

• The theft of an iPhone from the restroom of a grocery store on Broad Street was reported on Feb. 5.

Patrolman Garrett Falco took the report.

• The theft of a shower kit, containing a watch, ring and cash, from a Maple Avenue gym was reported on Feb. 5.

Patrolman Shane Dengel took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported on Feb. 9 to have occurred sometime in the past week at a Fisher Place residence. The victim reported that the screen on her window had been cut.

Patrolman Jorge Torres took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on Feb. 9 at a Branch Avenue residence. The victim reported that a glass window was broken.

Patrolman Jorge Torres took the report.

• An incident of criminal mischief was reported to have occurred on Feb. 10 at an E. Newman Springs Road business. The victim reported that someone keyed and slashed three tires on a parked vehicle.

Patrolman Shane Dengel took the report.

Business Buzz

DIVE!: A Business Valentine Story

February 13, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By Elaine Van Develde

It was a dank, dreary day back in October of 2012. Steven Graniero and Christina Dilorio stood at the bottom of bleachers overflowing with sanguine Hurricane Sandy victims at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.

The weather gave them an eerie embrace as if to get in another jab as they held onto one another, wiping away tears and trying to comprehend what had just happened.

The engaged couple had just lost everything but one another to Sandy. After earning their stripes bar tending and waiting tables, the two, who met at work, had saved all their pennies to make a dream come true and open a small beachy bar/restaurant of their own in Sea Bright.

Continue reading DIVE!: A Business Valentine Story →

Local Life

Swing Back to Surfing RFH Class of ’78 Style

Image February 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978. Photo/George Day — RFH surfer boys at the Sea Bright beach circa 1978.
Photo/George Day

Looking back, the cold didn’t seem to stave off the die-hard Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School ocean dwellers.

We’ve seen them in full Polar Bear Club regalia. Now, in our Retro Pic of the (George) Day, here they are again at shoreline of Sea Bright Beach ready for some surfing fun circa 1978.

Donning down and ski jackets, this crew was always ready to catch a wave — of fun in one way or another.

Know them? Of course, you do.

Thanks again to George Day for providing this original photo from the archives of the RFH yearbook.

We welcome any Retro Pic of the Day contributions from further retro eras or more recent times. Just send an email to [email protected] with your photos and proper credit. Thanks and enjoy!

Crime, Police and Fire

Crime Close By: DWI, Theft, Assault & More

February 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following arrests were reported by Middletown Township police. Arrests do not constitute convictions.

• Michael Simonelli, 19, of Hosford Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 26 by Patrolman Brian McGrogan and charged with simple assault.

He was held on $2,500.00 bail with a 10 percent option.

• Albert Freeman, 49, of Maida Terrace in Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 27 by Patrolman William Rodewald and charged with terroristic threats and harassment.

He was held on $5,000 bail with a 10 percent option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Kristen Ruff, 28, of East Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Jan. 28, 2015 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• Bryan Greten, 25, of North Park Avenue in West Keansburg, was arrested on Jan. 28 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte and charged with disorderly conduct.

He was released pending a court date.

• Anthony Spero, 58, of Clinton Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 31 by Patrolman James Beirne and charged with simple assault.

He was released pending a court date.

• Kathleen Marisco, 37, of Alpine Terrace in Neptune, was arrested on Jan. 31 by Cpl. Thomas Meckier and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• Darryl Pineda, 33, of West Garfield Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Jan. 30 by Cpl. James Keenan and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Alex Bahr, age 24, of Oakes Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Jan. 30 by Patrolman Ian May and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Alissa Algarin, 48, of Portland Road in Highlands,was arrested on Feb. 1 by Patrolman Patrick Leonard and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• On Jan. 31, Patrolman Nicholas Haines arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from Middletown and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released pending a court date.

• Morgan Mazza, 20, of Spring Garden Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 1 by Patrolman John Soltysik and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

She was released pending a court date.

• On Feb. 1, Patrolman Patrick Leonard arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from the Belford section of Middletown and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, underage possession of alcohol and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

He was released pending a court date.

• On Feb. 1, Patrolman Patrick Leonard arrested a 16-year-old male juvenile from the Leonardo section of Middletown and charged him with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and underage possession of alcohol.

He was released pending a court date.

• Gregory Wolf, 50, of Fairview Drive in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Lt. Paul Bailey and charged with driving while suspended for a driving while intoxicated offense.

He was released pending a court date.

• Alexander Giuriceo, 20, of Greenfield Way in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Detective Keith Hirschbein and charged with receiving stolen property.

He was held on $2,500.00 bail.

• Luis Espinoza-Hernandez, 23, of Cedar Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Patrolman Michael Heaton and charged with shoplifting from the Sears store on Route 35.

He was held on $2,500 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Alfredo Flores-Oliveras, 28, of Cedar Street in Red Bank, was arrested on Feb. 2 by Patrolman Michael Heaton and charged with shoplifting from the Sears store on Route 35.

He was held on $2,500 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Mark Fusco, 49, of Bay Hill Road in the Leonardo section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 4 by Patrolman Michael Reuter and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Joseph Mullally, 47, of Martins Lane in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 4 by Patrolman Nicholas Haines and charged with simple assault and harassment.

He was held on $5,000 bail with a 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Doris Harris, 56, of Locust Street in Cliffwood, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Corporal Bernie Chenoweth and charged with defrauding a drug urine test.

She was held pending a court date.

• Christopher Rizzolo, 33, of Monument Street in Freehold, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Cpl. Bernie Chenoweth and charged with defrauding a drug test.

He was held pending a court date.

• James Mauro, 61, of Route 322 in Swedesboro, was arrested on Feb. 7 by Patrolman Jesse Toma and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

He was released pending a court date.

• Alexander Green, 20, of Wesley Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Brian Dilworth and charged with unlawful possession of prescription medication, theft, burglary, and credit card theft.

He was held on $122,500 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Robert Montalbano, 19, of Brandywine Lane in Colts Neck, ws arrested on Feb. 8 by Police Officer Stephanie Geisel and charged with unlawful possession of alprazolam, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.

He was held on $10,000 bail with a 10 percent option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Sean Figaro, 20, of Garfield Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 8 by Patrolman Brady Carr and charged with simple assault.

He was released after posting $2,500 bail with a 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

• Wayne Hegel, 54, of Palmer Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on Feb. 9 by Patrolman Ryan Riffert and charged with criminal mischief and obstructing the administration of law.

He was held on $3,500 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Schools Scene

Forrestdale Student Dubbed Geography Expert

February 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

You could say that Forrestdale School sixth-grader Peter O’Connor knows where things are in this world.

After proving his expertise in geography by winning in-class competitions, the Rumson 12-year-old garnered first place in the Forrestdale School Geography Bee on Feb. 4, a press release from the Rumson School District said.

O’Connor won the champion title after competing among 18 sixth- through eighth-grade students who qualified through the in-class competitions for the final school-wide contest, the release added.

The winning question he answered correctly: “Which country is the setting for Jack London’s classic novel ‘The Call of the Wild’, which takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon?” The answer: Canada.

Eighth-grader Sam Eckstein came in second.

Peter, the release said, will now go on to participate in the Regional Finals of the National Geography Bee in April.

Seventh grade Social Studies teacher Keith Laviola organized and hosted the competition.

Judges were: eighth grade Social Studies teacher Michelle Devoy; sixth grade Social Studies teacher Dan Morrone; and eighth grade English/Language Arts teacher Lori Zucker.