The following recent criminal incidents and arrests were reported by Shrewsbury police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Continue reading Police Report: Theft, Harassment, DWI, CDS Possession, Criminal Mischief
Focus: Power of Place 2018
There’s a lot to be said about the importance of place in people’s lives. It defines us in many ways. It brings us comfort. It triggers memories. It is a bookmark in our hearts. Oftentimes that important place is home.
So, to pay homage to the profound power of place in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, home, we offer a glimpse back to significant places of 2018 and many decades preceding it.
Happy New Year! Take a look and let the photos give a tug at your heartstrings. Remember.
(Oh, and don’t forget to click on each photo to enlarge and get the full view!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Prosecutor: Youth Tennis Instructor Indicted on New Charges in Connection with Child Porn, Kidnapping
A local youth tennis instructor has been indicted on aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping and several other related charges in connection with several incidents of child pornography and misconduct involving a student and other local children, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced on Wednesday.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Youth Tennis Instructor Indicted on New Charges in Connection with Child Porn, Kidnapping
Focus: Fair Haven Holiday House Decoration Winners
Drum roll please … for, perhaps, the little drummer nutcracker boys on the front porch of the first-place winner of the first Fair Haven Holiday House Decoration Contest — the Ruscignos at 39 Parker Avenue.
Ben, Maria and Rocco Ruscigno added some special touches this year, they said. They collected PJs for ill children and their families at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Children’s Hospital in an effort to give back the kindness they received when Rocco was ill one year. In an effort to make the drop-off spot as festive and easy to find as possible, spirits soared and their house got the deluxe decoration treatment. Maria announced that they dropped off “100 pairs of brand new pajamas” to Jersey Shore. She thanked all for the donations.
Congratulations to the Ruscignos!
Second place went to the family at 11 Country Lane with the beautiful array of white lights. If you’ve done your holiday lights drive with due diligence every year, you’ve surely seen and admired the display here.
And third place went to the folks at 77 Poplar Ave., whose home is adorned with lots of festive multicolored lights and decorations year after year.
All the entries were drive-by worthy. Take a ride around the borough to see for yourself. There were 13 that were entered in the contest. In the meantime, take a look at some photos of the winners. And don’t forget to click to enlarge!
39 Parker Ave. 
39 Parker Ave. 
11 Country Lane 
11 Country Lane 
11 Country Lane 
77 Poplar Ave. 
77 Poplar Ave.
Prosecutor: 82-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Fatal Hit-and-Run
An 82-year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a male pedestrian who was struck and killed during a hit and run incident on Friday evening in Asbury Park, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
Continue reading Prosecutor: 82-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Fatal Hit-and-RunProsecutor: DWI Convictions Between 2008 and 2016 Could be Overturned
From the Monmouth County Prosecutor …
On November 13, 2018, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided the case of State of New Jersey v. Eileen Cassidy. The Court found that all blood alcohol content (“BAC”) results reported by Alcotest machines “calibrated” by former New Jersey State Police Sergeant Marc Dennis between 2008 and 2016 are not scientifically reliable and, therefore, are inadmissible as evidence in prosecutions of Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”).
Continue reading Prosecutor: DWI Convictions Between 2008 and 2016 Could be Overturned
Memorial Set for Fair Haven Fire Department 30-Year Member, Chris Bertell, 88
You didn’t have to know lifetime Rumson and Fair Havenite Chris Bertell for him to have touched your life and put a smile on your face, if only for a moment, especially at holiday time. That’s because he was the guy who, year after year, set a festive, antique Santa-driven Ford Model T on his River Road lawn. It was a traffic stopper. It was also a heart warmer.
And when people think back on holiday time in Fair Haven, most remember that guy, Chris Bertell, who set out to spread a little joy with a car, some lights and good ol’ Saint Nick. They also remember him as the guy in town who loved antique cars and dalmatians and shared that love with many.
Bertell also saw many through emergencies as a 30-year life member of the Fair Haven Fire Department many-time president and ex-captain of the department’s Fire Police. He was also that go-to guy in the community for electrical repairs with his longtime business, Chris’ Electric.
Bertell, also a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and member of the Masons, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Riverview Medical Center. He was 88.
A memorial is set for Bertell from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec.22. There will be a fire company service at 11. And The avid volunteer and lover of antique cars and dalmatians
Chris is survived by: his wife of 60 years Frieda “Ruth” (Dudley); and his cousin, Vincent Domidion, of Morganville.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Chris’ name to the ASPCA, 260 Wall Street, PO Box 93, Eatontown, NJ 07724.
RIP, Chris Bertell. You are remembered.
RFH Football Champs Sign College Letters of Intent
Five Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) State Championship football players have made their college choices official.
The athletes signed letters of intent on Thursday, sealing their college deals.
The athletes and their college choices are:
• Evan Davis — University at Buffalo
• Alex Maldjian — Middlebury College
• Ryan McCann — Yale University
• Ian O’Connor — Lehigh University
• Henry Sullivan — Colgate University
Head Coach Jerry Schulte,
Coach Jeremy Schulte
Ian O’Connor (Lehigh), Evan Davis (Buffalo), Henry Sullivan (Colgate), Ryan McCann (Yale), Alex Maldjian (Middlebury).
This is the first signing day of the school year for football. Additional commitments will be made in February.
— Press release from RFH
Prosecutor: Woman Charged in 1992 Murder of 12-Year-Old
A Monmouth County cold case has been solved. A former Asbury Park woman has been charged in the 1992 fatal shooting of a 12-year-old girl.
The woman, now 40 and living in Henderson, North Carolina, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter for the killing of Quiana Dees, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced on Thursday.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Woman Charged in 1992 Murder of 12-Year-Old
Focus: Black & White Winter on the River
You’ve seen it before. The view of Rumson from Hartshorne Woods at sunset on a winter’s day is a stunning, stark one.
It’s simple. It’s black and white. It’s peace and landscape harmony.
Take pause and take it in.
Good night, Rumson-Fair Haven area.
— Elaine Van Develde
Prosecutor: Area Man Facing Life in Prison for 2013 Double Murder
A Long Branch man has been convicted of murder and weapons charges in connection with the 2013 double murder of a couple found dead inside a Sairs Avenue apartment in the city, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
Continue reading Prosecutor: Area Man Facing Life in Prison for 2013 Double Murder
Police Report: Theft, Fraud, DWI, Identity Theft, Shoplifting
The following recent criminal incidents and arrests were reported by Shrewsbury police. An arrests does not constitute a conviction.
Continue reading Police Report: Theft, Fraud, DWI, Identity Theft, Shoplifting
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