George Pesavage allegedly burglarized a liquor store Friday morning

SOUTH BRUNSWICK-- Police say a Flemington man who broke into a liquor store early Friday morning suffered frostbite while hiding in a snowbank to avoid arrest.

George Pesavage (South Brunswick police)  

George Pesavage Jr., 47, allegedly entered Viking Buy-Rite Wine and Liquor on Rt. 1 shortly before 2 a.m., setting off an alarm. Police arrived and found no one inside the store, but the front door had been smashed and several items taken. The store owner arrived and showed police surveillance video of someone breaking in and snatching up about $650 in liquor, cigarettes, lighters and lottery tickets. The damage to the door was estimated at $2,000.

About a half-hour later Officer Mike Urstadt, while patrolling the area, spotted someone peering from behind an 8-foot snowbank nearby.

Urstadt approached and found Pesavage in clothing soaked from hiding in the snowbank, police said. He was bleeding from cuts he allegedly sustained when he broke the liquor store's door and was suffering from frostbite on a morning when temperatures ranged from the high teens to the low 20s.

Pesavage was also found with two bags containing items from the burglary, police said.

Pesavage, who told police he had walked from Princeton, was arrested for burglary and criminal mischief. He was treated for hypothermia and his injuries at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital before being sent to the Middlesex County Corrections Center pending a bail hearing.

"The man was saved by being arrested," said Chief of Police Raymond Hayducka. "The freezing temperatures had already started to lower his body temperature when officers located him. The officers' fast response and detailed search resulted in locating the stolen items and saving this man's life."

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.  

The presiding judge ruled Friday that jury selection would start Monday morning in the fraud case with Superior Court Judge Vincent LeBlon on the bench

NEW BRUNSWICK -- Superior Court Judge Vincent LeBlon will continue to preside over the trial between Perth Amboy condo owners and the Kushner Companies despite declaring a mistrial after an attorney accused of the judge of "running the most unbalanced trial of his career."

Civil Division Presiding Judge Jamie Happas ruled Friday that the second round of jury selection would start Monday morning in the fraud case with LeBlon on the bench in Middlesex County Superior Court.

Attorney's for both sides declined to comment.

Only three of the original 33 condo owners in the Admiral and the Bayview buildings who filed the lawsuit in 2012 will continue on in the trial against the Kushner Companies next week. The three remaining Bayview unit owners are in arbitration while the rest have since settled with the developer for undisclosed amounts. The company declined to comment. 

The mistrial was declared by LeBlon Wednesday during the trial's third day of proceedings following a heated back-and-forth between the judge and the plaintiff's attorney.

The expected weeks-long trial was only on its second witness when the condo owner Neil Hunter testified that he had inquired about the development's status after reading about Charles Kushner's conviction in 2004, according to a court recording.

"This particular conversation occurred in the spring of 2005 when I heard that Charlie Kushner was gong to be incarcerated," Hunter said of his conversation with representatives in the development's sales office. 

Charles Kushner spearheaded the $600 million redevelopment project -- which included a plan for 2,000 condos and townhomes across 17 buildings, as well as 200,000-square feet of retail space, acres of parks, a marina, a hotel, a community center and a gym. Only two buildings and a gym have been completed 13 years later. Kushner has been subpoenaed to testify in the trial.

Patrick J. Perrone, the lawyer representing the real estate development company, objected to the testimony mentioning the 18 felony convictions, which forced LeBlon to rule on whether or not his criminal history would prejudice a jury. 

The judge ruled that since Charles Kushner was not named in the suit specifically his criminal history was not relevant and told Whalen to instruct his clients to make no reference to his convictions. 

To which Patrick Whalen, the attorney representing the condo owners, responded, "I want to put something on the record. I think this has been the most unbalanced trial I've ever experienced in my career." 

"It has been a relentless unbalanced campaign so far," he said. 

Perrone had motioned earlier for a mistrial following Hunter's testimony, arguing that since the conviction was more than 10 years ago it was not relevant and could prejudice the jury. He accused Whalen of knowing the testimony would bring up the issue before the judge had ruled on whether or not Kushner's criminal history was admissible. 

"It would suggest to me that they had practiced and rehearsed that so that it would come out," Perrone said, without the jury present. "At the end of the day this case is about economic damages and they can't prove that. They want you to get mad at my clients and this is part of that effort. And I don't know how a jury is going to disregard this."

Whalen denied the accusations but did say Kushner's incarceration was relevant and had planned to bring them up.

"It's part of the factual story here," Whalen said. "I mean a reasonable consumer who signs a purchase agreement for a lot money, finds out the person who is in charge of the development is going to jail. nd so they ask representatives from that company 'Hey is this going to derail the project? Because if not, I'd like to get my money out.'"

"And so, they ask representatives from that company 'Hey is this going to derail the project? Because if not, I'd like to get my money out.' And then you get more promises and reassurances and misrepresentation under the consumer fraud act."

After Charles Kushner went to prison, Whalen argued, citing the company's website, that Jared Kushner, his son and Donald Trump's son-in-law, shifted the business to focus more on New York projects.

The judge also ruled there should be no references to Jared Kushner as well unless Whalen could prove relevance. 

In addition, Whalen also accused the judge and his law clerk of doing research for the defense when there has been no pending motions on issues."

The judge denied any bias during the trial but accepted Perrone motion for a mistrial after a short break. 

"You can both go and see the presiding judge and you find out how to continue the prosecution of this matter," LeBlon said after declaring a mistrial. "I think I've been very balanced in trying to be fair to both sides. How do I go forward with those remarks from Mr. Walen."

"I agree," Perrone responded. "A mistrial had to be granted."

Happas said Friday, with only the attorneys in the courtroom, that the trial would start at jury selection Monday unless the remaining plaintiffs settle. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

The dispute stems from Rutgers switching former UMDNJ employees to a new payroll system.

NEW BRUNSWICK -- During the first week of October last year, thousands of Rutgers University employees, ranging from doctors to housekeepers, reported to their jobs as they always do. 

The employees, absorbed by Rutgers as part of its 2013 merger with the University of Medicine and Density of New Jersey, worked their regular hours and submitted their time cards, according to the unions who represent them. 

Four months later later, they are still waiting to be paid for that week. 

Rutgers owes about 5,000 employees an estimated $500,000 in unpaid wages for a week of work that was lost in the transition from the UMDNJ payroll system to the Rutgers payroll system, according to four labor unions. Though the university has pledged to fully pay the wages over time, the unions say they want the money now and filed a wage theft complaint with the Department of Labor last month. 

Even if the money is paid, Rutgers should face a penalty for withholding wages, said Kathleen Hernandez, a union representative for 350 people who work in supervisory roles. 

"It's the whole idea that they think they can not pay people," Hernandez. "The audacity." 

The four unions involved represent housekeepers, clerical staff, doctors, clinicians, scientists, librarians and operation and maintenance staff working throughout the university. 

Rutgers hosts powerful new weather radar

Rutgers said in a statement it's working with the unions to resolve the dispute but declined to comment on why it delayed the payments. At the university Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, President Robert Barchi said the question isn't whether they money will be paid, but when. 

"There is no question that Rutgers intends to see that all the employees are appropriately reimbursed," he said. "You have my guarantee as president that that's the case." 

Rutgers offered to provide part of the missed pay in March and the rest in July, Hernandez said. But the unions shouldn't be punished for Rutgers apparent lack of planning for the payroll transition, she said, adding that some of the affected employees make a little as $13 an hour. 

"Our people don't want to wait," Hernandez said. 

The problem is one that was predicted by some when Rutgers and UMDNJ merged in 2013, the largest higher education merger in U.S. history.

At UMDNJ, employees would work for two weeks and receive a paycheck the following Friday, a one-week delay in payment. At Rutgers, employees work two weeks and receive a paycheck on Friday with no delay in payment. 

Rutgers could have elected to pay the legacy UMDNJ employees for three weeks in one paycheck when it made the payroll transition, Hernandez said. Instead, those employees worked for three weeks but received pay only for the final two, said Juanita Howard, a union representative for medical fellows, residents and interns. 

"It's one thing to withhold," Howard said. "But you have to give the money back in a reasonable amount of time." 

Howard, a Rutgers-Newark alumnus, told the Board of Governors she was having a difficult time explaining what happened to her union members. 

"As somebody who has gone to this school and loved this school, it doesn't feel good to have to explain that this has happened and that we're trying really hard to get the wages out of you," she said. 

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook

Tejay Johnson faces a series charges in connection with three armed robberies and an assault in New Brunswick.

NEW BRUNSWICK -- A city cop faced questioning from lawyers Friday afternoon over a signed form allowing police access to the cell phone of an ex-Rutgers football player that allegedly contained photos and text messages about a series of robberies.

Tejay Johnson, who appeared in Middlesex County Superior Court for a pretrial hearing faces charges in connection with three armed robberies and an assault in New Brunswick. 

On Friday, Ian Goldman, the attorney representing Johnson, questioned New Brunswick Lt. Mark Pappas on the procedure and department protocols for a consent form after the prosecutor's office played a video from August 2015 showing Johnson and Pappas discussing the form before they both signed it. 

The phone in question provided the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office with photos of the items stolen in the robberies and text messages discussing the heists, according to authorities. 

"At this point, we plan to plot on a map within a range of cell phone towers where people's phones were moving during these incidents," Assistant Prosecutor Deborah Hay said in October of how the state will use the defendants' cell records in the case.

Johnson was the last person to be released from jail for charges that rocked the university's team in the fall of 2015. He posted $300,000 bail on Nov. 3 after more than a year in Middlesex County jail. 

"He wanted his cell phone back and I advised him we needed his passcode and we could have it back to him within an hour," Pappas said of the consent form that unlocked Johnson's iPhone allowing police to search and download its contents.

Goldman asked Pappas if he purposely tried to trick Johnson into signing a form that provided the evidence on the phone, which authorities had seized pending a warrant.

"No," Pappas said. "I thought it was the quickest way for him to get his phone back." 

The attorney also questioned the officer's motives in checking off a box that waived Johnson's rights to be present during the search after the two signed the form. 

"I didn't alter anything," Pappas said, explaining that he had read the entire form to Johnson, noting specifically that question, before he signed. The entire exchange was recorded. 

The second day of pretrial proceedings is scheduled for March 17 at 9 a.m. before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Dennis Nieves

Johnson rejected a plea deal in Septemeber that included a 15-year prison term. 

Johnson and four other Scarlet Knights were indicted in December 2015 in the home invasions. Johnson was originally arrested in connection to one armed robbery but was later charged with two more armed robberies in the city and taking part in an attack on Delafield Street. 

Five other players were also charged in the city fight over a parking spot that left a man with a broken jaw. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

The Edison Township Council's move to declare itself a "Hidden Heroes City" makes it the first municipality in Middlesex County and second in the state

EDISON -- The township has formally pledged its support for local family and friends who spend their time caring for the ill and injured service members or veterans in the community.

 

The Edison Township Council's move this week to declare itself a "Hidden Heroes City" makes it the first municipality in Middlesex County and second in the state to adopt the distinction as part of a nationwide campaign launched last fall to recognize the 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers across the country.

"Family members and friends who provide care for injured, ill or disabled veterans and service members should not be hidden. They really are heroes," Mayor Thomas Lankey said in a release. "I am proud that Edison is honoring and supporting their dedication and commitment to their loved ones."

Only 100 community in the United States have approved similar resolutions to take part in the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's campaign to raise public awareness and support caregivers at a local level.

East Orange is the other New Jersey community pledged to participate. 

"Our goal is to raise public awareness about the tremendous challenges that military caregivers face and to inspire people, businesses and civic groups to join us in supporting these military caregivers," said Council President Michael Lombardi, who sponsored a recent resolution. 

CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

An in-depth look at the NJSIAA Group Championships

Everything you need to know for championship Sunday

ESSENTIALS
• Sunday's semifinals and finals schedule
• Postseason brackets
• Meet the teams: A few of N.J.'s title contenders

NJ.COM RANKINGS
• Top 20
• Individual weight classes
• Pound-for-pound
• NJ grads in the national D-1 college rankings
• NJ wrestlers in the national ratings

COMPLETE PREVIEW: Lineups, predictions and more

LIVE NOW: 

NON-PUBLIC A
No. 1 Bergen Catholic vs. St. Augustine
• Live Updates
• Staff report
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

GROUP 5
No. 8 Hunterdon Central vs. No. 9 Howell
• Live Updates
• Staff report
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

GROUP 1
No. 6 Paulsboro vs. Kittatinny
• Live Updates
• Staff report
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

GROUP 3 FINAL
No. 3 South Plainfield 38, No. 15 Delsea 23
• Live Updates
• South Plainfield knocks of Delsea for second straight year
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

GROUP 2 FINAL
No. 12 Delaware Valley 30, No. 10 Hanover Park 28 
• Live Updates
• Del. Val. outlasts Hanover park for title
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

STATE SEMIFINALS RESULTS

GROUP 5
No. 9 Howell 45, Piscataway 24
• Chat archive | Box score

No. 8 Hunterdon Central 62, Passaic Tech 6
• Chat archive | Box score

GROUP 4
No. 5 Phillipsburg 41, Kingsway 21
• Chat archive | Box score
• Kingsway feels close after loss to P'burg

Mendham 30, Jackson 28
• Chat archive | Box score

GROUP 3
No. 15 Delsea 39, No. 4 Cranford 25
• Chat archive | Box score

No. 3 South Plainfield 44, Sparta 15
• Chat archive| Box score

GROUP 2
No. 12 Delaware Valley 34, Collingswood 24
• Chat archive | Box score

No. 10 Hanover Park 32, High Point 30
• Chat archive | Box score

GROUP 1
No. 6 Paulsboro 49, Cedar Grove 18
• Chat archive | Box score

Kittatinny 39, Point Pleasant Beach 33
• Chat archive | Box score

STATE FINALS, 7 p.m.

NON-PUBLIC B
No. 16 DePaul vs. Holy Spirit

• Live Updates
• Staff report
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

GROUP 4
No. 5 Phillipsburg vs. Mendham

• Live Updates
• Staff report
•  Photo gallery
• Box score

RECENT LINKS

• Delsea thinks it can take down Cranford, South Plainfield
• Kingsway doesn't mind underdog role
• Paulsboro trying for first undefeated title in 17 years
• Sectional final results and links
• Look back at last year's state finals

Heavy rain and sleet on Sunday left some icy roads overnight as temperatures plummeted

Several Middlesex County school districts have announced delayed openings for Monday with icy conditions on the roads from heavy precipitation on Sunday.

The following Middlesex County districts have delayed starts:

• East Brunswick Schools - Two hour delay
• Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission - One hour delay
• North Brunswick Schools - 90 minute delay
• Old Bridge Schools - Two hour delay
• South Brunswick Schools - 90 minute delay

Dogs and cats throughout New Jersey await adoption.

Protecting pets during cold weather

We were told earlier this month that Punxsutawney Phil observed his shadow, which is supposed to mean six more weeks of winter weather.

Courtesy of Anchor Animal Hospital

Whether that forecast is accurate or not, it's still a good idea to consider how winter affects our pets. BluePearl Veterinary Partners has some tips for protecting pets during cold weather:

* The most common-sense tip is - don't leave a pet in the cold for too long. Bring pets inside if they begin to shiver. Pets can get frostbite. In the early stages of frostbite, pets' ears, tails or paws will show signs of redness while pale, white patches of skin are signs of an advanced stage of frostbite.

* Once inside, make sure there is no ice stuck in your pet's paws.

* Find a de-icer that is pet-friendly if you use one on your driveway and sidewalks. Various toxins and even salt can cause problems for pets, as they have a tendency to lick the substances off their paws.

* Winter can make it hard for pets to find their way back home because ice and snow mask familiar scents and paths. Make sure dogs and cats that are allowed to roam have identification tags and, if possible, are microchipped.

* Dogs can't say "My arthritis is acting up in this cold." If a pet struggles when getting up and moving around the house, a trip to the vet might be in order. Also, make sure there is soft and warm bedding available in cold weather.

* A sweater or coat for short-haired dogs is a wise investment. A canine or feline fashion statement, perhaps, but the fact is that these items are functional in cold weather.

More pets in need of adoption can be viewed here and here.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Officials debate if the term is too loosely defined, or if it will provide additional security for the borough's immigrant residents.

HIGHLAND PARK -- The borough will consider next week whether it should try to protect its immigrant community by becoming a "sanctuary city." 

The ordinance creating the designation would be a shift from previous statements by borough officials who had said that declaring sanctuary status lacked substance and merely served as a symbolic measure.

President Trump's recent executive orders instructs federal officials to strictly enforce immigration laws and vows to deprive federal funding to so-called sanctuary cities -- a broad term used to describe municipalities that work to protect law-abiding unauthorized immigrants.

Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler was among those who previously said she believed the term was too loosely defined, saying that she preferred to protect immigrant residents through substantive actions.

Nonetheless, she told NJ Advance Media that an ordinance declaring sanctuary status would seek to include clear-cut measures of how the borough planned to protect its immigrant community.

"The resolution we are looking at will have a clear definition," she said.

Though the policy details have not been fully worked out, Mittler said a task force would create specifics. Highland Park has already begun a municipal photo identification program available to all residents, including immigrants.

Highland Park Councilman Joshua Henne said communities should create clear policies to protect immigrants, and that this is not an impossible task.

"All folks are asking for is to make sure our local municipalities won't become deputized police forces for Trump's mass deportations," Henne said.

New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill recently said in a statement that the city's police department would comply with local, state and federal immigration investigations, a comment that provoked a backlash from residents and a protest outside city hall last week.

The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, said declaring sanctuary status is more than symbolic but also a way for towns to thwart officials from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from coming into communities and conducting investigations.

"When ICE is trying to meet their quotas they go for low-hanging fruits," said Kaper-Dale, who is also New Jersey's Green Party gubernatorial candidate. "And you don't want to go to a place where you think local government is going to get in your way."

Kaper-Dale, who has advocated for several years to protect immigrants and helped to resettle refugees in his community, including from Syria, is also calling on officials to go beyond declaring sanctuary status.

He is working with roughly 60 congregations throughout the state to form a volunteer unit called the Deportation and Immigration Response Emergency team (DIRE), which he said would rush to wherever ICE officials were investigating. He said this could be done by local governments agreeing to post real-time alerts whenever ICE officials came into a community.

Mittler said the borough would discuss the sanctuary city measure at its next meeting on Feb. 21. The public will have an opportunity to comment. 

The borough would then vote on the ordinance at the following meeting.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Newly renovated school on target to open in Sept. 2018.

Students participate in a beam-signing ceremony at Paul Robeson Community Theme School for the Arts.

NEW BRUNSWICK -- On Feb. 8, representatives from the New Jersey Schools Development Authority joined New Brunswick students, state and local officials in signing a beam that will become part of the Paul Robeson Community Theme School for the Arts.

The beam-signing ceremony celebrated the construction progress on the addition and renovation to the existing the school. The signed beam will become part of the new addition.

The 60,000-square-foot, three-story addition will feature a new multi-purpose room, 32 classrooms and four small instruction rooms. Renovations to the existing 59,400-square-foot building include a fire sprinkler system, update of the school's food service area, media center, classrooms, nurse's office, main office and student services suite.

The school is scheduled to open in September 2018.

To submit school news send an email to middlesex@starledger.com.

Here are 10 things to keep an eye on in girls basketball this week

A man was killed in a crash in North Brunswick Monday morning.

NORTH BRUNSWICK -- A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday morning on Ryders Lane.

The man -- who was not identified because his family had not yet been notified -- was killed shortly before 7 a.m. near the entrance ramp to Route 1 North, according to a statement from police.

The man was traveling west on Ryders Lane towards New Brunswick when, for unknown reasons, the Toyota he was driving veered left and went over the concrete median, crossing Ryders Lane, and ultimately hitting a metal guardrail head on, the statement said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second car broke down and had to be towed from the scene. 

The road was closed for roughly two hours while the scene was being investigated. The crash remains under investigation, police said.

Anyone with further information can contact the North Brunswick Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-247-0922 ext. 316.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The universities argue their diverse students and scholars from around the world not only benefit their colleges, but the country.

PRINCETON -- Joining with 16 other national schools, Princeton University on Monday filed a legal brief in opposition of President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel into the United States from seven mostly Muslim countries.

In the filing, an amicus curiae brief, the universities say their global missions greatly "benefit from the contributions of diverse students, faculty, and scholars from around the world."

The legal paper, often called a "friend of the court" brief, was filed in federal court in New York City as part of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's civil action against President Trump's order.

The universities say in the brief that students and faculty affected by the order not only benefit their campus communities, but the United States and the world as a whole.

The executive order is currently suspended after one federal court put a halt to it and last week the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted against reinstating the president's order.

The Jan. 27 executive order had barred citizens from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days and refugees for 120 days, and indefinitely blocked all refugees from Syria.

Critics of the order say it targets Muslims and is not American. President Trump argues the order is not a Muslim ban and is important for national security and fighting terrorism.

N.J. college presidents to Trump: Drop the immigration ban

In the universities' brief, they say the institutions collectively, "take extremely seriously the safety and security of their campuses and of the nation."

If their campuses were not safe, or the towns and cities in which they are located were not secure, they could not maintain "their world-renowned learning environments."

The universities, "believe that safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities," the brief says.

Earlier this month, the presidents of Princeton and Rutgers universities' were among over 40 college leaders who wrote President Trump a letter arguing the order threatened American higher education and the nation's principles.

The other universities who joined the Monday brief are: Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Emory University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Vanderbilt University and Yale University.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Police are investigating an aggravated assault on Saturday.

NEW BRUNSWICK -- Authorities are searching for a man who allegedly assaulted a Rutgers University student Saturday afternoon at a home on Guilden Street, according to a statement from police.

The student told police he was "struck in the face" while trying to break up a fight at a party inside the home, the statement said.

The student was taken to a local hospital for injuries that were considered non life-threatening, police said.

The suspect is described as in his early 20s, roughly 5 feet 7 inches tall with a muscular build, curly hair and wearing a gray tank top and light-colored pants, according to police in the statement.

Anyone with information or who may have been in the area at the time can contact the New Brunswick Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-745-5217.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Here are N.J.'s 10 most romantic places for Valentine's Day - or any day of the year. Watch video

Why Valentine's Day falls in the dead of winter is shrouded in mystery - some credit (or blame) ancient Romans who celebrated the feast of Lupercalia on February 15.  

The holiday moved, with the rise of Christianity, to February 14, a saint day that celebrated several Christian martyrs named Valentine. What that has to do with love or romance, who knows.

Unless you're jetting off to the Bahamas - 77 degrees and sunny as I write this -  you're going to be stuck home with your honey. Here are Jersey's ten most romantic spots, with several off the beaten path or with a decidedly Jersey spin. 

Have a favorite romantic spot this time of year? Let me know in the comments section below.

The Red Mill, Clinton. There may be no more postcard-pretty sight in New Jersey than the mill, perched on the South Branch of the Raritan River. I used to live in an apartment above a shop on Main Street and fall asleep to the soothing sound of the falls. During the day, there are shops and beautiful Hunterdon County to explore, or you can just sit in front of the falls in your lover's warm, welcoming embrace.

The Colonial Inn, Smithville. Nothing says romantic like a colonial inn, or town, especially lit up at night and, at this time of year, with the crowds gone. Smithville, minutes from Atlantic City, makes for a great year-round getaway with its collection of 60 cute shops around a duck-filled pond. Inside the inn there are double soaking tubs, muffins and juice in a basket in the morning, and an "endless'' supply of cookies in the afternoon. You had me at cookies.

The Gazebo, Lavallette. Gazebos are romantic especially when you have them to yourself and it's sunrise, or sunset. This gazebo has the additional treat of being on the water, in Bayfront Park. You can rent it out for two hours for your wedding photos. There are a few rules: no confetti or rice is allowed, but "bubbles,'' according to the borough web site, "are permitted.''

Passion Puddle, Rutgers University. It sounds so Jersey, doesn't? More a pond than a puddle, it's located between the Cook and Douglass campuses and is as much a Rutgers tradition as the infamous grease trucks. Legend goes that if a male student from Cook College and a female student from Douglass College hold hands and walk three times around the pond, they'll get married. Seems like it should work for any couple, student or otherwise. The Puddle is nationally known; it ranked sixth on a list of the nation's 25 most romantic college campus spots.

Liberty State Park, Jersey City. The park is busiest during the day, but you'll want to head over there at night for an unforgettable, impossibly romantic view of the glittering Manhattan skyline. It's the perfect place to ask The Big Question. Have drinks or dinner at the Liberty House restaurant; stroll, hand-in-hand, along the promenade later on. Not in the park but a personal favorite with great waterfront views: Batello, one of ten finalists in our N.J.'s best Italian restaurant showdown.

Cape May. There are many romantic towns along the Jersey Shore, but there is only one Cape May. The Victorian jewel, filled with impeccably-maintained B&Bs, is a great place to jump-start, or re-kindle, a romance. Cape May is a diner's delight; it was named one of the country's top 20 dining destinations by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The entire town exudes a charm and gentility nearly impossible to find in this rush-rush world; where else Down the Shore will you find signs in the summer offering you a five-minute grace period when your parking meter runs out?

Delaware Water Gap/A cabin in the woods. No, not the horror movie, but a cabin at Mohican Outdoor Center, on a lake in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The fabled Appalachian Trail is nearby, and civilization not that far away in case you miss it. Two great destinations: Buttermilk Falls and Walpack Center, the town that time forgot. The center is run by the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Jersey's Most Romantic Road. America's greatest love affair? With its cars! The  state is filled with superb scenic roads; my favorite is Route 519, a winding, whispery highway that stretches from Colesville, at the top of the state, to Stockton. Along the way are Harmony and Hope, plus antique stores, horse farms, vineyards, and more. Nearby is the Green Sergeants Bridge, the state's only true covered bridge. The Stockton Inn, at journey's end, or beginning, is a great place for drinks or dinner.

Eagle Rock Reservation. It starts with the view, an unparalleled sweep of the New York City skyline. The 408-acre Essex County park features the 40-mile Lenape Trail skirting the eastern edge, and the county 9/11 Memorial. The Highlawn Pavilion, one of the state's more acclaimed restaurants and the host of many a storybook wedding, is here.

Long Beach Island. "Long walks on the beach'' is a romantic cliche, but walks on the beach in the winter have two advantages - you'll have the beach to yourself, and the brisk weather gives you a great excuse to snuggle up with that special someone. A personal favorite this time of year: LBI, especially with the island so peaceful and beautiful. Two recommended restaurants: Shore Fire Grill in Surf City and Barnegat, and The Old Causeway, on the way back to the Parkway in Manahawkin.

Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteGenovese or via The Munchmobile @NJ_Munchmobile. Find the Munchmobile on Facebook and Instagram.

Shaking out and shaking up the final NJ.com Top 20 after seven group champions were crowned in Toms River.

North Brunswick police arrested a burglar who promised to strike again if he's let go

NORTH BRUNSWICK -- After police caught a man breaking into a second Middlesex County businesses in three days, the accused burglar expressed disbelief that he was released on bail so quickly after his first arrest, police said.

George Pescavage Jr.

Under the header "Here's an interesting story" with the hashtags "#BailReform #TheNewNormal" on a Facebook post, police said George Pescavage Jr. also vowed to commit another burglary if he's released from jail again.

"He indicated to Detectives that even he couldn't believe that he was plainly released after just four hours," North Brunswick police said on Facebook. "He was again transported to Middlesex County Corrections by our Department, indicating that if he is again released so soon, he will again commit a similar crime in order to get by." 

The department is the latest law enforcement agency to challenge the bail reform efforts adopted in New Jersey this year.

Gov. Chris Christie, however, harshly rejected recent opposition to bail reform as "ridiculous" propaganda on Monday night during his monthly call-in show "Ask the Governor," on New Jersey 101.5-FM. He didn't mention police, instead going after bail bondsman who he said stand to lose a considerable amount of revenue under the new rules.

Bail reform has been a 'challenge' for law enforcement, prosecutor says

"The bail bonds community has made a fortune over the years predominantly on the backs of poor people in New Jersey," Christie said on NJ 101.5. "We are now stopping them from doing it and they're pissed. Too bad. You shouldn't be making money off the poor that way."

Pescavage Jr., 47, was arrested Sunday in North Brunswick after he broke into Quick Aid Pharmacy on Milltown Road by entering through a rear door, police said. He was found across the street at the Brunswick Shopping Center and admitted to the break in, police aid.

Police in neighboring South Brunswick arrested Pesavage on Friday after he was found hiding behind an 8-foot snowbank after allegedly breaking into a liquor store. 

South Brunswick police said Pesavage's clothes were soaked and he was suffering from frostbite on a morning when temperatures ranged from the high teens to the low 20s.

The bail reform changes have resulted in legal challenges. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office fought the release of Christopher Wilson, 20, a convicted sex offender who was accused of trying to solicit sexual favors from a 12-year-old.

A Superior Court judge ruled he didn't pose a threat and ordered him to stay away from the girl and wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. The case will be taken to the state's Supreme Court.

Police went door-to-door in Little Egg Harbor Township to warn residents of Wilson's release last week.

Last month, Absecon police joked about bail reform on Facebook after seizing a bag of marijuana.  The post showed marijuana in a plastic bag with the words, "Candy Kush," in marker on it.

It read, "I guess writing oregano across the bag would have been too obvious. If you were supposed to buy some Candy Kush this weekend, we have it here at the #Absecon PD. Just stop on down and ask." #Dank #YourWeedManIsinJail. #JustKidding #HeIsNotinJail #BailReform.

The changes, which virtually eliminated the cash bail system and replaced it with a risk-assessment formula, were meant to allow judges to order violent offenders held before trial and keep low-level defendants from languishing in jail simply because they were too poor to post bail.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Talbot Schroeder, 75, was shot by police while responding to a domestic violence report in 2015

OLD BRIDGE -  The wife of a suicidal man who was killed by police in his home after threatening his family and officers with a knife is suing the police claiming excessive force was used in the fatal incident. 

Talbot Schroeder, 75, was shot by police while they were responding to a domestic violence report at 40 Cedar Place just before 6 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2015. Schroeder had allegedly cut a family member and continued to threaten his relatives with the knife when two officers arrived and urged the man to put down the weapon. 

Schroeder refused and Officer Nicholas Schulmeister shot the distraught man one time. 

The lawsuit, which was filed last month in Middlesex County Superior Court, says that Schroeder's wife, Noreen, had told police that the man was suicidal and had already attempted to kill himself. It claims that within one minute of entering the home, Schroader was shot. 

The wrongful death suit claims that Schulmeister and Officer Keith Symanski did not handle the situation properly in accordance with police policy and procedures, which led to the "unnecessary shooting."

Schroeder was pronounced dead at the scene.

A report by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office 11 months later cleared Schulmeister in the incident, saying the use of force was justified. The report said Schroeder repeatedly ignored commands to drop the knife, continued to threaten his family and police and walked toward one of the officers with the knife raised. 

Schroeder had already proved a willingness to use the knife by slitting his own wrists and stabbing himself in the stomach, according to the report.

The suit names the township, its police department and Police Chief William Volkert, claiming that the officers were not trained properly and were poor hires. 

The township and attorney for Schroeder's wife could not be reached for comment. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

An off-duty police officer and his two friends were leaving a nightclub when a man tried to rob one of the friends.

ELIZABETH -- A man accused of shooting an off-duty police officer 13 times during an attempted robbery of the officer and two friends outside an Elizabeth nightclub has been found not guilty of all charges.

A jury on Monday acquitted Taquan Ward, 24, of attempted murder, as well as three counts of first-degree robbery and a single count of witness tampering.

Ward had been charged with the Dec. 2, 2013 shooting of then-South Plainfield police officer Ahmad Stuckey outside the Jersey Girls nightclub on Bayway Avenue.

Stuckey resigned from the South Plainfield Police Department as a result of injuries suffered in the shooting.

Ward's lawyers, Jessica Hittelman and Dino Bjelopoljak, both of the Public Defender's Office, told jurors that police had arrested the wrong man.

Hittelman, in her opening argument, said Ward was an innocent bystander who was wounded, and said he did not have a gun on the night of the shooting.

Union County Assistant Prosecutor John Esmerado, had argued that the case came down to the identification of Ward as the shooter.

Authorities said on the night of the shooting, Stuckey and two friends were walking out of the night club at about 1:40 a.m and one of the friends felt somebody tap his pants pocket and heard a man say "give me that."

The friend, Terrell Flowers, saw a man holding a gun. When Flowers put up his hands, Stuckey called out that he was a police officer, and pulled out his service weapon.

At that point the robber fired at Stuckey, who returned fire, police said. Ward suffered a single gunshot wound to the leg.

Stuckey testified at the trial that he identified Ward as the shooter, picking him out from a photo array that investigators showed him.

Ward was arrested about three weeks after the shooting. He had been held on bail since his arrest.

Union County Prosecutor Grace Park, when asked for a comment, expressed disappointment about the verdict.

"While we respect the jury's decision in this matter, we are disappointed in the verdict because we fully believe that the evidence supported the charges," Park said.

Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.