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N.J. pets in need: July 23, 2018

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Pets throughout the state await adoption from shelters and rescues.

If you're interested in helping homeless animals but aren't able to adopt one, there are a number of other ways you can be of assistance.

Realistically, not everyone can adopt. People who live in apartments or developments that have no-pets policies fall into that category, as do people with allergies or disabilities that will not allow them to care for pets of their own. Here are some suggestions for ways people who want to help can participate in caring for homeless animals.

* Help out at a local shelter. It's not glamorous work by any means, but it's vital and will be very much appreciated. You can do anything from help walk dogs to bottle feed kittens, help clean kennels or cat's cages or even help with bathing and grooming. Contact your local shelter to find out their policies regarding volunteers.

* If you're handy, you can lend a hand in many ways. Shelters usually need repairs of many kinds, so fixer-uppers can help out like that. If you sew, quilt or crochet, you can make blankets for your local shelter.

* Help out at an adoption event. Many shelters and rescue groups participate in local events by hosting a table with pets available for adoption. They also hold these program at malls, pet supply stores and banks, and can always use a helping hand.

* For galleries like this one and for online adoptions sites, often a shelter or rescue group doesn't have the time or equipment to shoot good photos of their adoptable pets. Something as simple as making yourself available to shoot and provide digital files of pet photos can be a big help.

* Donate. It doesn't have to be money; shelters need cleaning supplies, pet food, toys for the animals and often even things we don't think twice about getting rid of like old towels and newspapers. Every little bit helps.

If you don't know where your local animal shelter or rescue group is, a quick online search will reveal a number of results. It doesn't take a lot of time or effort to get involved but it provides immeasurable assistance.

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


Jackknifed tractor trailer slows NJ Turnpike traffic near Edison

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The crash occurred about 6:20 a.m. in the turnpike's south lanes near Route 440 and Interstate 287, according to 511nj.org.

Traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike was slowed Monday morning when a tractor-trailer jackknifed into the strip between the local and express lanes near Exit 10 in Edison, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 6:20 a.m. in the turnpike's south lanes near Route 440 and Interstate 287, according to 511nj.org.

Several lanes of traffic were blocked and delays of 1.5 miles were reported.

No injuries were immediately reported.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 
 

Here's the real reason demand for N.J. medical marijuana program is exploding

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One-third of 26,000 registered medical marijuana users in New Jersey qualified for the program because of chronic pain or anxiety.

Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider

Adding chronic pain and anxiety to the list of qualifying conditions has done more than any other change by Gov. Phil Murphy to expand New Jersey's medicinal marijuana program, according to health department data.

Of the roughly 11,000 patients who have joined since the beginning of the Murphy Administration, 7,700 have one of the new conditions added on March 26, state Health Department spokeswoman Donna Leusner said. Some patients have more than one qualifying condition.

Put another way, one-third of 26,000 registered medical marijuana users in New Jersey qualified for the program because of chronic pain or anxiety.

N.J.'s medical marijuana program to double in size as supply crisis grows

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, for instance) and chronic pain of visceral origin (think irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis, among others) accounted for 47 percent and 6 percent, respectively, of the new cases, Leusner said.

Anxiety accounted for another 40 percent of the newly qualifying patients, she said.

Migraines accounted for 9 percent of the increase and Tourette's Syndrome 0.5 percent, she said.

Dipan Patel, a physician and partner at Garden State Pain Control, a practice in central and north Jersey, said half of the 200 patients they've referred to the program qualified under the expanded chronic pain categories.

"Our focus has been on reducing opiates," Patel said. "It's been successful. Our patients are a lot happier."

Bob Grife, a pain management and holistic medicine physician in Ventnor said he became a participating doctor in the program in December and already has recommended 300 patients.

"It's most effective (treating) anxiety. Adding anxiety to the list of approved diagnoses was a good idea," said Grife, who has operated his Comprehensive Wellness practice for 14 years.

Cannabis "is not a panacea," but it's a good alternative to Benzodazepines, or benzos,  for the treatment of anxiety, with fewer side effects, he said. "When it's part of a comprehensive wellness program, so far, it has been amazing."

Murphy also has made challenging the stigma surrounding cannabis to attract more physicians to the program a priority. There are 664 participating physicians, 123 more since late March, Leusner said.

Both doctors joined the program before Murphy took office, and said they didn't need convincing. They also agree the stigma, while still present, is starting to wane.

New York University Langone Medical Center, where Patel completed a fellowship in 2016, "was supportive of the use of medical cannabis."

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Grife said he has seen "no backlash," from making cannabis a central part of his practice. "I get a lot of referrals. Nobody has given me any difficulty."

If doctors listen to their patients, they will want to explore cannabis, Grife said.

"A lot of people who qualify for it are already doing it," he added. "Why not give them the choice of doing it safely?"

A version of this report first appeared in N.J. Cannabis Insider.

Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

NJ Transit train fire causes delays on Northeast Corridor line

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The fire broke out in the engine car of a train traveling near Princeton Junction

Service has resumed on the Northeast Corridor on Monday morning after a fire on a New Jersey Transit train forced the line to be briefly shut down between Trenton and Metropark. 

The fire broke out in the engine car of a train traveling near Princeton Junction around 10:20 a.m, according to a New Jersey Transit spokeswoman.

While the blaze produced heavy smoke, it didn't spread to any other part of the train. None of the 300 passengers and crew aboard were injured as all left the train safely, NJ Transit said. 

Service has resumed with 30 minute delays and eastbound trains are skipping both the Hamilton and Princeton Junction stations. 

Train 3834 left Trenton at 9:52 a.m and was scheduled to arrive at New York Penn Station at 11:16 a.m before it caught fire. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation, the spokeswoman said. 

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

 
 

 

N.J.'s best hot dog joint: Rutt's Hut vs. Hot Grill - who's better?

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In the second trip report in our search for N.J.'s best hot dog joint, we'll visit several hot dog legends, and a hot dog truck run by two ex-cops in front of an adult novelty store.

Major rest areas on the Parkway and Turnpike will close for big renovations

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As if the highways in New Jersey couldn't get any worse -- two Central Jersey rest stops will be closing after Labor Day for planned renovations.

As if the highways in New Jersey couldn't get any worse -- two Central Jersey rest stops will be closing after Labor Day for planned renovations.

Starting after Sept. 3, the Thomas Edison service area on the Turnpike in Woodbridge and the Monmouth service area in Wall on the Parkway will be closed for major improvements, new facilities and restaurants, Turnpike Authority spokesman Thomas Feeney said.

Both plazas will be closed entirely until they reopen for Memorial Day 2019 -- which means no restrooms or fuel facilities, Feeney said.

Though there has been no decision yet on what stores will be offered at the revamped facilities, drivers can peek into the new Grover Cleveland building on the Turnpike or the Atlantic service area on the Parkway for a hint at what the new buildings could include, officials said.

This 'summer of hell' project could torture commuters for years

The renovations of 16 rest areas in the Garden State, announced by former Gov. Chris Christie in Aug. 2017, will cost $250 million, but at no cost to taxpayers. HMSHost and Sunoco will fund the projects, in exchange for new contracts to keep operating the food and fuel concessions there for the next 25 years, Feeney explained.

But the temporary closings will also cost more than 280 HMSHost employees their jobs, company spokesperson Shayna Iglesias confirmed.

Managers will be temporarily relocated, and the Maryland-based company will relocate other hourly associates to various mall and airports around the state, she said. 

When the service areas reopen around Memorial Day 2019, all associates will be eligible for rehire, Iglesias noted.

"We intend to create more job opportunities in the region with an increase in our overall workforce," she added.

The Thomas Edison rest area, one of the busiest and biggest facilities, will reopen a new facility about the same size in 2019, and cost roughly $14.9 million, officials said. 

Monmouth service area, the first rest stop on the Parkway to be replaced, will cost roughly $11.45 million.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Ex-cop caught punching suspect gets 6 months probation

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Todd Ritter was a 22-year Piscataway police officer Watch video

A former police officer who admitted to hitting a handcuffed suspect in a patrol car and trying to cover it up was sentenced to six months probation on Monday.

Those charges against Todd Ritter ended his 22-year career as an officer in Piscataway. He was suspended without pay in February upon being charged.

About two weeks before, 19-year-old Isiah Benbow was thrashing in the backseat of Ritter's cruiser kicking the glass between the front and back seats, yelling at and eventually threatening Ritter. The incident was captured on police video.

"I'm gonna break it," Benbow yells about the glass partition. "... Why you gotta lie? ... I'm gonna kill all you all (expletive), watch!"

Ritter then gets out of the car, opens the back door and punches Benbow in the face.

He later admitted falsifying a report to indicate that Benbow kicked him in the groin.

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Ritter, a 54-year-old resident of Millstone, Monmouth County pleaded guilty to simple assault in May and agreed to forfeit public employment.

Judge Joseph Rea, when sentencing Ritter in Superior Court in New Brunswick said he received 33 letters of support for the ex-officer, according to MyCentralJersey.com. Rea said he could have given Ritter between one and five years probation, but said six months was enough, according to the report.

"All of us to varying degrees make mistakes. It's very important for you to understand this is a lapse. This does not make you a bad person. Don't forget that," Rea said, the news site reported.

Ritter's wife also testified, as did two crime victims whom Ritter had helped during his career.

Ritter joined the force in 1996 and had a salary of $120,948 before he was suspended.

This article contains information from The Associated Press.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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N.J. family-run store sold items shoplifted from big retailers, cops say

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The owners of the business and four workers, including the wife and daughter of one of the owners, were arrested

A brother and sister who own a Somerset County store and four employees were charged with running a retail theft ring in which they sold items shoplifted from major retailers like Target, Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond.

David Rubin, 59, and Sheryllee Rubin, 58, both of the Somerset section of Franklin, own Everything Wireless on the 600 block of Hamilton Street in Franklin, authorities said.

They were charged with being the leaders of an organized retail theft enterprise and being the leaders of organized crime racketeering, the county prosecutor's said in a statement.

$1M cargo theft ring 'took everything they could get their hands on'

Four employees of Everything Wireless were charged with receiving stolen property and dealing in stolen property:

  • Lisa Rubin, 54, of Franklin
  • Batsheva Rubin-Rivera, 23, of New Brunswick
  • Andre Watts, 29, of North Brunswick
  • Dunia Patricia Hernandez, 31, of Franklin

Lisa Rubin is David Rubin's wife. Batsheva Rubin-Rivera is David's daughter, according to prosecutor's office spokeswoman Jeanne Trillhaase.

Everything Wireless knowingly bought items from shoplifters that were stolen from stores such as Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes and Bed Bath & Beyond before re-selling them either in their store or over the internet, authorities said.

In all, the store took in about $14,000 in stolen goods.

The six were arrested June 4 following a seven-month investigation. 

Anyone with more information is asked to call  the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Burglary Task Force Unit at 908-231-7100 or Franklin police at 732-873-5533. 

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

 


N.J.'s best hot dog joint: Can this Italian hot dog legend win it all?

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This is the third of five trip reports in our search for N.J.'s best hot dog joint.

Person struck, killed by NJ Transit train near Metropark station

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Service resumed with 20 minute delays after earlier being suspended

Service on New Jersey Transit's Northeast Corridor train line has resumed after a person was struck and killed near the Metropark station on Tuesday morning.

Trains between Trenton and New York Penn Station are running with 20 minute delays, NJ Transit said at 12:15 p.m. 

Amtrak, meanwhile tweeted that all tracks are shut down west of Metropark, which is in the Iselin section of Woodbridge on the Edison border. Minutes later, Amtrak said some tracks west of Metropark have re-opened but trains are traveling at restricted speeds.

The identity of the person killed hasn't been disclosed. 

NJ Transit didn't immediately return a call seeking additional information. 

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

 

 

WATCH: Cop races to save man seconds away from being hit by train

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After nearly escaping death, the man looked at the officer and thanked him. Watch video

A Perth Amboy officer is being hailed as a hero after saving a man from being hit by an NJ Transit train. 

However, Officer Kevin L. Savoia just says he was doing his job. 

"As police officers, our job is to make quick decisions in difficult situations and to act on them. At the end of the day, all that matters is everyone gets home safe," Savoia said.  

"Also at such an early stage of my career, to be able to make an impactful difference in a person's life is incredible and makes me love what I do every day."

officertrain.jpg 

According to police, Savoia was dispatched to the railroad tracks shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday for a welfare check.  

As Savoia arrived, a bystander pointed to a man laying on the train tracks.

Less than 600 feet away, a train approached at full speed.

The officer ran toward the man as he yelled and waved his arms at the train, trying to signal it to stop.

Though the train slowed, the man stood firmly in front of the train until the officer directed him to move out the way. Then, he jumped to the side of the tracks. 

The train stopped just inches from the man.

"Where did you come from?" the man turned to the officer and asked. "Thank you!"

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office says the man was transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center for further treatment.  

Savoia was sworn in as an officer in January. His father, Sgt. Kevin Savoia Sr., served as a Perth Amboy police officer for over 28 years. He died in 2016.

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladytiamoyoFind NJ.com on Facebook. 

 

Seen him? Vandal slashed tires on 40 cars, set 1 on fire (VIDEO)

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Crime Stoppers of Somerset County is offering a reward for information leading to the man's arrest. Watch video

Surveillance video released Tuesday shows a man clad in a light-colored hoodie approach a parked car and pop two of its tires.

Authorities say the man did this to about 40 cars when he struck in Manville on June 11. The man also set a car on fire in the borough, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.

The car arson and tire slashings occurred between 2 and 4 a.m., mostly between North 7th and North 13th avenues.

Crime Stoppers of Somerset County is offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest. You can contact them with an anonymous tip at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or at www.888577tips.org.

You can also contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, or the Manville Police Department at 908-725-7677. Anonymous reports can also be made through the app STOPit with the access code SOMERSETNJ.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Big hospital chain pledges $1B to boost medical research with Rutgers in N.J.

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The deal is meant to catapult the state into big-time clinical trials, medical education and research.

One of the state's largest hospital chains Tuesday pledged $1 billion over the next 20 years to nurture medical research, lure top academic talent and expand health care opportunities throughout New Jersey.   

RWJBarnabas Health, the $5.4 billion not-for-profit 11-hospital network, announced the financial commitment as part of a pact it introduced last summer and finalized with Rutgers University officials on Tuesday morning.

The deal is meant to catapult the state into big-time clinical trials, medical education and research. It will also form one of the largest medical practices in the nation, comprised of 2,500 physicians and other health care professionals from RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health, according to the announcement.

"This unparalleled enterprise will further our shared goal to grow research activities and expand clinical trials statewide," Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Chancellor Brian Strom said during a press conference with Rutgers University President Robert Barchi, and other top Rutgers and RWJBarnabas officials.

Huge deal with hospitals could put Rutgers in 'big 10' for medical research

In 2017, Rutgers -- including the two medical schools, the Cancer Institute, the schools of Nursing, Dental Medicine, Public Health and other institutions -- drew down $150.8 million in funding, or 63 percent of the $241 million the state received from the National Institutes of Health. But 22 other states received more NIH funding than New Jersey last year.

RWJBarnabas -- the product of a hospital mega-merger between Robert Wood Johnson University Health and Barnabas Health in 2016 -- is putting up $100 million immediately. Another $50 million a year will sustain the endeavor over two decades.

"We have had the ability over the years to retain a certain amount of operating margin to make investments in important projects and relationships," RWJBarnabas President and CEO Barry Ostrowsky said. "This is the most meaningful investment in the history of our organization."

"The medical schools require a great deal of support and investments in human and physical capital, and that is not available from the revenues medical school generate," Ostrowsky said. "Without that investment, they can't be as good as we want them to be."

Part of the money will be used to recruit about 100 new high-profile principal investigators to Rutgers over ten years with the goal of doubling the amount of research, according to the announcement.

The hospital chain also pledged to fund the construction of a new clinical and research building for the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, and an outpatient care center, both in New Brunswick.

And $10 million is earmarked to help pay down the college debt of medical students to keep more of them working in New Jersey. Surveys say most medical students leave the state because it is too expensive to live and practice.

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University will remain separate organizations, but their work together will be led by a joint committee featuring equal representation from both institutions, according to the announcement.

"Through this partnership, we have formed the largest and most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey and are well positioned to take our place as a national leader in patient care, health science discovery and innovation," Barchi said.

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University.jpgThe Rutgers-RWJBarnabas Health partnership was announced Tuesday by hospital Board of Trustees chair Jack Morris, (left to right, sitting) RWJBarnabas Health president and CEO Barry Ostrowsky, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Chancellor Brian Strom, and Rutgers University president Robert Barchi; (standing, l-to-r) RBHS Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs Vicente Gracias, RBHS Senior Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration Kathleen Bramwell, and RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees vice chair Marc Berson. (Courtesy Rutgers University)

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Target takes aim at Amazon, launches same-day shipping in N.J.

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Shipt, a same-day delivery service from Target, will begin in New Jersey on Thursday, July 26. Watch video

Starting Thursday, Target will roll out a same-day delivery service of more than 55,000 store products - including groceries - to New Jersey residents with its new online service "Shipt."

Target customers from around the state can enroll in Shipt, which promises to give more than 2.6 million households across the state access to products delivered in one hour, the company said in a statement.

Target said it's offering a special membership rate of $49, compared to the regular rate of $99. The Shipt customers who pay for the membership get free, unlimited delivery on all orders of more than $35. The service will rival Amazon Prime, which costs $119 per year.

The service will operate much like ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft, with Target hiring more than 400 shoppers across the state who will be paid to go to their local Target stores and deliver the items, the company said.

The service will be available from stores in Atlantic City, East Brunswick, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Tom's River and Vineland, the company said.

Hackettstown, Morristown, Edison, Jersey City and Newark Target stores will begin delivery on Aug. 2. The company has more than 40 stores in New Jersey.

Shipt customers will also be able to order from Morton Williams Supermarket beginning on Aug. 9.

"Both Morton Williams Supermarket and Target provide families with the essential products that power their lives, and Shipt is making those trips to the store easier than ever before as we continue to expand throughout the East Coast," said Bill Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Shipt.

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The company announced the service will be available in New York City on Aug. 9.

"Through our app, our members have access to everything they need, when they need it, right at their fingertips," Smith said.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

THE RESULTS ARE IN: Who made the Monroe Mt. Rushmore?

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The votes are in and the Monroe Mount Rushmore is set. Who made the list?


Powerful Rutgers boss walks away after just 1 year on job

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The abrupt departure comes just weeks before the fall semester.

One of the most powerful and highly paid administrators at Rutgers University has resigned after just one year on the job, a surprising and abrupt departure he attributed to conflicting views with the university. 

Debasish "Debba" Dutta, the chancellor of Rutgers' New Brunswick campus, submitted his resignation Tuesday, according to the university. He will take a year sabbatical before retuning as a distinguished professor in the School of Engineering, according to Rutgers. 

Dutta's short tenure and the timing of his announcement, just before a new school year, are extremely rare at a university where top administrators often give notice a year before stepping down to give Rutgers time to do a nationwide search for a replacement. 

Dutta previously worked at other Big Ten universities where the chancellor was effectively the university president and carried more power, said Peter McDonough, Rutgers senior vice president for external affairs.

Asked if Dutta was asked to resign by President Robert Barchi, McDonough said, "They had a mutual agreement."

"There was a mutual belief that this was not a good fit and that it was in everyone's best interest to just do what's best for the university and move on," McDonough said.  

In a letter to students, Dutta attributed his departure to conflicting visions for the position. 

"It has become clear that my vision for the chancellorship is not in alignment with that of the University," Dutta wrote. "It is only fair that I step aside and let the University select a new leader for the New Brunswick campus." 

Dutta made a $480,000 base salary last school year and will continue to receive a chancellor's salary during his sabbatical, McDonough said. 

Before coming to Rutgers, Dutta was the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity at Purdue University. 

He was also the associate provost and dean of the graduate school at the University of Illinois following 20 years as an engineering professor at the University of Michigan.

Those universities all have a more traditional power structure than Rutgers, where chancellors in New Brunswick, Newark and Camden report to the university president, McDonough said. 

"I think there's just sort of a structural, cultural difference in the role of the chancellor," he said. "It just didn't make for a good fit for anybody." 

In a letter to students and faculty, Barchi said Dutta "served admirably" and he wishes him the best. 

Christopher Molloy, currently the university's senior vice president for research and economic development, will become the interim chancellor in New Brunswick. 

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

Vintage photos of N.J. summer eats and treats

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So many things taste that much better with summer in front of them.

2016-icecream003-vineland.JPG 

A couple of years ago, I wrote in a caption to this photo that was a part of this gallery about how my friends and I would hold little naval battles in the stream behind the Dairy Queen in Vineland with the boat-shaped plastic dishes banana splits came in.

Some people expressed a level of disbelief; you actually did that, Greg? Of course we did.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Frozen custard on a hot summer evening; a boat-shaped container holding the tasty treat; a convenient stream a few feet away that boats would float in; and a trash can to put them all in after the 'battle' was over.

If that doesn't define 'serendipitous,' nothing does.

Here's a gallery of vintage photos of summer eats and treats from around New Jersey and links to other galleries you'll enjoy.

Vintage photos of summer eats and treats in N.J.

Vintage photos of ice cream and candy stores in N.J.

Vintage photos of ice cream parlors in N.J.

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

Russian dad charged with smuggling $65M in goods from N.J. son's business

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The smuggled electronic components were ultimately going to suppliers for the Russian defense ministry and FSB.

A Russian father was indicted Wednesday on charges that he conspired to launder money and smuggle goods from an illegal import-export business.

Alexander Brazhnikov Sr., 72, of Moscow, is charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S. and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced the indictment in a statement Wednesday.

Brazhnikov Sr. was the owner, CEO and operator of ABN Universal, a microelectronics import-export company in Moscow. His son Alexander Brazhnikov Jr. 39, of Mountainside, ran four microelectronics export companies: in Carteret, Mountainside, Union and Manalapan.

Their indictments detail a scheme to hide the value and true final recipients of the shipments of the electronic components. Investigators ultimately learned that the shipments were going to suppliers for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and other Russian companies which designed nuclear warheads and weapons.

Investigators estimated the total amount of laundered money to be $65 million.

"Each shipment from the United States was sent to one of 12 false addresses or shell locations in Moscow established at Brazhnikov Sr.'s direction, re-directed to a central warehouse he and others controlled, and ultimately shipped to the end-users in Russia, including the Russian defense contracting firms," Carpenito's statement said.

The men are also accused of setting up shell companies in eight other countries to conceal payments from Russian buyers.

Brazhnikov Jr. pleaded guilty to his involvement in the scheme and was sentenced to 70 months in prison on June 30, 2016.

Brazhnikov Sr., though, is still at large. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for money laundering conspiracy, as much as 20 years on conspiracy to violate IEEPA, and up to five years and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy to smuggle goods charge.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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2 Mega Millions tickets in N.J. win $30K, 9 more win $10K in huge drawing

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The $30,000 tickets were both sold in South Jersey

Man hit, killed by NJ Transit train near Metropark station is ID'd

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The 34-year-old was struck Tuesday morning

Authorities have identified the man struck and killed by a New Jersey Transit train in Edison on Tuesday morning as a 34-year-old Middlesex County man. 

Vijay Patel, of the Iselin section of Woodbridge, was struck by a Northeast Corridor line train around 11:30 a.m. just west of the Metropark station, an Amtrak spokesman said Thursday afternoon.

WATCH: Cop races to save man seconds away from being hit by train

The train, which had about 400 people aboard, was traveling from Trenton to New York Penn Station.

Service on the line was briefly suspended between Rahway and Metuchen. 

New Jersey Transit police began the investigation before it was turned over to Amtrak police. 

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

 

 
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