Federal Charges Filed Against Millstone Gun Owner

John Lafergolo, 52, of Millstone appeared in federal court in Trenton this morning on charges that he possessed 36 machine guns, which are illegal to possess in the United States, according to a state by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman’s Office.

Lafergola was arrested at his Millstone home following a domestic violence incident on October 5, 2014.

According to the 2014 complaints Lafergola pointed a black 5.7X28mm Fabrique Nationale Herstal handgun model Five Seven at the victim. It is alleged that while Lafergola was pointing the handgun at the victim, he stated “I’ll blow your f***ing brain’s out”.

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Obama announces crackdown on gun purchases, but it illustrates the limits of his office

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama launched his unilateral attempt to crack down on illegal gun purchases on Tuesday, blaming the “constant excuses for inaction” from Congress as justification for his exercise of executive power. But in an emotional address quoting the Bible, the Constitution and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Obama also tacitly acknowledged the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Scharfenberger Sworn In As Middletown Mayor

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger, PhD, on Sunday when the Middletown Township Committee reorganized for 2016.

Selected by his fellow members of the Township Committee, Scharfenberger replaces Stephanie Murray who served two terms as mayor through 2014 and 2015.  Scharfenberger praised the “spectacular job” Murray did as mayor and expressed his gratitude to her for what she taught him about leadership and public service.

Scharfenberger has been a member of the Township Committee since 2005 and previously served as mayor in 2007,2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

Guadagno swore in Committeeman Tony Fiore as Deputy Mayor and Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden administered the Oath to Committeeman Steve Massell who was elected to his third term on the Committee last November.

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Solomeno kicks off his campaign for Surrogate

Vincent Solomeno

Hazlet-Vincent Solomeno, 30, announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Surrogate this morning, promising to transform the constitutional position that is judicial in nature, to one of advocacy for “the most vulnerable among us.”

Currently a Platoon Training at the National Guard Officer Training School in Sea Girt, Solomeno returned from a one year deployment in as a military planner and manager in Operation Freedom last October.

Solomeno was the Command Historian of the New Jersey National Guard from November of 2010 through until his deployment.
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Fired Monmouth Regional Teacher Pleads Guilty To Sex Charges

Nicholas J. DePue, photo via Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

Nicholas DePue, the Monmouth Regional High School teacher who was fired last June after he was arrested and charged with second degree Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, pleaded guilty today to two counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of Minor, before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Josepeh W. Oxley in Freehold, according a report by ace Asbury Park Press reporter Kathleen Hopkins.

DePue admitted sending inappropriate text messages and/or having sexual physical contact with two female Monmouth Regional students, ages 16 and 17.

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Man killed in Middletown accident was beloved elementary school custodian

MIDDLETOWN – The man struck and killed by a car on Route 36 Saturday was a beloved staff member at a township elementary school, according to officials. John Chambers, 36, was known affectionately as “Mr. John” to students at Harmony School, where he served as head daytime custodian, Principal Erik Paulson said in a letter posted… Read the rest of this entry »

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Deal police captain killed in off-duty car crash

OCEAN TOWNSHIP — An off-duty Deal police captain was killed Saturday morning when he lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole in Ocean Township, authorities said. Capt. Earl B. Alexander 4 th died from his injuries in the single-car crash at Route 71 near Perrine Avenue at 12:38 a.m., said Ocean Township… Read the rest of this entry »

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Powerball jackpot reaches $400 million

The Powerball jackpot is now worth an estimated $400 million. The prize–the cash option is worth $244.8 million–has ballooned without a jackpot winner since Nov. 4. The Saturday drawing also failed to produce a jackpot winner. The last jackpot winning ticket was sold in Tennessee for the Nov. 4 drawing. The last Powerball jackpot winning ticket… Read the rest of this entry »

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Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park chills and thrills for charity

ASBURY PARK — It wouldn’t be New Year’s Day in Asbury Park without the annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge, where those who don’t mind braving the elements take a dip in the ocean for charity. The 13 th annual event this year drew more than 600 plungers whose donations to three Monmouth County charities… Read the rest of this entry »

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Year in review: November 2015

Jonelle Melton

Three Asbury Park Men were charged with the 2009 murder of Jonelle Melton, a 33 year old Red Bank Middle School teacher.

Democrats Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey defeated Republican Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande in the 11th Legislative District.  A Democratic SuperPac funded largely by the NJEA spent $1.5 million in the race, including television commercials implying that Angelini is inappropriately profiting from the drug abuse prevention non-profit that she leads.

For all the special interest money spent on behalf of the Democrats, Angelini lost to Downey by only 253 votes and the top vote getter, Houghtaling had only 713 votes more than the low vote getter, Casagrande.  Low voter turnout in Republican strongholds Freehold Township and Colts Neck was the difference in the election.

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