Facing a decline in volunteers, the borough contracts with an outside agency that may go over budget for the year.

Due to a lack of volunteers for the borough’s ambulance squad, Frenchtown Borough Council last week agreed to renew an agreement with the neighboring Milford-Holland Rescue Squad to cover ambulance calls in borough during the week.

The agreement, which has been in place for several years, is retroactive to the beginning of the year and is billed on a per-call basis. And based on first-quarter expenses, it is projected to go over budget for the year.

“The only fair thing to do is extend the contract,” Councilwoman Michele Liebtag said at council’s meeting earlier this month.

Liebtag reported that from January to March, Milford-Holland responded to 39 calls, which, at $215 per call, translates to a first-quarter bill of $8,385. Officials are concerned that the borough will exceed the amount budgeted for emergency services by year’s end.

Borough council budgeted $4,000 in 2012 to its own volunteer ambulance company and $13,500 for outside ambulance services, which was Milford-Holland, according to Frenchtown’s budget. The borough spent all but $170 on outside ambulance services last year.

The 2013 budget adopted earlier this month includes $21,150 for outside ambulance services, but does include money for the borough’s own ambulance company.

“We have an emergency services crisis in this town,” Councilman Brad Myhre said at the council meeting. “We don’t have enough (volunteers) to go around anymore.”

Citing declining squad membership, Myhre said the status of the borough’s ambulance squad is a long- and short-term problem.

“The freeholders need to engage because it’s a countywide problem,” he said.

“The important thing is we continue to have emergency services coverage for our residents,” Myhre said.

Myhre said last week that Milford-Holland is on dual-alert status from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, which means the squad is ready to respond to borough emergencies during that time. He said Milford-Holland has paid crews who are compensated on a per diem basis, and that the company has more than enough manpower to adequately cover Frenchtown, as well as its own jurisdiction.

Myhre is hoping the borough will be able to find a more sustainable and permanent approach to emergency services.

Liebtag and Myhre said they are very pleased with Milford-Holland’s service. Liebtag said that the rescue squad remains interested in a more formal long-term agreement with Frenchtown.

Milford-Holland Rescue Squad officials could not be reached for comment.

Myhre said that since he became a councilman in 2009, he has noticed the decline in volunteers and that some in the fire company have dual certifications, so they can be part of the borough rescue squad. The ambulance company is under the fire department umbrella.

He also noted that many people who used to volunteer were employed at the former Riegel Paper Mill and are no longer in the area. As a result, the squad needs volunteers.

“We could very much use the help,” Myhre said.

Other notable authorizations for expenditures include $1.4 million for farmland preservation purposes and $150,000 to improve the sewer system at the county jail.

View full sizeHunterdon County freeholders, from left, Will Mennen, George Melick and Matthew Holt mixed it up some Tuesday while deciding on capital issues.File Photos 

The Hunterdon County Board of Freeholders passed a slew of capital and bond ordinances Tuesday authorizing the purchase of new vehicles, farmland preservation rights and equipment for the county prosecutor's office.

Several of the ordinances faced opposition from the public and freeholders George Melick and Will Mennen. The county's authorization of $400,000 to purchase five new vehicles to replace those in its fleet drew some of the sharpest criticism.

Melick argued the county was not stable enough financially to take on the expense. He also made reference to Gov. Chris Christie's recent decision to host a special primary and election later this year for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of longtime U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, expressing concern it may adversely affect the county's budget.

"There are financial problems this county is going to be having," Melick said. "It might fall back on us whether we like it or not."

Freeholder Matthew Holt, a proponent of replacing the vehicles, said the county has done a good job in recent years of finding alternative ways to keep its vehicles running and in good shape, but that such practices alone are no longer sustainable.

"It's time to replace vehicles," Holt said.

Responding to a comment from the public that the freeholders should purchase fuel-efficient vehicles only, Holt said officials keep such requests in mind when vehicles are purchased but there are limitations given intended uses.

"We could buy Smart cars (but) it just wouldn't serve our purpose," Holt said.

Other notable expenses approved Tuesday included $1.4 million for farmland preservation, $150,000 to improve the sewer system at the county jail and $20,100 for equipment for the prosecutor's office, including polygraph equipment and two-way radio earpieces.

The freeholders' next meeting is set for July 2.

The state Office of Legislative Services has estimated that the primary and special election will cost $24 million altogether, or roughly $12 million each.

View full sizeNew Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora speaking in the statehouse.AP File Photo

On Monday, state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat whose 15th District covers parts of Hunterdon and Mercer counties, introduced a bill he co-sponsored with Assemblywoman Linda Stender that would change the Nov. 5 general election to Oct. 16.

Following the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Gov. Chris Christie announced June 4 that the state would hold a special election and primary separate from the scheduled general election to fill Lautenberg's seat. New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa is serving as the interim U.S. Senator until the special election.

The state Office of Legislative Services has estimated that the primary and special elections will cost a total of about $24 million.

"What is truly mind-numbing is to expect voters to return to the ballot booths three times in three months at a great cost to taxpayers in reopening schools shut down for the summer, paying poll workers and providing overtime for added police security," Gusciora said in a statement earlier in the week.

The New Jersey Supreme Court today refused to hear a legal challenge to the special election.

As it's written, the bill would instruct the secretary of state to adjust the general election's statutory law to allow for the date change and provide notice of the switch to the public and local, county and state officials.

State Sen. Shirley Turner, who represents the same Hunterdon district as Gusciora, introduced a similar Senate bill on June 6, as well as a second bill eliminating special elections altogether and mandating that a member of the same political party be appointed to fill the vacancy of his or her predecessor.

On Tuesday, Turner upped the pressure on Christie to change the date, commending comments made earlier in the month by former New Jersey Secretary of State and federal voting commission head DeForest Soaries.

Soaries, who served in former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman's administration and as chairman of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, wrote a letter Monday to Christie urging him to reconsider holding both the special and general elections just weeks apart from one another, advocating instead for one election.

"This is a courageous statement coming from a respected Republican leader who is calling the governor's special election gambit for what it is, a self-serving waste of taxpayers' dollars that is unfair to New Jersey voters," Turner said in a statement Tuesday.

Turner said she hopes Christie will heed Soaries' words and reconsider his decision.

"I hope that this serves as an inspiration for the Republican legislative leaders in Trenton to help us avoid this incipient train wreck," Turner said.

But she won't find that support from fellow state Sen. Michael Doherty, a Republican whose 23rd District covers parts of Warren and Hunterdon counties.

Doherty, although initially critical of Christie's decision in an interview with The Star-Ledger, has since applauded the move because he says it gives voters a fair shake at a primary.

"I think it is good that we're having a primary because there is nothing I dislike more than having party insiders make these decisions," Doherty previously told The Express-Times.

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Police found the two to be in possession of 23 bags of heroin, authorities said.

A cracked windshield has led to several drug-related charges for two Hunterdon County men.

Anthony Luscia, 25, and Mark Luscia, 58, both of Glen Gardner, were stopped at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday along Route 173 after Clinton Township police noticed a crack in the windshield of Anthony Luscia’s 1999 Ford Explorer, according to a news release.

While speaking with Anthony Luscia, officers noticed his pupils appeared dilated and he had needle marks on his arm, police said. The elder Luscia also appeared to be under the influence of drugs, police said.

Mark Luscia eventually admitted to using heroin and handed police 23 bags of heroin, authorities said.

The men are each charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, being under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Anthony Luscia is also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and was issued a summons for a cracked windshield. Mark Luscia is additionally charged with consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and having an open alcohol container.

The two men's relationship was not immediately clear.

The following arrests and incidents were also reported by Clinton Township police.

• Kathleen Zutell, 54, of Clinton, was charged with driving under the influence, among other things, following a traffic stop Friday, police said.
  

Police received reports about 7:43 a.m. of an erratic driver along Route 31, according to a news release. Officers saw Zutell’s 2004 Nissan driving extremely slowly and partially on the shoulder of the road, police said.

Additional tests revealed Zutell was under the influence of prescription medication, police said. In addition to driving under the influence, Zutell is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, reckless and careless driving and having unsafe tires. She was released at her home.

• Ana Williams, 52, of Glen Gardner, was arrested Sunday on a traffic warrant out of Pohatcong Township. She posted bail and was released pending a court appearance.

The two services will primarily focus on providing a larger area in New Jersey with more services, but may begin talks of a new joint health center.

The Atlantic Health System and the Hunterdon Healthcare System agreed this week to create the jointly-owned Midjersey Health Alliance, which will look to provide better care and lower costs for Warren, Hunterdon, Sussex and Mercer county residents.

Hunterdon Healthcare System began reviewing bids from regional health care systems in early 2012, and signed a letter of intent in October 2012 with the Atlantic Health System, according to a news release.

“This strategic alliance with Atlantic Health System gives Hunterdon Healthcare a dynamic partner while maintaining our strong commitment to independence and local control,” said Robert Wise, Hunterdon Healthcare’s president and CEO.

Numerous specialty physicians in Atlantic Health System's seven medical centers will give Hunterdon more coverage in fields such as pediatric endocrinology, gynecology, oncology, prenatal medicine and pediatric neurology, according to Kathleen Seelig, Hunterdon’s director of public affairs and marketing

Michael Regier, Atlantic’s vice president of legal affairs and chief legal officer, called the alliance “a key partnership for us.”

“This will help bring in new communities while giving better access to services for the Hunterdon community,” he said.

Wise agreed, citing a conversation he had with a patient on Wednesday. The patient had a life-threatening disease that required special service that the Hunterdon system did not supply, but Atlantic did.

“It is a reassurance to that family that we become a resource in a different way,” he said.

Other goals the Midjersey Health Alliance expect to meet are improvements in communication and finance, as both healthcare providers function under the same software network.

“Having that compatibility would reduce, if not eliminate, paper use in communication on patients or diagnostic services,” Wise said.

He also said that the simplified communication could help the alliance reach state-mandated goals for saving.

“It was estimated that healthcare providers spend 30 percent more than needed in providing services,” Wise said. “Even if we represented a half of that cut, our opportunities would be huge.”

Aside from the opportunity for collaboration among physicians and privileges at the system's respective facilities, there are no solid plans yet for a shared facility, although the idea has come up.

“We’ve talked about the need for a stronger ambulatory presence in the area,” Regier said. “We may want to work more towards that.”

As for a possible new joint medical center, Wise said that the two groups “will certainly have it on our agenda.”

In total, authorities made 49 arrests and seized more than 3,000 bags of heroin, six vehicles and more than $6,000, police said.

A Hunterdon County grand jury today returned indictments against three individuals arrested in April as part of a large-scale drug bust.

Michael Levy, 30, of Somerset, N.J., Lilly Roessner, 19, of Trenton, and Mark Royal, 30, of Plainfield, N.J., were each indicted on a heroin possession charge.

Royal also faces charges of possession and intent to distribute Oxycodone as well as obstruction and hindering apprehension. According to the indictment, Royal ran from police before his April 11 arrest and tried to hide evidence in his mouth.

The three were arrested in Flemington over a two-day span as part of Operation Day Tripper. The 10-month undercover effort was launched by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, targeting heroin traffickers and users who traveled regularly to and from cities such as Newark, Trenton and Easton.

In total, authorities made 49 arrests and seized more than 3,000 bags of heroin, six vehicles and more than $6,000, police said.

The following are among additional indictments handed down today by a Hunterdon County grand jury, according to a release from the prosecutor's office:

• Drew Schanen, 25, of Ventnor, N.J., was indicted on two counts of receiving stolen property stemming from a Sept. 17 incident in Lambertville. Schanen is alleged to have been found in possession of three stolen rings, one of which was worth $215, and two earrings, worth $205, court documents said.

• Shimera Gore, 19, of Trenton, was indicted on charges of shoplifting and attempted theft. Gore is accused of attempting to steal $1,187 worth of Enfamil baby formula from a Raritan Township Wal-Mart in May, according to court documents.

• Chaz Phelps, 29, of Reading, and Matthew Feldbaum, 27, of Laureldale, Pa., were indicted on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and intent to distribute. Readington Township police found the pair on March 9 along Route 523 with more than 16 pounds of synthetic marijuana, valued at roughly $7,000, in their car, police said at the time of the arrest.

• Jiancarlos Brito, 24, of Bronx, N.Y., was indicted on charges of possession of heroin and intent to distribute, stemming from a March 22 incident in Bethlehem Township, N.J.

• Leszek Staroszczuk, 58, of Hillsborough, N.J., was indicted on charges of aggravated assault of a police officer, throwing bodily fluid and eluding stemming from a May 4 incident in Raritan Township.

The inaugural derby began with 16 racers, hundreds of spectators.

Main Street in High Bridge became a race track today as the borough held its sixth annual Soap Box Derby.

The High Bridge Business Association started the event in 2008 looking for a spring community event to round out the calendar along with Community Day in September and the Christmas Tree Lighting in December.

The inaugural derby began with 16 racers, hundreds of spectators. See photos from the 2012 derby here.

A new driveway at public safety building could shave 10 minutes off response times.

It’s 150 feet that could save police 10 minutes when responding to an emergency.

“I figured I’d be retired by the time we got this,” Clinton Township police Lt. Doug Higgins joked.

Representatives from Clinton Township and ExxonMobil Research and Engineering gathered Friday during a groundbreaking ceremony for a short driveway that will go a long way to improving safety by providing access to Valley Crest Road and reducing response times to the southeastern part of the township.

“In our business … seconds can mean a life,” police Director Robert Manney said, adding the push to make the driveway a reality began in 2007. “It’s certainly a long time in coming.”

Officials said the driveway at the southeastern end of the public safety building on Route 31 will be for police use only. Higgins said if a drowning occurs at Round Valley Reservoir, for instance, police would be able to reach the area much quicker. The driveway would also provide an alternate path to Route 22 or Interstate 78 if traffic is backed up on Route 31 North, Manney said.

Township Administrator Marvin Joss said police must currently navigate two jughandles and two traffic lights before they can head to that section of the township.

“I’m really glad to see this happen,” Mayor Kevin Cimei said.

Cimei said the proposal seemed to gain traction in recent months. He thanked ExxonMobil officials for helping to make it happen.

ExxonMobil's technology center sits next to the public safety building. The company donated an easement to the township, and the township also used an easement from a previous farmland open space purchase. Joss said Exxon was “always willing to work with us and make this happen,” but the idea took about two years to wind through the company’s corporate structure in Houston.

Cimei said officials also had a four-month wait for the state Department of Environmental Protection to issue permits because of a small stream bed that the driveway must avoid. A wooden footbridge crosses the stream and a small patio-block path now connects the police lot with Valley Crest Road. The driveway will be a short distance to the east.

The project will start in about two weeks and will take about a month to complete. Joss said the township is doing the work in-house and that the cost will be the time and some materials provided by the township’s public works department.

The hilly ground needs to be leveled and stone and gravel will be added. The mayor said the township has set aside about $20,000 for the project.

The next photoevent will be held on Monday, July 22.

The Supermoon shined brightly in the night sky on Friday, June 22.Jersey Journal Photo | CAROLINA DURATE

High Bridge photographer Donna Herrmann was concerned about the possibility of having expensive equipment exposed to rain showers.

Herrmann said the next photoevent will be held on Monday, July 22. More information can be found at Hermann’s website, DAHerrmann.smugmug.com, or by calling 973-980-9109.

He was sent to the Hunterdon County jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

A 19-year-old Flemington man has been arrested on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography over the Internet, authorities announced today.

Connor M. Houser was charged with second-degree distribution of child pornography and fourth-degree possession of child pornography, according to Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III.

A joint investigation by the Flemington Police Department, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit found Houser had committed the alleged crimes while living in the borough, authorities said.

He was arrested on June 13. The prosecutor’s office declined to comment further on the case, citing an ongoing investigation.

If convicted, Houser faces five to 10 years in prison on the distribution charge and up to 18 months in prison on the possession charge.

He was sent to the Hunterdon County jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. Jail records showed Houser remained in jail as of this afternoon.

Anyone with information on the alleged crime is asked to call the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-321-0010 or online at crimestoppershunterdon.com. Confidential texts messages can also be sent by texting HCTIPS plus the tip message to 274637.

He was released from Hunterdon County jail after posting $10,000 bail, authorities said.

A 19-year-old Readington Township man was jailed after he engaged in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16 while he was at least four years older than the victim, authorities said.

Kyle Andrews was charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and lewdness, Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office announced today.

Andrews was arrested Tuesday following a joint investigation by the Readington Township Police Department and detectives in the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, authorities said.

He was sent to the Hunterdon County jail and released after posting $10,000 bail, authorities said.

The prosecutor’s office said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 908-877-1129.

Gusciora, whose 15th District covers parts of Hunterdon County, called the decision "an essential step" and commended the five justices who ruled against the act.

New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, one of two openly gay legislators in the state, is applauding this morning's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act and calling for the state to act next.

"Now that DOMA has been declared invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court, New Jersey should no longer discriminate by upholding civil unions and instead, grant full marriage which is now confirmed by our federal government," Gusciora said.

Gusciora, a Democrat whose 15th District covers parts of Hunterdon County, called the decision "an essential step" and commended the five justices who ruled against the act. He also praised the court for leaving an initial trial court ruling in place that declares California's same-sex marriage ban, known as Prop 8, to be unconstitutional.

"As for Prop 8, we congratulate California on becoming the next state to recognize marriage equality," Gusciora said. "I look forward in joining them."

Gusciora has previously attempted to lead the charge for same-sex marriage in New Jersey. In February 2012, a bill he had sponsored that was passed through both the Assembly and Senate was vetoed by Gov. Christie in favor of putting it on a ballot for voters to decide.

Some state Democrats have announced their intention to rally support to override Christie's veto. Lawmakers have until Jan. 14, 2014, the end of the current legislative session, to attempt an override but may yield their efforts sooner if the proposal lands on the November ballot.

"Notwithstanding, we still need to correct our own inequality here in New Jersey by either the governor withdrawing his veto on marriage equality or by placing the matter up to the voters so we can correct this ourselves," Gusciora said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A Franklin Township police officer crashed his car off Route 12 Saturday

The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office is looking for witnesses to a wreck that involved a Franklin Township police officer.

Officer John Oliveira crashed his patrol car on Route 12 near Old Croton Road in Delaware Township about 3:40 p.m. last Saturday, according to a statement from county Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III. Investigators with the prosecutor's office are assisting Delaware Township police in the investigation, according to Kearns.

Kearns and Delaware Township Police Chief Edward Ziolkowski are looking for witnesses to the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129 or the Delaware Township Police Department at 609-397-0911.

The Hunterdon County Democrat reported the police cruiser ended up on its roof in a ditch off Route 12 and that Oliveira received minor injuries and has returned to work.

He was cleaning a .22-caliber rifle when it accidentally discharged, authorities said.

A 75-year-old Flemington man died Tuesday, one day after a rifle he was cleaning accidentally discharged, authorities announced.

Frank Kern was shot in the stomach shortly before 7:55 a.m. Monday while disassembling and cleaning a .22-caliber rifle inside a garage at his Prospect Hill Apartments home, authorities said.

Two officers responded to reports of a gunshot and found Kern lying in the garage, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III and Flemington Police Chief George Becker announced today in a joint statement.

Kern was flown by state police helicopter to Helene Fuld Medical Center in Trenton. He died Tuesday morning as a result of complications from the wound, the prosecutor said.

“This is a terrible tragedy and our condolences go out to the Kern family,” Kearns said in a statement.

Both the prosecutor and police chief reminded gun owners to always make sure their weapons are fully unloaded and the chamber is clear before attempting to dissemble or clean them.

Kern, a graduate of Bangor High School, worked as apartment manager for Prospect Hill Apartments in Flemington for 25 years, according to his obituary. He is survived by his wife and four children, the obit says.

A family member who answered the phone at Kern's home did not wish to speak to a reporter tonight.

The charge against Frank J. Schwenderman was one of seven cases approved by the Hunterdon County grand jury Thursday.

A 24-year-old Flemington man allegedly tried to pass a state drug test by handing in two bottles of fake urine in May, according to documents from the Hunterdon County grand jury.

Frank J. Schwenderman faces one count of defrauding the administration of a drug test as a result.

Schwenderman's case was one of seven sets of indictments approved by the grand jury Thursday and announced today. Other indictments approved from the grand jury include:

• Caitlin M. Neesen allegedly accepted an iPhone she knew or suspected was stolen April 25 in Readington Township. The 25-year-old township resident is charged with theft by receiving stolen property.
  

• Francis Griglio II, 21, and Gregory Natale Jr., 30, allegedly distributed heroin in Raritan Township March 15. At the same time, the pair also distributed another substance which they passed off as another illicit drug, according to court documents. The two township residents are charged with conspiracy, distribution of heroin and distribution of an imitation controlled substance.
  

Griglio was also charged with additional conspiracy and distribution of an imitation controlled substance for selling pills with a juvenile April 9.

• James A. Solakian, 42, of Belvidere, and Sheli Dagostino, 43, of Allentown, were allegedly involved in a case of insurance fraud in Raritan Township. Authorities accuse Solakian of staging the theft of Dagostino's vehicle so it could be reported stolen last April.
  

They are each charged with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, obstruction and hindering apprehension. Solakian is also charged with insurance fraud.

• A 24-year-old Easton man allegedly had heroin for sale in Union Township April 7. Antoine Johnson faces charges of possession of heroin and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute.
  

Building owner John Havay says he will begin the process Monday to remove the Bloomsbury Rescue Squad from 88 Main St.

The Bloomsbury Rescue Squad building is located at 88 Main St. in the borough.Express-Times File Photo | ASHLI TRUCHON

The Bloomsbury Rescue Squad may need to find a new base of operations if its landlord is successful in evicting the squad from its Main Street headquarters.

Havay claims rescue squad members agreed last June to pay $700 a month in rent, but they stopped paying after four months.

Bloomsbury Rescue Squad Chief Jim Anderson said Friday he wasn’t aware of Havay’s plans. Havay began the process to remove the squad on a few other occasions, Anderson said, adding the squad’s attorney is handling all legal procedures.

“I have not been notified of any proceedings concerning our building. If that’s what John’s choosing to do, that’s what he’s choosing to do,” Anderson said. “The squad has no intention of going anywhere.”

Anderson said that from the squad’s perspective, it has no financial obligation to pay rent. Agreements with previous building owners and, initially with Havay, give the squad the legal right to occupy its portion of the building, he said.

The squad hasn’t agreed to a lease because of demands Havay wants to place on the organization, according to Anderson.

Havay said he believes squad members are refusing to sign the lease to avoid paying rent. He knows the squad isn’t getting enough in donations from the community, but Havay is experiencing his own personal financial hardship, he said.

“I just can’t afford it anymore,” Havay said. “I thought I was being a good guy giving them the building, and it really is taking advantage of me now.”

The rescue squad houses two ambulances, a rescue truck and an auxiliary first response vehicle in the building on Main Street, Anderson said. Its members serve Bloomsbury borough and portions of Pohatcong, Alexandria and Bethlehem townships.

Any procedures to remove the rescue squad will be lengthy, and its members will make other arrangements if legal rulings are not in the squad's favor, Anderson said. There will never be an interruption of service, he said.

Pohatcong Township Mayor James Kern III said he finds it disturbing that the owner plans to evict a volunteer rescue squad during a time when it’s difficult for such organizations to raise funds. Kern said he hopes the owner considers that before he pursues further action.

The rescue squad covers a third of Pohatcong Township’s residents spread across a sizable area, Kern said.

Timothy Steves and Trisha Demott were charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a handgun and related drug charges.

Raritan Township police arrested two people allegedly carrying heroin, marijuana, a loaded handgun and other drug paraphernalia Wednesday.

Police pulled over Timothy Steves and Trisha Demott on Route 12 based on information received by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's office, according to a news release.

Inside the vehicle, officers discovered heroin, marijuana, Xanax and packaging material, the release said. Authorities also found a loaded .22 pistol in the vehicle, police said.

As Steves and Demott, both 26, were taken into custody, Steves broke free and ran into a wooded area. Police recaptured him soon after, police said.

The two were charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of alprozolam and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Steves, of Pittstown, is being held at Hunterdon County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. Demott, of Upper Black Eddy, is being held at the jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Improvement district also outlines other initiatives to make Flemington a "destination."

View full sizeA Business Improvement District board member said Flemington needs to build on a historical theme and embrace cultural heritage tourism, noting the two most historically important buildings in Hunterdon County are the courthouse and the Union Hotel, both in the borough.Express-Times File Photo

Improving the borough’s Main Street and gateways is one of several initiatives Flemington Business Improvement District officials presented this past week in an effort to make the borough a destination.

“We all understand Flemington has fallen asleep,” improvement district Chairman Bob Benjamin said. “We are a sleepy town.”

The district board commissioned a consulting engineer and landscape architect to inspect the borough’s Main Street and all of the roads connecting to it; the result was a streetscape plan.

The actual work is expected to take place in phases, with the first phase possibly beginning in September, according to district board member Frank Banisch. The project would improve the streetscape's continuity and safety with lighting and ADA compliance.

Proponents hope the streetscape project would link disconnected sections of town such as the historic downtown area with the outlet shopping district and retail commerce along the highway. District officials are considering running a trolley between each of the business districts.

Banisch hopes the borough can obtain grant money through the New Jersey Department of Transportation or some other government agency. Members of the improvement district have also been meeting with a brand consultant.

“Branding will put Flemington on the map,” planning committee member Robert Shore said.

Banisch said that Flemington needs to build on a historical theme and embrace cultural heritage tourism, noting the two most historically important buildings in Hunterdon County are the courthouse and the Union Hotel, both in the borough.

Flemington Councilman Joey Novick suggested the district consider murals by local artists depicting historical images, an idea that Banisch said could be considered.

Benjamin touted a restaurant association that is being formed.

“You don’t have a restaurant week without a restaurant association,” he said, adding the improvement district “could have communicated more” about its first restaurant week held this year.

“The ball was certainly dropped and I’ll take the heat for that,” said Jim Gano, a member of the district’s marketing committee. “We need more restaurants and patrons to participate.”

District officials promised better use of social media to more effectively communicate with business owners and the public at large.

Gano said a Tour of Flemington Bike Race is being planned for Labor Day weekend, a “huge” street fair is planned for Oct. 27 and photo events with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were a success and will be expanded. There are also plans to continue the district’s cultural series lectures every Thursday in 2014, Benjamin said.

“We want to make Flemington a destination," Gano said. "That’s what we have to do.”

Rob Bacino, chairman of the improvement district’s quality of life committee, said motion sensor lighting has been installed in two alleys, with plans for more in four other alleys.

“We want to make Flemington as user-friendly at night as it is during the day,” Bacino said, adding that flowerpots are also being installed throughout the borough.

After the presentation, Novick suggested that local restaurants could provide entertainment, something that chain establishments are not able to do as a way to offer something unique to attract more business.

Officials are interviewing for the district’s new executive director. Daniel J. Wright, who serves on the human resources committee, said officials received 23 resumes for the vacancy.

“We’ll narrow the field down to a few names and we’ll be scheduling multiple interviews,” he said.

Wright would not put a timetable on when a new director would be hired.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning until today for the South Branch of the Raritan River in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

View full sizeA view Monday of the South Branch of the Raritan River in Clinton. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the stretch until Tuesday.Express-Times Photo | ANDREW GEORGE

With sporadic periods of heavy rain and flood warnings issued for several of Hunterdon County's waterways, the option to stay indoors would've seemed like a rather attractive one to most Monday.

When Martinez saw the weather report earlier in the morning, he immediately called Strunk and the two men made their way to the Spruce Run Reservoir recreation area in Union Township for a day of fishing.

"I called him up and said 'Let's go get some catfish,'" Martinez said.

With just two hours' work by noon, Strunk had already caught six catfish. When waterways flood, he says, conditions for catching the fish become ideal as they rise toward the surface along with other debris and sediments.

View full sizeHampton resident Nate Strunk holds up some catfish he caught Monday at the Spruce Run Reservoir recreation area as flood warnings were being issued.Express-Times Photo | ANDREW GEORGE

Strunk and Martinez were joined by several other locals who had made the trip out to the reservoir in search of fish.

Pleased with his fish count, Strunk said the trip was well worth fighting back a few rain clouds.

"Rain don't bother me," he said.

Earlier Monday, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning until today for the South Branch of the Raritan River in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. Additional warnings were also in effect until Monday evening for the South Branch of the Rockaway River at Whitehouse Station in Readington Township; the Neshanic River at Reaville on the border between Raritan and East Amwell townships; and for the Mulhockaway Creek in Union Township.

In nearby downtown Clinton, an area prone to flooding, it was business as usual Monday afternoon as residents and customers filtered in and out of Main Street's storefronts.

At the Hunterdon Art Museum, situated alongside the South Branch of the Raritan River, Mary Grace Mangano said that no flooding precautions had yet been taken. For the museum and the nearby shops that line the river's bank, the potential for flooding is always a reality, she said.

"I guess that's what you get being riverside," Mangano said.

Regional Editor Kurt Bresswein contributed to this report.

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A New Jersey State Police spokesperson said this afternoon that the body, a male, fits the "basic description" of a New Jersey man who went missing Saturday.

Authorities say they recovered a body this afternoon from the Delaware River, three days after a rafter went missing.

New Jersey State Police were dispatched at 12:53 p.m. for the report of a body spotted south of the Upper Black Eddy-Milford bridge.

A state police spokesman said this afternoon that the body, a male, fits the "basic description" of a New Jersey man who went missing Saturday while rafting on the river.

A raft carrying Gary West, 38, of Summit, and his 14-year-old daughter overturned about 1:40 p.m. Saturday along the shore in Upper Mount Bethel Township. The daughter was helped from the river by a former Marine from Independence Township and his wife, who were kayaking on the rain-swollen river.

New Jersey State Police at Kingwood and Pennsylvania State Police at Dublin responded to today's recovery effort, troopers from both barracks said.

A boat launch in Frenchtown was the destination once the body was recovered, according to emergency radio broadcasts.

West and his daughter had been staying at Delaware River Family Campground in Knowlton Township, where employee Kerry Campbell said tonight that staff was unaware of today's recovery of a body.

She said West and his daughter went on the river with their own equipment and vehicle.

"We didn't put them out on a trip," she said.

Campbell noted that, following recent rainfall, the river was "very high and running fast."

This had been West's first time staying at the campground, according to Campbell.

"Honestly I hope it is him because the family doesn't need to suffer anymore and they don't know yet," she said.

Efforts failed to reach West's family tonight. No working phone number could be found.

State police spokesman Sgt. Adam Grossman said no further information would be released tonight on the body recovered. He said the Hunterdon County Medical Examiner's Office is assisting in the investigation.

The office of Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III deferred all comment to state police.