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by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 9:22pm Hover over Photos to see Locations and Photo Credit Click on Photo to Enlarge  Big Piece Road at Dell Court, Fairfield PHOTO: Mark Andrew Bilhuber  WEST ESSEX, NJ - Late Tuesday afternoon, West Essex was slammed with a storm so strong that many have questioned if we had a tornado come through the area. While some areas of New York did see tornados touch down, West Essex experienced a brief, but incredibly powerful, Squall with Whole Gale, Category 10, 66mph Winds, which was followed up by equally damaging Thunderstorms. The violently intense onset was reported by NOAA's Fairfield Weather Station as a Squall - which they define as a "sudden violent gust of wind or a localized storm" - and it began in West Essex at 4:44pm, followed by Thunderstorms which continued until 6:01pm. In this very short period of time, the Winds, Lightning, and Rain caused a huge amount of damage around the West Essex area. What follows is a timeline of incidents chronicled as they were reported (not as they occured) to which Police, Fire and DPW crews responded and worked tirelessly to clean up for days: Tuesday, May 15 4:44pm
4:46pm
4:49pm
4:50pm
4:51pm
4:55pm
 Stewart Road, Essex Fells PHOTO: Carolyne Volpe Curley 5pm
5:02pm
5:04pm
 Grandview Avenue by Sunset Drive, North Caldwell PHOTO: Carolyne Volpe Curley 5:11pm
5:14pm
 Cedars Road near Washburn Place, Caldwell PHOTO: Chris Wysocki 5:16pm
 Campbell Road at Bodkin Road, Fairfield PHOTO: Bonnie Kamochi 5:18pm
5:24pm
 Passaic Avenue across from Essex County Airport, Fairfield PHOTO: Carolyne Volpe Curley  Passaic Avenue across from Essex County Airport, Fairfield PHOTO: Fiona Curley 5:27pm
5:31pm
 Williamsburg Drive, Roseland PHOTO: Michele Madia Valeriani 5:32pm
5:33pm
5:35pm
5:36pm
5:37pm
5:39pm
5:41pm
5:42pm
5:44pm
Police begin welfare checks of residences, including homes where children are on their own. 5:45pm
5:48pm
5:51pm
5:52pm
5:55pm
 Roseland Methodist Church, Eagle Rock Avenue PHOTO: Carolyne Volpe Curley  Roseland Methodist Church, Eagle Rock Avenue PHOTO: Carolyne Volpe Curley 5:59pm Roseland: Eagle Rock Avenue, Methodist Church
 Midvale Avenue near Esposito Drive, Fairfield PHOTO: Mark Andrew Bilhuber 6:04pm
6:08pm
6:12pm
6:14pm
6:16pm
6:20pm
 Hamilton Drive South by Woodland Place, North Caldwell PHOTO: Lisa Margolis Goldstein 6:22pm
6:25pm
 Alan Drive, Fairfield PHOTO: Lisa Pitera Pasternak 6:26pm
 Gazebo from lower deck landed upside down on upper deck, Lane Avenue, Caldwell PHOTO: Janna Smith 6:29pm
6:30pm
6:39pm
6:41pm
7:02pm
 Kennedy Drive, Fairfield PHOTO: Fairfield Police 7:06pm
7:23pm
7:31pm
7:55pm
8:04pm
8:12pm
8:18pm
By the end of the Storm, over 90 streets which included hundreds of residents, were without power:
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 6:41pm  From left: Verona Police Chief Chris Keirnan, Detective Sergeant Timothy Banta, Mayor Kevin Ryan, Sheriff Armando Fontoura PHOTO: Kevin Lynch VERONA, NJ - Yesterday, the 200 Club of Essex County presented their Valor Award to Verona Police Detective Sergeant Timmy Banta for his role in protecting his fellow officers, and a woman in crisis, from any harm while he himself suffered injuries. On Jan. 3, 2017, the woman called Verona Police from her Bloomfield Avenue residence saying: Get the fire department ready. According to police, when the Verona Police officers responded, Banta immediately took charge of the scene and forced open the locked door of the woman's apartment. Inside, the officers found that the woman had severed the gas line from her stove, turned the hose into a flame thrower, and was armed with a knife. While she strongly resisted, Banta managed to subdue the woman while the other officers evacuated the building. During the struggle, the woman lunged at Banta with a knife and he suffered injuries. 200 Club Trustee Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated: Throughout this life-threatening incident Banta was ultimately able to take the woman into custody and escort her downstairs to safety and much needed psychological attention. 200 Club of Essex County
Its sole purpose is to help provide for dependents of police and firefighters in Essex County and state troopers in New Jersey who lose their lives in the line of duty by way of a cash stipend to the surviving spouse or dependent with no conditions and by providing educational assistance to each surviving child prior to its 26th birthday. Annually, The Club holds a Valor Awards luncheon where it pays tribute to a number of brave Essex County police officers, Essex County firefighters and NJ State Troopers who distinguished themselves by acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. The Valor Award recipients receive a cash award, an engraved medallion, and a 200 Club Valor ribbon to be worn on their uniform. by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 5:30pm  VERONA, NJ - Verona Police Acting Chief Christopher Kiernan announced the arrest of Damon Abnathya, 39, of Montclair for thefts to motor vehicles that took place in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Jan. 9. According to Kiernan, Officer Stephanie Colon was on patrol at about 4:14am when she observed Abnathya walking in the street in the area of Mt. Prospect Avenue and Sunset Avenue, while carrying a small red bag. Because of the early hour, and the extremely cold temperature - and because Colon was already aware of vehicle thefts and burglaries in the area - she pulled over to speak with Abnathya. Abnathya, however, after seeing the officer, immediately dropped the bag and ran through the backyards on Sunset Avenue. Colon called for back up as a foot chase took place throughout numerous backyards and eventually Abnathya was taken into custody by Verona Officers Colon, McMahon, Sergeant Condorelli and Lieutenant Wardrope. It was excellent Police work According to Kiernan, Abnathya was found in possession of over $300 in various denominations of cash and change. He also had several gift cards, change purses and various small personal items.
After being advised of his Miranda Rights, Abnathya admitted that he was entering vehicles in the area. Abnathya was charged with:
After processing, he was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility for arraignment. The investigation is ongoing to locate all of the owners of the items. Please call the Verona Police Department at 973-239-5000 if you believe anything was taken from your vehicle. by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 3:15pm  From left: Capt. Stephen DePoe, Lt. Michael Ruglio, (Ret. Sgt.) Michael Traettino, Mike Coccucci, P/O Brendan Huber, (Santa's Elf) P/O Stephanie Colon, (Elf On The Shelf) P/O Brian McMahon, (Santa Claus) P/O Jordan Descafano, (Minnon) P/O Robert Juliano, (Events Coordinator) Lt. Robert Shafer, (Olaf) P/O John DeSomma, (Michael-Angelo Ninja Turtle) P/O Robert Maguire, Sgt. Dan Greco, P/O Bill Frazee, (Santa's Elf) P/O TJ Conroy. Photo Credit: Ed Carattini Jr. VERONA, NJ - On Thursday, Dec. 15, members of the Verona Police P.B.A. Local 72 hosted their 40th Annual “Holiday Costume Trip.” The event, which involves officers visiting schools that focus on children who have special needs, was created in 1976 by Retired Verona Police Captain Fred Di Stefano. Police Lt. Robert Shafer now coordinates the event each year. "Verona Police Officers are still visiting the schools The PBA was grateful for the service of Keith from Unlimited Party Bus & Limo for donating his time and transportation to their cause. "The Costume Trip is perhaps the longest running tradition by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 2:50pm
“We are out there every day, patrolling the streets, The pink items the Verona officers will be wearing include baseball caps and name strips embroidered with pink lettering . Additionally, the PBA has set up a Facebook page, Verona PBA Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, to continue the initiative.  Credit: Verona PBA Verona PBA President Anthony Condorelli said, According to the CDC, except for some skin cancers, Breast Cancer is the most common cancer that women have to face. Thousands of women, and a small percentage of men, are diagnosed with the illness annually. The following information is available online:
Women of every age should begin by examining their own breasts so that they can be alert for any new lump, pain or change in size. If any development is the least bit concerning, the women should then have their doctor perform a clinical breast exam with their hands. After the age of 40, women should take every advantage of the use of screening tools including a Mammogram and if needed an MRI. The screening tools are available at hospitals and every medical insurance is now required to cover the cost of screenings No other cost, including co-pays or deductible, can be added to the screening procedure. Verona Police Chief Mitchell Stern fully supports the initiative and complimented the members of Local 72 for their endeavors. “The members of Verona PBA Local 72 are  Condorelli expressed that the PBA has had shirts made with the PBA's logo embroidered in pink. The shirts are available to the public for $15 each and can be purchased through this link. The monies raised will be donated to an organization devoted to fighting breast cancer. Further Information
Verona Police Chief Mitchell Stern Detective Anthony Condorelli Verona Police Department 600 Bloomfield Avenue Verona, NJ 07044 Website 973-857-4821 by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 10:55am
Yesterday, Asencio, the driver of the van at the time of the collision, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death, a second degree offense. The Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court, authorized the arrest warrant for Asencio. He was arrested and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Bail was set at $150,000 with a 10 percent cash option.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact:
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line 877-847-7432 Verona Police Department 973-239-5000
Published 2:10pm  Credit: Verona Police VERONA, NJ - The Verona Police Department is asking the public's assistance in identifying the individual shown in the photo. He is wanted for questioning regarding a theft that occurred at about 9am, Saturday morning, at a Pompton Avenue business. Contact Anyone who can identify the person should contact the Detective Bureau at 973-857-4764.
Published 9:54am VERONA, NJ - Verona Police have confirmed that another residential burglary has taken place within the township. The police are investigating an incident which occurred on Thursday night, at about 11:15pm, when an individual is said to have broken into a residence on Afterglow Road and taken at least one item; the homeowners were in their residence at the time. This event follows two previous recent and similar incidents on Grove Avenue and on Woodland Avenue.  During last night's burglary, police state that the suspect entered the Aspenglow home, saw the homeowner and fled the premises. No one was confronted or injured. The police have further confirmed that the suspect is alleged to have gotten into a car which was last seen traveling east on Bloomfield Avenue. Suspect's Description
Two recent previous incidents have occurred:
Further Reading
Published 9:15am  VERONA, NJ - Verona Police confirmed that a residential robbery took place at about 11:40pm on Sunday evening on Grove Avenue in the township. Reportedly, the homeowner was inside the residence and was tied up. The home invasion incident took place in the lower end of Grove between Bloomfield and Linden Avenues. In a statement, the police reported that the township has experienced several burglaries recently and the investigation into these incidents is ongoing. After arriving at the scene, the Verona officers conducted a search of the residence and located an older female resident who had been tied up; she was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Essex County Prosecutors Office was the contacted to assist the department in the investigation. Area police are asking the public to take extra precautions in securing their homes. Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet commented that he felt it was best for the community to know about the situation and be aware of their need to be alert. As a result of a nighttime residential burglary to an occupied home in a neighboring town, the police department is asking residents to be on the alert for suspicious activity and to take extra precautions in securing their homes. The burglary in question occurred on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 11:40 p.m. and the victim had apparently been tied up by the burglars. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. As precautionary measures, residents are being asked to ensure their doors and windows are locked and their home alarms are set before retiring for the evening. In addition, some interior and exterior lights should be left on at night. Residents are also asked to be alert for suspicious persons and vehicles and if observed to immediately contact the police department at 973-239-4100 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Published 6:10pm  Credit: Jonathan LeRoy Updated: 11:27pm Tuesday Bloomfield Avenue was opened as of 11:25pm; Claremont Avenue between Valley Road and Noth Mountain Avenue remains closed. VERONA, NJ - The Verona Police and Verona Fire Department arrived at the scene of Bloomfield Avenue and Sunset Avenue at about 5:35pm after a manhole cover apparently exploded. Bloomfield Avenue was closed for the rest of the evening from Pompton Avenue to Valley Road in Montclair. PSEG arrived by about 6:15pm to take meter readings at every manhole in the area. Additionally, gas measurements were taken at area building locations. On Sunday night, West Essex Now reported that PSEG was near that intersection at about 8:40pm, checking on a possible gas leak at a building at 25 Pompton Avenue. The area was investigated and then deemed safe. A West Essex Now reader was on the scene as it occurred and described the pandemonium the drivers at the intersection experienced: "We were just driving by Claremont Avenue on Bloomfield Ave  Darlene Rizio Sgarlato works in the area and recalled the loud explosion let off smoke right afterwards. "You should have heard the noise!" commented Sgarlato.  Credit: Jonathan LeRoy John Paul Foley, of Roseland, was in the area at about 9:07pm. "It smelled, something was still smoldering. |
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