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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

How to Help Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado

Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.

Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area.  If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor.

Apple Store to Open at Quaker Bridge Mall

Mall officials announced the news via Facebook on Monday afternoon.

  Late Monday afternoon, officials at Quaker Bridge Mall confirmed what many have suspected for months- an Apple store is slated to open at the newly renovated mall on Route 1 in Lawrenceville. It was shortly after 4 p.m. when someone managing the Mall's Facebook account posted a photo of the new store location inside the mall along with the message, "Guess who is coming to Quaker Bridge Mall!?" The online post quickly garnered nearly 300 Facebook 'Likes' and more than 120 'Shares.' It's unclear when the new store will open, but it will certainly be a welcome addition to Central New Jersey, because the nearest Apple retailers are currently in Freehold or Bridgewater, each at least a 30 minute drive away.  The company is currently hiring …

Lawrence Resident Presents Rider Student Address

Rider graduates 404 in the first of several ceremonies.

Rider University proudly bestowed the honorary Doctor of Laws upon John H. Martinson, founder of the philanthropic Martinson Family Foundation (MFF), which supports educational initiatives encouraging K-12 math and science teachers to broaden their knowledge and skills through collaborative programs at nearby colleges and universities, at the University’s 148thUndergraduate Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17. Rider President Mordechai Rozanski also conferred 917 baccalaureate degrees to students who had successfully completed their studies the previous week. They join 404 who received their diplomas on Thursday night at the Graduate and College of Continuing Studies Commencement, and 135 who received theirs at the 84th Westminster …

Lawrenceville Summer Camp Guide

A guide to finding local summer camps in and near Lawrenceville.

With the end of the school year in sight, thousands of township parents may be searching for something, anything, to get the kids out of the house. With that in mind, here are just some of the offerings throughout the township for a few months of fun or learning during the summer break. Lawrence Township Summer Art/Theater Camp Lawrence Township Park Summer Camp Lawrence Township Sports Camp Lawrence Township Travel Camp Lawrence Township Safety Town For even more programs, visit the Lawrence Township Department of Recreation webpage.  Lawrence Township Public Schools Summer Program Lawrence Township Public Schools is offering summer classes for students who will begin grades 6 through 9 in the 2013-2014 school year. Click here to check …

Rider Speedsters Head to NCAA East Championship

Outdoor College Track and Field Rider’s Hightower and Coleman Heading to NCAA Regional.

Senior David Hightower (Easton, Pa./Easton) and freshman La’tazah Coleman (Middletown, Del./Appoquinimink) of the Rider University men’s and women’s track and field teams officially qualified for the NCAA East Championship Regional, hosted by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, North Carolina, May 23-25, it was announced on Thursday. The meet will take place on Irwin Belk Track inside of Aggie Stadium. Coleman has the 47th fastest time (of 48 declared) in the 200 meter, running a Rider record time of 23.87 at the Larry Ellis Invitational on April 19.  “La’tazah has had a great rookie season,” said head coach Bob Hamer, who was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Coach of the Year at the beginning of May when Rider …

Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?

Here are some steps you can follow to prepare for the season.

  Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes advises residents to plan and prepare for possible tropical storms this summer and fall.  The hurricane season usually runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but the peak time for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey is mid-August through the end of October. When they approach land, tropical storms and hurricanes can be extremely deadly and destructive—even as far inland as Mercer County. “Our residents and businesses have felt the effects of a major storm two years in a row – with Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012 -- so no one should take the prospect of such an event lightly,” Hughes said. “It’s important that people be prepared for a storm of that magnitude and…

Committee Helps NJ Public Employees Call Another State 'Home'

Committee is one path for public employees to get around in-state-residency requirement of New Jersey First Act.

For the past two years, the meeting held monthly in a bare Trenton conference room determined the fates of hundreds of New Jersey public employees, including scores of teachers and school administrators. But the process has nothing to do with disciplinary actions or tenure or anything like that. The meetings of the five-member Employee Residency Review Committee are all about where people can live if they want to hold onto their jobs. Under the New Jersey First Act enacted in 2011, all New Jersey public employees must reside in New Jersey. There are a couple of exceptions, and the law grandfathered those who already lived out of state -- as long as they don't move. But it’s pretty unforgiving otherwise, and it takes some fairly …

E. Connie Myst

4:20 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

So we reduced the pool of eligible employees. Smaller supply vs. same demand: Now we'll have to pay more generally, and also to get those willing to pay NJ living expenses. As a taxpayer, I'm just thrilled.   more ›

Monday, May 20, 2013

Mrs. G's Redevelopment Project Approved

Zoning board grants conditional use variance for redevelopment of the Mrs. G TV and Appliances property at Route 1 at Bakers Basin Road.

After nearly a year of hearings before the zoning board, the township voted 6-1 last week to grant a conditional use variance for the redevelopment of the Mrs. G TV and Appliances property and adjacent vacant lots along Route 1 at Bakers Basin Road, according to centraljersey.com. The zoning board granted preliminary and final site plan approval for four proposed buildings on the site at the meeting, with final site plan approval for the fifth building to occur a future date once a tenant is found, according to the report. As part of the proposal, existing buildings on the properties – the current Mrs. G showroom, a vacant business, an abandoned diner, and three unoccupied homes – would be demolished. Constructed in their place would be …

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Lville Rob

11:17 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013

Council had nothing to do with making this happen and everything to do with the fact that it took a full year for the Zoning Board to approve this. The council has stacked the Zoning and Planning boards with unqualified political hacks who have no conception of how to move applications along. We need council members who understand the need to increase our rateables by making this town more …   more ›

The Week Ahead

The Week Ahead in Lawrenceville

Events in and around town this week.

Monday MOMS Club of Lawrenceville West Open House, Village Park, Bergen St & Yeger Dr, Lawrenceville, 10 a.m. The MOMS Club of Lawrenceville West will host an open house at Village Park on May 20 from 10 a.m. noon (weather permitting). They will be at the large playground off Bergen Street. If you are a stay-at-home mom (full or part time), you are welcome to attend with your children. Come meet some of the moms and learn more about the organization. Each month, they offer events for moms and playgroups and field trips for children. Please rsvp or direct any questions to mclwest@gmail.com.  Tuesday Terhune Orchards Read and Pick Program: Farm Animals, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, 9:30 a.m. Read and Pick is an innovative …

Lawrenceville Motorists Reminded to 'Click It or Ticket'

Planning on driving down the shore or to a family barbecue on Memorial Day Weekend? Buckle up.

As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety is urging everyone to buckle up.  Lawrence Police are one of 124 agencies who received $4,000 to run the seatbelt enforcement checkpoints and saturation patrols. The 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign begins Monday, May 20 and runs through Monday, June 2, according to a press release from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Police departments across New Jersey will crack down on motorists who are not belted. “As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary …

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