February 2016

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–On December 19, 2015, Embrace Kids Foundation invited 600 children and family members to a Star Wars themed holiday party with food, gifts, and over 40 volunteers from local Lucas Film Limited Costumed Charity Organizations who dressed up in character and entertained the children.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Monica C. Barrett, Rutgers general counsel and interim senior vice president, has joined the law firm that conducted a review of the Rutgers football program last year.

As of January 1, 2016, Barrett joined the higher education practice of Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC.

In August 2015, Rutgers retained Bond, Schoeneck and King to review the program following an allegation that a player failed multiple drug tests while on the team and a simple assault charge against wide receiver Leonte Carroo.

SAYREVILLE, NJ—Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) hosted their third community forum on human trafficking, entitled "Human Trafficking: Let's Make This the End of the Road Part III," in partnership with American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

EDISON, NJ—Freeholder H. James Polos said that the state's second most populous county used to be "maybe a machine," in his remarks at the Board of Chosen Freeholders' annual re-organization meeting on January 6.

Polos, a former Mayor of Highland Park, has often been on the outside looking in at the Democratic Party's establishment.

Yet despite the challenges he has faced, Polos has managed to stay on the Freeholder Board for 18 years.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–The downtown Key Food store is offering free delivery — making as many as 210 deliveries a week for customers who spend at least $50 on a grocery order and live in the Hub City, Highland Park, or South Edison.

Free grocery delivery, on tickets of $50 or more, is a common practice in the Hub City, allowing residents to walk to the market but not have to carry their purchases home.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) does not provide significant information about police actions to the public, but Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) does offer a daily police and fire log.

The following blotter is based on RUPD's log, as well as press releases, public comments, and crime alerts from RUPD, NBPD, and other law enforcement agencies.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The city's fire officers and municipal workers will be getting raises, according to ordinances and resolutions approved by the City Council at their January 20 meeting.

"We have negotiated some considerably significant givebacks in the health and welfar area, paritcuarly the prescription plan has been reconfigured," said Business Administrator Thomas Loughlin.