Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—In response to predictions of cold and snowy weather Thursday evening, the city's parking authority opened parking decks to city residents at 4pm.
Meanwhile, authorities declared a "CODE BLUE," which means Elijah's Promise, the city's only soup kitchen, will be open for shelter overnight.
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ—Another public worker has been arrested as the State Police move to charge several people involved in a local drug and weapons sales network.
One week after being arrested and charged with conspiracy, Michael D. Vitanza has been suspended without pay from a job he has held since 1984 with North Brunswick Township.
A secretary for North Brunswick Mayor Francis Womack confirmed that Vitanza, a laborer with the township's Department of Public Works, was suspended on Friday December 27.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–Mayor James Cahill and Police Director Anthony Caputo swore in four new police officers earlier this month.
The city announced the hirings on December 4, but their names were not made public for weeks. The new officers are: Justin M. Brugnoli, Andrew W. Puccio, Luis R. Berrios Jr., and Richard C. Regan.
FRANKLIN, NJ—A New Brunswick man was killed late Saturday afternoon after his car slammed head on into another vehicle near Hamilton Street, according to Franklin police.
Officers responded to the scene around 5 p.m. and found 49-year-old Mark Byrd of New Brunswick, unresponsive in his 1997 Mitsubishi Galant.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—A man who owns four city properties was arrested Thursday and remains in jail, but officials won't say whether it is related to a "far-reaching" investigation that may have ended the career of New Brunswick's chief housing inspector.
Paul Cano III, a resident of Platte Av. in North Brunswick, was arrested Thursday on charges for possessing weapons and illegal drugs. He is still at the Middlesex County Jail, being held on $250,000 bail, according to jail officials.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Michael Mahony, the longtime chief housing inspector for the City of New Brunswick, made donations to help keep his boss, Mayor Jim Cahill, in office.
Mahony spent a night in jail last week, and is currently facing charges that he dealt cocaine. The mayor suspended Mahony after New Brunswick Today inquired about his job status.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Michael Mahony, the city's chief housing inspector since 1994, was arrested Thursday morning by State Police and charged with possession and intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance .
Authorities say the raids that nabbed Mahony were part of a "larger investigation" that continues.
According to the Middlesex County Department of Corrections, Mahony spent one night at the county jail before he was released on $150,000 bail yesterday.
New Brunswick Today is an independent, print and digital newspaper founded in 2011. Our mission is to improve the level of civic discourse in the City of New Brunswick by accurately covering local government and demanding transparency and accountability from those in authority.
