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 a single trial combined in the interests of "judicial efficiency," two co-defendants charged with obstructing a city street during a protest received different verdicts from Judge Mary Casey.
Tormel Pittman, the leader of the demonstration was found guilty of violating the city ordinance. He was sentenced to pay a $403 fine, and has opted not to appeal the verdict.
Just a few minutes earlier, Judge Casey found Gabriella Aron, age 20, not guilty of the same crime.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The centerpiece of New Brunswick's new tallest building, a Barnes & Noble bookstore, opened yesterday on Somerset Street.
The store will serve as the main bookstore for Rutgers University. Until last week, the University bookstore was located in the Ferren Mall and parking garage, where it first opened in 1982.
In a similar setup to the old location, students can obtain their required textbooks in the basement of the new store.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Court Tavern hasn't changed much over the years, but it sure is changing quick now.
Last Thursday, a worker was spotted taking down the bar's signage.
As owner Mike Barrood prepares to re-open the historic rock club and dive bar, he and his workers are spending more and more time fixing up the establishment.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—City housing inspectors swarmed a condominium complex in response to a news report by News 12 New Jersey's Walter Kane.
The housing inspectors are giving the condo association 60 days to make much-needed repairs before heavy fines kick in.
NEWARK, NJ—Attorneys for Victor Rodriguez will file a federal lawsuit against the City of New Brunswick and Middlesex County today.
NewBrunswickToday.com has obtained a video that could be critically important in their case.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Residents have fought for bike lanes in New Brunswick for decades, but to no avail.
That could all change very soon, as City Council passed a resolution at their July 18 meeting authorizing the city's engineering department to move forward with the installation of the first lanes in the city's history.
City Engineer Tom Guldin said the lanes will probably be ready for use by late October if all goes according to plan.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The city's police force had seven extra sets of eyes and ears in the crowd at this year's fireworks celebration, as auxiliary police worked for the first time in over a decade.
Auxiliary police get free training from the Middlesex County Police Academy, do not carry guns, and are unpaid volunteers who give a minimum of 110 hours per year.
Lt. JT Miller said, "It is our intention to use the auxiliary for events."
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.
