TRENTON - A report from the state Commission of Investigation says that the purchase of firetrucks, some of the most expensive items municipal governments own, can easily overwhelm a small town's ability to ensure proper accountability and transparency.
"In many instances, the competitive procurement process that is required by law is reduced to a sham in which the public's business is ruled by private interests," the commission wrote.
Hammonton: Police are looking for witnesses to an alleged hit-and-run accident that critically injured three Burlington County women early Sunday morning.
Their car veered off the right shoulder at about 5 a.m. as they traveled north on Route 206, just before Chew Road in Wharton State Forest, police said. Two of the victims told police their car was tapped from behind by another northbound vehicle, which did not stop when their car crashed into a utility pole and overturned. Sonnie Koenig-Byepu, 40, of Willingboro, Burlington County, was ejected from the car. She is in critical but stable condition at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.
Wilma Ward, 40, of Willingboro, who was driving, was listed in stable condition Tuesday afternoon at Cooper. Larwuo Kaine, 44, of Edgewater Park, Burlington County, was in good condition at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City.
Police said all three women were initially in critical condition after they were airlifted to their hospitals. Ward and Kaine were conscious and were interviewed by police; Koenig-Byepu was unconscious. The women were returning home from Atlantic City, police said.
No description of the second vehicle has been obtained. Police ask anyone with information about the accident to call Sgt. Sam Mavilla or Officer Rich Jones at 609-561-4000.
PLEASANTVILLE - "We can't just go to someone's house and say, 'Hey, can we break down your door?'" Fire Capt. Steve Wilkins said Tuesday.
But thanks to buildings set for demolition on city-owned property, firefighters are getting training using real homes.
De QUEEN, Ark. Firefighters were right on top of this blaze.
The De Queen fire station is closed on weekends, so when a call is received the firefighters go to the station to get their gear before heading out.
Hammonton: Third Street crash injures two. A two-vehicle accident Wednesday night injured two people and left one facing a charge of driving while intoxicated.
MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Seven weeks after a fire destroyed the Sweetwater Casino restaurant, owners Jeff Anastasi and Joe Cavalieri haven't seen any money from their $2 million insurance claim as they try to rebuild, Anastasi said.
MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Seven weeks after a fire destroyed the Sweetwater Casino restaurant, owners Jeff Anastasi and Joe Cavalieri haven't seen any money from their $2 million insurance claim as they try to rebuild, Anastasi said.
