The Princeton Packet

04/23/2025

A Laurel Road resident reported the theft of a silverware set valued at $900 sometime between April 2024 and April 12, when it was reported to police. Several contractors had worked inside the home, but it was not clear if they were involved in the theft.

A shoplifter stole a display tray containing 22 bracelets, valued at a combined $13,160, from a store on Palmer Square West on April 9. The caller told police that two women entered the store and one of them took the display tray. They fled south on Palmer Square West toward Nassau Street.

A Laurel Road resident reported the theft of a silverware set valued at $900 sometime between April 2024 and April 12, when it was reported to police. Several c

04/22/2025

🌍 Happy Earth Day from Donnelly.Media! 🌿 Today, we celebrate our planet✨Let's continue to create, inspire, and innovate — sustainably💚

04/21/2025

As the world celebrates the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) is co-sponsoring a webinar - The Intersection of Climate, Nuclear Weapons, and Peace.

On April 22, the free webinar co-sponsored by CFPA takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. through Zoom.

"Our co-sponsorship is part of CFPA's No Wars, No Warming Campaign, and I will be among the presenters to present the intersection between dealing with the Climate Emergency and the rapidly increasing Nuclear Weapons Threat," said Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of CFPA.

Presenters for the webinar are Moore, Rev. Vernon Walker, Pennsylvania State Rep. Chris Rabb, and Christiaan Morssink, interim president of United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia (UNA-GP).

As the world celebrates the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) is co-sponsoring a webinar - The Intersection of Climate, Nuclear W

04/21/2025

Check out Beyond the Pages's Episode 2: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future - The Lawrence Community Center, sponsored by Captain's Tree Service LLC.

In this episode of Beyond the Pages, we look into the future of the former Lawrence Community Center in Eggerts Crossing. With the building now vacant, towns...

04/18/2025

A 38-year-old Pennington woman was charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Cherry Hill Road at 12:40 a.m. April 8. She was also charged with failure to keep right, failure to maintain lane and reckless driving. She was processed and released.

A vandal damaged several wooden cabinets and doors from newly built houses on Godel Lane. The incident of criminal mischief was reported April 2.

A 26-year-old Trenton man was arrested on an active warrant for $1,000 from the Ewing Township Municipal Court after he was stopped for speeding and having a non-functional taillight on Bayard Lane on April 2. He was also issued summonses for speeding and not maintaining his vehicle's lamps. He was processed and turned over to the Ewing Township Police Department.

A 38-year-old Pennington woman was charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop on Cherry Hill Road at 12:40 a.m. April 8. She was also

04/18/2025

Aiming to ensure that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists are safe on Princeton's streets, the Princeton Police Department is hosting a free seminar to explain how traffic laws apply to all road users on June 12.

The two-hour seminar, entitled "Title 39: Traffic Law for Vulnerable Road Users," is set for 6-8 p.m. June 12 at the Witherspoon Hall municipal building at 400 Witherspoon St. It is geared toward adults and teens alike.

The seminar, which is being co-sponsored by the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, will explain how state traffic laws apply to vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and pedestrians. It is being taught by Princeton University Police Officer John Barbour.

The seminar will explain the rights and duties of people in cars and on bicycles and e-bikes, as well as other road users. The goal is to educate motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and others on their rights as they navigate the streets in town.

Aiming to ensure that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists are safe on Princeton's streets, the Princeton Police Department is hosting a free seminar to explai

04/18/2025

What’s next for the former Lawrence Community Center?

In the latest episode of Beyond the Pages, we explore what the future could hold for this longtime neighborhood landmark in Eggerts Crossing. With the building now vacant, a new Mayor’s Task Force is stepping in to help shape its next chapter.

We dive into the center’s legacy, hear from local voices, and look at what this transformation could mean for Lawrence Township moving forward.

Catch the full episode now!

Interested in sponsoring Beyond the Pages? Message us for details.

04/17/2025

Montgomery Township Police Officer Austin Van Ness graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy on April 9, according to the Montgomery Township Police Department.

Van Ness and his classmates, who were part of Passaic County Police Academy Class No. 62, received training in all aspects of law enforcement. He will enter the Montgomery Township Police Department's field training program.

Van Ness was presented with his graduation certificate by his cousin, Melody Van Ness, who is a Princeton police officer, and Montgomery Township Police Chief Silvio Bet.

"We are proud of Austin's accomplishment in completing the rigorous training of the academy. Our community will be well-served with the addition of Austin to the police department," Bet said.

Montgomery Township Police Officer Austin Van Ness graduated from the Passaic County Police Academy on April 9, according to the Montgomery Township Police Depa

04/17/2025

Princeton property owners will see a one-cent increase in the municipal property tax rate, under the town's $77.9 million budget that was approved by the Princeton Council at its April 14 meeting.

The Princeton Council approved the spending plan, following a public hearing. There were no comments from the public.

The municipal property tax rate will increase from 56 cents per $100 of assessed value to 57 cents. The owner of a house assessed at the town average of $856,944 for property tax purposes will pay $4,941.22, an increase of $133.76 over the prior year's municipal property tax.

A Princeton property owner's tax bill includes the municipal, library and open space taxes, plus the school district property tax and the Mercer County property and open space taxes.

The 2025 municipal budget increased by 3%, or $2.3 million. Salaries and wages increased by $959,000.

Princeton property owners will see a one-cent increase in the municipal property tax rate, under the town's $77.9 million budget that was approved by the Prince

04/17/2025

A Belle Mead resident lost $6,000 in a scam via an email allegedly from PayPal that was reported on April 9, according to the Montgomery Township Police Department.

The victim reported receiving an email from someone claiming to be from PayPal, indicating that an unknown person was trying to buy an Apple iPhone by using the victim's account, police said.

The victim called the phone number listed on the email and spoke to an individual who convinced the victim to help catch the person who was trying to buy the iPhone.

The individual told the victim to buy two gift cards and to complete a Bitcoin transaction. The victim became suspicious after completing the transactions.

The victim realized it was a scam after contacting PayPal, which stated it had never sent the email to the victim, police said.'

A Belle Mead resident lost $6,000 in a scam via an email allegedly from PayPal that was reported on April 9, according to the Montgomery Township Police Departm

04/17/2025

The Princeton Public Schools will have a new after-school care provider, owned by a school district counselor, for the four elementary schools for the 2025-26 school year.

The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education approved hiring Samara Solutions LLC to provide after-school care at a special meeting April 9. It is owned by Ben Samara, who is the counselor for the Riverside School.

The Princeton YWCA is the current after-school care program provider. It was hired for the 2024-25 school year.

The after-school care program had bounced from one provider to another in recent years. Until 2023, the Princeton YMCA was the provider, but former Superintendent of Schools Carol Kelley brought in a for-profit provider from Chicago, according to published reports on TapIntoPrinceton.

The Princeton Public Schools will have a new after-school care provider, owned by a school district counselor, for the four elementary schools for the 2025-26 s

04/16/2025

🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE COMING TOMORROW! 🚨

We’re back with a brand new episode of Beyond the Pages! 🎙️
You won’t want to miss this one! 🙌

🎧 Subscribe NOW on
🟩Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5qHNaRH7ybbcsIDT0eAfbI
⚪️ Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-pages-podcast/id1803505180
📺 YouTube: youtube.com/

04/16/2025

A Brookline Court resident reported the theft of jewelry on April 8. The victim had been away from home for an extended period of time and discovered the items were missing upon returning home.

A 34-year-old Flemington man was injured after his 2018 Porsche Macan SUV drove off Great Road into the grass and then crossed over Inverness Drive before striking a utility pole on April 7. He was taken to Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro Township for treatment of minor injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

A Lawrence Township woman who was reported missing was safely returned home after she entered the Volkswagen Princeton showroom on Route 206 on April 3. She appeared confused. When a police officer spoke to her, she explained that she was on the New Jersey Transit bus and was trying to get back home. A Lawrence Township police officer responded and drove the woman back to her home.

A Brookline Court resident reported the theft of jewelry on April 8. The victim had been away from home for an extended period of time and discovered the items

04/14/2025

HIRING COMPANIES WANTED: Join Packet Media at our next Job Fair Friday, May 30, 2025 at Quaker Bridge Mall from 10-2. For more information on how to get involved, email us at [email protected] before May 20th.

If you are interested in attending this event as a job seeker, pre-register at CJ2025.eventbrite.com

04/11/2025

The Princeton Council has approved a bond ordinance for $615,000 for assorted open space-related improvements, including money for the town's planned microforest at Quarry Park.

The bond ordinance earmarks $293,000 for the microforest and municipal-wide tree removal and planting.

The microforest is planned for a 5,000-square-foot area in Quarry Park, at the end of Spruce Street. It would follow the Miyawaki method, which is based on experiments conducted by the late Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. He was an advocate for restoring natural forests.

The Miyawaki method calls for planting native trees and shrubs at very high densities. It causes them to grow faster because of the competition for light and water.

Trees and shrubs of varying heights would be planted. Some trees would reach about 60 feet in height at maturity, and others would reach about 15 to 25 feet. It results in a forest that is very close to a natural ecosystem.

The Princeton Council has approved a bond ordinance for $615,000 for assorted open space-related improvements, including money for the town's planned microfores

04/10/2025

Princeton school district officials have hired the architectural and planning firm of Fraytak Veisz Hopkins Duthie to provide architectural services for the recently approved $89.1 million bond referendum.

The Ewing Township-based firm was awarded a contract for $4.9 million by the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education.

The firm will provide schematic design, design development, construction documentation, bidding and construction administration. The scope of work also includes consulting for civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering work.

Princeton voters approved a three-part bond referendum totaling $89.1 million for expansions and renovations to four of the six schools in the district in a special bond referendum election Jan. 28.

The first question on the bond referendum asked voters to approve expansions and renovations to the Community Park School and for upgrades to the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems at Princeton High School.

Princeton school district officials have hired the architectural and planning firm of Fraytak Veisz Hopkins Duthie to provide architectural services for the rec

04/09/2025

The New Jersey AI Hub has been officially opened as a regional place for artificial intelligence (AI) startups to emerge and the advancement of AI innovation research.

Representatives of the hub's founding partners - Princeton University, the state, Microsoft, and CoreWeave - gathered together to cut the ribbon on the new hub located in university space within West Windsor Township on March 27.

In December 2023, state officials and the university announced a partnership to create and develop an artificial intelligence hub in Central Jersey for the advancement and exploration of AI.

The new regional hub not only includes companies, industry leaders and startups, but other New Jersey education institutions such as Rutgers University and community colleges to further drive collaboration and research.

"Today we are here to celebrate the manifestation of that vision as it comes to life," Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber said.

The New Jersey AI Hub has been officially opened as a regional place for artificial intelligence (AI) startups to emerge and the advancement of AI innovation re

04/04/2025

A 67-year-old Plainsboro Township man who allegedly attempted to strangle another man has been charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, according to the Princeton Police Department.

Police officers were dispatched to Thanet Circle on March 29 on the report of a man bleeding in the lobby.

The officers determined that the suspect and the victim had been involved in a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation.

During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly squeezed the victim's neck for about 10 to 15 seconds in an effort to strangle him, police said.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the Princeton Police Department headquarters to be processed. He was released from custody and given a court date.

A 67-year-old Plainsboro Township man who allegedly attempted to strangle another man has been charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, according