Local Beat is the NJ News Commons’ weekly roundup of the best reporting by community news sources.
FAMILIES SILENT AFTER PLEA DEAL IN CREATO CASE
After a lengthy investigation, a formal indictment, and a 10-day trial that failed to reach a consensus verdict, David “DJ” Creato, Jr. of Haddon Township pleaded guilty on Wednesday to aggravated manslaughter in the death of his three-year-old son, Brendan. Matt Skoufalos of NJ Pen says Creato will face a minimum of eight-and-a-half years in prison if his plea deal is upheld at his sentencing hearing on Sept. 29.
TRENTON WATER WORKS ALERTS HOMEOWNERS OF HIGH LEAD LEVELS, GIVES TIPS FOR AVOIDING CONTAMINATION
Trenton Water Works recently identified more than 120 homes and buildings with dangerously high levels of lead in the water. Jeanette Beebe of Newsworks says the utility notified thousands of Mercer County residents, as required by law, and offered incentives and advice on how to test their homes for contamination.
LAUDING HI-TECH EDUCATION, WITH SHARPTON AT HIS SIDE, MURPHY DOUBLES DOWN ON COURTING NEWARK VOTE
Phil Murphy made a campaign stop this week at a hi-tech education center in Newark’s South Ward to discuss his support for urban youth in today’s globalized and digitized economy. Mark Bonamo of TAP into Newark says Murphy was flanked by Mayor Ras Baraka, running mate Sheila Oliver, and Rev. Al Sharpton as he continued to court voters in New Jersey’s largest city.
ADVANCES IN AERIAL TECHNOLOGY LEAVE FUTURE UP IN THE AIR
Local police departments are looking for ways to incorporate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, into their daily police activities. Ilya Arbit of New Brunswick Today says the Middlesex County Police Department is no exception, but law enforcement aren’t the only ones looking to capitalize on the new aerial technology.
JENNIFER ASPROCOLAS NAMED PRINCIPAL AT SPOTSWOOD’S SCHOENLY SCHOOL
Jennifer Asprocolas has been tapped to become the new principal of the Schoenly School in Spotswood. Dawn Miller of TAP into Milltown/Spotswood says Asprocolas began her career as a fifth-grade teacher back in 2009, and will now take over at the Schoenly School, which houses the district’s youngest students.