Matthew Bianchini called the confrontation “a long time coming” after others restrained him during a council meeting.
PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Mayor Matthew Bianchini said he “snapped” after charging toward resident Michael Sawka during an October 21 council meeting.
“I just basically snapped,” Bianchini said in an interview today. “I hate to put it this way, but it’s a long time coming.”
Footage captured by the township’s official meeting video and a video shared by Pine Barrens Ledger showed the mayor rushing toward Sawka before others restrained him and escorted him out.
Mayor and resident dispute what triggered confrontation
Bianchini said Sawka and another resident made comments toward his wife and daughter. Sawka denied making those comments.
The mayor acknowledged that threatening remarks he made while leaving were wrong, but defended his reaction as protecting his family.
Sawka called for Bianchini’s resignation and filed a municipal court complaint seeking assault and terroristic threats charges.
Connell was last seen October 20 and may be driving a gray 2025 Toyota Camry, police said.
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Police are asking for the public’s help finding William Connell, 69, who was last seen October 20.
Connell may be driving a gray 2025 Toyota Camry, according to the Manchester Township Police Department.
Police ask public for information
Investigators have taken numerous steps to locate Connell and are seeking information from anyone who may know where he is.
Anyone with information about Connell’s whereabouts is asked to call Manchester Township police at 732-657-6111.
Allentown police also investigated a separate threat Thursday, clearing the school without finding a threat.
ALLENTOWN, PA — Two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, each face a felony terroristic threats charge following an investigation into an October 21 bomb threat at Allen High School, police said.
Officers returned to the school at approximately 11:13 a.m. Thursday, October 22, after another bomb threat was reported.
School cleared after latest threat
Allentown police patrol officers and members of the Community Outreach Unit worked with school administrators and the Allentown Fire Department to clear the school. No threat was located, police said.
The October 22 incident remains under criminal investigation. The charges against the two juveniles stem from the previous day’s threat.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Allentown Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 610-437-7721.
Police say a 21-year-old woman was sexually abused inside the West 25th Street business on May 16.
NEW YORK, NY — Police are asking for help identifying an individual accused of sexually abusing a 21-year-old woman inside Chelsea Wellness Spa at 133 W. 25th St.
The incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, within the NYPD’s 13th Precinct. Police said the individual grabbed the woman’s breasts and performed a lewd act on her.
Investigators seek public’s help
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish-speaking callers can contact 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website or on X through @NYPDTips.
The season-closing Halloweekend event will feature witch-themed performances, unusual crafts and a potions lab on October 24.
AUGUSTA, NJ — Lunar Faire will close its season with a Halloween-themed night market at Sussex Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 24, combining live entertainment, craft vendors and food from 3 to 10 p.m.
The Halloweekend Faire takes place at 37 Plains Road in Augusta. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door, with free admission for children younger than 10.
Spellwork, bubble magic and Halloween performances
Scheduled attractions include group spellwork with the Lunar Queene, a potions lab, fire wire walking and bubble magic by Meadow Perry.
The entertainment lineup also features a levitating witch performance and an attraction billed as “The MF Pumpkin of CHAOS.”
Attendees can browse offbeat craft vendors and sample local food throughout the event.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River attorney who holds several appointments in Jackson has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of possessing and distributing lewd images of children on peer-to-peer networks online.
Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn announced today that she has immediately terminated the township’s relationship with attorney Robert Shea Jr.’s law firm following his arrest on charges involving child sexual abuse material.
Ocean County booking records identify the defendant as Robert Charles Shea, Jr., 42, as a currently being incarcerated, pending a pre-trial hearing under New Jersey bail reform laws.
“I am horrified to learn about the arrest and alleged crimes committed by Jackson Township’s planning board attorney, Robert Shea, Jr.,” Kuhn said.
Mayor calls for removal and termination of firm’s work
Kuhn called on the Planning Board to remove Shea as its attorney and announced action against the township’s relationship with his Toms River-based firm, R.C. Shea & Associates.
“I am also moving to terminate the township’s relationship with Mr. Shea’s law firm effective immediately,” she said.
The booking record lists two charges under New Jersey’s child endangerment statute, 2C:24-4B(5), with the abbreviated description “END WELFARE CHILD SELL PHOTO.” Both appear under the same case number.
Attorney held several Jackson assignments
Municipal records identify Shea II as Jackson’s public defender, Planning Board attorney and Zoning Board conflict attorney. The township’s 2026 reorganization documents also name Robert C. Shea Jr. among its special legal counsel appointments.
His firm biography lists his admission to the New Jersey bar in 2017, after earning degrees from Villanova University and Cooley Law School.
The October 22 gathering offers two ticket options, with shopping specials, a hat-decorating contest and an optional tarot reading.
CRANFORD, NJ — Witches Night Out brings an evening of shopping, restaurant specials and Halloween activities to downtown Cranford on October 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Sponsored by the Cranford Woman’s Club and Downtown Cranford, the event introduces a Witchful Walking Tour this year. Admission costs $20 or $40, depending on the ticket package.
What each ticket includes
The $20 Broomstick Ticket includes retailer and restaurant offers, drink specials, a hat-decorating contest, a scavenger hunt and two tricky tray tickets. Guests also receive self-care items and a walking tour pass.
The $40 Cauldron Ticket includes those activities, increases the tricky tray allocation to five tickets and adds a choice of one 10-minute appointment with a tarot reader.
Tickets for the Union County event are available through the organizers’ Witches Night Out registration page.
The October 22 event offers general admission and limited VIP tickets, with prices ranging from $20 to $40.
ALLENTOWN, NJ — Shoppers can collect raffle entries, enjoy refreshments and complete a passport for a grand prize drawing during Witches Night Out in downtown Allentown on October 22 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Tickets range from $20 to $40. General admission includes a souvenir shopping bag, in-store raffle tickets and refreshments at participating shops, according to the Allentown event listing.
VIP tickets add a card reading
VIP admission includes a personal session with a card reader in addition to the general admission offerings. Organizers said a limited number of VIP tickets are available.
Guests in either tier can enter the grand prize basket drawing after completing their event passport while visiting participating businesses in the Monmouth County downtown.
Police say a Hamilton Township man confronted the 23-year-old with a knife and handcuffs before she revved the tool and moved toward him.
SADSBURY TOWNSHIP, PA — A 23-year-old Amish woman scared off an alleged kidnapper by revving a weed whacker and stepping toward him while screaming after he approached her with a knife and handcuffs, according to a police affidavit.
Junior Jose Davila-Moran, 26, of Hamilton Township, was arrested following the October 14 confrontation in Lancaster County. Federal immigration officials identified him as a Guatemalan national unlawfully present in the United States, according to Daily Voice’s reporting.
Woman turns yard tool toward attacker
The woman was working near her driveway on Creek Road when a man tapped her from behind, displayed a serrated knife and handcuffs, and demanded that she allow him to restrain her, according to the affidavit described by CBS 21.
She backed away, then revved the weed whacker and advanced a step while screaming. The man fled behind a barn, and she went to a neighbor’s home for help.
Investigators used footage of a pickup truck and license plate records to identify a suspect. During a subsequent photo lineup, the woman identified Davila-Moran.
“This photograph makes me tremble,” she told investigators, according to the police affidavit. Police also recovered handcuffs during the investigation.
ICE lodges immigration detainer
The New Jersey resident faces charges stemming from the alleged attempted kidnapping, including false imprisonment, assault, terroristic threats and weapons offenses.
ICE lodged a detainer with Lancaster County Prison on October 19, federal authorities said, requesting notification before his release and temporary continued custody for a possible immigration transfer.
Council members backed another White Buffalo contract while expressing frustration over obstacles to a fertility-control program.
PRINCETON, NJ — Sharpshooters will return to Princeton after the council approved a deer-management contract worth up to $120,000 with White Buffalo Inc., despite concerns about continuing lethal removal.
The October 12 approval renewed debate over fertility control. Councilwoman Mia Sacks said the Mercer County municipality’s efforts to pursue a pilot program had repeatedly encountered state wildlife requirements that prevented it from proceeding.
Council weighs population control against alternatives
Sacks said residents want “a more humane approach,” but supported the contract while crediting the town’s animal control officer.
Councilman Brian McDonald said regulations and limited suitable locations constrain removal efforts in some neighborhoods.
“Many of the deer actually do not wander as far as people think,” he said, explaining that localized groups can remain difficult to address.
White Buffalo’s proposal targets 175 deer during the 2027 operation if additional properties become available. Without expanded access, the organization anticipates removing approximately 120.
Princeton approved another deer-culling contract as council members discussed obstacles to fertility-control alternatives.
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