New Jersey

Gov. Phil Murphy taps Francis K. O’Connor as new NJ DOT commissioner

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2024

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Gov. Phil Murphy taps Francis K. O’Connor as new NJ DOT commissioner

2-minute read

Gov. Phil Murphy announced a new commissioner to head the state Department of Transportation on Friday afternoon to relieve his current chief of staff who has served in both roles since October.

Francis K. O’Connor will take over the role, though the announcement from the governor does not say when. According to his LinkedIn profile, O’Connor began his 40-year career in public and private transportation sectors as a toll collector on the New Jersey Turnpike, eventually rising to the Turnpike Authority’s deputy director for electronic toll collections. He has worked throughout New Jersey for companies including Edison-based Atkins, an engineering consultant firm, and Ewing-based Electronic Transaction Consultants.

“With more than four decades of experience working within transportation agencies across the country, Fran is immensely qualified to advance my Administration’s efforts to continue building a transportation system that is more modern and more accessible than ever before,” Murphy said.

O’Connor takes over for Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, who had more than 20 years of experience at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority before a six-year stint at the Florida Turnpike Authority. She became Murphy’s DOT commissioner in 2018, a position that also chairs four boards, like the Turnpike Authority and NJ Transit, and vice chairs the Motor Vehicles Commission board.

Earlier this week: Murphy’s chief of staff also heads NJ DOT. Can she keep doing both effectively?

Gutierrez-Scaccetti was supposed to take on the chief of staff role full-time Jan. 12, but remained in both jobs, which are considered some of the most demanding in state government. Some questioned if balancing the dual roles was sustainable for much longer, particularly given the budget challenges ahead and reports of internal strife in Murphy’s inner circle. Several legislators noted Gutierrez-Scaccetti has been accessible and on top of both jobs in the last few months.

“I am turning the reins over to an extraordinary transportation leader in Fran O’Connor, who will continue to advance NJDOT’s important mission,” Gutierrez-Scaccetti said.

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New Jersey

Keefe | POST-RAW 12.21.25 | New Jersey Devils

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Keefe | POST-RAW 12.21.25 | New Jersey Devils

NewJerseyDevils.com is the official web site of the New Jersey Devils, a member team of the National Hockey League (“NHL”). NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

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New Jersey

New Jersey police chief faces felony charges in Massachusetts, Totowa mayor says

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

New Jersey police chief faces felony charges in Massachusetts, Totowa mayor says

December 21, 2025 / 12:49 PM EST
/ CBS New York

The police chief of Totowa, New Jersey, is facing felony charges related to an incident in Massachusetts, according to the borough’s mayor.

Mayor John Coiro said Sunday that Chief Carmen Veneziano was in custody at the Bergen County jail after an extradition hearing over charges that are “serious in nature and considered felonies.”

Coiro said Veneziano was detained Friday and he is now awaiting transport to Massachusetts, where he will appear before a judge on charges stemming from an incident that occurred in September.

“While I did not see the exact charges in writing, the [Passaic County] Prosecutor’s Office did relay to me that these charges were serious in nature and considered felonies,” Coiro said in a statement.

The mayor said he suspended Veneziano without pay until the legal process plays out.

“Please know that the Totowa Police Department will continue to operate effectively in providing services to our community,” he said.

An interim police chief will be appointed, the mayor said.

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New Jersey

Beast of the East wrestling, 2025: N.J. quarterfinals pairings

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Beast of the East wrestling, 2025: N.J. quarterfinals pairings

Published: Dec. 20, 2025, 9:14 p.m.

Boys Wrestling: 2025 Beast of the East – Day 1, December 20, 2025

NEWARK, Del. — The 33rd Beast of the East wrestling tournament kicked off at the University of Delaware early Saturday morning and New Jersey athletes have made their mark.

Below are the quarterfinals pairings for any matchup involving a New Jersey wrestler. The quarterfinals will take place on Sunday morning at 8:30.

This post will turn into a results post following the quarterfinals. Bolded wrestlers are from New Jersey.

Buy these game photos: We offer reprints in a variety of sizes. Open the gallery above and select “BUY IMAGE” to purchase yours now.

106 pounds

8-Stephen Bagocius, Camden Catholic vs. 1-Jack Anello, Blair
Alex Spagnuolo, Hanover Park vs. 11-Forest Rose, Immaculata

113 pounds

6-Noah Watkins, Dobyns Bennett (TN) vs. 3-Killian Coluccio, Lacey

120 pounds

Ethan Michaels, Colts Neck vs. 2-Michael Batista, Blair

126 pounds

9-Matthew Mulligan, Bergen Catholic vs. 1-Mason Jakob, Dobyns Bennett (TN)
Joey Pellicci, Paramus Catholic vs. 5-Finnegan O’Brien, Blair

132 pounds

8-Dalton Weber, Pope John vs. 1-Vinny Anello, Blair
6-Anthony DiAndrea, Watchung Hills vs. 3-Nicholas Salamone, Easton (PA)
7-Colton Hagerty, Washington Twp. vs. 2-Lukas Littleton Mascaro, Malvern Prep (PA)

138 pounds

6-Blake Boyer, Kennett (PA) vs. 3-Gino Schinina, St. Peter’s Prep

144 pounds

5-Gideon Gonzalez, Bergen Catholic vs. 4-Weston Borgers, Blair

150 pounds

Joey Petriello, Dumont vs. 1-Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort (PA)
Brooklyn Pickett, Mount St. Joseph (MD) vs. 3-Sonny Amato, Rumson-Fair Haven

157 pounds

Joey Monticello, Hanover Park vs. 2-Josiah Sykes, Skyline (VA)

165 pounds

8-Ryan Gavrish, St. John Vianney vs. 1-Melvin Miller, Bishop McCort (PA)
7-Morgan Schwarz, St. Joseph (Met.) vs. 2-Josh Piparo, St. Peter’s Prep

175 pounds

7-Chase Hetrick, Malvern Prep (PA) vs. 2-Santino Rodriguez, Don Bosco Prep

190 pounds

8-Braeden Simoneaux, NY Military Academy (NY) vs. 1-Tanner Hodgins, Howell
5-Alex Reyes, Holmdel vs. 4-Saleh Tsarni, Blair
7-Nevin Mattessich, Don Bosco vs. 2-Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth (PA)

215 pounds

5-TJ Kellas, Blair vs. 4-Tyler Palumbo, Christian Brothers
6-Rocco Salerno, Seton Hall Prep vs. 3-EJ German, Brecksville (OH)

285 pounds

5-Cael Mielnik, Blair vs. 4-Caleb Rodriguez, Bishop McCort (PA)
7-Chris Funches, Grassfield (VA) vs. 2-Mateo Vinciguerra, Woodstown

Ryan Patti covers high school football, wrestling and track & field for NJ Advance Media. He previously worked for Rivals covering college football recruiting and has worked in the industry since 2018. He…

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