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Newton hunts for lead pipes in town water system. What homeowners need to know

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Newton hunts for lead pipes in town water system. What homeowners need to know


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NEWTON — The town may soon deploy swordfish to search its water lines for lead pipes, as it seeks to remove the hazardous metal from its more-than-century-old water system.

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“Swordfish” is the brand name of a device that looks similar to a plumber’s snake used to clear drain clogs. A swordfish, however, has a probing wire tipped with an electrical device that, when it touches the insides of a pipe, can tell whether it is made of lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic.

High lead levels in drinking water can cause a range of health problems, including lasting damage to brain development in children. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law in 2021 that requires community water systems in New Jersey to identify all lead service lines, notify the public about their presence and then replace those pipes by 2031.

Newton’s water system owns the water lines that split off its water mains up to the connection to individual property owner service lines. It is those final connecting lines that need to be tested throughout the town, potentially via Swordfish.

Towns, homeowners split responsibility for lead abatement

Those service lines are the responsibility of the individual property owners and could cost from $8,000 to $12,000 per line for replacement, town officials said at Monday’s council meeting, though there is some state money available to defer the costs.

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It’s up to the town to identify those lead pipes, however, and officials said Monday that the Swordfish technology could make that process more efficient and less disruptive.

The council has scheduled a public hearing for its May 29 meeting on an ordinance to spend $90,000 for two of the devices. Without them, crews most often need to dig a hole in a lawn or through a sidewalk or road, to get to the connecting lines.

With the Swordfish, the operator can “fish” a wire through a connector box or main and reach a service line. The contacts are engaged and a readout identifies the material in the service pipe. A sample of the inside of the pipe is also taken by the probe and tested.

Hundreds of service lines must be tested

At Monday’s meeting, Town Manager Tom Russo and Town Engineer Dave Simmons briefed the council on their progress and the need for the Swordfish technology. According to figures from manufacturer Electroscan Inc., a single Swordfish unit costs $78,000, plus training. However, two units cost just $90,000 for the pair.

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Already, Newtown has identified about 1,000 town-owned service lines, but there are more than 1,700 more to be checked, Russo and Simmons said.

More: EPA announces new drinking water standards. How could NJ water systems be impacted?

Of the 1,000 service lines already investigated, all but 253 contained lead. Some of the branch lines need to be checked as well for the presence of lead piping and 62 of those have been “verified” as lead-free on both sides of the connection.

Water department supervisor Ken Jackel said the average cost to dig an inspection hole is $350 and the town has been using three employees each from the water and sewer department, augmented by DPW employees to do the inspection work now.

Digging up properties

“We have run out of the ‘low-hanging fruit’, said Simmons. “Now, we need to do the field inspections.”

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A Swordfish can be operated by 1 to 2 person teams.

In addition to the cost in manpower and time of digging inspection holes, there is the post-inspection issue of replacing landscaping or structures which must be moved to get access to the service line connection. In the more urban section of town, notably along Spring Street, digging also requires jackhammers and refilling the inspection hole with dirt, asphalt or concrete.

There are additional costs as well in areas where the town needs to obtain permits from the state or Sussex County to do work on their highways to access service lines for visual inspection.

Jackel noted that in most locations, crews can access the service line through the property owner’s water meter connection, eliminating the need to dig a hole in a lawn or sidewalk. In some areas, access to service lines can be made at curb-side waterline connection boxes.

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The Swordfish apparatus has not been formally approved by New Jersey, but is approved in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. He also noted that the City of Baltimore is using the technology.

There is no prohibition against use of the device in New Jersey, Jackel said, adding, “It’s up to us.”

With the Swordfish units, the department estimated the crews could test 10-20 customers per day. Russo said he would like to get all the testing and inspection done within the next 18 months.

Newton water system dates back to 1895

Newton’s water system dates to 1895 and begins at Morris Lake in Sparta. There is a treatment plant at the dam which creates the reservoir.

The water main follows Sparta Glen Brook then moves underground along Sparta Road. There is only a couple of customers before the main line enters the town and branches out through 10-inch cast iron mains, feeding the branches which then feed individual service lines make connections to users.

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After the presentation, the council voted to approve an ordinance which will go to first reading at the May 29 meeting. If approved at that meeting, a public hearing is likely to be scheduled for the June 10 council meeting after which the council could approve the purchase of units.

Email: bscruton@njherald.com Twitter/X: @brucescrutonNJH

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for May 9, 2026

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for May 9, 2026


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Powerball winning numbers are in for the Saturday, May 9 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $47 million ($21.0 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Saturday’s drawing are 15, 41, 46, 47, and 56, with Powerball number 22.  The Power Play number is 2.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Monday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

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What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

  • Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
  • Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
  • Match 4 White Balls: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls: $7
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
  • Match Powerball: $4
  • Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
  • Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
  • Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.



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NJ ex-fireman ‘ready for war’ when he launched into violent rampage triggered by breakup: prosecutors

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NJ ex-fireman ‘ready for war’ when he launched into violent rampage triggered by breakup: prosecutors


A crazed ex-fireman allegedly launched into a violent rampage after his ex-girlfriend dumped him — and was “ready for war” when he drove eight hours intending to kill her family in New Jersey, according to prosecutors.

Brian John Lanzim, 37, was armed with two guns and a bulletproof vest when he headed from Bangor, Maine to South Toms River, after the mother of his two kids broke up with him and filed a temporary restraining order against him, authorities said.

He allegedly wanted to kill off his ex’s family to get custody of his kids, according to prosecutors — but his lawyer claimed he was actually trying to die “by suicide by cops,” according to Patch.com.

Brian Lanzim allegedly was armed and dangerous when he approached the home. Facebook/Brian Lanzim

“He absolutely f–ked up. He f–ked up big time,” Lanzim’s good friend, who asked not to be named, told The Post.

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The former Toms River firefighter allegedly sent terrifying threats to his ex on April 29 — letting her know he was armed, dangerous and on his way over.

“If your father is there I’m going to take him out” and beat him “pulseless,” he allegedly told the woman, as Ocean County Judge Pamela M. Snyder read aloud in court Friday morning.

“You don’t know crazy yet,” he also allegedly warned his ex during a chilling FaceTime call, NJ.com reported.

The people inside the home he was targeting fled the scene and alerted police long before he arrived, authorities said.

When Lanzim showed up after 9:40 p.m., he allegedly floored his Toyota 4Runner over the lawn in a sick attempt to run over the waiting cops, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

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He was booked into Ocean County Jail. Ocean County Corrections

The officers then dove behind a fence and watched as gun-wielding Lanzim pounded on a locked door of the vacant house, prosecutors said.

“Brian, put it down!” one of the Toms River police officers demanded, according to NJ.com.

“No!” Lanzim resisted, per the body camera footage.

Police then fired at Lanzim, striking him in his hand and pelvis nonfatality. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune before being moved to Ocean County Jail.

Investigators found a loaded rifle and a large amount of ammunition magazines in his car, prosecutors said. He reportedly had a handgun on him when he was shot.

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He appeared in court Friday for his detention hearing. Thomas P. Costello/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He’s been charged with three counts of attempted murder, two counts of weapons possession for an unlawful purpose, unlawful use of body armor, burglary, terroristic threats and 22 counts of possession of a large capacity of ammunition magazines.

“He was ready for war,” Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater said at his detention hearing — warning that if the victims hadn’t fled the home and called police before he arrived, he would have committed even more heinous crimes.

Brater went on to claim that Lanzim’s sinister plan was to kill or harm his ex’s family so he could get full custody.

But Lanzim’s lawyer Marissa Koerner brazenly argued his alleged violent outburst was caused by a mental breakdown triggered by the breakup. He also has bipolar disorder and was in treatment for it, she said.

“‘I f–king lost her, man. Tell her and the boys I love them,’” Lanzim allegedly said, per an affidavit Koerner read aloud.

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“He loves his family,” she argued.

By wearing a bulletproof vest, Lanzim was trying to “force a kill shot to the head” during his heated exchange with police, the lawyer told the court.

But Brater shot down these claims — alleging that his targets begged him not to go through with his horrifying plot.

Lanzim was a firefighter who moved to Maine for another job. Facebook/Brian Lanzim

He also allegedly has a track-record of violence — including an instance where he pulled a gun on his ex and said, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

The judge ordered that Lanzim will remain in custody awaiting trial, according to court records. He’s due back in court on May 18.

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Lanzim was a fireman and EMT in Ocean County for about 18 years before heading to Bangor in September 2025 for a new job.

“He couldn’t find employment in New Jersey,” his close friend claimed. “I’m not sure what was going on, I guess things fell apart up there [in Bangor].”

Lanzim’s friend spoke with him just days before the incident.

“I had messaged him and asked him if he was okay. He said no. I said, ‘does it have to do with the kid’s mother?’ And he said yes,” the man said.

“I asked, ‘you need me to call you?’ and he was like, ‘I’m okay, I’m just at Applebee’s trying to find the bottom of the glass right now.’”

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The next time he heard Lanzim’s name was when he made headlines for the alleged horrors.

“I hope that kid [Lanzim] gets the help he needs,” the friend said. “Brian sometimes doesn’t act like an adult, and where he is now and where he’s going to be going, he has no choice but to. I would say man up.”

Lanzim’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.



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Woman charged with theft for taking dog outside N.J. home, police say

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Woman charged with theft for taking dog outside N.J. home, police say


A woman has been charged with theft for taking a dog outside a Clifton, New Jersey, home in April, police say.

Last month, William Chan told CBS News New York his dog, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu-Yorkshire Terrier mix named Rocky, somehow got out of the house on April 5 while his nephew was dog-sitting.

The Clifton Police Department said investigators determined that while Rocky was loose, he ran down the street and was running in or near the road at times.

Video shows Rocky did eventually return to his own yard, and a child holding a blanket can be seen chasing the dog before a woman gets out of a black SUV parked in the road. Rocky then runs onto the back porch of his home, where the woman and child corner him, grab him with a blanket, take him back to the SUV, and drive away.

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The family said Rocky was wearing a harness and ID tag at the time.

Police said the woman did not make any attempt to talk to anyone inside the home or any neighbors, and neither animal control nor police received any calls about a loose dog being found on that day.

Chan called police on April 6 to report that Rocky had possibly been stolen, and investigators were later able to identify 29-year-old Mery Cepeda-Chevalier, of Newark, as a person of interest.

Officers spotted Cepeda-Chevalier’s vehicle in Passaic on April 8 and pulled her over, police said.

According to police, Cepeda-Chevalier cooperated with detectives, admitted she had Rocky, and agreed to have the detectives follow her back to her home. She then handed over the dog, and detectives reunited Rocky with his family.

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On Thursday, Cepeda-Chevalier was charged via summons with one count of theft of a domestic companion animal.



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