New Jersey

Students call for reinstatement of NJ high school principal charged with assault

Published

9 months ago

March 14, 2024

Students call for reinstatement of NJ high school principal charged with assault

MAPLEWOOD, New Jersey — A high school principal in New Jersey is off the job and facing felony charges, including assault, due to a fight among students back in 2023.

Students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey say Principal Frank Sanchez was trying to break up a fight between two students. He was placed on leave by the district as the investigation expanded into his involvement.

“These girls were wailing on each other,” said Ethan Borteck, a student at the school. “He could have done something different, but he had to do something.”

Sanchez was arraigned Tuesday on second-degree child endangerment and simple assault charges.

“The child endangerment charges are not fair,” said Keira Sims, a senior at the school. “If anything, he was trying to help.”

Though that version of what took place is earning Sanchez sympathy, the attorney representing the student in question says the allegations have nothing to do with a fight.

“On March 9, 2023, there was a physical interaction between a student and Principal Sanchez,” said James Davis. “This interaction was, in our view, caused by Principal Sanchez. There was no fight.”

That student and her family are also supported by the group Black Parents Workshop, which is led by founder Frank Fields.

Fields says the organization was started 10 years ago as a way to support Black students in the district.

“Obviously, this prosecutor is reviewing something that makes him believe that this young woman was assaulted,” said Fields.

Both Davis and Fields would not go into specifics about what the student is alleging but said the investigation began months ago.

Dr. Kevin F. Gilbert, acting superintendent of the South Orange & Maplewood School District, issued the following statement in response to the charges:

“I am deeply saddened by the news of charges against the Columbia High School principal, the latest in a series of unexpected events that have happened in our District during this school year. No matter what our feelings may be at this time, our focus must be on meeting the needs of Columbia High School students, their families, and staff. I am working with my administration colleagues to make sure we continue to fulfill our obligations to the people we serve.”

Sanchez, however, is getting support outside the school.

“I was very upset to hear that someone’s career is going to be destroyed because they were trying to stop a fight,” said Terrie Johnson, a concerned grandparent. “I don’t know how the person was touched or anything, but as a former educator, when you try to stop a fight, you just grab the person.”

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New Jersey

Several people hurt after crash on Calhoun Street Bridge in Morrisville: sources

Published

4 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

Several people hurt after crash on Calhoun Street Bridge in Morrisville: sources

MORRISVILLE, Pa. – Authorities in Bucks County responded to a serious crash on the Calhoun Street bridge from Trenton, New Jersey to Morrisville, Pennsylvania Thursday night.

The crash happened around 8 p.m.

Law enforcement sources tell FOX 29’s Steve Keeley a total of nine patients were taken to area hospitals.

Sources also say that police in New Jersey had been pursuing a stolen vehicle from New Jersey into Pennsylvania when the crash occurred.

There is no word on the condition of any of the injured at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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New Jersey

Man shot by police during foot pursuit in Deptford, New Jersey: prosecutors

Published

11 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

DEPTFORD, N.J. – Authorities in Deptford, New Jersey are investigating a police-involved shooting that sent a man to the hospital on Thanksgiving Day.

Police were called to the Fairfield Hotel on the 100 block of Hurfville Road Thursday afternoon for a report of a disturbance.

According to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, when officers arrived on scene a man jumped from a second floor window at the hotel and led officers on a foot chase.

At some point during the pursuit, one of the officers opened fire, striking and wounding the man who had been running in the direction of Route 42.

Police were eventually able to take the man into custody and say he suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the shooting.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Route 42 was temporarily closed in both directions due to the ongoing police investigation. Authorities say there is no further risk to the public.

Investigators have not yet said whether or not the man was armed at the time of the shooting.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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New Jersey

Crashes, flooding create some New Jersey traffic snarls on Thanksgiving

Published

20 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Crashes, flooding create some New Jersey traffic snarls on Thanksgiving

2-minute read

Thanksgiving travelers across New Jersey can possibly face delays Thursday morning as crashes and flooding disrupt key roadways during one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Turnpike crash in New Brunswick: A crash at 9:47 a.m. on the northbound New Jersey Turnpike, just north of Interchange 9 near NJ-18 in New Brunswick, blocked the left lane, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Parkway crash in Clifton: Earlier, at 9:20 a.m., a crash on the southbound Garden State Parkway near Exit 155B in Clifton briefly caused delays. Another incident on the Parkway southbound north of Exit 40 at the White Horse Pike in Galloway Township also slowed traffic. Both crashes were cleared quickly, and all lanes were reopened.

Flooding in Clinton Twp.: Flooding has added to the challenges for drivers. On NJ-31 northbound near County Road Old Allerton Road in Clinton Township, the right lane remains closed due to high water. Drivers in the area are urged to proceed with caution or seek alternate routes.

As millions of Americans hit the road for the holiday, the American Automobile Association predicts near-record Thanksgiving travel, with more than 55 million people traveling 50 miles or more. In New Jersey, officials remind drivers to check traffic updates, plan extra time for trips, and remain patient.

Motorists can monitor live traffic updates via state and local resources to minimize disruptions: https://511nj.org/home

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