From The Hammonton News published December 26, 2007

HAMMONTON -- Frank Domenico has resigned as chief of the Hammonton Volunteer Fire Department and will be replaced by Michael Ruberton. The move is expected to be approved next Tuesday at the Town Council's New Year's reorganization meeting.

Domenico submitted his letter of resignation on Thursday. The department moved forward with nominating Assistant Chief Michael Ruberton as the new chief. Michael Pullia was nominated to serve as assistant chief.

Reached late Friday afternoon, Domenico, a 25-year veteran of the department, said he will continue to serve with the department as a regular member.

"It was time for a change," Domenico said noting he will still continue his duties as the town's fire official. "There was a lot going on."

He declined further comment.

Ruberton could not be reached by presstime Sunday.

From The Press of Atlantic City Published: Monday, December 24, 2007

An unidentified person was killed in a one-car accident in Hammonton early Sunday morning.

A witness said a silver car was traveling east on Columbia Road at a high speed at 2:40 a.m., police Sgt. Kevin Friel said. Moments later, the vehicle crashed and burst into flames. Friel said the driver was declared dead at the scene by the Atlantic County Medical Examiner's Office.

A further investigation is being conducted to determine the identity of the driver, Friel said.

From The Press of Atlantic City Published: Monday, December 24, 2007

Six people were injured in a three-car accident early Sunday afternoon.

The accident occurred at about 12:56 p.m. at Eighth Street and Route 322, according to State Police at the Buena Vista Township barracks. Police said a driver traveling on Eighth Street ran a red light at the intersection and struck two cars traveling on Route 322. All six people involved in the accident were taken to William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital in Hammonton with minor injuries, police said. Police said Sunday night they could not release the names of those involved in the accident.

Trooper Mike Gilligan with the State Police is investigating the accident.

From the AC Press Published: Monday, December 24, 2007
By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, 609-463-6713



Click here for full article.

From the AC Press Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

ESTELL MANOR

A young woman was killed Tuesday night when her car collided with a truck at the intersection of Route 557 and Cumberland Avenue, State Police said.

The accident happened at 8:27 p.m., when the 18-year-old woman entered the intersection and her car was hit by a truck, according to State Police, Buena Vista station. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim's name was not released, pending notification of relatives, police said. Traffic was detoured around the intersection for about two hours while the scene was cleared, police said.



12:25 p.m. Update: Egg Harbor Township woman, 18, identified as victim in fatal Estell Manor crash

From the AC Press Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The woman killed in a Tuesday night crash in Estell Manor was identified by state police as 18-year-old Lora Pacheso of Egg Harbor Township.

Pocheso's car was struck by a truck at the intersection of Route 557 and Cumberland Avenue shortly before 8:30 p.m., police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

From: Firehouse.com

EMERSON, N.J.-- The state has sanctioned three high-ranking firefighters for a drill that went awry.

The Division of Fire Safety has barred Chief Thomas Carlos, Deputy Chief Mark Savino and Lt. Rich Solimando from running the scene at an emergency call or serving as officers for periods of time that range from 60 days to a year.

The volunteer firefighters can still respond to emergency calls while they are under sanctions.

Borough officials have decided not to mete out additional punishment, saying they are satisfied with the state's actions.

In April 2006, the Fire Department conducted a smoke drill in a vacant store in the Pascack Valley Shopping Center on Kinderkamack Road. Several other departments were drilling with Emerson's firefighters to practice working in smoky conditions, officials said.

The state sanctions said the Fire Department did not get a permit for their live drill and that drill procedures violated Department of Environmental Protection and Division of Fire Safety rules.

Chris Donnelly, a spokesman for the state Department of Community Affairs, said the department burned hay, wood pellets and other combustible materials to create smoke in what is known as a live burn.

It is illegal to perform live burns in structures other than designated fire academies, Donnelly said.

"Actions such as these put firefighters in serious danger," Donnelly said in an e-mail Wednesday