The Assemblyman has throat cancer.

TRENTON -- Assemblyman Jack Ciattrelli, the Republican from Somerset County who is running for governor, disclosed Thursday he is undergoing treatment for throat cancer and will scale back his campaign schedule for the next several weeks.

But Ciattrelli said don't count him out of the Republican primary. He expects to return to the campaign trail in late February, he said at a press conference and in a press release.

Republican Ciattarelli set to enter governor's race

The Assemblyman said he has undergone successful surgery following a diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer, affecting the back of his throat and tonsils.

"As a husband, father of four, successful small business owner and State Assemblyman, I am accustomed to juggling a busy schedule and never skipping a beat," Ciattarelli said. "My intention was to power through these treatments without any impact on my campaign, but, as so many other New Jerseyans unfortunately know, cancer is a tough adversary."

"The good news is that after consulting with my radiation oncologist Sung Kim, MD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, my prognosis is excellent, and despite being forced to miss out on events later this month and early next, I expect to be getting back to full speed in the latter half of February," he continued.

"It was important to me that I be fully transparent with my health, and shoot straight with both voters and the media about my condition."

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

New Jersey's high school graduation rate improved again in 2016. See how your school or district compares to the state's best.

TRENTON -- New Jersey's high school graduation rate improved again in 2016, despite a graduation scare in the wake of new requirements for standardized testing. 

Statewide, 90.1 percent of students graduated within four years, a slight increase over the 89.7 percent graduation rate for the Class of 2015. New Jersey has improved its graduation rate every year since 2011, when 83 percent of students graduated, the state Department of Education said. 

"We commend the efforts of our students and educators in achieving this tremendous accomplishment," acting Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington said.

Click here to use the search tool to find the graduation rate in any public high school, charter school or school district and compare it to others across the state.

County vocational schools with selective enrollment or special academies for a school district's top students posted some of the state's highest graduation rates, including more than a dozen schools with 100 percent.

The Class of 2016 was the first to graduate under new requirements for standardized testing. Students were asked to prove their proficiency in English and math on the new PARCC exams or through a variety of other tests, including the SAT and ACT.

Dismal passing rates on the computerized PARCC tests left some seniors scrambling to take alternative tests during the second half of their senior year to prove they were ready to graduate. By the end of the year, 91 percent of graduating seniors used at least one test other than PARCC to meet the state graduation requirements, in some cases because they weren't enrolled in a course that required a PARCC test. 

Future high school students, beginning with current eighth graders, will be required to pass PARCC, fueling concern that many students may miss the mark. 

The new requirements will "more honestly demonstrate a graduate's preparedness for college, career and community experiences beyond high school," Harrington said. 

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. Find her on Facebook.

Father is allegedly hindering the apprehension of his son.

FRANKLIN - Somerset County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a father and son wanted in connection with a Jan. 3 shooting in the township, it was announced Thursday.

Jaki N. Hooks-Lewis, 20, and his father, Jason Lewis, 43, of the Somerset section of the township are wanted in the shooting a 31-year-old man in front of a Dewald Avenue residence, authorities have said.

Hooks-Lewis, of Dewald Avenue, has been charged with second-degree aggravated assault.

Lewis, also of Dewald Avenue, has been charged with third-degree hindering apprehension.

Authorities are cautioning the public from approaching either man as Hooks-Lewis is considered armed and dangerous.

At approximately 7:44 p.m., township police received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting gunshots in the area of Dewald Avenue. Responding officers found a man outside a residence with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his leg, according to authorities.

The victim, who authorities said was the intended target, was taken to a local trauma center for emergency treatment.

An investigation revealed that Jason Lewis allegedly assisted his son in fleeing from the area following the shooting. Detectives are searching for both men, and are urging them to surrender.

Law enforcement officials are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908- 231-7100, the Franklin Township Police Department 732-873-5533 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE." All Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is scheduled to open on Jan. 28, 2017, in Watchung.

WATCHUNG - A touch of Mexico is coming to the borough.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, the eatery featuring burritos, tacos and bowls of assorted meats, rice, beans, fajita veggies and salsa among other fresh ingredients, will open in the township on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1620 Route 22 East.

"We're excited to open a restaurant that gives Watchung residents easier access to our food made with fresh, high-quality ingredients," said Lauren Mancuso, marketing strategist at Chipotle. "Additionally, we're proud to have more than 20 Watchung-area residents join our restaurant team and share the Chipotle passion for providing an outstanding experience for every customer who comes through the door."

The restaurant will be the chain's third in Somerset County. The others are located in Bridgewater at Bridgewater Commons, and in Basking Ridge at 25 Mountainview Blvd.

Although the restaurant is fully staffed, hiring will continue throughout the year as openings occur. Candidates can submit applications at careers.chipotle.com.

The restaurant's normal hours of operation will be daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Seven questions, all based on this week's top stories.

It was a busy week in New Jersey news. Were you paying attention? Time to show how well you know local news in NJ.com's weekly quiz. There are seven questions below, all based on popular stories you saw on NJ.com since last Friday. Answer each question and then share your score in comments, on Facebook and Twitter. I did you a favor this week: One of these questions is a total gimme.

John Shabe can be reached via jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow John on Twitter and find NJ.com on Facebook.

Trenton is expected to play host to one of the satellite or sister marches being held on Jan. 21, 2017, the day after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Hundreds of thousands of women - and men - are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. and across more than 200 venues nationwide on Jan. 21 to make their views heard on a wide menu of issues: racial justice, gender equality, immigration rights.

Trenton is expected to play host to one of these satellite or sister marches, with a particular emphasis on reproductive rights and health-care access.

The local rally is billed as an alternative for those who cannot travel to Washington, but it's also a powerful way for Garden State women to raise their voices - collectively - in the face of threats a new administration in the White House poses to human rights and women's rights.

Participants, many of them dressed in purple, will listen to speakers at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial starting at 10 a.m., then march about half a mile to the steps of the State House on West State Street.

Women's March on N.J.: What you need to know

"This march is about recognizing the strength that lies in our diverse communities and the empowerment that comes with setting aside differences for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health and our families here in New Jersey," said Elizabeth Meyer, founder of the Women's March on New Jersey.

Our state's women are scared, and for good reason.

They have watched state budget after state budget give short shrift to women's health. They've seen their GOP lawmakers push a bill with the disingenuous title of the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," based on discredited "science" and nothing more than a back-door entry into limited abortion rights.

And they know there is a president-elect ready to take the oath of office the day before the march whose minions will plow through hard-fought rights women and their allies have won over generations.

This is a man, remember, who bragged outright about grabbing at women's private parts, a man who rates women according to how hot they are and how well-shaped their breasts are.

New Jersey's women hold public-school education in high regard, yet they know the designated secretary of education scorns public schools. They savor their state's famed beaches and beautiful parks, yet they know they're getting a new director of the Environmental Protection Agency who has made a career out of suing ... the Environmental Protection Agency.

They welcome diversity, even embrace it, yet they're looking at a commander in chief who has made a career out of mocking minorities, the disabled, the "other."

A rally that began online as a grass roots movement has morphed into a national cry from the heart. Now the streets of Trenton are about to ring with that pain.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

BRIDGEWATER -- Mercedes is a 5-year-old German shepherd at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Shelter employees say she loves "humans, running and playing fetch." Mercedes needs a home without cats, small dogs or small children; a meet-and-greet would be needed for any larger dogs in her potential home. Mercedes is housetrained, spayed and up-to-date on shots. For more information on...

Mercedes 

BRIDGEWATER -- Mercedes is a 5-year-old German shepherd at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

Shelter employees say she loves "humans, running and playing fetch."

Mercedes needs a home without cats, small dogs or small children; a meet-and-greet would be needed for any larger dogs in her potential home.

Mercedes is housetrained, spayed and up-to-date on shots.

For more information on Mercedes and other adoptable pets, visit SRAS at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater. The shelter is open seven days a week from noon to 4 p.m. and from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, call 908-725-0308 or go to petfinder.com/?shelters/NJ32.html. The shelter is currently caring for 15 dogs and 75 cats.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email somerset@starledger.com or hunterdon@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

 

Click through the slideshow to see the list of high school wrestlers and teams ranked nationally

Many people in New Jersey live in moderate- to high-risk areas of radon, the health department said.

State officials want residents to test their homes for an undetectable radioactive gas that could cause cancer.

The New Jersey Department of Health said one in six New Jersey homes has elevated levels of radon, according to a press release.

Radon occurs naturally and has no color, odor or taste, and moves into soil and home foundations. The gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer and causes an estimated 566 deaths in New Jersey each year.

New Jersey Radon potential map.NJDEP 

"Testing your home is the only way to know if your home's radon level is high," Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett said in the release. "Radon problems can be fixed by installing a radon mitigation system."

Many people in New Jersey live in moderate- to high-risk areas of radon, the health department's release said.

According to a map from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties fall into the first tier -- with the highest risk of radon exposure.

The NJDEP has published a list of certified companies to provide radon testing. Residents can also test radon themselves by buying testing kits from hardware stores, home centers or through the mail.

The health department said only 30 percent of New Jersey households have been tested.

Rajeev Dhir may be reached at rdhir@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @googasmammoo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Karl M. Bavos, 29, of Manville, was arrested and charged with theft of moveable property after he reportedly used his employers 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck for personal use, Raritan Township police said.

RARITAN TWP. - A Manville man was arrested and charged with theft of moveable property after he reportedly used his employers 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck for personal use, police said.

Karl M. Bavos, 29, who had been recently hired by the business, was stopped while driving the pickup on Reaville Avenue at approximately 7:50 p.m. on Dec. 19. The pickup, valued at $500, was not the only one he had used, police said. Bavos had allegedly had been taking various business owned vehicles for his own personal use since he was hired.

The pickup was returned to its owner and Bavos, who was also issued motor-vehicle summonses for driving an unregistered vehicle and being an uninsured motorist, was held on $5,000 bail in the Somerset County Jail pending a court appearance, police said.

The initial investigation was by Officer Gary Galoppo and Bavos' arrest was by Officer Brett Szatkowski.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP -- An unidentified young woman skates on Mettlers Lane Pond in Franklin Township in this photo from the 1950s. Information from the Franklin Township Public Library notes that the pond was on what was a privately owned farm; it is now part of Colonial Park at 156 Mettlers Lane and is administered by the Somerset County Park Commission....

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP -- An unidentified young woman skates on Mettlers Lane Pond in Franklin Township in this photo from the 1950s.

Information from the Franklin Township Public Library notes that the pond was on what was a privately owned farm; it is now part of Colonial Park at 156 Mettlers Lane and is administered by the Somerset County Park Commission. Skating is not permitted on the site.

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to somerset@starledger.com or hunterdon@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries Thursdays on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

 

Kimberly A. Vandergrift , 34, whose last known address is the Whitehouse Station section of Readington Township, has been named Hunterdon County Prosecutor Office's Fugitive of the Week.

FLEMINGTON - A 34-year-old woman, whose last known address is the Whitehouse Station section of Readington Township, has been named Hunterdon County Prosecutor Office's Fugitive of the Week.

Kimberly A. Vandergrift

Kimberly A. Vandergrift was first named the prosecutor's office's fugitive of the week in November 2013 after she had been charged with theft in Hunterdon County. An arrest warrant was issued first on Oct. 23, 2013, after she failed to appear in court.

On Nov. 20, 2015, detectives from the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office found Vandergrift living in a Somerville motel, arresting her on a violation of probation warrant after she had failed to report to probation, didn't complete community service and did not pay court imposed fines and costs, according to police reports.

Her most recent arrest warrant was issued on Oct. 13 when she again failed to appear in court.

Vandergrift is described as being 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighing 105 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Mike Nugent, Detective Sgt. Ed DeFilippis, Detective Frank Modaffare or Detective Lamont Garnes of The Joint Hunterdon County Fugitive Task Force at 908-788-1129, or the local police department.

Information can also be left at online at Crime Stoppers of Hunterdon County.

Report a tip in four ways for cash rewards:

• call the tip line at 800-321-0010 (The line has no recording device)
• text HCTIPS plus your tip to: 274637 (CRIMES)
• submit online at www.crimestoppershunterdon.com by clicking on the Submit link to fill out the online form (form also in Espanol)
• download free app "Tipsubmit" by Public Engines; select Hunterdon County, submit your tip.

William E. Schwalenburg, 50, of Bound Brook, is facing several charges, including shoplifting and receiving stolen property, after being stopped by Raritan Township police on Route 202.

RARITAN TWP. - William E. Schwalenburg, 50, of Bound Brook, is facing several charges, including shoplifting and receiving stolen property, after being stopped by police on Route 202.

Schwalenburg was initially stopped by Officer Rob Landolina at around 12:10 p.m. on Dec. 16 because he was driving with a suspended driver's license. A check revealed he had two warrants for his arrest from Raritan Borough and Manville municipal courts.

Schwalenburg was charged with receiving stolen property because he was found in possession of a stolen Ring brand outdoor camera and Wing brand smart phone that had been reported stolen from Walmart located off Route 31, police said. The items are valued at $300.

He was also issued a motor-vehicle summons for driving while suspended.

Schwalenburg was turned over to Hillsborough Township Police Department because he was wanted for allegedly shoplifted two Fitbit watches, with a total value of $492, from Kohl's located off Route 206 in Hillsborough, police said.

Hillsborough police reported he tried to leave the store with the watches in a concealed bag on Dec. 5, fleeing when he was approached by a store security officer. Schwalenburg was released by Hillsborough police with a pending court date.

Ruling brings into question prosecutor's theory of murder-suicide.

TRENTON -- The state's medical examiner has reversed a ruling that Cooper University Health System CEO John Sheridan's 2014 death was a suicide, filing papers indicating that the manner of death could not be determined.

Medical Examiner Andrew Falzon on Friday submitted documents changing the death certificate and autopsy report for the former state political heavyweight, a dramatic twist raising new questions in the bizarre case. 

The change follows a court challenge brought by Sheridan's family, who sought to clear John Sheridan's name after prosecutors determined he had killed his wife, Joyce, before taking his own life.

Their son, Mark Sheridan, on Friday thanked the medical examiner's office "for doing the right thing and exercising the courage to admit that a mistake was made."

However, a report detailing the medical examiner's findings stops short of saying Sheridan was murdered. A spokesman for Falzon declined to comment, saying his report "speaks for itself."

The Sheridans were found dead inside the master bedroom of their Montgomery Township home in September 2014. Police said the two suffered stab wounds and the bedroom was badly damaged by a fire. 

Their deaths rocked the small Somerset County community and sent shock waves through the state, both because of the grisly nature of the crime and John Sheridan's reputation as a figure in state politics. 

Whistleblower suit in Sheridan case dismissed

John Sheridan, 72, spent four decades in state government, serving as a deputy attorney general, assistant counsel to Gov. William T. Cahill and a lawyer for the state Turnpike Authority.

It took the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office six months to rule the case a murder-suicide, citing a report from a state medical examiner and evidence that John Sheridan appeared distraught and erratic in the days leading up to his death.

John Sheridan was found beneath an armoire in the smoke-filled bedroom and had suffered stab wounds, but the initial medical report determined they were likely self-inflicted. 

In the months that followed, the Sheridan sons -- Tim, Dan, Matt and Mark, himself a major player in state Republican politics -- waged a high-profile campaign to get the case reopened, enlisting members of the state's political elite and hiring their own experts to examine the evidence. 

The scrutiny led to criticism over the handling of the case by then-Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, who was later ousted by Gov. Chris Christie, as well as the long-troubled state Medical Examiner's Office. 

The family commissioned a report from Michael Baden, a famous forensic pathologist and former medical examiner in New York City, that found John Sheridan was likely killed by an intruder. 

Baden recommended Sheridan's listed manner of death be changed to "undetermined."

Falzon conducted a "comprehensive review" of the case in response to the appeal filed by the Sheridan family and at the direction of a state appeals court, according to a statement from the Division of Criminal Justice.

That review prompted the medical examiner to file an amendment to John Sheridan's death certificate with the Department of Health.

The cause of death -- "sharp force injuries and smoke inhalation" -- remains unchanged, according to a copy of a case review report released Friday.

Falzon maintained that the knife wounds on John Sheridan "have the appearance of self-inflicted wounds."

"However, no weapon was recovered from the scene that could be conclusively associated with the wounds sustained by Mr. Sheridan," Falzon wrote in the report. "All this is unfortunately compounded by the extensive destruction of the scene by the fire."

Falzon changed the manner of John Sheridan's death from "suicide" to "undetermined."

In issuing his findings, the medical examiner said he reviewed the original autopsies of the couple as well as photographs from the scene, investigatory reports, medical records, a report from county prosecutors and an affidavit submitted by Baden detailing his opinion on the manner of death. 

The decision renews questions about the circumstances of the couple's death and raises the possibility the true killer remains at large.

Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson declined to comment on the medical examiner's findings. 

But, he added, "I want to assure the public and the residents of Somerset County that we have no reason to believe that they should be fearful of their safety."

Mark Sheridan said he and his family "still don't know who killed our parents and so while we accept today's decision as a vindication of what we've said all along, we have a long way yet to go."

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

A look at a handful of bold predictions for this weekend's girls basketball games.

Somerset County Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed cited Amy Locane-Bovenizer's behavior in prison and after release as the reason why he will not return her to prison.

SOMERVILLE - Former "Melrose Place" actress Amy Locane-Bovenizer, who has already served two-and-a-half years in prison for a drunken crash that killed a Montgomery woman in 2010, will not have to return to prison.

Somerset County Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed cited Locane-Bovenizer's post-conviction conduct as the main reason for his decision. He said that Locane-Bovenizer is not a risk to society and isn't a threat to re-offend.

"There is simply no need to impose a further term of imprisonment to deter the defendant," Reed said in a marathon summation before a packed courtroom. "Doing so would only serve as retribution."

Reed said Locane-Bovenizer, who is from Hopewell Township, was a model prisoner and hasn't taken a drink in the six-and-a-half years since the tragic accident. He said she has shown remorse and attends Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings two times each week. He said separating her from her kids again would further damage them psychologically, and referenced letters from medical experts on the children's needs.

"We're disappointed but not surprised," said Fred Seeman. "The judge is way out of line. He talks about she expressed remorse. You were all in court today. Did she stand up and say one word? There's no remorse. There's no contrition. So what is it going to lead to happen? More people will feel that they can go out and drink and drive and kill people.

"The judge bent over backwards to let her walk free. The court told him to don't focus on the defendant's family. You have to focus on the victims. That's what the Appellate decision said and you heard what happened in the courtroom. He went back to the same thing. She doesn't even live with her children."

Seeman said that the state plans to appeal the decision with a different judge. The state has 45 days to appeal.

The judge gave Locane-Bovenizer the same sentence as before, downgrading her conviction from second- to third-degree and sentencing her to three years. He also sentenced her to 18 months on two four-degree assault by auto charges to run concurrently.

Locane-Bovenizer, who is in the process of divorcing her husband, Mark Bovenizer, sat stoically throughout the hearing and showed no reaction when the judge read his decision. Her husband has custody of the couple's two children, one of whom has Crohn's disease.

Crash victim's husband says he wants justice

"I will never drink again," Locane-Bovenizer wrote to the court in a letter, portions of which were read her lawyer, Somerville-based attorney Michael Rogers. "I can only imagine the suffering I caused to the Seeman family. I live every day with that moment. I pray for Mrs. Seeman and her family every day. I hope someday I'll be forgiven."

Locane-Bovenizer declined to address the court, saying, "I respectfully rely on my letter to the court."

Afterwards, she refused to address the media.

In August, the state's Appellate Division ruled that the leniency and downgraded sentence handed down by Reed in sentencing Locane-Bovenizer in the crash that killed Helene Seeman lacked enough explanation and was inappropriate.

Reed, who previously admitted he erred in sentencing Locane-Bovenizer, saying she should have served an additional six months, said on Friday he sentenced her in accordance with the law at that time. He said the law has been changed on the state and federal.

Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Murphy was seeking a seven-year prison term with 85 percent served before parole, with an additional nine-month term for assault by auto. He wanted the sentences to run concurrently.

Murphy said he wanted the increased sentence, in part, because, before the crash, Locane-Bovenizer drove her Tahoe into the back of a minivan driven by area resident Maureen Ruckelshaus, who was stopped at a red light.

Ruckelshaus realized Locane-Bovenizer had been drinking and advised her not to continue driving. Locane-Bovenizer ignored her warning and drove off. Ruckelshaus then followed Locane-Bonvenizer, who sped up and ultimately crashed into the side of the Seeman's Mercury Milan.

Prior to the judge's ruling, Fred Seeman, Helene Seeman's husband, and her son, Ford, both gave lengthy victim impact statements before the re-sentencing, admonishing the judge for his original sentence. Both told the judge that he showed more compassion for Locane-Bovenizer and her children in his sentencing than he did for the Seemans.

They said that they hoped the judge had time to reflect and reconsider his sentence and act in accordance with the law. Both said Locane-Bovenizer has yet to take responsibility for her actions.

"We cried our hearts out to you," Fred Seeman said to the judge. "We showed you pictures and hundreds of letters. We told you the story of our life, but it didn't seem to have any effect."

"You completely ignored the decision of the jury. For no compelling reason you decided to downgrade her conviction. You chose to ignore the law and ignore the people of New Jersey. No message was sent to deter drunken driving. My family has been destroyed. We seek justice, not closure."

After listening to the victim's impact statements, the judge said that the hardship heaped upon the victim's family "resonates" with the court.

Locane-Bovenizer, 44, was released from prison on parole in June 2015. At the time she was convicted of vehicular homicide and assault by auto, she was sentenced to three years for each charge, to run consecutively.

Reed downgraded Locane-Bovenizer's conviction from a second- to a third-degree offense. He cited the hardship the actress' incarceration would have on her two young children as the reason for handing down a lesser sentence.

The sentence outraged the Seeman family, who accused Reed of giving Locane-Bovenizer celebrity treatment. Locane-Bovenizer could have faced five to 10 years on the second degree count.

Fred Seeman told the judge Friday the many women in prison have children, but they haven't been show the leniency given Locane-Bovenizer. He said Locane-Bovenizer served one-fifth of the sentence she should have received.

Fred Seeman suffered seven fractured ribs in the crash. Later, it was discovered that had a hole in his diaphragm. He had to had emergency surgery.

"She almost killed me twice," he said.

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office appealed the sentence, saying it sent a "bewildering message" about the penalty for drunken driving.

The case was sent back to Somerset County for a new hearing for the judge "to comprehensively explain the reasons for sentence," the appeals court decision states. The appeals court took no position on the proper length of the sentence.

Locane-Bovenizer's blood-alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit on June 27, 2010, when her SUV crashed into a Mercury Milan turning into a driveway in Montgomery Township, prosecutors said. She was driving 53 mph in a 35 mph zone, prosecutors said.

Assemblyman represented the 39th district that includes parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.

SOMERVILLE -- The sentencing of former Assemblyman Robert Schroeder, which was scheduled for Friday before Somerset County Superior Court Robert B. Reed, has been rescheduled for Tuesday morning.

The sentencing was on the docket for Friday afternoon but Reed spent nearly the entire day in a hearing for former "Melrose Place" actress Amy Locane.Bovenizer, who wasn't given any additional prison time for her high-profile DWI vehicular homicide conviction.

Schroeder, a Republican, pleaded guilty in October to stealing nearly $1.9 million from people who loaned him money for a business venture and writing more than $3.4 million in bad checks to other creditors.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Schroeder be sentenced to eight years in state prison. He will be required to pay back the more than $5.3 million he stole from his victims and be barred from holding public office or public employment in New Jersey.

Schroeder served two terms in the Assembly from 2010 to 2014, representing the 39th district that includes parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The Our Communities' Greatest Challenges conference held at Raritan Valley Community College, hosted by Hunterdon Prevention Resources and Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon/Somerset, attracted about 150 professionals.

BRANCHBURG -- Chauncey Parker, director at New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, said law enforcement efforts in combating illegal drugs are more coordinated and collaborative than ever.

He shared that message at the recent Our Communities' Greatest Challenges conference held at Raritan Valley Community College. Hosted by Hunterdon Prevention Resources and Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon/Somerset, it attracted about 150 professionals.

Conference speakers included Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson, Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Timothy P. McMahon, Anesthesiologist Dr. William Bentley of the Center for Advanced Pain Management at Hunterdon Medical Center and Tamara Berisha, program director of Hunterdon Healthcare Integrative Medicine.

McMahon discussed current drug trends, including new forms of marijuana use such as wax, dab, oil and budder.

"The DEA was very happy to participate in this year's Professional Conference," McMahon said. "It gave us the opportunity to speak to the audience about current drug trends; pills, heroin, Fentanyl-laced heroin, and marijuana. It is very important for us at the DEA to keep getting the word out and educating our professionals and community."

Hunterdon drug intervention program expands across N.J.

McMahon frequently collaborates with coalitions such as Safe Communities to educate parents to be savvy to subtle signs of drug use.

An example of McMahon's Hidden in Plain Sight mock bedroom presentation was set up so participants could see ways drugs and paraphernalia are easily disguised or hidden.  

Both county prosecutors provided examples of successful collaborative efforts. Through the START program, introduced in Hunterdon and recently expanded into Somerset, law enforcement and the medical community have resources to provide outreach and support to people in need of substance abuse treatment.

Hunterdon County's One Voice initiative similarly enlists the support of local faith-based leaders in sharing a coordinated prevention message in their congregations on a designated faith weekend.

The HIDTA is a federally-funded program that invests in federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships designed to build safe and healthy communities.

These include the Heroin Response Strategy and Drug Monitoring Initiative, where local police departments are able to share information about the types, quantity and toxicity of drugs being sold in particular areas.

The information reported becomes part of a database that helps to identify trends that can guide both law enforcement and prevention groups. It can also alert law enforcement of dangerous trends, such as Fentanyl-laced heroin, which can be particularly deadly.

Preventing opiate addiction is a priority concern of the medical community.

"Of the thousands of people in the U.S. who undergo common surgical procedures every day, 99-percent are prescribed post-surgical opioids," Bentley said. He discussed the importance of not overprescribing opioids and educating patients about the risks of addiction.  

Alternative treatments are another strategy in preventing prescription drug addiction. Berisha discussed alternatives that expand options for treating chronic pain through holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine and nutrition counseling.    

The conference has been an annual tradition of Hunterdon Prevention Resources for over 15 years, and the Safe Communities Coalition became a collaborating partner in the conference starting in 2009.

Other partners in the conference include EmPoWER Somerset, Hunterdon County Municipal Alliances, Raritan Valley Community College and Somerset County Municipal Alliances.

The Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon County meets on the second Thursday of every month at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Raritan Township from 9-10:15 a.m.

The Safe Communities Coalition of Somerset County meets every third Tuesday from 9:30-11 a.m. at Raritan Valley Community College.

For more information, call Jerri Collevechio at 908-782-3909 or jcollevechio@hunterdonprevention.com.

State medical examiner changed John Sheridan's manner of death from suicide to undetermined.

MONTGOMERY -- The sons of hospital CEO John Sheridan and his wife Joyce want a fresh investigation into their parents' 2014 deaths now that their father's death has been labeled undetermined - reversed from suicide.

Mark Sheridan said the family hopes to meet with Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson next week to formally request a new investigation.

"We're going to request that the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office or some other law enforcement agency reopen the investigation into our parents' death," said Mark Sheridan. "I'm hoping that sometime next week we'll be able to get a sit down with the Prosecutor Robertson."

On Friday, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office announced that the state's medical examiner has reversed a ruling that John Sheridan died as result of suicide -  filing papers changing the former political tycoon's cause of death to undetermined.

Prosecutors had originally determined a distraught John Sheridan killed his wife, Joyce, before taking his own life.

"We feel somewhat vindicated," said Mark Sheridan. "We would still like to see the investigation reopened. We'd like to see the people who killed my parents caught. We don't believe this was a murder-suicide. We never believed that. I think we're one step closer to having this declared what it really is, which is a double homicide."

The couple's four sons - Mark, Matt, Tim and Dan - had maintained that their parents' deaths were not a murder-suicide, submitting evidence they say contradicts the findings of the prosecutor's office. And they have been relentless in their efforts to clear their father's name and have the investigation into their deaths reopened.

In mid-December, the sons submitted an expert opinion in the form of an affidavit from nationally-known pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to the state Medical Examiner's Office and Attorney General's Office refuting the state pathologist's findings.

Baden said John Sheridan's death appears to be a homicide, not a suicide, and the cause should be changed to "undetermined."

"I think that any fair and objective review of the facts and evidence made it clear you couldn't come out any other way. All the experts from across the country have said there is no way this should've been declared a murder-suicide," Mark Sheridan said.

Medical examiner changes manner of death

While changing the Sheridans' manner of death to undetermined, the report stops short of declaring the couple's deaths a double homicide. And John Sheridan's cause of death remains "sharp force injuries and smoke inhalation."

The Sheridans were found dead on Sept, 28, 2014, in the master bedroom of their home. Police said the two suffered stab wounds and the bedroom was badly damaged by an intentionally set fire.

John Sheridan was accused of killing his wife and then setting the bedroom on fire to hide his crime. On March 27, 2015, the state medical examiner ruled the couple's death a murder-suicide, which their sons immediately disputed.

Their deaths sent shock waves through the state's political and social elite.

The Sheridans were known for their dedication to public service, especially John Sheridan, 72, who spent four decades in state government, serving as a deputy attorney general, assistant counsel to Gov. William T. Cahill and a lawyer for the state Turnpike Authority.

Last February, a group 200 prominent New Jersey residents, including three former governors, called for the investigation to be reopened.

Criticism of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office handling of the investigation led to the replacement of then-prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano in March with Gov. Chris Christie saying he had lost confidence in the office.

Veteran Somerset County Prosecutor's Office detective Jeffrey Scozzafava filed a lawsuit claiming that evidence was mishandled in the high-profile case. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

"We want everybody to know that we're thankful for all of the support we've received from our family and our friends," said Mark Sheridan. "There has been a huge outpouring of support for us and our parents and we really appreciate it."

Falzon conducted a "comprehensive review" of the case in response to the appeal filed by the Sheridan family and at the direction of a state appeals court, according to a statement from the Division of Criminal Justice.

That review prompted the medical examiner to file an amendment to John Sheridan's death certificate with the state Department of Health.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Organic farmer's lawsuit says he was evicted after doing $500,000 of work

In the northwest corner of Duke Farms in Hillsborough are 120 acres of fenced in pasture and mowed fields, ready for the kind of organic cattle and hog farm Mark and Linda Faille have run for more than 20 years.

But the fields and barns are empty, and the miles of fencing and an agricultural well -- paid for with $80,000 of federal grants - sit dormant, for now.

The Failles say they invested about $500,000 in cleaning up and restoring that corner of Duke Farms beginning in 2012 with the promise that they could house and graze a herd of 125 cattle and 500 hogs on the expansive property. They believed they would be able to recoup their investment as they sold the animals for meat and replenished the stock.

But just as they were about to go into production in the spring of 2014, they were kicked off the property by Michael Catania, Duke Farms executive director.

"All he said was the board (of directors) didn't want us there," Mark Faille said. "That was it."

In a lawsuit filed in Somerset County Superior Court last month, the Failles claim the Duke Farms Foundation and Catania are "in breach of verbal and written promises" and are asking for undetermined compensation.

Calls to Catania were referred to Kristin Roth-Schrefer, the communications director of the parent Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in Manhattan.

"This is a contractual dispute with a for-profit agricultural corporation regarding their use of land at Duke Farms," she said in an email response. "Proper land management and animal care are central to Duke Farms' mission, and accordingly, we expect to prevail in court. The plaintiff's claims are without merit."

Last year, Duke Farms prevailed in a court case brought by locals after the foundation decided to tear down the mansion where tobacco and electric power magnate James B. Duke and his daughter, socialite and philanthropist, Doris Duke, lived. The destruction of the mansion angered many people in the area who had direct dealings with Doris Duke, who called the Hillsborough estate her primary home until her death in 1993.

MORE: Recent Mark Di Ionno columns     

Mark Faille's side of this story goes like this:

Faille said he was approached by Tim Taylor, the former Duke Farms executive director, and Paul Smith, the former stewardship director, in 2011. Neither remain with the organization.  

According to the lawsuit, Failles was asked to consider bringing part of his operation to Duke Farms because it fit the foundation's "stated mission of environmental stewardship."

The Failles began Simply Grazin' - an organic livestock business -- in 1997 in Hopewell and now have farms in New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Among Simply Grazin's biggest customers are Whole Foods and the FreshDirect online grocery service.

"They (the Duke executives) were looking for someone to do a grazing program for them," Faille said. "Frankly, I felt pretty special. I mean, this was Duke Farms."

"We spent $10,000 to do the fencing, because we had to show we could be operational to apply for the federal grants (to fence off more property)," Faille said.

The agreement Simply Grazin' signed with Duke Farms in 2012 was good through at least Dec. 31, 2017.

Mark Faille admitted he signed an agreement that had little protection.

"It said they could throw us off the property at any time for any reason," he said, "but I trusted them. I didn't see what incentive they would have to get rid of us."

The lawsuit says the Failles renourished 120 acres of fields that were "dilapidated and infertile" and fixed barns that were in "disrepair" and removed "junk and other garbage ... littered about the property."

The latter was no small job.

"We took out 20 or 30 dumpsters of junk. There was a (truck) trailer back there we got rid of," Faille said. "That land was used as a dump."

Faille said all the plumbing and electrical wiring had been stripped out of the barns and outbuildings and the windows were mostly broken.

"For a foundation with that kind of money, it was shocking, to tell you the truth," he said.

While cleaning up the property, Faille applied for two grants through the federal Department of Agriculture's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The grants help livestock farmers protect water quality by providing funds to pay for fencing that keeps cattle away from natural streams. The grants also fund agricultural wells for watering the animals and to help pay for environmentally-sound soil nutrient programs.

Simply Grazin' was awarded $80,000 in grants, with the stipulation that the business be maintained for a specific period of time. Simply Grazin's contract time periods were 15 and 20 years.

In support of Simply Grazin's application, Catania submitted a letter that said Faille "will have control of the property for the period of EQIP/AMA (Agricultural Management Assistance) contract" and he had "permission to install and maintain for the practice lifespan (15-20 years) all permanent vegetative and/or structural practices on the Duke Farms property."

The lawsuit points out Duke Farms would not have been eligible for those EQIP grants because it is not a livestock farming operation.

And this is where things get ... funny.

Faille says Catania approached him early last year and asked him to transfer the grant money to the Duke Foundation.

"He convinced me it would be best if the foundation had the money to pay for the improvements and get things rolling," Faille said.

But once the fencing was up, the well was operational and the buildings cleaned out, Catania kicked Simply Grazin' out.

"We're a big operation," said Faille, who has close to 500 Yorkshire pigs and 325 Black and Red Angus cattle on other Somerset County farms.

"They knew that. They knew we were a for-profit operation.

"Was I dumb for trusting him? Maybe. But I think this was his plan all along. To get me to do the work and get the government money, and bring in a smaller operation."

Faille said he heard another organic livestock farmer was coming in with five heads of cattle, but there was no evidence of that on the property Faille restored as of late last week.

Meanwhile, Faille's attorneys from the Princeton office of Fox Rothschild, said they're looking into the laws surrounding agriculture grants.

"He (Catania) wrote a letter to the government saying Simply Grazin' would be there for the duration of the contract," said attorney James Young. "Now they (Duke Farms) have the money and our client has been evicted. We're looking into the ramifications of that."    

Mark Di Ionno may be reached at mdiionno@starledger.com. Follow The Star-Ledger on Twitter @StarLedger and find us on Facebook.