NJ's first 2018 case of virus reported: This week in Central Jersey history, Aug. 7-13

Brad Wadlow, MyCentralJersey.com
·6 min read

According to the NJ Department of Health, a 74-year-old man in Hunterdon County tested positive for West Nile virus after he started showing symptoms at the end of July 2018, it was reported on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018.

It was the first human case of the virus to be reported that year in the state, although two other suspected cases were being investigated, according to the health department's most recent surveillance report at the time.

Here's a look at events that happened in Central Jersey from five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years ago this week.

A mosquito feeds on a human. Some mosquitoes can spread illnesses, including West Nile virus.
A mosquito feeds on a human. Some mosquitoes can spread illnesses, including West Nile virus.

Five years ago

Aug. 7, 2018: Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey announced Phyllis Kocheran, 52, of South River, pleaded guilty to causing the death of William Oross, 49, of North Brunswick, while she was driving while intoxicated.

Aug. 8: It was reported the bathing area at Spruce Run Reservoir in Clinton Township was closed on Saturday, July 28, 2018, because a weekly test of the water at the bathing area revealed a high amount of bacteria.

Aug. 8: The Long Island Ducks beat the Somerset Patriots, 4-3, at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.

Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra, charged with threats against an Uber driver, rejects a plea offer before Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph Donahue. Lawyer Michael Brucki stands next to him.
Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra, charged with threats against an Uber driver, rejects a plea offer before Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph Donahue. Lawyer Michael Brucki stands next to him.

Aug. 10: Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph Donohue said the case against former Major League Baseball player Lenny Dykstra, facing charges related to allegedly threatening an Uber driver, would go to a grand jury, it was reported.

Aug. 10: Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a measure making it mandatory that public schools give students through fifth grade a 20-minute recesss each day.

Aug. 10: Franz Ferdinand and Prowl performed at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

10 years ago

Aug. 7, 2013: A panel from the Appellate Division of Superior Court denied the appeal of Nelson Abarca, 40, of New Brunswick, serving a 30-year sentence for sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults against women ranging in age from 14 to 81.

Aug. 8: During the eighth annual Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day, Miss America 2013 Mallory Hytes Hagen visited patients at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick and delivered ice cream to them.

Aug. 9: One hundred and thirty-four medical students were welcomed into the Class of 2017 at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick during the White Coat Ceremony. They were the first to don the white coats as part of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Aug. 9: It was reported NJ had sold three Powerball jackpot-winning tickets in less than a year, including two in the nationwide drawing for the Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013 $448 million jackpot.

Aug. 9: Quincy Mumford and The Reason Why performed at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

Lancaster Barnstormers starter Will Savage throwing a pitch in Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Somerset Patriots.
Lancaster Barnstormers starter Will Savage throwing a pitch in Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Somerset Patriots.

Aug. 12: The Somerset Patriots beat the Lancaster Barnstormers, 5-1, at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater.

Aug. 12: According to an affidavit filed in Superior Court, a Green Brook woman helped investigators use the "Find my iPhone" app to make an arrest barely an hour after spotting one of two suspects rushing out of her home.

Aug. 13: It was reported Richard Rowe, a former New Brunswick police sergeant assigned to internal affairs, was sentenced to two years' probation in connection with obstruction of justice charges related to mishandling about 81 police internal affairs investigations.

1998

Aug. 7, 1998: State Superior Court Judge Roger F. Mahon decided a 200-year-old Readington farmhouse could not be demolished, at least for another month.

Aug. 8: Authorities said the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center had received $3,000 in bounties thus far that year for helping the federal government catch inmates illegally receiving Social Security, it was reported.

Aug. 8: Terry Cook, of Sandusky, Ohio, won his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Flemington Speedway in Raritan Township.

Aug. 11: Itt was reported a brothel in Morris Township was raided on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 1998, resulted in the seizure of $62,262 and the arrest of 20 people.

Aug. 11: David Webb, a South Bound Brook police officer, was indicted for allegedly letting a speeder go without a summons in exchange for a $1,058 computer.

Aug. 13: Juvenile Court Judge Deborah Venezia waived up Regino Martinez, 17, of New Brunswick, accused of being in an armed robbery of three Rutgers University students, to stand trial in adult court.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Aug. 13: Van Halen, with opening act Kenny Wayne Shepherd, would perform on Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998, at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, it was reported.

1973

Aug. 7, 1973: The Franklin Township council approved the idea of placing policemen in Franklin High School and Sampson G. Smith Intermediate School in Franklin, which was followed by complaints from a half a dozen residents who claimed the program wouldn't work without infringing on student rights.

Aug. 7: Roy Lee Campbell, 28, of New Brunswick, was indicted for breaking into the New Brunswick home of Emma Gordon, 80, atrocious assault and battery, attempting to murder her by repeatedly banging her head on the floor and with robbing her of $300.

Aug. 9: It was reported an explosion in a rooming house in Plainfield the week prior which critically injured George Carey was apparently caused when he struck a match trying to light a gas stove in the basement.

Aug. 9: The Colonial Chorus, Westfield Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, performed at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield, joined by The Notewits, a comedy quartet, and the Four Moons, a local high school group.

Aug. 11: Lodi beat Hillsborough, 14-7, for the State Little League championship.

Deborah Margolin
Deborah Margolin

Aug. 13: The partially-clad and slashed body of Deborah Margolin, 17, was found by her father in a creek in East Amwell only a few hundred yards from her home.

Aug. 13: Two hundred FBI and local police officers swept through 11 NJ counties, including Union, Middlesex and Morris counties, with orders to confiscate 116 automobiles, breaking up a large auto-theft ring.

1923

Aug. 7, 1923: Albert Angel, age 1 1/2, of New Brunswick, was run over by a car in full view of his mother, who stood on the sidewalk talking to friends.

Aug. 7: Emma F. Brink, 72, of Plainfield, was struck and killed while attempting to cross the street at Madison Avenue and West Sixth Street in Plainfield.

Alice Calhoun in “The Man Next Door.”
Alice Calhoun in “The Man Next Door.”

Aug. 8-9: "The Man Next Door," starring Alice Calhoun, was shown at Reade's Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.

Aug. 12: The costs thus far of the trolley strike were reported: The Public Service Railway Co. lost $770,000 in revenue; the Public Service Railway Co. lost $14,000 in net profits; and the union men had lost $220,000 in wages.

Aug. 12: The Metuchen Baseball Club defeated the Liberty A.C. of Rahway, 4-2.

Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: This week in NJ history, Aug. 7-13