A gallery of pets throughout New Jersey in need of adoption.

Here is this week's collection of some of the dogs and cats in need of adoption in northern and central New Jersey.

If a nonprofit rescue group or animal shelter in any of the following counties wishes to participate in this weekly gallery on nj.com, please contact Greg Hatala at ghatala@starledger.com or call 973-836-4922:

* Bergen County

* Burlington County

* Essex County

 

* Hudson County

* Hunterdon County

* Mercer County

* Middlesex County

* Monmouth County

* Morris County

* Ocean County

* Passaic County

* Somerset County

* Sussex County

* Union County

* Warren County

More pets in need of adoption can be seen here and here.

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

With upsets and top teams rising, there's plenty of movement in the weeks NJ.com Top 20 rankings.

Two students sued the school after a grand jury declined to indict them.

A lawsuit against William Paterson University over how it handled the case of five students accused raping another student can go forward, a federal judge ruled.

A Passaic County grand jury in January 2015 declined to indict the five men, all 18-year-old freshmen at the time, on charges filed by campus police alleging they sexually assaulted and kidnapped another student.

Two of the students, Garrett Collick, of Paterson, and Noah Williams, of Camden, as well as Williams' mother Nancy Williams, filed suit. Their claim says William Paterson failed to conduct a proper investigation and deprived them of their right to due process.

Why a humpback whale swam up the Hudson

University officials also made statements "defaming the character and reputation" of Collick and Williams, the claim said. The university expelled the students after the charges were filed.

Judge Kevin McNulty dismissed two of the 21 counts, which accused the university of malicious abuse of process and negligent infliction of emotional distress. In dismissing the latter count, the judge removed Nancy Williams as a plaintiff.

McNulty dismissed eight other counts in part.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Teams and players that made a mark in this year's tourney.

Which teams made their mark in the semifinals?

On Monday, American Red Cross teams were in Mercer, Gloucester, Cumberland and Passaic counties.

Ten residential fires across the state since Friday afternoon has the American Red Cross assisting 98 people, the New Jersey chapter said Monday afternoon.

On Monday, volunteers were assisting residents burned out of their homes in Trenton, Woodbury, Bridgeton and Paterson with with temporary lodging, food and clothing.

In Trenton, Red Cross volunteers are assisting 28 people in nine families after a 5-alarm blaze destroyed a row of nine homes in North Trenton.

And in Woodbury, flames damaged three homes, injuring four. The Red Cross was assisting five people in two families.

In Bridgeton, the agency was assisting a family of three following a fire on Hampton Street, and in Paterson, a Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to a fire on East 18th Street and provided emergency assistance to nine people in five families. 

On Sunday, the Red Cross assisted a nine people in two families in Garfield, which were displaced by a fire at their Cambridge Avenue home  and in Newark, seven people in two families were aided after a fire on South 18^th Street.

4 injured when fire ravages 3 homes

On Saturday, volunteers provided comfort and emergency assistance to 12 people in six families displaced by a fire on Georges Avenue in Linden.

And on Friday, the Red Cross was in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township, and Clementon and Paulsboro and assisted a total of six families following fire in those towns.

Red Cross Disaster Action Teams are on call around the clock to respond to home fires and other disasters throughout the region to help neighbors in need, the agency says.

In addition to assisting displaced residents with temporary housing, and food and clothing, volunteers provide comfort kits containing personal care items and refer refer people to other organizations for future needs, the Red Cross says.

The Red Cross in New Jersey trains and mobilizes more than 5,300 volunteers who last year went to 767 local disasters and helped 1,803 displaced families.

To make a donation of become an American Red Cross, more information is available at redcross.org/nj.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A look at the quarterbacks who have cracked 2,000 yards passing so far this season.

Adriane Esquilin did not have a master's degree or five years' experience as a teacher or counselor, according to a report

PATERSON - The school district's human resources director resigned her $148,000 a year job after a report revealed she lacked the proper credentials that were required in her job description, according to the Paterson Press.

Adriane Esquilin resigned last week, according to the report.

"She wasn't the right fit," said Board of Education President Christopher Irving. "She didn't have the master's degree or the certificate."

Paterson Press reported in September that Esquilin did not have a New Jersey administrative certificate, a master's degree or five years' experience as a teacher or counselor. Those requirements were reportedly listed in the job description.

When she began the job in February 2016, the district allowed her two years to get the certificate and Master's Degree but she did not, according to the report.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The FBI may be focused on the current administration of Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres and his predecessor, Jeffery Jones.

PATERSON - Federal investigators have demanded records detailing the city's use of millions in federal funding dating back to 2010, suggesting its recent probe of a church property could also be examining actions taken by the administrations of two mayors, according to a Paterson Press report.

The FBI may be focused on the current administration of Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres and his predecessor, Jeffery Jones, according to the report, which cited city officials as sources.

FBI agents executed search warrants earlier this month at the city hall offices of the mayor and administrators, as well as the community development offices across the street, demanding documents related to the construction and renovation of property owned by Grace Gospel Church for use with the Paterson branch of the New Jersey Prison Re-entry Corp.

City officials this week denied an OPRA request filed by NJ Advance Media seeking documents related to search, stating the release would compromise the federal investigation.

According to the Paterson Press, the city cooperated with a subpoena for records going back to 2010 that covers a funding source called the Home Investment Partnerships program. While there has been no indication that HOME funds were used in the Montgomery Street building, the program - like the CDBG - is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Last week, Passaic Mayor Alex D. Blanco pleaded guilty to taking bribes involving HUD projects.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Police arrested the 25-year-old Puerto Rico man inside a Redwood Avenue home, cops said.

Marcos MartinezPaterson Police Department 

PATERSON -- A man from Puerto Rico was arrested Tuesday in connection with a 2015 murder on the island, cops said.

City police and U.S. Marshal's Service members descended on a Redwood Avenue home Tuesday morning after learning that a man wanted on the island for attempted murder was hiding out at the home, Paterson Police Director Jerry Speziale said. 

Police found 25-year-old Marcos Martinez inside a second-floor apartment where he was apprehended without incident, Speziale said. 

Martinez is wanted for attempted murder and weapons offenses stemming from a summer 2015 shooting, police said.

Four others were also arrested for active warrants during the sting, Speziale said. 

Martinez is being held at the Passaic County Jail pending extradition to Puerto Rico.

Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

NorthJersey.com reported that former Public Safety Director Richard Diaz interfered with a sexual harassment investigation.

PASSAIC -- Public Safety Director Richard Diaz was removed from his position as the president of the Passaic Board of Education after allegations that he abused his power as the city's public safety director, NorthJersey.com reported.

The school board voted unanimously on Monday to remove Diaz, who was suspended in September as the city's public safety director.

 

The publication reported that the allegations are that he interfered with a sexual harassment investigation.

Diaz reportedly told the publication that the allegations were made in political retaliation and that he feels, "like I live in a Third World country run by a dictator."

Diaz has filed a lawsuit in the state Superior Court, alleging his rights were violated when he was put on leave and he was not given due process, according to the report.

Last week, Passaic Mayor Alex Blanco admitted to taking a bribe and faces up to a decade in prison. The school board's new president, Salim Patel, told NorthJersey.com, that the board's decision was "absolutely not" related to Blanco's guilty plea.

Diaz annually earned $68,309 as public safety director.

Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.

Fans can check out the picks by the NJ.com writers for every Thanksgiving rivalry game in the state including Top 20 teams on Nov. 23-24

THANKSGIVING RIVALRY SCHEDULE/PICKS:

TOP 20 TEAMS

No. 4 Timber Creek (10-0) at Winslow (2-7)
Thursday, 10 a.m.
The Chargers rallied in the second half to beat Shawnee, 38-14, in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinal last week and keep alive hopes of an undefeated season. Winslow has played some top teams tough despite its record. Charger QB Devin Leary can set the state single-season touchdown record with four more scores. Timber Creek 42, Winslow 14.

No. 10 Lenape (10-0) at Shawnee (8-2)
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
This is a tricky game for the Indians, who will be facing No. 4 Timber Creek in two weeks for the South Jersey Group 4 title while the Renegades will look to finish a good season on an impressive win. Two years ago, in a reverse situation, Lenape stunned the undefeated Renegades, who bounced back to beat the Chargers in the championship game. Lenape 14, Shawnee 10.

No. 10 Westfield (10-0) at Plainfield (1-8)
Thursday, 11 a.m.
Westfield will play for a chance to repeat as North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 champions. But before that, the Blue Devils have a chance to knock off rival Plainfield, which was winless in the regular season until a Crossover game with Newark East Side. Westfield will likely take it easy with such a big game on the horizon, but expect Philip Martini to have a big day throwing the ball anyway. Westfield 35, Plainfield 10.

Paulsboro (9-1) at No. 17 West Deptford (10-0)
Friday, 7
The Red Raiders have won nine straight, including a couple impressive victories on the way to reaching the South Jersey Group 1 final in two weeks. The Eagles have been even more dominant on their way to another appearance in the South Jersey Group 2 title game. West Deptford 31, Paulsboro 21.

No. 18 Millville (9-1) at Vineland (7-2)
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
This Turkey Day rivalry dates back to 1894 and there is certainly a lot of emotion behind it. Throw in the fact both these schools have their best teams in years and it has the makings of a tremendous game, though its possible the Thunderbolts could rest several starters for the Group 5 final in two weeks. The Fighting Clan are looking to finish off their best season in over a decade with a win after losing their last two following a 7-0 start. Vineland 27, Millville 21.

No. 18 Rumson Fair Haven (8-2) at Shore (6-4)
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Shore, eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in years, has all the motiviation. However, this Rumson-Fair Haven senior class may actually take this one seriously to help cement their legacy. QB Michael O'Connor was slowed by a bad toe most of the season and may want to add some yards to his total. Rumson-Fair Haven 24, Shore 14.

No. 20 Piscataway (8-2) at Franklin (1-8)
Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
Piscataway is riding high after exacting revenge on Old Bridge in the Central Jersey, Group 5 semifinals, and the Chiefs can get even more revenge against Manalapan in the final. But first comes Franklin, which was winless before beating North Brunswick in a Crossover game. Elijah Barnwell is playing very well at running back for Piscataway right now and should be the difference. Piscataway 35, Franklin 7.

QUICK PICKS

X-Denotes winner

WEDNESDAY
MID-STATE 38
North Warren at Belvidere, 5:30pm
NJSFC
North Warren at x-Belvidere, 5:30pm
SHORE CONFERENCE
X-Barnegat at Pinelands, 6:30pm
X-Rumson-Fair Haven at Shore, 7pm
WJFL
X-Cherry Hill West at Cherry Hill East, 6pm
X-Egg Harbor at Mainland, 6pm
Cumberland at X-Schalick, 6pm
Delran at X-Cinnaminson, 7pm
X-Camden Catholic at Paul VI, 7pm

THURSDAY
GMC
North Plainfield at X-South Plainfield, 10am
X-Middlesex at Dunellen, 10:30am
J.P. Stevens at X-Edison, 10:30am
X-South Brunswick at North Brunswick, 10:30am
Metuchen at X-Highland Park, 11am
East Brunswick at X-Old Bridge, 11am
X-Carteret at Perth Amboy, 11am

MID-STATE 38
X-Roselle at Roselle Park, 10am
North Plainfield at X-South Plainfield, 10am
Linden at X-Union, 10am
X-Gov. Livingston at New Providence, 10:30am
X-Easton (PA) at Phillipsburg, 10:30am
X-Johnson at Rahway, 10:30am
New Hope-Solebury (PA) at X-South Hunterdon, 10:30am

NJSFC
X-Paterson Kennedy at Paterson Eastside, TBA
Tenafly at X-Dumont, 10:30am
Teaneck at X-Hackensack, 10:30am
Bloomfield at x-Montclair, 10:30am
x-Clifton at Passaic, 10:30am
Shabazz at x-Weequahic, 10:30am
X-East Orange at Barringer, 11am
Millburn at x-Madison, 11am

SHORE CONFERENCE
Holmdel at X-Raritan, 10am
X-Red Bank Regional at Long Branch, 10:30am
Middletown South at X-Middletown North, 10:30am
Asbury Park at X-Neptune, 10:30am
Wall at X-Manasquan, 11am
Lakewood at X-Toms River South, 11am

WJFL
Triton at X-Highland, 10am
Atlantic City at X-Holy Spirit, 10am
Lower Cape May at X-Middle Township, 10am
Bordentown at X-New Egypt, 10am
Absegami at X-Oakcrest, 10am
Northern Burlington at X-Pemberton, 10am
X-Pennsville at Penns Grove, 10am
X-Ocean City at Pleasantville, 10am
X-Williamstown at Washington Township, 10am
X-Timber Creek at Winslow, 10am
Kingsway at X-Clearview, 10:30am
Gloucester at X-Gloucester Catholic, 10:30am
Lindenwold at X-Overbrook, 10:30am
X-Clayton at Pitman, 10:30am
Woodstown at X-Salem, 10:30am
X-Lenape at Shawnee, 10:30am
Hamilton West at X-Steinert, 10:30am
Millville at X-Vineland, 10:30am
Gateway at X-Woodbury, 10:30am
X-Haddon Township at Audubon, 11am
X-Woodrow Wilson at Camden, 11am
Seneca at X-Cherokee, 11am
Sterling at X-Collingswood, 11am
Haddon Heights at X-Haddonfield, 11am
Burlington City at X-Palmyra, 11am
Bishop Eustace at X-Pennsauken, 11am
X-Florence at Riverside, 11am

FRIDAY
Paulsboro at X-West Deptford, 7

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

More than a few childhood memories are tied to shopping trips.

When I think about it, I collected more than a few childhood memories while in tow on shopping trips.

A vintage ad from Garwood'sCourtesy of the Vineland Times-Journal 

In Vineland, there was a department store on Delsea Drive called Garwood Mills where all of the locals shopped. It was a no-frills department store with concrete floors, bright lights and plenty of bargains. It was there ...

...I was introduced to the thrill of riding in the child's seat of a shopping cart. It took quite some time for me to realize that I was actually trapped there, clearly the point of the design from the get-go;

...I was introduced to the sheer boredom of accompanying my mother when she shopped for women's clothing. After outgrowing the cart, though, I was free to discover all of the interesting things people drop on department store floors;

...I was introduced to the sheer terror of getting lost. This episode took place more than 50 years ago, yet I can still vividly remember the countless number of unfamiliar faces, the panic and the tears. By the way, a kind shopper took me to the service desk where I was reunited with my mother.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Garwood Mills is no longer in business; it went the way of many other small department stores and specialty shops. I mourn the passing of this store and stores like it, where members of my generation were introduced to toy departments, where we argued with our parents over why we had to have the latest "in" thing, where we bought vinyl albums and 8-tracks, and, where we fretted over what gift to buy our girlfriends.

Here's a gallery of vintage stores large and small in New Jersey. Be sure to have captions enabled to read all about them.

Want more? Here's a gallery from last year, and here's a gallery from the year before that.

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

The student was allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted in a stairwell.

PASSAIC -- A Passaic High School student is suing the the city, the Board of Education and police department after she was attacked and sexually assaulted, according to a lawsuit. 

The lawsuit, filed recently in Passaic County Superior Court says the city, BOE and police were negligent in providing security at the school, thus leading to the attack. 

On Oct. 30, 2014, the then 15-year-old student claims that she was attacked by another student and then sexually assaulted. 

"There was a stairwell assault," John Marotta, a lawyer for the student said. 

As a result of the attack, the student suffered bodily injuries, multiple contusions and abrasion throughout her body, according to the lawsuit.

The student, whose name is being withheld by NJ Advance Media due to her age at the time of the attack, is seeking compensation for damages. 

Marotta said police have returned an indictment against the student in the case, a copy of which was not available Wednesday.

The Passaic Board of Education did not respond to a request for comment. 

Earlier this month, a former track coach at the school lost his teaching certificate after an alleged sex assault in 2006.

On Tuesday, City Public Safety Director and President of the BOE Richard Diaz was removed from his position within the district after allegations surfaced that he interfered with another sexual assault case. 

Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Everything you need to stay caught up on N.J.'s Thanksgiving games, plus the North 1, Group 4 semis.

ESSENTIALS

• Thanksgiving rivalry picks
• Top 20 | The Next 10 
• Week 11 helmet stickers
• State playoff brackets | Sectional final schedule
• Playoff section-by-section home pages
• 15 statement wins, upsets and surprises from the semifinals 

(Scroll down for previous days' results)

FRIDAY:

Randolph at Wayne Valley, 7 pm
North 1, Group 4 semifinals
• Full staff report
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

Paulsboro at West Deptford, 7 pm
• Full staff report
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

THURSDAY

No. 4 Timber Creek 48, Winslow 12
• QB Leary breaks state record for TD passes
• Box score

Highland Reg. 48, Triton 7
• Highland caps best season in history
• Photo gallery
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Union 34, Linden 12
• Jones runs amok as Union dominates
• Video interview
• Box Score

Roselle 42, Roselle Park 20
• Byrd cracks 2k as Roselle ends historic season
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Easton (Pa.) 24, Phillipsburg 14
• 110th T-Day game goes to Rovers
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

Bordentown 34, New Egypt 22
• Scotties stay unbeaten in holiday series
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

Weequahic 22, Shabazz 8
• Weequahic wins playoff final preview
• Photo gallery
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Edison 35, J.P. Stevens 0
• Crosstown dominance as Edison cruises
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

Gov. Livingston 40, New Providence 25
• G-L continues recent T-Day domination
• Photo gallery
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Clifton 48, Passaic 20
• Clifton caps 1st winning season since 2011
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

• Top football VIDEOS: Send us clips/tips from this weekend's games

Middletown North 24, Middletown South 6
• First win for North over South since 2000
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Middlesex 29, Dunellen 14
• Mx sends seniors out winners
• Box Score

Montclair 30, Bloomfield 23
• Another 200 for Webb lifts Mounties
• Box Score

Salem 36, Woodstown 10
• J-Tayl breaks major SJ record in win
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Steinert 14, Hamilton West 13
• Backup QB spurs Spartans
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

Vineland 45, No. 18 Millville 28
• Clan wins 145 edition of T-Day rivalry
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

Gloucester Catholic 34, Gloucester 14
• Rams clinch 1st winning season since '09
• Box Score

Clayton 14, Pitman 12
• Clippers take charge
• Box Score

New Hope-Solebury (Pa.) 45, South Hunterdon 0
• Pa. school wins final T-Day rivalry
• Box Score

Wall 21, Manasquan 3
• Late rally by Wall sinks 'Squan
• Photo gallery
• Look back at live updates
• Box Score

Florence 30, Riverside 12
• Flashes end on high note
• Box Score

Haddonfield 31, Haddon Heights 0
• Dawgs continue holiday dominance
• Photo gallery
• Box Score

SATURDAY

West Morris at No. 15 Wayne Hills, 1
North 1, Group 4 semifinals
• Full staff report
• Photo gallery
• Box Score 

FEATURED GAMES

WEDNESDAY

Schalick 41, Cumberland 0
• Schalick rebounds from playoff loss
• Photo gallery
• Box score

Cherry Hill West 40, Cherry Hill East 0
• Special teams make the difference
• Box score

Camden Catholic 49, Paul VI 7
• Game recap
• Photo gallery
• Box score

Belvidere 45, North Warren 22
• County foes renew rivalry
• Photo gallery
• Box score

NORTH 1, GROUP 4 SCOREBOARD

COMPLETE SCHEDULE/SCOREBOARD

Matt Stypulkoski may be reached at mstypulkoski@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_Stypulkoski. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.

Police are investigating surveillance footage that shows vehicles they believe could be connected to a fatal hit-and-run.

Kelly Vaughn Chalkley
 

WEST MILFORD -- The township's police department is investigating surveillance footage in connection with the fatal hit-and-run death of a West Milford woman earlier this month.

Police say the footage depicts three vehicles in a Mount Laurel Park parking lot off Warwick Turnpike around the time Kelly Vaughn, of Tyler Place, was struck and killed on Nov. 7, according to a statement from the West Milford Police Department.

Vaughn, 58, of the Hewitt section of West Milford, was walking a dog in the Mount Laurel Park parking lot at about 7:45 p.m. when she was struck, according to police in a previous report. The driver fled in a dark-colored vehicle after striking Vaughn, police have said.

Here is a rundown of what we have learned from police in their probe of the video footage:

• Three vehicles were in the parking lot "at or near the time of the incident" between 7:14 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.
• The three vehicles were not present at the same time, the statement said.
• The vehicles are described as two smaller vehicles and a pickup truck.
• Each vehicle entered the parking lot from Tyler Place and exited on  Warwick Turnpike.
• The vehicles were on site for only a short time -- one for less than a minute, another for 90 seconds and the third for roughly five minutes.
• Traffic at the time of the incident was "moderate to heavy on the Warwick Turnpike," according to the statement.
• Police said it likely the person responsible "has direct knowledge of the area and may, in fact, be a local resident."
• Authorities do not believe the incident was intentional but said that "the driver should have known that their vehicle had struck an object in the Mount Laurel parking lot," the statement said.

The department is seeking to enhance the footage from an outside agency.

The West Milford Police Department is asking that anyone with information to call 973-728-2800 or 973-728-2810. Information may be given anonymously, the statement said.

Anyone with information urged to call detectives

WAYNE -- Police on Friday asked for the public's help to identify the thieves who have stolen thousands of dollars in merchandise from liquor stores in three North Jersey towns.

The crew targeted Bottle King stores in Wayne, Glen Rock and most recently in Livingston, according to Capt. Laurence Martin, spokesman for the Wayne Police Department. The team targeted multiple stores within days, though police did not immediately list the specific incidents.

The thefts all follow the same pattern, authorities said. The crew loads up shopping carts with unspecified goods, waits for employees to be distracted and rushes to a waiting car with the stolen items.

In a Wayne theft, the bandits fled in a late model white Honda Accord, Martin said in a statement. Police reported the crew used a BMW, possibly a gray X5 or X3 model in the Livingston incident. 

Wayne police released photos of the suspected thieves and urged anyone with information call investigators at 973-633-6528 or 973-633-3530.

"The pictures are clear and these thieves should be easily identifiable," the captain added.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The man drove his car off Route 3 eastbound.

CLIFTON -- A man suffered serious injuries Sunday morning after driving his car off Route 3, police said.

The man's car left the eastbound highway at about 3:30 a.m. near the area where Route 3 crosses over Bloomfield Avenue, Clifton Police Lt. Robert Bracken said.

He was the only person in the car. No other cars were involved in the crash.

The crash is still under investigation.

The car knocked a utility pole down, 511nj.org said. One of the eastbound lanes and the exit to Bloomfield Avenue are closed.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A gallery of dogs and cats in New Jersey in need of adoption.

From television shows to the internet to specialists for hire, there are a myriad of sources a pet owner can select from on the topic of dog training. How can they tell who's right and who's wrong?

While there are many opinions out there, one trainer, Alyona DelaCoeur of whydoesmydog.com, addressed some of the more common - and misleading - training beliefs.

* You can't teach an old dog new tricks. False! Sometimes it's actually easier to teach mature dogs tricks because they're less distracted. Certainly some unwanted behaviors will take longer to stop because the dog has had longer for them to become habits, but they can be retrained. Bear in mind, though, that older dogs will need more frequent rest breaks in training.

* Bribe your dog with food to get results. Positive reinforcement through motivation works best in dog training; the use of treats and food should not be the main focus. While treats and toys can be helpful, building a strong connection with your pet is the most important part of training.

* Dogs misbehave because they are mad, stubborn or need to be dominant. Dogs do not have an agenda behind what they do. He peed on the floor because he had to go and didn't get let out; she tore up a cushion because she was bored. Only a handful of dog breeds exhibit 'dominance;' assuming human personality traits to dogs doesn't help in training at all.

* Training is guaranteed for life. One way dogs are like humans is that they can forget their good manners and learn new bad habits throughout their lives. One way to avoid this is to not introduce major changes into a dog's life; a dog who never begged before may start if someone gives him food from the dinnee table, for example.

In dog training, simple common sense is usually the best approach; the proven methods are usually the best methods. Bear in mind that some trainers are promoting different methods solely for the sake of being different; approaches that have worked for generations still work today.

Here is a gallery of dogs and cats in New Jersey in need of adoption. More adoptable pets can be viewed here and here.

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

Only 13 teams enter the sectional finals with undefeated records. Find out who they are.