Week in Review: Mounting Concerns Over Jughandles and More

Residents to DOT: Jughandle Pilot Program a Failure

In what seems to be a growing movement against the Route 1 jughandle closures, a resident of Penns Neck in West Windsor has launched an online petition asking the New Jersey Department of Transportation to end the 12-week pilot program. The closures- which prohibit drivers from turning left off Route 1 north at Washington Road and Harrison Street- aim to reduce congestion along Route 1 north through Lawrenceville, West Windsor and Plainsboro. If the trial- which began in early August- is a success, the state plans to close jughandles permanently.

Chamber of Commerce Receives $123K Grant

Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor Bureau is among more than a dozen destination marketing organizations statewide awarded grants totaling more than $1.3 million to expand tourism marketing opportunities in New Jersey, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno announced Monday. The Princeton-area chamber will receive $123,000.

Artists Invited to Design "Town of Princeton" Logo

As Princeton Borough and Princeton Township prepare to merge on Jan. 1, 2013, the mayors of both towns are seeking the public's help in designing a logo that represents the new "Town of Princeton." The logo design competition is open to artists of all ages who either work or live in Princeton or any member of the Arts Council of Princeton. The new logo will be used in Princeton letterhead, decals, website and other informational material. 

Home Energy Assistance Available

With winter cold just around the corner, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes reminds residents that assistance is available for energy costs. Applications are now being accepted through April 30, 2013. To be eligible, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. An eligibility chart for 2013 can be found here.

SouperVan, a New Brunswick food truck that offers a healthy alternative to fast food, has a hefty mission and a burgeoning following. “Everyday, we wake up and we’re hungry,” says Nicholas Kubian, a Rutgers alumnus who co-founded SouperVan. “Hunger is a perpetual human problem requiring perpetual solutions. Ours is a system that can continue to address this universal problem." Kubian and his business partners Dominick Rodriguez of Princeton and Paul Deraval launched SouperVan to provide an affordable, quickly prepared menu that is both good for you and does good for others.  

Officials Seek Answers to Contamination Concerns at Former Hospital Site

Are there potential environmental issues at the former University Medical Center of Princeton? That’s what the Princeton Environmental Commission wants to know. It has requested that AvalonBay, the developer under contract to buy the Witherspoon Street property, reveal if it commissioned soil and groundwater testing, geophysical surveys and site inspections recommended by its consultant.

Update: 49-Year-Old Believed to be Victim of Fiery Turnpike Crash

The truck driver killed in this morning's accident on the New Jersey Turnpike in Robbinsville is believed to be a 49-year-old man from Belleville, according to the New Jersey State Police. The accident closed both sides of the New Jersey Turnpike and also disrupted traffic along adjacent Interstate 195 in Robbinsville Township.The accident happened along the southbound side of the turnpike in the area of milepost 60.6, just north of the Exit 7A interchange.

A search of Carnegie Lake near the Harrison Street bridge was called off shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday after crews were unable to find a man whom witnesses reported they saw in the lake on Tuesday evening, Princeton Township Police Sgt. Michael Cifelli said. Two spearate people told police they saw a white male with long, dark hair and black clothes in the water

Traffic Problems Expected to Continue

The I-195 overpass overpass across the NJ Turnpike in Robbinsville was damaged on Wednesday and westbound lanes will be reduced to one lane for up to six weeks, NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said Wednesday. Morning commutes toward Trenton are expected to be very difficult. Motorists should expect delays and seek alternate routes.

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