Trenton

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — After a meeting held by the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority on March 14, Mayor Kyle Stack said one of two things will soon happen at the former Riverside Hospital: Either property owner Dr. Iqbal Nasir will have made good on his promise to begin abatement work by May 15, or the city will take whatever legal steps are necessary to move forward with site inspections and demolition. “He reassured us that we will see some action before May 15,” Stack said of Nasir’s … [Read more...] about May deadline set for Riverside progress

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — It’s too early to declare economic optimism, but Trenton Public Schools Board of Education President Cristine Howe said the approaching annual budget process could be the beginning of long-needed financial stability. “We’re hopeful that the situation is more stable,” Howe said. “But we’re being careful and taking a pessimistic view. We have to. We want to make sure we don’t budget for things we can’t afford.” Howe, a longtime board member who in January was named … [Read more...] about Board ready to tackle budget with cautious optimism

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — One way or the other, city officials said residents can expect to see long-awaited signs of progress at the former Riverside Hospital building and grounds. It remains possible that property owner Dr. Iqbal Nasir will soon begin addressing long-overlooked issues at the Jefferson Avenue property. After several years of inactivity Nasir last week submitted a tentative plan and timetable for work on the property; failing that, city council approved last month having legal options … [Read more...] about Hospital plan, progress await more detail

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — The final verdict was delayed again last week nearly two years after a man placed several bombs in the city and made phone threats to a school. Sentencing for John Robert Kennedy was delayed until April 11, by which time District Court Judge John Corbett O’Meara is also expected to rule on a defense request for a new trial. Kennedy was initially indicted by a grand jury in July 2011 on six federal weapons charges related to a series of allegations made in April. Kennedy was … [Read more...] about Bomber’s sentencing delayed, new trial requested

TRENTON — The Information Center will host Trivia Challenge from 6 to 9 p.m. March 21 at the Westfield Center, 2700 Westfield. The $21 admission charge includes light fare and soft drinks. Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. and the game from 7 to 9 p.m. Teams can consist of up to eight people. Proceeds will benefit the Information Center. For reservations or more information, call 734-282-7171 or go to www.theinfocenter.info. … [Read more...] about Information Center hosts Trivia Challenge

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — The landmark former A&W Root Beer property in downtown will remain undeveloped for now as city officials said that a potential deal to put a coffee/ice cream shop at the stand fell through. Trenton City Administrator Jim Wagner said that local entrepreneur Mark Hayes appeared close to purchasing the property for redevelopment as a Bear Claw Coffee and Calder’s Ice Cream outlet, but that realtors with Signature Associates had been asking more than Hayes could … [Read more...] about No sale leaves A&W plans on hold

By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Police Chief James Nardone said he’s grateful that injuries sustained by two officers weren’t worse, but the fight with a drunken suspect was a sobering reminder of the risks involved in law enforcement. It started as a relatively routine traffic stop. Shorlty before 11 p.m. Feb. 13 a vehicle was driving at excessive speeds on Fort Street. A patrol officer saw Derek Woodward, 31, driving at nearly 90 mph in the 35 mph construction zone south of Sibley. Police followed … [Read more...] about Officer injuries reflect dangers faced by police