NJN News; Monday December 7, 1998

Nationwide manhunt is underway for two juvenile murder suspects following their escapes from two detention centers. Let's go to the video tape. State troopers are now watching you and their own actions at traffic stops. Bull tires, bad brakes, why more dangerous cars are still on the roadways. Local families yearn for closure 10 years after the bombing of flight 103 over locker-be. And a ringing need for more volunteers this season. NJN News for Monday, December 7th. Major funding for NJN News is made possible by Grants Truff. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which believes that an informed citizen relieves to a healthy democracy. The SEMG committed to serving customers strengthening the business community and investing in New Jersey's future.

First union serves the financial needs of individuals and businesses from Connecticut to Florida. HIP Health Plan of New Jersey dedicated to providing quality health care to employees of large and small businesses as well as individuals for two decades. And by Bell Atlantic, in partnership with public television, serving to inform, brighten and educate the citizens of New Jersey. From NJN, the New Jersey Channel, the Emmy Award-winning NJN News with Kent Manahan, Dick Forney with Business, and Jerry Henry with Sports. Good evening. The search continues tonight for five juveniles who escaped from three county detention centers over the weekend. The first escape was Friday at the Bergen County Detention Center. The other two were on Saturday at the detention centers in middle sex and Camden counties. Rich Young reports a couple of the juveniles are considered armed and dangerous.

Friday night two juveniles allegedly beat two guards before escaping from the Bergen County juvenile detention center. Late Saturday, four juveniles, including an accused murderer, escaped from the Camden County juvenile center after kicking out a window. Also that day, another accused murderer escaped from the middle sex county juvenile detention center. Here the search is on for 17-year-old Tyrone Wade, who broke out of an aging facility in North Brunswick when he kicked out a window and scaled offense. Authorities say he is dangerous. The individuals considered dangerous in the sense of what his charge is and what the ramifications of that charge could possibly be if there's a finding of guilt. Wade escaped just three days before the county is to open a brand new $13 million significantly more secure detention center. Officials say when Wade arrived last September after allegedly killing a retired cop, he made it clear he had full intentions of escaping. Well, come tomorrow, that would have been much more difficult. The new facility has bulletproof class and an interior security system in which

guards monitor each movement. Middle sex officials say the juveniles kept here have become increasingly dangerous in recent years and the more secure facility is badly needed. It's regrettable that we got to the point of being three days away from opening this facility when they're sensitive to place. In Bergen County, one of the two who escaped turned himself in the other remains at large and in Camden County, one of the four who escaped turned himself into police. Three others, including 17-year-old Felix Perez, who's being held on murder charges are still on the lamb. Workers repair this center today, but the prosecutor says security here must be increased. The problem is that over the last several years we are seeing an increase in the incidence of extreme violence by juveniles. And frankly, in the case of these juveniles that escaped, it's very serious stuff. Authorities do not believe any of the escapes are connected, but they have alerted police nationwide to be on the lookout for five potentially dangerous

teams. Rich Young, NJN News. New Jersey state troopers are doing more than just writing tickets there on camera, too. Video cameras are now in some 60 percent of trooper patrol cars on the turnpike. More will be phased in as older cars are replaced. A car mounted camera and wireless microphone worn by troopers are activated when the trooper turns on the emergency lights. The new equipment is slated for trooper cars on the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway early next year. The NCAR cameras will also provide straightforward evidence of the law enforcement process, protecting both the officers and the public. The New Jersey Black Ministers Council called for the cameras after three unarmed minority males were shot by troopers on the turnpike earlier this year. Danger on the highway, that's what some worry about now that the new two-year state inspection cycle has kicked in. As Jim Hooker reports, a 12-month-grace period to fix vehicles may send many more dangerous cars onto the highways. We found bad ball joints,

we found bad inner tie rods, and we found dried up and fallen apart A-frame bushings. Left undetected, the problems uncovered behind the tire of this 87 Pontiac could have been a recipe for roadway disaster. This wheel could have fallen off this car because the ball joint was so loose. Many New Jersey mechanics and garage owners are raising warning flags about the move from annual inspections to every two years. Since October, station owners have been required to give one-year extensions on inspections to vehicles made in odd numbered years this year, and to vehicles produced in even numbered years next year, regardless of whether they appear road ready. I'm looking at the tires, the cars are half bald and I have to say Joe, I'll give you your sticker, but make sure you get a set of tires, especially with winter coming. Oh, okay, okay, as soon as I get some money. In the meantime, how do I know the guy's going to fix it? Service station owner Tom Mosca refuses to even grant the exemptions. I do not believe in just stickering a vehicle because the state says so, because the car is in

terrible shape. I don't believe in that, I will not do that. And garage owners we spoke with say the increased likelihood of allowing dangerous vehicles out onto the roadways, far outstrips any concerns they may have over lost business as a result of the new two-year inspection cycle. I'm friends with all my customers, and I like my friends, I like to keep them. And sure, I would hate to see them go out and get hurt because of something $40, $50 repair could have said their life. DMV's director wouldn't talk to us today, but he has told a newspaper that DMV is reviewing the law and the numbers of accidents. Would you want your wife or your child to be a statistic? I wouldn't want mine. So let's not look at the reports, let's prevent them. Jim Hooker and JN News. State auditors have discovered some computer glitches in the mailing of welfare checks. The problem is checks are still being mailed to people who are dead. Authorities found 62 cases in

which dead clients remained on active status. The state has even paid for funeral arrangements for 44 of them. State officials are trying to get reimbursements from relatives while updating their computer files. An abused four-year-old newer girl died today after being removed from life support. Hospital authorities called police after Anita Rodriguez's body was found covered with bruises, abrasions and bite marks when she was brought to the emergency room. Yesterday the girl's mother and live-in boyfriend were charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment. Relatives say they were repeated complaints made to the state. No response given. He's known as a cops cop and as we reported Friday, he now heads up the embattled Camden Police Department. Some say the appointment of Bob Allenbach was overdue and came only after some pressure was applied on the mayor by the attorney general. Ken St. John has details. Camden Mayor Milton Milan appointed 51-year-old Robert Allenbach to leave the 351 member department.

But the move came at the prompting of the state's attorney general and the commissioner of personnel. In a statement sent to Milan's office, the state's top cop wrote, again, I urge Mayor Milan to cooperate with the monitor. That was in reference to Milan not heating the suggestions of Camden County Prosecutor Lee Sullivan. The personnel commissioner statement read, I strongly urge you to act as quickly as possible to ensure unity of command and stability within the department. Several hours later, Milan named Allenbach Police Chief. I'm fortunate that the process took as long as it did. It's unfortunate that some of the things occurred along the way. I certainly am happy. A big piece of it has come into place, been put into place by the appointment of a chief. Solomon's directive calls for the elimination of two provisional posts of acting deputy police chief. Something Milan has resisted. We'll take a captain who was not first or second in the chief's exam and elevate him to deputy chief. I think disrupts the chain of command. The FOP also supports the appointment.

Allenbach, at least, saw him working as a team with the resources of Mr. Solomon plans on bringing on board. Can you go anywhere but up? Mayor Milan was unavailable for comment today, but one member of City Council was. Milton wanted to run the department. He wanted to be the chief. The newly appointed chief is a step in the right direction to turn the department around, but there is still an ongoing investigation into police corruption within the department that won't go away anytime soon. We want to see the bad apples get weeded out because they make everyone look bad. Ken St. John and JN News, Camden. Still ahead tonight, families of victims of Pan Am Flight 103 wrestle with emotions 10 years later. And some real roads to success for two New Jersey college women. Stay tuned. 10 years ago, this month, we were bringing you news of the shocking tragedy of Pan Am Flight 103,

homebound for the holidays, exploding over Lockerby, Scotland. 270 people were killed 38 from New Jersey. Ever since family members have crusaded for retribution in the courts, this weekend, Secretary General Kofi Anon flew to Libya in an attempt to bring the two suspected bombers into custody, and Moe Mark Adafi once again refused to release them. Tonight, Marie DeNoire reports on the enduring quest for justice. For the family's turned activists, it all started here in a field in Lockerby, Scotland 10 years ago, where Pan Am Flight 103 fell, a fiery wreck and uncompromising

death sentence. It truly was a war zone, the devastation, the aroma of death, destruction, would overwhelm you. Ert Amerman, who lost his brother Tom in the crash, has become one of the most outspoken, persistent advocates for justice. The crime, mass murder, and the name of terrorism. Here's the one case, where 189 Americans were massacred, and the two individuals were indicted in 91, and we know where they are, and we haven't moved in nearly seven years. And it begs the question why. Seven years ago, two Libyan agents were indicted and charged in the bombing, but they have yet to come into custody or to face trial. Libya resisted, releasing the suspects, and has suffered UN sanctions against the country since 1992. Susa Lowenstein's son, Alexander, was on that flight. Ten years make me realize that no justice has been served to the murderers, and that is really a very, very bitter fact to live with. But for some family members, it seemed justice might be

within reach this past summer, when Libya agreed to allow the trial take place in a neutral country. The suspects would face trial in the Netherlands under Scottish law. But Libyan leader Gaddafi is still pushing to attach conditions to that deal. This weekend, UN Secretary General Kaffee Anon tried to secure the suspects into custody, but failed. This past weekend was a disappointment, but not discouraging. There is no justice and justice looks farther away than it ever did. The hope was the 10th anniversary of this high-profile, terroristic strike on U.S. citizens would push high-ranking officials to get the case to trial. And many of the victims believe that may happen yet. The hope has become a comfort and a rallying point for some long-suffering loved ones. Affordite to Sarah's lost her daughter, Alexia, in the crash. That's what the part of me that needs to be taken care of, the justice part. We're redenoia and JNUs.

The Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May is facing the federal budget acts for the second time in four years. The installation sits on 450 acres and employs 355 people. The station is also home to search and rescue operations and navigation maintenance teams. They, however, would remain no matter what happens to the training center. Veterans organizations across the country and here in New Jersey marked Pearl Harbor today. Members of VFW post-5941 gathered on a pier at the Hear Fort Inlet in North Wildwood to pay tribute to those who died at Pearl Harbor 57 years ago today. They tossed a wreath into the inlet as a symbol of honor for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Japanese attack in Hawaii triggered the U.S.'s involvement in World War II. You know, Christmas is right around the corner when you hear those bells and see those friendly faces of the Salvation Army volunteers. This year, New Jersey's 26 main facilities hope

to raise a million dollars through their red kettle drive. But, as Bolinda Morton explains, that might not happen if more people don't volunteer to ring the bells. The Salvation Army has been helping the needy for more than a century, and they do it with the help of their ordained ministers and volunteers. But officials here in New Jersey have run into a problem during their most critical time of the year. There aren't enough volunteers to ring those bells. This is a very important time of year. The Salvation Army will raise almost 20 percent of its total operating budget in the next five weeks. So it's a very busy time also in terms of our service delivery and crucial in terms of people understanding who the Salvation Army is and what we do year round. Salvation Army officials say red kettle volunteers are needed at all of the state's 26 locations. We were helping over 300 families now in the Morristown area, and the other Salvation Army

has helped pretty much the same amount. Now that's 300 families which are about three to five people who are so in the family. So you times that by 300 families, that's a lot of people to help. And it's a Salvation Army who wasn't there. I don't know where they would turn. The success of that program is dependent upon two components. The first is having the number of people available in order to stand kettles. And the second is finding enough locations to put those kettles out so that enough people see them and enough people respond to our request for help. I love doing it. It's a way to meet people. It's a way to greet people and realize that you're helping someone who's less fortunate in ourselves. Anyone can volunteer to be a Salvation Army bell ring or all you have to do is contact your local Salvation Army headquarters. Belinda Morton, NJN News, Morristown. Dick's Business Report is coming up shortly. He's here now with a preview. Look, head rough sledding for Warner Lambert's stock today after reports his new diabetes drug, maybe linked to dozens of deaths. And this South Jersey company says it can track its sales

by watching the rising thermometer this month. Stay with us. If you have a comment, call 1-800-JERSEY-1 or our email address. NJN News at NJN.org. On the business meet, the stock of Warner Lambert fell nearly 3% in value today after news reports that question the safety of its new diabetes drug. Over the weekend, the Los Angeles Times reported

that the drug Resulin may be responsible for as many as 33 deaths. And according to the LA Times, the Food and Drug Administration removed one of its staff doctors when he was reviewing in Resulin for so-called fast track approval back in 1996. He recommended rejecting the drug. The Times article said the deaths were blamed on liver injuries related to the drug's use. Since it was introduced in 1997, Morris County-based Warner Lambert has strengthened the warning label on the medication three times. The drug is used by more than one million people, worldwide to treat adult onset diabetes. Warner Lambert today had no comment on the reports. More consolidation amongst new Jersey so-called community-based banks, Paseya County-based Lakeland Bank Corp has agreed to buy its North Jersey rival high-point financial and an all-stock deal valued at about $68 million. Lakeland has about 18 branches across North Jersey from Sussex to Essex County. We think that our cultures are pretty much the same. We're community banks. This is not a situation where a community bank is being sold to a large

mega bank out of state so that we feel that they people in the of Sussex County and the employees there and the shareholders of both organizations are going to greatly benefit from this. Branchburg-based high-point financial owns National Bank of Sussex County with nine branches. Elsewhere in New Jersey's banking industry, one of the state's oldest and largest independent community banks is spreading its wings. Columbia Savings Bank has opened a new state-of-the-art headquarters in Bergen County. Columbia manages some 29 branches in nine New Jersey counties. It has more than 400 employees. It also has $1.8 billion at assets. Columbia's president says the 71-year-old bank has determined to remain independent. We're mutually owned. That means no stockholders and that gives us the protection against takeover that that we need. We've added a couple of other measures as well that some more insulation against takeovers and that is our mutual holding company structure.

Columbia Savings says he plans to open four more branches in 1999. A second day of advances for stocks today is another cyber wave washed over the markets, computer and telecommunications related stocks led today's gains. The Dow added 54 to third to close at the 90-70 level. The Amax composite rose nearly four. The Nasdaq composite surged 37 and a half to a new record high. Add the S&P 500 advanced to about 11 bonds were little changed. It's hopes faded for another interest rate cut by the Fed. The long bond up three ticks in price and it's yield steady at 5.03 percent. Well, the recent record high temperatures may have consumers thinking thoughts of summer, not hunkering down for winter. Or so I would seem at this South Jersey manufacturer of outdoor furniture. Tidewater workshop says its sales have just about doubled compared to the same period last year. Tidewater sells its cedar furnishings like Adirondack chairs, garden benches and picnic tables directly with its catalog and

over the web. Perfect story for the weather we've been having right off time. People walking around in short sleeves around here today. Well will this spring like weather speaking of that stay with us the forecast is coming up. Jerry how about sports? We've got a fall sport Rutgers gets ready for its biggie schedule to look at them next. And sports just six games into the college basketball season. Everything's just fine at Rutgers. Thank you. Let's call it nights are off to their best start since the 91-92 season at 5 and 1.

Late this afternoon they were getting ready for tomorrow night's biggest opener at Georgetown. A team they beat twice last season including the biggest tournament coach Kevin Bannon likes where his team is at this point in the season. Well it certainly feels good the guys have done what they've needed to do at this point in the year and that's beat the people you should be play well try to get some momentum going into conference play and we feel good about that but we also are bright enough at experiencing stuff to know that there's some real strong teams down the road starting with Georgetown as our first big east opponent and we're going to have to take it to another level like most teams this type of year if we want to have the kind of season that we envision. As soon as like Rob Hodgson and Jeff Billy have been around long enough to know how important it is to win the early games those that you're supposed to win they can also sense something a little different in the air at Rutgers these days. TV crews I think this is the first time we got a couple TV crews you can see it's a good feeling you know I think there's just another sign of positive energy it's kind of building up around our program. I was talking

to people we had 7500 people here the other night for a non-conference game which is something that's you know never happened before and so you know I think you know there's an expectations are kind of growing and I think now you know this is this is a big big road trip for us and it's starting our biggest year and it's it's going to be fun and exciting and hopefully you know we're going to be up to the challenge. High expectations this year elsewhere the Rutgers women dropped from 11 to 14th in the nation on this week's AP poll after losing to Ohio State Saturday and you just may see some NBA players in action after all that long room at exhibition game featuring locked out players of schedule for December 19th in Atlantic City organized a say 13 players have committed to play so far in the charity game including Patrick you and Carl Malone and Reggie Miller so all is not lost yet. Thank you Jerry. Well another unseasonably warm and mild day across New Jersey today as the East Coast continues to enjoy spring-like temperatures. The high in the state got up to 77 a record for Atlantic City on this state and the warmer the normal conditions for December have

extended the fishing season. John Cantara was out today in North Wildwood and was richly rewarded for his patients he reeled in this beauty a striped bass not normal normally around in December anyway. Water temperatures in the 50s today. Here's the New Jersey forecast in the northern part of the state tonight cloudy with rain likely overnight lows in the mid 40s tomorrow expect showers and much cooler conditions highs only in the upper 40s in South Jersey tonight rain with lows in the upper 30s and tomorrow more showers with highs in the mid 50s there. And finally tonight top scholastic honors for two New Jersey women who have been named Rhodes Scholars they were among 32 Americans selected for the oldest international study award available to U.S. students. Biology major Dina Pedowski made history at Drew University the first Rhodes scholar to come out of that school. Drew President Tom Kane congratulated Pedowski selected from more than 900 applicants. She heads to

Oxford next fall. My entire life has changed. I'm going to be headed to Oxford to study for a couple years and it's really taken I guess 21 years to achieve this and I'll take the rest of my life to fulfill it. Carla Peter Minna of South Orange was also selected she attends Howard University in Washington DC outstanding and we send our congratulations to both. That's our news for tonight I can't run a hand for Dick and Jerry and all of us here at NJN News thank you for being with us good night you

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