New Jersey

Leslie Scott

POMPTON LAKES — There's no question that all-terrain vehicles are beneficial for the community: Local emergency service departments use them to find stranded hikers and transport equipment through hilly areas.

But residents lately are seeing a downside: Wooded areas ripped apart by people taking joy rides on ATVs.

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE - A jury found Middle Township resident Kenneth Copson guilty of aggravated asault and eluding police, both second-degree crimes, in connection with the May 15, 2008 assault of Middle Township police Officer Steven Novsak.

Copson was riding an all-terrain vehicle early that morning when he hit Novsak in the leg on a Middle Township road.

Brian Ianieri

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE - Prosecutors said Kenneth Copson drove his all-terrain vehicle with no headlights through dimly lit streets and off-road trails, trying to elude Middle Township police officers.

Then he ran one over.

Michele S. Byers

The phrase "lame duck" doesn't usually evoke great deeds and transformational events. Politically, lame duck can mean chaos in the Legislature, something like a concert with everything from Mussorgsky's frenzied "Night on Bald Mountain" to Tchaikovsky's serene "Swan Lake."

"Lame duck" is the period between a November election and the seating of a newly elected Legislature the following January. It's the last chance to pass bills that are nearly through the legislative process. In fact, bills not passed during lame duck have to be reintroduced by the new Legislature and started all over again. Lame duck can also be a time to rush through some bad bills, leaving opponents little time to organize against them.

Michele S. Byers

The phrase "lame duck" doesn't usually evoke great deeds and transformational events. Politically, lame duck can mean chaos in the state Legislature, something like a concert with everything from Mussorgsky's frenzied "Night on Bald Mountain" to Tchaikovsky's serene "Swan Lake."

"Lame duck" is the period between a November election and the seating of a newly elected Legislature the following January. It's the last chance to pass bills that are nearly through the legislative process. In fact, bills not passed during lame duck have to be re-introduced by the new Legislature and start all over again. Lame duck can also be a time to rush through some bad bills, leaving opponents little time to organize against them.

Matt Gray

COMMERCIAL TWP. — State police have been conducting ATV patrols and will continue to do so, Trooper Roy Cartwright told the Commercial Township Committee on Thursday.

One rider was followed to his home and taken to the Port Norris station, Cartwright said.

Kathy Dzielak

The history of the Raritan River runs through my very veins.

My great-great grandfather, Capt. William Fox, an Irish immigrant, ran a transportation and boating business to New York City from the Raritan's New Brunswick banks.

TRENTON -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the second trial of a 23-year-old city man accused of running over and killing a woman with an all-terrain vehicle on a city street seven years ago.

Recardo McKoy of Euclid Avenue is charged with aggravated manslaughter, aggravated manslaughter while eluding police, death by auto and eluding police in the 2002 crash that took the life of a 53-year-old Pennsylvania woman.

Donna Weaver

Little Egg Harbor Township - Early Thursday morning, the township Zoning Board voted overwhelmingly to reject an off-road vehicle park proposed in the township.

The fourth and final meeting lasted five hours, according to applicant Dale Freitas, director of the Atlantic Off-Highway Vehicle Park.