DOVER — Love and community spirit filled the air at Dover’s Valentine’s Day Community Dance, held at Casa Puerto Rico. Residents of all ages came together for a night of music, dancing, and celebration, making it a memorable event.

A special thank you goes out to Dover’s Recreation Department, Uceda Dover volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making the evening a success. Their dedication and hard work continue to strengthen the bonds within our community.

Events like these remind us that Dover thrives on unity, joy, and togetherness.

DOVER — Julia Baranello was named to the Dean’s List during the Fall 2024 academic semester at Salve Regina University. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 for full-time students completing at least 12 graded credits, or a semester grade point average of 3.8 for part-time students completing at least six credits.

Salve Regina University is a Catholic, coeducational institution of higher education founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1947. For more than 75 years, Salve has offered rigorous, innovative academic programming in the liberal arts tradition that prepares students to be global citizens and lifelong learners. Over 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students worldwide are enrolled at Salve in 48 undergraduate majors, nine master’s degree programs, combined bachelor’s/master’s programs, and doctoral programs.

Every undergraduate student engages in Salve Compass, a four-year transformational program through which they develop the experience, skills, and wisdom required for a fulfilling career and to make a positive difference in the world. The University is also home to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, a multi-disciplinary research center focused on the intersection of politics, policy, and ideas. For more information, visit salve.edu.

DOVER — Julia Baranello fue nombrada en la Lista del Decano durante el semestre académico de otoño de 2024 en la Universidad Salve Regina. Para calificar para la Lista del Decano, los estudiantes deben obtener un promedio de calificaciones semestral de 3.6 para los estudiantes de tiempo completo que completen al menos 12 créditos con calificación, o un promedio de 3.8 para los estudiantes de medio tiempo que completen al menos seis créditos.

La Universidad Salve Regina es una institución católica, mixta y de educación superior fundada por las Hermanas de la Misericordia en 1947. Durante más de 75 años, Salve ha ofrecido una educación académica rigurosa e innovadora en la tradición de las artes liberales, preparando a los estudiantes para ser ciudadanos globales y aprendices de por vida. Actualmente, más de 2,700 estudiantes de pregrado y posgrado de todo el mundo están inscritos en Salve en 48 programas de licenciatura, nueve programas de maestría, programas combinados de licenciatura/maestría y programas de doctorado.

Cada estudiante de pregrado participa en Salve Compass, un programa transformador de cuatro años a través del cual desarrollan la experiencia, las habilidades y la sabiduría necesarias para una carrera gratificante y para generar un impacto positivo en el mundo. La universidad también alberga el Centro Pell para Relaciones Internacionales y Política Pública, un centro de investigación multidisciplinario enfocado en la intersección de la política, las políticas públicas y las ideas.

Para más información, visite salve.edu.

DOVER — The stage is set, the lights are ready, and the talented students of Dover High School are gearing up to showcase their skills at the highly anticipated Dover Talent Show. Hosted by the Dover Educational Foundation, the event will take place on Friday, February 21st, at 6:30 p.m. in the Dover High School Auditorium at 100 Grace Street.

This exciting evening will feature diverse performances, including singers, dancers, musicians, rappers, poets, and more. Whether students showcase their musical talents, teachers surprise the audience with hidden skills, or dancers wow the crowd with energetic routines, the Dover Talent Show promises to be an unforgettable night of entertainment.

The event aims to foster community spirit and encourage artistic expression among students and faculty. A $5.00 suggested donation will support local educational initiatives, making this a celebration of talent and a way to give back to the community.

“We are thrilled to bring this event to Dover and provide a platform for our students and teachers to shine,” said a representative from the Dover Educational Foundation. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together, cheer for their peers, and enjoy a night of creativity.”

With a lineup packed with incredible performances and a supportive crowd ready to applaud, the Dover Talent Show is shaping up to be an electrifying evening. Don’t miss the chance to witness the amazing talent that Dover has to offer!

DOVER — On Saturday, January 18, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Dover Police Department responded to a report of a driver asleep at a stop sign at the intersection of East Dickerson Street and South Morris Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a silver 2015 Honda Accord with the driver, later identified as Oscar Gonzalez, 49, Dover, asleep behind the wheel. The vehicle was still in drive, and the doors were locked.

Officers were unsuccessful after multiple attempts to wake him by knocking on the window and shaking the vehicle. For safety reasons, an officer used a window punch to break the window, allowing them to place the vehicle in park and turn it off.

Once Gonzalez exited the vehicle, officers detected bloodshot, watery eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol. Gonzalez stated he was at a local establishment and had consumed five bottles of beer.

Field Sobriety & Breath Test Results

Gonzalez was asked to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), which resulted in the following:

• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test – Lacked smooth pursuit, showed distinct Nystagmus at maximum deviation, and exhibited onset Nystagmus before 45 degrees.
• Walk and Turn Test – He could not maintain balance, and the test was terminated for his safety.
• One Leg Stand Test – Swayed in a circular motion, placed his foot down multiple times, and the test was again terminated for his safety.

Based on his performance, Gonzalez was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).

He was transported to police headquarters, provided with the Standard Statement form in Spanish and agreed to a breath test. Due to Dover’s Alcotest machine being out of order, he was taken to the Randolph Police Department for testing.

The breathalyzer test resulted in a BAC of .14%, which exceeds the legal limit of 0.08%.

Gonzalez was issued the following summonses:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50) – BAC of .14%, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%.
• Obstructing Passage of Other Vehicles (N.J.S.A. 39:4-67) – The vehicle stopped at an intersection while the driver was asleep.
• Careless Driving: Likely to Endanger Person or Property (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97) – Creating a roadway hazard by remaining at a stop sign in an unresponsive state.

Gonzalez is scheduled to appear in court on the charges. He could face fines, license suspension, and possible jail time if convicted.

Gonzalez was later released into the custody of a friend who signed the responsible party form. His vehicle was towed under John’s Law.

Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

DOVER – A local man was arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) after a traffic stop in the early hours of New Year’s Day, according to the Dover Police Department.

At approximately 4:17 a.m. on January 1, 2025, Dover Township Police Officer German Liranzo, stationed at a traffic light at Mount Hope Avenue and US Route 46 intersection, observed a blue Nissan Sentra making an improper left turn. The vehicle, later found to be operated by Carlos A. Molina, 25, Ledgewood, reportedly had a loud muffler and was tailgating another vehicle. As the driver continued, officers noted erratic behavior, including revving the engine and inconsistent braking.

After following the vehicle, police initiated a traffic stop at Maple Avenue and Oak Street. Upon being asked for his documents, Molina allegedly struggled to locate his insurance information, initially opening a Capital One Bank app instead of his State Farm insurance app.

During the interaction, officers detected bloodshot and watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol from within the vehicle. When asked to step out of the car, Molina sprayed cologne on himself, prompting further suspicion. He admitted to having two shots of tequila at a family event earlier in the night.

Failed Sobriety Tests Lead to Arrest

Molina was asked to perform a series of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) on a level surface. According to the report:

• During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, Molina lacked smooth pursuit and moved his head rather than following the officer’s pen with just his eyes.
• During the Walk and Turn test, he failed to maintain balance, took an incorrect number of steps, and stepped off the line.
• During the One Leg Stand test, he failed to follow instructions, put his foot down multiple times, and stopped before being instructed to do so.

Following these tests, Molina was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was handcuffed, advised of his Miranda rights in Spanish, and transported to Dover Police Headquarters for processing.

Breath Test Confirms Intoxication

At headquarters, Molina was provided with the Standard Statement form in Spanish and agreed to provide breath samples. Due to an equipment issue at the Dover Police Department, he was transported to the Randolph Police Department, where he submitted two breath samples into an Alcotest machine.

The results revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15%, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08% in New Jersey.

Molina was issued the following summons:
•Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – N.J.S.A. 39:4-50
•Following too Close – N.J.S.A. 39:4-89

Molina was later released into the custody of a friend who signed a responsible party form. Molina was issued multiple summonses and is scheduled to appear in court on January 27, 2025.

Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.