DUI Lawyers in Knowlton, NJ

KNOWLTON -- When the call came from the municipal clerk to get to Town Hall as quickly as possible because somebody needed to see her, Mayor Adele Starrs' immediate response to the clerk was: "Are we getting sued?"

Then, as she walked in the back door that morning, a video camera was "thrust in my face. I'm thinking now, ‘They not only are suing us, but taping my reaction, too?' "

Instead, the crew waiting inside the clerk's office was from NBC's "Today" show to produce a segment on working mothers, scheduled to air this morning in the 9 o'clock hour.

Starrs, her husband, Tom, and their children, Xavier 17; Lily, 15; Brigette, 11; and Helen, 4; took the family van to New York City on Thursday night where the network had booked hotel rooms.

"To the kids, it's like we're going to Disney World," Starrs said Thursday afternoon before the trip began.

During "Today: Third Hour," the segment taped in Knowlton will be broadcast, then the women featured "will be on the couch talking to the anchors," Starrs said of the plans.

Her prize for being selected? It came on the day the crew showed up in Knowlton.

"They said they were there to do whatever I wanted them to do," Starrs answered, and her requests were pretty wide open.

For the rest of the day, the television crew -- those who were not running cameras and sound equipment -- did some odd chores.

For the township: "I asked them to pick up litter along Simpson Road," which parallels Interstate 80 and is home to a truck stop and several fast food restaurants. "They were the best litter patrol we ever had," the mayor said of the volunteer crew.

For the home: "Well, I said I wanted some quiet time to just enjoy a cup of tea." That's when she and her sister, Elizabeth Starrs, went to a small shop and relaxed.

Elizabeth and Adele are married to brothers and share a last name. It was Elizabeth who saw a blurb that "Today" was looking for nominations of working moms and submitted her sister's name.

"I also wanted to take a long, quiet walk with just me and Tom," Starrs said, "so the crew helped the kids with their homework, and made some place mats."

The best part was yet to come.

In her normal routine, Starrs cooks dinner for eight every night -- the six Starrs and her parents, Linda and Charles Wilson, who live about three miles away.

On her "special day," the production crew brought along Jet Tila, currently the chef of The Charleston and Pakpao Thai, who has been on several cooking shows, including "Iron Chef."

Dinner that night was "the most succulent prime rib I've ever had," she said, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts wrapped in bacon and garlic and a green salad.

Dessert was a milk chocolate cake.

Starrs is more than just a wife, mom and hands-on mayor.

The Township Committee annually picks one of its members for the position of mayor. Starrs was elected to the committee in 2014 and has been selected mayor each year since 2015.

As mayor, Starrs is spokesperson for the township, is the contact person for residents and oversees the town hall staff. She also serves on the Planning Board and has said in the past she doesn't have time to keep track of the hours spent as mayor.

She also is a freelance copy editor who used to work in New York City.

One of the books she worked on was written by Al Roker, one of the anchors of the "Today" show.

"I don't think he knows that," Starrs said.

After the television show is over, the Starrs family plans to take in some sightseeing in the city, but not for long.

"We have to get back early," she said in her best "mom" voice: "It's Xavier's (junior) prom night."

Knowlton Township, NJ (May 26, 2025) – A motorcyclist sustained injuries Sunday night after crashing into a guardrail on the I-80 eastbound on-ramp at Route 94 in Knowlton Township. The incident was reported around 11:28 p.m., according to fire and EMS alerts in the region.

Emergency crews from local fire departments and EMS responded promptly to the scene. The crash involved a single motorcycle that collided with the roadside guardrail. First responders treated the injured rider on scene before transporting them for further medical evaluation. The extent of the rider’s injuries has not been publicly disclosed, but they were confirmed to be non-fatal.

Traffic may have been temporarily impacted in the area as crews worked to assess the scene and clear debris. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Motorcycle Crashes and Ramp Hazards in Rural New Jersey

Late-night motorcycle crashes, particularly those occurring on highway ramps like the I-80 eastbound on-ramp at Route 94, highlight the heightened risks motorcyclists face due to road curvature, reduced lighting, and sudden changes in road texture or conditions. Guardrails, while designed to protect vehicles from more severe run-offs, can cause severe injury when collided with at high speeds—especially for riders who lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle.

Knowlton Township, located in a rural section of Warren County, features multiple high-speed connector ramps between major highways. These areas can be especially dangerous for motorcycles during off-peak hours when visibility is low and emergency response may take longer due to distance.

Motorcyclists are urged to exercise caution when navigating entrance and exit ramps, reduce speed in curved sections, and ensure their headlights and protective gear are in top condition. This crash serves as a reminder of the importance of rider awareness and roadway maintenance, especially on highway infrastructure not always designed with motorcycles in mind.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, Local Accident Reports can help you access essential recovery resources—from legal support to medical referrals. Reach out today to learn how we can assist you in navigating your recovery after a serious crash.

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The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced today that it has preserved one site and supported the protection of two other parcels totaling 454 acres in Warren and Sussex counties as part of a habitat preservation project called Bobcat Alley in New Jersey’s section of the Appalachians Mountains.

The 96,000-acre corridor, situated along and between the Kittatinny Ridge and Highlands, contains mature forests, cold-water streams and rock outcrops that provide ideal conditions for iconic animals like state-endangered bobcats and wood turtles to thrive, while protecting drinking water for residents of northern New Jersey. The area is important not only for the state, but on a continental level as a vital link in the 2,000-mile Appalachian Mountain range, one of the most resilient and species-rich landscapes in the world.

Project leads at TNC and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLC-NJ), Montville, N.J., secured $2,924,400 in public and private funds toward the total cost of $3,245,800 to secure the land, and The Big G Foundation of Basking Ridge, N.J., supplied the remaining $321,400. Additional partners in the conservation closing included the Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund—a joint initiative of William Penn Foundation, Philadelphia, Pa., and Open Space Institute, New York, N.Y.—as well as New Jersey Green Acres Program, Trenton, N.J., and Warren County and Knowlton Township.

TNC led the protection of the first parcel, 189 acres of field and forest in the Mount Pleasant section of Knowlton Township, Warren County. The property serves as an important link in habitat connectivity between the Kittatinny Ridge and the Paulins Kill valley, and contains Yards Creek and Paulins Kill Category One streams. The new preserve will be reforested and managed by Warren County.

For more than 20 years, TLC-NJ has been working to permanently safeguard the second site, 248 acres of rolling hills and forest in Hampton Township, Sussex County. With this longstanding goal now achieved, TLC-NJ will complete some crucial restoration work before donating the property to New Jersey Natural Lands Trust.

Working together, TNC and TLC-NJ protected an additional 17 acres of limestone forest in Frelinghuysen Township, Warren County, adjacent to a previous parcel conserved in 2024. Both properties flank the Paulins Kill and contain hemlock forest habitat that is becoming increasingly rare in the NJ Appalachians. They will be held publicly by Warren County as part of their White Lake Natural Area.

Quote: Barbara Brummer

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“We are building Bobcat Alley piece by piece in a state where the land parcel sizes are modest, but cost is at a premium,” said Barbara Brummer, TNC’s New Jersey State Director. “The project takes patience, commitment and teamwork, and we truly appreciate the partners that stepped up to help us protect these beautiful and critical natural areas for wildlife and people.”

"These two open space projects demonstrate our commitment to preserving the natural beauty and ecological value of Warren County,” said Jason J. Sarnoski, Director of the Warren County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re proud to be part of these efforts and are grateful to all the collaborators. The addition of this property and the land along the Paulinskill will enhance our parklands and provide new opportunities for conservation, recreation, and environmental stewardship throughout the Warren County community."

“Preserving these resilient and connected lands will not only help to protect the Paulinskill and Delaware River – a vital source of drinking water for millions – but it will also help protect critical forests, meadows, and wildlife habitat. New Jersey’s portion of the Appalachian range is crucial to the survival of many vulnerable plant and animal species, so it’s important that we protect this amazing landscape before it’s too late,” added Corey Tierney, Director of the Warren County Land Preservation Department

Sandy Urgo, Vice President of Land Preservation, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, said, “Simultaneously preserving three outstanding properties is the ultimate finale for the effort we have known as the Delaware River Watershed Initiative. We commend the William Penn Foundation, the Open Space Institute, The Nature Conservancy and New Jersey Green Acres, for their partnership and support in completing these and so many other land protection projects, which have permanently changed the landscape of New Jersey, in the last few years. Bravo! The importance and relevance of the Delaware River in the region, cannot be overstated. The effort to protect the Delaware and its major tributary, the Paulins Kill, was more than a worthy idea; it was momentous. Clean and abundant water is a prerequisite for a thriving economy, and healthy cities, counties, and residents.”

Mike Galesi, Founder of the Big G Foundation, was inspired to support the project in memory of his father, who introduced him to the beauty and wonder of the wilderness. “Now more than ever with our technological and industrial societies, it is absolutely crucial to preserve what is left of these undeveloped areas. We were happy help bridge the funding gaps on these three parcels, which—now protected—will move this migratory corridor in northwestern New Jersey closer to completion.”

The Nature Conservancy has conserved more than 60,000 acres of land in New Jersey and aims to double that total by 2030, including 10,000 acres in Bobcat Alley and 50,000 in other priority landscapes around the state.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.