DUI Lawyers in Raritan, NJ

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Natale family after a house fire broke out, with the mom and three children(ages 1, 2, and 5) inside.

Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff

RARITAN, NJ — The community is coming together for a Raritan family after a devastating fire destroyed their home and injured the mom along with three young children on Monday.

The fire was reported at around 2 p.m. at a home on Helene Place near the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater, where Codilyn and her three children, ages 1, 2, and 5, were inside.

The 2-year-old child suffered burns to one of her arms and was taken to a local hospital. The 1-year-old child, the 5-year-old child, and Codilyn were also treated for smoke inhalation.

"In a matter of minutes, everything they owned — their belongings, clothes, toys, and irreplaceable memories — was lost in the flames," wrote a family friend Cassie Leight, who started a GoFundMefundraising website for the family. "They are now starting from scratch with nothing but the clothes on their backs."

The family is in urgent need of support to cover the costs of temporary housing, clothing, food, baby supplies, and the long road ahead of rebuilding their lives.

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Since the fundraiser was started one day ago, it has raised more than $10,000 of its $30,000 goal.

"Your kindness and generosity can help give them a fresh start and show them they’re not alone," said Leight.

Leight is also collecting clothes, toys, and diapers(size 5 or Pull-Ups size 2T). Their sizes are 2T (boy), 2T (girl), and 4T/5T (girl). To donate supplies, reach out to Leight via private message on the GoFundMe page.

For more information or to donate visit gofundme.com/f/help-the-natale-family-rebuild-after-devastating-house-fire.

The oldest child also attends North Branch Reformed Church Preschool which also shared an Amazon Wishlist for the family at amazon.com/hz/wishlist.

A diaper collection bin will also be located inside by the drop-off door of the preschool at 203 State Route 28, Bridgewater.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Metal contaminants at high levels have been found in a section of the Raritan River, NJ Advance Media has learned.

Attorneys for NL Industries, formerly National Lead, outlined the findings in a legal status report — as part of a remediation investigation.

The company previously operated a titanium dioxide plant in the area and has been embroiled in litigation with bay groups, which have demanded an extensive river cleanup for years.

A lawyer for NL Industries said in the report that metals concentrations in Lower Raritan River sediments exceeded New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection “ecological screening thresholds,” according to preliminary samplings.

Emails and calls to NL Industries and its attorney were not returned Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.

NJ Advance Media obtained the company’s initial analysis of the metals — for materials like arsenic, copper, lead, nickel and zinc — from a consultant presentation.

Sediment refers to the sand-like materials that can occur from weathering and erosion. It is found at the bottom of rivers and made up of things like silt, clay and pebbles.

Samples of sediments were taken in the Raritan River between half-a-foot and 2-feet deep, the company said in sampling documents. A map showed testing done on the river near Sayreville where the waterway crests around Victory Bridge and by the Garden State Parkway.

Charts of the findings showed that practically all the metals sampled were past the lower levels of concentrations for what’s standard. Depending on which metal and which section of the river, some findings were at or past higher thresholds too.

It remains unclear how public and wildlife safety in the region sampled may be impacted.

While metals can be naturally-occurring in bodies of water, New Jersey bay groups charged this week that locals may not know the full scope of the problem yet.

“One thing to keep in mind when you look at the sampling, you also have to look at the depth of the sampling,” Bill Schultz, of Raritan Riverkeeper, said on the phone Thursday, estimating that channel depth in that river span is as deep as 15 feet.

“(NL Industries is) only scratching the surface with their samples.”

In the report, attorneys for NL Industries said the metal contaminant levels are not out of line for a river in an urban setting, and are not likely to spread or impact people.

But Schultz, an advocate for the Raritan River for more than 30 years, said he and others want to know more. Especially, they said, because after decades of industrial use, the river has been in a transitional phase for several years and is opening up more to the public.

Schultz himself uses the Lower Raritan recreationally — including to fish for fluke and striped bass.

“When you’re talking about the possibility of some pudgy kid from Perth Amboy going out fishing and pulling in a 50-pound striped bass, just about in his backyard ... that is amazing,” he said, laughing.

In 2009, the Edison Wetlands Association, NY/NJ Baykeeper and Raritan Riverkeeper filed a citizen lawsuit against NL Industries, a notorious polluter in the region.

The goal of the suit? Compel the company to further investigate and — possibly — remediate heavy metals in Raritan River sediments adjacent to NL’s former titanium dioxide plant in Sayreville.

The groups were represented by the law firm Terris, Pravlik and Millian.

NL Industries once manufactured titanium dioxide, a pigment used in paints, inks and other products.

At the time its Sayreville plant closed in 1982, NL Industries was the most heavily-fined polluter in the Garden State, amassing dozens of air and water violations in the prior decade.

The Texas-based company, which spent millions to control air emissions and reduce the concentration of pollutants it dumped in the Atlantic Ocean, has also been linked to known toxic sites in Old Bridge and Oldsmans Township.

Riverkeeper advocates have continued to point to the importance of the Raritan River, among the largest waterways in New Jersey and the longest river system located entirely within the state.

Groups said Wednesday that data collected in 2000 and 2002 by NL Industries showed that metal contaminants were beyond state standards, namely for arsenic.

“In June 2024, the federal court determined that NL was responsible for contributing to metals contamination of the sediments but left open the issue of whether the current levels of metals may present a risk to humans and the environment while NL conducted sampling,” Edison Wetlands Association and NY/NJ Baykeeper said in a joint statement on the latest news.

This week, bay organizers said, it was confirmed new data from NL Industries revealed metals exceeding DEP safety standards.

A DEP spokesman said Thursday that the department does not comment on ongoing litigation.

In the status report, obtained by NJ Advance Media, an attorney for the company said initial sampling included the collection of 142 sediment samples from 49 locations.

“Following completion of the sampling, the licensed site remediation professional performed a quality assurance/quality control evaluation of the data as part of the standard data usability review process,” an attorney from Archer & Greiner, which represents NL Industries, said in the report.

Lawyers for the company said the sampling review was completed this past January.

NL Industries, in the report, said the metal findings:

Jersey bay advocates said they were dubious of the claims.

Although the extent of contamination remains unclear, groups are raising the alarm and continue to demand further investigation and a cleanup of the Lower Raritan paid for by NL — in line with other remediation efforts.

“Baykeeper contends that metals that can cause an array of health issues to humans, fish and wildlife,” Greg Remaud, of NY/NJ Baykeeper, told NJ Advance Media, noting that more people visit the Raritan River nowadays and reports of more striped bass have picked up as well.

The state’s Fish and Wildlife division also deposits rainbow trout in the river.

“The new data show what we have always suspected,” Remaud said, “the high level of metals in the sediments is similar today to what it was 25 years ago, not dissipating as NLI claimed.”

RARITAN BOROUGH — Cat lovers, rejoice!

Somerset County is getting its first-ever cat café this summer. Catcetera, is located at 42 W. Somerset Street, Suite B, in Raritan.

That's right. You can cuddle with cats in this living room type setting.

What is a cat café?

Cat cafes, or cat lounges, began in Taiwan in 1998 as free-roam lounges with adoptable cats offering unique experiences for people to hang out with the animals, while promoting adoption and reducing euthanasia rates.

The first U.S. cat lounge opened in 2014 in California, which has rescued more than 3,000 cats to date.

The first New Jersey cat lounge opened in 2017, in Asbury Park, called Catsbury Park. Since then, two other cat cafes have opened in the state: Rahway Kitty Hall in Rahway, and Purrsonal Space in Palmyra.

Catcetera

New Jersey residents Wendi Zimmerman and Jessica Adams are the co-founders and co-owners of Catcetera, which plans to open on June 1, 2025.

Currently, there are no cat cafes in Somerset County. By opening one locally, they said they can give people the opportunity to experience a cat lounge and not have to travel far to do it.

Catcetera is an inclusive lounge for the community to come together to share their love of cats and each other, the women said. It’s a space to find joy, feel belonging, and save lives.

“Our mission is to make our community a better place, one cat and one person at a time. Partnering with local animal rescues, we foster adoptable cats in a free-roam lounge, allowing people to enjoy the company of cats in a fun, safe, and comfortable space,” Zimmerman and Adams wrote in a joint statement.

What To Expect

The main cat lounge at Catcetera will house 15 to 20 cats at a time in a relaxed, living room-type environment, the women said. A smaller secondary lounge will house kittens, shy cats, etc., separate from the retail area.

People can enjoy time with the cats by booking an hour online for $20, If space allows, walk-ins will be welcome. For frequent visitors, a membership will be offered at a discounted rate to encourage continued support.

Events

Community outreach events will be a constant at Catcetera. Weekly fun events include cat yoga, drag bingo, movie nights, kids’ story hour, painting with cats, open mic night, crafting with cats, and trivia/game night.

Other events include LGBTQIA+ teen nights, senior mornings, neurodivergent/sensory friendly hours, educational classes on fostering, kitten care, bottle feeding, caring for colony cats, and TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release).

There will also be “Work for Catcetera” blocks during weekday afternoons for those feeling isolated while working remotely. They can visit for multiple hours at a single hourly rate, taking advantage of the facility’s Wi-fi access, and desk space.Merchandise

The retail area found at the main entrance into Catcetera is where customes can find cat-themed items and store-branded items such as t-shirts, hoodies, hats, socks, children’s toys, books, cat toys and treats, gifts and jewelry, pre-packaged snacks to include vegan, gluten-free, and allergy friendly, local artwork, and other quirky fun cat finds.

Partners

Zimmerman and Adams said they are working with local shelters and rescues. Offering Catcetera as a foster space allows the local animal rescues to rescue and save animals.

All adoption fees will go back to the local rescue where the cat is fostered from to help cover the costs of fully vetting the adoptable cats.

It’s More Than Just About Adoptions

People frequent cat lounges for many other reasons besides adoptions, Zimmerman and Adams said. It’s something fun to do while supporting the community. People can socialize with each other and with animals without any pressure. Most come to simply enjoy the company of cats.

Zimmerman grew up with many animals, especially cats. She’s fostered cats multiple times and has owned 14 over the years. She worked at a veterinarian's office as a teenager. Today, she has five cats: Susan, Ruth, Milo, Teddy, and Pico.

Adams was born to parents who were dog and cat enthusiasts. She, too, has had multiple pets in her life at all times, and currently shares a home with her dog Veruca, and cats Alanis and Penelope.

The women hope that three to five cats per week will be adopted once Catcetera opens.

What could be better than sipping a latte, eating a snack, getting some work done or watching a movie — surrounded by soft, cuddly cats?

That’s the concept of cat cafes and cat lounges, which are especially popular in Asia. At these businesses, people pay by the hour to hang out with cats, who are also available for adoption, in a cage-free space.

In New Jersey, there are just a few cat cafes, and they’re usually booked up. But this summer, Somerset County’s first cat cafe will open its doors.

Catcetera will open at 44 W Somerset St., Suite B in Raritan. Twenty to 30 adoptable cats will be housed there at all times thanks to foster partnerships with local animal shelters. Regular hourly admission will be $20.

But like its name implies, there will be a lot more to do at Catcetera than just hang out with cats.

“In Latin, ‘etcetera’ means ‘the leftovers’ and this is about leftover cats, people, events and feelings all rolled up in one,” said Bridgewater resident Wendi Zimmerman, who co-owns Catcetera alongside Manville resident Jessica Adams. “Catcetera will be a wide scope of things besides just petting cats.”

The spot will host several events per week including cat yoga, crafting, movie screenings, comedy nights, bingo, remote working hours, cat care classes, kids’ story time, painting with cats, LBGTQ teen nights, sensory-friendly nights and senior hangouts.

The latter two are especially important to Zimmerman.

“My daughter is autistic so we are very aware of overstimulation," she said. "And one of my mom’s biggest fears was going to a nursing home and not being able to have her cat with her, so I feel for a lot of seniors in that situation."

One of the best parts of the new business, Zimmerman said, will be helping cats find loving homes. She hopes that visitors to Catcetera will adopt three to five cats per week.

“Shelters are necessary, but they can be loud and noisy, and cats are scared in corners or clawing to get out,” Zimmerman said. “The lounge environment gives you a place where you can sit down on a couch and see the true personalities of the cats. It’s a lot less stressful for both them and humans.”

Adoption fees will go back to the local rescue where the cat is fostered from.

Catcetera will also sell pre-packaged snacks and drinks, including vegan and gluten-free items from local bakeries, as well as cat-themed merchandise. Items for sale both in-store and online will include clothing, kids’ toys and books, cat toys and treats, gifts, jewelry, artwork and quirky cat-themed finds.

Zimmerman grew up with tons of animals, especially cats, and worked at a veterinarian office as a teenager — where she was known for being able to handle “unmanageable” cats.

She’s also fostered cats multiple times, and has owned 14 over the years. She currently has five: Susan, Ruth, Milo, Teddy and Pico.

Adams is a longtime animal lover, too. She's always had pets, and currently has two cats named Alanis and Penelope.

During COVID-19, Zimmerman re-evaluated her career in the decorative plumbing industry. She approached Adams, her co-worker and friend, with the idea of starting a cat cafe.

Zimmerman drew back to times when she had visited Catsbury Park, an Asbury Park cat cafe where she has fostered and adopted two cats.

“I saw how happy Catsbury Park made people, and the events and community building they did, and I wanted to bring that closer to home — that feeling where people can walk in and feel like they belong and feel good.” Zimmerman said. “No one is ever sad when they’re petting a cat.”

Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she's a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State's buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.

RARITAN, NJ — After almost two and a half years, Bridgewater native Steven Chiocchi closed his Raritan location of Ambee Coffee.

"While this space has been a meaningful part of our journey, the foot traffic in that area has remained too light to sustain the store’s long-term success — especially with our Somerville café just over a mile away," wrote Chiocchi on Ambee Coffee Co.'s social page.

The store at 101 Second Ave. in Raritan in the shopping center off Route 202 near the Somerville Circle, closed on Sunday.

All of the Ambee team members in Raritan will remain working and be moved to the Warren and Somerville stores.

While one door is closing, others are opening for Chiocchi.

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"We're also excited about what’s ahead. We have new locations in the works — places that we believe are truly the right fit for Ambee and our mission. We can’t wait to share more with you soon," said Chiocchi. "Thank you for your continued support and belief in what we’re building. Our journey is just getting started."

Most recently, the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, have partnered with Chiocchi to create a special Jersey Diners Blend of coffee. Read More: Somerset Patriots, Bridgewater Local Team Up To Brew New Coffee Blend

The Jersey Diners Blend, celebrating the Patriots’ award-winning Jersey Diners alternate identity, is a limited-edition dark roast coffee originating from Columbia, Honduras and Timor that features walnut, chocolate and cherries.

The coffee will be available at Ambee Coffee locations in Somerville and Warren as drip coffee. Additionally, 12 oz. whole bean boxes are also available at Ambee Coffee and the Patriots Team Store at the ballpark.

The name of the cold brew shop, Ambee is definitely unique. The name Ambee is a word Chiocchi, a Bridgewater-Raritan High School graduate, made up and is a play on the word ambient. He launched Ambee on Amazon and online before opening his coffee shop in 2018 for his coffee product line. Read More: Somerville Coffee Shop Rebrands Itself Again, This Time For Good

The name also aligns with his organic coffee line that is light- or ambient-themed. The coffee product names include Aurora, Orion, Eclipse, and more.