Here's who to keep an eye on when teams hit the court.

The fire was reported at 4:19 a.m. and was the first fatal fire in Phillipsburg in nearly two years. Watch video

A woman died in an early-morning fire Friday at 590 Congress St. in Phillipsburg, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke confirmed.

The identity of the victim, who was found in the home's basement, is pending notification of family, town fire Chief Rich Hay said in a news release. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office.

Neighbors said a woman lived in the home, but officials weren't certain if she was home overnight.

No other injuries were reported, Hay said.

A nearby detached garage and a home on the other side were damaged by heat from the fire, Hay said. But further damage to those structures was contained by firefighters keeping them wetted down, Hay added.

Fire destroys Phillipsburg home

The blaze in the wood frame home in the Valley View section of town was reported at 4:19 a.m. and flames were pouring from every window of three-story structure as firefighters arrived.

The investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is being conducted by the town police Criminal Investigation Division, Warren County fire Marshal Joe Lake and the prosecutor's office, Hay said. The probe is ongoing, he added.

The fire was controlled within 45 minutes of the call, Hay said, but the home was destroyed. By 5:30, a search was underway in the house.

Parts of the second floor had fallen into the first by that point.

It was Phillipsburg's first fatal fire since a Feb. 28, 2015, blaze claimed the life of a 44-year-old man in the 200 block of Hudson Street.

About 70 town firefighters from all six companies battled Friday's fire, Hay said. Firefighters from Alpha and Harmony staffed the town fire stations in case there were any other incidents, which there weren't, Hay said.

The town police department and town EMS assisted, as did JCP&L.

Many of the homes in the neighborhood were reportedly build out of concrete by Thomas Edison, but this wasn't one of them.

This report was updated when further information was released.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Peter Schmidt re-elected WCCC board of trustees chair.

Three local educators are among the five who will be awarded doctoral degrees in administration and leadership studies will be awarded during winter commencement exercises at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Dec. 17.

• Maureen Kehoe is currently the director of planning, research and evaluation in the Phillipsburg School District. Maureen has worked in the district for 34 years beginning her career as a French and Spanish teacher at the high school. She was an assistant principal at both the high school and middle school in the district, and the elementary principal of grades 3, 4, and 5. She resides in Nazareth.
• Carolyn Krotowski is a principal at the Colonial Academy in Wind Gap. She has been in public education for 20 years, serving as a health and physical education teacher, track and gield coach and as an assistant principal before assuming the title of principal at Colonial Academy. Carolyn is a resident of Jackson Township, Monroe County.
• Melissa J. Brands Martinez has worked as an educator for the past 15 years. She currently teaches French and is also a certified reading specialist. She is employed by the Bangor Area School District and has taught in both the middle school and high school. She is a resident of Upper Mount Bethel Township.

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Peter Schmidt, who has gained national attention for his leadership with the Warren County Community College Board of Trustees, and his vision for higher education overall, has been re-elected the Chair of the WCCC Trustees for the fourth consecutive year.

The Lopatcong Township resident, who has garnered national recognition for his efforts,and who has also been a frequent speaker at higher education conferences, was unanimously chosen by the board to continue his good work at WCCC.  

***

The Lycoming College chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon National Chemistry Honor Society inducted several students during a recent ceremony. The following local students were inducted: Keenan Deverman, of Blairstown; Elizabeth Ritter, of Bethlehem; and Charlotte Wentz, of Glen Gardner.

***

Emmaus native Christopher Sanchez was recognized for his academic achievements at his recent graduation from Universal Technical Institute in Exton, Pennsylvania. He is employed with Honda.

***

Albright College student Cecilia Perez, of Bethlehem, is spending fall semester studying at Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia.

***

Austin Bajc, a member of the Class of 2017 at Virginia Military Institute, from Hackettstown, interned in the history office of the Secretary of Defense and toured many decision-making centers in Washington, D.C., as part of his progress toward becoming an applied historian. Bajc is a son of Gerald and Clara Bajc and a graduate of Seton Hall Preparatory School, West Orange, New Jersey.

***

Three members of the Kutztown University faculty were recognized for their exceptional work. 

Dr. Sarah Tindall and Dr. Glenn D. Walters were awarded the Chambliss Faculty Research Award. Tindall, of Lowhill Township, Lehigh County, is a professor of geology; Walters spent more than a decade as a clinical psychologist and drug abuse coordinator for the Federal Correctional Institution, Minersville, Pa. He is a resident of Lower Macungie Township.

Dr. Keith Massie, of Upper Macungie Township, was awarded the John P. Schellenberg Award. Massie is an assistant professor of communication studies at KU, where he has assisted in developing and expanding departments relating to the digital humanities.

***

East Stroudsburg University student Hayley Jackson, of Bath, was named Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

William Konyu and James Suyda both went missing in Vietnam.

More than 40 years after the war ended, two soldiers from Phillipsburg are still missing in Vietnam.

William Konyu and James Suydam both served in the U.S. Army and lived in Phillipsburg's Pursel Hill neighborhood growing up, town Councilman Mark Lutz said. And on Thursday, both will be memorialized with signs unveiled there.

The gesture, Lutz said, is "something to give back to the town, show people we care."

The unveiling is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Mill and Pursel streets, with the other three signs to be placed at nearby intersections.

Konyu was 22 in 1969 when his helicopter came under fire in enemy territory, according to records from the Library of Congress online POW/MIA database. As copilot, he took over the controls when the pilot was wounded. Konyu was also wounded and the helicopter crashed. He was not found after a search of the area.

Later that year, Suydam also died in a helicopter crash. He was a passenger when rotors struck a tree in friendly territory and the aircraft crashed into a river, according to the records.

Missing Vietnam pilot's legacy still strong

The remains of another Phillipsburg serviceman lost in Vietnam, U.S. Air Force Maj. Bruce Lawrence, were finally returned in 2011, more than 40 years after his plane was shot down.

Hundreds turned out for his funeral to finally welcome him home.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Linda Pike was killed when the early-morning blaze tore through her home.

UPDATE: Services set for substitute teacher killed in Phillipsburg fire

Linda Pike was turning 58 on Friday when an early morning blaze tore through her Phillipsburg home, killing her.

Pike was publicly identified Saturday by Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke. Her death was ruled an accident, and was caused by smoke inhalation.

The fire was reported at 4:19 a.m. Friday at 590 Congress St., a wood frame home in the Valley View section of town. Flames were pouring out the windows as firefighters arrived.

Investigators previously said the victim was found in the home's basement and pronounced dead at the scene.

No other injuries were reported, though a detached garage and another home sustained heat damage.

The investigation into the source of the fire is continuing, town fire Chief Rich Hay said. The property has been secured and investigators plan to scour the site Monday, he said.

Hay deferred all other comment to the prosecutor's office.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Linda Pike served the community, from inmates to school children. Watch video

Linda Pike served the community, from inmates to school children.

The 58-year-old died on Friday, her birthday, when her Phillipsburg home caught fire early in the morning.

An investigation into the fire is ongoing.

Linda Pike, 58, died Dec. 9, 2016, in a fire at her Phillipsburg home. (Courtesy photo) 

Pike was a social worker in the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Clinton, and retired in 2013 from the Department of Children and Families (formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services) Warren County office, according to her obituary.

After retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher around the county. For the last two years, her obituary says, she was a member, leader and counselor with Alcoholics Anonymous.

She is survived by her father, sister, brother, two nieces and a nephew.

Visitation is scheduled 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg, followed by a service. A private burial is planned.

Donations are asked to be made in Pike's name to the New Freedom Farm, described on its website as a 13-acre "sanctuary" for people and equines near Buchanan, Va.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

It was the 28th year Project Hope of Easton has fed and clothed families in need.

For hundreds of local families and children in need, Santa Claus has taken the form of a group of volunteers in red and green T-shirts in Easton.

The big man in red was still there on Sunday for Project Hope's annual Christmas dinner at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church.

But the months, weeks and days leading up to the annual event were filled with planning, shopping, cooking and wrapping done by a cadre of people who volunteered their time.

The leaders of the crew for this year's 28th dinner were co-chairs Judy Walker and Steve Sterner. Walker, Sterner and the rest of Project Hope's board were blurs in dark green T-shirts as they ran around Sunday afternoon.

There were plates loaded with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and stuffing, piles of used clothing and coats, and stacks of books. In addition to visiting with Santa and getting a free photo, each child received an age-appropriate present.

After they were done eating, families could take a shopping bag filled with food so they could have another holiday meal at home.

Last year, Project Hope served about 730 people. There were so many visitors at the second sitting, that volunteers had to clear people out to allow other to be fed, Walker said.

"Last year we were beyond capacity," she said.

This year, the first seating was a little smaller than expected, but organizers were prepared for an increase with the second wave later in the afternoon.

"It's kind of a miracle we never run out of food," Walker said, adding in 2014 the event was broken up into two separate seatings to handle the crowds of people.

The bountiful trays were due to Toni Sterner, who runs the kitchen, and Easton Hospital, which donated 300 pounds of turkey and ham this year.

"She knows how to cook for 700 people," Walker said of Sterner.

Anything left over is paid forward -- food is donated to organizations like Safe Harbor, toys are taken to pediatric units at local hospitals.

Faith Truss, 2, smiled as she played with a small teddy bear she picked out herself.

Trudy Truss said this was the second year she had brought her granddaughter to the dinner, but it was the first year little Faith would see Santa. Faith, in her red velour outfit, sat quietly on Santa's lap and had her picture taken.

Asked what was her favorite part of the event, Trudy Truss said, "Everything."

One little boy had a huge smile on his face at he picked out truck-patterned pajamas and a stuffed toy cat. While the lines were long for food and clothes, everyone got a full plate and bags of clothing.

To get the word out, organizers email area agencies, churches and schools, and hang posters in Phillipsburg, Forks Township, Palmer Township and South Side Easton. The doors are open to anyone -- no one needs to show proof of need.

"If they feel they need to come, they should come," Walker said.

For Walker, who lives in Easton, her shopping for next year begins the day after Christmas.

And after the last person leaves on Sunday?

"I collapse," she said with a laugh.

What can I do?

Project Hope is always looking for volunteers, donors and corporate sponsors, especially toys, food, and restaurant supplies.

For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, visit the website here.

Police responding to a suspicious person report at an area Wawa find drugs, thousands in cash.

Four people face drug-related charges after police responded to a suspicious person call at 1 a.m. Friday at the Wawa in Pohatcong Township, Chief Jeffrey Greenemeir reports.

Police recovered ecstasy, LSD, heroin, hashish, hypodermic needles, marijuana and $4,600 in cash from the four people at the store in the 1300 block of Route 22., Greenemeir said in a news release.

Sara Duffy, 35, of East Northport, New York, was charged with possession of 200 ecstasy pills, possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver a narcotic, possession of marijuana and possession of hypodermic needles, Greenemeir said. More charges are pending, the chief added.

Matthew D. Mosely, 20, of Sellersburg, Indiana, is charged with possession of five ecstasy pills and possession of LSD, Greenemeir said.

Anthony Carusillo, 48, of South Beach, New York, is charged with possession of marijuana as well as possession of a controlled substance in a motor vehicle, Greenemeir said.

Parker Yount, 18, of Huntsville, Alabama, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, Greenemeir said.

Duffy was sent to Warren County jail in lieu of $35,000 bail, Greenemeir said. She was released Monday on bond, according to the department of corrections.

Mosely was sent to the jail in lieu of $15,000 bail, Greenemeir said. He was released Saturday on bond, the department said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Both incidents outside Phillipsburg followed 911 calls about an armed person inside the Route 22 supercenter.

For the second time in two nights, authorities on Monday evacuated the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Pohatcong Township due to a 911 call about an armed person inside, township police confirmed.

Both calls were found to be unfounded, and employees and shoppers were allowed to return to the 1300 Route 22 store, police Detective Sgt. Scott Robb said.

"At this point we don't feel there's any danger to the public," he said Monday night.

4 charged after Warren County drug bust

The first incident occurred Saturday night. Both times, the 911 caller reported someone with a weapon was inside. Each time, police from Pohatcong and surrounding municipalities responded and searched the evacuated building.

"There was nobody inside," Robb said Monday night. "This is the second one we've had in the past couple of days. We're currently investigating."

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The 18-year-old watched as authorities cleared the store four times in the past week in Warren Counthy, police said.

Joseph Otto was bored, according to Pohatcong Township police.

So Otto, 18, of the 100 block of Windtryst Way in White Township, would call Warren County 911 and say there was a man with a gun in the Wal-Mart at 1300 Roue 22 outside Phillipsburg, Detective Sgt. Scott Robb said.

While emergency responders emptied and searched the store on four occasions since last Wednesday, Otto would sit in his vehicle and watch, Robb said. When the "emergency" was over, Otto allegedly would go home.

Wal-Mart evacuated twice in 2 days

That scenario played out just after midnight last Wednesday, at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, at 2:20 a.m. Monday and again at 9:05 p.m. Monday, Robb said.

Each time, the store was cleared and a search found nothing. The store lost thousands in sales, Robb said.

Investigations are also underway involving Otto and similar "swatting" incidents at a QuickChek in Washington Township (twice), a QuickChek in White Township and at Skoogy's in Belvidere, Robb said. Pohatcong police plan to pass on information to police in the other jurisdictions.

"He said it was boredom" that caused Otto to make the calls in Pohatcong, Robb said.

"I wish I had a better story," the sergeant said. "He would sit in his vehicle, make the phone call, observe the police activity. ... At no time was there a man with a gun, nor did he want there to be a man with a gun. He did it so he had something to do."

A 16-year-old boy is under investigation for possibly being with Otto during the Pohatcong crimes, Robb said.

The investigation involved three patrol officers and two detectives from the township. The responses not only involved township police but officers from Phillipsburg and Lopatcong and Pohatcong townships and New Jersey State Police, as well as EMS services from Phillipsburg, Robb said. The fire department was on standby each time.

"It took a lot of resources away from individuals in more need," Robb said. "We had to take it as a credible threat."

Otto, who was to make his first appearance Tuesday morning in Superior Court in Belvidere, is charged with four counts of misuse of 911, four counts of creating a false public alarm and four counts of false reports to law enforcement.

Police received two cellphone numbers from the county 911 operation and, working with the cellphone provider, were able to identify Otto and track the movements of the phones, Robb said.

With the final incident being reported at 9:05 p.m. Monday, police acted quickly and Otto was found by 11:30 p.m. at his home, Robb said.

Otto was not jailed on the third- and fourth-degree offenses, Robb said.

Pohatcong Mayor James Kern III praised police in a prepared statement

"I commend our law enforcement professionals for their quick apprehension of this suspect," Kern wrote in an email. "In today's climate, these threats cannot be taken lightly. I hope that anyone considering these acts will think otherwise as you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

It is the third suit accusing the county of tacitly allowing the sexual assault of young boys in county custody.

"He touches kids," the boy allegedly said of the sheriff during a private meeting with a county official.

Nothing was done. The rapes continued.

The allegations are made in the latest lawsuit accusing Warren County officials of looking the other way 30 years ago as the top local law enforcement officer targeted and groomed juvenile boys in county custody for sexual relationships.

The suit, officially filed last month at state Superior Court in Belvidere, mirrors two others filed since 2013 that refer to former Sheriff Edward Bullock. Though he is not named, the dates align with his tenure in the elected position.

Bullock died in November 2015 at the age of 86 and amid multiple civil and criminal claims of sexual assault.

Accuser: 'I hope Edward Bullock suffered'

The first allegations of a county cover-up of systemic abuse were publicly revealed in a legal notice in 2012. The second was filed last summer, about the time a criminal trial began on six counts of sexual assault.

The latest lawsuit -- which names the sheriff's estate, the county and multiple unidentified employees as defendants -- starts much like the others. The victim, identified as R.M. and now 45 years old, was 15 to 17 years old during the alleged abuse between 1985 and '87.

While at the courthouse, the sheriff allegedly would bring the victim to his office for massages. Bullock would also personally transport R.M., alone, between court and detention facilities, stopping on a dirt road on the way to molest and rape the boy, the lawsuit says. The sheriff allegedly threatened that he or his mother would go to jail if he ever told anyone.

The latest suit goes further, saying that the boy was brought on weekend or overnight visits to Bullock's home where he was forced to sleep in bed with the sheriff.

And, the lawsuit claims, a third party was involved: Bullock would bring R.M. to a friend's home on the Delaware River, where more assaults occurred. The friend, identified only as R.C., was "a known pedophile," the lawsuit says.

A group rallies outside state Superior Court in Flemington on July 28, 2015 during the Edward Bullock trial in support of his accusers. (Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com)

After being abused several times, R.M. requested meetings with the heads of Warren Acres Juvenile Detention Center and the county youth shelter, the lawsuit says. And at one point he told his concerns to a staffer while he waited to be picked up by the sheriff.

"Employees of Warren County failed to investigate, failed to protect, failed to report and in addition affirmatively allowed the continuation of the practice of allowing the pedophilic conduct and actions" of the sheriff, resulting in abuse of others, the filing says.

A county spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying the county has not been served yet.

"It's about exposing this issue," filing attorney Brad Russo, who is also handling the other civil cases, said when notice of the suit was filed in January. "But it's also about the culture and the climate that fostered essentially a perfect storm of kids in county custody who are being preyed upon and served up despite everyone around them ... knowing what's going on."

Jury believed accuser in Bullock mistrial

THE OTHER CASES

• When he resigned from office in 1991, Bullock, then 63, was the subject of a state police sting in which he reportedly tried to curry sexual favors from a trooper posing as a sexually abused 17-year-old boy. He pleaded guilty in 1992 to official misconduct and was imprisoned for nine months.
• The first lawsuit, filed in 2013, claims the victim, identified only as W.M., was a 10-year-old boy who was repeatedly abused and raped at least once by a county employee in 1987 and '88, including while being transported by the employee to a county-run youth shelter in Oxford Township.
• The second suit, filed in 2015, has much of the same claims. That victim, identified as C.C., was 14 and 15 years old and under the county's care during four alleged assaults by the sheriff, the lawsuit says. The alleged assaults include Bullock giving the boy back rubs in his office, and fondling the teen during a transport to the county youth shelter.
• In 2015, Bullock was tried on criminal charges stemming from accusations in the first lawsuit. The jury, split over a lack of evidence, could not reach a verdict. Bullock died before the case could be retried.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Russo, who is representing the plaintiffs in the civil proceedings, said that the cases are being consolidated. The discovery phase was delayed by the now-concluded criminal proceedings and is ongoing.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The new store is on Memorial Parkway, aka Route 22, near the Phillipsburg Post Office.

Phillipsburg's newest store is in the business of staying clean.

Expert Janitorial & Vacuum Supply has opened a store and showroom at 480 Memorial Parkway, near the Phillipsburg Post Office.

It carries a line of residential and commercial vacuum machines and has a repair service center that stocks replacement belts, filters, bags and accessories.

The janitorial business includes a line of commercial grade janitorial chemical cleaning supplies, floor cleaning equipment and floor wax machines and buffers for purchase or rent.

The owners chose the location based on the market and its proximity to Pennsylvania, said James A. Solakian, managing member of Anix Central Services, the limited liability corporation set up to run the business.

"We are extremely excited to be able to bring our business to Phillipsburg and the greater Lehigh Valley," Solakian said in a news release. "The business model we have chosen is based on our prior success of selling vacuums, along with janitorial supplies, in central New Jersey."

The retail store is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Expert Janitorial & Vacuum Supply can service and replace central vacuum systems in homes, and stocks and ships cleaning products and supplies for commercial cleaning companies and buildings.

For information, call 908-454-4670.

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A 58-year-old resident died in the blaze. Watch video

The fatal fire Friday morning at 590 Congress St. was ruled an accident, Phillipsburg police report.

Linda Pike, 58, died Dec. 9, 2016, in a fire at her Phillipsburg home. (Courtesy photo)

After an investigation by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, the county fire marshal, the New Jersey State Fire Marshal's Office and the county Crime Scene Team, the determination was announced Wednesday by town police Chief Robert Stettner.

What actually caused the fire to start and in what part of the home it began were not released on Wednesday.

Morris County Medical Examiner Carlos Fonseca ruled the smoke-inhalation death of resident Linda Pike, 58, an accident as well, Stettner added in a news release.

The blaze was reported at 4:19 a.m. and was roaring from every window of the three-story, wood-frame home in the Valley View neighborhood when town firefighters arrived.

The fire was under control within 45 minutes and Pike's body was eventually found in the basement, authorities said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The haul could have sold for $10 million once packaged for the street, the New Jersey attorney general said.

A California trucker arrested in New Jersey has been indicted on charges he was hauling millions of dollars worth of heroin.

Oscar Franco, 59, of Chula Vista, Calif., was charged Aug. 14 after state troopers at the Interstate 78 weigh station in Warren County noticed irregularities in his logs, including several unexplained detours from his itinerary from San Diego, according to state police and the state attorney general's office.

Oscar Franco (New Jersey State Police photo) 

When the trailer was opened up, troopers allegedly found that some boxes were crushed or covered with dust and containing outdated items. Two duffel bags were found containing 36 kilograms of heroin wrapped in black tape, the attorney general's release said.

The arrest was one of three major busts by the I-78 weigh station in less than a month. On Aug. 11, a shipment of marijuana worth $324,000 was uncovered. And on Aug. 22, $5.4 million worth of heroin and cocaine was seized. All of the accused truckers were from California.

State police previously estimated the drugs Franco was hauling were worth $2.8 million. That was in its raw form, according to the attorney general's release Wednesday announcing the indictment. Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said it could have sold for more than $10 million once packaged for the street.

"Thanks to an alert state trooper, this major heroin supply line was cut off," Porrino said. Trooper Brian Dolinsky was credited with making the arrest.

Cops: 'Bored' teen made bogus gunman calls

"Franco's cache of heroin amounted to more than 1.5 million individual doses never hitting the streets," said Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the state police. "Based on the large quantity of heroin seized and the resulting disruption of a major narcotic supply line, Trooper Dolinsky in all likelihood saved a life or at the very least prevented someone from becoming an addict."

Franco was indicted Monday on charges of first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute and third-degree possession of heroin, according to the release. First-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years in state prison and up to $150,000 in fines, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of up to five years and a fine up to $15,000.

Franco remains in the Warren County jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

A 58-year-old woman died in the Phillipsburg blaze. Watch video

The fatal fire on Friday at 590 Congress St, in Phillipsburg was started by an electrical malfunction in the basement, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said late Thursday morning.

Town police on Wednesday said the fire was an accident.

Linda Pike, 58, died Dec. 9, 2016, in a fire at her Phillipsburg home. (Courtesy photo)

Linda Pike, 58, died of smoke inhalation, the Morris County medical examiner determined. Her death, as well, was ruled an accident, Carlos Fonseca said.

Pike's body was found in the basement, authorities said.

The fire was reported at 4:19 a.m., but was roaring from windows throughout the wood-frame structure in the Valley View neighborhood as firefighters arrived. It took 45 minutes to get under control, fire Chief Rich Hay said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The very blocks they called home in Phillipsburg now honor them.

The very blocks that William Konyu and James Suydam called home have become a memorial to them.

A gathering of residents, veterans and leaders in Phillipsburg's Pursell Hill neighborhood reminisced about how they and the boys used to play soldiers near the woods, before Konyu and Suydam went off with the Army to fight in Vietnam.

Both disappeared in separate helicopter crashes in 1969, never to return home.

But their memories live on. On Thursday, the town unveiled street signs displaying their names and the POW/MIA symbol at intersections within Pursell Hill.

"The sacrifices you have made," town Councilman Bernie Fey Jr. said, addressing veterans in general, "will always be remembered."

Konyu was 22 in 1969 when his helicopter came under fire in enemy territory, according to records from the Library of Congress online POW/MIA database. As copilot, he took over the controls when the pilot was wounded. Konyu was also wounded and the helicopter crashed. He was not found after a search of the area.

Later that year, Suydam also disappeared in a helicopter crash. He was a passenger when rotors struck a tree in friendly territory and the aircraft crashed into a river, according to the records. He status was later changed from missing to killed in action.

"All those who knew and loved him will never forget him," Suydam's cousin, Becky Suydam McDermott, said on behalf of his three sisters who now live around the country.

Resident Paul Ciemiecki, who said he lived within a block of Konyu and Suydam, was credited with approaching the town with the idea for the street signs. He said he hopes other towns will consider doing something similar for their own missing servicemen and women.

Missing Vietnam pilot's legacy still strong

The remains of another Phillipsburg serviceman lost in Vietnam, U.S. Air Force Maj. Bruce Lawrence, were finally returned in 2011, more than 40 years after his plane was shot down.

Hundreds turned out for his funeral to finally welcome him home.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The Stateliners will tip off the season Friday night at home.

There’s a sparkling new gym inside of the newly opened Phillipsburg High School. The Stateliners boys basketball team is more than ready to grace it with what could be a breakout year.

The much anticipated season will kick off Friday night as Phillipsburg hosts Hillsborough as the fresh hardwood, roomy bleachers and slick scoreboard will all get their first live game action.

“We came into the gym in the fall and when I first walked in, it was stunning,” head coach Eric Jacobs said. “It takes you a few seconds to take it all in.”

The newness still hasn’t worn off on his players.

“Oh my God, yeah, it’s a big upgrade from what we had last year,” senior guard Dave Yale said. “It really adds another element to it. It’s a beautiful facility, it really sparks you.”

“It’s one of the sweetest things,” junior forward Jayshawn Grant said. “Every day I come to practice, I’m looking forward to playing in this amazing gym. I love it.”

While the new digs are surely an improvement from last year’s situation at the Pit, the product on the court may be in for an upgrade as well.

Coming off a 9-16 season, the Stateliners enjoyed plenty of success over the summer, making it to Sunday in both the Stellar and SportsFest tournaments for the first time in program history. They return their entire roster from last season, and with another year’s worth of mental and physical growth under their belt, they’re ready to make some noise.

“I can’t wait,” junior guard/forward Chris Mann said. “We’ve been preparing really hard the whole offseason. We blended and worked together and that really helped us.”

Mann led Phillipsburg a year ago with 17.3 points per game. At 6-foot-6, he is a dynamic scorer that can cut through the lane for a dunk or step outside and drain a three.

But since Mann broke onto the scene last year, his coach has also seen him getting his teammates involved more often and setting them up by driving and dishing.

“He’s become much more aware. He’s matured as an offensive player,” Jacobs said. “He’s a dedicated basketball player that really wants to go as far as you can go with his tools.”

Junior point guard Jermaine Knight (5.9 ppg) has played well the preseason while the 6-foot-1 Yale will be another scoring threat after averaging 7.9 and 8.4 points per game over the last two years. Grant (6.2 ppg), along with senior forwards Zach Troxell (5.6 ppg) and Jacob Ferguson (6.6 ppg) will make an impact down low as the Stateliners will have plenty of depth to stay sharp.

There’s also the experience factor.

“The games we lost by a couple points last year, we were winning those games this summer,” Jacobs said. “We kept on saying, ‘we would have lost that game last year.’ Obviously the kids are getting better talent-wise and improving as a team, but we just feel like the maturity level and physical maturity has really made a big difference.”

While it may not have the biggest size, Phillipsburg’s strength should be in its transition game, using its speed to run the floor and score in the open court. Its man-to-man defense has also improved since Jacobs took over at the helm last year.

“We can definitely score,” Yale said. “If we put that together with our defense, which is getting better each day in practice, we’re going to be a really dangerous team.”

“We just need to focus on rebounding,” Mann said. “If we can get rebounds, we can out-run anyone.”

Yale and Grant expressed that while the Stateliners were putting in the work last year in search of wins, they knew that everything would be building towards this year. If last year’s growing process came with nine wins and an Easton Rotary Holiday Classic championship, followed by more program-firsts during the summer, it’s no wonder why P’burg is so anxious to break in its new home with a bang.

“Expectations are much higher this year,” Jacobs said. “I think they kind of realize, they sense that we’re a program on the rise. That’s been my goal since I got here, to make basketball kind of on the same track as wrestling and football here at the school. I think we’re on the right track.”

Greg Joyce may be reached at gjoyce@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @GJoyce9. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

Jim Manning has taken over on the Stateliners sideline this season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL SNAPSHOT

Phillipsburg

Conference: Skyland, Delaware Division.

Classification: North 2 Group 4.

2015-16 record: 10-13 overall, 4-6 division.

Players to watch: So. F Lauren Flynn, So. G/F Sierra Stein, Jr. G Nhyria Quaye.

View the Stateliners’ schedule

Outlook: Phillipsburg has a young group of talented players to go along with six seniors, including four who have been in the program for four years (Emily Carducci, Morgan Weindel, Lauren Brown and Bri Guarino). The Stateliners have been working on team chemistry, and trying to create an environment where anyone can step up and excel on a given night. Former assistant Jim Manning has taken over on the sideline this winter as Nicole Savino Fulmer and her husband welcomed their first child in late November.

From Coach Manning: “Our league is stacked with talented, state-ranked teams (Rutgers Prep, Gill St. Bernard’s, Franklin) and we will look to compete each night. This competition will prepare us and hopefully make us better as the season progresses.”

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The note was left in the bathroom at the Greenwich Township store, police say.

A 28-year-old employee of a Warren County Target faces charges after allegedly leaving a threatening note in the store's bathroom.

"I have a gun come find me," said the paper found Wednesday afternoon, according to Greenwich Township police.

(AP File Photo) 

The store was evacuated about 1 p.m. with the assistance of officers from Pohatcong and Lopatcong townships, Greenwich police said in a news release on Facebook.

Authorities arrested Travis Cheatum, of the 100 block of Lewis Street in Phillipsburg, and charged him with making a false public alarm, a third-degree crime that can carry a three-to-five-year sentence if convicted.

Cheatum was released pending a court date Thursday, police said. A phone listing for him could not be found.

The Target is less than half a mile from a Wal-Mart where 18-year-old Joseph Otto, of White Township, is accused of falsely reporting a gunman four times in less than a week. Pohatcong police allege Otto made the phony calls out of boredom.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The 29-year-old was sentenced to up to 5 years in prison in a New Jersey abuse case.

A New Jersey state prison inmate was charged Friday with 10 felony counts of child pornography in Easton.

Larry A. Reed Jr., 29, was sentenced to up to five years in prison Aug. 25 in New Jersey State Superior Court in Warren County, for endangering the welfare of children charges related to an offense dated Jan. 1, 2013.

Child porn found on phone left in ER, cops say

He is serving the sentenced in South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

Easton police took Reed into custody at the prison, and he was arraigned Friday afternoon before District Judge Daniel Corpora. The offense date for the child porn charges is April 20, 2014.

Reed was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail, according to Easton police.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled Dec. 30 before District Judge Richard Yetter III.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.