Volume LXXIX, Number 9
Spotlight on Hopewell Valley Pages 17-21 Music in Movies is Theme of Garden Theatre Series . . . . 5 Sustainable Home Expo Features Resources and Information for All . . . . 7 ARB Premieres New Take on a Classic . . . . . 8 Topdog/Underdog is Staged At Passage Theatre . . . . . 13 PU Concerts Presents Longtime String Quartet Partner . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Freshman Alexander Thrives in ECACH Playoff Debut, Sparking PU Women’s Hockey to 3-2 Victory over RPI . . . . 24 Forest Rose Makes History for PHS Wrestling, Becoming 1st Tiger Freshman to Win District Title . . . . . . . 29
Christopher Marlowe’s Birthday is Celebrated in This Week’s Book Review . . . . 12 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . 34 Mailbox. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Obituaries . . . . . . . 32, 33 Performing Arts . . . 15, 16 Police Blotter. . . . . . . . . 7 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
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Princeton Man Charged With Killing Brother in Apartment on Palmer Square Matthew Hertgen, the 31-year-old man arrested last weekend for the murder of his brother Joseph Hertgen, 26, at Michelle Mews Apartments, made his first appearance in court on Monday, February 24. He is due back for a detention hearing on Friday, February 27, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. At about 11:16 p.m. on Saturday night, February 22, Princeton Police responded to a 911 call reporting that there was a fire and a dead body in one of the residences at the luxury complex that is part of The Residences at Palmer Square. Police found Matthew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 911 caller, in the apartment along with the body of the victim “which exhibited various injuries including signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations,” the release from Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey reads. “Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene.” The investigation into the murder, by the Princeton Police Department, the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to Matthew Hertgen being charged with first-degree murder along with various third- and fourth-degree offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club. Hertgen is also charged with one count of third-degree animal cruelty in the death of a cat that was located within the residence. Joseph Hertgen was an analyst at Locust Point Capital, where he was responsible for supporting the portfolio management team, according to the company’s website. He was a 2020 graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten soccer player for the men’s soccer team. At Toms River North High School, he was a New Jersey Central II All-State soccer player in 2015. Matthew Hertgen played soccer at Wesleyan University. The exact cause and manner of the victim’s death are pending results of an autopsy. The first-degree crime of murder carries a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Thirddegree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes have a sentence of 18 months to three years in state prison and a fine of $10,000, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Princeton Affirms Support for Immigrants In a statement from the Princeton Mayor and Council issued last Friday, February 21, the town of Princeton has reaffirmed its support for its immigrant residents. Princeton’s commitment to recognize, support, and serve its immigrant community “remains as strong as ever today,” the posting in English and Spanish on the municipal government website states. Amidst an onslaught of stringent new federal policies, threats of mass deportations, and stepped up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in New Jersey and throughout the country, immigrant communities have felt the pressure and anxiety, with some individuals fearful about going out to work or sending their children to school. “The ripple effects of these policies are real and deeply felt in our community,” one Princeton resident wrote in an email to the Council president. “The new federal administration’s
policies on immigration enforcement do not change the work we do for our community,” the statement from Mayor and Council asserts. “Princeton continues to follow the guidance outlined in the New Jersey Attorney General’s Directive 20186, which strengthens trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. We want to assure all our residents that you are, first and foremost, members of our community, and we remain steadfast in our mission to serve and support you.” The statement goes on to explain that enforcing immigration laws is not the business of local police officers. “It is also critically important for our community to understand that the Princeton Police Department’s stated policy is to protect the public by investigating and enforcing New Jersey’s criminal laws — not civil immigration violations,” the statement continues. ”Engaging in immigration enforcement would not only blur the
distinction between federal immigration law and state and local laws, but also risk undermining the trust our officers have worked hard to build with the public.” In 2015, Princeton became the first municipality in New Jersey to join Welcoming America, “a nonprofit leading a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs, including immigrants,” according to the organization’s website. Princeton has not adopted the “sanctuary city” label but rather the less controversial designation as a “welcoming city,’ and has maintained policies that limit local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. An ICE raid in downtown Princeton in July 2024 saw no involvement by the Princeton Police Department, and local government officials were not informed of the raid in advance. Princeton Mayor Mark Freda criticized ICE’s failure to communicate with local or state governments Continued on Page 10
Town Renews Status as NJ’s Only Silver-Level Bike Friendly Community
THAWING OUT: The D&R Canal in Princeton showed signs of thawing on Sunday as warmer temperatures finally prevailed. Residents and visitors share what they like to do on winter weekends in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
Princeton has again been designated a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). Princeton is one of four bike friendly municipalities in the state and the only Silver-Level award-winner. West Windsor, Lambertville, and New Brunswick received Bronze-Level recognition. There were 460 communities across the country that were recognized as Bicycle Friendly by the LAB. “Princeton remains committed to reimagining its roadways beyond a car-centric model, fostering diverse transportation options that promote healthier, more sustainable lifestyles in the community,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, liaison to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. “We are proud to be a Bicycle Friendly Community for the 12th year in a row.” The award process considers very visible elements such as bike infrastructure as well as other essential elements including adult, youth, and motorist bike education; policies and design standards; encouragement through events like Bike to Work Day; evaluating and improving safety outcomes; and equity and accessibility. Continued on Page 9