Sharif Austin was getting ready to spend his first Christmas as a father. Monserret Noyola-Narvaez was studying to become a nurse. Neither would see those plans through. Both were shot and killed separately during a six-month span of violence that began as revenge for a Somerset murder, authorities say.

It’s been a gut-wrenching week for Mike Stahnten, owner of Certified Auto Mall in Howell, after his neighbors started receiving phony letters notifying them he’s a sex offender registered under Megan’s Law. As Howell police continue to investigate the source of fraudulent letters, which went to at least 20 homes and a school in his neighborhood, Stahnten said he remains in disbelief. “It’s very bothersome. The fact somebody would go through so much trouble to do this is pretty shocking,” Stahn