NJ Teen Killed Before Graduating Remembered: 5 NJ Stories You Need To Read

Good evening New Jersey Patch readers! We've assembled some of the most share-worthy stories from our area for today, just for you.

Here are the top five stories from around New Jersey:

1. Three juveniles have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a taxi driver in Somerset County. The defendants, aged 13, 13, and 14, are accused in the robbery and shooting death of North Brunswick man Kofi Addo, 57. Addo's taxi had crashed into a parked vehicle when police found him with a gunshot wound. (Read more on Patch.)

2. A New Jersey student is one of 34 in the country to win a President's Environmental Youth Award for her research on honeybees. Kaitlyn Culbert of Toms River, aka the "Bee Girl," created a pollinator garden and has 2 honeybee hives at Jakes Branch Park, to help educate the public about bees. (Read more on Patch.)

3. Drivers saw more than 1,400 custom license plate ideas rejected by the state Motor Vehicle Commission last year, including “Y0M0MMA," “Z0MBIE,” and a list of other combinations. Personalized plates that are too vulgar, too long, or already taken can be rejected by the MVC. (Read more on Patch.)

4. Funeral services have been set for the 18-year-old New Jersey girl who died in a car accident last Thursday in Colts Neck. Lauren Hewski was a senior at St. John Vianney High School, and will be buried Friday. (Read more on Patch.)

5. A huge transformation is in store for a 1.2 million-square-foot mall and adjoining open-air shopping district in Somerset County. Bridgewater Commons announced it plans to "transform the mall into a vibrant mixed-use destination" as it will be acquired by an investor. (Read more on Patch.)