Local talent perform NJ's first Super Bowl: This week in Central Jersey history, Feb. 5-11

The performances at Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium were full of New Jersey talent.

Newark native Queen Latifah, backed by the New Jersey Youth Chorus, crushed "America the Beautiful" in the pregame show, and at half time pop star Bruno Mars received an assist from members of the high school marching bands from South Brunswick, Morris Knolls and other New Jersey high schools.

Here's a look at events that happened in Central Jersey from five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years ago this week.

Five years ago

Feb. 5, 2019: A Union County jury found Anthony James, 57, of Plainfield, guilty on all counts in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Audrey Tanksley, 48, also of Plainfield.

Feb. 6: It was reported nearly a year after the Senate ethics committee "severely admonished" Sen. Bob Menendez for ethics violations, the committee declared its case closed. The violations nearly derailed Menendez's poliitcal career.

Feb. 6: An unidentified man trapped inside his burning mobile home in the Avenel section of Woodbridge was rescued on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, and taken to the hospital for burn treatment, it was reported.

Feb. 7: Ronald Rebernik, 62, of Raritan Borough, who pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of 1-year-old Matias Ortega, also of the borough, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, and would have to serve 85 percent of the term before becoming eligible for parole

Feb. 9: Photographer Barry Schneier and Tom Cunningham, host of 105.7-FM The Hawk's "Bruce Brunch," presented "Bruce Springsteen: Rock and Roll Future" at Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery in Asbury Park.

Feb. 10: In wrestling, nationally ranked South Plainfield beat injury-riddled High Point, 46-26, in the Group II championship, its fourth consecutive state title, a school record.

10 years ago

Feb. 7, 2014: The Stone Pony in Asbury Park began its month-long 40th Anniversary Series with the Bobby Bandiera Band (with horns) and the Jody Joseph Band.

Feb. 8: The J.P. Stevens High School boys indoor track team took first place in the NJSIAA North 2 Group IV sectionals with 58 team points, finishing ahead of second-place Franklin (49 points) at the Bennett Center in Toms River.

Feb. 10: Hawk Thomas, a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, visited patients, families and staff at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, teaching basketball tricks and telling jokes.

Feb. 10: Percival R. Williams, 36, of Edison, pleaded guilty to a human trafficking charge, said acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman in a prepared statement. The guilty plea was one in the first in New Jersey under the state's human trafficking statute.

1999

Feb. 5, 1999: A jury in Somerville rejected the assertions of Joane Brown of Rocky Hill that negligence by South Jersey doctors and nurses caused her to lose her left forearm in 1992.

Feb. 6: More than 150 people held a peaceful rally around Oak Tree Pond in Edison to protest against developer Jack Morris's proposal to destroy the 6.2-acred wooded parcel to build a Walgreens pharmacy, shopping center and drive-through bank.

Feb. 7: In the Group IV track championship, Plainfield High School junior Priscilla Hazelwood led her team to the team title ― their first since 1993 and fifth in school history.

Feb. 9: Former Flemington resident Mark Osborne received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Film for his six-minute film, "More."

1974

Feb. 7: In men's college basketball, Rutgers beat West Virginia, 80-73.

Feb. 7 and 8, 1974: Pianist Lorin Hollander and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performed on Thursday, Feb. 7, 1974, at Middlesex County College in Edison, and Saturday, Feb. 8, 1974, at Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington.

Feb. 11: The New Brunswick City Council introduced a $10.4 million budget for 1974. A $1.47 million projected increase in the city's budget accounted for the major part of an estimated 60-cent increase in the general tax rate.

Feb. 11: New Jersey began an odd-even system of gasoline distribution as Gov. Brendan T. Byrne said the program would not eliminate long lines at service stations.

Feb. 11: New Brunswick City Council president Aldrage B. Cooper was chosen mayor in a closed council session following the appointment of Mayor Patricia Q. Sheehan as state commissioner of community affairs.

1924

Feb. 6, 1924: While returning to their homes after a convention in Atlantic City, William Baggott of East Orange and Samuel Wetherill of Cranford crashed through the railroad gates and into an Atlantic City express on the Central Railroad in Sewaren. Wetherill later died; Baggott was injured but expected to recover.

Feb. 7-9: The movie, "Rosita," starring Mary Pickford, was shown at Reade's Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.

Feb. 8: Frank Bebee and his wife of Sayreville returned from a night out to find their home wrecked. All of the windows in the structure had been broken and $800 worth of furniture was ruined. The only articles missing were a shotgun, a revolver and a watch.

Feb. 8: In men's college swimming, Rutgers won six of eight events in the first home meet of the season against Amherst and won by 47-24.

Feb. 9: A printing shop in Piscataway was completely destroyed by fire. The loss was $4,000, which was not covered by insurance.

Feb. 11: Overcome by automobile gas, Jules De Smet of Milltown was found dead in a garage owned by Adam Heyl, also of Milltown.

Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ history for Feb. 5-11