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Scotch Plains, NJ

Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings
Best High Schools: New Jersey Well-Represented In New National Rankings New Jersey is well-represented in brand-new rankings of the nation's best high schools. US News & World report released its annual list on Tuesday morning, April 23. The rankings were determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Two New Jersey schools made the top 50 in the U.S: High Technology High School in Lincroft at No. 24, and Edison Academy Magnet School at No. 42. According to US News & World Report, The top 10 best high schools in the Garden State are: No. 10: Academy for Allied Health Sciences …
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate
Where Is Central Jersey? Monmouth U. Poll Finds Answers To NJ's Tricky Regional Debate Monmouth University pollsters have tried to answer a question that has been hard to solve for many in the Garden State: Where is Central Jersey exactly? The Monmouth University Polling Institute released a survey on Tuesday, Apr. 16 that asked New Jerseyans what region they live in and if they believe their region gets a fair share of state resources. The pollsters also asked people to pick their favorite convenience store. According to the poll, 41 percent of New Jerseyans said they live in North Jersey, 34 percent said they're in Central Jersey, and 23 percent said they're from South…
Owner Of NJ Steakhouse Sold After 14 Years Has Message For Critics Owner Of NJ Steakhouse Sold After 14 Years Has Message For Critics
Owner Of NJ Steakhouse Sold After 14 Years Has Message For Critics After 14 years and a million meals served, the Grillestone Steakhouse is closing its doors. Frank Peterpaul, who's been running the Scotch Plains restaurant, says it has been sold as his family embarks on a new chapter. Peterpaul went on to thank the customers who became friends, who became family, the valued staff, and noted the sense of belonging and joy that came from being part of the community. And toward the bottom of Peterpaul's goodbye tribute, he left a special message for the critics: "For the detractors, yelpers and self-proclaimed restaurant critics, I would relish the opportu…
Former CFO Of Low-Income Jersey Shore Apartments Stole $1.6M From Employer: Prosecutor Former CFO Of Low-Income Jersey Shore Apartments Stole $1.6M From Employer: Prosecutor
Former CFO Of Low-Income Jersey Shore Apartments Stole $1.6M From Employer: Prosecutor A former executive for a low-income apartment building in Long Branch is accused of stealing more than $1.6 million from his company for more than a decade, authorities said. John O'Donnell, 57, of Scotch Plains is charged with second-degree theft by unlawful taking, third-degree forgery, and third-degree false uttering, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced. O'Donnell was charged by summons on Thursday, Jan. 11. O'Donnell is the former chief financial officer of the company that owns Washington Manor. The Ocean Boulevard highrise has 100 housing units for seniors …
U.S. News Ranks NJ's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List U.S. News Ranks NJ's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List
U.S. News Ranks NJ's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List Days after Daily Voice reported on Niche's list of Best High Schools in New Jersey, U.S. News & World Report has released its own. U.S. News studies data from nearly 25,000 public high schools across the country, with a focus on how well students are prepared for college and performance on state assessments, the website says. Here are the top 10 best public high schools in the Garden State, according to U.S. News & World Report: No. 1 - Union County Magnet High School, Scotch Plains No. 2 - Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics & Engineering, Edison No.…
Police ID Bicyclist, 44, Struck, Killed In Central Jersey Crash Police ID Bicyclist, 44, Struck, Killed In Central Jersey Crash
Police ID Bicyclist, 44, Struck, Killed In Central Jersey Crash Police have identified a 44-year-old bicyclist from Union County killed in a weekend crash in Middlesex Borough, authorities said. Darwin O. Mestanza Rivera, of Scotch Plains, died in the crash at 6:57 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, Middlesex Borough Police Chief Matthew P. Geist said. Mestanza Rivera was struck from behind by a Jeep Patrol as he rode west on South Avenue near the corner of Howard Street, Geist said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. The driver of the Jeep Patriot declined medical attention. Charges are possible but had not been filed, a polic…
Major NJ-Based Fentanyl Ring Smashed: 20+ Pounds, 9,000 Doses Seized, Eight Men Out Major NJ-Based Fentanyl Ring Smashed: 20+ Pounds, 9,000 Doses Seized, Eight Men Out
Major Nj-based Fentanyl Ring Smashed: 20+ Pounds, 9,000 Doses Seized, Eight Men Out More than 20 pounds of fentanyl and an additional 9,000 doses of the deadly drug were seized with the arrests of eight members of a major trafficking ring that operated on both sides of the Hudson River, authorities said. Those charged in the federally-led offensive range in age from 37 to 60. They come from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania but operated primarily in and around Union County, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. The multi-pronged, eight-month operation relied on all levels of law enforcement, from federal agents to local police who watched and document…
7-Eleven Selling These 18 New Jersey Locations 7-Eleven Selling These 18 New Jersey Locations
7-Eleven Selling These 18 New Jersey Locations 7-Eleven Inc. is looking to sell or lease 73 of its stores, 18 of which are in New Jersey. NRC Realty & Capital Advisors LLC is helping with the process, having posted a list of all of the sites along with a bid deadline of Tuesday, Nov. 1. Some of the stores are some of the 3,800 Speedway stores that 7-Eleven purchased in May 2021. The New Jersey stores touting for sale signs are: Colonia, Saint Georges Avenue Scotch Plains, Park Avenue Newark, Broad Street Newark, Market Street Newark, Ferry Street Butler, Route 23 Elmwood Park, Broadway Holmdel, Route 35 Hackettstown, Main Street…
QuickChek Goes Big With New Parlin Store QuickChek Goes Big With New Parlin Store
QuickChek Goes Big With New Parlin Store QuickChek is going big with an expanded location in Central Jersey, and six more planned across the Garden State (scroll for the list). The 4,542-square-foot store opened at the intersection of Bordentown Avenue and Cheesequake Road Parlin on Tuesday, Sept. 20, replacing a smaller store that stood in its place. The new QuickChek features a new exterior with a green tower and “Fresh to Go” interior layout designed to enhance the shopping experience. More than half of the new store will be dedicated to freshly prepared food and beverages, including QuickChek’s guaranteed fresh brewe…
These NJ Schools Named 2022 Blue Ribbon Winners These NJ Schools Named 2022 Blue Ribbon Winners
These NJ Schools Named 2022 Blue Ribbon Winners Nine New Jersey schools were named 2022 Blue Ribbon winners. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, a part of the United States Department of Education, announces hundreds of recipients of the award each year. The award was created to recognize schools that are considered outstanding, and the winners are honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, where schools receive plaques and flags. The nine New Jersey schools that received the award this year are listed below, along with links to the Blue Ribbon overview of each: Center Grove School in Randolph Township Cliffside Park Schoo…
These Public NJ High Schools Are The Best In America, US News Says These Public NJ High Schools Are The Best In America, US News Says
These Public NJ High Schools Are The Best In America, US News Says A school isn't just a building. It's a home: A a place for children to foster self-confidence, learn social skills and explore their strengths. Many factors go into what makes a great school, and US News has crunched that data to compile its latest ranking of the best public schools in America.  The Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies, comes in at No. 23 on that list, and Union County Magnet School No. 49. Here are the top public high schools in New Jersey, according to US News: 10. Academy for Allied Health Sciences (Scotch Plains) 9.…
Dad Battling Cancer Dies On His Own Terms In His Favorite Place: Watchung Reservation Dad Battling Cancer Dies On His Own Terms In His Favorite Place: Watchung Reservation
Dad Battling Cancer Dies On His Own Terms In His Favorite Place: Watchung Reservation If you've been to Watchung Reservation, chances are you've passed Richard Carroll. Having grown up working in the stables, the park has been the Scotch Plains native's happy place for decades.  On Monday, April 18, Carroll made the park his final resting place. He chose to go on his own terms after a 12-year battle with cancer, his family tells Daily Voice. "The cancer beat my dad, physically and at the end mentally," Katrina Carroll said on a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $28,000 as of April 21. "My dad couldn’t fight anymore, and he ended his fight in his way." Carroll wa…
Woodbury Charlie Brown's Sets Reopening Date Woodbury Charlie Brown's Sets Reopening Date
Woodbury Charlie Brown's Sets Reopening Date Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill has an opening date for its Woodbury location. The casual restaurant will open on Monday, April 18 after extensive renovations, according to its updated Google Maps description.  The eatery is located at 111 N. Broad St. It describes itself as an easygoing chophouse with steaks, prime rib, seafood and an all-you-can-eat salad bar. Charlie Brown's repens on April 18Google This is the company’s first reopening of the 13 locations that closed in 2020. Many shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and never reopened. The Woodbury restaurant joins the Scotch P…
Four NJ Smoke Shops Raided, Five Busted For Selling Pot, THC Edibles Four NJ Smoke Shops Raided, Five Busted For Selling Pot, THC Edibles
Four NJ Smoke Shops Raided, Five Busted For Selling Pot, THC Edibles A group of owners and operators sold pot and THC products out of smoke shops in Englewood, Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plains, charged authorities who busted them during a series of raids. Detectives assisted by the DEA seized seizure of hundreds of pounds of marijuana, THC edibles and THC wax/oil, along with $305,000 in illicit proceeds, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. They arrested co-owners Michael Ligus, 24, and Damian Harry Wesler Sr., 44, along with Damian H. Wesler Jr., 22, all of Ringwood, and were arrested, along with Anthony Garcia, 45, of Secaucus and Ezekiel Pau…
Support Surging For Toddler Who Lost Dad In Parkway Crash Week Before Christmas Support Surging For Toddler Who Lost Dad In Parkway Crash Week Before Christmas
Support Surging For Toddler Who Lost Dad In Parkway Crash Week Before Christmas Support is on the rise for a toddler who lost his loving father in a fiery Garden State Parkway crash just a week before Christmas. Scotch Plains resident Fabrice Deryce, aka “Fab,” 34, was pronounced dead after crashing into several objects and a concrete cantilever overhead sign support in Tinton Falls on Dec. 18, DailyVoice.com reported. Deryce was remembered as a devoted father who “lit up any room he walked into,” according to a GoFundMe launched for his young son, Cameron. “Fab had a special bond with many people, but the most special of those was his bond with his 2-year-old son Cam…
Driver, 34, Killed In Fiery Garden State Parkway Crash Driver, 34, Killed In Fiery Garden State Parkway Crash
Driver, 34, Killed In Fiery Garden State Parkway Crash A 34-year-old North Jersey man was killed in a fiery crash on the Garden State Parkway in Monmouth County, State Police said. Fabrice Deryce, of Scotch Plains, was heading south in a Chevy Impala when he struck multiple fixed objects around 11:45 p.m. Saturday in Tinton Falls, NJSP Sgt. Philip Curry said. The vehicle then entered the grass median that separates the local and express lanes, and struck a concrete cantilever overhead sign support.  Initial reports say the car caught fire and CPR was performed on Deryce, formerly of Rahway. He was later pronounced dead, Curry said. The …
Victim Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash Was Popular Dog Groomer Victim Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash Was Popular Dog Groomer
Victim Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash Was Popular Dog Groomer Loved ones are remembering a 51-year-old woman who was killed on the Garden State Parkway in Middlesex County earlier this month. Melissa M. Craden of Scotch Plains was traveling northbound on the Parkway in Woodbridge at 3:10 p.m. Nov. 6 when her 2009 Jeep Liberty sideswiped another vehicle near milepost 131.9, a New Jersey State Police spokesman said. Craden’s Jeep flipped and she was ejected, Sgt. Alejandro Goez said.  The driver of the other vehicle, a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, suffered minor injuries, Goez said. Craden was well-known as the owner of Grooming by Melissa, a…
51-Year-Old Driver Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash In Woodbridge 51-Year-Old Driver Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash In Woodbridge
51-Year-Old Driver Killed In Garden State Parkway Crash In Woodbridge A 51-year-old motorist from Central Jersey was killed on the Garden State Parkway in Middlesex County, authorities said. Melissa M. Craden of Scotch Plains was traveling northbound on the Parkway in Woodbridge at 3:10 p.m. Saturday when her 2009 Jeep Liberty sideswiped another vehicle near milepost 131.9, a New Jersey State Police spokesman said. Craden’s Jeep flipped and she was ejected, said Sgt. Alejandro Goez. Craden sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. The driver of the other vehicle, a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, suffered minor injuries, Goez said. The crash is still u…
Speed Bump Kills North Jersey Sanitation Worker Riding On Truck, Police Say Speed Bump Kills North Jersey Sanitation Worker Riding On Truck, Police Say
Speed Bump Kills North Jersey Sanitation Worker Riding On Truck, Police Say A 74-year-old sanitation worker died after the truck he was riding on hit a speed bump and he fell off earlier this month in Scotch Plains, police announced. Ismael Oliva was riding on the rear platform of the truck when he fell off and hit is head on the 300 block of Henry Street around 9:30 a.m. Sept. 2, local police said. Good Samaritans had rushed outside to help the Plainfield sanitation worker when paramedics arrive. Oliva was rushed to Overlook Medical Center in Summit, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The crash remains under investigation.
Jersey Shore Dad Assaulted During Fireworks Celebration Faces Long Road To Recovery Jersey Shore Dad Assaulted During Fireworks Celebration Faces Long Road To Recovery
Jersey Shore Dad Assaulted During Fireworks Celebration Faces Long Road To Recovery Family and neighbors of an Ocean County pedestrian hospitalized after a Fourth of July fight with a motorist are rounding up support for his recovery. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise health-care money and other financial assistance for Alan Stever, 56, of Toms River. More than $6,000 had been raised on the page as of Thursday.  On Sunday night, Toms River police found Stever with an apparent head injury, authorities said. Stever was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was listed in serious but stable condition on Wednesday, accordi…
BMW Driver Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting 2 Pedestrians At Stop Sign, Ocean Prosecutor Says BMW Driver Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting 2 Pedestrians At Stop Sign, Ocean Prosecutor Says
BMW Driver Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting 2 Pedestrians At Stop Sign, Ocean Prosecutor Says A 27-year-old motorist from Union County has been arrested in connection with a Fourth of July street fight in Toms River that allegedly left two pedestrians hurt near a stop sign, authorities said. A suspect in the alleged assaults turned himself into the Ocean County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Raziel Mancebo of Scotch Plains had been charged with several assault charges on Monday in connection with a clash the day before, Billhimer said. On July 4 at about 9:15 p.m., Toms River police were called to Cattus Isla…
Report: NJ Therapist Sued For Overcharging Central Jersey Schools Faces Criminal Trial Report: NJ Therapist Sued For Overcharging Central Jersey Schools Faces Criminal Trial
Report: NJ Therapist Sued For Overcharging Central Jersey Schools Faces Criminal Trial A New Jersey occupational therapist who faces a criminal trial for theft from Edison Township Public Schools is now accused of overcharging another school district in Middlesex County. Rebecca Dean, 42, of Somerset County was sued on April 26 by the East Brunswick School District, which alleges they overpaid her Union County business $200,000 for services they never received, according to NJ Advance Media. Edison, in its complaint, alleged that Dean billed its school district $75,000 for pediatric therapy she never provided, as reported here.  The East Brunswick suit, filed in Superio…
NJ Man, 21, Dies After Falling From Overpass Onto Garden State Parkway, Struck By SUV NJ Man, 21, Dies After Falling From Overpass Onto Garden State Parkway, Struck By SUV
NJ Man, 21, Dies After Falling From Overpass Onto Garden State Parkway, Struck By SUV A 21-year-old Union County man died when he fell from an overpass onto the Garden State Parkway and was struck by a car Thursday, authorities said. Joshua Goldberg, of Scotch Plains, was walking on the Oak Tree Road overpass in Woodbridge when he fell over, landing on the roadway near milepost 132.1 around 5:25 p.m., New Jersey State Police told NJ.com. Goldberg landed on a southbound SUV, the 45-year-old driver of which was able to pull over and remain at the scene,  NJSP Trooper Charles Marchan said. The SUV driver, of Parlin, suffered minor injuries while Goldberg died at the scene…
NJ Man Repays Officer For Lift Home By Hitting Him In Head With Hammer: Report NJ Man Repays Officer For Lift Home By Hitting Him In Head With Hammer: Report
NJ Man Repays Officer For Lift Home By Hitting Him In Head With Hammer: Report A 23-year-old North Jersey man who got a lift home from a police officer repaid him by hitting him in the head with a hammer, authorities said. Officers responded to a Plainfield Avenue business in Scotch Plains last Friday around 8 p.m., where Tyler J. Geissel was found acting unruly, NJ.com says citing local authorities. Geissel became combative after officers drove him to his Shawnee Path home, police said. There, Geissel grabbed a hammer and struck an officer on the left side of the head, authorities said. A pair of officers rushed over to help their colleague and arrest Geissel, the o…
Two News Anchors From NJ Leaving NY1 As Part Of Gender Discrimination Suit Settlement Two News Anchors From NJ Leaving NY1 As Part Of Gender Discrimination Suit Settlement
Two News Anchors From NJ Leaving NY1 As Part Of Gender Discrimination Suit Settlement Two New Jersey news anchors are among five leaving NY1 after settling a gender discrimination suit alleging they were forced off the air and replaced by younger and less experienced hosts. Roma Torre of Montclair, Kristen Shaugnessy of Scotch Plains, along with Amanda Farinacci, Vivian Lee and Jeanine Ramirez filed the lawsuit against the station in June 2019. “After engaging in a lengthy dialogue with NY1, we believe it is in everyone’s interest — ours, NY1’s and our viewers’ — that this litigation be resolved, and we have mutually agreed to part ways,” the women said in a statement issue…
GOOD GRIEF: Goodbye Edison As Charlie Brown Steakhouses Flee Due To COVID GOOD GRIEF: Goodbye Edison As Charlie Brown Steakhouses Flee Due To COVID
Good Grief: Goodbye Edison As Charlie Brown Steakhouses Flee Due To COVID 2020 has been a miserable year for Charlie Brown restaurants in New Jersey. Spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, 13 Charlie Brown Fresh Grills have closed statewide this year. Only one restaurant remains, in Union County. Charlie Brown’s, a casual steakhouse chain that at one time enjoyed dozens of eateries across New Jersey and the East Coast, is now down to just one spot in Scotch Plains. At the start of 2020, there were 14 Charlie Brown’s restaurants in the Garden State. After Charlie Brown closed its Lakewood spot, the last one left is at 2376 North Ave. in Scotch Plains.  A company…
Community Helps North Plainfield Couple Rebuild After Home Destroyed By Arsonist Community Helps North Plainfield Couple Rebuild After Home Destroyed By Arsonist
Community Helps North Plainfield Couple Rebuild After Home Destroyed By Arsonist The community is rallying for an engaged North Plainfield couple whose home under construction was destroyed by an arsonist. Mike Carroccia, 25, and his fiancé, Taylor Miller, 24, awoke to a phone call from a neighbor shortly before 3 a.m. on May 27, with some devastating news. “Your house is on fire -- the roof just collapsed and your front door has fallen down,” the neighbor told them. Mike and Taylor immediately jumped out of bed and ran out the door to check on the state of the home, and they couldn’t believe their eyes. “Watching the firefighters, seeing our neighbors homes catch fir…
21 NJ Schools Named Among Best In America 21 NJ Schools Named Among Best In America
21 NJ Schools Named Among Best In America A study released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report names 21 New Jersey high schools among the nation’s best. 
Nearly 18,000 schools around the country were ranked based on measurements in categories including college readiness (30 percent), math and reading proficiency (20 percent), math and reading performance (20 percent), underserved student performance (10 percent), college curriculum breadth (10 percent) and graduation rate (10 percent). New Jersey’s top school for 2020 is the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies, which ranked No. 33 nati…
These Are The Most Popular Bars In Somerset County These Are The Most Popular Bars In Somerset County
These Are The Most Popular Bars In Somerset County Is it the wings? The atmosphere? The super cheap drinks? Everyone's got a favorite bar for every occasion. Here are the most popular bars in Somerset County. The spots you see on this list were top-rated on several user-generated review sites, featured in local publications and recommended by Daily Voice readers. Tapastre: Tapas and a wide happy hour selection. 1 West High St., Somerville "El Abrije" from Tapastre: Cognac, coconut rum, passionfruit, agave and lemon.@rogeriooo01 Instagram Stage House Tavern: They've got a hoppin' dance floor and patio for the warmer nights, with two ot…
130 Animals Seized In Illegal Union County Puppy Mill 130 Animals Seized In Illegal Union County Puppy Mill
130 Animals Seized In Illegal Union County Puppy Mill More than 130 animals were seized from an illegal puppy mill run from a Scotch Plains home that authorities said was in deplorable condition. Authorities charged Dominick Ciabattari, 60, with 10 criminal offenses and four disorderly violations -- and said they expect to add more -- after recovering two dozen cats, 71 Chihuahuas, 18 Golden Retrievers, 17 Pomeranians and 3 Pekingese dogs, officials said. They ranged from newborn to fully-grown, Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Scotch Plains Police Chief Ted Conley said in a joint announcement Wednesday. "The preliminary i…
New Grocery Stores Coming To NJ New Grocery Stores Coming To NJ
New Grocery Stores Coming To NJ German discount grocer Lidl plans to open its seventh and eighth stores in New Jersey later this month. A store in Howell will be located at 4250 Route 9. The other new store will be on Route 38 in Cherry Hill (Camden County). Both stores will open at 8 a.m. on Feb. 26. Lidl officials plan to celebrate the grand opening with music, giveaways and food specials.  There are currently six Lidl locations in New Jersey, according to the grocery chain’s website, and more than 11,000 Lidl stores worldwide. Over the past few months, Lidl has announced several new stores coming to the Garden …