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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…
New NJ QuickChek Features No-Fee ATMs, 12 Fueling Stations New NJ QuickChek Features No-Fee ATMs, 12 Fueling Stations
New NJ QuickChek Features No-Fee ATMs, 12 Fueling Stations A new QuickChek has opened in Essex County. QuickChek recently opened a new 4,542-square-foot store in Belleville at 190 Cortlandt Street. The store celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, March 5.  Russ Mensch The store offers no-fee ATMs, 12 fueling stations, outdoor seating and 51 parking spaces.  The location will be open 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week. QuickChek has been expanding throughout the Garden State, recently opening locations in East Hanover and Scotch Plains.
Shuttered Wedding Venue One Step Closer To Becoming First Grocery Store For NJ Town Shuttered Wedding Venue One Step Closer To Becoming First Grocery Store For NJ Town
Shuttered Wedding Venue One Step Closer To Becoming First Grocery Store For NJ Town One New Jersey town is about to get its first full-fledge supermarket in decades, and it'll be replacing a longtime wedding venue. Lidl is nearly complete with demolition to Snuffy’s Pantagis Renaissance, the more than 80-year-old wedding venue along Route 22 in Scotch Plains that shuttered sometime during the pandemic, according to Tom Strowe, the towns' director of redevelopment. Strowe struggled to remember the last time Scotch Plains had its own grocery store. The closest ones now are the ShopRite in Watchung or South Plainfield, Aldi in South Plainfield, or perhaps Trader Joe…
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 …
Most Spectacular Christmas Light Displays To See This Year In North Jersey Most Spectacular Christmas Light Displays To See This Year In North Jersey
Most Spectacular Christmas Light Displays To See This Year In North Jersey It may be getting dark early but Christmas light displays are keeping New Jersey bright. Daily Voice has partnered with Sandy Nussbaum-Giercyk, the creator of "The Great Holiday Light List: Sights of the Season," to come up with your guide to the best home Christmas light displays across North Jersey. Nussbaum-Giercyk, who owns a Disney-focused travel company, has compiled multiple lists for every county in NJ, FL, NY, PA and MA. "Since we all can't live in Disney every day, holiday lights are the next best way to create magic," she said. "You can see them where ever in the country yo…
'I Beat Bobby Flay': Union County Man Takes Down Celebrity Chef 'I Beat Bobby Flay': Union County Man Takes Down Celebrity Chef
'I Beat Bobby Flay': Union County Man Takes Down Celebrity Chef Chef Joe Murphy has the bragging rights to last a lifetime. Murphy, who lives in Scotch Plains and runs Bakehouse in New Providence, appeared on "Beat Bobby Flay" on Thursday, Sept. 7 on The Food Network and did what few have done: defeated the celebrity chef on his own new TV show. A watch party was held outside Harlee's Tap and Grille in New Providence. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bakehouse by Joe Murphy (@bakehousebyjoemurphy) In the first round, Murphy took on Laura Ochikubo, a pastry chef at French Laundry, cooking  a d…
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.…
NJ High Schooler Savanna Diana Dies, 16 NJ High Schooler Savanna Diana Dies, 16
NJ High Schooler Savanna Diana Dies, 16 Savanna Diana, a 16-year-old rising junior at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, died on Saturday, Aug. 19, her family announced. Diana loved to draw and paint and was considering going to art school, according to her obituary.  She also was an avid animal lover and had a bunny, Nesquik, a chinchilla, Smokey, and a bearded dragon, Miso, her obituary reads. She also enjoyed attending car shows with her brother, Jack. Diana is survived by her mother, Stephanie, her stepmother, Wendy, her three brothers, Kyle, Ryan and Jack, and other family members and friends. Our deepest sympathies t…
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…
QuickChek Continues North Jersey Expansion With Four New Stores QuickChek Continues North Jersey Expansion With Four New Stores
QuickChek Continues North Jersey Expansion With Four New Stores There are more QuickCheks in the Garden State. QuickChek, a convenience store known for its subs, recently opened a location in Totowa at 809 Riverview Drive at Route 46 West. The 5,670-square foot store opened its doors on Tuesday, May 9. The Totowa location is the fourth QuickChek to open in the last six weeks, including stores in Ridgefield and Union Township. Another location is set to open in Scotch Plains. The new stores create a total of 175 to 225 new local jobs, the company said.
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…
Man Tried Killing Relative In Shared Union County Apartment: Police Man Tried Killing Relative In Shared Union County Apartment: Police
Man Tried Killing Relative In Shared Union County Apartment: Police A 41-year-old Union County man has been charged with trying to kill a 50-year-old relative with whom he shares an apartment with, authorities said. Bilal L. Williams was walking in the driveway near the 700 block of East Second Street in Scotch Plains with his hands in the air as police arrived on reports of shots fired around 7:40 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, local police said in a statement. Williams had a 9mm SigSauer handgun at the time of his arrest, they said. More arriving officers found Williams' relative in the second floor of their shared apartment having suffered gunshot …
Garrett Szeto Of Scotch Plains Dies, 26 Garrett Szeto Of Scotch Plains Dies, 26
Garrett Szeto Of Scotch Plains Dies, 26 Beloved son, brother and mental wellness advocate Garrett Austin Szeto of Scotch Plains died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at the age of 26. Garrett had countless hobbies, skills, and interests. More recently, he received a Professional Life Coaching Certificate with the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, his obituary says. Hi everyone - I’m looking for volunteers that want to try out Life Coaching! I am in the process of getting certified... Posted by Garrett Szeto on Saturday, October 23, 2021 He also loved to laugh and had practiced improv with the Steel City Improv Theater in P…
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: 7 New Locations Land In NJ QuickChek Goes Big: 7 New Locations Land In NJ
QuickChek Goes Big: 7 New Locations Land In NJ 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…
North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen
North Jersey Man Convicted Of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Teen A North Jersey man was convicted Tuesday, Sept. 20 of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl over the course of two years, authorities said. Jeff Banatte, 37, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said. The Scotch Plains man sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions when she was between 13 and 15 years old, the prosecutor said. Banatte is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, Oct. 21. “We are grateful for the co…
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…
Popular Ice Cream Spots In North Jersey For A Tasty Cool Down Popular Ice Cream Spots In North Jersey For A Tasty Cool Down
Popular Ice Cream Spots In North Jersey For A Tasty Cool Down We've got a scorcher of a weekend ahead of us. Why not a tasty treat to cool down? Here are some of the most popular ice cream spots in North Jersey. The sampling of spots below were top-rated on several user-generated review sites, featured in local publications and recommended by Daily Voice readers. Applegate Farm Homemade Ice Cream, Montclair View this post on Instagram A post shared by Applegate Ice Cream (@applegatefarmic) Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, Ledgewood Conrad’s Confectionary, Westwood Denville Dairy, Denville Falls Creamery,…
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…
Unfounded Bomb Threat Locks Down Union County Vocational School: Officials Unfounded Bomb Threat Locks Down Union County Vocational School: Officials
Unfounded Bomb Threat Locks Down Union County Vocational School: Officials A North Jersey high school was put on lockdown Tuesday, April 12 amid a bomb threat, officials confirmed. No threats or devices were found during a search of the Union County Vocational Technical School on Raritan Road in Scotch Plains around 11 a.m., a county spokesperson said. The person responsible for making the threat on social media was later identified by police and subsequently interviewed, officials said. The lockdown was eventually lifted.
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…