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Sunday, dec 22
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Scotch Plains, NJ
Obituaries
'Quiet, Humble' Teen Dies Days After Weekend Crash In Union County
Steven Marinero, an 18-year-old Plainfield resident died on Tuesday, Dec. 10 after suffering injuries in a car crash on Saturday, Dec. 7, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family. Marinero, whose photo shows him celebrating graduation from Plainfield High School, was driving eastbound on East 2nd Street when he lost his control of his vehicle and crashed into a parked boat near the intersection, Tapinto reported. "He was a wonderful brother, son and friend who touched the lives of those around him," Joseline Marinero, who organized the fundraiser wrote. Joseli…
Obituaries
Westfield HS Mourns Loss Of Senior Athlete Brandon Genlot Killed In Crash
Brandon Genlot, a senior at Westfield High School, died in a car crash on Monday, Nov. 11, at the age of 17, according to his obituary from the Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home website and Union County Police. It is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of our son, Brandon A service to honor Brandon’s life will be... Posted by Donna Genlot on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 At 7:30 p.m. officers responded to a vehicle crash at Watchung Reservation on Sky Top Drive in Scotch Plains, Union County police said, and found a vehicle that had struck a tree and caught fire.&nbs…
Schools
New Rankings: Best Public High Schools In Union County
Niche has released its list of the best public high schools in America for 2025. The rankings are based on "rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Factors include teacher quality, high school ratings, college readiness, state test scores, and graduation rates (click here for more on methodology). Here are the top 10 best high schools in Union County, according to Niche. 1. Union County Magnet, Scotch Plains 2. Academy for Information Technology, Scotch Plains 3. Academy for Allied Health Scien…
Schools
These NJ Public High Schools Were Named Among Best In America
Niche has released its list of the best public high schools in America for 2025. Several schools in New Jersey made the top 50, all of which earned an A+ from Niche. They are: No. 20: Bergen Academies, Hackensack No. 21: The Academy for Math, Science, and Engineering, Rockaway No. 37: Union County Magnet High School, Scotch Plains No. 43: High Technology High School, Lincroft No. 49: Marine Academy of Technology, Middletown Niche also ranks New Jersey's top public high schools. The top 25 best are: 25. Chatham High School 24. High Tech HS (Hudson County) 23. Middlesex County Academy for…
Police & Fire
LA Fitness Stabbing: Boxcutter-Wielding Suspect From Union County In Custody, Cops Say
A 22-year-old Scotch Plains resident was arrested and charged on Monday, Sept. 9, with attempted murder after he stabbed another man with a boxcutter at an LA Fitness in Clark on Sunday, authorities said. Officers responded to the LA Fitness at 1255 Raritan Rd. and located the victim, while the perpetrator, Antonio Lampon, fled from the scene before law enforcement arrived, Clark police said in a release. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released, police said. Lampon was charged with attempted murder, multiple counts of aggravated assault and multiple…
Police & Fire
Man Missing Out Of Scotch Plains (
Photo
)
Police are attempting to locate a Scotch Plains man who was last seen on Sunday, Aug. 18. Gavin Rogers was last seen at 10 p.m. wearing a navy polo shirt, khaki shorts, green shoes and black frame prescription glasses, Scotch Plains police He was reported missing on Monday, Aug. 19 Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Dilollo of the Scotch Plains Police Department at 908-322-7100 ext. 114 or the main police number at 908-322-7100.
Police & Fire
Worker Hit In Head By Backhoe, Killed While Demolishing Home: Scotch Plains PD
A man died after he was struck with the bucket of a backhoe while demolishing a home in Scotch Plains on the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 12, authorities said. Officers responded to the scene at 3:30 p.m. and located the victim who had severe head trauma, Scotch Plains police said in a release. An NJ State Police medical choppter was requested to the scene, landing at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School, but the man was transported to Overlook Hospital in Summit via Union County Ambulance, police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. His name is being withheld pending next o…
Police & Fire
Office Manager Embezzled $350K From North Jersey Synagogue, Feds Say
A 51-year-old Scotch Plains woman is charged with embezzling more than $350,000 from a Union County synagogue she worked at, authorities said. In 2010, Stacy Margaritondo began working at Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains and was later promoted to bookkeeper and office manager in July 2020, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Margaritondo’s duties included accounting/bookkeeping, payroll, preparing checks for accounts payable, and reporting to the synagogue’s board of directors regarding the synagogue’s financial condition, Sellinger said. From Dec. 2019 to May 20…
Real Estate
Scotch Plains Home Sells For $126K Over Asking Price
It's more spacious than it looks! A 2,308-square foot home in Union County sold for $126,000 over asking price and was under contract in less than a week. The split-level home at 1111 Jefferson Ave. in Scotch Plains was listed by Juan Gamarra of Compass New Jersey in the spring, and was under contract in less than seven days. The 4-bedroom 3.5-bathroom home had 11 offers, four of them over $100,000, Gamarra said. The final offer was for $825,000, the buyer closing just in time for summer vacation. "There's not much inventory in Scotch Plains, so when a property under $1 million come…
Neighbors
Union County Dad, Coach Battling Brain Cancer Sees Overwhelming Support
Phil Orsini, a Union County dad, is in the fight of his life. But he won't do it alone. Orsini, of Scotch Plains, was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, brain cancer, last year. He had surgery at Morristown Medical Center and underwent nine months of treatments, according to a campaign launched for his fight. Despite his diagnosis, Orsini continued to live his life, coaching youth softball and basketball, fishing, golfing, performing punk rock karaoke and spending time with his wife Jill, and his two daughters, Lena and Amelia. In March, Orsini's condition worsened and he was…
Schools
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 …
News
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…
Business
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.
Business
Scotch Plains Lidl
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…
Business
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…
Police & Fire
Student Arrested After Bringing Gun To Union Catholic HS: Police
A student at Union Catholic High School was arrested after they brought a handgun to school on Monday, Jan. 22, authorities said. At 10:45 a.m., Scotch Plains police was alerted by the high school about a firearm being recovered, Jeffrey Briel, the chief of police, said. The school was immediately placed on lockdown as police recovered the weapon, Briel said. There was no threat or harm to the school, students or personnel, Briel said. The Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district as well as schools nearby were also placed in a temporary lockdown out of an abundance of caution, Briel said.…
Police & Fire
Shelter-In-Place Lifted At Union Catholic High School: Police
Police in Fanwood have lifted a shelter-in-place order at Union Catholic High School on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 22, officers said on Facebook. The order was caused by police activity at the high school on Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains, police said. All schools in Scotch Plains and Fanwood were under the order as a precaution, police said. Officers did not specify what the police activity was.
Police & Fire
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 …
Lifestyle
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…
Obituaries
Shelly Widder, 50-Year-Old Fanwood Resident, Dies Months After Husband
Shelly Widder, a 50-year-old Fanwood resident, died on Thursday, Sept. 7 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, according to her obituary. Shelly was predeceased by her husband Charles, who died in in April. She is survived by her four children, Charles, 22, Hayden, 20, Colin, 17, and Claire, 15. Shelly, who received her master's degree in data analytics from the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, was someone who was actively involved in her kids sports teams and never missed a game, her obituary reads . A fundraiser has been set up to assist her four children with any financial needs …
Lifestyle
'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…
Lifestyle
Union County Chef Appearing On 'Beat Bobby Flay'
Does pastry chef Joe Murphy have what it takes? We'll find out Thursday evening, Sept. 7. Murphy, who lives in Scotch Plains and runs Bakehouse by Joe Murphy in New Providence, will be appearing on "Beat Bobby Flay" on the Food Network at 9 p.m. On "Beat Bobby Flay" two contestants face off, cooking a dish for 20 minutes using a secret ingredient chosen by Flay. Two judges then decide which chef has the chance to beat Flay, and the winner gets their shot to challenge Flay with their signature dish. If the judges determine the chef made a better dish than Flay, they get to tell the world, "I…
Schools
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.…
Obituaries
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…
Schools
These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In Union County, Report Says
The grades are in and these Union County high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, the following schools were ranked in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools in Union County” report: No. 1 - Union County Magnet High School, Scotch Plains No. 2 - Academy for Information Technology, Scotch Plains No. 3 - Academy for Allied Health Science, Scotch Plains No. 4 - Union County Vocational-Technical High School, Scotch Plains No. 5 - Summit Senior High School, Summit All …
Police & Fire
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…
Police & Fire
2,000 Residents Without Power In Union County
Nearly 2,000 residents were without power Tuesday afternoon, July 25 in one Union County town. The PSE&G outage map shows 1,100 customers were in the dark on one side of Scotch Plains, and just more than 700 on another, as of 3:15 p.m. One outage appeared to be stemming from two separate areas off of Lake Avenue, near the Clark border, and the other in a neighborhood off Westfield Road, between Coles Avenue and Lyde Place. Restoration time was 6 p.m.
Business
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.
News
Major
Nj-b
ased 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…
Obituaries
Union County Dad Of 3, Lab Tech Jared Vassallo Dies, 33
Dedicated Union County dad of three and lab technician Jared Vassallo died on Sunday, Dec. 11 aged 33. Born in Livingston, Jared grew up in Westfield before moving to Newport, Rhode Island, and returning to Kenilworth, his obituary says. Jared graduated from the Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains in 2007 and earned his plumbing certification at the Community College of Rhode Island. He was employed as a plumber for several years and most recently worked as a lab technician and phlebotomist at Toplab in Millburn, according to his memorial. Jared was a former parishioner at churche…
Police & Fire
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 …
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