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Westfield, NJ

Charges Upgraded For 20-Year-Old Man After Pedestrian Dies In Hudson County Hit-Run Crash Charges Upgraded For 20-Year-Old Man After Pedestrian Dies In Hudson County Hit-Run Crash
Charges Upgraded For 20-Year-Old Man After Pedestrian Dies In Hudson County Hit-Run Crash Charges were upgraded for two people arrested in a hit-and-run crash after the victim died over the weekend, authorities in Hudson County said. Samuel Collazo, a 20-year-old Westfield resident, was identified as the driver of the motorcycle that struck Angel Guzman Morales, 54, of Union City, last Saturday, Aug. 17, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Collazo was initially charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, receiving stolen property, and unlawful taking, Suarez said. After Morales died on Saturday,…
Two Charged In West New York Hit, Run Crash That Critically Injured Pedestrian: Prosecutor Two Charged In West New York Hit, Run Crash That Critically Injured Pedestrian: Prosecutor
Two Charged In West New York Hit, Run Crash That Critically Injured Pedestrian: Prosecutor Two people were arrested and charged on Wednesday, Aug. 21, following a hit-and-run motorcycle crash in West New York that critically injured a pedestrian last Saturday, Aug. 17, authorities said. At 3:40 p.m., West New York police responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motorcycle on Bergenline Avenue and 57th Street and found the victim with life-threatening injuries, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The occupant of the motorcycle fled the scene on foot, Suarez said.  The victim, a 54-year-old Union City resident, is in critical condition in a nearby hospital, …
Bergen County Hot Dog Shop Expands Into Union County Bergen County Hot Dog Shop Expands Into Union County
Bergen County Hot Dog Shop Expands Into Union County 1950s Originals is continuing to establish its footprint as the hot dog joint of North Jersey. Dan DeMiglio, owner of the Westwood eatery, announced his shop will be expanding into Westfield, with an opening date set for sometime next month. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Burgers, Dogs & Fries (@1950originals) "It’s a proud moment for our entire team," DeMiglio said. "A huge thanks to everyone who’s been with us on this journey.  "Bringing co-owner Chef Danny’s recipes and our Beef Tallow tastebud magic to such an arti…
Child Injured After Daycare Evacuated When Ceiling Tile Falls: Westfield FD Child Injured After Daycare Evacuated When Ceiling Tile Falls: Westfield FD
Child Injured After Daycare Evacuated When Ceiling Tile Falls: Westfield FD A child suffered a minor injury after the Westfield Day Care Center had to be evacuated after a ceiling tile fell on the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 1, authorities said. At 1:25 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of a roof collapse at the day care located inside Redeemer Lutheran Church at 229 Cowperthwaite Pl. and found a small drip tray from a roof mounted air conditioning unit had leaked and caused a ceiling tile and the drip tray to fall, the Westfield Fire Department said in a release.  The children were relocated to the Roosevelt School, firefighters said. The Westfield Vol…
Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55 Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55
Eric Bernstein, CEO of Berkshire Furniture, Dies At 55 Eric Bernstein, the CEO of his Berkshire Furniture and a Westfield resident, died on Thursday, July 25, at the age of 55, according to his obituary by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel. Berkshire Furniture, based in Springfield, is a family business that has been passed down through four generations, Bernstein's obituary reads. Bernstein also served as president of the New Jersey/New York Furniture Association in 2017, according to his obituary. Yesterday the we lost a special friend, partner and leader. Eric Bernstein, president of Berkshire Furniture , and..…
Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood
Home Explosion Rocks Quiet North Jersey Neighborhood An unoccupied home in Westfield was destroyed following a fiery explosion on Monday evening, July 29, authorities said. At 10:15 p.m., firefighters responded to a home on the 100 block of Tudor Oval and found the structure ablaze with evidence of an explosion, the Westfield Fire Department said in a release. Debris was scattered around the area, firefighters said. Firefighters said they transported a second alarm at 10:23 p.m., requesting additional units to assist with containing the blaze. A third alarm was transmitted at 10:38 p.m., firefighters said. Police evacuated nearby homes, fire…
Former CFO From Westfield Gets Five Years For Stealing Millions From Law Firm: AG Former CFO From Westfield Gets Five Years For Stealing Millions From Law Firm: AG
Former CFO From Westfield Gets Five Years For Stealing Millions From Law Firm: AG A 61-year-old Westfield resident was sentenced on Friday, July 26, to five years in prison after he admitted to embezzling over $1.5 million from the law firm where he worked as chief financial officer, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said. John Dunlea was the CFO at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, a national law firm based in Morristown, Attorney General Matthew  Platkin said. Between 2017 and 2022, Dunlea misappropriated funds from the firm by paying himself $1.2 million. He also rung up $355,256 in charges on the company credit card, paying for flights, hotels a…
8K+ Without Power Amid Another Round Of Storms In New Jersey 8K+ Without Power Amid Another Round Of Storms In New Jersey
8K+ Without Power Amid Another Round Of Storms In New Jersey More than 8,000 New Jersey residents were without power amid another round of storms on Sunday, June 22. PSE&G's outage map shows 5,341 were in the dark in Burlington County and more than 3,000 in Camden. The majority of the outages were in Maple Shade, Moorestown, Haddon and Pennsauken. In Union County, nearly 1,000 had lost power in Westfield. Smaller but more widespread outages were reported on the Jersey Shore, according to JCP&L, specifically in Long Branch, Red Bank, Asbury Park, Hazlet, Middletown, Keansburg, and Matawan. The National Weather Service had warned residen…
Hollywood Actors Filming New Movie In New Jersey Hollywood Actors Filming New Movie In New Jersey
Hollywood Actors Filming New Movie In New Jersey Union County has become a true cavalcade of stars. Julianne Moore and John Turturro were the latest Hollywood stars spotted in Westfield on Wednesday, May 8, filming the new movie "The Room Next Door."  For the shoot, Westfield transformed into Lake Hill, New York, with patrol cars, police uniforms, a department seal and a New York State flag flying over the city.  Town of Westfield "The crew noted that, after scouting many locations in New Jersey, they chose Westfield for this scene not only for the front of our police department, but also for the beauty of Mindowaskin Park," …
NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG
NJ Law Firm CFO Embezzled $1.5 Million, Faces Five Years In Prison : State AG A 61-year-old Westfield man faces five years in state prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $1.5 million from the law firm he worked at as chief financial officer, authorities said. John Dunlea pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 8, to two counts of theft by deception and five counts of failure to pay taxes, New Jersey Attorney General Platkin said. Dunlea admitted to misappropriating $1.5 million from the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter by paying himself excess compensation, Platkin said. Between Jan. 2017 and Dec. 2022, Dunlea paid himself $1.2 mill…
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…
Millburn Deli Being Sold To Jersey Mike's? Check The Date Millburn Deli Being Sold To Jersey Mike's? Check The Date
Millburn Deli Being Sold To Jersey Mike's? Check The Date The Millburn Deli gave its customers quite a scare with an announcement that ended up being an April Fool's Day joke. On Sunday, March 31, the iconic deli, which has locations in Millburn, Morristown, Montclair and Westfield, told customers on Facebook it was being sold to Jersey Mike's.  Customers freaked out until the deli, a Millburn institution since 1946, revealed the ruse. "We apologize for the scare and thank you for all the love," the deli wrote. "Millburn Deli has and always will be the Millburn Deli. Don't take your hanger out on our employees this week." And yes, the deli …
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
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…
CFO Once Sued By NJ Firm Accused Of Embezzling $1.5M CFO Once Sued By NJ Firm Accused Of Embezzling $1.5M
CFO Once Sued By NJ Firm Accused Of Embezzling $1.5M A 61-year-old Westfield resident was charged with embezzling more than $1.5 million from the law firm where he worked as chief financial officer, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said. John Dunlea was the CFO at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, a national law firm based in Morristown, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.  Between 2017 and 2022, Dunlea misappropriated funds from the firm by paying himself $1.2 million. He also rung up $355,256 in charges on the company credit card, paying for flights, hotels and restaurants for himself and his family, Platki…
NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm
NJ School Closings: These Districts Have Early Dismissals Ahead Of Snow Storm School districts across New Jersey have begun announcing schedule changes for Friday, Jan. 19, ahead of the second snow storm of the week. Parts of the state could see up to six inches of snow, expected to begin falling between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said. The following districts have early dismissals: Cranford Dumont Franklin Lakes Hackensack Hanover Park Regional HS Lyndhurst Marlboro Maywood Millburn Mountainside North Arlington Oradell Parsippany-Troy Hills Pompton Lakes Rockaway Roselle Park Scotch Plains-Fanwood Totowa Warren Watchung/Watchung Hills R…
Teen NJ Victim Of Deepfake Porn Pleads With Lawmakers: 'It Could Happen To Anyone' Teen NJ Victim Of Deepfake Porn Pleads With Lawmakers: 'It Could Happen To Anyone'
Teen NJ Victim Of Deepfake Porn Pleads With Lawmakers: 'It Could Happen To Anyone' Last fall, Francesca Mani discovered a male classmate had made AI-generated nude images of her without her consent. While the images were deleted and the Westfield High School student said she never saw them, Francesca still felt sad and helpless.  Now she has found a way to turn that trauma into something empowering.  Francesca is working with members of Congress, including Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., (R-Westfield) to pass legislation to stop the spread of deepfake pornography generated by artificial intelligence.  According to a press release issued by New York Congress…
Westfield Students Made AI-Generated Nude Images Of Female Classmates: Officials Westfield Students Made AI-Generated Nude Images Of Female Classmates: Officials
Westfield Students Made Ai-generated Nude Images Of Female Classmates: Officials The Westfield School District said it is investigating after male students made AI-generated nude images of their female classmates. Mary Ann McGann, a spokeswoman for the district, said the incident took place over the summer and was brought to the attention of administrators on Friday, Oct. 20. The Wall Street Journal first reported the story on Thursday, Nov. 2.  The administration began an immediate investigation and police were notified, McGann said. All the images have been deleted and are not being circulated, Principal Mary Asfendis said in an e-mail to parents. Citing confide…
Feds: Digital Fingerprints Lead NJ Agents To Convicted Sex Offender's Child Porn Collection Feds: Digital Fingerprints Lead NJ Agents To Convicted Sex Offender's Child Porn Collection
Feds: Digital Fingerprints Lead NJ Agents To Convicted Sex Offender's Child Porn Collection Federal agents working a child porn investigation traced digital fingerprints to a convicted sex offender living in Union County who was downloading more horrifying illegal images when they came busting in, authorities said. Matthew T. Williams, 43, was seized during a raid of his Westfield apartment on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Homeland Security Investigations agents from Newark reported more than 40 child sexual abuse videos found on a drive attached to Williams's computer that was pulling more from the Internet when they arrived. Williams was living in New York State when he was previously con…
Westfield Man Indicted After 14-Hour SWAT Standoff: Prosecutors Westfield Man Indicted After 14-Hour SWAT Standoff: Prosecutors
Westfield Man Indicted After 14-Hour SWAT Standoff: Prosecutors A 41-year-old Westfield man has been indicted on 14 counts after a 14-hour standoff with police in July, prosecutors announced  Around 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, police responded to a 9-1-1 call from his residence at The Boulevard for a dispute, Union County Prosecutor William Daniel said.  When officers arrived, they were met at the front door by Michael Ward, who was brandishing a large kitchen knife, Daniel said. Ward refused to drop the knife and retreated back into his residence, Daniel said.  The other members soon exited the residence and Ward barricaded himself …
Middle Finger Traffic Stop: Viral Video Sparks Investigation In North Jersey Town Middle Finger Traffic Stop: Viral Video Sparks Investigation In North Jersey Town
Middle Finger Traffic Stop: Viral Video Sparks Investigation In North Jersey Town It's become the middle finger seen around the world. A traffic stop on Westfield is under investigation after a man said he was pulled over after flipping off a police officer. The traffic stop was recorded on Sunday, Aug. 6 and shared on YouTube where it has generated more than 370,000 views. In the video, posted by LackLuster, a channel dedicated to police accountability, Officer Ayad Taha claims the driver, identified as "Nathan", was going 48 mph in a 35 mph zone, though this is disputed by Nathan's GPS. Nathan refuses to answer any of the officer's questions, while dashcam footage…
DRUG FRAUD: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine DRUG FRAUD: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine
Drug Fraud: Crimebusters Smash Statewide NJ Ring That Stole, Forged Prescriptions For Codeine An elaborate drug fraud ring operating in more than half the counties in New Jersey stole doctors’ prescription pads as part of a scheme to stock up on opioid-boosted cough syrup, authorities charged. Medical offices in various parts of the state – including Wayne, Morristown and Bridgewater – were broken into by Divinete Jeffries, 30, of East Orange, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Jefferies snatched prescription pads that were then forged and given to accomplices who submitted them to various pharmacies using stolen IDs and bogus driver’s licenses, according to an indictment return…
Coyote Attack, Sightings Close Two North Jersey Parks Coyote Attack, Sightings Close Two North Jersey Parks
Coyote Attack, Sightings Close Two North Jersey Parks In the wake of a coyote attack and coyotes being spotted on the prowl, two North Jersey parks are closed to the public. On Saturday, July 1, the Town of Westfield announced it is closing Brightwood Park after an aggressive coyote was spotted. The Westfield Police Department and Westfield Regional Health Department are investigating and no injuries have occurred, the town said. Residents are advised to report any coyote sightings to the Westfield Police Department.  On Friday, June 30, a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized after being attacked by a coyote at South Mountain Reservation in…
These NJ Celebs Will Get Stars On Hollywood Walk Of Fame These NJ Celebs Will Get Stars On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
These NJ Celebs Will Get Stars On Hollywood Walk Of Fame The Garden State continues to show why it's so star-studded. Three celebrities with New Jersey roots were among a number of entertainers selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Selection Panel of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.  They are Kevin Feige, Jim Nantz and Jane Krakowski. Feige was raised in Westfield and graduated from Westfield High School. As the producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Feige is the highest grossing producer of all-time. Combined, the MCU has grossed more than $29 billion worldwide, with no signs of slowing down…
Former Arts Foundation Director, Devoted North Jersey Mother Hillary Cooper-Piputtana Dies, 47 Former Arts Foundation Director, Devoted North Jersey Mother Hillary Cooper-Piputtana Dies, 47
Former Arts Foundation Director, Devoted North Jersey Mother Hillary Cooper-Piputtana Dies, 47 Condolences and heartfelt tributes are pouring in for Hillary Catherine Cooper-Piputtana, the former events director of an arts foundation and a devoted mother who died at her Bernardsville home on Sunday, June 11 aged 47. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Hillary was raised in Westfield and experienced many years in New York City before settling in Bernardsville in 2018, her obituary says. Hillary graduated from Kent Place School in Summit and New York University, where she earned a BA in sociology. She worked as the Manager, Artist Development for Island Records at Island Def Jam Music Group in …
CHOPPED: Passaic, Bergen Garages Doubled As Destinations For Stolen Vehicles, Authorities Say CHOPPED: Passaic, Bergen Garages Doubled As Destinations For Stolen Vehicles, Authorities Say
Chopped: Passaic, Bergen Garages Doubled As Destinations For Stolen Vehicles, Authorities Say A group of towing and mechanic business owners in Bergen and Passaic had a lucrative moonlighting operation going before New Jersey State Police shut them down, authorities said. Workers at the off-hour chop shops in Paterson, Passaic and Elmwood Park altered stolen vehicles for resale and disassembled others to be sold as parts, state authorities said on Friday, June 2. Fourteen people in all were arrested during quick-strike raids last week by the NJSP, assisted by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, Paterson police and several other local, county and federal law enforcement agencies. R…
Famed Brat Pack Member To Drop By Bergen County Bookstore Famed Brat Pack Member To Drop By Bergen County Bookstore
Famed Brat Pack Member To Drop By Bergen County Bookstore Now all your burning questions about "Mannequin" can be answered. Andrew McCarthy, who rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of the Brat Pack, is hosting a meet and greet at Books and Greetings in Northvale to celebrate his new book, "Walking With Sam," on Thursday, June 1 at 6 p.m.  McCarthy was born in Westfield and grew up in Bernardsville, attending Bernards High School and Pingry School. In the book, McCarthy chronicles the time he and his son, Sam, walked 500 miles across Spain's Camino de Santiago over five weeks. During the trek, the two have honest conversations about divorce…
fresh&co: New Fast Casual Restaurant Opens In Newark fresh&co: New Fast Casual Restaurant Opens In Newark
fresh&co: New Fast Casual Restaurant Opens In Newark Newark is becoming a food destination. fresh&co. announced it is opening its 14th location in the dining hall at The Junction at Gateway Center. This is fresh&co's second location in New Jersey, having opened a location in Westfield earlier this year. fresh&co. will be open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on weekends. View this post on Instagram A post shared by fresh&co (@freshandcousa) The fast casual chain has Jersey roots. Its co-founder and CEO, George Tenedios is an Englewood Cliffs resident. fresh&…
Popular Breakfast Spot Opens In Bergen County Popular Breakfast Spot Opens In Bergen County
Popular Breakfast Spot Opens In Bergen County Breakfast lovers in Bergen County have a new place to call home. Turning Point, which serves breakfast, lunch and brunch, recently opened its 24th location in Paramus at 65 Route 4 West. This is the restaurant's third location in North Jersey, joining Hoboken and Westfield.  The restaurant has locations throughout New Jersey along with Pennsylvania and Delaware and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. "We are super excited to be a part of the Paramus community," Kerri Dwyer, district manager for Turning Point said. "Paramus was the right spot at the right time." Dwyer said at their …
Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon Café In Bergen County Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon Café In Bergen County
Akai Lounge Teams Up With Blue Moon Café In Bergen County Fans of Mexican food and Japanese restaurant have their ultimate dream concept in Bergen County. The owners of Akai Lounge, which has locations in Englewood, Westfield and Westchester County, NY, have purchased the Blue Moon Café, a Mexican restaurant that has been an institution in Englewood for 27 years. James Du and Lillian Pien, who purchased Blue Moon, plan on keeping the restaurant open, while also combining it with Akai Lounge, creating two restaurants in one, with one room serving Japanese food and the other serving Mexican food.  While Blue Moon remains open, the Akai Lounge …
NJ Soccer Player Fell To His Death From Balcony Helping Hotel Guest In Mexico: Reports NJ Soccer Player Fell To His Death From Balcony Helping Hotel Guest In Mexico: Reports
NJ Soccer Player Fell To His Death From Balcony Helping Hotel Guest In Mexico: Reports Henry Meacock's death may be an indication of the way he lived: Selflessly. The 19-year-old New Jersey soccer player was apparently trying to retrieve a fallen belonging of another hotel guest when he fell to his death earlier this month while on Spring Break, the New York Post reports citing officials in Mexico. Reports on social media say the Ohio State University athlete and Westfield native went out to a balcony on the third floor to get the other guest's ID, when he stepped on a piece of plexiglass that gave way on Wednesday, March 15. "He was a gentleman to his very core and as genui…
Life Cut Short For 'Friendly, Reliable' Westfield Recreation Worker Lauren Harmer Life Cut Short For 'Friendly, Reliable' Westfield Recreation Worker Lauren Harmer
Life Cut Short For 'Friendly, Reliable' Westfield Recreation Worker Lauren Harmer Lauren Harmer, of Westfield, NJ, died at her home on March 11, 2023, her obituary says. She was 28 years old. Lauren graduated from East Stroudsburg University, and went on to work for Westfield's recreation department as the events specialist. "The pride of her life was the Westfield Summer Program for the township’s children," her obituary said, noting she helmed the town's senior transport program and worked at the town pool, too. Lauren founded the state's parks and recreation sponsorship program and earned the NJRPA Cron Scholarship. It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that…