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Officials ID Mom Of Two, 44, Killed By Storms That Swept Through New Jersey
Officials have identified the 44-year-old woman killed by storms that swept through New Jersey last week.
Diana Ospina, of Middlesex, had pulled over to the side of Greenbrook Road on Thursday, July 3 in North Plainfield, when a large tree and a large portion of the sidewalk uprooted, landing on her 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, local police said.
A GoFundMe launched by Pedro Bessa for Diana's family said she was a mother of two boys, Derek and Jacob. She also leaves behind a loving husband, Robert Ospina. The campaign had raised more than $9,000 as of press time.
"Diana’s love for her f…
Victim, 25, Killed By Violent NJ Storm Was Coming Home From Work, Campaign Says
Support is pouring in for the family of Bryan Ernesto Valladares, one of the three victims killed during Thursday’s violent thunderstorm in New Jersey/.
As of Saturday, July 5, more than $4,400 had been raised on a GoFundMe to help send the 25-year-old Plainfield man's body back to his home country of El Salvador and support his grieving family.
Bryan, described as a hard-working young man, was driving home from work around 6:56 p.m. on July 3 when a tree collapsed onto his vehicle, campaign organizer Yoselin Melendez wrote.
“Bryan, only 25 years old, tragically lost his life when a tree f…
Three Killed In New Jersey As Storm Uproots Trees, Crushes Cars, Flattens Homes
A violent thunderstorm that ripped through New Jersey Thursday night, July 3, left three people dead — including a Middlesex woman, a 79-year-old man, and a 25-year-old Plainfield resident — and caused widespread destruction across Union and Somerset counties, officials said.
Storm photos in Edison below (scroll for fatal incidents).
Yesterday’s strong thunderstorm caused many wires, countless trees, branches and other debris to come down but... Posted by Mayor Sam Joshi on Friday, July 4, 2025
North Plainfield:
At around 6:30 p.m., a 44-year-old Middlesex woman was driving a 2018 …
Prolific NJ Soccer Coach, Teacher Joseph Colodne Dies Suddenly, 46
Multiple New Jersey school and soccer communities are mourning the sudden loss of Joseph “Joe” Colodne, a longtime educator and coach known for his passion, mentorship, and heart.
Colodne, of Fanwood, died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 18, loved ones announced. He was a history teacher at Plainfield High School and an assistant women’s soccer coach at Kean University.
“Joe was so many things,” said Kean women’s soccer head coach Brian Doherty. “A great coach, great mentor, great friend and more than that, just a great person.”
“He was more than just a coach in our program. He was an educato…
NJ Teacher, 26, Offered To Pay Child For Sex, Feds Say
A Union County teacher was arrested for possessing child sex abuse images and paying or offering to pay a minor for sex, federal officials announced.
Jack Wilder, 26, a Plainfield history teacher who lives in Somerville, was charged with possession of child pornography and two counts of enticement of a minor, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said on Sunday, May 4.
He made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and was detained. Wilder had been communicating with a minor victim using a mobile payment app, federal officials said.
…
'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…
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says
Nineteen retailers across New Jersey are facing $4,500 after an investigation found they'd been selling flavored vape products banned in the Garden State, the NJ Attorney General's Office said.
All 19 stores were issued a Notice of Violation after they were found to have violated the state's consumer protection laws, AG Matthew Platkin said.
The enforcement actions are the result of a Division investigation into unlawful sales of flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate flavors, Platkin said.
The Division launched its investigation…
