State officials express support for retiring ‘freeholder’ title

State officials express support for retiring ‘freeholder’ title

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy announced July 9 that he supports legislation that would change the name of county elected officials from “freeholder” to “county commissioner,” abolishing the title that is both referencing a time when only white male landowners could hold public office and confusing. New Jersey is the only state that […]

County Infrastructure Grant Program awards $1.5M to towns

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Freeholders Infrastructure Grant program will fund various projects throughout the county, including parks, sewage drainage, road resurfacing and signage. In all, the Freeholders made awards to 21 municipalities as part of the sixth annual Union County Infrastructure Grant program, funding projects aimed at spurring economic development growth, and […]

Mayors stress importance of the census

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The 2020 census, a once-a-decade system of counting every person living in the United States, is still underway. The U.S. Census Bureau and local officials are urging all residents to complete the census questionnaire. This is the first census with the option of replying online. According to its website, the Census […]

As pandemic shuts down places of worship, faith communities build new connections

As pandemic shuts down places of worship, faith communities build new connections

UNION COUNTY, NJ — On March 13, as New Jersey confirmed 50 cases of coronavirus and universities canceled their in-person classes, Masjid Darul Islam, a mosque in Elizabeth, kept its doors open for the weekly Friday prayer. Roughly 700 congregants attended. A week later, on March 20 — after the state’s confirmed cases had risen […]

Confirm events are still happening before you get in the car

Confirm events are still happening before you get in the car

UNION COUNTY, NJ — UnionNewsDaily and its affiliated newspapers print notices and calendars telling readers about upcoming events, programs, lectures and more. Due to COVID-19, a lot of municipalities and organizations are canceling or postponing events. Some of these cancellations may occur after publication, or simply not be communicated to us in time to prevent […]

Stamler Police Academy graduates 47

Stamler Police Academy graduates 47

Forty-seven new officers have taken their oaths of office following their graduation from John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains, including 21 who joined the Jersey City Police Department one day after the funeral of Detective Joseph Seals. Seals was the first of four people killed in Jersey City on Dec. 10, when he […]

County mulls lawsuit to end New York City homeless relocation

Union County is considering suing New York City to end a practice that has already placed more than 50 homeless families in towns throughout the county since August without notice, officials said in a Dec. 4 press release. Homeless people from New York City have been placed in seven municipalities under the city’s “Special One […]

Bramnick, Munoz prevail again in race for Assembly seats

Bramnick, Munoz prevail again in race for Assembly seats

Assembly minority leader Jon Bramnick and fellow Republican Nancy Munoz appeared to have beaten back a Democratic upset bid for the second straight election, prevailing in the 22nd Legislative District race despite the wildcard entrance of two “independent conservative” candidates. With 98 percent of the precincts reporting in, Bramnick had a better than 3,000-vote lead […]

Union residents assured on drinking water safety

UNION, N.J. — New Jersey American Water Company administrators gathered with state and local officials to assure residents at an Oct. 15 town hall-style meeting that their tap water is safe to drink, stating that local water sources have tested below state limits for lead. State Sen. Joseph Cryan, whose 20th Legislative District comprises Union, […]

Direct Raritan Valley train service to NYC to resume

Direct Raritan Valley train service to NYC to resume

Off-peak “one-seat ride” service to New York City will resume on the Raritan Valley Line on Monday, Nov. 4, after more than a year of being suspended, Gov. Phil Murphy announced a press conference at the Westfield Train Station. According to the announcement, there will be five midday train departures, both inbound and outbound, and […]