By Peter Fiorilla on SCOTCH PLAINS
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A church in Scotch Plains is planning to host one or two families of Syrian refugees this year, in an attempt to help them find a new home in Union County and escape the devastating conflict that’s torn apart their home country. The gesture continues a decades-long tradition at Willow Grove Presbyterian […]
By Peter Fiorilla on LINDEN
LINDEN, NJ — When a sign-up sheet for community service is posted in the The Academy, located right across the street from Linden High School, there isn’t much time before it’s been filled out by hundreds of high school-aged cadets, squad leaders and others who make up the district’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. There’s almost […]
By Peter Fiorilla on COUNTY NEWS
UNION COUNTY, NJ — A $508 million budget for Union County was formally introduced by county manager Al Faella at a freeholder meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18, at the freeholders’ headquarters in Elizabeth, and the proposal — if approved in the next several months — would be a 3.25 percent increase over last year’s budget of […]
By Peter Fiorilla on ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Senior Charles James
UNION, NJ — Offensive and defensive tackle Charles James is a four-year veteran of Union High School football. After a fruitful career with the Farmers, he signed a letter of intent on Thursday, Feb. 14, to further his studies and play college football with Monmouth University. James was one of three Union High School players, […]
By Peter Fiorilla on ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Senior Kaitlyn McTernan, Track and Field
UNION, NJ — Senior Kaitlyn McTernan is a ranked runner with the Union High School track and field team. McTernan represented all female athletes in Union on Sunday, Feb. 7, at a National Girls and Women in Sports Day luncheon hosted by Seton Hall University. Later in February, McTernan led the Farmers with fourth- and […]
By Peter Fiorilla on UNION
UNION, NJ — The upcoming Union High School production of “Mary Poppins” will be an opportunity for students to soar, literally and figuratively, in an emotional re-imagining of the popular children’s story. Performances of the musical will be held at the school from Thursday, March 10, to Sunday, March 13, and again on Friday, March 18, […]
By Peter Fiorilla on HILLSIDE
HILLSIDE, NJ — An educational movement to deliver free, private tutoring to children from low-income families is brewing in Union County. Nuno Pereira, a 20-year-old studying at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, in New York City, can remember growing up in Hillside without access to the resources that help students succeed — books, classroom supplies, […]
By Peter Fiorilla on COUNTY NEWS
UNION COUNTY, NJ — Several Union County cities will noticeably benefit from the New Jersey Department of Education’s proposed state aid numbers for the 2016-17 school year, although the amount being granted in Elizabeth — where the brunt of state aid in the county goes — and elsewhere in New Jersey is staying relatively flat, year-to-year. […]
By Peter Fiorilla on UNION
UNION, NJ — A Union native drew upon her time at Union High School in the 1980s, and regular trips to the Jersey Shore, for inspiration when writing a recently released romance novel in which the lead character is a teenage protagonist “finding herself” during a turbulent time in her life. Christine Lourenco, a member of […]
By Peter Fiorilla on UNION
UNION, NJ — There’s a new voice on the Union Board of Education, although it might be a familiar voice to anyone who’s a regular at the board meetings. After a month-long search, the Board of Education recently approved longtime educator Nellis Regis-Darby to fill its final open seat, which was left vacant by the resignation […]