Spraygrounds offer a fun way to cool off this summer

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Many communities are offering a free or low-cost way for families and friends to stay cool this summer. The spraygrounds offer sprinklers, fountains, sprayers and mats. There are a few free spraygrounds and splash pads located right in Union County. The majority of these are located in Elizabeth, with nine locations in […]

SHOUT Union County seeks out volunteers

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Students Helping OUT Union County is an organization searching for high school volunteers this summer to help around Union County. The skills acquired in this program will help prepare them for future career and volunteer opportunities. This opportunity will provide young people with a safe way to spend their time this summer […]

Kids and corporate team up in creative endeavor

Kids and corporate team up in creative endeavor

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Elizabethtown Gas and Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County have teamed up to create a very special coloring book — and it’s by kids, for kids. As part of its initiative to spread the message of energy efficiency, Elizabethtown Gas approached BGCUC’s Elizabeth club with an interesting idea. Why not have […]

County Recycling and Planning Bureau chief wins award

County Recycling and Planning Bureau chief wins award

UNION COUNTY, NJ — JoAnn Gemenden, Union County Recycling and Planning Bureau Chief, was recently earned an Education Award for her development for two interactive, educational tools. One was a Jeopardy! game she created and the other was the New Jersey Clean Communities Litter Activity Book. These creative marketing tools have been added to an ongoing […]

Flag Day celebrated at Union’s senior center

UNION, NJ — It was an “America the Beautiful” celebration as residents and veterans gathered at the Union’s senior center on June 14 to celebrate Flag Day. The center was furnished in festive decorations in red, white and blue, and guests were treated to a stunning American flag sheet cake. The event was attended by Mayor […]

Union man arrested for attempted murder

UNION, NJ — A Union man is under arrest for attempted murder, drug possession, and possession of a weapon, and is currently under investigation for bias crimes in the form of swastikas and racial slurs found painted in front of Burnet Middle School. Michael Castiglione, 49, of Union, was arrested last week after he rammed his […]

Hillside waits and watches as council defies mayor

HILLSIDE, NJ — Just about everyone in Hillside seems to be waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. After Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson handed down a 10-day, unpaid suspension to former Hillside Chief of Police Louis Panarese on alleged charges of insubordination, followed by a reinstatement of Panarese by the town council against the orders […]

Union County schools are winners of Crayon Cleanout

UNION COUNTY, NJ — From June 6 to June 10, schools in Union County were given the opportunity to participate in the Crayon Cleanout, a charity event where crayons are donated and prevented from entering landfills. Students were encouraged to gather crayons from home and at school to donate during this time. The winners will be […]

Rahway law enforcement participate in torch run

Rahway law enforcement participate in torch run

RAHWAY, NJ — On Friday, June 10, students and staff from Roosevelt Elementary School in Rahway lined the street of St. Georges Avenue to show their support of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics NJ. They cheered on Rahway police and fire department officials as they ran down the street carrying the torch […]

Union County College slammed with sanction by AAUP

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Delegates to the 102nd annual meeting of the American Association of University Professors voted in Washington, D.C. last week to place Union County College on its list of institutions sanctioned for violating AAUP-supported standards of academic government. Association investigations said it revealed serious departures by the administration and governing board from generally […]