Democrats maintain stronghold on Freeholder board; late tally of absentee ballots changes outcome in several local elections

By Cheryl Hehl, Staff Writer UNION COUNTY — Although the Democrat incumbents easily managed to maintain the stronghold that the party has had on the freeholder board for the last 16 years, there were upsets at the local level that could result in political power shifts, while a referendum proved just where taxpayers stand on the issue of secession. It […]

Literacy Volunteers to host star-studded gala on Nov. 13

UNION COUNTY — Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey and Literacy Volunteers of Union County will honor Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and author Rosanne Cash, The Honorable Harold J. Wirths, Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. who is a former Secretary of State, author and public advocate, and former LVNJ President Henry Goldsmith when the two groups […]

Murder suspect remains in custody as police search for body of Cranford victim

UNION – Suspect Matthew Ballister III remained in the county jail this morning on $2 million bail but has refused to tell police where he dumped the slain body of his Cranford girlfriend, April Wyckoff. According to police sources, more than 100 law enforcement officers along with the Hudson County K-9 Unit, U.S. Park Police […]

200 new trees for Union County

UNION COUNTY — Freeholder Angel G. Estrada helped to give away 200 free willow oak and flowering dogwood saplings earlier this month. Receiving a willow oak is Union County resident Alan Hauser. The trees were donated by the New Jersey Tree Foundation in partnership with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the New York/New […]

Linden officer captures title in pistol competition

LINDEN — Vincenzo Wegrzynek, a 5 year veteran of the Linden Police Department, took First Place in the Third Annual Union County Sheriff’s Department Pistol Competition, held recently at the Union County Pistol Range. Wegrzynek competed with municipal officers from nine Union County departments as well as the county police, sheriff’s department, and Kean University officers. […]

UCC’s McMenamin named Middle States Commissioner

CRANFORD – Union County College President Margaret M. McMenamin was elected to be a commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. McMenamin’s three-year term will begin on Jan. 1, and run through the end of 2016. As a commissioner, McMenamin will participate on a 26-member board that oversees accreditation and pre-accreditation activities for […]

Supervisor of Prosecutor’s Office Juvenile Unit earns statewide award

UNION COUNTY — An assistant prosecutor has earned a statewide excellence award for her efforts to improve the juvenile justice system in Union County, acting county Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced recently. Susan Gleason, supervisor of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Juvenile Unit, received the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiatives Champion Award at the JDAI All-Sites […]