EDISON, NJ - Police are investigating an attempted carjacking and assault in the parking lot of the Patel Brothers on Oak Tree Road. Authorities have confirmed that the victim was the son of the owner of the Patel Brothers store.
According to police, the assault was on Friday at 4:55 PM. Security surveillance footage of the assault shows three suspects attacking a man as he gets into his orange 2017 Bentley SUV. The man is dragged out of the vehicle and his head slams into another parked car. He did not suffer any major injuries, according to Police Chief Thomas Bryan.
The carjackers entered the vehicle but were unable to drive it because it was operated by a key fob, according to Bryan. As the victim went inside the store to call the police, the suspects fled the scene on foot. No items were stolen from the vehicle, according to the authorities.
Police have not identified any of the suspects nor have they made any arrests at this time. Anyone with additional information about the suspects should contact the Edison Police Burglary Unit by calling (732) 248-7413.
]]>EDISON, NJ -The township has published the proposed municipal broadband system's business plan to provide residents with a municipally operated internet service. Millennium Inc. prepared the broadband business plan and called the project “feasible and financially viable in Edison Township” with a potential buy-in from residents. To see the full plan, click here.
The plan presents how the township would benefit from implementing an FTTx Network, that would provide the community with affordable and accessible internet. According to the plan, the company proposes a one-year pilot program utilizing a $2,000,000 grant awarded to the Township.
“This business plan aligns strategic long-term benefits for municipally owned infrastructure, provides increased benefit to social services, and further increases the overall quality of life for the residents of Edison,” the plan reads, “Through digital equity and inclusion planning, reinvestment activities and job creation, the financial viability of a self-sustaining operational structure will provide a competitive environment of service selection and increase the available technology base and capabilities to the residents.”
The network must provide services to at least 5,000 premises for the project to be financially viable. To achieve this, the company would require a subscription per premises passed of 66%, an average revenue per user of at least $90 per month, a successful pre-subscription campaign, and an annual construction growth of 25% or greater within the area.
In 2022, the township conducted a market study for broadband feasibility. When residents were asked if their broadband was reliable, only 20% said ‘Strongly Agree’ while 26% said ‘Strongly Disagree.’ 36% of respondents said their current broadband service does not meet their needs.
An estimated 98% of internet service provided to Edison Township comes from Optimum. According to the plan, 66% of respondents said they would willingly switch to an internet service provided by the township if it were created.
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EDISON, NJ - Police advise residents to avoid Duclos Lane on Saturday due to ongoing roadwork, according to a recent nixle alert. Residents should plan an alternate route and follow all detours posted on the roadways.
Duclos Lane will be closed from Route 27 through Orange Street until further notice, according to the nixle alert. This part of the road will be closed for thru traffic only.
Duclos Lane is located between Route 27 and Woodbridge Avenue. Residents can access Vale Street and Duley Avenue, located off Duclos Lane between Route 27 and Orange Street.
]]>EDISON, NJ - The Edison Chamber of Commerce will host the 27th annual ‘Taste of Middlesex’ at the Pine Manors on Route 27 on Monday, March 25, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The food showcase will feature the cuisines from restaurants located in Middlesex County.
The event will feature food and drinks from numerous restaurants “representing the diverse culinary landscape of Middlesex County,” according to the Edison Chamber of Commerce website. Participants will also be treated to live music, prizes, and a chance to meet local chefs and business owners.
Restaurants will be judged by a panel of celebrity chefs including Chef David Burke, a well known restaurateur and philanthropist. Other celebrity chefs on the panel include Chef Donald Erickson Jr, Chef John Manzo, and Chef Garry Ruane.
Tickets are priced at $75 per person prior to March 24 and $85 at the door. Tables will be priced at $600 for 10 people and will only be available before March 22. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.
]]>EDISON, NJ - The township is expected to receive an estimated $1.6 million in federal funding to purchase five electric passenger vans. This money is dedicated to the planned resurgence of the Edison Light Transit service, according to the township.
This funding comes from the recently passed federal spending bill. Edison Township is looking to purchase these vehicles as well as utilize the money for software upgrades and EV chargers, according to the township's Chief Administrative Officer, Catriona Leary.
The township plans to purchase these vehicles once they receive the funds, according to an email from Leary.
The Edison Light Transit Service was a shuttle which ran to and from the Edison Train Station. The service was discontinued in 2010. Mayor Sam Joshi has promised to revive the project and expand its scope.
“This means fewer cars on the roads and therefore less traffic. It’s environmentally friendly and reduces our collective carbon footprint, and it’s economical for the residents who use it,” Mayor Joshi said in his 2023 State of the Township address, “It’s truly a win for everyone.”
]]>EDISON, NJ - The health department will be sponsoring an Earth Day Clean Up at two Edison Township Parks, according to their website. The cleanups are scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The cleanup sites will be at John Adams Middle School, located at 1080 New Dover Road, and at the Edison Boat Basin River Walk on Meadow Road. All volunteers are required to register by clicking here.
]]>EDISON, NJ - The township council has approved a resolution to temporarily close Orchard Street to replace the existing culvert over the tributary to Mill Brook. The council has not specified when the closure will take place.
According to the resolution, a portion of Orchard Street will be closed for six months for culvert repairs. A culvert is a structure that channels water underneath a structure, such as a roadway.
Access to Winslow Road, Townsley Street, and the active businesses along Orchard Street will remain, according to the resolution. The detour will require motorists heading to the west of Orchard Street to remain on U.S. Route 1 southbound towards Main Street. Access to Route 1 South and Interstate 287 North will be from Main Street. All detours will be coordinated by the Edison Police Department.
]]>EDISON, NJ - The police department is recommending adding a residential permitted parking zone on Christopher Court, according to the township council agenda. The department will bring this recommendation and a draft ordinance to the council on Monday.
According to the ordinance, permitted parking will be allowed on both sides of Christopher Court from Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Christopher Court would be added to parking zone #5.
Christopher Court is a dead-end street located off Mulberry Lane off of Park Avenue.
]]>EDISON, NJ - New Jersey American Water will conduct their annual flushing of their water distribution system in Edison Township between April 8 and April 26, according to a press release. The company says customers in the area will be notified before the flushing begins.
Flushing involves opening fire hydrants in a specific area to create increased water flow. Customers may notice short periods of low water pressure during this time, according to New Jersey American Water.
Some customers may experience temporary water discoloration during flushing. New Jersey American Water recommends running the cold water until it is clear.
“In addition to continuously investing in our infrastructure, essential maintenance activities such as our hydrant flushing program are key to providing our customers with high-quality drinking water, and it is an annual requirement of the Water Quality Accountability Act,” said New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough in a released statement.
]]>EDISON, NJ - The township will be sponsoring a St. Patrick's Day block party Saturday at the old Stewarts lot at 992 Amboy Ave. The celebration will be from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will feature music, dancing, a beer garden, and more.
The party will have live Irish music performed by The Blarney Boys and the Celtics Rebels Band. There will also be traditional Irish dancing from the Lynn Academy of Irish Dance and the Yvonnes School of Dance.
Elixir Bar and Grill will be sponsoring a beer garden for those age 21 and over. The party will also feature bagpipers, food trucks, fire pits and face painting, according to the township.
]]>EDISON, NJ - A South Carolina man was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a gas station employee in Edison Township in 2018. Marcus A. Wright, age 27, was found guilty of murder, two counts of robbery, and three counts of conspiracy, according to court documents.
On December 20, 2018, Wright was attempting to rob a gas station on Amboy Avenue when he shot and killed John Bertram, an employee. Wright was located in Beaufort, South Carolina in January 2019 and was placed under arrest, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Prosecutors say Wright was found guilty in October 2023 of Murder in the 1st degree, Felony Murder in the 1st degree, Armed Robbery in the 1st degree, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery in the 2nd degree, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, and Possession of a Weapon For An Unlawful Purpose in the 2nd degree.
The investigation was led by Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Lieutenant David Abromaitis and Lieutenant Loren Long of the Edison Police Department, according to the prosecutor’s office
]]>EDISON, NJ - The school district will receive an increase of more than $20 million in state aid for the upcoming academic year, according to the Department of Education. This represents a 28.3% increase in state aid compared to the current 2023-2024 academic year.
The district received an estimated $73,507,998 in state aid for the current academic year and will receive approximately $94,373,215 for the next academic year, an increase of $20,865,217.
This is the second largest increase in state aid for a Middlesex County school district for the 2024 - 2025 academic year. The largest increase was awarded to the Woodbridge School District, with an increase of approximately $24,084,138, according to the Department of Education.
“Since my transition in fall of 2021, my team had discussed with the Governor and LD18 the importance of funding the Edison school system with additional aid,” Mayor Joshi posted on Facebook, “As a result of continued collaboration with the Governor and Legislature, especially LD18 Senator Patrick Diegnan, Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley, we’ve consistently seen increases in the amount of tens of millions of dollars annually. This is a proud day for all of our Edison families and students.”
]]>EDISON, NJ - The county will be hosting a household hazardous waste drop off day at Middlesex College, at 2600 Woodbridge Ave in Edison Township. The event will be on Sunday, March 17, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The county will only be collecting materials from residents, items from commercial businesses will not be accepted.
Acceptable items include adhesives, aerosol cans, antifreeze, brake fluid, car batteries, cleaners, drain cleaners, fire extinguishers, flares (road only), fluorescent bulbs (no broken bulbs), gasoline, gas/oil mix, kerosene, lighter fluid, mercury, motor oil/filters, paints (latex/oil), paint thinner, pesticides/herbicides, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, propane tanks, stains/varnishes, thermometers, and thermostats.
The county will also accept rechargeable and button cell batteries. Prior to disposal, each battery must be individually bagged or taped at each terminal end.
Any materials containing asbestos must be double bagged and pre-registered. Contact the county at solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us or call 732-745-4170.
The county will not accept any appliances/furniture, computers, electronics, empty containers, explosives and munitions, infectious/medical waste, printers, smoke detectors, televisions, and tires. They will also not accept any containers over 10 gallons, according to their website.
]]>EDISON, NJ - All branches of the Edison Public Library will be displaying works by young artists throughout March for ‘Youth Art Month.’ The Main Library and North Edison Branch will hold a reception to celebrate all the submitted work at the end of the month.
The library will accept up to three pieces of work from any child up to the age of 12. Children must be with a parent or guardian when dropping off their artwork to the library and must include the child’s name, age, grade, title of piece, and email or phone number of the guardian. Artwork will be returned to the child at the beginning of April, according to the library.
The reception at the North Branch will be on Saturday, March 23, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. and at the Main Branch on Wednesday, March 27, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Submissions can be made by Thursday, March 21. To submit a child’s work for the display, click here.
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