Hillsborough News
By HILLSBOROUGH COMMITTEE MEMBERS SAMANTHA HAND AND JILL PEREZ
January 11, 2026
To the Editor:As mothers and as elected officials, we are deeply heartbroken by the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, a young mother of three whose life was taken during an encounter involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. No parent should lose their life in this way, and ...
WEST ORANGE, NJ - Governor Richard Codey, a driving force in New Jersey politics for more than half a century, died Sunday.His family announced the death of the 79-year-old on social media, saying he died “after a brief illness.”“He lived his life with humility, compassion, and a deep sense of ...
TRENTON, NJ – Governor Murphy today signed Bill A5278, the "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act,” into law. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, Assemblyman Roy Freiman, and Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, this legislation would require health insurers to cover diagnosis and treatment of menopause ...
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — Seven Democrats seeking to unseat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-7) addressed immigration enforcement, congressional war powers, climate change, health care, energy costs, and affordability Friday night during a candidates forum hosted by the Democratic Clubs of Berkeley Heights and ...
SOMERVILLE, NJ - Governor Phil Murphy returned one last time to the Historic Somerset County Courthouse Friday — just 11 days before his term expires — to reminisce, crack a few jokes, slap high-fives and preside at the swearings-in of several Somerset County officials, just as he has done the ...
SOMERVILLE. NJ - The political ambitions of two local officials extend beyond their elected roles as Somerset County Commissioners to the US Congress in Washington, with both Democrats launching campaigns for House seats in the upcoming 2026 Primary.Shanel Robinson, director of the Somerset County ...
SOUTH RIVER, NJ – In commemoration of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Friday, Jam. 9, Governor Phil Murphy was joined by members of the Sicknick family, law enforcement officers, veterans, and a bipartisan group of elected officials to honor the life of former U.S. Capitol Police Officer ...
MANVILLE, NJ — Manville High School senior Sadie Fleming scored the 1,000th point of her high school career on a free throw during the Lady Mustangs’ 36–34 victory over College Achieve Central, cementing her place in program history.Fleming, who entered the game nine points shy of the milestone, ...
RAMSEY, NJ — Public school districts across New Jersey will have to come up with a plan to ban student cell phone use for the entire school day by the start of the 2026-2027 school year under a new law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday.“With today’s bill signing, we are ensuring New Jersey ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - Before conducting regular business at the Jan.6 township Reorganization meeting, Mayor Catherine Payne and Committeewoman Jill Gomez unveiled their official portraits. Portraits of all Township Committee members are painted by local students of The Art Academy, under the ...
SOMERVILLE, NJ - A 25-year-old borough resident has been sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison after being convicted of second-degree aggravated arson and second-degree theft of a motor vehicle in connection with a June 4, 2024 fire that destroyed several businesses on West Main ...
PISCATAWAY, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has identified the victims and the suspect involved in a triple homicide and police-involved shooting that occurred Monday evening at a River Road home in Piscataway.The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m., when Piscataway police responded to ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - The Township Committee elected a new mayor at Tuesday night's Reorganization Meeting while welcoming Democrat Jill Gomez to the five-member governing body.Catherine Payne, who had served as Deputy Mayor last year, was elected by a unanimous vote of 5-0. She replaces John ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - Michele Kidd has resigned as Chair of the township's Democratic Party, having served for 3 ½ years, during which time the party grew in size and influence in township politics.Following is her resignation letter:Dear Esteemed Hillsborough Democrats,I write to you today to ...
-FRANKLiN, NJ - Somerset County Commissioners' Director Shanel Robinson officially launched her campaign for Congress on Tuesday, Jan. 6.She had made her intentions known shortly after Election Day, 2025 and since then, several other candidates have announced their intentions to run in the ...
PISCATAWAY, NJ — Police shot and killed a suspect who charged at them wielding a machete, authorities said. Three other people were later found dead inside a Piscataway home where the incident unfolded on Monday, they said.The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey Attorney General's ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - The holiday season is behind us, which means it's time to get focused on the New Year and matters of importance at home and that includes the family pet.The township Department of Health is hosting a free rabies clinic Saturday, Jan. 10 between 10 a.m.- noon at the Public Works ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Amwell Road (Route 514) will be closed between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Monday, Jan. 5 through Friday, Jan. 9 between East Mountain Road and River Road.Work crews from PSE&G will be working on the underground gas main.Police will post detour signs.
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - The Raiders won the last time they faced Notre Dame and things went their way on Saturday too. The Raiders walked away with a 65-58 win over the Irish. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Raiders' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' New Jersey basketball ...
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Franklin Township’s annual Reorganization Meeting on Saturday was marked by ceremony, reflection, and a strong sense of civic pride, highlighted by the attendance of Mikie Sherrill, whose visit brought statewide attention to the start of the township’s 2026 governing ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - Who doesn’t love a good comedy about nuns? Nunsense, anyone? Sister Act? The Flying Nun?Director Michael A. Muller (The Butler Did It and The Ladies Foursome) brings Tom Smith’s Drinking Habits, a traditional, laugh-out-loud farce, to the Somerset Valley Playhouse in the first ...
SOMERVILLE, NJ - As we close out 2025, I am honored to step into the role of Chair of the Somerset County Business Partnership. This past year has been one of remarkable transformation, growth, and resilience for the Partnership and the business community.In 2025, the Business Partnership grew to ...
SOMERSET, NJ - Franklin Township will ring in the new year with ceremony, music, and high-profile visitors when the Township Council holds its annual Reorganization Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 1-4 p.m., formally launching the municipality’s 2026 governing term.The meeting is expected to draw ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - The township's annual reorganization meeting will be held on Jan. 6, 2026 at the municipal building, 379 South Branch Road beginning at 7 p.m.Reorganization meetings following November elections are required to be held in the first seven days of January. The rule applies to New ...
SOMERVILLE, NJ - Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, welcomed Jayden Mateo Ventura Dehesa as Somerset County’s first baby of 2026 at 9:56 a.m. New Year's Day. The baby boy was born to Alondra Lizzeth Dehesa Flores and Isrrael Ventura Cortes of ...
TRENTON, NJ = Driving in New Jersey will cost more starting Jan. 1, thanks to increasing fuel taxes and highway, bridge and tunnel tolls.One fee, called the petroleum products gross receipts tax, will increase by 4.2 cents per gallon. For gasoline, that new rate will be 38.6 cents, and for diesel, ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ -In one of his final official acts of 2025, Mayor John Ciccarelli honored several local students as "Hometown Heroes," sending personal letters of commendation to recognize their outstanding contributions to the community.The following young residents were celebrated for their ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - The Incident Blotter for the month of November, 2025 includes police accounts of petty and minor offenses. Any charges are merely an accusation and those arrested and facing charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Unless stated otherwise, all those charged were ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Samantha Ball, Hillsborough Township’s assistant planner and Sustainability Program manager, has been named as one of Somerset County Business Partnership's Top 40 Under 40.She has rapidly emerged as a leader since joining the Township in 2019. In her current role, she has been a ...
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ - Indie film producer/director Kevin Smith will host an auction of items from his personal collection — movie props, costumes, scripts, autographs and memorabilia — on Jan. 3 in conjunction with Bodnar's Auction House at the century-old theater he purchased during the COVID ...