North Plainfield/Green Brook/Watchung, NJ Community Announcements Section

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Powerful and Peaceful: Crowd of 1,500-Plus Gathers in Summit to Protest for Racial Equality, Justice

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By MELANIE WILSON

June 2, 2020

SUMMIT, NJ - More than 1,500 peaceful, concerned citizens from Hilltop City and surrounding towns gathered Tuesday afternoon at Summit's Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School (LCJSMS) to show their support for the 'Black Lives Matter' movement and, in the process, set a high bar for respectful, organized ...

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TRENTON, NJ – Day care centers for the children of essential workers have been opened throughout the COVID-19 crisis. As Governor Phil Murphy announced yesterday, they reopen to other parents on June 15. Within the next few weeks, non-contact sports activities and youth day camps also may open up. What does all this mean? What about pools?

Commissioner of the Department of Children ...

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TRENTON, NJ -- Gov. Phil Murphy at his daily COVID-19 press conference today announced reopening dates for

Child care centers (June 15)
Non-contact organized sports activities (June 22)
Youth day camps, including municipal summer rec programs (July 6)

These activities are allowed to resume over the next several weeks, if they follow health and safety safeguards, the ...

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BRIDGEWATER, NJ - A Bridgewater juvenile has been identified as the man fatally struck by a NJ Transit train Monday at around 4:20 p.m. just west of the Bridgewater station, according to Lisa Torbic, of NJ Transit.

Torbic said the eastbound Raritan Valley Line train 5526, which left from Raritan at 4:16 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Newark Penn Station at 5:15 p.m. struck the juvenile ...

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WARREN, NJ - Memorial Day 2020 is unlike any in the recent past. Due to the pandemic, parades were canceled, streets were empty, and no bands played.

But some things remain the same. Socially distanced outdoor gatherings of 25 are now permitted and Warren Township held a ceremony on Memorial Day at 10 am to present a wreath at the Veterans Memorial in the municipal courtyard to honor ...

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ - The return to the new normal will happen faster than you think, and businesses who get out in front of the people in their community will have a significant advantage.

How will you tell people you are open? How will you tell people you are compliant with new government regulations? Furthermore, how will you let everyone know what type of special ...

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WARREN, NJ - Warren residents were awoken in the early morning hours on Thursday by the sounds of helicopters and patrol cars.

Six unlocked vehicles were entered overnight, in the area of Morning Glory Road, according to Warren police. Nothing was taken, they said. Warren police were assisted by the state police and surrounding departments.

Warren police urge residents to LOCK their ...

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SOMERVILLE, NJ -- For only the second time in a storied history dating back to 1940, the Tour of Somerville bicycle races will not be held this Memorial Day weekend. World War II stopped it first, now an international conflict of a different kind, the Covid-19 pandemic, will put the brakes on America’s oldest competitive cycling event until next year.

Despite the setback, race organizers ...

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NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - The COVID-19 pandemic shifted many veterinary clinics from routine to emergency-only appointments – leaving pet owners to address minor injuries and basic grooming issues normally resolved by professionals.

Veronica Jones, D.V.M., an emergency medicine veterinarian at NorthStar VETS in Robbinsvile and a 2009 graduate of the School of Environmental and Biological ...

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BELMAR, NJ — A swell of people, stretching blocks along Belmar's boardwalk, turned out to buy seasonal beach badges on the first day of sales at Taylor Pavilion.

Advance badge sales will continue daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days of week, as beaches will officially open on Memorial Day weekend — under capacity and social distancing restrictions that will be ...

Restaurant Business Down, NJ Distributors Are Selling Straight to Consumers

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By LINDSEY KELLEHER

May 31, 2020

Duck legs confit. Waygu burgers. Anduille sausage. These items from meat supplier D’Artagnan typically would be headed to restaurants, but due to COVID-19 much of it is on its way to homes, instead.

“We got into this because the restaurants disappeared,” said D’Artagnan President Andy Wertheim. “This is a question of finding another way to get the product into ...

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New Jersey Date Night is a series on NJ Flavor by relationship writer Craig Rogers.

Before you know it, our date nights can actually happen at a table in a restaurant! As New Jersey begins to slowly emerge from stay-at-home rules, couples are itching to get our and experience something hot. How about something sizzling found in a basket, on a plate or inside a bucket?

When it comes to ...

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As people avoid going into grocery stores during the coronavirus pandemic, many in New Jersey are turning to CSAs as an alternate source for fresh food.

CSAs, or community supported agriculture programs, connect local farmers with consumers. They typically provide locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs. Some also offer other kinds of locally produced foods, such as eggs, cheese, ...

Rutherford, NJ Bakery Brings Smiles and Support to their Community During the Pandemic

By SANDY SCRAGG

June 2, 2020

RUTHERFORD, NJ -- Stephanie Willoughby spoke with Renee Faris, Chef & Owner of Erie Coffee Shop & Bakery, about her small business in town and how life and work has changed for her during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the coronavirus outbreak began to take hold in New Jersey, at first Faris set limits as to how many people could be in the bakery, but eventually wound up closing altogether ...

Berkeley Heights Restaurant Creates Mobile Market to Serve their Community During the Pandemic

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ -- Host Stephanie Willoughby caught up with Ralph Acquaviva, Owner of Delicious Heights, a restaurant/bar/takeout establishment, to see how he has managed his business during the COVID-19 pandemic and learn about the initiatives he has established to continue meeting his customers’ needs.

“My dream was always to open up a restaurant,” said Acquaviva.

SpaceX Launches New Era of Manned Space Flight at Kennedy Space Center in Florida

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA -- Today, SpaceX launched a manned flight into space from Kennedy Space Center. To commemorate the event, we take a look back at our post from last year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, which originated, like today's flight, from Kennedy Space Center. The center just reopened its doors to the public on May 28, 2020.

In ...

Personal Chef Reinvents Business with a Nonprofit Program for Food Equity in New Jersey

LITTLE FALLS, NJ -- Personal Chef Nicolle Walker recently appeared on TAPintoTV’s Sunday morning TV program on News 12 Plus, to update host Stephanie Willoughby on her evolving business operations, which had to be adapted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walker’s prior business model included working in people’s homes, as she and her staff cooked meals for busy families or ...

Hoboken Gift Shop Turns to Technology to Continue Serving Customers During the Pandemic

HOBOKEN, NJ -- As part of our small business spotlight series, HomeGrown Host Stephanie Willoughby spoke with Meghan Lavelle, Owner of Washington General, to see how the store is faring during the pandemic. Washington General was featured in Part One of our HomeGrown: Hoboken episode, which aired on TAPintoTV last June.

“It’s been a whirlwind for sure,” said Lavelle.

NJ Restaurant Creates Blueprint to Reopen Safely When Pandemic Regulations Relax

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ -- TAPintoTV spoke with Rocco Petriello, General Manager of the Grain & Cane Restaurant, to learn how they have adapted to serve their customers during the pandemic and their developing plans for returning to business once New Jersey enters into a new phase of reopening.

Grain & Cane focuses on homestyle cuisine with American influences. Now that the ...

Statement from Morris Township Police Chief Regarding Last Night Procession and Vigil

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By MORRIS TOWNSHIP POLICE CHIEF

June 1, 2020

Community members,

Last night, there was a vehicle procession and vigil organized by Black Lives Matter Morristown and Wind of Spirits in regards to the horrific death of George Floyd. The event began in Morristown and continued at the Morris Township Municipal Building and Police Department. I am extremely impressed by the leadership of the event coordinators. The event was meaningful, ...

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Message from the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey

The images of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis are deeply disturbing. Mr. Floyd’s death is being investigated not only by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis, but by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights division, as it should be.

As ...

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Dear Editor:

In my decades as an educator and school administrator, I’m hard pressed to find a situation as challenging as what we face related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last few months have been painful on many levels, from the heartbreaking loss of life to the millions who have suffered emotional and economic loss. It’s been a harrowing time for everyone.

For our students, ...

Long Beach Island Region Opens Summer with New Way to Get The Information You Need

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By LORI PEPENELLA

May 27, 2020

SHIP BOTTOM, N.J. — With restrictions from COVID19 beginning to lift, the need for safe travel planning can be easily met online with Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce members newly launched, high performance, tourism related website. In time for summer, this dynamic site brings local knowledge directly to travelers coming from near or far. The Southern Ocean County ...

I photographed a George Floyd protest in Newark. This is what I Witnessed.

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By DANIEL HAN

June 2, 2020

Daniel Han is a freelance journalist, Westfield High School Graduate of 2019 and freshman studying journalism at Rutgers University.

I entered Newark, N.J. on Saturday with shatter-proof goggles, a helmet and camera. As a freelance photographer, I wanted to capture the historic moment of the George Floyd protests, but was also nervous. Footage of Minneapolis, New York and Philadelphia ...

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A recent poll on Twitter found that 44% of respondents would take a 10% pay cut in order to work from home permanently. That is interesting, but as interesting, is the fact that 56% said they would not. These statistics line up nicely with the suggested introvert/extrovert divide.

Are introverts really more suited to remote work? With my small Instagram following, I asked that very question.

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As a vascular neurologist, I’m concerned that people’s fear of catching COVID-19 is stopping them from seeking health care, even those who may be gravely ill. Having a stroke is a major emergency that requires immediate medical intervention, yet people with symptoms erroneously believe the risk of coronavirus infection is a greater threat.

I assure you it is not.

Anyone who ...

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At-home fitness equipment is extremely important right now, especially because we are so sedentary; and even more so now because of COVID-19. The number of products out there can make your head spin. Here's my top ten list that can help you stay fit; focusing on cardio, strength, toning, and flexibility.

Check out these affordable recommendations that will ensure that ...

IRS reminder: June 15 tax deadline postponed to July 15 for taxpayers who live and work abroad

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By IR-2020-109 SUBMITTED BY FILOMENA MEALY

June 2, 2020

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today reminded people who live and work abroad that they have until Wednesday, July 15, 2020, to file their 2019 federal income tax return and pay any tax due. The usual deadline is June 15.

The additional time was included in a wide range of Coronavirus-related relief announced in early April. The postponement generally applies to all taxpayers ...

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As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

Nearly 4 million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check.

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Despite the cancellation of school events and the uncertainty as to the type of graduation proceedings the WHRHS Class of 2020 will have, WHRHS Project Graduation is still working hard to give the senior class memorable experiences leading up to their special day.

The Project Graduation Board has put together a special surprise for our seniors called “Operation ...

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Graduation season is upon us and that means celebrating your graduate’s accomplishments and honors. TAPinto Milestones gives you an easy and affordable way to honor your graduate. You can submit a note of congratulations, highlight achievements and submit photos. Your Milestone post will be posted on the TAPinto site of your choosing and stay there forever. ...

Long Beach Island Region Opens Summer with New Way to Get The Information You Need

By LORI PEPENELLA

May 27, 2020

BELMAR, NJ — A swell of people, stretching blocks along Belmar's boardwalk, turned out to buy seasonal beach badges on the first day of sales at Taylor Pavilion.

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NEW JERSEY — While referencing “Jersey Girl” — in which Bruce Springsteen ruminates over everything being alright at the shore — Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday that all public and private beaches in the state will re-open in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Starting May 22, more than 120 miles of beaches in the state of 9 million, as well as lakefronts, ...

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TRENTON, NJ - Governor Phil Murphy is in the process of his daily COVID-19 press conference. For beach communities along the New Jersey shore, beaches and boardwalks will be open with some restrictions as of Friday, May 22.

Beaches will still be open to the public with limited capacity. This means restrictions on beach badges and requirements as far as social distancing ...

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OCEAN COUNTY, NJ – People north of the Driscoll Bridge look to Memorial Day to begin their trek “go down the shore.” For Ocean County residents, a visit to the sand and surf is more commonly referred to as hitting the beach. With just two weeks away, it is important to know about beach badges and the like.

In Southern Ocean County, Long Beach Island offers an assortment ...

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TRENTON, NJ - Nature calls, but you might want to be careful how you answer it...

In this afternoon's daily COVID-19 briefing, Col. Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police commented about the, "inordinate" amount of human waste generated at parks statewide following the reopening of public spaces across the Garden State.

While parks have been given the greenlight ...

Atlantic Health System Leads Phase 1 Study on CPI-613® (Devimistat), First-in-Class Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer to be Presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2020

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By ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Atlantic Health System Cancer Care’s Angela Alistar, MD, medical director of GI medical oncology at Morristown Medical Center and medical director of the Phase 1 Breakthrough Treatment Center, is lead author of a phase 1 study of CPI-613® (devimistat), a unique first-in-class treatment for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer, in combination with two chemotherapy drugs. Dr.

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By ROD HIRSCH

May 31, 2020

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - Dr. Lisa M. Antunes, superintendent of schools, and Karen A. Bingert, principal of Hillsborough High School,circulated a letter to members of the school community yesterday in response to complaints about "racist, homophobic and profane" online posts from several Hillsborough High School students.

An investigation is underway.

May 30, 2020

Dear HTPS ...

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SOMERVILLE, NJ - The Somerset County Department of Health reported Sunday that 4,030 residents have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus since the pandemic hit locally in March, with the death toll increasing by one overnight to 418.

The US Centers for Disease Control this morning reported 103,153 COVID-19 deaths in the United States, with a total of 1,756,170 cases. Worldwide, ...

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SOMERVILLE, NJ - The Somerset County Department of Health reported Saturday that 4,017 residents have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus since the pandemic hit locally in March, with the death toll increasing by 6 overnight to 417.

The US Centers for Disease Control this morning reported 102,323 COVID-19 deaths in the United States, with a total of 1,735,971 cases. Worldwide, ...

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NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - A North Plainfield man was arrested and charged with arson in connection with the fire that tore through residences on Maple Avenue on Wednesday, authorities say.

Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti on Thursday ...

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SOMERVILLE, NJ - The Somerset County Department of Health on Wednesday reported a total 3,960 cases of COVID-19 with a total of 406 deaths.

The SCDOH has confirmed the deaths of 112 Franklin Township residents; 61 in Bridgewater; 51 in Hillsborough; 41 in Bernards Township; 32 in North Plainfield; 30 in Green Brook; 15 in Watchung; 13 in Warren; 12 in Bound Brook; 9 in Raritan; 6 in ...

Torbic said the eastbound Raritan Valley Line train 5526, which left from Raritan at 4:16 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Newark Penn Station at 5:15 p.m. struck the juvenile ...

Rules of Engagement

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By JOHN CHRISTMANN

The unofficial start to summer has begun and people are emerging gingerly from their Covid-free lairs like bears from hibernation. And after months living in quarantine without pants or haircuts, the question on all of our minds as we contemplate going out in public is, how is this supposed to work?

Here are some useful etiquette tips to help you open up this summer.

There seems to be so ...

By JOHN CHRISTMANN

Greetings graduating class of 2020! Woohoo! You did it!

I am honored and proud to offer these unsolicited congratulatory remarks on your incredible achievement, and to provide some inspirational words of encouragement as you move on to do all of the great and momentous things you truly are meant to do.

This was not a good year to be Seniors. As you know, people over 65 are at much higher ...

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By CATHLEEN LEWIS

Skills I thought I’d never need again (or ever)

Or how I put my skills to work in this new world

Every post-apocalypse movie has this weird combination of technology and pioneer sensibilities. I’ve always thought that odd – if there were droids watching over them, why were they cooking over an open hearth, if you have flying cars why aren’t your stores ...

By MELANIE WILSON

June 2, 2020

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CAMDEN, NJ — A police lieutenant shouted, “No justice!”

And hundreds responded, "No peace!"

Protests against police brutality have unfolded across the nation over the weekend following the death of George Floyd.

Perhaps nowhere as uniquely as in Camden, where officers and the police chief on Saturday stood hand in hand ...

Farmers Against Hunger: More Heroes in the Pandemic

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Farmers are a demographic that many may not have thought of as being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But New Jersey-centered organization Farmers Against Hunger has been helping local farmers as well as people in need during this difficult time. Since the pandemic started ten weeks ago, Farmers Against Hunger has donated 300,000 pounds of fruit, vegetables, dairy, and ...

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NEWARK, NJ — Standing before the unfinished Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal One redevelopment site, Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, detailed the drastic losses the government agency suffered as a result of the coronavirus.

With a 97% drop in passenger volume at Newark airport alone (the difference between ...