Refusals come just as migrant-worker population starts to rise steeply, with as many as 10,000 laborers per week arriving from states where COVID-19 cases are increasing

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

A roadblock has ...

Beachgoers seek normalcy after long lockdown, but not without misgivings about pandemic

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

On a warm afternoon at Seaside Heights, Nick Amoresano allowed himself a trip to the beach for the ...

NEW JERSEY - A joint incoming travel advisory has been announced by New Jersey Governor Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. 

The joint incoming travel advisory states that individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19, must quarantine for a 14 day period, the governor's announced in a joint statement.

NEW JERSEY -  Flags in New Jersey will return to full-staff, announced Governor Murphy. The governor has issued Executive Order Number 160 to direct that all flags across the state be flown high beginning Friday July, 3. 

The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall fly at full staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and ...

TRENTON, NJ -- Gov. Phil Murphy announced at his daily COVID-19 press briefing on Thursday that he has extended New Jersey's public health emergency another 30 days due to the coronavirus, even though the spread of the disease has slowed significantly by many important measures. For instance, hospitalizations are down 94% from New Jersey's peak and 12% from June 17, and the ...

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

After signing a stopgap budget into law Tuesday to keep the state open for another three months, Gov. Phil Murphy and lawmakers must now find funding for several big-ticket items they ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A motorcycle accident in Plainfield occurred Monday evening at the intersection of East Second Street and Garfield Avenue, near Sanhoma Liquor. The male victim, whose condition is unknown at this point, was brought by ambulance to Milt Campbell Field.

At the field, firefighters said they were awaiting both the ambulance to arrive with the victim, and North Star, the NJ ...

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Prosecutor’s Office implemented a new standard operating procedure on Monday that requires the Prosecutor’s Office to publicly disclose the name and rank of any of its investigative employees who commit major disciplinary violations, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced Tuesday. 

The procedure also requires the ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ - Members of the Plainfield Rescue Squad wished participants of the Explorer, Cadet and EMR programs congratulations on graduation. Put your hands together for these amazing young adults.

Everyone please join Plainfield Rescue Squad in wishing our Explorers, Cadets, and EMRs on their graduation 🎓 We are soooooo excited for this time and even though they could not graduate ...

TRENTON, NJ — Coronavirus restrictions in place since mid-March in New Jersey continue to be peeled back amid Phase 2 of the state's economic recovery plan, and the state's efforts to combat the disease are proving so successful that New Jersey is one of four states in line to contain it, Governor Phil Murphy announced yesterday.

On a day when personal care services, such as ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ — Notice has been provided that the Plainfield Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. Action will be taken at the meeting. 

Access the Zoom meeting HERE. The meeting ID is 919 0014 7630, and password is 277330.

Catch up here:

What Happened at Plainfield's Board of Ed Special HR Meeting?
Plainfield Board of Ed Special ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ — Despite an 8 p.m. start time, Plainfield's Board of Education had participants wait for two hours before they ended a Zoom meeting that never began. Similar to last week, a new link was published, and residents had to scramble to both find the link and hope they could access it.

Download the agenda

Superintendent Dr. Diana Mitchell’s comments noted a ...

NEWARK, DE — Two Plainfield residents who are students at the University of Delaware have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2020 semester. Congratulations to both Amelia Paladino and Daniel Ricigliano.

Students in nearby towns join Amelia and Daniel, including Kaitlyn Carreras, Lisa Cecchini, Zachary Conroy, and Gabrielle Dilone of North Plainfield, and Alexandria Mancini, ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- The national Christopher Columbus statue debate has arrived in Scotch Plains.

Across the U.S., monuments to the Italian explorer have become the targets for protesters. Last week, the Columbus statue in Newark was removed, as was a statue in New Haven, Connecticut, which was shifted from a city park to the national headquarters of the Knights of Columbus ...

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ - The NJSIAA took one step closer to fall sports in 2020, with the release of the Phase I regulations by the NJSIAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Taskforce. 

The task force is chaired by former NJSIAA Executive Committee president Mary Liz Ivins.  She is joined Dr. Jack Kripsak, chair of the NJSIAA Medical Advisory Committee; Dr. Damion Martins, the Jets team ...

Refusals come just as migrant-worker population starts to rise steeply, with as many as 10,000 laborers per week arriving from states where COVID-19 cases are increasing

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

A roadblock has ...

WAYNE, NJ - While not close to approaching costs of one year ago, gas prices in New Jersey are up four cents in the last week and fourteen cents overall -- or seven percent -- from just a month ago, according to AAA Northeast.

New Jersey’s average gas price rose four cents from last week to today’s average of $2.16, which is 63 cents cheaper than June 29, 2019 ($2.79).

TRENTON, NJ -- Although he planned to loosen restrictions on indoor dining in New Jersey on Thursday, July 2, Gov. Phil Murphy announced at his daily COVID-19 press conference Monday that he will delay the reopening. He provided no timetable of when indoor dining -- even at reduced capacity -- would resume.

Murphy pointed to packed crowds at outdoor bars and restaurants -- with ...

WASHINGTON– Many Americans will be celebrating the Fourth of July outdoors this year a little differently, with celebrations at home, including backyard barbecues and picnics perhaps with only your household. No matter how you’re celebrating the Fourth of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) encourages you to make food ...

TRENTON, NJ -- Although he planned to loosen restrictions on indoor dining in New Jersey on Thursday, July 2, Gov. Phil Murphy announced at his daily COVID-19 press conference Monday that he will delay the reopening. He provided no timetable of when indoor dining -- even at reduced capacity -- would resume.

Murphy pointed to packed crowds at outdoor bars and restaurants -- with ...

TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S2437) Friday which limits service fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery applications and websites during state of emergencies. The legislation provides relief to restaurants across New Jersey that have faced excessive fees while being limited to takeout and delivery service.

Both Jersey City and Hoboken ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ — Plainfield's Acting Business Administrator and Municipal Clerk, Abubakar Jalloh, is advising residents who have not yet received a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the July 7 Primary Election to visit Union County Clerk’s office at either the Elizabeth or Westfield locations to request a duplicate ballot.

Residents will be permitted to appear in person weekdays ...

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Plainfield residents who wish to drop off their Vote-by Mail ballot can deposit it in a drop-off box at City Hall, 515 Watchung Avenue.

There are five official ballot drop-off boxes in Union County, installed and overseen by the Union County Board of Elections.  The drop-off boxes are available on a 24-7 basis. Voters may deposit their ballot in a drop-off box at ...

TRENTON, NJ — As the phased reopening of New Jersey continues amid the COVID-19 pandemic and warming weather, the Department of Environmental Protection reminds the public that controlling the mosquito population and risk for disease is more important than ever, Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said.

With public health in the spotlight as a result of the pandemic, residents doing ...

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Efforts to construct a pathway along a former railroad will get a boost if Norfolk Southern’s application to the federal Surface Transportation Board to cease rail service along the old Boonton Line between Montclair and Croxton Yards in Jersey City is approved.

The rail company announced in early June that it is looking to sell the 8.6-mile right-of-way which ...

PLAINFIELD, NJ — Plainfield's Planning Board unanimously approved plans Thursday for a five-story mixed-use residential building at Park Avenue and West 6th Street, on the site of a former used car lot.

The building, designed by Taylor Architecture & Design of North Plainfield, will include retail space on the first floor, and 14 residential apartments above: eight 2BR/2BA units, ...

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Looking for a break from quarantine? Consider a trip to Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park that includes a steel cantilever bridge 212 feet over the Hudson River. Those walking, running or biking the 1.28 miles — one way — can see the Catskills to the north, and the Hudson Highlands to the south. Those looking for a few more miles can continue on the ...

WAYNE, NJ - While not close to approaching costs of one year ago, gas prices in New Jersey are up four cents in the last week and fourteen cents overall -- or seven percent -- from just a month ago, according to AAA Northeast.

New Jersey’s average gas price rose four cents from last week to today’s average of $2.16, which is 63 cents cheaper than June 29, 2019 ($2.79).

NEW JERSEY - A joint incoming travel advisory has been announced by New Jersey Governor Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. 

The joint incoming travel advisory states that individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19, must quarantine for a 14 day period, the governor's announced in a joint statement.