SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- As 202o comes to a close and 2021 begins, TAPintoSPF is taking a look at the biggest stories of 2020. Today, we revisit the top Arts & Entertainment stories of the year.

Legendary Baller and Scotch Plains Resident Black Jack Ryan's Story Told in New Biopic
Watch Goo Goo Dolls Singer Live from Westfield in Benefit to Fight Hunger
VIDEO: Scenes from ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Still in the mood for holiday music? You're in luck. 

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Choir Department debuted the 2020 Pop & Holiday Performance on Tuesday, Dec. 22, on spfk12.org, Raider News and YouTube.

SPFHS Choral Director Jan Allen, and Megan Fernandez, Las Cantadoras Director, have worked together to compile a program of ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ – As it has impacted everything about life since last March, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a seismic shift in the New Jersey real estate markets. The virus led to an exodus from New York City and places like Hoboken and Jersey City to suburban areas like Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Plainfield, and South Plainfield.

City dwellers found that they could get ...

WASHINGTON − Taxpayers who paid too little tax during 2020 can still avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties by making a quarterly estimated tax payment now, directly to the Internal Revenue Service. The deadline for making a payment for the fourth quarter of 2020 is Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.

Income taxes are pay-as-you-go. This means that by law, taxpayers are required to pay most of ...

NEW JERSEY -- The newly issued guidelines on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lending overseen by the SBA and the U.S. Treasury Department will better target New Jersey's small businesses, especially those owned by minorities or located in low income areas.

The Economic Aid Act makes it possible for hard-hit businesses to get second loans from the PPP lending ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Luke Checchio, a BSA Troop 104 Life Scout walking the trail towards Eagle, has been recognized by the local scouting community for his contributions to scouting both in the present and future.

A Scotch Plains native, Checchio has received the James E. West Fellowship Award, named for the First Chief Scout Executive. The award recognizes one's commitment ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – Beginning on Saturday, Jan. 23, the JCC will stream three extraordinary films that explore the relationship between the Jewish and Black communities. These true stories illuminate the Jewish-Black alliances that helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.

“As a community agency, we must use our voice to take a stand against racism, discrimination and ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- It was a "first day" unlike any other in the history of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood SPFK12 school district. Typically, this rite of passage occurs in September with kids dressed in shorts - some of whom are clinging to their parents. But this year, of course, is different. The kids are in coats and more than ready to see their teachers and their ...

ALLENTOWN, PA -- Congratulations to the Muhlenberg College students and Muhlenberg College School of Continuing Studies students who were named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2020 semester. Students with a term GPA of 3.50 or higher were recognized for this academic achievement.

Local students include:

Francesca Jones of Scotch Plains
Gabrielle Klausner of Scotch ...

PLAINFIELD -- High school seniors wishing to apply for the Adele DeLeeuw Scholarship for students planning to study  art, poetry, writing, journalism or engineering, should obtain applications now from their school guidance office.

To date, the Adele DeLeeuw Scholarship Fund, a fund of the Plainfield Foundation, has provided over $1.3 million in scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 ...

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - Doug Steinhardt, chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party and candidate in the 2021 GOP Gubernatorial Primary, has dropped out of the race just one month after launching his campaign.

The abrupt announcement boosts the likelihood that Jack Ciattarelli, a Hillsborough resident and former state Assemblyman who kicked off his campaign one year ago, will win the GOP ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Scotch Plains Township Council has appointed Suman Dahiya-Shah, an IT professional in the pharmaceutical industry, to fill the vacant seat on the five-member governing body. Dahiya-Shah, a Democrat, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Josh Losardo when he was sworn-in as mayor on Jan. 1, 2021.

“We are pleased to welcome Suman ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- As 2020 comes to a close and 2021 begins, TAPintoSPF is taking a look at the biggest stories of 2020. Today, we revisit the top Food stories of the year.

Head of Pantagis Company Apologizes, Confirms Closure of Snuffy's in Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains' Iconic Snuffy's Pantagis Wedding Hall Abruptly Closes, Leaves Couples in the Lurch, Owes ...

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Old Man Rafferty’s, a downtown restaurant that has served savory French onion soup and overstuffed reubens to generations of theatergoers, Rutgers students and Johnson & Johnson’s workers, has closed its doors.

Owner Mark Jakuboski said the landmark restaurant on Albany Street, like many other eateries and small businesses in New Brunswick and beyond, ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The wait is over for an upscale hamburger restaurant and bar.

The Bareburger location at 126 Central Ave. in Westfield is open for business, the chain announced on Instagram. Patrons could be seen dining at the establishment Friday evening.

In 2018, Bareburger purchased the unused liquor license from the former Jolley Trolley Bar & Grill, which had closed in ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- A vehicle crashed into the front door of the UPS store located at 2560 Rte 22 East, Scotch Plains, on Friday, Jan. 15, at approximately 10:04 a.m. Scotch Plains police responded and found a 2016 Green Subaru on the sidewalk in front of the building with heavy front end damage.

The driver was identified as a 93-year-old Fanwood woman who was not injured, according ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ  -- Members of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad are your neighbors. Our organization consists of men and women, teenagers and senior citizens, who devote their time to helping others.

When did you join the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad? How old were you?
I joined in May 2008 when I was 16 years old.

What inspired you to join?
When I was younger I wanted to pursue ...

NEW JERSEY — The threat of Trenton protests on Jan. 17 looms, following a massive insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., last week. Gov. Phil Murphy and Colonel Pat Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said Monday that state authorities are prepared and on high alert.

“We need to bat 1.000 every day. To the governor's point [we] will ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Luke Checchio, a BSA Troop 104 Life Scout walking the trail towards Eagle, has been recognized by the local scouting community for his contributions to scouting both in the present and future.

A Scotch Plains native, Checchio has received the James E. West Fellowship Award, named for the First Chief Scout Executive. The award recognizes one's commitment ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Scotch Plains Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler has been named as Board Secretary of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, which helps increase the number of lives saved through innovative research, family support, public awareness, and education about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Stamler, who was appointed Deputy ...

SOUTH RIVER, NJ -- A GoFundMe page set up for the family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick has raised more that $545,000 as of Sunday evening, Jan. 10, 2021. To contribute to the page, click here. 

Officer Brian D. Sicknick tragically lost his life on January 7th, 2021 following injuries sustained during the events at the United States Capitol on Wednesday, January 6th.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Scotch Plains Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler has been named as Board Secretary of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, which helps increase the number of lives saved through innovative research, family support, public awareness, and education about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Stamler, who was appointed Deputy ...

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging throughout New Jersey, HVAC professionals are constantly looking at ways to help reduce the spread of the virus indoors. 

According to Mike Iarrapino, founder and owner of Edison Heating and Cooling, boosting fresh air, regulating humidity, and improving air purification in a home and/or business can all play a ...

FANWOOD, NJ — People with COVID-19 can catch the virus and not show symptoms for up to two weeks, meaning that they may not yet know if they caught it at a New Year’s gathering, health officials said.

Westfield Regional Health Officer Megan Avallone told NJ Spotlight News, a partner of TAPinto.net, that many people are unaware of coronavirus’ two-week incubation period and so ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- As 2020 comes to a close and 2021 begins, TAPintoSPF is taking a look at the biggest stories of 2020. Today, we revisit the top Religion stories of the year.

Cantor Matt Axelrod of CBI in Scotch Plains, Appears in HBO Series 'The Plot Against America'
Archdiocese of Newark Will Close 10 Catholic Schools
St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- The Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) youth group presented a living Nativity on Sunday, Dec. 20, with teens playing the roles of Mary and Joseph, shepherds and the magi.

Alongside the actors were sheep, goats, Dominique the donkey, and an alpaca. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary is located at 1571 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains. 

TAPintoSPF.net is Scotch ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- The Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) youth group will present a living Nativity on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The performers will do a retelling of the Christmas story, complete with live animals and a manger.

Immaculate Heart of Mary is located at 1571 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains. Visit https://ihmparish.net.

TAPintoSPF.net is Scotch ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Following the Jan. 2 beginning of winter sports practices and the anticipated return to hybrid instruction at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School on Jan. 19, principal Dr. David Heisey has issued guidance on the return of athletics, including rules for athletes, coaches, and spectators (none allowed).

Dr. Heisey wrote that "indoor sports are going to have ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Union Catholic soccer stars Christina Layden and Kaleigh Gunsiorowski were recently recognized for their impressive play this past season by the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association.

Layden, a senior striker, and Gunsiorowski, a sophomore midfielder, were awarded Sectional Recognition Awards after leading the Vikings to an 8-4-2 record this past fall.

SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD, NJ -- There is a hot buzz spreading around Scotch Plains and Fanwood during this cold and harsh time of the year.

Dynamic Athletes, a fitness and training program under the guidance of a local youth coach and trainer in our community, is being spread around our towns in an effort to keep our student athletes fit and sound physically during a not-so fit and sound time our ...