SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – If you were forced to switch places with your teen, could you hack it?

That's the pervading question in Disney's Freaky Friday, S.T.A.R.S. Theatre's summer musical, which has performances Friday, Aug. 12th and Saturday, Aug. 13th, at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 14th, at 2:00 p.m. on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green, Park Ave, in downtown Scotch Plains.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Scotch Plains native Billy Wilkins is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter of indie, rock, and pop music. Growing up performing in New Jersey bars from a young age, Billy has carved out a living taking requests and playing them for fans on the Internet.

Which song has been most often requested? WonderWall by Oasis. In fact, the musician says fans have asked for it ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — When he signed up for a dating app, he had no idea it would lead to a date with reality television.

But Ahhre Maros’ foray into online dating soon led to him being on Lifetime’s “Five Guys A Week,” a show where five men vie for the affection of one woman over one week.

“I got an email from a casting company saying we hear you’re ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- The newly opened BISC Pottery Studio, located at 1738 East Second Street, brings a new groove to Scotch Plains’ small business scene.

After attending her first Raku festival at the Visual Arts Center of NJ, owner Sharon Barker fell in love with the art of ceramics. Barker continued to attend pottery classes and eventually evolved to be a class monitor ...

FANWOOD, NJ -- Fanwood welcomed its newest business, The Blowout Lab (232 South Ave. across from the train station) on Wednesday, August 10.

Owners Nicole Russo and Dana Califano bring blowouts, updos, dry styles, braids and bridal styles to their bright, new shop in our business district

"Nowhere around here is there a business like this," said Mayor Colleen Mahr.

ELIZABETH, NJ — Workers with disabilities were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, losing thousands of jobs in the vulnerable service, production and transportation industries.

From March to April 2020, the number of employed working-age people with disabilities fell by 20% (950,000 people), while the number of employed working-age people without disabilities decreased ...

CLARK, NJ  – A Clark-based company has pledged its time, expertise, and resources to ‘answer the prayers’ of a fellow business struggling to keep its doors open.  

Last month, David McKenna, owner of Good Tidings, stepped up to help fellow Clark business owner Erika Dent after learning that she was considering closing Erika’s Cucina, the deli ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- The Township of Scotch Plains hosted its second annual DOGust event, which celebrated canines and promotes pet adoptions on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

The event at Jerseyland Park is a universal, three-hour birthday party for adopted & rescued dogs. 

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) today announced that McGinn Elementary School first grade teacher Candice Testa is among the 21 educators who have been named the state’s 2022-23 "County Teachers of the Year." She was selected from nominees from across Union County.

“I am pleased to be recognized with such a ...

UNION, NJ -- More than 2,500 students were named to the Spring 2022 Dean's List at Kean University. Selection to the Dean's List is based on successful completion of at least 12 credits with a grade point average of 3.45 or higher.

The following local students made the list:

Moustafa Amer of Scotch Plains is a junior majoring in Physical Education and Health - Teacher Education ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Tufts University recently announced the Dean's List for the Spring 2022 semester. Dean's List honors at Tufts University requires a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater.

Among the local students earning dean's list honors are:

Seun Adekunle of Scotch Plains, Class of 2025;
Melanie Litwin of Scotch Plains, Class of 2023;
Briana ...

Join the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter of UNICO at its first-ever Country Night! 

The festivities take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Scotch Plains Italian-American Hall, located at 1976 Valley Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. For only $75 per person, attendees will be treated to boot-stomping country music performed by the well-known local band Wolf Creek, and a delicious feast ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Popular local catering company Savory Selections has opened in a new location at 1731 East Second Street in Scotch Plains. Owners Felton Jones and Jill Jackson Jones hosted a Saturday afternoon "pop-up" to celebrate the company's branching into retail. For those who stopped by, it was a just a taste of what is to come.

Jill Jackson Jones ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- First Option Juice Hub and Salad Bar (1832 E. 2nd Street, two doors down from CVS) has announced its weekly special for the week of Monday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 6.

Customers will get 15% off Green Modern Avocado Smoothies, when they mention TAPintoSPF.

First Option helps individuals achieve and sustain a healthy lifestyle while providing the ...

SUMMIT, NJ - A 35-year-old Summit man found unresponsive and lying on a bench outside the Summit train station has died, the city has announced.

The Summit Police Department responded to a report of an unconscious man at a bus stop outside the Summit train station at approximately 2:50 a.m. today (Aug. 12). Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive male lying on a bench and ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The latest reminder for Westfield residents to secure their cars comes in the thefts of three high-end vehicles in the town, a car burglary and an attempted vehicle theft amid a trend of rising vehicle property crimes, according to police.

A BMW X7 valued at about $90,000 was reported stolen from a resident’s driveway at about 3:20 p.m. July 23, police said. The ...

CLARK, NJ - Police are advising motorist to avoid Westfield Avenue between Raritan Road and Kenneth Place due to a vehicle collision.  The roadway is closed at this time.  

Motorist should expect delays in the area due to additional traffic headed to the Clark Summer Camp.  Township officials said parking at Arthur L. Johnson High School for parents and guardians ...

CLARK, NJ  – A Clark-based company has pledged its time, expertise, and resources to ‘answer the prayers’ of a fellow business struggling to keep its doors open.  

Last month, David McKenna, owner of Good Tidings, stepped up to help fellow Clark business owner Erika Dent after learning that she was considering closing Erika’s Cucina, the deli ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Scotch Plains resident and Willow Grove pool member Kristina McKeon was recognized for her charitable efforts after raising $1,400 for the Valerie Fund. On July 29, 2022, McKeon presented her donation to Valerie Fund representative Leah Delpiano.

For what initially was as a simple lemonade stand, McKeon raised $358 and the amount she raised was matched by Willow Grove ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Ron Shovlin and his family have long valued leveraging their business, Shovlin Mattress Factory, to support the community and causes they're passionate about. This year, he is honored to have been recognized during the 22nd Annual Golf & Luncheon at Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains and received the Play for P.I.N.K Humanitarian ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — When the director of the Westfield Regional Health Department updated the local Board of Health on monkeypox cases Monday, there were 13 confirmed and probable cases in Union County and 155 cases statewide.

By Wednesday, those numbers had risen to 14 cases in Union County and 175 across New Jersey with the majority clustered in northern counties, according to the state ...

Athlete spoke to young campers at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Rutgers Diver Savana Trueb visited the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA's Splash Camp to discuss water safety with the Y's campers on Friday, July 22.

This summer, there have been over a dozen accidental drownings in New Jersey. In response, the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, Trueb, and ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- A voluntary conservation notice has been issued as of Wednesday, July 20, for New Jersey American Water customers in Fanwood and Scotch Plains to reduce water usage.  The water company urges residents to voluntarily limit all non-essential water use until further notice.

Water conservation is suggested in Clark, Cranford, Dunellen, Edison, ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Sister Ann, a beloved member of the Union Catholic faculty for 29 years, passed away on Monday, Aug. 8.

A viewing and a funeral mass will be held for Sister Ann Sullivan, SSJ, a beloved member of the Union Catholic Community, on Friday, Aug. 12 at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, PA. The viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral mass to follow at 10:30 a.m.

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- In a world of isolation, anonymity, and keyboard-warriors, Alpha offers content and guidance for churches, ministries, and individuals to create a space for honest and open conversations about life’s biggest questions. Everyone is welcome, and no questions are off limits.

Alpha is a place to connect with other people who are open to exploring life, faith, and ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- The JCC of Central New Jersey has three swim programs. The Barracudas Swim Team (ages 5 - 18) is the competitive team; the Mini-Barracudas (ages 5 - 8) introduces children to the swim team program, and the IntraCudas (ages 8 - 18) is the intramural program. The Barracudas are beginning their 22nd season competing in the New Jersey JCC-YMHA Swim League.

On ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Baseball League (SPFBL) 11U Raider Select team won the 2022 New Providence Green League (NPGL) Summer League Championship. The team ended the season on a five-game winning streak.

Roster

Brayden Bates
Brendan Rabe
Cain Lambert
Charlie Dursee
Cooper Rekemeier
Dante Castronuovo
Dean Moloney
Griffin ...

BEDMINSTER, NJ -- 9/11 survivors and victim family members slammed former President Trump for hosting the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament at Trump's National Golf Course in Bedminster Friday morning. 

Members of the group 9/11 Justice put together the press conference outside the Clarence Dillon Library, a little more than two miles down the road from Trump National Golf Course ...

PARAMUS, NJ — Sen. Joseph Lagana has three main inspirations for wanting to keep New Jersey's children safe at school.

"I try to use my real-life experience and apply it to my job as a legislator," Lagana (D - District 38) told TAPinto. "And part of (that) is being a father and having three kids."

When he takes his daughters — who are headed into ...

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey's hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) are getting a big financial boost.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced Monday the programs, which help and support victims of violence, will receive $10 million in federal American Recovery Plan (ARP) funds.

“The Paterson Healing Collective is pleased to ...

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey's State Parole Board is teaming up with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care to help offenders struggling with substance use disorder, both before and after their release.

"We're confident that this is something that could be life-changing to a lot of people," State Parole Board Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr. told TAPinto.