TRENTON, NJ — NJ Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli today, during the governor's COVID-19 press briefing, warned of a possible “twin-demic” this year during flu season and urged New Jerseyans to get their flu shots.  

“As we enter the fall season, we are also moving into the flu season. This year we are preparing for the possibility of a ...

TRENTON, NJ — Sue Fulton read a recent tweet from a man who had arrived at his local Motor Vehicle Commission agency site and, in short time, gleefully walked away with his new license plates.

Even Fulton, the head of the much-maligned and often-mocked state department, had to admit that such words of praise are few and far between these days.

Amid a storm of complaints of long lines ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Officials are in the early stages of planning mass vaccination clinics for COVID-19, the director of the Westfield Regional Health Department said Monday.

Director Megan Avallone, who serves as local health departments’ lead to the state Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccination task force, told the Westfield Board of Health the vaccines could be available for ...

UNION COUNTY — The state Human Services Department will offer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone (Narcan) for free to residents at pharmacies throughout New Jersey — including 13 within Union County — Sept. 24 through 26, officials said.

Residents can visit participating pharmacies and anonymously obtain naloxone with no prescription and no appointment, Gov. Phil ...

As each New Jersey summer comes to a close, one sure thing that takes away the sting from saying goodbye to hot, sunshine-filled days is attending a San Gennaro Festival. This celebration, lasting 11 days in Manhattan and with smaller-scaled celebrations in our state, is a food-fest of Italian flavor. Peppers and sausage and zeppolis reign supreme with their tempting aromas in the ...

NEW JERSEY — It’s seven in the morning and Jimmy Greberis is in his element.

Between taking phone orders and watching over the sizzling grill, the owner of the Summit Diner prepares for the breakfast rush, a familiar routine in his decades in the diner business. But for the first Sunday in nearly half a year, he’s allowing customers back inside to sit at the vinyl stools ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — For 21 years Vicki’s Diner on East Broad Street has been a staple of Downtown Westfield, and now its customers are hoping to make sure that it stays.

When customers learned the diner might not make it through the pandemic, they pitched in with an online fundraiser that as of Friday morning had raised $15,689 for the restaurant struggling to make it through ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Its opening, originally planned for March, was delayed due to the pandemic, but Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices & Ice Cream of Westfield will at long last begin serving treats this fall.

As several people stepped up to the shop’s open doors at 524 Central Avenue this week hoping for a taste of Ralph’s truly famous treats, owner Cathy ...

WESTFIELD NJ — The continuous efforts put forth by the staff of Westfield High School’s student-led newspaper, despite this year's unique challenges, has earned them a prestigious ward.

Hi’s Eye received first place in Annual Newspaper Reports by the American Scholastic Press Association, the school district announced. The association critiques college and ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Thursday marked the first day of the school year in Westfield, and the first time the district held any in-person learning since March.

With Westfield’s hybrid model, students in all grades can receive a mix of in-person and online instruction or only online instruction.

We asked readers to send in their back-to-school photos, however their children are learning.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A Westfield-based real estate sales associate, who is also a middleweight national champion in Sumo wrestling, faces criminal charges after what she told TAPinto Westfield was her successful effort to recoup the tuxedo cat her former roommate absconded with.

Helen Delpopolo, 27, of South Plainfield, is charged with burglary, criminal trespass and simple assault, in ...

Updated on Sept. 9

WESTFIELD, NJ — A burglar crept into a car parked in the 500 block of Springfield Avenue, stole numerous credit cards and then used those cards to make over $1,000 in purchases over the Labor Day weekend, according to police.

The unknown burglar racked up $1,203 on the credit cards, making purchases at “numerous stores” following the theft on ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — A former Westfield public works employee claims that the town refused to provide him with personal protective equipment he had requested because his heart condition put him at greater risk of death should he contract coronavirus.

The lawsuit filed by Christopher Bohnyak in Superior Court in Elizabeth Sept. 4 claims that the town discriminated against him because he ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — About a dozen supporters, most of them holding signs protesting human trafficking, walked from the Westfield Rescue Squad up East Broad Street and into Mindowaskin Park on Sunday while people dining outdoors cheered them on.

While ostensibly held in protest of a heinous crime — human trafficking — the march and subsequent rally lacked the size of other ...

CRANFORD, NJ — Westfield's loss is Cranford's gain.

After operating the past five years at 218 East Broad St. in Westfield, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming announced it will be moving into the former A La Mode Creamery location at 2 South Ave. East inside the Cranford Crossing.

“We truly appreciate the support we have received over the ...

PATERSON, NJ — Joined by legislators, faith leaders, and others, Gov. Phil Murphy held a press event in Paterson to promote his “Baby Bonds” initiative that would provide a $1,000 deposit into an account for every baby born into a New Jersey household with income less than 500% of the Federal Poverty Level ($131,000 for a family of four) in 2021. The plan, which ...

PATERSON, NJ — Joined by legislators, faith leaders, and others, Gov. Phil Murphy held a press event in Paterson to promote his “Baby Bonds” initiative that would provide a $1,000 deposit into an account for every baby born into a New Jersey household with income less than 500% of the Federal Poverty Level ($131,000 for a family of four) in 2021. The plan, which ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Historic designation of a property in Westfield could soon come with a tax incentive if the owner is also making improvements to that property, the mayor said.

The town council on Tuesday voted on and referred to the planning board for review a resolution that, should it gain final approval, would declare the entire municipality an “area in need of ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — There will be no formal Columbus Day program in Westfield this year, organizers of the annual event said.

The Westfield Italian American Club and Greater Westfield UNICO in a statement said the event’s organizers consulted with town officials and agreed to cancel the program in case there is a resurgence of COVID-19.

In June, Westfield health officials indicated ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Registration is open for the town’s annual Halloween home decorating contest, officials announced Monday.

The “Haunt Your House” contest being held as part of Westfield’s third annual AddamsFest celebrations will include more significant prizes than those awarded last year, officials said in a release.

“Haunt Your House was a ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Who is the oldest resident in town? What couples in Westfield have been married the longest?

The public is anticipated to learn the answers to these questions — and more — as Lifelong Westfield announces the winners of the Westfield 300 Milestone Awards in a virtual ceremony to be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, officials said in a release. It ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — For 21 years Vicki’s Diner on East Broad Street has been a staple of Downtown Westfield, and now its customers are hoping to make sure that it stays.

When customers learned the diner might not make it through the pandemic, they pitched in with an online fundraiser that as of Friday morning had raised $15,689 for the restaurant struggling to make it through ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — For the Westfield High School boys’ cross country team, the fall season marks a changing of the guard.

Westfield graduated six of seven varsity runners from a team that placed second in sectionals and fifth in Group 4 a year ago. Despite the turnover, Westfield’s expectations remain high.

“The ability is absolutely there,” said head coach ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Next steps in the development of mountain bike trails in Brightwood Park are not expected until 2021, as the town consults with the state to determine the project’s feasibility, municipal officials said.

The proposal, which has prompted residents’ opposition, would have volunteers from the Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association reroute existing trails in the ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Historic designation of a property in Westfield could soon come with a tax incentive if the owner is also making improvements to that property, the mayor said.

The town council on Tuesday voted on and referred to the planning board for review a resolution that, should it gain final approval, would declare the entire municipality an “area in need of ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The third time’s a charm.

The town council on Tuesday approved the third recent version of an update to its historic preservation law with proponents of the legislative update arguing it would help to prevent teardowns of historically significant homes by putting in a review process for demolition permits, while opponents characterized the revision as ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Shed the stuff you’re done with, get the stuff you want. That’s the idea behind the Westfield Green Team’s second annual free market, a swap for town residents aimed at keeping perfectly good used items out of landfills and incinerators, planned for Saturday, Sept. 26.

The event is like a giant yard sale, organizers explained, except everything ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Next steps in the development of mountain bike trails in Brightwood Park are not expected until 2021, as the town consults with the state to determine the project’s feasibility, municipal officials said.

The proposal, which has prompted residents’ opposition, would have volunteers from the Jersey Off Road Bicycling Association reroute existing trails in the ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Residents gathered at the town’s 9/11 monument Friday evening, where clergy offered prayers and the mayor reflected on the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Mayor Shelley Brindle read aloud the names of the 12 people from Westfield who were among the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks. Brindle drew parallels ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The town will observe the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a ceremony to be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, the town announced.

Mayor Shelley Brindle will open with remarks at the 9/11 monument followed by prayers of commemoration from local clergy members, the announcement said.

An honor guard will present a ceremonial wreath, ...

NEW JERSEY — Less than two months from Election Day, Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday said a new website will allow New Jersey residents to register to vote and track their mail-in ballot all while on the go or from the comfort of their home.

“This online form is safe and secure, and can be accessed anywhere — whether from a library computer or your smartphone,” Gov. Phil ...