WESTFIELD, NJ — The gift came as a surprise, but it was a wish come true for 8-year-old Westfield resident Gavin Callow.

Gavin and his family went to the Australia Zoo in January as a present through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Gavin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of cancer that invades the blood and can spread to the liver, spleen and lymph nodes, in December ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Students at Westfield High School gave up snacks, coffee and other treats for a day as part of a fundraiser to aid local families in financial crisis.

The Westfield High School Community Service Club hosted the annual “Day Without” fundraiser Feb. 14 in support of the Westfield High School Helping Hands Fund.

Founded in 2012 by former social studies ...

Updated at 9:43 a.m. Feb. 19

WESTFIELD, NJ — A town police officer traveling to El Salvador to help bring clean water to those in need is doing so with the memory of a 20-year-old Clark man in mind.

In December, Officer Tiffany Kenny had raised money for the service trip, which she is taking with Liquid Church of Garwood, but giving back isn’t just something she does ...

SUMMIT, NJ — Earning an accolade that places it in top two percent of hospitals in the nation for clinical performance, Atlantic Health System's Overlook Medical Center has been selected as the only hospital in New Jersey to achieve the Healthgrades 2019 America’s America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award™.

More than 4,500 hospitals nationwide were assessed ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — More than 300 people — new drivers and their parents — attended a program by “Share the Keys,” a research-based orientation program offered by NJM Insurance Company, at Westfield High School Tuesday night. 

Speaker Pat McCormick, Share the Keys coordinator for NJM, explained the important role that parents play in helping their teens ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Lighting up at street fairs, festivals and other town-sponsored public events is now a no-no.

The Town Council on Tuesday extended its smoking ban existing for municipal parks and sidewalk-dining areas to include a prohibition from smoking at the town-approved events and also on rooftop dining areas.

“We are voting on an ordinance that bans smoking during public ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Authorities are looking into a string of vehicle burglaries reported to have occurred in town recently, police said.

Five cars were burglarized on Tremont and Kimball avenues, police announced Friday. There were no signs of forced entry, police said in the text message alert.

Friday’s report follows another rash of car burglaries reported earlier this month in ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Public Schools shut early Wednesday with wintry weather in the works, but snow started falling and roads became slick before the dismissal bells rang.

An SUV crashed into a pole at the corner of North Euclid Avenue and East Broad Street shortly after noon, according to police. There were no injuries in the crash, police said.

The Weather Service advised the ...

Updated at 9:43 a.m. Feb. 19

WESTFIELD, NJ — A town police officer traveling to El Salvador to help bring clean water to those in need is doing so with the memory of a 20-year-old Clark man in mind.

In December, Officer Tiffany Kenny had raised money for the service trip, which she is taking with Liquid Church of Garwood, but giving back isn’t just something she does ...

In the eight years that Downtown Westfield has offered the price fixed restaurant promotion, the competition for diners’ dollars increased, with other municipalities offering similar options.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Sensing some eateries might be hungry for change, the Downtown Westfield Corporation has called off its version of restaurant week in favor of a slate of other events ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The public will be able to buy alcohol before noon on Sundays here if a proposed regulation change is approved.

The Town Council this week introduced revisions to its liquor sales laws, which would allow the sale of alcohol starting at 9 a.m. on Sundays. The ordinance update, if approved, would also remove the ability for restaurants and bars to sell alcohol during ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Although the local Boy Scouts didn’t get on the Food Network, they learned some real-life lessons when they completed their “Cast Iron Chef” requirement.

Eight Boy Scouts in fourth and fifth grade planned, cooked and devoured a meal of personal pizzas at Outta Hand Pizza last Wednesday, completing the requirements for the Merit Badge.

“It ...

Cara Di Falco, star of “Cara’s Cucina,” will host Groundwork Elizabeth’s WinterGreen gala Feb. 27 at the Hilton Newark Airport Hotel.

A nonprofit founded in Elizabeth in 2003, Groundwork Elizabeth builds sustainable communities in Elizabeth, NJ and in nearby Union County communities with urban agriculture initiatives, youth programing and more.

“So ...

These firefighters don’t just put out flames — they use them to make duck confit-stuffed ravioli with bacon and English pea puree. That’s how South Orange Local 24 won the gourmet category during last year’s Cooked & Uncorked food and wine festival, which is coming up for the 9th time this month on Feb. 25 in Edison, NJ.

Hosted by the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual ...

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

Sometimes Cupid has an off day with his marksmanship. Maybe his arrow hit you once or twice, however it didn’t go deep enough to stick long-term. Or maybe you just haven’t been it the right place at the right time for Cupid to get the perfect aim. Regardless, the singles who’ve yet to ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The former site of the youth apparel store Children’s Place, which closed in 2017, is set to become office space after clearing a governmental hurtle.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment last week approved variances for AvalonBay Communities Inc. allowing for the real estate developer to continue with its planned addition of offices to the building at 177 East Broad St., ...

Updated at 12:29 p.m. Feb 20

The public is invited to attend hearings with New Jersey legislators and the state Department of Transportation’s commissioner, including one in Westfield set for March 6.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Standing at the Westfield NJ Transit station Tuesday, Chris Iafolla waited for his 9:37 a.m. train to work.

The 36-year-old New York City marketing executive ...

WESTFIELD, NJ – Among the local government’s initiatives underway are an update to the town’s guide for development, transportation improvements and a new cell phone application anticipated to provide streamlined pothole reporting, along with other benefits.

In updating the guide for development, called a master plan, Westfield is taking input via surveys online and in ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Students dismayed by the dismissal of Union County Vo-Tech's electrical technology teacher, Daniel Burns, have started an online petition calling for his reinstatement.

The school district fired Burns on Feb. 8, following an investigation into a Jan. 28 incident in which he is alleged to have pushed a student and used profanity.

"Over three weeks ago ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Public Schools will close early Wednesday, Feb. 20, due to the inclement weather forecast, the district has announced.

The National Weather Service is predicting one to three inches of snowfall Wednesday, mainly after 9 a.m., followed by snow, freezing rain and sleet in the evening, eventually changing over to rain after 9 p.m.

“We will ...

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney visited Union County Vo-Tech campus on Wednesday to the critical importance of the vocational-technical education bond act approved by voters last November in spurring economic growth, creating access to high-paying jobs and meeting the needs of New Jersey’s leading business sectors.

Students from the Magnet High ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — A Westfield High School graduate has been selected as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball defensive player of the year.

A sophomore at The College of New Jersey, Shannon Devitt finished her second NJAC season as the league leader in both conference-only rebounding and conference-only field goal percentage, the NJAC announced this week.

It is not ...

CLARK, NJ — Westfield spent the better part of the second quarter putting on a clinic in the fundamentals of a perfectly executed team basketball.

But after the Lady Blue Devils had built a 17-point lead, a foul-plagued third quarter seemed like it might never end for the Westfield girls.

After third-seeded Roselle Catholic threw a second-half scare into second-seeded Westfield, the ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield High School senior helped to set a school record.

Ajay Olson, 17, broke the record in the 4 x 200 relay on Tuesday in New York City, qualifying for the New Balance Nationals Indoor championship. The team's time: 1:30.53.

Olson is this week’s Ron Bansky and Associates Allstate Westfield Athlete of the Week.

“His performances have not ...

CLARK, NJ – A fraudulent attempt to convert a private pool club and banquet hall into housing has been tied to embattled former professional baseball player Lenny Dykstra, court records show.

Barbara Schwartz, an attorney for Garry Ruane, owner of the Gran Centurions Banquet Hall, said her client has been ensnared in the scheme in which Linden-based real estate broker Thomas ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Fred Shahrooz Scampato understands the nature of stereotypes from a couple of different perspectives.

When he was young, Scampato was exposed to a kind of bias unique to most individuals from this part of the world. An attorney in Westfield, Scampato was raised in neighboring Clark, but he spent part of his formative years living halfway around the globe.

“We ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The former site of the youth apparel store Children’s Place, which closed in 2017, is set to become office space after clearing a governmental hurtle.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment last week approved variances for AvalonBay Communities Inc. allowing for the real estate developer to continue with its planned addition of offices to the building at 177 East Broad St., ...

Updated at 7:14 p.m. Feb. 22

WESTFIELD, NJ – It was not a popular argument to make, but they made it anyway as the Town Council earlier this week approved a zone change officials said would mitigate future subdivisions in the area of New England Drive, a quiet street with expansive lots.

New England Drive resident Louis Ackerman and an attorney separately objected to the ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Everything seems ordinary for Floria Tosca until she becomes jealous of a blond-haired woman in a painting that her lover Mario Cavaradossi created.

Tosca questions Cavaradossi’s love for her. Although Cavaradossi says Tosca is the only one he loves, she isn’t quite convinced.

Then come more twists and turns in the couple’s lives, including a visit ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Victoria’s Secret location on East Broad Street may be gone, but there are still plenty of options for those people looking to treat their loved ones on Valentine's Day.

The Downtown Westfield Corporation, representing businesses in the town’s special improvement district, offered these options for Valentine’s Day gifts.

“Look no ...

Updated at 9:24 p.m. Feb. 3

WESTFIELD, NJ — Area families marked the Year of the Pig with a Chinese New Year celebration at Edison Intermediate School on Saturday that included a talent show attended by some 400 people.

Children photographed each other dressed in traditional silk clothing and could be seen sporting pink “piggy” headbands at the Westfield Area Chinese ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The former site of the youth apparel store Children’s Place, which closed in 2017, is set to become office space after clearing a governmental hurtle.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment last week approved variances for AvalonBay Communities Inc. allowing for the real estate developer to continue with its planned addition of offices to the building at 177 East Broad St., ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Fred Shahrooz Scampato understands the nature of stereotypes from a couple of different perspectives.

When he was young, Scampato was exposed to a kind of bias unique to most individuals from this part of the world. An attorney in Westfield, Scampato was raised in neighboring Clark, but he spent part of his formative years living halfway around the globe.

“We ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — Victoria’s Secret location on East Broad Street may be gone, but there are still plenty of options for those people looking to treat their loved ones on Valentine's Day.

The Downtown Westfield Corporation, representing businesses in the town’s special improvement district, offered these options for Valentine’s Day gifts.

“Look no ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — One person’s old record player is another’s person’s afternoon repair project.

Leveraging the popularity of “junk day,” a fee-based collection of bulk waste, the Westfield Green Team is leading a “Free Swap” event this spring at which residents will be given the opportunity to give away unwanted goods for no cost and pick up ...

Updated at 10:08 a.m. on Feb. 14

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Newark Archdiocese on Wednesday released a list of 63 priests “credibly accused” of sexual abuse. Among those listed on the website for the Archdiocese of Newark are seven priests who served at churches in the town.

Six of the priests listed served at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield and one of them served at the ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — For the first time in its history, the town’s police department has two chaplains.

Rabbi Douglas Sagal and Deacon Keith Gibbons took the oath of office at Town Hall on Tuesday, along with Frank Padovano, formerly a Westfield police lieutenant, who was sworn in as captain before the standing-room-only crowd.

The 2018 death of Westfield Detective Eric Lieberman, ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — How do law enforcement officials tell family members their loved one has died, and who do police officers turn to for guidance when one of their own passes?

Starting Tuesday, the Westfield Police Department will have two chaplains — Rabbi Douglas Sagal of Temple Emanu-El and Deacon Keith Gibbons of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church — to help address ...