Union County News

Springfield Avenue Park opened in Berkeley Heights on the former Berkeley Caterers site, with 35.2 acres of trails and river access after years of delays.

Coles Elementary ranks No. 134 in New Jersey and tops the five Scotch Plains-Fanwood elementary schools in the 2026 U.S. News rankings. Evergreen ranks next.

Phillips 66 locked out nearly 400 Teamsters Local 877 workers at its Bayway Refinery and Linden Terminal after a contract extension expired Oct. 19 at 4 p.m.

Summit Playhouse stages By the Water through Nov. 1, a Hurricane Sandy drama by Sharyn Rothstein about a Staten Island family rebuilding after the storm.

Elizabeth residents 60 and older can apply for Union County’s Social 60+ holiday voucher program, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Apply by phone now.

Cranford Day 2026 is Sunday, Nov. 1, noon to 4 p.m. at the Community Center on Walnut Avenue, a free showcase of Cranford organizations marking 250 years.

Oak Ridge Road in Clark is closed Thursday, Oct. 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Wheatsheaf and Woodland roads. Police urge drivers to follow detours.

Springfield will seek a Community Development Block Grant for sanitary sewer work after administrator John Bussiculo said no street needs repaving this year.

Arabella Morabito scored twice and added two assists as Scotch Plains-Fanwood girls soccer blanked Elizabeth 5 to 0 in the Union County Tournament on Oct. 20.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood beat Westfield 11 to 10 on penalty kicks in the Union County Tournament quarterfinal on Oct. 20 after 13 rounds and a scoreless game.

Pioneer Day, New Providence’s upgraded street fair, takes place Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Springfield Avenue with rides, food, and live music.

Fanwood’s Jack Ross and Scotch Plains’ Ranee Muirhead were honored by Congressman Tom Kean Jr. among 30 first responders at his third Hometown Heroes event.

Union County Life’s guide to the 2026 county races covers the three commissioner contests, the Sheriff race, and the County Clerk race ahead of Election Day, Nov. 3.

Union police report three people hospitalized in critical condition after a two-vehicle crash on Route 22 on Friday night, with a 17-year-old driver arrested.

Summit Common Council passed four ordinances on Oct. 20, including a Beekman Road parking change, and current resident parking permits expire Oct. 31.

Fourth quarter property taxes are due November 1, with a final day to pay without penalty of November 10. Payment options and AutoPay details are included.

Union County early voting for the 2026 General Election runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 at 10 sites countywide, with hours 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Scotch Plains’ free Refill Your Cup support group for parents and guardians meets Wednesdays, with the next session Nov. 11. Preregistration is required.

Scotch Plains leaf pickup starts on or about Oct. 26, with leaves only, paper bags, curbside windrows, and a DPW drop-off from Oct. 30 through Dec. 31.