Union County News

Dan Kranz was officially sworn in as captain of the Fanwood Police Department during the Borough Council meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026. Kranz, a Fanwood native, has served as officer in charge and now assumes the permanent role of captain. He has earned an MBA, graduated from the FBI National Academy, and served as an instructor with the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Valarie Adams & the Dimension Band kicked off R&B Night at Roselle City Hall on July 16, a community event hosted by Mayor Donald Shaw and the Borough Council that will continue every Thursday throughout the summer. The evening featured open mic performances and aims to bring neighbors together.

Arthur Smith, an 83-year-old Plainfield man with dementia who was reported missing early Monday morning, was found safe late Monday night. Smith was last seen at 6:30 a.m. on surveillance footage inside his residence before possibly being seen walking northbound on Field Avenue.

The Plainfield Police Department arrested Bryan Spells, 27, of Piscataway, in connection with a July 1 shooting on the 400 block of West Fourth Street that left a male victim with nonfatal gunshot wounds. Spells has been charged with attempted murder and various weapons offenses.

Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Swim Team kicked off long course season while giving back through a clothing fundraiser and volunteering at Special Olympics.

Plainfield Public Schools Director of Special Education Marcos Bayas has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Ellie Byra Inclusive Education Award. He will be honored on September 30, 2026, at The Palace at Somerset Park.

Haze and smoke odor in Union County are due to ongoing Canadian wildfires. Governor Mikie Sherrill advised sensitive individuals to limit outdoor time and avoid strenuous activity. The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert through midnight on Thursday, July 16 for five counties including Union.

Westfield resident George Roeck expressed concerns about the One Westfield Place redevelopment project and the Lord & Taylor site, stating the jury remains out on whether it will benefit the town. He called for prioritizing commuter parking and warned against traffic disruptions on North and South Avenues.

Westfield town council approves $2.9M parking and field house improvements plus turf replacement at Houlihan/Sid Fay Fields athletic complex.

Hillside hosts National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6–8:30 p.m. at 274 Hillside Ave. Free food, music, giveaways, and first responders.

Valairco Heating and Cooling invites community members to nominate their favorite nonprofit organizations for a $500 grant through its Valairco Cares initiative. The program, which has awarded 32 grants since 2018, selects winners based on the highest number of community nominations. Voting ends July 31.

Union County's "Colonial Family Fun Day," scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at the Deserted Village of Feltville in Berkeley Heights, has been canceled due to air quality concerns from wildfires.

Joanne Rajoppi, who served as Union County Clerk for more than 30 years, has died at age 78. She was a six-time recipient of the National Association of Counties Award and served at Rutgers University for nearly 20 years. She championed voting machine transparency and was praised for her advocacy for election integrity.

Summary of key discussions and actions from the July 7, 2026 Common Council meeting.

Whether you plan to stay for a day, weekend or even longer, we're confident our city — featuring a wide array of multicultural culinary eats, …

Bulk collection for all zones is completed. Please put remaining items in regular recycling or bring them to DPW Yard on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.

Elizabeth is recruiting entry-level firefighters for 2026. Applications are due by August 31 at 4:00 p.m. Testing scheduled for December 2026 and January 2027.

Severe thunderstorm strikes Plainfield, NJ. Approximately 2,300 customers without power as City crews begin cleanup and restoration efforts. Stay informed.

The Plainfield Senior Center at 400 East Front Street is open as a cooling station and charging location for residents without power during the outage.