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McLaughlin Going to Rio, Breaks World Record

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Dunellen’s Sydney McLaughlin is going to the 2016 Summer Olympics. The 16-year-old, who will be a senior at Union Catholic High School this fall, placed third in the Olympic Trials’ 400m hurdles finals, securing the last of the three available spots. The other two spots went to Dalilah Muhammad who had the fastest times in both previous runs, and Ashley Spencer. Not only did her time of time of 54.15 give McLaughlin a plane ticket to Rio, it also broke the World Junior (U20) record of 54.40 Wang Xing of China set in 2005. According to statements made to USA Track & Field, McLaughlin did not think that making the Olympics was a possibility until recently. Continue Reading →

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A message from the Dunellen Municipal Alliance

dunellen organizations - scouts, charities, nonprofits

After a 4 year hiatus, the Dunellen Municipal Alliance is back… The Dunellen Municipal Alliance is a community-based volunteer organization representing families, schools and businesses, along with faith-based and nonprofit organizations in Dunellen. Working together, Alliance members develop a strategic plan to decrease misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, especially as they relate to our youth. The Alliance membership includes: Chairperson Diana Starace; Coordinator Terri Albertson; Council Members Ken Baudendistel and Kevin Bachorik; Borough Clerk William Robins; Dunellen Police Officer Jon DeAngelo; Dunellen High School Assistant Principal Cuyler Tobin; Student Assistance Counselor Lisa Leibowitz; Dunellen School staff members Jessica Puckett, Beth Willoughby, Lori McManus, Tammy DelRosario and Tim O’Sullivan; First Presbyterian Church of Dunellen Director of Worship & Music & Student Ministry Karl Geiger; and Dunellen Business Owner Peg Lockwood. Community members Peter Albertson and Tyler Baker round off the group. Continue Reading →

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Sister Act now in Plays-in-the-Park

Plays-in-the-Park’ second offering of its summer 2016 season is Sister Act. This feel-good musical is based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy about a disco diva put in protective custody at a nun’s convent. The show runs from July 6 to 16, excluding Sunday, July 10. All of the performances start at 8:30 p.m.

Plays-in-the-Park is located at the Stephen J. Capestro Theater within Roosevelt Park at 1 Pine Drive in Edison, NJ. Sister Act is directed by Peter Loewy and choreographed by Rassean Holloway. Continue Reading →

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EARTH Center Garden Workshop on July 31

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The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County’s free workshop “Attracting Birds & Butterflies,” is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 31 at the EARTH Center, located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick. This workshop will teach participants about the plants and features that can be added to a backyard to make it more desirable to birds and butterflies. It is designed for the beginner or intermediate gardener who is looking to not only beautify their home, but also make a positive impact on the environment. Many experts believe that the public can help end the current decline of monarch butterfly populations. These butterflies are in danger due to the eradication of milkweed, its larvae’s host plant. Continue Reading →

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Sydney McLaughlin Advances to Olympic Trial Finals

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Dunellen’s Sydney McLaughlin won her heat in the US Olympic Trials Women’s 400m Hurdles Semifinals in Oregon on Friday [VIDEO]. She again came in second overall behind Dalilah Muhammad, who at 26 is a decade older than Sydney. Sydney advances to the final on Sunday, July 10 at 7:03 PM. It will be televised on NBC. The top three finishers will represent the USA at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Continue Reading →

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Local Wendy’s NOT Affected by Credit Card Breach

The patrons of more than 1,000 Wendy’s fast-food restaurants nationwide who used their credit or debit cards, may have been the victims of cyberattack. According to a press release on the corporate website, The Wendy’s Company believes the criminal cyberattacks resulted from service providers’ remote access credentials being compromised, allowing access – and the ability to deploy malware – to some franchisees’ point-of-sale systems.

“We are committed to protecting our customers and keeping them informed. We sincerely apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced as a result of these highly sophisticated, criminal cyberattacks involving some Wendy’s restaurants,” said Todd Penegor, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have conducted a rigorous investigation to understand what has occurred and apply those learnings to further strengthen our data security measures.” Although 72 locations in NJ were affected, only two near Dunellen were possibly hacked: Edison (Parsonage Road) and Somerset (Easton Avenue). Continue Reading →

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Dunellen Police Report | June 2016

On 6/30/2016 at 9:30 am – A Middlesex resident was arrested for contempt of court after patrol was called to Kline Place for the report of an individual sleeping in a vehicle. Investigation revealed that the man had an outstanding warrant from Middlesex County. He was transported to police headquarters for processing and later turned over to the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office. On 6/30/2016 at 8:21 am – Patrol responded to a residence on Bound Brook Road for the report of a bicycle theft. Investigation revealed that sometime over the previous week, an unknown person had removed a blue mountain bike which was unsecured in the rear of the residence. Continue Reading →

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McLaughlins advance to Olympic semifinals

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Siblings Taylor and Sydney McLaughlin both advance to the semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials for the 400m hurdles. Sydney, who at 16 years old was just named Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year, finished first in her qualifying heat with a time of 55.46. She finished second overall, behind Dalilah Muhammad. Although Taylor, who just finished his freshman year at the University of Michigan, did not finish in the top three of his heat, he did have a time fast enough to qualify for the last spot left in the semifinals (51.24). Whether or not the McLaughlins make it to Rio, they are guaranteed some international competition. Continue Reading →

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County Youth Conservation Corps To Hire High School, College Students

Middlesex County Conserfvation Corps works on trail sign for county's Open Space program.

Applications are now being accepted for the Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps, whose mission is to protect and preserve the more than 7,500 acres of Open Space owned and maintained by Middlesex County. The County recognizes that these natural areas must always be guarded from misuse, polluters and the forces of nature, and needs help in keeping these areas green and safe. Conservation Corps crew members earn $9.00 per hour and will work Saturdays from Sept. 24 through Nov. 19. Continue Reading →

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Councilman to be in SOPAC musical

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Dunellen Borough Councilman Jason Cilento will be performing in the Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ)’s version of Rupert Holmes’ Tony Award-winning musical, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” at the South Orange Performing Art Center (SOPAC). The musical is inspired by Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel regarding the murder of reluctant groom Edwin Drood. All members of the cast play dual roles. Cilento plays Neville Landless, one of the original suspects in Drood’s murder as well as Victor Grinstead. As the musical develops, it becomes clear that everyone in town had motives to want Drood’s demise, and since the novel was never completed, Holmes allows the audience to decide who murdered Drood. Continue Reading →

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