Events

Leadership Somerset open to local citizens

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Somerset County is currently accepting applications for its Leadership Somerset Class of 2016. Leadership Somerset is a year-long adult community leadership program. which allows participants enhance their leadership skills while broadening their knowledge of community issues within Somerset County. Applications are accepted from adults who live or work in Somerset County, NJ. Created in 2000 by the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in partnership with the Somerset County Business Partnership, Raritan Valley Community College, and the United Way of Northern New Jersey, Somerset County, the Leadership Somerset program is still sponsored by Somerset County. Continue Reading →

History

Archaeology Open House at Piscatawaytown Settlement

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Old map showing Native American sites in Midelsex, Somerset and Union Counties.

The Middlesex County Office of Cultural and Heritage, in partnership with the Archaeological Society of New Jersey, will hold a unique public archaeology event at one of the earliest English settlement sites in Middlesex County. This excavation will be held at the areas surrounding the Piscatawaytown Burial Ground and St. James Episcopal Church located at 2316 Woodbridge Ave. in Edison. The two consecutive dates for the “rain or shine” event are Saturday, Sept. Continue Reading →

Police

Dunellen Police Report | August 2015

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On 8/30/15 @ 1:12am – A Dunellen resident was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a police officer and contempt of court after patrol was called to his residence for a report of a dispute in progress. Upon arrival the suspect began to yell and curse at officers and was arrested for disorderly conduct. He then attempted to punch an officer and resisted arrest, causing one officer to seriously injure his shoulder. The suspect was brought to headquarters where he was processed and later transported to Middlesex County Jail. On 8/29/15 @ 1:57am – A Piscataway resident was arrested and charged with contempt of court after he was stopped on North Avenue for looking into businesses on North Avenue. Continue Reading →

News

Bonnie Watson Coleman to distribute tickets to Pope’s live broadcast

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U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman is offering residents of Dunellen the chance to attend a live broadcast of Pope Francis’ address to a joint session of Congress on September 24, 2015. This marks the first time the head of the Roman Catholic Church has done such an event. The tickets to the standing room only program on the West Lawn of the Capitol will be distributed through a lottery system. “This is a truly incredible moment in history, and an amazing opportunity to take part in it. I’m thrilled to be able to offer this chance to my constituents,” said Watson Coleman. Continue Reading →

News

New NJ Car Seat Law Goes Into Effect Today

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New Jersey’s new child car seat law goes into effect today, September 1, 2015. This makes New Jersey the first state in the United States to require that child car seat usage meets all of the safety recommendations promoted by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children under two years old who weigh less than 30 lbs must be rear-facing in a five- point harness. Once your child no longer meets one of these criteria, they may be turned forward facing. Children two to four years old who weigh less than 40 lbs must be in a five-point harness, either forward- or -rear-facing. Continue Reading →

Dunellen

DEF 5K Run Cancelled

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Dunellen Education Foundation’s 18th annual 5K race will not be happening this September. According to the organization’s president Trina Rios, “After 17 years of a successful race, we are taking a year off to focus on fundraising.” The DEF had solicited for volunteers in July but did not receive the response needed for the event to go forward. The 5K race has been the major fundraising event for the nonprofit organization that has as its mission to support “educational, nonprofit, and community related programs that would provide the knowledge and skills to face the challenges of an increasingly complex and technology driven world.” In the past, it has provided grants to bring smart boards to various classrooms, improve the sound system in the high school auditorium, and help with several Dunellen Public Library programs. According to Rios, since the DEF started, they have donated at least $200,000. Although mostly Dunellen residents participate in the 1 mile family fun run component, runners from all over the tri-state area come to compete in the officially timed race. Continue Reading →

Dunellen

Local Lenni-Lenape Sites Mentioned in 1915 Survey Article

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The Treaty of Penn with the Indians by Benjamin West.

Years ago, the Dunellen area was not covered by roadways and mini-malls. Instead, the Lenni-Lenape hunted its forests and cultivated its land. However, by the 18th century, most of those surviving disease and intertribal conflict had been pushed out of their homelands and moved west, first to Ohio and then to Oklahoma. (Information on the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe whose headquarters is in Bridgeton, Cumberland County can be found on its website). An article in the 1915 Geological Survey of New Jersey, “Indian Remains near Plainfield, Union County, and along the Lower Delaware Valley by Leslie Spier,” mentions Lenni-Lenape sites that had been identified a century ago. Continue Reading →

Education

Dunellen High School Class of 2015 graduates

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Herg Zhang, salutatorian addresses the graduating class of Dunellen High School.

Dunellen High School’s Class of 2015 graduated Friday June 19, 2015 in Washington Park. The clouds held back the rain that had been threatening the outdoor ceremony which is a unique tradition that allows extended family, friends, and townsfolk to attend, no admittance tickets required. This year’s class was comprised of 89 seniors. Wearing the school colors of red and blue, they entered the park two-by-two, having walked a block from Dunellen High School. Grace Amodeo, who will be attending Westminster Choir College in the fall sang the Star Spangled Banner and Kevin Bluni, secretary of the senior class led the Pledge of Allegiance. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

Middlesex County to host “Clara Barton” on July 4

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On Saturday, July 4, 2015, Pat Jordan of the American Historical Theatre will portray “Clara Barton” in a special presentation with performances at 1 and 3p.m. This free event, hosted by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage, will take place inside East Jersey Old Town’s Indian Queen Tavern, located at 1050 River Road in Piscataway. Clara Barton was a celebrated Civil War nurse. She began her career as a teacher and started a school in Hightstown, New Jersey. Barton answered Abraham Lincoln’s request for nurses to join the Union forces. She earned the name “Angel of the Battlefield” for her heroic efforts, including going to the front lines. Continue Reading →

Dunellen

Rt 529 Corridor Transit & Bicycle–Pedestrian Study

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rt 529 corridor study

The first Open House public meeting regarding the Route 529 Corridor Transit and Bicycle–Pedestrian Studywill be held June 15 from 6:00pm –8:30pm at the Westergard Library in Piscataway, 20 Murray Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854. The study will evaluate possible improvements to bicycling and pedestrian facilities and enhancements to transit services within the Route 529 Corridor, which includes all of Dunellen. Active participation will provide critical input and feedback to the project team’s development of recommendations. To confirm your attendance and if you have any questions, please contact Danielle A. Britton of the Middlesex County Planning by phone at(732) 745-3835, or via email at danielle.britton@co.middlesex.nj.us. To review downloadable documents from the first Steering Committee meeting held on November 13, 2014 go to: http://goo.gl/wkbx9w Continue Reading →