Domestic Affairs

Recovered firearm in Union Catholic High School leads to lockdowns, student arrested

Recovered firearm in Union Catholic High School leads to lockdowns, student arrested

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J., Feb. 7 (ZFJ) — The discovery of a firearm in Union Catholic High School on Monday, Jan. 22, resulted in lockdowns at nearby schools and the arrest of one student. The Scotch Plains Police Department said in a press release that it received a call at about 10:45 a.m. from a Union Catholic administrator concerning a handgun that had been recovered in the school. The school was placed on lockdown, and Scotch Plains police officers recovered the weapon.
Gas odor prompts evacuation at J.P. Stevens High School

Gas odor prompts evacuation at J.P. Stevens High School

EDISON, N.J., Feb. 1 (ZFJ) — A suspected gas leak resulted in the evacuation of J.P. Stevens High School students and staff on Thursday, Feb. 1, according to the school district. An odor of gas near the art and music wing and in the back of the building caused the evacuation, which, according to a ZFJ reporter, began around the start of third period. The Edison Fire Department and Elizabethtown Gas Company concluded that a construction crew hit an inactive gas line that still had residual gas remaining in it, resulting in the odor, according to a statement by Edison Township Public Schools.
YESTERcades of Metuchen to open on Friday, Feb. 2

YESTERcades of Metuchen to open on Friday, Feb. 2

METUCHEN, N.J., Jan. 30 (ZFJ) — YESTERcades of Metuchen will have its ribbon cutting and opening on Friday, Feb. 2, at 4:00 p.m., according to its announcement on social media. Patrons are asked not to line up outside the building at 442 Main Street, Metuchen, before 3:30 p.m. YESTERcades is a retro video game venue known for its focus on “golden age” arcade classics. The arcade has at least 82 games moved into the Metuchen building, according to a social media post.
Edison’s first Asian American police officer, Joseph Vincent Luistro, dies after battling ALS

Edison’s first Asian American police officer, Joseph Vincent Luistro, dies after battling ALS

EDISON, N.J., Jan. 21 (ZFJ) — Sgt. Joseph Vincent Luistro, 55, Edison Township’s first Asian American and Filipino American police officer, died on Thursday, Jan. 18, after battling ALS. “Sergeant Luistro touched the lives of many with his selfless spirit,” said the Edison Police Department, calling him a “trailblazer” for his role in “actively fostering inclusivity in law enforcement careers.” Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurological disorder in which motor neurons progressively die, causing loss of control of muscle movement.
Edison police charge van driver with leaving disabled person in vehicle overnight

Edison police charge van driver with leaving disabled person in vehicle overnight

EDISON, N.J., Jan. 13 (ZFJ) — Winnie Raini, 53, of Edison, has been charged with leaving an adult female with a developmental disability in a van overnight while employed as a private transportation driver, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department. Authorities began investigating allegations of neglect on Jan. 3, according to the criminal complaint against Raini. According to the aide for the developmentally delayed female, the woman is transported by van back to her residence twice a week.
Edison Board of Education and Township Council swear in new officials

Edison Board of Education and Township Council swear in new officials

EDISON, N.J., Jan. 6 (ZFJ) — The Edison Board of Education held its reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 2, while the Edison Township Council held it on Thursday, Jan. 4. The candidates who won the general election on Nov. 7, 2023, were sworn in as elected officials at these meetings. EDISON BOARD OF EDUCATION REORGANIZATION MEETING Virginia White, first elected in 2020, and newcomers Christopher Lugo and Anjana R. Patel were sworn in as board of education members.
Buses with migrants bound for New York arrive at NJ Transit stations

Buses with migrants bound for New York arrive at NJ Transit stations

EDISON, N.J., Jan. 1 (ZFJ) — Buses carrying migrants bound for New York City have been arriving at multiple NJ Transit stations, said local authorities across the state. The Jersey City Office of Emergency Management said on X (formerly Twitter) that about 10 buses from Texas and one from Louisiana with approximately 397 migrants arrived at train stations in Secaucus, Fanwood, Edison, Trenton, and Jersey City since Saturday, Dec. 30.
Military air defense command NORAD tracks Santa in annual tradition

Military air defense command NORAD tracks Santa in annual tradition

Dec. 24 (ZFJ) — NORAD, with 68 years of experience following Santa, is once again tracking the jolly good man. Anyone interested can view Santa’s location on noradsanta.org or call in to the North American Aerospace Defense Command at 1-877-HI-NORAD. If they can’t reach a human on the line due to the volume of calls, they’ll receive an automated message reporting Santa’s position and a reminder to call back later to talk to someone.
Perth Amboy Magnet carpentry teacher charged with criminal sexual contact

Perth Amboy Magnet carpentry teacher charged with criminal sexual contact

Dec. 23 (ZFJ) — Edward White, 56, of Tinton Falls, N.J., was arrested on charges of inappropriately touching students on Dec. 13, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Lawrence Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department. In a statement on Dec. 14, a Thursday, Middlesex County Magnet Schools Superintendent Jorge E. Diaz said that the school district became aware of an “alleged incident involving a teacher and a student” on Dec.
J.P. Stevens High School closed Monday, other schools delayed due to flooding

J.P. Stevens High School closed Monday, other schools delayed due to flooding

EDISON, N.J., Dec. 18 (ZFJ) — J.P. Stevens High School was closed on Monday, Dec. 18, due to flooding and road closures while several other North Edison schools opened late. John Adams Middle School, James Madison Primary School, James Madison Intermediate School, and FDR Preschool had delayed openings. JPS was also going to open delayed until officials decided to close it for the day. Other Edison schools continued their days on their regular schedules.