Domestic Affairs

Edison Town Council unanimously rejects marijuana zone expansion

Edison Town Council unanimously rejects marijuana zone expansion

EDISON, N.J., March 14 (ZFJ) — Edison councilmen unanimously rejected an ordinance that would have expanded the zones in which cannabis establishments would be permitted at their regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The ordinance was first introduced at the Feb. 15 combined council meeting, where all councilmen except Richard Brescher and Ajay Patil voted in support of it. It went up for final adoption on Feb. 28. Map of the general area where cannabis establishments are currently permitted (in green) and zone expansions proposed by O.
Edison Town Council introduces ordinance to expand permissible marijuana establishment areas

Edison Town Council introduces ordinance to expand permissible marijuana establishment areas

EDISON, N.J., Feb. 26 (ZFJ) — Edison Township held a combined council meeting on Feb. 15 that discussed a proposed ordinance that would expand the areas in which cannabis establishments can be approved in. The ordinance’s public hearing and final adoption was scheduled to be on Wednesday, Feb. 28, but the Municipal Clerk’s Office informed The ZFJ in a phone call on Monday, Feb. 26, that it was going to be removed from the council’s agenda.
One juvenile arrested for Menlo Park Mall fight

One juvenile arrested for Menlo Park Mall fight

EDISON, N.J., Feb. 21 (ZFJ) — One juvenile was arrested in connection with a fight that occurred at Menlo Park Mall on Monday, Feb. 19. At about 5:30 p.m., Edison police received a call reporting that shots had been fired at the mall, said Police Chief Tom Bryan in a phone call. Based on the emergency call, police assumed that there was an active shooter, so they organized a large response.
Six arrested at Menlo Park Mall, two guns recovered

Six arrested at Menlo Park Mall, two guns recovered

EDISON, N.J., Feb. 21 (ZFJ) — Four juveniles and two adults were arrested by Edison police at Menlo Park Mall on Saturday, Feb. 17. At about 9:30 p.m., an individual called 911 and said that they were being chased by a group of kids, Edison Police Chief Tom Bryan said in a phone call. The police apprehended the suspects behind the McDonald’s right beside the mall. They were in possession of two firearms, one of which was stolen.
Glen Rock Starbucks' sign vandalized with red paint, police investigating as bias crime

Glen Rock Starbucks' sign vandalized with red paint, police investigating as bias crime

Feb. 20 (ZFJ) — Glen Rock police are investigating vandalism of the Glen Rock Starbucks’ sign as a bias incident. At 8:05 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, the manager of the Starbucks at 224 Rock Road in the borough’s Central Business District notified police that red paint had been splashed over the café’s sign at the corner of Rock Road and Glen Avenue. The responding officer also found stickers on the sign with messages related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Metuchen Planning Board approves drive-thru marijuana dispensary plan

Metuchen Planning Board approves drive-thru marijuana dispensary plan

METUCHEN, N.J., Feb. 18 (ZFJ) — The Metuchen Planning Board adopted a resolution at its reorganization meeting on Jan. 4 to approve Dasco Solutions’ drive-thru marijuana dispensary plan. Dasco intends to convert a 3,037 square foot former bank building at 700 Middlesex Avenue into a cannabis dispensary. It presented its proposal to the board on Nov. 2, 2023, and the resolution reflects the board’s actions on that date. RESOLUTION 23-1368 VOTE RESULTS
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.