Alvin Wu

Editor-in-chief

ZFJ founder. Oxford comma enthusiast. Specializes in the government beat. Computer science undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Article Contributions

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
Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII

Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII

Feb. 14 (ZFJ) — The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11. Securing their third Super Bowl win in five years, the Chiefs have achieved a dynasty. The first half of the game was characterized by many punts and a few fumbles. Momentum really picked up from the second half. Overall? Absolutely thrilling game. The Chiefs won the coin toss and deferred.
Joint European Torus researchers announce nuclear fusion energy record

Joint European Torus researchers announce nuclear fusion energy record

Feb. 8 (ZFJ) — Joint European Torus (JET) researchers announced on Thursday, Feb. 8, that their tokamak set a new world record of 69.26 megajoules released in controlled nuclear fusion energy on Oct. 3, 2023, at 19:14 GMT. The record, equivalent to the energy released from burning two kilograms of coal, was set during a single pulse of JET over six seconds with only 0.21 milligrams of fuel. JET’s previous record from 2022 was 59 MJ.
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.
Universal Music Group pulls music from TikTok after licensing agreement expires

Universal Music Group pulls music from TikTok after licensing agreement expires

Feb. 6 (ZFJ) — Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music corporation, has pulled all of its music from TikTok following the expiration of its previous licensing agreement on Jan. 31 after renewal talks collapsed. That means that any TikToks containing music from Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, Drake, Harry Styles, and many, many more artists have had their audio muted. Until a new licensing agreement is finalized, TikTok users won’t be able to add any music from Universal’s catalog to their videos.