Middlesex County, New Jersey

Edison Board of Education retires #24 for Edison High athletes in honor of Coach Jim Muldowney

Edison Board of Education retires #24 for Edison High athletes in honor of Coach Jim Muldowney

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 29 (ZFJ) — The Edison Board of Education retired the use of jersey number 24 for all Edison High School athletic teams in honor of late baseball coach and athletic director James “Diamond Jim” Muldowney at the Aug. 20 combined caucus and public meeting. Muldowney graduated from Edison High in 1973 and became a teacher from 1981-2000. He then served as the school’s athletic director from 2000-2008 and the district’s supervisor of physical education and health from 2008-2018.
Metuchen police arrest Bayonne man for attempted murder, arson, stalking

Metuchen police arrest Bayonne man for attempted murder, arson, stalking

METUCHEN, N.J., Aug. 22 (ZFJ) — Walid Beshai, 36, of Bayonne, was arrested by Metuchen police at his residence on Wednesday, Aug. 14, in connection with a fire in the borough on June 27, 2024. Patrol officers responded to the scene of a fire on June 27, 2024, at about 1:30 a.m., according to an affidavit of probable cause submitted to the court by police. Three residents were removed from a two-family residential structure, and a garage that contained one of the victim’s vehicles was actively on fire.
Andy “Dean” DeNicola, J.P. Stevens band director for 50 years, dies at 72

Andy “Dean” DeNicola, J.P. Stevens band director for 50 years, dies at 72

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 11 (ZFJ) — Andrew “Dean” S. DeNicola, 55, band director at John P. Stevens High School for 50 years, died on May 20, 2024, after many years of battling heart disease. “His devotion toward music, the band program, and his students was unparalleled, and anyone who had the pleasure of getting to know Andy knew he was having fun and living his life to the fullest,” wrote the Central Jersey Music Educators Association on Instagram.
30-inch water main breaks on Woodbrook Drive

30-inch water main breaks on Woodbrook Drive

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 13 (ZFJ) — Someone just had the front of their house unexpectedly power washed. A 30-inch water main was broken by contractor work on Woodbrook Drive, said Edison Mayor Sam Joshi on social media on Monday, Aug. 12. The water lines are operated by the Middlesex Water Company. Residents shouldn’t have water flow disrupted because the broken line is separate from the ones used for residential distribution, according to Joshi.
Retired Edison Firefighter Raymond Tibok dies at 58

Retired Edison Firefighter Raymond Tibok dies at 58

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 12 (ZFJ) — Retired Edison Firefighter Raymond Tibok, 58, of Edison, died peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 8, at JFK Medical Center. He was born in Perth Amboy and a lifelong resident of Edison. He served Edison as a firefighter for 30 years before retiring in 2022. Tibok graduated from John P. Stevens High School in 1984. “He loved fishing, working on cars, and playing southern rock with his guitar.
Edison Firefighter Howard C. Tarlow dies at 47

Edison Firefighter Howard C. Tarlow dies at 47

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 12 (ZFJ) — Edison Firefighter Howard Chaim Tarlow, 47, died on Wednesday, July 10, reported the Edison Firefighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1197. MyCentralJersey.com reported that township officials said that Tarlow died unexpectedly at home. Tarlow began his career in fire services when he joined the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department in 2008 “after expressing to a friend he wanted to give back to the community,” said IAFF Local 1197 on social media.
Edison police Lieutenant Donald Ship dies at 38

Edison police Lieutenant Donald Ship dies at 38

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 11 (ZFJ) — Edison police Lieutenant Donald Ship, 38, of Piscataway, died on Wednesday, July 10. New Jersey 101.5 reported that Police Chief Thomas Bryan told them that Ship died at home following a “short illness.” “Lieutenant Ship grew up in Edison and dedicated his entire life and career to giving back to the community that raised him,” said the Edison Police Department on social media. Ship began his career in law enforcement as a Kean University police officer before he transferred to the Edison Police Department on Jan.
One dead, one injured after Route 1 crash in Edison

One dead, one injured after Route 1 crash in Edison

EDISON, N.J., July 30 (ZFJ) — One motorcyclist was killed and one motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash at the intersection of Route 1 North and Old Post Road in Edison on Sunday, July 28. On Sunday, at about 8:13 p.m., authorities responded to the intersection after receiving a report of a multi-vehicle crash, according to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Police located Alexander Teshima Chong, 44, of Belleville, who had been operating a motorcycle at the time of the collision.
Edison man charged for Millbrook Village stabbing

Edison man charged for Millbrook Village stabbing

EDISON, N.J., July 26 (ZFJ) — Joan Franklin Polanco, 37, of Edison, has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing that occurred in Edison on Sunday, July 21, 2024, announced Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department. On July 21, Edison police responded to a call for a welfare check of the victim, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit. Shortly after, at about 4:37 p.
Edison High assistant principal accused of threatening Muslim students

Edison High assistant principal accused of threatening Muslim students

EDISON, N.J., July 24 (ZFJ) — Muslim students from Edison High School are alleging that one of the school’s assistant principals intimidated them over their club’s annual iftar event during a February meeting. Iftar is the breaking of the daily fast during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), a Muslim civil rights group, says that Assistant Principal Nicole Himmelstein met with eight board members of the school’s Moon and Stars Association (MSA) following their request to hold a joint iftar event and invite students from Piscataway and North Brunswick.