County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that a selection of prize-winning art work by Union County and UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ employees, their family members, and volunteers is on display through January 16 in the Commissioners Gallery, located on the 6^th floor of the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The gallery is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

The art display presents a select sampling of 16 pieces from among the 74 pieces judged at the recent 19th annual “National Arts Program Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families.” The exhibit and contest are a result of a partnership with the National Arts Program Foundation, which provides prize money and valuable support to display the work of talented artists of all ages.

“We are honored to conclude the year with an exhibit that celebrates our employees—the dedicated public servants who strengthen this community every day,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. It is our pleasure to highlight the remarkable talent and artistry within our Union County family. This showcase reflects not only exceptional skill, but also the creativity and heart that each of you brings to our community.”

Listed by category are all the award-winning employee artists, retirees, volunteers, and their family members, and the awards they won at the original exhibit and contest. The closing reception was held at UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ’s Scotch Plains Campus on Friday, November 21, 2025:

Overall

Best in Show – Veronica Dunscombe, Professional

Teen Art Education Award – Chloe Thompson, Teen

Professional

1^st Place – Jacqueline Abend

2^nd Place – Kat Block

3^rd Place – Dario Scholis

Intermediate

1^st Place – Clara Owens

2^nd Place – Kaylee Krill

3^rd Place – Alessandra Alma

Amateur

1^st Place – Ivan Strom

2^nd Place – Victoria Martins

3^rd Place – Beverly Guest

Teen – Ages 13-18

1^st Place – Elysse Brathwaite

2^nd Place – Antoinette Evans

Youth – Ages 12 & Under

1^st Place – Elena Boyar

2^nd Place – Alessia Alma

3^rd Place – Chelsea Velazquez

“I would like to thank our Union County employees, retirees, and their families for participating in this annual event. Their pieces always bring so much life and color to our gallery,” said Union County Commissioner and Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Board, Bette Jane Kowalski. “I encourage residents to take the time to visit and enjoy the display for themselves.”

Additional support for this event was provided by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Exhibits at the Commissioners Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For more information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. Or send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org

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During a soccer match between North Plainfield Soccer Elite and Elizabeth Youth Soccer at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle on October 19, 2025, a report was filed alleging that a coach assaulted a player.

On November 18, 2025, Mr. Gustavo Rosas Plata of North Plainfield was charged in connection with this assault.  During this match, a player was involved in a play and fell to the ground near the sideline. It was alleged that the coach of the North Plainfield team then kicked the 16-year-old player from the Elizabeth team. Officers from the Union County Police Department were contacted and investigated this claim.  After conducting several interviews, viewing relevant video, and reviewing victim/witness statements, an arrest was made. 

Officer Grzeda, of the Investigations Division, charged Mr. Plata with simple assault (in the presence of a child under 16 years of age at a school or community-sponsored youth sports event), N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1F, a fourth-degree offense.  Mr. Plata was processed and released pending a court date in superior court.

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The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the return of the “UC Loves Small Biz” campaign as part of the annual Union County Small Business Month initiative. Running from November 29^th through December 24^th, the campaign encourages residents and visitors to shop, dine, and support local businesses throughout the holiday season.

“Small businesses are the backbone of every great community, and Union County is no exception,” said Commissioner Chair Lourdes M. Leon. “When you shop locally, you are supporting your neighbors, strengthening our downtowns, and helping our business districts thrive. This campaign showcases the incredible diversity and talent of our local entrepreneurs, and we’re proud to highlight the people who make Union County such a vibrant place to live.”

The UC Loves Small Biz website provides residents and visitors with direct links to local downtown districts, chambers of commerce, and municipal business directories, making it easy to explore businesses. The site also features a dedicated section for local events, promotions, and holiday specials, serving as a digital bulletin board where businesses can share updates throughout the season using the hashtag #UCLOVESSMALLBIZ.

From November 29^th through December 24^th, Union County’s social media platforms will highlight small businesses across all 21 municipalities through photos, videos, and featured posts. Businesses, residents, and visitors are encouraged to participate by sharing their own experiences using the hashtag #UCLOVESSMALLBIZ.

In addition to supporting local businesses, the County is once again hosting the Annual Holiday Toy Drive through December 24^th, collecting new, unwrapped toys to help bring joy to families in need during the holiday season.

To view the County’s toy donation wish list, visit ucnj.org/toy-drive-list/.

As part of this effort, local businesses are invited to serve as Toy Drive drop-off locations by hosting an official donation box. Interested businesses may contact Jeff Brooks at 908-659-7412 or jeffrey.brooks@ucnj.org for more information.

“This time of year is about community—supporting our small businesses while also supporting our families,” added Chairwoman Leon. “Every local purchase and every donated toy is a reminder that no family is alone. When we give back, we make the holidays a little warmer and a little brighter for everyone. That’s what Union County is all about.”

For more information about the UC Loves Small Biz campaign, visit www.ucnj.org/uclovessmallbiz.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and caregivers to the upcoming Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in December to explore the wide range of senior programs and resources available. These events allow attendees to meet face-to-face with experienced professionals who can provide expert guidance and assistance with a variety of services, including form completion. Bilingual staff will be available on several dates to provide support in Spanish.

“Visiting our ‘ASK’ services kiosk is a convenient way for seniors to have their questions answered, connect with resources, all with the assistance of our friendly staff,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “We designed this invaluable program to help residents improve their quality of life, and we are proud that it has served as a strong support system for our senior community. I welcome all seniors and caregivers to explore this service and visit their nearest location in December.”

The Aging Services Kiosk is operated explicitly by the Division on Aging, a branch of the Union County Department of Human Services. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.

Staff at ASK locations can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services, including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in December:

Tuesday, December 9th
Westfield Memorial Library
550 East Broad Street, Westfield
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Thursday, December 11th
(Bilingual staff available)
Elizabeth Public Library – Main
11 South Broad Street, Elizabeth
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tuesday, December 16th
(Bilingual staff available)
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue, Union
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tuesday, December 23rd
Hillside Public Library
1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

“This initiative would not be possible without the amazing team at the Division on Aging. Their dedication makes our ASK program accessible, reliable, and incredibly beneficial to our older community,” said Union County Commissioner James Baker, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging.
 
For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll-free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is once again collecting toys to bring holiday cheer to those who need it most. From now until December 23rd, there will be collection bins at select locations throughout the county, as well as the option to ship directly to 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth NJ 07207 for those who want to order from our Target and Amazon wish lists.

For more information, please visit https://ucnj.org/toy-drive-list or contact Samantha at samantha.perez@ucnj.org

Initial Drop-Off Locations (more to be added):

ELIZABETH
Union County Administration, 10 Elizabethtown Plz
Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad St
Union County Prosecutor’s Office, 32 Rahway Ave

ROSELLE
Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Dr

WESTFIELD
Colleen Fraser Building (Union County Passport Building), 300 North Ave E
Froelich Public Safety Building, 400 North Ave E

SCOTCH PLAINS
Union County Engineering Building, 2325 South Ave