Author: corinnefiretto

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is reminding residents of the final mobile paper shredding and household hazardous waste events of the 2026 season. Two scrap metal recycling dates are also scheduled for October. All three programs are free for Union County residents.

“These events make it easier for residents to clear out unwanted materials and dispose of them properly,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “Whether you have sensitive documents, scrap metal or household chemicals to get rid of, I encourage you to check the October schedule and take advantage of these free programs before the season ends.”

The final two shredding events will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, or until the shredding trucks reach capacity:

• Saturday, October 10: Berkeley Heights Municipal Building parking lot, 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights
• Friday, October 23: John Russell Wheeler Park, 234 W. Stimpson Avenue, Linden (for GPS directions, please use 248 W Stimpson Ave)

The program is for Union County residents only and is not open to businesses. There is a limit of four bags or boxes per vehicle, with each bag or box weighing no more than 10 pounds.

Only confidential or sensitive personal documents will be accepted. Magazines, junk mail and other nonsensitive papers should be placed in municipal recycling programs. Residents should remove bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other nonpaper materials before arriving. Staples are permitted. Pre-shredded, damp or wet paper will not be accepted.

Scrap metal recycling will be available on Thursday, October 1, and Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at both of the following locations. Residents may use either location on either date:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Complex, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway: Rahway River Park Service Yard, 3 Parkway Drive

Accepted items include refrigerators and freezers with doors removed, metal cabinets, household appliances, bicycles, aluminum scrap, air conditioners, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, metal fencing, tire rims and wire hangers.

The final household hazardous waste event of the season will take place on Sunday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools’ West Hall/Police Academy parking lot, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Residents may bring accepted household materials including oil-based paints and finishes, motor oil and filters, gasoline, propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides and fluorescent bulbs.

Latex or water-based paint, medical sharps, and pressurized welding gas or oxygen cylinders will not be accepted. Leftover latex paint can be dried at home with a commercial paint hardener, sand, cat litter or sawdust. Once completely hardened, it may be disposed of with regular household trash.

All Union County recycling events are contact-free and drive-up only. Residents must remain in their vehicles while staff removes materials from their trunks. The events are funded through Recycling Enhancement Act grants that Union County applies for and receives through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

For a complete schedule and more information, visit ucnj.org/recycling or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. Residents may also contact their municipal recycling coordinator.

The free Recycle Coach app provides information about countywide and municipal recycling programs, including accepted materials, curbside schedules and drop-off locations. Learn more at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the County’s Hispanic Heritage Cultural Festival on Saturday, October 3, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway.

Observed in Union County from September 15 through October 14, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, cultures, traditions and lasting contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

“Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to recognize the generations of Hispanic and Latino residents who have helped shape Union County and continue to contribute to the strength and character of our communities,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “Our Cultural Festival brings residents together to enjoy the music, art, traditions and many cultures that make Union County such a vibrant place to live. I encourage everyone to join us for this special celebration.”

Held under this year’s theme, “Unidos, somos más • Together, we are more,” the free, family-friendly festival will feature live entertainment, cultural performances, community resource tables and activities for children and families, including face painting, coloring, bracelet making, maraca decorating, games and a photo booth.

Community organizations and agencies scheduled to participate include the Latino Action Network, PROCEED, Union County Social Services, PRAE, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, the Union County Board of Elections, We Are One New Jersey and the Union County American Job Center.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is deeply personal to me. As a Cuban-American, I carry my family’s heritage, traditions and story with me in everything I do,” said Union County Commissioner Lourdes M. Leon. “Since becoming a Commissioner, I have been proud to be part of this celebration and to see it continue to grow into something that brings so many families and communities together. The Cultural Festival is a chance for us to honor where we come from, share our traditions with one another and celebrate the incredible diversity of our Hispanic and Latino communities here in Union County.”

During the Cultural Festival, Union County will recognize individuals and organizations for their leadership, advocacy, service and contributions to arts and culture. The 2026 honorees are:

• Angel Estrada Community Leadership Award: Gloria Montealegre
• Latino Advocacy and Empowerment Award: Latino Action Network
• Humanitarian Leadership Award: David Orozco
• Artistic Excellence and Cultural Impact Award: Ricardo Roig
• Excellence in Educational Leadership Award: Elcy Castillo-Ospina

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Union County Courthouse will be illuminated in red, yellow, blue, green and orange in recognition of the diverse cultures, traditions and nations represented throughout Union County’s Hispanic and Latino communities.

UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage is located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway. For more information about Union County’s Hispanic Heritage Month programs and events, visit www.ucnj.org/hhm.

The Master Gardeners of Union County (MGUC) have named Marissa Duarte, a 2026 graduate of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, the recipient of the 2026 Madeline Flahive DiNardo Scholarship.

The $750 scholarship is awarded annually to a Union County student pursuing further studies in agriculture, horticulture, food science, environmental science or a related field. The MGUC Scholarship Committee selected Marissa based on her academic excellence, community involvement and personal statement about the role gardening has played in her life.

“Marissa has taken her interest in gardening and used it to help others, from teaching younger students to growing food for local families,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “That is an impressive accomplishment, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved scholarship. I wish her the best as she begins her studies at UMass Amherst.”

Marissa began gardening in middle school as a member of the Rutgers 4-H Garden Club. She eventually became club president, teaching younger members about gardening and environmental stewardship and participating in community outreach projects.

She later brought that experience to the garden at Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, where she helped develop a partnership with Kean University’s sustainability and architecture departments to support and redesign the garden. Produce grown there is donated to the organization’s on-site food pantry, giving Marissa an opportunity to see firsthand how gardening and food production can benefit local families.

“My experience leading the Garden Club showed me how gardening can strengthen communities,” Marissa wrote in her scholarship essay.

Marissa plans to study Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She hopes to explore food production and sustainability and make a positive impact on food systems and community well-being.

The scholarship is named in honor of Madeline Flahive DiNardo, the recently retired Rutgers professor and Agricultural Agent who served the Master Gardeners of Union County for 38 years, providing education, leadership and mentorship to generations of Master Gardeners.

“We are delighted to recognize Marissa with this year’s scholarship,” said Patricia Paul, president of the Master Gardeners of Union County. “Her commitment to gardening, leadership and community service reflects the values this scholarship was created to recognize. We wish her every success at UMass Amherst.”

“What stands out about Marissa is that she has already put what she’s learned into practice,” said Union County Commissioner Stanley J. Neron, liaison to Rutgers Cooperative Extension. “Her work with the Garden Club and the Jewish Family Service garden shows how education and service can make a difference close to home. The Master Gardeners have chosen a wonderful recipient for a scholarship that honors Madeline Flahive DiNardo’s years of teaching and mentorship.”

New Jersey Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers Cooperative Extension in providing horticultural education and unbiased, research-based information to the public. Since the Union County program began in 1987, Master Gardeners have provided more than 232,000 hours of volunteer service to Union County residents.

For more information about the Master Gardeners of Union County, visit www.mastergardeners-uc.org. For media inquiries, contact the Master Gardeners of Union County at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, 151 Grant Street, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, or email mastergardeners@ucnj.org.

The Union County Police Department has announced arrests resulting from three separate investigations involving assaults in a County park, an intentionally set fire at a park facility and the theft of electronic equipment.

Union County Police responded to reports of two separate assaults involving women in Conant Park in Hillside on June 24 and August 1, 2026. The park is located along the eastern side of the Kean University campus.

During one of the incidents, the victim’s cellphone was reportedly stolen. Neither victim suffered serious injuries, and the suspect fled before officers arrived in both instances.

Detectives Capra and Rodrigues of the Union County Police Investigations Division were assigned to the cases. Their investigation led to the arrest of 19-year-old Erick Santiago Cabrera-George of Elizabeth.

Cabrera-George was charged with one count of second-degree robbery, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault, one count of third-degree aggravated assault with a weapon, one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault, one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

He was processed on the charges and is currently being held in Essex County pending court proceedings.

On September 1, 2026, Union County Police officers conducting a routine security check at Phil Rizzuto Park in Union observed smoke, soot and fire damage inside one of the park’s restrooms.

The Union Fire Department, Union County Arson Task Force and New Jersey State Fire Marshal K-9 Unit responded to the scene. Investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set. The incident caused several thousand dollars in damage to the facility.

Officer Mascitelli of the Union County Police Investigations Division was assigned to the case. The investigation led to the September 15 arrest of 18-year-old Richard Ramos of Elizabeth.

Ramos was charged with one count of second-degree aggravated arson, one count of third-degree arson and one count of third-degree criminal mischief. He was processed at Union County Police Headquarters and is being held at the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance in Union County Superior Court.

On July 22, 2026, Union County Police responded to a report that a large quantity of electronic equipment had been stolen from a property located at 61–99 West Grand Street in Elizabeth.

Officer Gray of the Union County Police Investigations Division was assigned to investigate. The investigation led to the recovery of several thousand dollars’ worth of electronic equipment and the September 14 arrest of 32-year-old Nicolas Penagos of Roselle.

Penagos was charged with one count of second-degree dealing in stolen property and one count of second-degree receiving stolen property. He was processed at Union County Police Headquarters and is being held at the Essex County Jail pending a first appearance in Union County Superior Court.

This investigation remains active.

Under New Jersey law, second-degree crimes generally carry a sentencing range of five to 10 years in state prison, third-degree crimes generally carry a sentencing range of three to five years, and fourth-degree crimes may carry a term of up to 18 months. A conviction for second-degree robbery is also subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, which generally requires an individual sentenced to incarceration to serve 85% of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.

All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and the Office of Union County Surrogate Christopher Hudak, will present a free Empowerment Hour webinar for same-sex couples interested in adoption or foster-to-adopt opportunities in New Jersey.

The virtual webinar will be held on Monday, September 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Registration is required and is available at www.ucnj.org/lgbtq.

“Every prospective parent deserves access to clear, reliable information as they consider the many ways to build a family,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “This webinar will provide same-sex couples with practical guidance, answer important questions and help connect them with resources as they explore adoption and foster-to-adopt opportunities.”

The webinar will walk attendees through important legal considerations and explain the typical steps involved in the adoption and foster-to-adopt process. Participants will also receive practical guidance to help them better understand what to expect as they begin exploring their options.

“Adoption and foster-to-adopt can involve unfamiliar legal requirements and procedures, and having the right information early in the process can make a meaningful difference,” said Union County Surrogate Christopher Hudak. “We are pleased to partner with the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs to help prospective parents better understand the process and move forward with greater confidence.”

The session will conclude with a virtual question-and-answer period, allowing attendees to ask questions and learn more about navigating the adoption and foster-to-adopt process in New Jersey.

“LGBTQ+ individuals and couples should feel fully supported and represented when seeking information about becoming parents,” said Union County Commissioner Vice Chair Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ+ Ad Hoc Committee. “This Empowerment Hour continues our commitment to creating an inclusive space where residents can receive useful information, ask questions openly and connect with knowledgeable professionals.”

The Union County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, established in 2018, provides leadership and collaboration in support of equality and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.

To register for the September 28^th webinar, visit www.ucnj.org/lgbtq.

For additional information about the Union County Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, contact Robert Charkowsky at 908-527-4742 or lgbtq@ucnj.org.