AREA—New Jersey teens will soon have to spend a lot more time behind the wheel before they can earn their driver’s license thanks to a new state law that mandates 50 hours of practice time for all new drivers. The law, which went into effect earlier this year, applies to student drivers with a learn...

WESTFIELD — At Out Run Your Fork, a Westfield-based personal training and nutrition center, physical fitness is only part of the picture. “When you walk in the door, we see you as a whole person,” said Tony Bianchino, a longtime personal trainer and the founder of Out Run Your Fork. “Whether you’re ...

FANWOOD — Given what the governing body feels is a saturation of local cannabis retailers in surrounding towns, the borough council is instead focusing on allowing a cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility to possibly operate in Fanwood. Last October, the council, citing an upcoming squeeze ...

GARWOOD — During Thursday night’s regular meeting of the Garwood mayor and council, Mayor Jen Blumenstock suspended the regular order of business to thank Police Captain Samuel Rocco, who will retire on May 1, for more than 20 years of service to the borough.Captain Rocco and his family have a long ...

AREA— Union County’s decision to auction off its underutilized jail complex has met with opposition from local leaders who say that allowing the property to be sold for use as either a privatized prison or immigration detention center could lead to unwanted complications for the surrounding communit...

WESTFIELD — Three families received approval for home renovations and expansions at the Westfield Board of Adjustment meeting Monday. All members present gave full approval for the projects, with Vice Chair Michael Cohen, Sam Reisen and Sasha Nisbet absent.The board also announced that the special h...

WESTFIELD — More than 300 books related to Jewish history, culture and heritage were recently added to the shelves of Westfield’s nine public- school libraries thanks to a collaborative fund-raising effort by a local grassroots initiative dedicated to fostering education, building relationships and ...

WESTFIELD — Construction crews are preparing to break ground on The Sophia, a long-awaited, mixed-use redevelopment project slated for completion at the corner of Prospect Street and Ferris Place, within the next month.“It took us a while to get here, but things are coming together and we are excite...

WESTFIELD — Voters in Westfield on Tuesday approved two bond referendum questions to finance major capital infrastructure projects across the local school district and bring free, full-day kindergarten to the town. Roughly 20 percent of eligible residents participated in the vote, which fell during ...

WESTFIELD — Voters in Westfield on Tuesday returned Robert Benacchio, Kristen Sonnek-Schmelz and Mary Wickens to new, three-year terms on the Westfield Board of Education. The incumbents beat out newcomer Violetta Watson, who ran on a platform of supporting special-education initiatives. The unoffic...