Cranbury Press

How NJ Economy Challenges Reshaped Political Loyalties This Election

New Jersey surprised everyone in the 2024 election. A state that’s usually solidly Democratic showed a clear shift to the right. While Donald Trump didn’t win New Jersey, he came closer than anyone expected, and Republicans gained ground in areas that had been blue for decades. Though this shift wasn’t random—it’s the result of real […]

Cranbury Press

‘We have an obligation to innovate responsibly’

The first New Jersey Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit not only convened business leaders, academics and government officials to foster conversations about AI innovation in New Jersey, but also AI in areas of work force development to health. The summit, which was hosted by Princeton University on campus, in partnership with Gov. Phil Murphy and the […]

Cranbury Press

2024 New Jersey Election Overview: Critical Races, Polls, and Voting Day Details

Election Day in New Jersey will be on November 5, 2024. All state offices will be closed that day, meaning state employees can vote while the polls open. Some cities, such as Newark, Hoboken, and Long Branch, will also close their offices. Thus, for families with school-aged children, it’s a good idea to check with […]

Cranbury Press

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Sue Altman Face Off in a Competitive NJ-7 Congressional Race

New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District is where all eyes are this election season. The race between Republican incumbent Representative Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Sue Altman is one of the most closely watched in the country. What makes this race so important is that it could influence which party controls the U.S. House of […]

Cranbury Press

Celebrate Arts and Culture with October NJ Events: Discover Jersey Arts Month & Hoboken Art Month

October in New Jersey celebrates art, culture, and creativity! This month, the spotlight shines on two major events: Discover Jersey Arts Month and Hoboken Art Month. This year, Governor Phil Murphy officially declared October “Discover Jersey Arts Month.” It’s the perfect time to spotlight New Jersey’s arts scene, which contributes a massive $532.2 million to […]

Cranbury Press

First Bank Expands with New Branches in Media, PA, and Trenton, NJ

First Bank, headquartered in Hamilton, New Jersey, is expanding again. This fall, they’re opening new branches in Media, Pennsylvania, and Trenton, New Jersey, continuing their growth just over a year after buying Malvern Bancorp and moving into the Philadelphia suburbs. Both locations were carefully picked for their central roles in their counties: Media is the […]

Cranbury Press

Sentencing Scheduled for Former NJ Wrestling Coach Accused of Child Sex Crimes

John Denuto, a former NJ wrestling coach and teacher arrested for child sex crimes, is scheduled for sentencing next week. Key Takeaways: He pleaded guilty to several charges, including endangering the welfare of a child and invasion of privacy. Denuto’s misconduct involved multiple victims and numerous schools and wrestling clubs. Sentencing delays and attorney changes […]

Cranbury Press

AG Investigating Suspect’s Suicide During Woodbridge Police Vehicle Stop

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is investigating the apparent suicide of a man during a police stop by Woodbridge Township officers. The incident occurred on Friday, June 14th, outside a Route 9 gas station. Key Takeaways: Details of the Incident During Woodbridge Police Stop On June 14th, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Woodbridge police officers […]

Cranbury Press

Inside the Bribery Trial of Sen. Bob Menendez – Prosecutors Highlight His Wife’s Finances

Sen. Bob Menendez is facing a bribery trial, accused of accepting gold bars, cash, and a luxury car in exchange for political favors. Key testimonies and defense strategies are shaping the case, along with Menendez’s defense shifting the blame to his wife. Key Takeaways: The Alleged Bribes and Key Witnesses Prosecutors in Sen. Bob Menendez’s […]

Cranbury Press

Hit the ‘trail’ and learn about New Jersey’s Black history

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation James Still always wanted to become a doctor, but as a Black child in the 1800s, never had the opportunity to go to medical school. Undeterred, he learned to make botanical extracts from native plants, and studied books on anatomy, physiology, botany and medicine. Still became […]

Cranbury Press

Saving money, helping the climate, aiding justice

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Interested in saving money on home energy bills? How about helping to fight climate change by reducing your carbon footprint? Or ensuring that the New Jersey communities most affected by environmental pollution get justice and help? If so, the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, May 24

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

Migrating birds from the tropics returning to New Jersey

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” according to a Chinese proverb. But in the avian world, journeys can last well over a thousand miles – and begin with a flap rather than a step! Each spring, birds known as “neotropical migrants” […]

Cranbury Press

Team Cranbury

Cranbury Press

‘We need both natural lands and playgrounds, sports fields’

In calling for the “preservation” of “half” of New Jersey’s land (https://centraljersey.com/2024/05/06/an-urgent-call-to-preserve-half-of-new-jerseys-land/), Jay Watson and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation are misleading your readers. What they’re including as “preserved land” includes a high portion of playgrounds and sports fields. These are well and good, indeed excellent and much needed, but the article would lead the reader […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, May 17

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton High School students win national prize in Samsung competition

Princeton High School was named one of three national winners in the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition earning a $100,000 prize package for its efforts. The Princeton High School students Mayda Jiguan, Sofia Son and Hayah Mian won the award for developing an AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered robotic stuffed animal that helped preserve some […]

Cranbury Press

‘It was meant to be’

Connecting through a call several years ago, George’s Garage & Towing and the Friends of Solo Foundation forged a relationship that has helped provide K-9 body armor vests to local police departments. Jim Wiater is the president and founder of Friends of Solo Foundation, a New Jersey based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting K-9 officers […]

Cranbury Press

An ‘ode’ to New Jersey’s dragonflies and damselflies

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation If you’re near a pond, stream, or marsh on a warm day, you may notice quick-flying insects skimming across the water or swooping and darting through the air. When they alight, you may be dazzled by their brightly-colored bodies and double sets of lacy wings. They’re […]

Cranbury Press

Depression and suicide risk can intensify in spring and summer

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Intense symptoms for individuals with depression are commonly associated with the winter and holiday season, depression and suicidal thoughts are actually more common in the spring and summer. For example, pressure to socialize when warmer weather makes it more possible may be particularly stressful for individuals with depression, as […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, May 10

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton school district ‘taking a stand against antisemitism’

The Princeton Public Schools is gearing up to tackle antisemitism in the district through education and by encouraging students to report antisemitic incidents, in the wake of rising antisemitism and Jew-hatred nationwide. Parents raised the issue of antisemitism in a letter to administrators in November 2023. The topic has been discussed by the school board’s […]

Cranbury Press

An urgent call to preserve half of New Jersey’s land

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey is not only the nation’s most densely populated state, it’s also predicted to be the first to reach full build-out – the point where all land has been either developed or preserved. If current trends continue, full build-out could occur by the middle of […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, May 3

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury school board approves $24 million budget

Members of the Cranbury Township Board of Education gave their seal of approval on the $24.6 million budget for operations in 2024-25. The budget was adopted after a public hearing on April 24. In Cranbury, the school tax rate is expected to be 99.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of an average […]

Cranbury Press

‘We look forward to sharing our progress’

The Cranbury school district has launched a new webpage for the school’s referendum projects that will keep the everyone updated on construction. The school administration announced on April 25 that the refreshed webpage was ready to go and now accessible at www.cranburyschool.org by selecting the construction updates tab. “At the beginning of April, we broke […]

Cranbury Press

Coffee with a Cop

Cranbury Press

Explore D&R Canal State Park during 50th celebration!

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation It’s hard to imagine a world in which the fastest way to move freight between Philadelphia and New York City was having mules tow barges along a 70-mile canal connecting the Delaware and Raritan rivers. But that world existed when the Delaware & Raritan Canal opened […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, April 26

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury establishes new Parks and Recreation Commission

Cranbury no longer has separate commissions for Parks and Recreation. The Township Committee voted to dissolve both commissions to form one Parks and Recreation Commission on April 8. “As a liaison to Parks and Recreation last year I think this is evidence of smart governance,” Committeeman Matt Scott said. “I feel like this is a […]

Cranbury Press

She said ‘no’ to the bullies

State legislation that would ban potential book-banners from doing so – dubbed “The Freedom to Read Act” – has been introduced in the State Legislature. State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset) and state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex and Hudson) introduced the bill in the state Senate on Jan. 29. It was referred […]

Cranbury Press

‘I am excited to get started’

The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education has appointed Johnson Park School Principal Angela Siso Stentz to become the next assistant superintendent for human resources. The school board appointed Siso Stentz at a special meeting April 17. She will earn $190,000 per year when she starts in her new position July 1. Siso Stentz will […]

Cranbury Press

The ‘Ivy League’ look is unhealthy for your trees!

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation While out walking or driving, did you ever notice trees so covered with ivy that they look like totally different life forms? In a way they are – because if the ivy continues to grow unchecked, the trees themselves might not live much longer. Trees laden […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, April 19

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton Public Schools may soon decide on antisemitism definition

Princeton Public Schools officials hope to reach a recommendation on whether to adopt a definition of antisemitism, as requested by some parents, by the end of April. The school board’s Student Achievement Committee has been mulling over potentially adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IRHA) definition of antisemitism. It was discussed at the committee’s March […]

Cranbury Press

‘Excited to see it come to fruition’

Fencing surrounds the outside of the Cranbury School main office entrance and former school library space as construction on a new main office and academic commons is underway. The Cranbury School celebrated the new construction on the first phase of referendum projects in an official groundbreaking on April 9. Referendum projects for the school are […]

Cranbury Press

Warmer winters shift plant growing zones

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Most longtime New Jerseyans – especially gardeners and growers – have noticed that winters have gotten milder over the last few decades. Cold weather seems to arrive later, and the Garden State gets fewer days of truly frigid, bone-chilling weather. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, April 12

Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No […]

Cranbury Press

‘It’s an absolutely gorgeous place’

The Pinelands 2024 Juried Photographic Exhibition is in its sixth year capturing the “unique, mysterious, and charming characteristics” of the Pinelands. Richard Lewis, chair of the exhibit’s Steering Committee, has been photographing the Pines for 20 years. He said every year he is amazed by the entries that are submitted. “For most people on their […]

Cranbury Press

Shy, elusive bobcats rebounding in New Jersey

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation You might think a biologist who’s spent nearly two decades researching bobcats in New Jersey would spot these native wildcats on a regular basis. If so, you’d be wrong! “For me, without cheating (by tracking a bobcat wearing a radio collar), I think I’ve seen a […]

Cranbury Press

Towns feel 4.7 magnitude earthquake

An earthquake that measured 4.7 magnitude was reported at 10:23 a.m. April 5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake was centered in Lebanon in Hunterdon County, but its effects were felt statewide including Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties. Buildings shook and windows rattled. Police departments in Cranbury, Princeton, Lawrence Township, Hopewell […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, April 5

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton school board awards bids for high school renovations

Princeton school district officials have awarded contracts for renovations to the Princeton High School (PHS) cafeteria, as well as new security vestibules and new classroom doors at the district’s flagship school. The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education awarded the contracts at a meeting in February. The projects are part of a $12.9 million school […]

Cranbury Press

‘There are no cuts planned’

The Cranbury Township Board of Education has adopted a tentative budget of $22.9 million that would fund school district operations for the 2024-25 school year. School board members adopted the tentative budget on March 13 with a public hearing scheduled for April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Large Group Room. “Overall, our budget is […]

Cranbury Press

U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman to receive the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award

U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman will be presented with the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award at Womanspace’s 28th annual awards dinner May 30. Watson Coleman, who is a Democrat, has represented New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District since 2015. The 12th Congressional District includes Princeton, Montgomery Township, Rocky Hill Borough and West Windsor Township. It also includes […]

Cranbury Press

Can New Jersey cities become more ‘spongy’ and green?

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Ever heard of a “sponge city?” Sponge cities are urban areas with a superior ability to absorb rainfall and prevent flooding, thanks to abundant natural features like trees, lakes, and parks – and good infrastructure design. As climate change brings warmer temperatures, and stronger and more […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, March 29

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton school board adopts tentative budget with three-cent increase

Princeton property owners will see a three-cent increase in the school district property tax rate, based on the district’s proposed $108.5 million operating budget for 2024-25. The tentative budget, which is a $2.3 million increase over the 2023-24 budget of $106.2 million, was approved unanimously at the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education’s March 18 […]

Cranbury Press

Thank this New Jersey woman for your blueberries!

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Walk into nearly any grocery store, any time of year, and you’ll likely find fresh blueberries in the produce aisle. Many consider them a perfect fruit … sweet and juicy, delicious fresh or cooked, and packed with health-boosting antioxidants. If you’re among the many who love […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, March 22

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Parents ask school district to adopt definition of antisemitism

School district officials are evaluating whether to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The request to adopt the IHRA statement was made by parents, some of whom signed a Nov. 21, 2023 letter to school district officials that encouraged the district to address the rise in antisemitism. The IHRA statement, which […]

Cranbury Press

School board seeks waiver to allow interim schools superintendent to lead for another year

The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education is seeking a waiver to allow Interim Superintendent of Schools Kathie Foster to continue in that role through June 30, 2025, while it searches for a permanent superintendent. Foster is a retired administrator. State law allows school boards to employ retired administrators in interim or acting roles for […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury School to begin construction on referendum projects

Cranbury School’s long-awaited referendum projects will officially begin construction this week. Construction is starting after school with the Academic Commons, which is the former school library space, and the Main Office projects on March 22. “Due to the age of certain sections of our school building, some asbestos abatement is needed in the construction areas, […]

Cranbury Press

‘This is not by accident’

Cranbury Township’s recycling efforts are being awarded grant funds from the state which is allocating a total of $16.2 million towards municipalities to aid recycling programs and the reduction of waste. The township is one of 30 municipalities that has been awarded more than $100,000 for their recycling performance. Cranbury is receiving a grant for […]

Cranbury Press

Winter’s sounds of silence soon to be broken

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Winter is the northeast’s quiet season, when songbirds go south, many animals hibernate, and people spend more time indoors. On the increasingly rare occasions when a blanket of snow covers the landscape, New Jersey is as silent as it can get, with even our constant drone […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, March 15

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury Township joins movement to become a wildlife-friendly community 

Cranbury is launching a new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program that is committed to creating wildlife habitat throughout its communities.   Healthy habitats and healthy communities go hand-in-hand. Too often communities are suffering from pollution, disinvestment, or other challenges that separate people from the natural world, according to the press release.   When […]

Cranbury Press

The many benefits of preserved green space

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation It’s easy to take lands in their natural state for granted. An old forest or beautiful meadow in your town may have “always been there,” but unless the land has been permanently preserved, it may be built upon in the future. New Jerseyans seem to understand […]

Cranbury Press

Our Future Depends on Affordable Housing — New Jersey Has Opportunity to Lead The Way

As housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, the shortage of affordable homes is making life impossible for hard-working families, hurting both low-income families and the middle class. In New Jersey, one in four families spends half or more of their income on their rent or mortgage — often forced to choose between paying for […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, March 8

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Monthly Column: Read Across America

Read Across America, a cherished annual event created by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998, is a celebration held every March 2, and throughout the month of March, which is National Reading Month. Read Across America is celebrated on the birthday of the legendary Dr. Seuss. This year would be Dr. Seuss’ 120th birthday. Dr. […]

Cranbury Press

Migratory animals face sharp declines: New U.N. report

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Every year, billions of the world’s animals make incredible journeys over land and sea to breed and find food. Some of these species – including songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, whales, sharks, sea turtles, fish, and monarch butterflies – travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury School honors National Youth Art Month at Gourgaud Gallery

The month of March celebrates National Youth Art. Cranbury School will be celebrating youth art at the Cranbury Arts Council’s Gourgaud Gallery at Town Hall. The show will run through March 21. Stacey Crannage, art teacher at the Cranbury School, has chosen art pieces from grades kindergarten through 8th grade to be showcased. Criteria for the displayed […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, March 1

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Colorpoint Shorthair among dozens of breeds at cat show

Mad King George and General George Washington met head to head – and this time, King George won. Mad King George the cat, that is. Also known as “Legs,” the Colorpoint Shorthair cat won the cat costume contest at the Cat Fanciers’ Association Inc. show, held Feb. 24-25 at the New Jersey Army National Guard […]

Cranbury Press

Hopes soar as New Jersey’s bald eagle population grows

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation As thick snow fell on central New Jersey earlier this week, the bald eagle pair at Duke Farms in Hillsborough showed themselves to be responsible parents-to-be, taking turns keeping the two eggs in their nest warm while the other hunted. When it came time for a […]

Cranbury Press

Opening doors to a world of musical possibilities

The “Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs competition,” organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDNFJ), is a platform for high school students to showcase their musical talents while sending a powerful message about substance use prevention. As the competition gears up for its 20th season, they showcased the inspiring journeys of last year’s […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Feb. 23

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

‘Thinking Day on the Air’

Cranbury Girl Scouts explored everything radio when they participated in the “Thinking Day on the Air” event on Feb. 16. Daisy Troop 78204 learned about amateur radio and the science firsthand when it comes to radio communication. The event had members of the Troop connect through the radio with other participants in a different state. […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury Education Foundation’s annual craft show set for a 26th year

Exhibitors will once again showcase their latest work and creations when the Cranbury Education Foundation (CEF)’s 26th Annual Craft Show returns in March. The craft show is an annual fundraiser for the CEF. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 2 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 3 inside […]

Cranbury Press

Breaking down barriers to enjoying nature

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation In an ideal New Jersey, all residents would have equal access to the outdoors and nature, with the joy and health benefits they bring. Unfortunately, there are barriers – some real, some perceived – keeping people out, especially in communities of color. One obvious barrier is […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Feb. 16

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Wharton State Forest plan to control illegal motor vehicle damage is a welcome step!

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation New Jersey’s largest protected property, Wharton State Forest in the Pine Barrens, covers 195 square miles in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties. For perspective, it’s bigger than the entire land mass of Hudson County! Wharton is crossed by hundreds of miles of avenues used by motor vehicles, everything from highways to […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Feb. 9

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

‘We are still in a very good place’

Cranbury Township officials project the tax rate will remain flat this year as they work on putting together the 2024 municipal budget. Township Administrator Denise Marabello said the township will use $1.76 million in surplus for 2024 to “keep the tax rate flat” during a Township Committee budget meeting on Jan. 27. The municipal tax […]

Cranbury Press

‘Journalism is not a crime’

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who grew up in Princeton, will remain behind bars in Russia until March 30 while he is awaiting trial on espionage charges. A judge in Moscow granted the Federal Security Service’s request to detain Gershkovich in Lefortovo Prison at a closed hearing Jan. 26, according to published reports. It […]

Cranbury Press

Does looking for weird ducks make you an odd duck?

By Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation If we say someone’s an “odd duck,” it means they have a quirky personality or unusual habits. The expression comes from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Ugly Duckling,” in which (spoiler alert!) the little duck who doesn’t fit in with the rest of […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Feb. 2

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

It’s past time to start respecting Earth’s boundaries!

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation We all have personal boundaries, the limits and rules we set for our relationships. When others don’t respect our boundaries, there can be trouble! People aren’t the only ones with boundaries. Mother Earth also has boundaries – the complex systems and processes that keep the planet […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Jan. 26

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

‘We hope Gov. Murphy will do more for the Pinelands’

The Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) released its 17th annual State of the Pinelands Report recently, noting a few “thumbs down” items that are concerning for the group this year. They include the continuation of vacant seats on the New Jersey Pinelands Commission; denying the commission’s request for more staff funding; the reduction of funding for […]

Cranbury Press

A swearing in and a nomination

With the spotlight on the historic election of Mayor Eman El-Badawi, there were two additional highlights to the Cranbury Township Committee’s reorganization meeting at the beginning of the month. Committeeman Matt Scott was sworn in by Township Clerk Debbie Rubin on Jan. 2 to begin serving his third three-year term on the Township Committee. He […]

Cranbury Press

Cranbury recognizes January as Muslim American Heritage Month

All across the state, municipalities and residents can officially recognize January as New Jersey Muslim Heritage Month. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a joint resolution from the state Legislature in spring 2023 that established and designated January as Muslim Heritage Month in the state. In Cranbury, Mayor Eman El-Badawi read a proclamation by the township recognizing […]

Cranbury Press

‘It is important to weave it into the curriculum’

Princeton Public Schools officials are considering revisions to some of the district’s curriculum to include more information on antisemitism and all forms of hate. The potential revisions to the curriculum stem in part from having to meet new state standards in English Language Arts and also in part from the results of a survey taken […]

Cranbury Press

The Importance of Parental Acceptance When an LGBTQ Child Comes Out

By Nina Narang, MSW, LSW Even when teens have come out to their peers about their sexuality or gender identity, it may be harder for them to tell their parents. Having the acceptance and support of their parents can make a big difference in how they feel about themselves. However, when a child comes out, it […]

Cranbury Press

Gov. Murphy disappoints with veto of invasive species bill

by Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Spring is months away, but as warmer weather arrives we can expect a familiar sight at garden centers and nurseries in New Jersey: a wide offering of non-native woody plants and perennials from foreign landscapes. These plants may be attractive, with blooms or fall colors that […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Jan. 19

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

‘I’m grateful to be able to serve this community’

Eman El-Badawi did not set out to make history. But that is what she did for a third time in Cranbury when fellow Township Committee members elected El-Badawi as the township’s first Muslim, Indian and Egyptian mayor during the governing body’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 2. “I did not set out to be the first […]

Cranbury Press

2023 New Jersey environmental highlights: Urban greening, land preservation, flood protection

by Tom Gilbert, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation No matter where you were in New Jersey in 2023, it was impossible not to notice signs of a changing climate. Wildfires in Canada brought an orange haze to New Jersey’s skies, along with hazardous air quality that triggered breathing problems. Tropical weather systems brought intense […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Jan. 12

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

‘The work is just beginning’

The Cranbury School District has finally awarded a construction contract within budget for the numerous school referendum projects. After entering negotiations with contractors, the Cranbury Township Board of Education awarded Benjamin R. Harvey, Co. Inc, a construction company in Ocean, with a $15.8 million construction contract for the project at its meeting in December. “I […]

Cranbury Press

‘We see her as a perfect fit’

Cranbury School District has found a new business administrator to succeed current administrator David Weidele. Karin Weiner, who is currently a mathematics teacher at the school, is being recommended by the district administration to fill Weidele’s position as business administrator after his resignation takes effect at the end of the month. Weidele is taking the […]

Cranbury Press

Remembering former Cranbury School superintendent Carol Malouf

I have waited to write this letter to the Cranbury Township Community due to the holiday rush of activity during the holiday season of December. It is possible that many of the residents of Cranbury may not know that Carol Malouf, former teacher, vice principal and superintendent of Cranbury Township School district passed away on Dec. 14, 2023. Carol served with me while I was superintendent, 1989-2001. She […]

Cranbury Press

2024 Central Jersey Health and Wellness Expo

Join Central Jersey Newspapers at Quaker Bridge Mall for our 2024 Health & Wellness Expo. The free event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, in Macy’s Court. “We are really excited to revamp our Health and Wellness Expo at a new location in 2024,” NMG Director of Marketing and […]

Cranbury Press

Celebrating 50 years of protecting endangered animals

by Alison Mitchell, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation Here in the nation’s most densely populated state, a diversity of wildlife is something that can never be taken for granted. Wildlife habitats face a constant barrage of threats, and many species are seriously imperiled. A combination of vigilance, sound planning and strong actions is needed to maintain the biological […]

Cranbury Press

Common calendar, Packet papers, Jan. 5

Burlington, Mercer, and Somerset counties New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton school board reorganizes

Three newly-elected Princeton school board members were sworn into office at the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education’s annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Beth Behrend, Adam Bierman and Eleanor Hubbard were sworn into office for three-year terms. Behrend is beginning her third term. Bierman and Hubbard are beginning their first terms. Once the sworn in […]

Cranbury Press

Princeton school board awards roof replacement contracts

Roof replacements at the Johnson Park School and the Riverside School are on the horizon. The Princeton Public Schools Board of Education awarded a $1.5 million contract to VMG Group for the work at its Dec. 12 meeting. The roofing contractor is based in Roselle. VMG was one of seven bidders for the job. The […]

Cranbury Press

‘Search to find the perfect fit’

The Cranbury Township School District is searching for a new business administrator with the resignation of David Weidele. Weidele, who is the current business administrator for the school district, had his resignation approved by the school board in November. His resignation takes effect on Jan. 31. “We have begun our search for a new business […]

Cranbury Press

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services opens field office in Cranbury

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services [USCIS] welcomed more than 18 new citizens when the federal agency held a grand opening for its new field office in Cranbury. A ribbon cutting ceremony and naturalization ceremony took place at the opening of the New Jersey Central Field Office on Cedar Brook Drive on Sept. 14. The wait […]