Scotch Plains, NJ
Local stories and news for our neighbors
October 2026
Every story and all available source photos from this issue of Scotch Plains Monthly.
October 2026
The Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad will offer free Stop the Bleed and Naloxone training on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the squad's headquarters, 1916 Bartle Ave. The classes are part of a monthly community-training series designed to help neighbors respond in an emergency.
October 2026
Scotch Plains resident Tess Coffey has received a $2,500 college scholarship from The Seeing Eye, recognizing her sustained work as a volunteer puppy raiser along with her academic achievement and community involvement.
October 2026
For the 52nd year, St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church and Scotch Plains-Fanwood UNICO welcomed visitors from all over to its annual Labor Day Italian Festival.
October 2026
Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools celebrated the opening of La Grande Elementary School in Fanwood with a September 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony and building tour. The renovated early childhood education center, located at 330 South Ave., welcomed approximately 180 pre-kindergarten students for the 2026–27 school year.
October 2026
The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Service League will begin its annual Boot Bonanza on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the organization’s Thrift Shop, 1741 East Second St., Scotch Plains.
October 2026
Knights of Columbus Fr. Nelligan Council 5730 and the New York Blood Center collected 28 units of blood during a community blood drive held August 31 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scotch Plains.
October 2026
Three animals from two area rescue organizations are looking for homes this fall.
October 2026
October is Rett Syndrome awareness month. Rett syndrome is a very rare disorder that some babies are born with. Girls are affected more but there is a very small percentage of boys that have it also. It affects your brain, muscles, and development because your cells are not able to make the MECP2 gene it needs.
October 2026
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School students returned this fall to a refreshed courtyard made possible by the generosity of two alumni, Joe Mortarulo and John "Skip" Brandli, both members of the Class of 1988.
October 2026
Ziva Dog Rescue is seeking an active, affectionate home for Sparkle, an 11-month-old Cattle Dog-Shepherd mix currently located in Scotch Plains.
October 2026
An unused prescription bottle can be easy to overlook in a medicine cabinet, but New Jersey residents have a simple year-round option for clearing out medications that are expired or no longer needed: Project Medicine Drop.
October 2026
Virtual author talk with Veronica Roth, author of the *Divergent* series.
October 2026
National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists. Scotch Plains residents Amane Kumamoto and Dev Mitra of the Academy for Allied Health Sciences, Claire Yang of the Academy for Information Technology, and David Cao, Alexander Fu and Zoe Xu of Union County Magnet High School were named Semifinalists.
October 2026
Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, offers free peer-support groups for adults who are grieving the death of a close family member due to suicide.
October 2026
The American Red Cross is asking eligible donors to make a blood or platelet appointment this fall as the organization works to rebuild supplies following a summer shortage.