Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a familiar face is reshaping support inside Cranford’s Fire Department

Also, don't miss Cranford Tuesdays at the Clock: Laurie Vega Trio – Broadway Jazz Comes to Cranford on the Cranford Patch calendar

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Thursday August 20th Patch AM
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Hi Cranford! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a familiar face is reshaping support inside Cranford's Fire Department
  • What investigators are doing after 208 dumped turtles were found in Cranford
  • How did Cranford High leap 200 spots in national rankings?

Also on today's calendar: Cooking with the Vegetable Garden Bounty and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 79 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Friday: Periods of sun, temps: high: 81, low: 67.
  • Saturday: Humid with a few showers, with a high of 75 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Familiar Face, New Role: Jen Burns Joins Cranford Fire Department (tapinto.net) — A longtime Cranford public servant, Jen Burns has moved from Cranford High School and various township offices into a new role with the Cranford Fire Department. She'll handle budgets, purchasing, and resident support while learning fire department operations, continuing her close work with local families and municipal staff. Leaders say her deep community experience makes her a strong fit.
   

2. 208 box turtles recovered after illegal dumping in Cranford (news12.com) — Authorities have now recovered 208 box turtles after an illegal dumping along the river near Riverside Drive and Casino Avenue in Cranford, with the fire department ending its intake on August 17. The turtles are being treated at Mercer County Wildlife Center, and state wildlife officials will decide which can be released locally or returned to their native range as the investigation continues.
   

3. Cranford High School Jumps More Than 200 Spots in National Ranking (tapinto.net) — Cranford High School has jumped more than 200 places in U.S. News & World Report's national rankings, now sitting at No. 1,234 nationally and 68th in New Jersey. The story compares Cranford's performance with nearby high schools and highlights New Jersey's strong overall showing, explaining how factors like test scores, AP participation, and graduation rates drive the rankings.
   

4. 'Bong-Holeo' returns to Cranford township meeting in costume (news12.com) — A recent Cranford Township Committee meeting featured an unusual repeat appearance by a resident dressed in a giant purple bong costume, complete with sound effects and smoke. The man, dubbed "Bong-Holeo," used his public-comment time for a musical bit before leaving the podium. Officials, including Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty, tried to keep the proceedings orderly as the spectacle unfolded.
   

5. 'The Right to Read' panel discussion is comprised of Union County librarians (unionnewsdaily.com) — Cranford readers may be glad to hear your public library is described as a "delight" and a proud Book Sanctuary, committed to diverse viewpoints and open access. At a Union County panel on the freedom to read, Cranford Public Library director Kathy Cannarozzi joined other librarians to discuss book challenges, New Jersey's 2024 Freedom to Read law, and how residents can support local libraries.
   

📸 Around Cranford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Cranford

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Cranford Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday August 20
  • Post Partum Support Group
    Westfield Memorial Library Meeting Room
    12:00 pm
  • The Market at Union →
    Union Township, NJ Calendar, Union Center Plaza & Parking Lot 1980 Morris Ave., Union
    5:00 pm
  • Board of Education Agenda/Business Meeting
    Elizabeth Public Schools 544 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07208
    5:30 pm
  • Roselle Board of Education Workshop Meeting
    Roselle Public Schools Roselle, NJ 07203
    6:00 pm
  • UCC Laugh for Charity Gala and Casino Night 2026 →
    Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Dr, Kenilworth
    6:00 pm
  • Regular Meeting of the Linden Board of Education
    Linden Public School District School 1, 728 N Wood Ave, Linden, NJ, 07036
    6:00 pm
  • 'The Springfield Listening Room' Presents:... →
    Springfield Free Public Library, 66 Mountain Ave, Springfield
    6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Cranford PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Need someone to cut grass and help plant flowers.
    Please let me know ifbyiur interested. Thank you (Nextdoor Indian Village)
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Roselle Park. Apply here.
  • Kerry Ingredients & Flavours, Inc. posted a job opening for Filtration Operator 2nd Shift - Clark, NJ in Clark. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cranford here.

Ok Cranford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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