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🌱 Patch AM: Middlesex County Man Deliberately Started Fire That Killed Dog, Cat, Prosecutor Says

You won't want to miss MBA Open House at Berkeley College on the New Brunswick Patch calendar

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Tuesday October 6th Patch AM
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Good morning to you New Brunswick! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • New Brunswick man charged after deadly Somerset apartment fire
  • Rutgers student injured in late-night Union Street fraternity assault
  • Which New Brunswick zip code really fits your neighborhood best?

Also on today's calendar: MBA Open House at Berkeley College and 11 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 64 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 71, low: 50.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 78 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Middlesex County Man Deliberately Started Fire That Killed Dog, Cat, Prosecutor Says (patch.com) — Residents in New Brunswick may be alarmed to learn that a 56-year-old city man has been charged with deliberately setting a fire at a Somerset apartment building, displacing three families and killing a dog and cat. Prosecutors say video shows him arriving with a container, entering the building, and leaving with it apparently empty just before the blaze, and he is now being held at the Somerset County Jail on arson and related charges.
   

2. Student Punched In Rutgers Frat House Parking Lot (patch.com) — People in New Brunswick and around Rutgers should know that campus police are investigating an assault in the parking lot of the Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity house on Union Street. A Rutgers student was punched during a late-night altercation, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and was taken to a local hospital while the group involved fled and remains unidentified.
   

3. New Brunswick NJ Zip: A Complete Guide to the 08901 and 08903 Codes (fsu.edu) — If you live or work in New Brunswick, this guide breaks down exactly what the 08901 and 08903 zip codes cover, from downtown and hospital areas to Rutgers campuses and east-side neighborhoods. It explains how your zip affects mail delivery, services, business targeting, and even community identity, while highlighting key local landmarks and demographic differences across town.
   

4. New Jersey Hall of Fame inducts 2026 class at American Dream (njbiz.com) — New Brunswick gets a spotlight as Christopher Paladino, president of New Brunswick Development Corp., is inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame's enterprise category at American Dream. The ceremony also honored stars like SZA, former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, health care leader Robert Garrett, and other New Jersey changemakers, underscoring the influence of New Brunswick's redevelopment work on the state's broader story.
   

5. Middlesex College Engineering Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Construction on Edison Campus (TAPinto.net) — A New Brunswick engineering student and four classmates at Middlesex College spent the summer working on real construction projects, including a sustainable microgrid and solar carports on the Edison campus. With the college operating a center in New Brunswick, these internships show local students gaining hands-on experience in energy, construction management, and teamwork that can translate directly into future careers.
   

📸 Around New Brunswick

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Target posted a job opening for Seasonal: Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Fulfillment, Food and Beverage, Front of Store Attendant (Cart Attendant), Style, Tech, Inbound (Stocking) (T2853) in North Brunswick. Apply here.
  • Dunkin' posted a job opening for Overnight Crew Member in Somerset. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Brunswick here.

Ok New Brunswick! 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: "Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes?" — So when they come back to port they can just scan-da-navi-an! (Thank you Jessica C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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