Community Corner

🌱 See how Sparta’s 410-year-old oak climbed the state rankings

Happening soon: Viva Italia Festival Sparta UNICO on the Sparta Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 22nd Patch AM
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Greetings Sparta! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • See how Sparta's 410-year-old oak climbed the state rankings
  • How one Sparta teen transformed a pantry and disability resources
  • Sparta police detail DWI arrest after reports of erratic behavior

Also on today's calendar: Viva Italia Festival Sparta UNICO and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one wall say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Sparta Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Sparta Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A little morning rain; cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Clouds yielding to sun, temps: high: 62, low: 44.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Van Kirk White Oak ranks third among New Jersey's largest white oaks (spartaindependent.com subscription) — Sparta's historic Van Kirk White Oak has been remeasured and now ranks third among New Jersey's largest white oaks, with impressive gains in height and circumference. Helped by documentation from the Sparta Historical Society, the 410-year-old tree holds both Big Tree and Heritage Tree status, underscoring its importance as a living local landmark.
   

2. Sparta teen earns both Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold awards (spartaindependent.com subscription) — A Sparta teen has earned both the Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold awards after leading two major service projects that directly benefit local residents. She renovated the Sparta Community Food Pantry and created a video guide to resources for adults with disabilities, reflecting years of volunteer work and a strong commitment to serving the Sparta area.
   

3. Sparta PD reports 'erratic behavior' before DWI charge (advertisernewssouth.com subscription) — Sparta police responded to reports of an allegedly intoxicated customer behaving inappropriately at a local bank, later finding his truck parked erratically outside the Liquor Factory on Woodport Road. After field sobriety tests, the Delran man was arrested on DWI and careless driving charges, then taken to Sparta Police Headquarters and ultimately transported by Sparta Ambulance Squad to Newton Hospital for evaluation.
   

4. First Energy Provides Grant to Support Drone Training for Police and Educators (ridgeviewecho.com) — Sparta police are among departments benefiting from a FirstEnergy-funded drone training program at Warren County Community College, aimed at improving public safety and search-and-rescue capabilities. The grant covers FAA certification prep for teachers and officers across the region, with another course scheduled this November and applications now open to additional school districts.
   

📸 Around Sparta

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Sparta

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Sparta Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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 Sparta PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • ShopRite posted a job opening for ShopRite - Appy/Deli Manager (RoNetco NJ) Salary Range $33.00 - $34.00/hr in Sparta. Apply here.
  • Public Storage posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager in Newton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sparta here.

Ok Sparta! 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: I'll meet you at the corner! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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