Country Music Singer To Perform Porch Concert in Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — In her nightly coronavirus update on Tuesday, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle said that over the coming Memorial Day weekend, country music performer favorite Nikki Briar will play a porch concert from an undisclosed location in Westfield. The concert will be part of a final push to raise money for the We Love Local Fund to benefit the business community. Briar's concert will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. via Facebook Live.

The fund was kicked off last month when John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls performed an early concert on his Westfield porch to raise awareness and money.

"The application portal re-opened today for businesses who have not previously applied for funding, with the final submission deadline being this Friday, May 22," Brindle said.

In her Tuesday announcement, Brindle also noted, "With Memorial Day Weekend coming up, I’d like to remind everyone of our virtual celebration. We’re asking residents to decorate their homes with patriotic items, place a completed Westfield 300 coloring sheet in their window, and tag the photos on social media with #W300MemorialDay. Photos can also be sent to westfield300@westfieldnj.gov."

In Westfield, there have so far been 271 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Tuesday, with 36 fatalities. Mayor Brindle said in her update on Friday, "The cases in Westfield have ranged in age from 13 to 99, and 37 of them have required hospitalization."

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced 1,055 news cases and 162 more deaths in the last 24 hours due to coronavirus. The total cases in New Jersey are now 149,013, and 10,586 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Here are some other Westfield and statewide coronavirus updates:

TESTING

• The Union County Covid-19 Drive Thru test center has new hours. The center is available to Union County residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. First responders and front-line health workers who are experiencing symptoms can also contact the center, regardless of their place of residence. Testing is free.
• To find out more about testing in Union County, click here.

SCHOOLS

• On Tuesday, Mayor Brindle said, "As we anticipate the upcoming graduation of the Westfield High School Class of 2020, I wanted to let you know that the town has been in touch with Dr. Dolan, WHS principal Mary Asfendis, and the WHS PTSO President to offer any assistance and support we can provide for a creative and appropriate way to celebrate this enormous occasion. I look forward to honoring our seniors on this milestone achievement."
• Gov. Murphy said graduations and other ceremonies could be conducted outdoors if people stay in their cars.
• Murphy has said New Jersey schools will be closed for the rest of the year. After discussing with the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governor said that spring sports will not resume for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• However, you can view a tribute to Westfield spring athletes here.

NURSING HOMES

• The state has begun releasing death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• Read more about Westfield and nursing home statistics here.
• New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities, and have charged that the facilities are undercounting the numbers and not adequately protecting residents and staff. The state has faced questions for weeks from the press about how they will address the problems. They announced plans last week to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

• Ice cream trucks in Westfield can run, with social distancing measures in place.
• Here's what you need to know about applying for unemployment and other benefits during coronavirus. MORE.
• Read more about unemployment, small business, and other coronavirus regulations and benefits in New Jersey here.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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