Top-Read Woodbridge News Stories For 2019

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — What a year 2019 was for Woodbridge Township:

First in January, a Woodbridge Girl Scout leader made national news when she claimed $1,200 in cookie sale money was stolen from the Woodbridge Center Mall. In a stunning twist, she was then fired by the Girl Scouts a few days later. Then in June, an Avenel man became part of the still-unsolved trend of Americans dying in the Dominican Republican. And in late October, a small plane bound for Linden airport flew into a home in Colonia. Plus, the Lord & Taylor closed!

Here are the top-read stories for your town in 2019:

Woodbridge Girl Scout Leader Fired In Mix-Up Over Cookie 'Theft' (January 2019)

First, this local Woodbridge mom said someone allegedly stole an envelope containing $1,200 in checks and cash from the Woodbridge/Carteret Girl Scout troop selling cookies at the Woodbridge Center Mall. The story rapidly made national headlines and hundreds donated to a GoFundMe set up for the brokenhearted local Girl Scouts. But Woodbridge police investigated and a few days later, they revealed that the troop leader admitted the money may have been accidentally thrown away. In yet another twist, the Woodbridge mom was then removed by the Girl Scouts of Central and South Jersey over the incident.

Top Rutgers Cancer Surgeon Charged With Filming Women In Bathroom (February 2019)

He is one of the most respected melanoma doctors in New Jersey, if not the entire nation. But this winter, Rutgers cancer surgeon Dr. Robert Goydos was charged with secretly photographing more than two dozen women as they used the bathroom at Robert Wood Johnson University hospital in New Brunswick. He denies the charges.

Old Bridge Woman Gives Both Middle Fingers In Defiant Mugshot (February 2019)

Simply an epic mugshot for all time.

Avenel Man Is 9th American To Mysteriously Die In Dominican Republic (June 2019)

Remember the spate of Americans dying under mysterious circumstances in the Dominican Republic? While the deaths were never conclusively linked by federal authorities, an Avenel man became part of the disturbing trend this past June. Joseph Allen, 55, of Avenel, was found dead in his hotel room in the town of Sosua on June 13, 2019. The deaths sparked an FBI investigation, but in October the feds announced they had found no evidence of tainted alcohol that would have caused the deaths.

Aquarium Coming To Woodbridge Center Mall (August 2019)

SeaQuest Aquarium opened late this year at Woodbridge Center, but reviews have been mixed. Some visitors love being able to touch and interact with the animals, while others say the animals do not appear healthy or safely kept. SeaQuest's owner addressed the controversy in this interview with Patch.

Support For Carteret Boy, 11, Who Lost Entire Family In Crash (August 2019)

Just a tragedy for a local 11-year-old boy, whose entire family — father, mother and six-year-old sister — died in a car crash this summer. However, the way the community rallied around the boy was stunning: More than $120,000 was given for an account he can draw from when he turns 18 and offers came in from strangers to adopt the boy.

Pilot Dies After Plane Crashes Into Woodbridge Home (October 2019)

The pilot died after his plane crashed into a house in Colonia. He was attempting to land at Linden Airport in extremely foggy conditions on a gloomy and misty late fall day.

Woodbridge Center Lord & Taylor Will Be Closing (October 2019)

Thousands of local residents were stunned when the beloved longtime store announced its final day of business would be Dec. 24, 2019.

McCormac Wins Fifth Term As Woodbridge Mayor (November 2019)

Republican Sue Boros challenged longtime Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, a Democrat, but failed to unseat him. He will be sworn in for his fifth term on Jan. 1, 2020.

6-Alarm Bayshore Recycling Fire In Woodbridge (December 2019)

When a longtime recycling business in Keasbey burned for hours, the smoke could be seen for miles throughout Central Jersey. The owners of Bayshore Recycling promise to rebuild and come back stronger in 2020.

Patch wishes our readers a happy and healthy 2020. Thank you for reading.