Montclair, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Famous People + Helpful Scouts + Marriage Vows
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Good Deeds
Celebrating acts of kindness in communities across the country.
Berkeley, CA|News|
Vigil Tonight As New Clues Emerge In Search For Amy Hillyard, Farley's Coffee Owner
New evidence prompts a fresh search as community marks three months since Amy Hillyard vanished.
Angela Woodall and Corey Washington, Patch Staff
Maplewood, NJ|News|
Maplewood Scouts Earn Prestigious Eagle Rank With Community Projects
Four members of Troop 5 Maplewood earned the rank of Eagle Scout: the highest honor in Scouting America.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
Healdsburg Barber Shop Builds Business Behind The Chair Through Relationships
A young entrepreneur turned a curiosity into a thriving barber shop in Healdsburg where community connections matter as much as haircuts.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Rohnert Park-Cotati, CA|News|
Rohnert Park Grad Turns Barbershop Into Business Built On Relationships
A young Rohnert Park entrepreneur turned a curiosity into a thriving barber shop where community connections matter as much as haircuts.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Maplewood, NJ|News|
NJ Hall Of Fame’s New Inductees Include SZA, Lawrence Taylor, Former Governor
This year’s honorees include a Grammy-winning musician, a football legend and New Jersey’s first woman governor.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Petaluma, CA|News|
North Bay 13-Year-Old Turns Brother's Overdose Into Life-Saving Mission
After her brother died from fentanyl, a 13-year-old is teaching overdose prevention and heading to a national conference alongside DEA, FBI.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Novato, CA|News|
Inclusive Dance Studio, Founder Honored By City Council In Marin County
City leaders praised the dance teacher for opening doors to dancers with disabilities and invited residents to an all-abilities talent show.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Wallingford, CT|News|
Volunteers To Make Home Repairs For Those In Need With Wallingford Workcamp
The project will provide free, hands-on home repair for those in need, specifically the elderly, low-income, disabled, or veterans.
Vincent Salzo, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
A North Bay ICU Nurse With Parkinson's Joins Grueling Offshore Race To Advance Research
A St. Helena ICU nurse joins offshore race as researchers track whether sailing can measurably affect Parkinson’s symptoms.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Lamorinda, CA|News|
Plea For Help In Search For Missing Dog 'Kylie'
A 10-year-old mixed-breed dog escaped through a gate June 16, and rescuers are asking the public to help bring her home safely.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Meet Libby And The Ordinary People Trying To Bring The Lost Dog Home.
Libby, a golden retriever startled by a loud noise 3 years ago, stays a step ahead of rescuers. But where there’s kindness, there’s hope.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Football + Knitting + Patriots + Cheerios
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Walnut Creek, CA|News|
25 Kittens Airlifted To Walnut Creek After SoCal Chemical Crisis, 13 Still At Shelter
Bay Area rescue group relocated vulnerable cats as Orange County emergency strained animal shelters.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Novato, CA|News|
Watch: Missing Dog Rescued From 20-Foot Hole At Construction Site In Marin County
Firefighters used specialized rescue techniques to save the dog after it spent three days trapped underground.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Community Refrigerator In Newark’s Ironbound Gets Support From NJ Devils
“It breaks my heart that our neighbors have to choose between buying vegetables for their kids or keeping a roof over their heads.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Caldwells, NJ|News|
Staff At Supermarket In The Caldwells Earn Place On Cheerios Box With $11K Fundraising Haul
A ShopRite in the Caldwells raised more than $11,000 that will help local food banks to fight hunger.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Belleville-Nutley, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Helpful Sisters + NCAA Star + Great Teachers
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Lamorinda, CA|News|
New Details On Blaze Near Caldecott Tunnel From Moraga-Orinda Fire District
Burning car sparks half-acre vegetation fire as crews halt spread during Red Flag conditions.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Daring Feats Of ‘Valor’ From Newark Cops, Firefighters Earn Solemn Respect From Peers
A Newark police officer who died in the line of duty had a stand-in that brought the crowd to tears: his bereaved mother.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Petaluma, CA|News|
Grocery Outlet Asks Petaluma To Turn Grocery Lists Into Community Fundraiser
The store will offer live music, pancakes, hot dogs, shaved ice, and family fun while raising money for Una Vida.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Concord, CA|News|
10-Year-Old Girl Saves Family From Early-Morning Contra Costa Fire: Report
A 10-year-old spotted flames outside her home and helped her family escape before firefighters arrived.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Bloomfield, NJ|News|
Bloomfield Youth Band Celebrated For 40 Years Of Community Service
Founded in 1986 by Patrick Burns, the ensemble has enriched the cultural life of Bloomfield for generations.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
These 66 Newark ‘Teachers Of The Year’ Are Making The City Proud
VIDEO: A high school math guru is among the educators who earned “Teacher of the Year” awards for 2026.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Millburn-Short Hills, NJ|News|
Guest Runner Joins Millburn Police At Special Olympics Torch Run
The Millburn Police Department continued its annual tradition by participating in the 2026 Special Olympics Torch Run.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Millburn-Short Hills, NJ|News|
Essex County Leaders Honored At Jewish Family Service Of MetroWest NJ Gala
This year’s gala honored residents and businesses from Short Hills, Maplewood and West Orange.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Belleville-Nutley, NJ|News|
‘Wave Of Positivity’ From Belleville Sisters Shows The Value Of Kindness
These sisters from Belleville have been carrying out a good deed campaign for years. The goal? Make their hometown a better place to live.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Verona-Cedar Grove, NJ|News|
Youth Volunteers Make Holiday Food Delivery To Verona Police Officers
The well-received donation was as part of an effort to support local first responders and reduce food waste.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Lamorinda, CA|News|
Former Cal Shakes Amphitheater Reopens
Orinda venue reopens under new management, bringing a new focus to a storied East Bay arts destination, whose supporters included Zendaya.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Bloomfield, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: 100th Birthday + Free Concerts + Inspiring Teens
New Jersey is filled with humor, inspiration and kindness. Here are seven stories to make you smile from Essex County.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
Inspiring Livingston Teen Who Volunteers All Over Town Earns Award From State
This Livingston high school student is dedicating his free time to making his community a better place to live.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Novato, CA|News|
Horses On The Loose Rounded Up By Police In Marin County, Owner Still Unknown
A corporal and a dispatcher with equestrian experience corralled the Arabian-Cross pair, police said.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
After Terrifying Shooting, Family Launches Recovery Fundraiser For North Bay Woman
Relatives seek community support for the victim of a violent crime spree that stretched across two counties.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
Healdsburg Leaders Raise Pride Flag At City Hall
Advocates, officials, and residents gather Monday to celebrate Pride Month and honor the movement.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Petaluma, CA|News|
Long-Stalled Petaluma Trestle Revival Launched
Behind rusting rails, Petaluma residents see a chance to reclaim a landmark before it slips further into decay.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
NJ High School Students Launch AI-Powered Internship Finder
Myintern.net helps students to find, prepare for and land internships.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Caldwells, NJ|News|
Student-Led Nonprofit In The Caldwells Helps Young Athletes Who Are 'Priced Out Of Sports'
“This felt like a solvable problem,” the founder of Gift Your Gear said.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
Napa Baby's Mysterious Death Prompts Fundraiser, Investigation Continues
A community rallies around Napa family while detectives investigate death of 13-month-old Elaina Elizabeth Rodriguez.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Montclair Teachers, Counselor Earn ‘Judy Weston Awards’ For 2026
“It feels like magic when you watch a really good teacher do what they do.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Empowering Communities Through Sound: The NJ Hearing Aid Project At Montclair State University
Receiving free hearing aids has been life-changing experience for both the recipients and audiology students at MSU.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
