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
Good Deeds
Celebrating acts of kindness in communities across the country.
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
Petaluma, CA|News|
Petaluma Riverfront Trestle Campaign Ready To Launch
Community organizers form a new committee to push immediate action on the aging Petaluma railroad trestle.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
Vallejo School Engulfed In Massive Overnight Blaze
A former Vallejo elementary school that closed nearly four decades ago caught fire early Saturday morning.
Healdsburg, CA|News|
A Simple Green Crab Seafood Stock
Green crabs are feisty and fast. Choose containers with enough room to hold them and abundant ice, such as an ice cooler with a tight lid.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Lamorinda, CA|News|
#LoveLafayette Invites Questions...Here They Are
What do local residents have on their mind? Lafayette staff asked and here's what they heard.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Napa Valley, CA|News|
Shelter Pups Need Help Amid Rescue Investigation, Waives Fees: Napa
Napa County races to free kennel space as officials prepare for possible return of dogs transferred to a shelter now being investigated.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
Good News In Essex County: Graduation + Scouting + ‘I Want To Help People’
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|
Lindsay Wildlife Breaks Ground On Nature Cove
Lindsay Wildlife launches largest expansion in organization’s 70-year history.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
Healdsburg, CA|News|
Healdsburg Future Farmers Parade And Fair: Where Grape and Goat Meet
It's time for the Future Farmers parade and fair in Healdsburg starting Thursday.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
San Mateo, CA|News|
Dying Hiker Revived By Bystander, Police Officer In Bay Area
A defibrillator carried in a patrol car delivered the shock that restored the man's pulse after he went into cardiac arrest, police said.
Albert Gregory, Patch Staff
Petaluma, CA|News|
Residents Escape As Flames Rip Through Home In Quiet Petaluma Neighborhood
An early-morning house fire prompts a 2-alarm response in Petaluma.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
San Francisco, CA|News|
SF Senior Dog Rescue Is Waiving Adoption Fees Through The End Of May
"By waiving adoption fees, Muttville aims to attract more potential adopters who care about senior dogs," Muttville's CEO said.
Fernando Haro, Patch Staff
Rohnert Park-Cotati, CA|News|
Warnings, Resources Amid Wind-Driven Hazards Escalating Across Northern California
Strong offshore winds across the North Bay trigger deadly debris incidents, serious injuries, and a surge in emergency responses.
Angela Woodall, Patch Staff
