Richard Rabinowitz, Writer at New Brunswick Today

Middlesex County to Hold Sheriff’s Academy at Training Center in Edison This April

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The Middlesex County Sheriff's Office will hold its Civilian Academy in April, according to an announcement from Sheriff Mildred S. Scott.

Scott announced that her office would be holding a Sheriff's Civilian Academy for Middlesex County residents.

The academy will be held weekly and last eight weeks. The classes will be taught at the Middlesex County Police Training Center on North Patrol Road in Edison.

Controversial Bodega Approved For Joyce Kilmer Avenue

By: Richard Rabinowitz

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–In 2015's most contentious Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, the board unanimously approved variances to allow for a small grocery store in the Fourth Ward on October 26.

The 7-0 vote clears the way for the owner of Marquez Grocery on Jersey Avenue to open up a similar bodega on Joyce Kilmer Avenue.

About one out of every three audience members cheered the decision, which involves the bodega owner's wife relocating her existing beauty salon to make room for the store.

Mount Carmel Parish Gets Approval to Add Second Floor to Church

By: Richard Rabinowitz

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—A humble church located between New and Morris Streets may soon be standing a little taller after the city approved its plans for an expansion on September 28.

The little church is sandwiched between Rockoff Hall, the city's first downtown dormitory, and a pair of abandoned buildings slated for demolition.

A 22-story residential highrise is planned for that site, as we reported in 2014.

Occidental Chemical Opens Road Salt Packing Plant on Jersey Avenue

By: Richard Rabinowitz

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—On July 13, a chemical company opened its new industrial facility which packages calcium chloride for salting the roads in the wintertime.

Occidental Petroleum Company subsidiary CalChlor is renting the warehouse at 760 Jersey Avenue, a recently-renovated contaminated site that was once home to car battery plant.

Situated along the Northeast Corridor railroad tracks, not far from the Jersey Avenue train station, the facility recieves calcium chloride and packages it into plastic bags.

Board Approved Additional Floors and Jumbotron For RWJ Building While It Was Under Construction

By: Richard Rabinowitz

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) obtained five variances from the city's Zoning Board on May 18, including one that will allow them to add three floors to a brand-new 11-story structure.

Among the approvals granted for RWJUH properties was another that gave the go-ahead to erect a large digital billboard on the side of the new parking/office building, similar to the "Jumbotron" screens displayed in Times Square.

Rutgers Celebrates 249th Anniversary, Kicking Off Milestone Year

By: Richard Rabinowitz

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—It was drizzly and rainy on the afternoon and evening of November 10, but that didn't faze celebrants from attending the kickoff of Rutgers' 250th anniversary year.

Technically, November 10, 2015, was Rutgers 249th birthday, not the 250th. The date marks the anniversary of the day that the University charter was signed back in 1766.

Students, faculty, administrators, alums, and others gathered for a variety of activities and enjoyed free food and beverages

Tower Celebrating Thomas Edison Re-opens After $3.9 Million Renovation

By: Richard Rabinowitz

EDISON, NJ—On October 24, a 77-year-old monument to the Township's most famous resident was re-dedicated after the completion of a multi-million dollar revitalization project, to much applause.

Located at 37 Christie Street in Edison, the light atop the tower was lit as part of a ceremony at 7 pm, but the festivities began at noon, with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for 12:30 pm. The lighting was accompanied by a countdown and the throwing of a ceremonial switch in front of the tower.