Student Forced To Eat Outside, Lawsuit Says: 5 Must-Read NJ Stories

Good evening, New Jersey Patch readers! We've assembled some of the most share-worthy stories from the state for today, just for you.

Here are the top five stories from New Jersey:

1. An elementary school teacher forced a young student to eat his lunch outside in the cold as a punishment, the child's parents claimed in a lawsuit. (Read more on Patch.)

2. After a student with a bright future was left in a coma after a hit-and-run, here's why her family is suing the school district – and others. (Read more on Patch.)

3. Officials said a man has been charged with arson, in connection with a September house fire that injured three firefighters. (Read more on Patch.)

4. The chief of a volunteer fire company has been charged with sexual assault, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced. (Read more on Patch.)

5. A high school sophomore is combining her passion for baking with her desire to do good in the world for a new endeavor, called "Cakes for a Cause NJ." (Read more on Patch.)