🌱 Patch AM: Middlesex County investigates fatal stabbing of former Broadway child star

Good morning Middlesex! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Middlesex County investigates fatal stabbing of former Broadway child star

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 45 and low of 22 degrees.
• Friday: Colder; p.m. snow, up to 1", temps: high: 30, low: 25.
• Saturday: A bit of ice in the morning, with a high of 31 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• ‘Lion King' Child Star Imani Smith Killed At 26; Boyfriend Charged With First-Degree Murder (imdb.com) — Middlesex County prosecutors say a 26-year-old woman, known for playing Young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King, died after being stabbed in Edison and was pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. A 35-year-old man who knew her has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and weapons offenses, while authorities stress the attack was not random.
   

📸 Around Middlesex

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Hip-Hop Step Aerobics
  The YMCA at the Piscataway Community Center , 520 Hoes Ln , Piscataway
  10:00 am
• North Plainfield Boys Varsity Basketball @ Middlesex
  Middlesex High School · Middlesex , NJ , North Plainfield
  5:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Winter Break Drop-In Puzzle Hunt
  Bridgewater branch -
• Borough Hall Closed
  Borough of Bound Brook , 230 Hamilton St , Bound Brook
• Guided Wine Tasting at Old York Cellars
  Old York Cellars , 80 Old York Rd , Ringoes
  12:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Goal Setting for 2026: Achieve Your Dreams
  John F. Kennedy Library , 500 Hoes Ln , Piscataway
  10:00 am
• North Plainfield Girls Varsity Basketball @ East...
  East Brunswick High School · East Brunswick , NJ , North Plainfield
  11:30 am
• Tango Group Class - Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Warren, NJ!
  Fred Astaire Dance Studios , 100 Town Center Dr , Warren
  6:30 pm
• MW Live @ Dunellen Theatre
  Dunellen Theatre , 458 North Ave , Dunellen
  7:00 pm
• Winter Moon Glow
  Pinot's Palette , 1885 NJ-57 , Hackettstown
  7:00 pm
• La Gala Salsera
  BarCode Entertainment Complex , 429 N Broad St , Elizabeth
  9:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Middlesex PatchAM possible:

• Visionary Homecare — (833) 844-8326
  Holiday special
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• David A. Abrutyn, M.D. — 908-685-8500
  Sports Medicine, Joint Reconstruction, Shoulder&Knee Surgery
• Somerset Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery — 908-222-0070
  A patient-centered plastic surgery practice
• Men Mentoring Men
  MTHREE is here

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• The NJ Big Flea Antiques Event Feb.21-22nd looking for vendors!!
  Antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, and so much more wanted! Incentives for new vendors!!! Vintage clothing show incorporated. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• All lanes on RT 18 are reopened in both directions between Eggers St/South Woodland Av and CR 527/Old Bridge Tpke/Edgeboro Rd in East Brunswick Township.
  7:07AM on Dec 23: The left lane of Route 18 is closed in both directions between Eggers St/South Woodland Ave and CR 527/Old Bridge Tpke/Edgeboro Rd… (Nextdoor )

• Republic Services posted a job opening for Container Shop Supervisor in Middlesex. Apply here.
• Rutgers University posted a job opening for Research Teaching Specialist V in Piscataway. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Middlesex here.

🗞 Nearby News

Dunellen

• 12 charged, including teacher, in Central Jersey child sex sting (mycentraljersey.com)
• Girls Basketball: Results, recaps & links for Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 (nj.com)

Piscataway

• Piscataway Police Seek Man Seen Trying Doors at Seward Avenue Home (tapinto.net)
• Piscataway Leaders Host Inclusive Community Holiday Celebration Honoring Diverse Traditions (tapinto.net)
• Piscataway Braves 10U Cheerleaders Win National Title, Advance to Pop Warner Nationals (tapinto.net)

South Plainfield

Ok Middlesex! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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