Community Corner
🌱 How a Somerville coffee stop ended in a $2M scam nightmare
Happening soon: Open Archives on the Somerville Patch calendar

Morning Somerville! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Somerville coffee stop ended in a $2M scam nightmare
- Where Somerville football will line up in 2026’s new divisions
Also on today's calendar: Peter Mayer Stars & Promises Concert – Harmony and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Clouds and sun; windy, colder, with a high of 36 and low of 24 degrees.
- Friday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 37, low: 23.
- Saturday: Some brightening, with a high of 41 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Scammers stole $2M from a shattered N.J. widow. Now she's on the hook for $117K in taxes. (nj.com subscription) — A Somerset County widow was scammed out of nearly $2 million, including cash handed over at a Somerville coffee shop, and now faces a $117,000 New Jersey tax bill on the stolen retirement funds. Her case, which also involved withdrawals from several nearby bank branches, is prompting lawmakers to consider new protections for older adults and possible state tax relief for fraud victims.
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• Big Central Conference releases 2026-27 football division alignments (mycentraljersey.com) — Somerville High’s football team will compete in the Liberty Silver division alongside Hunterdon Central, Montgomery, North Hunterdon and Watchung Hills under the Big Central Conference’s newly released 2026–27 alignments. The article walks through how many other area schools are being reshuffled between divisions, especially among small and mid-sized programs, which could affect future rivalries and travel for local fans.
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📸 Around Somerville
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Somerville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Open Archives
SCLSNJ's Somerville Library Branch, 35 West End Ave, Somerville
3:00 pm
Friday December 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Open Archives
Somerville branch -
3:00 pm - Winter Choral Concert (snow date)
Somerville High School , 222 Davenport Street , Somerville
7:00 pm - Peter Mayer Stars & Promises Concert – Harmony
Somerville High School , 222 Davenport St , Somerville
7:30 pm - Young Authors Club (Grades 1-5)
SCLSNJ's Somerville Library Branch , 35 West End Ave , Somerville
11:00 am - Fall 2025 End of Season Shows
Village Brewing Company , 34 W Main St , Somerville
12:00 pm - Guided Wine Tasting at Old York Cellars
Old York Cellars , 80 Old York Rd , Ringoes
12:00 pm - DIY Fresh Greens Pedestal Box Workshop
Board & Brush Creative Studio - Somerville , 28 Division St , Somerville
1:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
📣 Somerville Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Baby Storytime
Bridgewater branch - Story Well
10:15 am - New Jersey Rockets vs Connecticut Jr. Rangers
Bridgewater Sports Arena , 1425 Frontier Rd , Bridgewater
1:30 pm - Drop In Craft: Holiday Greeting Cards
Somerville branch - Programs 2
3:00 pm - LEGO® Club
SCLSNJ's Manville Library Branch , 100 S 10th Ave , Manville
3:30 pm
Thursday December 11
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 Somerville PatchAM possible:
- Sunnyside Gift Shop — (908) 409-3884
We're so excited to announce we've moved! NOW OPEN!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- The bulk of a fire has been knocked down, and crews are overhauling at the scene on County Route 601 in Somerset, Montgomery.
2:13PM on Dec 9: Fire is extending to another garage, shed, and a box truck on County Route 601 in Somerset, prompting the activation of the southern… (Nextdoor ) - Incident cleared on Route 601 Northbound/Southbound in Montgomery between W Dutchtown Harlingen Rd and E Mtn Rd.
6:36PM on Dec 9: Serious fire closes Rt. 601 NB/SB in Montgomery between W Dutchtown Harlingen Rd and E Mtn Rd. (Nextdoor )
- Covenant Theological Seminary posted a job opening for Assistant or Associate Pastor of Youth in Somerville. Apply here.
- Dawar Consulting, Inc. posted a job opening for Technical writing with labelling & Pharma in Somerville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Somerville here.
🗞 Nearby News
Manville
- Wreaths Across America Helps Somerville Pay Tribute To Veterans Laid to Rest at New Cemetery (tapinto.net)
Hillsborough
Ok Somerville! 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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