Community Corner

🌱 How did an illegal West Mountain Road truck stop run so long?

Coming up on the Sparta Patch calendar: Eleventh Hour Rescue Winter Wonderland 2025

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Thursday December 11th Patch AM
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Cheers Sparta! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did an illegal West Mountain Road truck stop run so long?
  • How SCCC students and Sparta volunteers fed hundreds this Thanksgiving
  • How far can Sparta star Paige Weiss go this wrestling season?

Also on today's calendar: Eleventh Hour Rescue Winter Wonderland 2025 and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Spartafor 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!)

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Find out what's happening in Spartafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Windy and colder, with a high of 31 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, temps: high: 32, low: 22.
  • Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 33 and low of 19 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Sparta Resident Reports Illegal Truck Parking Business on West Mountain Road Farm to Township Council (tapinto.net) — Sparta officials say an unpermitted truck parking and soil-dumping operation on West Mountain Road is now being dismantled and remediated after months of complaints from nearby residents. Records show township staff knew of violations as far back as 2024, prompting questions about enforcement lapses and whether meaningful penalties will follow to prevent similar problems in Sparta’s residential and agricultural zones.
   

• SCCC Culinary Students Prepare Hundreds of Holiday Meals for Local Residents (tapinto.net) — Freshman culinary students at Sussex County Community College recently cooked hundreds of Thanksgiving meals for local families in need, including 167 dinners delivered with help from the Sparta Benevolent Society to residents of the Knoll communities. Their work combined hands-on training with community service, giving Sparta-area neighbors a warmer holiday while students practiced large-scale meal preparation and service.
   

• Girls wrestling preview: Returning state place-winners back for more in 2025-26 (nj.com subscription) — Sparta wrestling fans will want to watch senior standout Paige Weiss, a former state champion and multi-time place-winner, as she returns for another big girls wrestling season. The statewide preview breaks down returning champions, new NJSIAA tournament formats, and where top contenders from across New Jersey are expected to shine in 2025-26.
   

📸 Around Sparta

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Sparta

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Sparta Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 11
  • Environmental Commission Meeting
    Sparta Township, NJ Calendar , 65 Main Street , Sparta
    7:00 pm
    • Saturday December 13
  • Rustic Jolly Christmas - Santa
    Painting with a Twist , 440 Main Rd , Towaco
    6:30 pm
    • Thursday December 18
  • Middle School Winter Concert
    Hardyston Township Elementary School Franklin, NJ 07416
    7:00 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 Sparta PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • As part of the Judiciary’s statewide Adoption Day celebration, Alba Cuevas from Passaic County formally adopted three of her grandchildren after adopting their two older siblings a few years earlier.
    The adoption, marked by tears of joy, highlights the courage to build new beginnings and the strength of family ties. Watch the video here: https:/… (Nextdoor )
  • I noticed requests from people for housing and help making ends meet.
    Here is the Catholic Charities organization’s newsletter. (Nextdoor Sparta Mountain)
  • Sparta Township Public Schools posted a job opening for ELA Middle School Teacher (Leave of Absence) in Sparta. Apply here.
  • Complete Care at Barn Hill posted a job opening for Housekeeper for LTC in Newton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sparta here.

🗞 Nearby News

Franklin

  • FHS Madrigals Receive Council Commendation For Rockefeller Center Performance (franklinreporter.com)
  • Myles Cherette Selected as 2026 YoungArts Award Winner With Distinction (broadwayworld.com)
  • Gloucester County Launches Holiday Drive Sober Initiative (snjtoday.com)

Newton

  • TerpTaxi Delivery NJ - Newton, NJ Patch (patch.com)
  • Gene Haas Foundation awards $12K to support machine tool students at Sussex County Community College (wrnjradio.com)
  • Atlantic Health maternity centers earn national high-performing designation from U.S. News; Newton also recognized for care access (wrnjradio.com)

Randolph

Ok Sparta! 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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