Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Emergency Lines Go Down In Union County After Massive Verizon Outage

Coming up: Tremendous Office Furniture Warehouse Liquidation Sale on the Westfield Patch calendar

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Thursday January 15th Patch AM
Thursday January 15th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Westfield! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Westfield residents should do if 9-1-1 does not work
  • New mayor details Westfield’s strategy against rising car and home thefts
  • What Saks Global’s bankruptcy could mean for One Westfield Place

Also on today's calendar: Crafterdark Fun at the Westfield Memorial Library on January 15 and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did King Tut say when he had a nightmare? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: A rain or snow shower; cooler, with a high of 42 and low of 21 degrees.
  • Friday: Periods of sun; windy, colder, temps: high: 35, low: 29.
  • Saturday: A bit of snow and rain, with a high of 37 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Emergency Lines Go Down In Union County After Massive Verizon Outage (patch.com) — Westfield residents are being urged to use a 10-digit police number if 9-1-1 fails during a major Verizon outage affecting thousands of emergency centers nationwide. Local and Union County officials explain backup options, including texting 9-1-1, while Verizon works to resolve widespread wireless voice and data problems also impacting other carriers in New Jersey.
   

2. New Westfield Mayor Addresses Rise In Car Thefts, Home Break-Ins Around Community (patch.com) — Westfield’s new mayor Jeremy Berman is confronting a spike in luxury car thefts and home break-ins, stressing that police are treating the crimes with urgency. Town officials describe record staffing, license plate readers, drones, and undercover patrols, while also acknowledging residents’ fear and the broader countywide theft trend linked to nearby transportation hubs.
   

3. One Westfield Place Project Shaken by Saks Global Bankruptcy (tapinto.net) — Westfield’s massive One Westfield Place redevelopment is now in doubt after Saks Global, parent of SW Westfield, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, prompting legal review by the town. Mayor Jeremy Berman says Westfield still owns the municipal parking lots, has no direct financial exposure so far, and will use all legal options to protect taxpayers as the case unfolds.
   

4. Harmon V. Swart II (goleader.com) — Westfield readers are mourning Harmon V. Swart II, a longtime former resident and 1966 Westfield High School graduate whose memorial service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in town on a future date. The 78-year-old Army veteran and business executive later settled in Cooperstown, NY, but maintained deep ties to Westfield while raising his family and remaining active in the community.
   

5. No. 10 Westfield defeats Gov. Livingston co-op - Boys ice hockey recap (PHOTOS) (nj.com subscription) — Westfield High School’s 10th-ranked boys ice hockey team extended its winning streak to five games with a 4–1 victory over the Gov. Livingston–New Providence co-op in Roselle. Led by Andrew Lisnock’s goal and two assists, the Blue Devils took control in the second period and never looked back, backed by strong goaltending from Troy Conover.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Backroom Processors in Clark. Apply here.
  • Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Utility Worker in Summit. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Westfield here.

Ok Westfield! 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 want my mummy!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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