🌱 Patch AM: How a 3:30 a.m. break-in turned into a stolen SUV

Good day Westfield! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a 3:30 a.m. break-in turned into a stolen SUV
• How a new $45,818 grant will upgrade Westfield firefighters’ gear
• How did top-ranked Plainfield overpower Westfield on its home court?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve Family Service with Glowsticks at First Presbyterian and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 45 and low of 26 degrees.
• Monday: Sun giving way to clouds, temps: high: 39, low: 30.
• Tuesday: A bit of rain and snow, with a high of 40 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Car Stolen, Home Broken Into In Westfield: Police (patch.com) — A pre-dawn burglary on Colonial Avenue in Westfield ended with a blue 2024 Land Rover stolen from a driveway after thieves took a key fob from inside the home. Police say vehicle thefts typically rise around the holidays and urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately and share any tips directly with the Westfield Police Department.
   

• Kean Delivers $500,000 in Federal Grants to Support Local Fire Departments (tapinto.net) — Westfield’s Fire Department is receiving $45,818 in federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant funding to buy additional protective gear for local firefighters, boosting safety for both crews and residents. The grant is part of more than $500,000 Congressman Tom Kean Jr. helped secure for six departments across New Jersey’s 7th District, aimed at improving equipment, training, and emergency readiness.
   

• No. 1 Plainfield defeats Westfield (nj.com subscription) — Westfield’s boys basketball team fell 71–36 at home to top-ranked Plainfield, which used strong defense and balanced scoring to pull away. Aidan Wall led Westfield with eight points, while several Plainfield players reached double figures in an early-season statement win.
   

📸 Around Westfield

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 Westfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Family Service with Glowsticks at First Presbyterian
  First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, NJ, 11 Springfield Ave, Cranford
  4:00 pm
• Christmas Eve services
  First United Methodist Church Westfield, 1 E Broad St, Westfield
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Broadway Through the Ages
  Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Rd, Westfield
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday December 22

• SHOULDA 7:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford
• Ice Hockey: Boys Developmental vs. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (Home)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:45 pm
• Kapers - Gym
  McKinley Elementary School , 500 First St , Westfield
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• SHOULDA 7:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford
• Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Cranford (Away)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Closed for Christmas Eve
  Westfield Memorial Library , 550 East Broad Street , Westfield

Thursday December 25

• Closed for Christmas Day
  Westfield Memorial Library , 550 East Broad Street , Westfield

Monday December 29

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Training at the Westfield Area YMCA
  220 Clark St , Westfield
  8:00 am

Thursday January 1

• Swim 2026 Yards for the New Year at the Cranford YMCA
  401 Centennial Ave , Cranford
  10:15 am

📣 Westfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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 Westfield PatchAM possible:

• Dogtopia of Union — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• Somerset Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery — 908-222-0070
  A patient-centered plastic surgery practice

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

• Imagine Welcomes New Volunteer Facilitators to their Compassionate Community —Val Stierhoff Read on Patch
• Flyers Compete at Snowy National Junior Olympic Championships —Westfield Area YMCA Read on Patch
• The Leader 2024 issues now available digitized on Westfield Library website —Roz Giuditta Read on Patch

• Hello, all happy holidays 🎄🕎
  Carmela’s K9 Care has availability and openings for doggy daycare at my private home in Garwood! Lots of fun, socialization in a comfy home… (Nextdoor Westfield)

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Westfield. Apply here.
• Walgreens posted a job opening for Shift Lead in Colonia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Westfield here.

🗞 Nearby News

Garwood

• Fanwood Approves Shared Municipal Court Agreement with Garwood (tapinto.net)

Cranford

• Cranford fireighter recruits graduate from Union County Fire Academy (unionnewsdaily.com)
• Cranford visual artist shares her photographic journey (unionnewsdaily.com)
• Friends of Rahway River Parkway Celebrates 10th Annual Photography Contest (tapinto.net)

Millburn

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 feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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