Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Westfield Police Start New Year With Promotions

Also, don't miss Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026 on the Westfield Patch calendar

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Good morning to you Westfield! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Two decorated officers step into new leadership roles in Westfield
  • Westfield community mourns beloved history teacher Frank E. Nolde
  • How will Westfield’s new recreation director change your parks in 2026?

Also on today's calendar: Meadowbrook Day Camp to Host Open House on January 11, 2026 and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one pirate say to the other? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Rain, becoming heavy, with a high of 43 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Sunday: Breezy, temps: high: 44, low: 31.
  • Monday: Breezy in the a.m.; sunshine, with a high of 42 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Westfield Police Start New Year With Promotions (patch.com) — Westfield residents are starting 2026 with news of two key police promotions, as Detective Sergeant Thomas Ostrander becomes a lieutenant and Plainclothes Officer John Swiderski is elevated to sergeant. Both decorated officers will now serve in leadership roles within the Patrol Services Bureau, which oversees day-to-day policing in town.
   

2. Frank E. Nolde (goleader.com) — Westfield is mourning beloved history teacher Frank E. Nolde, who taught local students from 1960 to 1998 and helped restore an 1850 home recognized as a Westfield Historic Landmark. He remained deeply involved through the Westfield YMCA, Presbyterian Church, and Education Association. Residents are invited to honor him via the WEA Scholarship supporting Westfield seniors.
   

3. Meet Westfield's New Recreation Director, Dan Hontz (tapinto.net) — Westfield has a new recreation director, resident Dan Hontz, who’s already focused on expanding programs and improving local parks. After an extensive search, he was introduced to the Town Council and shared plans for 2026, including Memorial Park tennis court renovations, Sid Fay/Houlihan parking and facility upgrades, and improvements at Tamaques Park. He says serving his own hometown makes the role especially meaningful.
   

4. Varela self-funds another $550k, now has cash-on-hand lead in NJ-7 (newjerseyglobe.com) — Westfield residents’ congressman, Tom Kean Jr., faces a rapidly escalating money race as Democrat Brian Varela self-funds heavily and now likely leads the NJ-7 field in cash on hand. Several Democratic rivals have also crossed the million-dollar mark, setting up an unusually expensive and competitive primary. Whoever emerges will challenge Kean, the Republican based in Westfield, later this year.
   

📸 Around Westfield

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Meet Todd DeLaney, Lantern Hill's Executive Director —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
  • Wiss & Company Volunteers Help Imagine Refresh Spaces for Youth who are Grieving —Val Stierhoff Read on Patch
  • Union County Educational Services Commission School District posted a job opening for Substitute School Nurse - Various Schools in Westfield. Apply here.
  • Scotch Plains - Fanwood Public Schools posted a job opening for Baseball Coach - Grade 9 in Scotch Plains. 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 sea you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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