Hi! I'm a lifelong New Jersey resident who grew up in Matawan/Aberdeen, Freehold, and Old Bridge. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in the 1990s. After college, I spent 20 years as a beat reporter and editor at a newspaper chain in Hudson County, and have written for the Washington Post and Atlantic.com. I've also published two novels, one of which was adapted into a nerdy romantic comedy that's currently streaming on Netflix (called Carrie Pilby). I believe in the power of local journalism to do so much good in large and small ways. Reach me at caren.lissner@patch.com
The annual NJ State Fair at the Meadowlands, with its popular pig races and fireworks, is canceled this year and next year. Find out why.
The Field Station: Dinosaurs exhibit is hosting a series of free events for kids at libraries around Bergen County this week.
Hoboken doesn't normally do much for Independence Day, but a local bar owner has a day of activities planned at a city waterfront park.
The Hudson County Arson Task Force is investigating a fire that killed a man on Monday.
With Macy's avoiding the Hudson River this July 4, Jersey City is still planning a celebration, but probably without Wyclef Jean this time.
UPDATE: A police officer in Essex County was seriously injured in a crash with an NJ Transit bus Friday. Prosecutors are investigating.
A Hudson County man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl, then threatening to hurt her if she told, prosecutors say.
A new restaurant in central Hoboken, which will replace a long-vacant corner storefront, released its opening date and time.
A popular Italian café In Bergen County closed for a week and has now reopened with new owners and new hours, they said.
Heat dome got you screaming for ice cream? A chain ice cream joint with a location in Jersey City is coming to Hoboken.
Hudson County opened its nighttime cooling center for the homeless and several towns opened day centers. Find out when the heat warning ends
More than 1,000 Bergen County residents are without power, and the county has opened 5 cooling centers. See when the heat warning ends.
A man has been arrested for groping a pre-teen girl on a popular thoroughfare through Hudson County, prosecutors said.
Jersey City residents plan to rally at City Hall for safer streets, and a memorial has grown for Eli, 6, who was fatally struck on his bike.
A police officer on duty in Essex County has been hospitalized after a "devastating" crash, police say.
Bergen County has released its music and event lineup for its daylong July 4 spectacular. Get the details below.
After 2 brothers drowned in a pool in a Hudson County school, the family's lawyer says lifeguards were negligent, reports say.
Want to learn about Hoboken's new official bird, the tern, and see other species on a walk? An event is planned this weekend.
Despite early reports, a popular restaurant chain with a spot in Jersey City will not replace Cheap Maggie's in Hoboken.
You can meet an NFL quarterback and several TV stars, and sample free food, at a Bergen County shopping center this weekend.
