Something is happening…
The Central Jerseyan Keeps Growing!
It’s been another busy week here at The Central Jerseyan. Before diving into the latest headlines, I want to welcome the hundreds of new readers who joined us. Last week, the site reached more than four thousand weekly readers. This week, that number grew to over five thousand!
This is mostly a one-man operation, but your clicks remind me why this work matters. I strive to cover local stories you won’t find anywhere else. This isn’t AI-generated “pink slime” or pajama journalism built on recycled press releases. The Central Jerseyan delivers real reporting that holds power to account and highlights democracy in action. Please keep spreading the word!
Here are your headlines. First up…
Immigration Raid in Avenel
A federal immigration agent standing guard outside the warehouse in Avenel. (Photo: The Central Jerseyan)
Federal agents raided a warehouse in Avenel on Wednesday, detaining workers as protesters and local faith leaders gathered outside. The operation renewed calls from Central Jersey advocates for the state to pass the Immigrant Trust Act, which limits local cooperation with ICE.
Kids these days…
Library Holiday Donation Drive
Public libraries are expecting a big boost in funding thanks to a raise in the state minimum. (Photo: The Central Jerseyan)
The Rahway Public Library is planning a holiday donation drive after a successful open house that drew more than 600 visitors. During the October board meeting, staff also discussed heightened cleanup efforts after the library was possibly hit by the viral “pee challenge” TikTok trend.
Something to look forward to…
A Toy Drive Spanning Central Jersey
I had a great interview this week with David and Scott Rudd, the couple behind The Team Rudd Foundation. Each year, they organize a holiday toy drive for children placed in New Jersey’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Over more than a decade, the drive has grown from just three donation boxes in the Woodbridge area to more than 50 across Central Jersey. The Rudds say they couldn’t do it without the support of local business owners and volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Edison. Keep an eye out for the full feature story. In the meantime…
Coming up in your area…
Fun, Free, and Family-Friendly Events
🎃 Halloween Storytime
Friday, Oct 31 • 11 AM • Rahway Public Library
Give your little ones some calm-down time before heading out for a full afternoon of trick-or-treating. The Rahway Public Library is offering a Halloween-themed storytime and crafts just before lunchtime. Costumes are encouraged!
🍬Mall-O-Ween at Woodbridge Center
Friday, Oct. 31 · 4 PM until treats run out · Woodbridge Center Mall
Get your costumed kiddos ready — Mall-O-Ween is back! Families can trick-or-treat indoors at participating stores starting at 4 PM. It’s free, festive, and open to all while candy lasts, so arrive early for the best haul.
🌾 Fall Harvest Festival
Oct. 31–Nov. 2 · 10 AM–5 PM · East Jersey Old Town Village (Piscataway)
Celebrate the season at Middlesex County’s historic open-air village. Enjoy live folk music, wagon rides, food vendors, pumpkin décor, and plenty of fall photo ops across the scenic grounds. Free admission and parking.
🐾 Read to a Therapy Pet
Monday, Nov. 3 · 5:30–7 PM · Inman Branch Library (Colonia)
A cozy way for kids to build reading confidence — by reading aloud to a gentle, trained therapy animal. Sessions are free and open to young readers who register in advance.
One Last Thing…
Your Support Matters
Independent local journalism is more important than ever.
With major cuts to public media funding and constant concessions by large corporations, there are fewer places for people to find information they can truly trust — especially at the community level. The growing number of readers at The Central Jerseyan shows how strong the local appetite is for trustworthy news and connection. Your financial support helps keep this movement alive.
Please consider becoming a subscriber on Patreon. Subscribers receive special perks — including a free ad on our Events page and an inside look at what it’s like to be a local reporter. Most importantly, your contribution helps keep local news free and accessible for everyone in our community.
That’s it for this week.
As always, you can see even more events on The Central Jerseyan website. See the full events calendar ➝
If you have an event you’d like me to know about or a tip for a local news story, please reply to this newsletter or contact me here ➝
Have a great weekend!