Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms signed up for The Central Jerseyan Newsletter. We felt the chalkboard motif was also fitting in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you to all the educators and caregivers who are reading this now. You make the world a little bit better every day. Here’s what’s coming up.

Kicking off the week on Monday, the Henry Inman Library in Colonia hosts a K-POP Demon Hunters Party from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. The free, high-energy celebration is open to children of all ages. Tuesday brings a meaningful moment to Woodbridge, as Mayor John E. McCormac and Health Director David Kologinsky join nurses and first responders for an International Nurses Day Flag Raising at Woodbridge Municipal Building at 3 PM. On Wednesday evening, the Barron Arts Center in Woodbridge hosts two events: the Woodbridge Health Department’s Rabies Clinic for dogs and cats from 4 to 7 PM, and the monthly PoetsWednesday series featuring reader Gregg Yupanki Bautista from 8 to 10 PM.

The second half of the week has plenty to offer as well. On Thursday, Edison Main Library screens the Tom Holland Spider-Man films in a movie marathon from 3 to 4:45 PM. It’s a great way to get caught up before the latest addition to the series, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, hits theaters. Friday brings two exciting events: the 2026 Region 7 Xcel Gymnastics Championships come to the NJ Expo Center in Edison at 7 PM, and the St. James community hosts its Spring Auction: Starry Night from 4 to 7 PM at 369 Amboy Avenue in Woodbridge, with admission starting at $30 to benefit students at St. James School.

As always, you can check out our full events calendar for everything happening around Central Jersey, and if you have a community event you’d like listed, don’t hesitate to reach out.

It was a busy week at The Central Jerseyan! With a dozen new stories posted, it’s too hard to choose just one. So many of them seemed to resonate with readers. So, here are one top story each from Edison, Rahway, and Woodbridge.

Edison: A husband’s emotional plea to the school board. Matthew Pinho addressed the Edison Board of Education this week to speak on behalf of his wife Gabriella. This second-grade teacher received a non-renewal notice — while seven months pregnant — the week before Teacher Appreciation Week. Pinho described a family that sacrificed higher pay so his wife could teach in the community where they live, and warned the board that the consequences could cost them their home. He was one of dozens affected as the district cut roughly 80 positions to reduce a proposed 11.9% tax hike down to 6%.

Woodbridge: A $197 tax increase is on the table for school families. The Woodbridge Township Board of Education got its first look at a proposed $375.8 million budget for 2026–2027 — a 4.78% increase driven largely by rising benefits, tuition, security, and custodial costs. The plan would raise the average homeowner’s tax bill by $197 annually. The board is set to vote on final adoption on May 14.

Rahway: DPW workers confront city council after 14 months without a contract. About two dozen Rahway Department of Public Works employees packed the municipal courtroom Monday night to press for a new contract. Spokesperson Joel Thomas told council members that some workers earn as little as $18 an hour and are frustrated being told there’s no money for raises as the city spends millions on downtown redevelopment. No formal action was taken, but several council members called for monthly updates until a deal is reached.

You can find this rest of this past week’s stories here.

The Linden Police Department announced this week that it is once again supporting Team Linden at the Rahway Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s annual fundraising walk. The event takes place on June 13, 2026, at Rahway Park, beginning at 2:00 PM, with survivor registration opening at 1:30 PM. Team Linden — a coalition of residents, city officials, and first responders — will be walking to celebrate cancer survivors, honor caregivers, and raise money for research and support services. To join Team Linden or make a donation, scan the QR code on the flyer above or contact Michele Yamakaitis at [email protected] or Michael Richmond at [email protected].

Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift? Here are a few options.

Take mom out for ice cream! Soft N’ Yummy, in Cranford, is offering a buy one get one 50% off deal today. They’re located at 226 Centennial Ave.

Get mom some she-time! Glo Thru It Beauty Bar in Avenel is offering Mother’s Day packages.

Something completely different! Take your mom on a pirate adventure off the NJ coast. Jersey Shore Pirates in Brick, NJ offers buckaneer-themed cruises. And on Mother’s Day, moms sail for free.

This week was a big one! It shows what this project can be at full strength. We broke down a chaotic school board meeting that led to a 6% tax hike, reported on how a local law kept 15 families housed after a devastating fire, and highlighted Rahway’s recognition as a statewide model for inclusive preschool. We’re also tracking the ongoing budget drama in Edison and what it means for your wallet.

That kind of consistent, on-the-ground reporting happens because readers step up. If you’ve been getting value from this coverage, now’s the moment to back it. A few more supporters would let us reinvest directly into better reporting, more stories, and a cleaner, ad-light experience.

Join us on Patreon and help keep serious local journalism alive right here in Central Jersey →

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This week's trivia:  Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, campaigned for years to establish it as a national holiday. In what year did President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaim Mother’s Day a national holiday — and what was Wilson’s connection to New Jersey?

Last week’s trivia:  The answer is 1766, when it was founded as Queen’s College. Rutgers is the eighth-oldest university in the United States and one of the original colonial colleges. It was renamed Rutgers College in 1825 in honor of Revolutionary War veteran and philanthropist Henry Rutgers, and became Rutgers University in 1945. Today it serves as New Jersey’s state university.

Here’s the weather for the upcoming week:

☁️ Monday, May 11: Overcast skies to kick off the week — temperatures range from 52°F to 66°F.

☀️ Tuesday, May 12: Clear and sunny with cool overnight lows — temperatures range from 45°F to 67°F.

🌧️ Wednesday, May 13: Light rain arrives in the evening — temperatures range from 49°F to 68°F.

🌧️ Thursday, May 14: Overnight showers clear out early — temperatures range from 55°F to 64°F.

🌤️ Friday, May 15: Partly cloudy and pleasant — temperatures range from 45°F to 69°F.

🌦️ Saturday, May 16: Warm with afternoon showers possible — temperatures range from 57°F to 81°F.

🌧️ Sunday, May 17: Morning rain gives way to a warm and humid afternoon — temperatures range from 61°F to 87°F.

As always, you can see even more events on The Central Jerseyan website. See the full events calendar ➝ 

Have an event you’d like included in this newsletter or a tip for a local news story? You can reply to this newsletter or contact me here ➝ 

Have a great week!