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Newark Man Arrested Following Attempted Car Burglary

William Fales, 29, of Newark, was arrested and is facing charges related to a vehicle burglary.

Just before 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Officers responded to the 400 block of Ainsworth St after a resident reported that a man was pulling on car door handles. Officers located Fales at the corner of W. Elm & Brook St, and a subsequent investigation identified him as the suspect.

At the time of his arrest, Fales was found to be in possession of several items that were stolen from a separate vehicle burglary on December 3, 2020.

Fales was arrested and is charged with third-degree burglary and possession of stolen property, a Disorderly Persons offense. He was remanded to the Union County Jail pending an appearance in Superior Court.

Similar incidents throughout the city remain under investigation, and anyone with information about them is urged to contact Det. Michael Cistaro at (908) 474-8530 or via email to mcistaro@lpdnj.org.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

To view and/or download a copy of this press release, please click here.

Two Food Distribution Events on Saturday, December 12th

The County of Union is hosting two emergency holiday food distributions this Saturday, December 12th; one drive-thru and one walk-up.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and Gargiulo Produce are providing drive through and walk-up food distribution events to all Union County residents affected by COVID-19 on Saturday, December 12th.

Drive-Thru Event

When – December 12th, 9am.

WhereUnion County Vocational Technical School, located at 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.

Event Details

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine.
  • Click here to view and/or download the original event flyer in English and Spanish.
  • With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Walk-Up Event

When – December 12th, 1:30pm.

WhereGerald B. Green Plaza, located at 200 West 2nd Street, Plainfield, NJ in the Rotunda Complex.

Event Details

  • First 500 persons will receive a special holiday food box with all the trimmings on a first come first served basis.
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Bring a cart for the walk-up.
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine.
  • Click here to view and/or download the original event flyer in English and Spanish.
  • With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Parks & Recreation Programming

To view full class descriptions and register online for the classes, click here. First time registrants are required to call during business hours to have an account set up. For more information, email lindenrec@linden-nj.org, or call 908-474-8600. The Parks & Recreation office is located at 330 Helen Street, Linden NJ 07036 Wood Avenue.

Latest Programming Press Release

Linden Emergency Response System (LERS)

Youth Programming

Youth Sewing Classes

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation is offering a Fashion Design, youth virtual sewing class for ages 8-12. In this class participants are taught how to sketch fashion illustrations using fashion figures. This class covers illustration techniques, learning silhouettes and fashion details. Participants also explore color and create a fashion line. The class will be held Saturdays, February 20 through March 20, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. The fee is $40 for this five-week class. The price includes supplies. Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

Youth Nature Classes

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with New Jersey Audubon is offering a variety of virtual nature classes for children ages 5 & up and adults. Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

  • Backyard Birding Basics: Adults and teens are taught how to begin watching birds in your back yard. Learn how to attract birds to your yard and identifying them. The class will be held Thursday, January 14, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The fee is FREE.
  • Build a Bird: Families with children ages 5 and up, learn about all of the different families of birds, what they eat, where they live and how they survive and then build your own bird and create its unique story. This program includes a craft kit. The class will be held Saturday, January 16, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. The fee is FREE.
  • Introduction to the Great Backyard Bird Count: Adults and teens we set up accounts, learn how to do an accurate count and run through submitting your list online. The class will be held Thursday, February 11, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The fee is FREE.
  • Treats for Tweets & Backyard Bird Count: Families with children ages 5 and up, learn more about bird beaks and what different birds eat. We also make a special bird feeder together for you to put out at home! We’ll also make a list of the birds we see together and submit it online for the Great Backyard Bird Count. This program includes a craft kit. The class will be held Sunday, February 14, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. The fee is FREE.
  • Understanding Spring Migration: Adults and teens, learn how and why birds migrate and who you will start seeing at your feeders. The class will be held Thursday, March 4, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The fee is FREE.
  • Signs of Spring: Families with children ages 5 and up, weather permitting join in an outdoor scavenger hunt in your back yard! Together we’ll look for signs of spring and share what we found during “show and tell” time. If the weather is bad, we’ll explore spring through photos and videos and make a Spring Checklist together. This program includes a craft kit. The class will be held Saturday, March 6, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. The fee is FREE.

Youth Chess Classes

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation is offering a Newcomers and Beginners youth virtual chess classes for ages 8-14. Whether you are a newcomer or a beginner at chess, this class will help you with the basics and more. Also, learn about the active environment of kids’ tournament chess. The class will be held Wednesday, January 6 through February 17, from 6:15-7:30 p.m. The fee is $98. Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

Youth Trip Around The World

Linden Department of Parks & Recreation is offering a virtual Trip Around the World Series for youth ages 7-13. Each session gives the experience of traveling to a different country with exposure to their food, music, sports and other cultural differences. Participants can sign up for one or all. Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class. The fee is $20 for each session.

  • Mexico – Saturday January 9 9:30-11:30am
  • Italy – Saturday January 16 9:30-11:30am
  • Poland – Saturday January 23 9:30-11:30am
  • France – Saturday February 6 1:00-3:00pm
  • Puerto Rico – Saturday February 27 9:30-11:30am
  • Jamaica – Saturday March 13 9:30-11:30am

Additional Youth Programming

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Adult Programming

Adult Yoga

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation announces that Renee Roman of You Me Trapeze joined their staff, teaching senior citizens and adults’ yoga. Renee personally found yoga after being a victim in a serious car accident. Yoga changed Renee’s life.  She became passionate about learning more about yoga and other progressive fitness modalities. To that end, Renee pursued her certification which she received through Yoga Alliance in Barcelona, Spain. She also became certified in Aerial Yoga, Registered Yoga Teacher 200hr and bodyART®, which is a functional total body workout inspired by martial arts, Yin and Yang yoga, physical therapy and classical conditioning. Renee is now driven to share her love of yoga, trapeze, aerial and bodyART®. She teaches at numerous studios across New Jersey and New York City as well as private classes and events. Renee believes that an important key to living an outstanding life is movement. And her warm and welcoming energy will put your worries at ease, and allow you to be present in the moment.  Renee’s motto, “Life is better upside down.”
Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

Participants ages 18 and older are led through an energetic class were movement is led by breath, creating a deeper sense of self-awareness while offering a challenging flow building strength, increasing flexibility, range of motion, and mobility. Pranayama (breath work) and meditation are typically introduced. All levels welcomed. Modifications are offered for both the beginner and advanced level. You need a yoga mat and a water bottle close by. Additional yoga props are welcomed but not necessary. Come as you are. The virtual zoom class will be held Thursday, January 7 through Thursday, March 11 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The fee is $60.

Adult Programming Informational Flyers

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Senior Citizen Programming

Senior Citizen Winter Lecture Series

Linden Department of Parks & Recreation announces its Senior Citizens winter lecture series line up. Any Linden resident 50 years of age or older are eligible to sign up for this series. Each session is a stand-alone and participants can sign up for one or all. All lectures will be posted on Linden TV 36/42. Pre-registration is required in order to provide class handouts to participants in advance. To view full class descriptions, visit www.linden-nj.org and click on Community Pass.

  • The Legacy of New Jersey’s Woodrow Wilson: Good & Bad – Monday February 1 1:00-2:30pm
  • Amending the US Constitution – Monday February 8 1:00-2:30pm
  • The Historic US Presidential Election of 1864: Re Electing Abraham Lincoln – Monday February 22 1:00-2:30pm
  • Why Is Our Country So Politically Divided? – Monday March 1 1:00-2:30pm
  • Federal Reserve System & Its Effect on the US Economy – Monday March 8 1:00-2:30pm
  • The Gold Standard & the US Economy – Monday March 15 1:00-2:30pm
  • Money & Politics – Monday March 22 1:00-2:30pm
  • The American Debt Crisis – Monday March 29 1:00-2:30pm

Senior Citizen Yoga

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation announces that Renee Roman of You Me Trapeze joined their staff, teaching senior citizens and adults’ yoga. Renee personally found yoga after being a victim in a serious car accident. Yoga changed Renee’s life. She became passionate about learning more about yoga and other progressive fitness modalities. To that end, Renee pursued her certification which she received through Yoga Alliance in Barcelona, Spain. She also became certified in Aerial Yoga, Registered Yoga Teacher 200hr and bodyART®, which is a functional total body workout inspired by martial arts, Yin and Yang yoga, physical therapy and classical conditioning. Renee is now driven to share her love of yoga, trapeze, aerial and bodyART®. She teaches at numerous studios across New Jersey and New York City as well as private classes and events. Renee believes that an important key to living an outstanding life is movement. And her warm and welcoming energy will put your worries at ease, and allow you to be present in the moment.  Renee’s motto, “Life is better upside down.”
Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

Participants ages 50 and older builds strength, increase flexibility and improve posture and balance while movement is led by one’s breath. This class is designed for mid-life and older adults who may benefit from a slower pace gentle yoga flow. This class is a combination of chair yoga and floor yoga. Students are encouraged to use props, modify poses, transition mindfully and explore their appropriate balance between ease and comfort. Breath work, singing bowls, relaxation and meditation practices are included to encourage stress reduction. Beginners welcome. You need a yoga mat and a water bottle close by. Additional yoga props are welcomed but not necessary. Come as you are. All classes will be posted on Linden TV 36/42. The class will be held Monday, January 4 through Thursday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. The fee is FREE.

All Senior Citizen Informational Programming Flyers

Holiday House Decorating Contest

Let’s light up Linden with Holiday spirit!

All homes in Linden that have their holiday lights on from December 12th to December 20th will be judged. No registration required. Winners to be announced December 28th. Winning homes will be on the City of Linden website and pictures will be shared on Linden’s Facebook and Nextdoor pages. Gift cards will be mailed to the winning homes. Homes that have won in the past two years will not be eligible.

Click here to view and/or download information flyer about this event.

Youth Programming – Youth Trip Around The World

Youth Trip Around The World

Linden Department of Parks & Recreation is offering a virtual Trip Around the World Series for youth ages 7-13. Each session gives the experience of traveling to a different country with exposure to their food, music, sports and other cultural differences. Participants can sign up for one or all. Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class. The fee is $20 for each session.

  • Mexico – Saturday January 9 9:30-11:30am
  • Italy – Saturday January 16 9:30-11:30am
  • Poland – Saturday January 23 9:30-11:30am
  • France – Saturday February 6 1:00-3:00pm
  • Puerto Rico – Saturday February 27 9:30-11:30am
  • Jamaica – Saturday March 13 9:30-11:30am

Fugitive Wanted for Linden Homicide Apprehended in Georgia

For Immediate Release

A fugitive wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in Linden two months ago has been located and apprehended in Georgia, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Linden Police Chief David Hart jointly announced Tuesday.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Service took 38-year-old Dion M. Johnson of Linden into custody in the Atlanta area on Monday; he is charged with first-degree murder and two second-degree weapons offenses in connection with the death of 38-year-old Darrell Q. McKoy.  

Shortly after 12:45 p.m. on Monday, October 5, members of the Linden Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Essex Avenue and found McKoy outside his home at that location, having sustained serious injury, according to the preliminary investigation. McKoy was transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 1:30 p.m.

An investigation led by the Union County Homicide Task Force and assisted by members of the Linden Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit resulted in Johnson being identified as a suspect in the case. He currently remains in custody in Georgia pending extradition back to New Jersey.

Anyone with information about this matter is still being urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Detective Sonia Rodriguez at 908-341-3380 or Sgt. Johnny Ho at 908-403-8271. 

“Working in tandem with our investigative partners in Linden and with the county, our Homicide Task Force has been hard at work on this case since its inception, following every lead in pursuit of this defendant,” Prosecutor Ruotolo said. “I would like to commend the Union County law enforcement team, as well as our federal partners at the U.S. Marshals Service, for their efforts in ensuring that he is brought to justice.”

Convictions on criminal charges of this nature are commonly punishable by terms of up to life in state prison.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Contact: Mark Spivey, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, 732-236-9849; mspivey@ucnj.org

To view and/or download a copy of this press release, please click here.

Senior Citizen Programming – Yoga

Senior Citizen Yoga

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation announces that Renee Roman of You Me Trapeze joined their staff, teaching senior citizens and adults’ yoga. Renee personally found yoga after being a victim in a serious car accident. Yoga changed Renee’s life. She became passionate about learning more about yoga and other progressive fitness modalities. To that end, Renee pursued her certification which she received through Yoga Alliance in Barcelona, Spain. She also became certified in Aerial Yoga, Registered Yoga Teacher 200hr and bodyART®, which is a functional total body workout inspired by martial arts, Yin and Yang yoga, physical therapy and classical conditioning. Renee is now driven to share her love of yoga, trapeze, aerial and bodyART®. She teaches at numerous studios across New Jersey and New York City as well as private classes and events. Renee believes that an important key to living an outstanding life is movement. And her warm and welcoming energy will put your worries at ease, and allow you to be present in the moment.  Renee’s motto, “Life is better upside down.”
Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

Participants ages 50 and older builds strength, increase flexibility and improve posture and balance while movement is led by one’s breath. This class is designed for mid-life and older adults who may benefit from a slower pace gentle yoga flow. This class is a combination of chair yoga and floor yoga. Students are encouraged to use props, modify poses, transition mindfully and explore their appropriate balance between ease and comfort. Breath work, singing bowls, relaxation and meditation practices are included to encourage stress reduction. Beginners welcome. You need a yoga mat and a water bottle close by. Additional yoga props are welcomed but not necessary. Come as you are. All classes will be posted on Linden TV 36/42. The class will be held Monday, January 4 through Thursday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. The fee is FREE.

Senior Citizen Programming – Winter Lecture Series

Senior Citizen Winter Lecture Series

  • The Legacy of New Jersey’s Woodrow Wilson: Good & Bad – Monday February 1 1:00-2:30pm
  • Amending the US Constitution – Monday February 8 1:00-2:30pm
  • The Historic US Presidential Election of 1864Re Electing Abraham Lincoln – Monday February 22 1:00-2:30pm
  • Why Is Our Country So Politically Divided? – Monday March 1 1:00-2:30pm
  • Federal Reserve System & Its Effect on the US Economy – Monday March 8 1:00-2:30pm
  • The Gold Standard & the US Economy – Monday March 15 1:00-2:30pm
  • Money & Politics – Monday March 22 1:00-2:30pm
  • The American Debt Crisis – Monday March 29 1:00-2:30pm

Adult Programming – Adult Yoga

Adult Yoga

Linden Department of Parks and Recreation announces that Renee Roman of You Me Trapeze joined their staff, teaching senior citizens and adults’ yoga. Renee personally found yoga after being a victim in a serious car accident. Yoga changed Renee’s life.  She became passionate about learning more about yoga and other progressive fitness modalities. To that end, Renee pursued her certification which she received through Yoga Alliance in Barcelona, Spain. She also became certified in Aerial Yoga, Registered Yoga Teacher 200hr and bodyART®, which is a functional total body workout inspired by martial arts, Yin and Yang yoga, physical therapy and classical conditioning. Renee is now driven to share her love of yoga, trapeze, aerial and bodyART®. She teaches at numerous studios across New Jersey and New York City as well as private classes and events. Renee believes that an important key to living an outstanding life is movement. And her warm and welcoming energy will put your worries at ease, and allow you to be present in the moment.  Renee’s motto, “Life is better upside down.”
Pre-registration is required and must be done at least one week before the start of class.

Participants ages 18 and older are led through an energetic class were movement is led by breath, creating a deeper sense of self-awareness while offering a challenging flow building strength, increasing flexibility, range of motion, and mobility. Pranayama (breath work) and meditation are typically introduced. All levels welcomed. Modifications are offered for both the beginner and advanced level. You need a yoga mat and a water bottle close by. Additional yoga props are welcomed but not necessary. Come as you are. The virtual zoom class will be held Thursday, January 7 through Thursday, March 11 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The fee is $60.