A lot happened in Scotch Plains and Fanwood this past week.

In high school sports, the Raiders took on Westfield in several match ups. While the SP-F gymnastics and football teams both lost to the Blue Devils, the girls volleyball team did manage to beat the neighboring rival during their Wednesday night meet. The SP-F boys soccer game against Westfield was postponed due to weather, but will be played next week.

The week also had its share of breaking news. On Monday night, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, and several other town fire and rescue squad officials helped fight a bad house fire in Westfield. The home, located near downtown, was ultimately left uninhabitable. The week ended with a similarly tragic event, as a Raritan Valley line train fatally struck a man near the Fanwood tracks.

See below for a full look at those stories and more.

Monday, Oct. 12:

• The township of Scotch Plains is still working to try and explain the new sewer bill to individuals and businesses. Last week, the mayor spoke at the Ministerium meeting.
• Union Catholic's volleyball team started preparing for their quarterfinal matchups after beating Summit on Saturday.
• Township officials and leaders convened outside the Scotch Plains municipal building Monday morning for a Columbus Day ceremony.
• Scotch Plains and Fanwood fire and rescue officials helped fight a stubborn home fire in Westfield Monday night.

Tuesday, Oct. 13:

• The Union County Clerk says that the new vote-by-mail option has proven quite popular this election season.
• Fanwood resident Neil Braunstein pleaded guilty to attempted blackmail.
• Fanwood police arrested a Cranford man for a recent home burglary in the borough.

Wednesday, Oct. 14:

• Fanwood considered revising its dog leash policy during its council meeting Tuesday night.
• Union Catholic's volleyball team was awarded the top seed in the Union County Tournament meeting Tuesday night.
• The JCC's annual movie festival kicked off Wednesday.
• Westfield's gymnastics team defeated SP-F Tuesday night.
• Fanwood's police reports from the past week included several reports of damage from the recent storms.

Thursday, Oct. 15:

• Corzine's  running mate, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, stopped by Fanwood Wednesday night for a special reception with Fanwood Democrats.
• SP-F's volleyball team struck down Westfield during a meet Wednesday night.
• With fall in full swing, no time is better to visit one of New Jersey's "pick your own" farms.
• DUI, theft and property damage were among the Scotch Plains police reports from the past week.
• Scotch Plains and Fanwood were both awarded grants for street projects.

Friday, Oct. 16:

• The SP-F school district revealed students' 2009 test scores during their Thursday night meeting.
• Gardening columnist Tracy A. Smith shared the best ways to preserve your carved pumpkin.
• The county's Four Centuries historical tour this weekend featured Scotch Plains' Osborne Cannonball House.
• A Raritan Valley line train fatally injured a man Friday night near the Fanwood tracks.

Saturday, Oct. 17:

• The SP-F football team lost its game against Westfield, but did improve its plays from previous games.
• The SP-F girls soccer team beat A.L. Johnson Saturday, 1-0.
• The SP-F boys soccer team defeated Plainfield Saturday.