Scotch Plains-Fanwood Year in Review: The Year's Biggest News Events

The conclusion to a series of stories chronicling substitute teacher and coach John Turrnbull’s downward spiral from serving alcohol to two minors on September 14 while dining at the Brick Oven Restaurant in downtown Westfield, to pleading guilty to one count of serving alcohol to a minor in the Westfield Municipal Court this past October.

Coverage of Turnbull caused a divide among readers and members of the community. Many supported Turnbull, standing by the longtime coach and teacher while others maintained the view that Turnbull broke the law and that his ultimate punishment did not fit the crime.



At least 450 residents gathered to fill 600 volunteer spots as part of Martin Luther King Day of Service. The event is directed by Michelle Abraham who introduced the Day of Service to Scotch Plains and Fanwood in 2010. MLK Day of Services is a nationwide event that celebrates the life of Dr. King through volunteerism.   



As RDC Golf finalized their purchase of Scotch Plains’ largest piece of privately owned land, Mayor Nancy Malool and Councilman Bo Vastine reflect on the controversy leading up to the purchase, including a move that lead to a law suit against the town. Malool defended the Council’s decision to declare the property “an area of rehabilitation” stating that doing so prevented a housing developer from purchasing the property, developing 96 homes, and putting a huge strain on the school system.



A detailed investigation on what a police merger could mean for the two towns.


This three part series delves into how Union Catholic High School and Black Birch Road; two communities that grew up alongside one another, suddenly found themselves at loggerheads in a protracted legal fight over a turf field built at the school in 2009. A local couple filed the law suit, claiming that since the field was built, foul balls fly into their yard constantly, threatening their emotional and physical health as well as their property value.



On the tenth anniversary of the attacks on 9/11, Scotch Plains unveiled a new memorial in the Alan M. Augestine Village Green on Park Avenue. More than 600 people came to the service to honor the three Scotch Plains families who lost loved ones during the attacks as well as all the other victims who left us on that Tuesday morning ten years ago.



October marked a landmark snow storm that unexpectedly blanketed the area leaving many without power.



Readers submit their own accounts and experiences during Hurricane Irene.