WOODBRIDGE – The state is going to court to force a township company and its owner to comply with court orders dating to 2018 for illegal dumping and pay nearly $200,000 in penalties LLC and its owner William Spector have paid only $50,000 of the penalties According to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the company dumped unauthorized fill and illegal solid waste on the property at Pennval Road and Berry Street which contains freshwater wetlands freshwater wetlands transition areas and waterfront development areas On April 29 the DEP filed a motion in Middlesex County Superior Court against Spector-Woodbridge for allegedly failing to comply with court orders from 2018 which required the company to complete the removal of the illegally dumped fill and solid waste The work had been scheduled to be completed by Jan A second order in 2021 required the company to retain a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) to oversee the removal of contaminated fill material from the site and to complete the remediation of the property within 38 months and pay a $97,500 penalty More: Middlesex manufacturer will fight $240K NJ fine over air pollution, odor Court documents state little progress has been made toward removing the contaminated fill material and remediating the site more illegal solid waste has been dumped on the property "The threat to public health and safety and to the environment has not changed despite the (court orders)," court documents say Only $35,000 of the $100,000 penalty and $15,000 of the $97,500 penalty have been paid with the remaining balance overdue The DEP is seeking an order directing the company to "immediately take all steps necessary to comply with their outstanding obligations" under the consent orders and impose more monetary penalties for the continued failure to comply The DEP said the court may also want to consider other sanctions such as appointment of a receiver DEP investigators witnessed several loads of fill being deposited at the site during a June 17 DEP site inspections from 2005 and 2009 indicated the size of the fill area had grown Court papers indicated that over the years the fill included bricks in addition to box trailers and roll off containers filled with scrap tires and other waste debris Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime please subscribe or activate your digital account today – According to the Virginia Department of Transportation drivers in Woodbridge can expect some long-term changes and temporary traffic headaches as construction begins on major improvements at the I-95 Exit 160 interchange with Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard) The $76 million project aims to improve safety Among the most noticeable changes will be the removal of the current northbound Route 123 loop ramp to southbound I-95 Crews will also widen the southbound Route 123 ramp to I-95 from one to two lanes and add a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists between Annapolis Way and Devil’s Reach Road VDOT says drivers should expect daytime and overnight lane closures throughout construction Single-lane closures are already underway on Route 123 and southbound I-95 for clearing work and will continue for the next two weeks Sidewalks along Occoquan Road may also be closed with pedestrians directed to use posted detours A public “pardon our dust” meeting is planned for this summer Construction on the southbound I-95 bridge over Occoquan Road is expected to wrap up in late 2027 with the full interchange project set to be completed by late 2028 VDOT urges all travelers to be extra cautious in active work zones and to stay alert to changing traffic patterns. Updates are available at 511Virginia A tragic fentanyl overdose led to murder charges for two parents in Prince William County and public intoxication incidents in Stafford and PWC – Severe thunderstorms that swept through Stafford County on Monday with the hardest-hit areas now including Austin Ridge and Aquia Harbour – Republicans from across Prince William County gathered at Fox Chase Manor for their annual black-tie Lincoln Reagan Dinner drawing a record crowd and laying out their strategy ahead of the 2025 election cycle – A bank tenant inside a newly completed data center in Manassas has triggered a sweeping local tax exemption upending financial expectations and leaving city officials blindsided and Networking — Calling middle and high school students for FREE Educational Summer Programming LLT STEMpower Camp at Marymount University Read More Submit your own Community Post here Inspired by local physicians who were among the nation’s first to adopt the concierge medicine model Northern Virginia is now a hub for its surging popularity These leading physicians are redefining the patient experience with same-day appointments MD’s change to concierge medicine enabled focused attention for each individual and the launch of his innovative diet program for those with type 2 diabetes “The goal is to promote enough weight loss to reach an acceptable A1C of 6% with no medication,” he explains “Achieving that can take several months of very close follow up MD considers his patients quite literally as family “I believe there’s nothing more honorable than helping patients when they’re sick and I care for them exactly as I would my loved ones.” Whether for a specialist referral “My patients know I’m always just a phone call away.” Read More Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012 this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health This unique Convention truly has something Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Several disturbing messages found by a family member led to the arrest of a 20-year-old Northern Virginia man who allegedly raped a minor in Woodbridge Nicolas Alejandro Ponce was arrested over the weekend after officers launched an investigation into a reported sexual assault that occurred the previous weekend in the 13900 block of Mattapony Drive the Prince William County Police Department announced The investigation revealed that Ponce arranged transportation for the child to come to Woodbridge Investigators said that Ponce was familiar with the child and a family member recently discovered messages between the two before contacting the police Ponce was arrested and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery Bond information was unavailable for Ponce on Monday afternoon Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? 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Log in here By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy or sign up for a new account to continue reading We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content Please purchase a subscription to continue reading Your current subscription does not provide access to this content has died as a result of a two-car crash Thursday May 1 that closed down Dale Boulevard for several hours A 32-year-old Woodbridge woman has died as a result of a two-car crash Thursday night in Dale City that closed Dale Boulevard for several hours May 1 when a 2008 Honda Civic attempted to turn left from Dale Boulevard toward Barksdale Street and collided with a 2020 Honda Civic heading west on Dale Boulevard according to Master Police Officer Renee Carr had to be extricated from the car and was transported to an area hospital was treated at an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries a 23-year-old Woodbridge,remained at the scene and was not injured Speed appears to be a factor for the 2020 Honda Crash investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash to contact policeat 703-792-6500 Stay up-to-date on the best stories about life in Prince William County with The JAM - Your News In Just A Minute newsletter Digital and Print Subscription memberships available The future of Prince William Times now depends on community support Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: 2025) – A two-vehicle crash with injuries occurred on Tuesday morning on the New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound just north of Interchange 11 at the Garden State Pkwy in Woodbridge Township According to New Jersey State Police and emergency traffic reports and resulted in the blockage of the right shoulder of the roadway arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to secure the area and assist the victims At least one individual sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment Firefighters assisted in the extraction of the vehicles involved and helped clear debris from the roadway Authorities worked quickly to control traffic in the area and restore normal flow while the crash scene was investigated and cleared the identities of those involved have not been released and the cause of the collision remains under investigation by the New Jersey State Police Our thoughts are with the individuals who were injured in this crash We hope for their full recovery and healing in the days ahead is a densely populated area with significant traffic contributing to a notable number of car accidents Middlesex County recorded the highest number of traffic fatalities in New Jersey the state as a whole has seen a decline in traffic fatalities in recent years This decrease is attributed to improved law enforcement and public awareness campaigns targeting issues like impaired driving and exchange information with the other driver A personal injury attorney can assist by guiding you through the legal process and ensuring fair compensation for damages like medical bills and lost wages It’s essential to file a claim within two years of the accident in New Jersey your attorney can prepare to take your case to trial if necessary If you or someone close to you has been involved in a car accident in the area, our Woodbridge Township car accident attorney from Metro Law is ready to offer you effective legal representation We take pride in our dedication to defending our clients and the personalized approach we apply to every case always striving for the best possible outcome Contact Metro Law today at (800) 469-6476 to speak with one of our attorneys and schedule a consultation Our team is committed to supporting you every step of the way and fighting for your interests with all the necessary effort Brooklyn, NY (April 14, 2023) – On the afternoon of April 12, a serious car accident occurred in the... read more Monroe, NJ (November 11, 2022) – A truck driver was killed on Thursday, November 10th near Morgan Road in... read more Newark, NJ (January 25, 2023) – On early Tuesday morning, January 24, 2023, a motor vehicle was turned over... read more Morris Co, NJ (April 10, 2025) – A serious two-car crash occurred on Thursday evening in Morris County, leading... read more Stony Point, NY (March 28, 2023) – One person was seriously injured in a car accident reported Thursday, March... read more Bedminster, NJ (September 25, 2023) – A pedestrian identified as William Richardson lost his life after an accident that... read more Howell, NJ (February 16, 2023) – A traffic accident involving multiple vehicles occurred in Howell on Thursday afternoon, January... read more Queens, NY (December 2, 2024) – An injury SUV crash occurred on December 2 in Sunnyside, Queens, following a... read more Queens, NY (December 7, 2023) – A major car crash happened in Queens on December 7. At least one... read more Notes: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified If you identify any false information in the story or want the post removed and we will correct the information or remove the post Disclaimer: As a member of the local community we at Metro Law strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state We are extremely saddened by these accidents We hope awareness of these dangers allows our community to take precautions and avoid these accidents This information is not medical or legal advice We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident The photos depicted in this post are not from the actual accident scene Construction is underway on improvements at the I-95 Exit 160 interchange at Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard) to improve safety operations and bicyclist/pedestrian mobility and connectivity Single-lane closures are now occurring on Route 123 and southbound I-95 for clearing and grubbing activities; these single-lane closures are scheduled to occur for another two weeks A “pardon our dust” meeting regarding project construction is planned this summer The project’s construction along southbound I-95 is scheduled for completion in late 2027; the entire interchange improvements project is scheduled for completion in late 2028 bicyclists and pedestrians are reminded to use caution when traveling in active work zones Be alert to new traffic patterns and limit distractions or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today. Midway through the seventh and final round of the NFL Draft April 26 The Los Angeles Chargers wanted to sign the former Freedom-Woodbridge standout as an undrafted rookie free agent “Yes” – as if there was any other possible response introductions with his future employer came fast Los Angeles’ defensive line coach Mike Elston texted Fuga to welcome him to the organization and then told him he would follow up after the draft No more than a minute after the final selection was made Except he had two unexpected people with him: assistant defensive line coach Will Tukuafu and head coach Jim Harbaugh Fuga asked Elston if he could put him on speakerphone when he called back Elston suggested connecting through FaceTime at a draft party with about 25 people at a family friend’s house in Stafford County the national champion coach at Michigan and the Super Bowl coach with the San Francisco 49ers Didn’t he have something bigger to do at that moment than talk to an undrafted rookie free agent The Chargers were thrilled to bring in him all three coaches praised the way Fuga played And although he started only 16 games over five full seasons as a Virginia Tech defensive lineman Fuga still played plenty and was productive when he got on the field he finished with 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks The Chargers noticed all these attributes early on the New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins followed Fuga as well a Chargers’ scout told Fuga they liked him the Chargers even sent Fuga a long-sleeved shirt with the team logo on it two days before the start of the draft April 24 Fuga didn’t know any of those items were coming A Chargers’ employee called to ask him for his address Fuga did check the area code beforehand via a Google search to see where the call came from Los Angeles was the only NFL team to send him anything Although he had the option of going into the transfer portal during his time at Virginia Tech Fuga said he remained committed to the Hokies for his entire football career “My parents always taught me and my brother: Finish what you started,” Fuga said He was looking at taking online classes to become a real estate agent With his undergraduate degree in criminology he also considered training to become a SWAT team member Next up is Chargers’ rookie mini-camp May 9-11 Fuga was one of 18 free-agent signings by Los Angeles Fuga has been to California only once before and that was on a layover to Hawaii Any uncertainty about his pro football future disappeared This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area A 32-year-old woman was killed in a two-car crash in Woodbridge that may have been caused by a speeding driver Prince William County Police are investigating the fatal crash at the intersection of Dale Boulevard and Barksdale Street when the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic attempted a left turn and was struck by a 2020 Honda Civic headed the opposite direction was in the passenger seat of the 2008 Honda and had to be extricated from the vehicle “Speed appears to be a factor for the 2020 Honda,” investigators said The crash happened under a flashing amber traffic signal Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Prince William County Police WOODBRIDGE – Police are continuing to investigate a crash this weekend on the New Jersey Turnpike that left a 67-year-old Monmouth County man dead New Jersey State Troopers responded shortly before 3:50 a.m Saturday to the crash on the southbound inner roadway at milepost 94.6 An investigation indicates a Chevrolet Malibu and a Mazda CX-5 were traveling southbound when the Mazda struck the rear of the Chevrolet causing both vehicles to veer off the roadway to the right The two vehicles then became disabled in the travel lanes a Toyota Sienna stopped near the scene to render aid collided with the disabled Chevrolet and the parked Toyota causing the Toyota to then collide with the disabled Mazda email: cmakin@gannettnj.com Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin Details: cache-fra-eddf8230047-FRA 1746504148 3903399246 News 12 New YorkWhere to WatchDownload the AppNJ Transit Rail StrikeCar collides with train in Woodbridge The SUV involved had its airbags deployed.News 12 Staff WOODBRIDGE – Just weeks after the state Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife removed more than two dozen animals from the troubled zoo and aquarium at Woodbridge Center SeaQuest at 250 Woodbridge Center Drive is now called Woodbridge Aquarium and Wildlife Center Mayor John McCormac said the name change is part of a bankruptcy reorganization LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2024 reporting less than $1 million in assets but over $10 million in liabilities Jeffrey Cox is the sole manager and member of Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center SeaQuest Woodbridge's incorporating documents list Noveen Capital as one of two governors of SeaQuest Woodbridge and identify Cox as the president of Noveen Capital Cox personally lent more than a million dollars to SeaQuest Holdings before its bankruptcy filing and used that debt to purchase SeaQuest Woodbridge for Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center "Jeffrey Cox has more ties to SeaQuest than he has in his closet and between his lack of animal-care experience and his refusal to commit to minimal animal welfare protections prior to the sale in bankruptcy animal suffering and death are sure to continue with him at the helm no matter what name is on the outside of the building PETA will continue to push for these outfits to be shut down and the animals to be released to reputable facilities," said Brittany Peet PETA Foundation general counsel for captive animal law enforcement Cox has not yet responded to an email sent to him at Noveen Capital in Idaho More: ‘Profit-driven, exploitive hellhole’: Records show 100 animals dead at SeaQuest Woodbridge The new website states the facility offers an opportunity to discover hundreds of different mammals reptiles and marine life from around the planet along with interactive experiences such as snorkeling with stingrays sharks and tropical fish and small group field trips The rebranding comes at a time when the township has introduced an animal control ordinance that calls for the town to no longer be responsible for farm animals at the facility because the state and federal governments have jurisdiction "So it does not need to be duplicated by us," McCormac said Early last month 25 animals regulated by the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act and the Exotic and Nongame Wildlife Regulations were removed from the SeaQuest Woodbridge facility by state officials The removal came weeks after the state began the process of revoking the facility's permits due to receiving more than 3,500 complaints about permit violations at the facility since 2019 Other animals not covered by the permits remain at the Woodbridge facility McCormac said the township doesn't have the expertise to inspect or evaluate the treatment of farm animals He said one inspection made by the township costs taxpayer dollars to hire an outside veterinarian which he said was a duplication of government efforts He said years ago the township received complaints about farm animals in homes so an ordinance was approved to ensure a proper quality of life for neighbors near homes with farm animals "We didn't realize it would apply to a place like SeaQuest which was never our intention," the mayor said "We're just getting out of the business we had no business being in." have often called for the township to do more about the conditions of animals at the facility The ordinance introduced at the April 1 Township Council meeting calls for no person to maintain keep or harbor on the interior or exterior of a residential premises in town any cattle chickens or similar non-domesticated animals or fowl excluding pigeons without first obtaining all necessary licenses required by any state or federal department or agency The township shall have no enforcement authority over the failure to obtain any required license as jurisdiction lies with the appropriate state or federal department or agency the township's Department of Health and Human Services may consider and review requests for a special permit waiving the permit holder from compliance but no permit shall be issued until it has been determined upon inspection and review that the premises are suitable for housing animals A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for the Township Council's April 22 meeting a Facebook group that has protested the alleged animal abuse at the Woodbridge facility plan to attend the meeting and hold a protest 1 to 3 p.m April 12 in front of Woodbridge Town Hall to raise awareness about the facility's name change and the owner's ties to SeaQuest WOODBRIDGE – A drive-thru window for mobile orders will be coming to the Wawa on King Georges Road The convenience store and gas station at 440 King Georges Road will join less than a handful of Wawa locations to offer drive-thru service Last week the township Planning Board adopted a resolution that memorialized the decision granting Wawa preliminary and final major site plan approval along with bulk variance for the project The Board approved plans to install a mobile order pickup window along with some site improvements such as signage More: Bojangles southern chicken restaurant set to open first NJ location this month The Board granted bulk variances and design waivers related to screening along the existing parking area adjacent to King Georges Road when 5 feet is required; providing no loading area screening when screening by a solid fence or evergreen shrubs at least 6 feet high is required; and providing no drive-thru facilities screening April 26th from 10am to 5pm in Woodbridge Town Center for our Woodbridge Earth Day celebration Hosted by the Woodbridge Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee and the Town of Woodbridge this event promises a variety of different activities and attractions suitable for all ages The event kicks off with a 10 am welcome by our First Selectmen Mica Cardozo Get ready for all different ways to make your life greener finding at least one new thing they can do to help celebrate the Earth Use the month of April for some Spring Cleaning so you’ll be ready for Woodbridge Earth Day Ready your old or broken items for Repairing Check the value of your treasures with our What’s It Worth station for a verbal appraisal Check out the Clothing Freecycle in the Center Gym– you can donate clothes the week before and pick up some New to You clothes from our clothing Freecycle from 10am-2:30pm Try some local tasty treats at the food trucks and relax with a drink while listening to our local musicians on the Town Green while enjoying a local drink at the Wine & Beer Garden Don’t miss being entertained and amazed by Cyril the Sorcerer He will teach the magical secrets that people of all ages can use to be heroes for the planet Educational Exhibits will take place across the Woodbridge Town Center and Green/Library area Browse the exhibit and vendor tables to learn about solar panels Say hi to our local farmers at the Farmer Fair and learn about their specialties Check out the Woodbridge Center’s Tag sale to see what second hand items you may want to take home instead of buying new Bring some of your seeds from home in a well labeled envelope for the seed exchange and add to your garden this spring or check out the Plant Swap Don’t forget the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale and come see what the best ways to save gas with our EV Car Show And if you found old outdated medications in your medicine cabinet during your Spring Cleaning- you can drop them off at the Police Station for the Drug Drop Off Looking to learn more about our local trails and natural resources Sign up for a Trail Walk or Tour with the local Trail Stewards of Woodbridge and Bethany Or sign up for Rid Litter Community Clean Up– and pick an area that you can tidy up on Sunday 4/27 If you have items for Extended Recycling- we will have donation/recycling trucks for secure electronics recycling with Take2 Recycling Paper Shredding with Shred Source and Textile recycling with Baystate Textiles as well as Mattress Recycling on Saturday 5/3/25 at the Woodbridge Transfer station 9am-12pm We are so excited to be hosting this great event and encouraging all to respect and engage with our local resources Visit www.WoodbridgeEarthDay.org to sign up for the Tag sale a FREE T’ai-Chi class on the Town Green led by local wellness guru Bill Banick. Rid Litter Community Clean Up or as a volunteer or sponsor Help us encourage shopping local all month long by checking out the deals our local businesses are offering if you mention Woodbridge Earth Day neighbors and sponsors for helping us to organize this community event Please email: woodbridgeearthday@gmail.com Please remember to: a) Pack and bring all your items to donate b) Bring your own reusable containers for food/drink c) Minimize your day of trash and recycling and bring what you can back with you d) Observe the trash/recycling/food scraps signs and ask a volunteer if you have any questions about what you can recycle This is an opinion not necessarily endorsed by the Woodbridge Town News The Woodbridge Town News is focused on local, community Woodbridge, CT and Bethany, CT news. We encourage our readers to support their local businesses and their local news source by submitting interesting town and local announcements and happenings. We also love hearing From Our Readers The Woodbridge Town News provides insight into the Town’s Education, Local Business, Clubs & Organizations, Town Departments, Houses of Worship, Sports, Arts & Leisure, Library Events, Senior Center and more Submit your letters for our From Our Readers section via our contact form, email your letter to: letters@woodbridgetownnews.com Please include your email or a daytime phone number in case we have any questions Letters must be exclusive to the Woodbridge Town News for publication We use cookies to improve your experience on our site One person was killed and another sent to the hospital after police shot a man armed with a knife Saturday morning at the Westminster at Lake Ridge senior living home in Woodbridge Prince William County Police Chief Peter Newsham detailed during a news conference that officers were called to a privately-owned apartment at the senior living community just before 10 a.m for a man in distress who was armed with a knife and wanted to harm himself two responding officers were confronted by the man who proceeded to lunge at officers with a knife after disregarding orders to cease Officers discharged their firearms during the initial confrontation officers fired again after Cassell began stabbing a 91-year-old woman who lived inside the apartment Preliminary findings later revealed she was Cassell’s grandmother The man was pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving measures were administered by officers who sustained stab wounds and a gunshot wound She remains in stable but serious condition A second woman was found inside the apartment but she didn’t sustain any injuries The responding officers weren’t injured “This is tragic,” Newsham told reporters during a press briefing for the mother of this 26-year-old who lost his life And then we also have two officers involved and the last thing in the world that these officers wanted to do when they came to work today was be in this type of an incident.” Newsham said it remains unclear how many bullets were fired during the confrontation and that an investigation would be overseen by the regional Critical Incident Response Team A full report would be released to the public in the future The police chief said that no calls had been made to the Prince William Police Department about the pair prior to the Saturday shooting Both officers — one described as a veteran and the other with 18 months on the job — will be placed on routine administrative leave for the duration of the investigation Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here Gaby comes to WTOP from Sputnik News where she spent the last eight years working her way up from social media manager to writer WOODBRIDGE – The township's three high schools will be getting metal detectors this school year following last week's incident in which a Woodbridge High School student was arrested with a loaded gun Superintendent of Schools Joseph Massimino notified parents of the plan in a letter last week The metal detectors will be installed at Woodbridge High School "In light of the recent incident at Woodbridge High School our district will not be waiting until next school year to implement this resource Our school district has already placed an order for delivery where they will be immediately deployed to each of our three high schools," Massimino said in his March 19 letter The letter makes no mention of using metal detectors at any other of the district schools Massimino has not responded to a request for comment including information about the cost of the metal detectors More: State of Woodbridge in 2025: More broadband, recreation and abandoned properties in focus Woodbridge joins several Middlesex County school districts to implement metal detectors Sayreville has them at the high and middle schools while the upper elementary and elementary schools and administrative offices uses them to screen visitors Perth Amboy High School installed metal detectors and added armed security guards at all schools two years ago following the stabbing of an 11-year-old student on his way home from school Metal detectors are also used at New Brunswick high and middle schools According to the National Center for Educational Statistics the most recent year for which statistics are available 4.7 percent of public schools and 6.2 percent of public high schools have daily metal detector checks of students Massimino said the district's coordinator of safety along with building administrators and security personnel will be meeting to discuss logistics so that a plan can be shared with the community prior to the metal detectors’ implementation He anticipates the metal detectors will be delivered in the upcoming weeks and principals from each high school will be reaching out to parents with their building-specific protocols More: School bus safety bill focused on special education students clears NJ Senate I share your frustration in the need to have a weapon detection system in our schools also recognize that student and staff safety must remain our top priority and we are willing to take whatever steps are necessary," Massimino stated A 17-year-old Woodbridge High School student was arrested March 18 at school with a loaded ghost gun The student has been charged with acts of juvenile delinquency for offenses which if committed by an adult would constitute unlawful possession of a firearm possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose possession of a firearm on school property according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office The arrest stems from an incident the night before when another Woodbridge student received threating text messages from a classmate and then reported the incident to school administrators the next morning School administrators conducted a brief investigation during which the 17-year-old’s belongings were searched and a loaded gun was found in his possession Woodbridge police then confiscated the weapon and took the teen into custody Massimino said the Board of Education initially talked about the feasibility of using metal detectors after successfully using them for athletic and co-curricular events at district schools this year "We have met with vendors to review products visited other districts to observe their procedures and researched items for both efficiency and cost," Massimino stated adding the district had originally planned to allocate funding for the project in the 2025-26 school year starting in July WOODBRIDGE – Trader Joe's is coming to town Mayor John McCormac announced the popular grocery store will be coming to the site of the former Bed Bath & Beyond on Route 1 southbound across from Woodbridge Center The announcement came in the mayor’s State of the Township address Thursday delivered before the Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce "The most sought-after American-owned and operated grocery store is finally coming to Woodbridge after we beat out all of our neighboring towns that have been competing to attract it we are talking about Trader Joe’s," McCormac said The mayor said he saved the best news in his address for last noting there have been constant requests for Trader Joe's to come to Woodbridge No date was announced for when the store would open There are already Central Jersey Trader Joe's locations in Bridgewater The mayor said Woodbridge Center also will see activity this year More: Future of Woodbridge Center mall uncertain, but anchor store wants to be part of it who has served as the township's mayor since 2007 announced that the Lord & Taylor land and building at Woodbridge Center which like Macy's is owned independently of the mall ownership which will bring several hundred employees to the site has struggled due to competition from online retailers The mall’s mortgage was purchased by a Wall Street investment firm which then foreclosed on the property and hired Spinoso Real Estate to manage the mall adding the owners have committed to keeping the retail theme and are working with Spinoso to attract additional tenants "A new state law allows a municipality to create four new liquor licenses to be used on the site of large malls and we committed to do just that hoping that four new entertainment-themed restaurants will become mall tenants," the mayor said adding his disdain for any apartments or warehouses on the site other than market rate senior housing and for-sale ownership units More: State removes two dozen animals from embattled zoo in Woodbridge. What's next? McCormac cited nine other projects that are expected to see progress this year and provide PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) revenue to the town He said a nearly one million square foot warehouse space in the Keasbey section along the Raritan River and on the Perth Amboy border will provide $97 million in tax payments over 30 years A warehouse project off Smith Street in Keasbey will provide $34 million and a predominantly senior living project in MetroPark is set to provide $43 million The Cloverleaf Center at the corner of Routes 1 and 35 will have a Sprout’s Organic Farmer’s Market and Sketchers footwear as anchor tenants The project is expected to provide $26 million to the town A residential complex and new restaurant on Fulton Street off Main Street is slated to provide $26 million; a new Cambria hotel on Route 1 South in Avenel will generate $9 million; and a new restaurant and 38 residential units is expected to provide $5 million on the Vito Mazza site on Main Street after that business relocates to the Avenue and Green complex a small warehouse on Martin Street in Avenel will replace a junkyard which will provide $6 million; and a 17-unit residential complex of much needed market rate senior housing in Menlo Park Terrace is expected to bring $2 million McCormac said there are several smaller projects in the pipeline for this year and next including Angelina’s Kitchen on upper Main Street which is scheduled to open soon; 60 units of veterans housing next to The Greens at Avenel on Rahway Avenue; a new Dolce Restaurant in Fords with rooftop dining; self-storage facility at the former site of the Woodbridge Bowling Center on Main Street; new Tim Horton’s Coffee House on Inman Avenue in Colonia on the former Wells Fargo Bank site and a new restaurant to replace Curtains next to the Avenel Performing Arts Center Also coming is a car assembly operation for Rivian on Route 1 South in Iselin at the former Sports Authority site where electric vehicles will be serviced and distributed; a restaurant called Violette’s modeled after Violette’s Cellar in Staten Island with a high-end Italian and contemporary American theme across from Town Hall underneath the Modera complex and Wonder which sells prepared meals in multiple cuisines from different popular restaurants at the corner of Rahway Avenue and Green Street which was recently rated the second best in the state by NJ Monthly is considering another restaurant next door at 104 Main St This New Jersey store opening is one of 21 new locations scheduled to open across 13 states Trader Joe’s currently operates 581 stores in 42 states which makes the shopping experience more enjoyable They have self-checkouts,which can make a normally busy experience turn into a more efficient way of grocery shopping They carry only products under the Trader Joe’s label Trader Joe’s saves money and passes it on to the consumer by buying in bulk and trimming the distribution costs Instead of many trucks delivering products and vying for an end-aisle display it is all Trader Joe’s delivered in their trucks and the same brands under the Trader Joe’s umbrella While consumers tested the waters of purchasing weekly or monthly groceries online the result is that many of those consumers are coming back to brick-and-mortar grocery stores Walmart and Target have expanded their grocery buying experience at quite a few of their stores across the country New Jersey is the new location for Trader Joe’s right on busy US Route 1 It will be easily accessible and close to surrounding Woodbridge neighborhoods I have a feeling there are more Trader Joe’s coming here to New Jersey Gallery Credit: Mike Brant the eclectic grocery store chain announced that it will be opening New Jersey’s 20th store sometime in 2025 Read More But you'll need over $120,000 to live here Tankersley/For The Washington Post via Getty Images 2025 at 4:01 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Here's where Easter dining specials and reservations are available around Woodbridge VA — If you want Easter brunch and don’t want to cook it several Woodbridge restaurants will open Sunday Here are a few of them from the online reservation service OpenTable and other sources: If you know of any other Woodbridge restaurants offering specials or dining reservations it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure the chain locations near you are open Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. words: For the past several months, rumors circulated regarding Constellation Brands’ potential plans to exit the wine industry as the company continues to see the majority of its success in its Mexican beer brands On Wednesday, the Rochester, N.Y.-based brand confirmed these rumors, announcing an agreement to sell a major portion of its wine portfolio to Livermore The deal is expected to close following the end of Constellation’s first quarter in fiscal year 2026 Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed and the agreement is subject to regulatory review The labels The Wine Group are set to acquire include Woodbridge, Meiomi, Robert Mondavi Private Selection the cumulative production of which totals 12 million cases Constellation will maintain control of Mount Veeder Winery and Robert Mondavi Winery (not to be confused with Robert Mondavi Private Selection) indicating a shift in the company’s focus away from mainstream brands and more toward the high-end following the consumer trend toward premiumization “This transaction reflects our multi-year strategy to reconfigure our business resulting in a portfolio of higher-end wine and craft spirits brands that are aligned to evolving consumer preferences and help bolster our competitive position,” Constellation Brands president and CEO Bill Newlands said in a press release “Concentrating our wine and spirits portfolio in higher-growth segments remains an important element of our overall business strategy and complements our higher-end beer portfolio aiming to ensure we continue to participate in more consumer occasions across beer The Wine Group is the second largest wine supplier in America, representing over 120 brands including labels like Benziger, Cupcake, and Franzia and this acquisition is poised to even further its domination of the entry-level wine market “We’re thrilled to enter into an agreement with Constellation to acquire these highly regarded brands and assets,” John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group said in a statement “As one of the world’s largest wine producers The Wine Group is proud of our more than 40-year legacy of providing some of the world’s most beloved wine brands with exceptional operational excellence The addition of these assets will build on our commitment to being a consumer-led company delivering a diversified portfolio that offers consumers exceptional taste Constellation timed this announcement with its fiscal year and fourth quarter 2025 earnings report which also includes an outlook for the upcoming four years the company projects that these divestitures will generate $900 million in proceeds in fiscal year 2026 and $200 million in net annualized cost savings by fiscal year 2028 This story is a part of VP Pro, our free content platform and newsletter for the drinks industry, covering wine, beer, and liquor — and beyond. Sign up for VP Pro now! Population growth is far from even across the United States with certain communities emerging as magnets for new residents today’s growth patterns reflect more than just birth and immigration rates They tell a deeper story—one of affordability Among the cities making headlines is Woodbridge which has seen a remarkable surge in population over the past decade According to new research from StorageCafe (a nationwide self-storage search website) Woodbridge ranks second in the nation for population growth posting an astonishing 860% increase between 2014 and 2023 That makes it the only East Coast city among the top-ranked communities for growth what’s drawing people to this corner of Prince William County Woodbridge’s location is certainly a factor and Arlington makes it an attractive option for those seeking access to major job markets and urban amenities—without the hefty price tag while D.C.’s average home price hovers around $601,000 Woodbridge remains more accessible with an average home price of $488,000 Woodbridge has expanded its housing stock significantly—growing sevenfold between 2013 and 2022 This thoughtful development supports a community where families can thrive and newcomers can find welcoming neighborhoods also considered factors like housing affordability As people adjust to new living situations—whether it’s a career move or lifestyle shift—communities like Woodbridge are ready with both the space and the spirit to welcome them While most high-growth cities are found in the South and West Woodbridge’s rise highlights Northern Virginia’s growing appeal Woodbridge is proving that growth and livability can go hand in hand To learn more about StorageCafe’s research or explore local housing trends, visit storagecafe.com WOODBRIDGE – The community is welcoming more than just new businesses to the township this year Residents should expect to see some new internet competition recreation improvements and abandoned properties returned to productive uses While last week's announcement by Mayor John McCormac that a Trader Joe's will be coming to town generated lots of enthusiasm his State of the Township address provided other good news McCormac said one of the biggest concerns raised by residents over the past 20 years has been the lack of competition among cable companies for phone "Fortunately two new options are in the works to bring this competition Verizon has already begun a new project to invest in Woodbridge by building the infrastructure necessary to bring FIOS to the township," McCormac said "Optimum had applied for permits to build 10 sites to house their fiber-only infrastructure for yet another option for our consumers," the mayor said "Both will be up and running in some sections of town later this year with expectations of full wiring within three years." McCormac said he is also looking to have abandoned commercial properties like Jammer's bar on Route 35 in the Avenel section and Liberty Tavern in Fords come back into productive use He said the state has begun design on a new Cutters Dock Bridge into the Pennval site but the project still has a four-year timeframe and Middlesex County has approved a new traffic light at West Avenue and Milos Way in Port Reading to make traveling on the roads safer The township remains interested in a health care use for the former Premier Die Casting site on Rahway Avenue in the Avenel section Recreational enhancements also are expected this year the Pine Barrens Pond on Industrial Road in the Keasbey section which underwent an environmental remediation The pond is near the Woodbridge Wetlands Park which is under review by state and federal agencies before it can open this year The town is also hoping to start construction this year on a new larger dog park behind the existing in the Sewaren section while providing additional parking on the existing dog park site And Middlesex County is funding a new bridge from the township's property across Smith's Creek to the county-owned Alvin P Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight The Babylon Cafe in Woodbridge was the site of a shooting that left two people injured on April 13 The nightclub has seen previous violent incidents in recent years Two people were shot over the weekend outside a nightclub in Woodbridge and police are still searching for a suspect One man was shot and another injured during a shooting over the weekend outside a nightclub in Woodbridge Police determined that a fight in the parking lot led to gunfire a Prince William County Police Department spokesperson Officers located a 42-year-old man with non-life-threatening injuries at the scene due to the fight was taken to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his arm Both men were uncooperative with police regarding the suspect or suspects involved and what led to the shootings Several vehicles and the business were also struck by gunfire Police are looking for a Black male wearing a white T-shirt and operating a Harley-style motorcycle in connection with the incident In 2021, the Babylon Café’s live-entertainment permit was suspended in response to a fatal shooting there that killed a U.S Marine as well as previous serious incidents that occurred outside the nightclub CORRECTION: This story has been updated to note that only one person suffered gunshot wounds in the shooting The other man was hurt in a fight that preceded the shooting The Prince William Times regrets the error Want to stay up to date on the best stories out of Prince William County? Sign up for the Prince William Times’ newly revamped daily newsletter, The JAM, online here UPDATED: A Woodbridge man was formally charged Monday with second-degree murder in connectio… The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching represent the nation’s highest honor for teachers in STEM Granted every other year to secondary school educators the prize is awarded to one teacher per state in math and another in science The White House recognizes these outstanding educators for their passion Woodbridge High School mathematics instructor Kristie Donavan having been named a finalist in 2021 and 2023 Donavan also won the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) Teacher of the Year award for 2023-24 Little surprise that an IUSD teacher would take the nation’s most prestigious prize Irvine consistently ranks number one in California in science mathematics and English language arts/literacy for public school districts with 35,000 or more students It outperforms county and state test score averages and has done so since the launch of California’s assessment board in 2015 Donavan says these rankings reflect Irvine’s commitment to attracting and growing strong talent “Irvine excels in supporting our teachers,” Donavan says “We focus on our instructional strategies and try out new ideas in our classrooms as well as attract teachers who find joy in teaching A supportive administration creates an environment for both teachers and students to thrive.” The award reinforces the effectiveness of Donavan’s teaching practices which include creating a collaborative and hands-on environment encouraging “productive struggle,” modeling joyful curiosity and demonstrating how math can be practical as well as beautiful Donavan uses all four classroom walls (including two walls of windows) as white boards you’ll see students working together in groups standing at white boards around the classroom,” she says collaboration and discourse is incredible.” Encouraging students to persevere through problems allows them to own their successes “My goal is to set up my classroom so students are doing the heavy lifting,” she says “I set everything in motion so they will be successful in building their understanding I call myself the ‘puppet master.’ I’m pulling all the strings We focus on our instructional strategies and try out new ideas in our classrooms A supportive administration creates an environment for both teachers and students to thrive.” This approach pays dividends when Donavan teaches complex concepts like polar functions as well as patterns and designs that can be represented with calculus Donavan conveys the beauty and practicality of mathematics to her students “When I first started teaching polar functions I had to figure out what makes this equation relevant,” she says And how can I show that to my students?” (Hint: One answer is the Spirograph.) Today Donavan splits her time teaching AP Calculus and working in the district office supporting math teachers throughout IUSD by offering innovative ideas about effective strategies “We’re looking for more than just teachers when filling faculty positions not only with their students but with their colleagues.” Donavan might be Irvine’s best example yet Subscribe to get the latest stories and community news from Irvine Standard delivered straight to your inbox Irvine Valley College’s Arts Village has improved how students learn and create in the arts Four Irvine Unified schools were named 2025 California Distinguished Schools the state’s highest honor for public campuses Irvine student musicians take center stage at the 41st annual Donald Bren Honors Concert Samuel Parigela has accomplished more in his youth than most manage in a lifetime WOODBRIDGE - The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has notified SeaQuest a zoo and aquarium in the Woodbridge Center Mall that the state has begun the process of revoking the facility's permits due to continued violations 31 letter from the DEP to Dennis Ferreira at SeaQuest Woodbridge the facility was notified that the exotic and nongame animal exhibitor permit and the exotic and nongame endangered species permit are being revoked for violating the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) the Woodbridge facility is prohibited from transferring any animals regulated by the permits to other locations and from allowing dangerous and stressful hands-on public encounters with the animals The DEP orders apply to SeaQuest's amphibians Jessica Mayer of the Avenel section of the township told Township Council members at last week's meeting that New Jersey Fish and Wildlife will be seizing the animals unless SeaQuest files an appeal Once termination of the permits is complete SeaQuest will be unable to exhibit the regulated animals and the state could seize the animals SeaQuest has not responded to an email request for comment Mayer told the Council that the exotic animal permits do not apply to the farm permit that the township's health department authorized for SeaQuest or for domestic animals such as cats She asked the township to revoke the farm permit so the domesticated animals can be released to sanctuaries Mayer also asked the township to make sure SeaQuest fully complies with DEP orders and local ordinances and that the welfare of the animals is monitored A Change.org petition calls for the Council to pass an animal welfare ordinance which would prohibit the establishment of petting zoos or similar venues with public interaction with farm The ordinance also would require existing facilities to stop operating within 90 days of the ordinance's passage The ordinance would exempt accredited animal welfare organizations research institutions and traditional farming operations Violators could face fines of up to $2,000 a day Township officials have not responded to a request for comment New Jersey animal activists protested the aquarium when it first applied to open in Woodbridge and have continued to protest since the DEP's 15-page order cites more than 3,500 complaints against SeaQuest Woodbridge from members of the public and former employees as well as violations of animal welfare regulations — including infectious diseases running rampant through the facility improper conditions in animals’ habitats that led to illnesses and deaths animals crammed into enclosures that were far too small sick animals apparently denied veterinary care New Jersey state records uncovered by PETA reveal that nearly 100 animals have died at SeaQuest Woodbridge in the past five years — including a baby sloth who died less than a month after arriving at the facility and other animals held at SeaQuest Woodbridge will get a small measure of relief from being poked and harassed by the public but they’re still suffering in SeaQuest’s filthy tanks and shoddy cages,” said Brittany Peet PETA Foundation's general counsel for captive animal law enforcement “PETA urges SeaQuest to send the surviving animals to reputable facilities and PETA encourages everyone to stay far away from this dangerous and incompetent hellhole.” LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December reporting less than $1 million in assets but more than $10 million in liabilities And one of them is the Woodbridge Center Mall the Lord & Taylor building at the mall will become a bio-lab testing site Woodbridge Township plans to create four new liquor licenses for sale at the mall in the hopes that four new entertainment-themed restaurants will open at the mall "The most important project on the drawing board remains Woodbridge Center has struggled recently," McCormac said Thursday As previously reported, the ailing mall's mortgage was purchased last year (at "a liquidation price") by a Wall Street investment firm which then foreclosed on the property and hired Spinoso Real Estate which specializes in filling mall retail vacancies Spinoso is currently looking for business tenants to open at Woodbridge Center The Township hopes to sweeten the pot by adding four new liquor licenses for sale "The owners have committed to keeping the retail theme of the site and they are currently working with Spinoso to attract additional tenants," said McCormac hoping that four new entertainment-themed restaurants will become mall tenants." "It is important to note that we expressed our disdain for any apartments or warehouses on the site other than market-rate senior housing and for-sale ownership units," he added Thursday the vacant Lord & Taylor land and building (which is owned independently of the mall ownership) Accu-Reference Labs plans to open there and will hire "several hundred employees in high-paying jobs to the site," said the mayor Woodbridge Center Mall Sold To Mystery Buyer At 'Liquidation' Price (April 2024) Bondholders Lose $155 Million in Sale of New Jersey’s Woodbridge Center Mall (March 2024 CoStar report) Woodbridge Center Mall Listed For Sale, Contract Negotiations Underway (Feb McCormac also listed other businesses that will happen in Woodbridge in 2025: Other projects in the pipeline for this year and 2026: McCormac also listed what opened in 2024 in Woodbridge: Get great local news. Sign up to get Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. is pleased to announce the acquisition of its client Connecticut is a well-recognized and preferred supplier of pre-owned printing presses and binding equipment MKM primarily supplies the packaging industry and select large commercial printers in North America but has one of the largest databases of world-wide buyers accumulated over 36 years “After more than three decades of building MKM into the industry’s trusted source for premium equipment the time is right to bring in leadership that can take MKM to new heights,” said founder Mark Marino LLC plays a critical role in middle market transactions – providing current owners with tailored succession solutions Woodbridge’s ground-breaking approach to marketing a company globally has transformed the way the sell-side M&A industry does business For more information, contact Don Krier, dkrier@woodbridgegrp.com