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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 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

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.

Union County’s COVID-19 Testing Program

The Freeholder Board informs all residents of upcoming dates and schedule changes for Union County’s COVID-19 testing program. The Union County Mobile Test Unit has scheduled additional visits to local communities to provide free COVID-19 saliva tests for residents during the month of December. No car is required. All sites are available on a walk-up basis.

Also, the Kean University COVID-19 Drive-In Testing site will operate Monday through Wednesday, 9am to 4pm during the weeks of December 21st and December 28th during the Holidays.

“Testing has been a cornerstone in our fight against COVID-19 and we encourage all Union County residents to use this free, convenient service,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Even if you have no symptoms of illness, it is important to get tested if you feel that you may have been exposed to the virus by someone else, or are at risk of exposing others.”

Any County resident can use any of the walk-up sites. Masks and social distance are required at all times.

The following municipalities are scheduled for December (note: the Mobile Test Unit will administer the saliva test at all of these locations):

  • Mountainside – December 8, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mountainside Fire Station, 210 New Providence Road
  • Plainfield – December 10, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Milt Campbell Field, East 3rd Street
  • Hillside – December 12, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Conant Park, 320 Conant Street
  • Rahway – December 15, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Friendship Baptist Church. 809  East Hazelwood Avenue
  • Fanwood – December 15, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fanwood Train Station, 256 South Avenue
  • Berkeley Heights – December 17, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Church of the Little Flower, 290 Plainfield Avenue

For more details and to view the most updated schedule online click here, or call 908-214-7107 for assistance.

The Mobile Test Unit is available on request to visit local communities to provide tests for the general public. The Mobile Test Unit also visits locations such as senior residence buildings to provide on-site testing for vulnerable populations and other groups.

Municipal governments, non-profit organizations and community groups can request a visit by calling the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881.

Residents are urged to continue observing precautions against spreading the virus, including wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance, and washing hands frequently.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, click here.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health.

Digital Marketing & Social Media Live Webinar

The Union County Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Downtown Cranford Business & Economic Development is presenting a free introductory workshop that addresses the basics of harnessing the power of digital, within the context of your organization’s marketing strategy. Digital marketing is an important part of your promotional mix, and social media platforms are valuable tools to use in your marketing communications strategy. In this workshop, we’ll cover:

  • Using your website to build a foundation for communicating content
  • Integrating digital marketing into your overall promotions
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Key aspects of popular social media platforms

You will gain a fundamental understanding of the core principles of digital marketing, and learn to balance digital techniques with traditional methods, for greater effectiveness.

  • When – December 8, 2020 6pm – 7:30pm
  • Where – Online.
  • Register – Click here. Once you register, a webinar link will be emailed to you prior to the event with instructions.
  • Cost – Free.
  • Registration Deadline – 12/8/20 5:30pm (EST)
  • More Information – Click here.

Linden Police “No Shave November” & “Nails for November” Raise $5K for Charity

Linden – Linden Police Chief David Hart joined Linden Police Benevolent Association Local #42 President Joseph Appello and Linden Police Superior Officers Association President Joseph Birch to announce that the Department raised $5,000 in its third annual “No Shave November” & “Nails for November” event.

“I continue to be overwhelmed at the popularity and success of this effort,” said Chief Hart. “More than half of the Department participated to raise money for this very worthy cause. I would like to thank each of them, especially Presidents Appello and Birch, for their incredible generosity.”

A donation in the amount of $5,000 was presented to Men’s Health Network (MHN), a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness and disease prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Learn more at menshealthnetwork.org

MHN Vice President Ana Tomšić, who received the donation on behalf of the organization, stated “Men’s Health Network thanks the Linden PBA Local 42, the Linden Police Superior Officers Association, and the Linden Police Department for their generous support in raising awareness of the important issue of men’s health this November. Especially with the current situation in our society as it is, there is plenty that we can do to help raise awareness and promote good health among our family, friends, and colleagues from afar. Keeping healthy means that communities (both personal and professional) will thrive for a long time.”

The Department will build on this success and continue their fund raising efforts by participating in “Double-Down December.” Grooming standards will continue to be relaxed through the end of the year for participants who make a second matching donation. Monies raised in Double-Down December will be dedicated to host a community event later in the month, and any remaining monies will be donated to St. Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth, NJ.

Members of the public are invited to participate. Checks or money orders made payable to Linden PBA Local 42, RE: DDC will be accepted at the Police desk any time during the month of November. A receipt will be given for each donation, but unfortunately CASH DONATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.  

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

Linden’s 2020 Santa Drive-By

Important Update: Due to weather, Santa’s schedule for Saturday December 12th has been moved to Sunday, December 13th.

Mayor Derek Armstead, The Mayor’s Youth Commission, Linden FMBA Locals 34 and 234 and the Linden Police Department invite Linden families to wave during Linden’s 2020 Santa Drive-By! Santa will be waving to Linden residents as he drives through the streets of Linden on Sunday, December 6th and Sunday December 13th at 11am. 

Routes were designed to maximize viewership while considering residents’ safety. Please remember to wear your mask and to adhere to social distancing practice while watching Santa pass your area. 

Santa’s Schedule Was Designed to Maximize Viewership