Water Main Break, Police Chase Through Four Towns — Top Union County Patch News This Week

An on Tuesday sent waves of water surging through neighborhood streets and causing in Scotch Plains, Fanwood and surrounding towns.

Crews removed the broken 18-foot length of the 48-inch water main on Tuesday and a . Water pressure was restored earlier, however, by rerouting service. Clean up and repair of local streets continues. Meanwhile, residents whose basements were flooded reported that both their home insurers and NJ American Water said they .

Elsewhere in the county:

A Plainfield, NJ man as the result of a police chase through Berkeley Heights, Watchung, Scotch Plains, and Plainfield. Desmond Pratt, 44, was charged with receiving stolen property, eluding a police officer, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Berkeley Heights Lt. Frank Fortunato.

A Scotch Plains business owner sparked controversy by commissioning a mural without obtaining signage approvals. Local residents are debating whether the mural is art or graffiti and if it will have a positive or negative effect on the downtown business district.

In Clark, the Bank to build a branch at the corner of Raritan Road and Westfield Avenue. The board heard testimony from three other witnesses for PNC at the Thursday night meeting – a project manager, a traffic expert and an architect. The board was most concerned with traffic and safety at the two entrances to the bank, one on Raritan Road and one on Westfield Avenue.

Two months being shut down, a popular in Cranford re-opened. The shop on the corner of Raritan Road and Walnut Avenue was because the shop had begun renovating the building without obtaining the proper permits. The business had to obtain the proper permits before construction resumed and inspections were done following the work.

Authorities recently charged a Belleville, NJ man with 3rd Degree Criminal Impersonating following his role in placing at least one illegal clothing donation bin in Berkeley Heights, said Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow.

A fire at a home on New Brook Lane in Springfield on Wednesday was placed under control within minutes of the fire department arriving thanks to help from the heavy rain in the area, fire officials said.

For Westfield couple Jamie and Aaron Wessner, their home-based business is all about the box—the rooftop box, that is. Several years ago when the Wessners and their infant daughter were leaving their one-bedroom apartment in Hoboken for vacation, the couple quickly realized all they needed to pack simply would not fit inside their Jetta.

Three individuals were honored as Stroke Heroes of New Jersey at in Summit on Wednesday afternoon.  The presentation was the first in a new, ongoing monthly program to honor individuals who have made a difference in the lives of those in the stroke community.