Crime & Safety

Union County Year in Review: The Year In Videos

As 2011 comes to an end, we're taking a look back at some of the events we captured on video throughout the year in Cranford.

 stood behind thick glass in a blue jumpsuit and entered a "not guilty" plea March 8 in the  of his longtime girlfriend Pamela Schmidt Parisio was standing before Superior Court Judge Joan Robinson Gross in his first court appearance since being charged Monday night with first-degree homicide in Schmidt's death. She was found in the basement of Parisio's parents' Greaves Place home.

March 29, 2011: Faculty Cinch Victory Over Students in Friday Bowl

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An annual competition between students and staff helped raise about $900 a year for the senior class.

May 23, 2011:

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Cancer survivors, along with the loved ones of those that battled the disease, circled the Relay For Life track in May at Hillside Avenue School in a show of soldiarity. Proceeds from this annual Cranford event will fund towards cancer research.

May 31, 2011: A Day To Thank and Honor

Cranford residents attended the annual Memorial Day Parade in May. The parade processed from Walnut Avenue to Memorial Park, marching passed cheering citizens fervently waving American flags. Notable participants included the Cranford Police Department, Fire Department, First Aid Squad, and numerous Boy and Girl Scout Troops.

June 9, 2011: Student Wins National Merit Award For Dance

It was a day to remember for many students, but for Cranford's Jennifer Fleissner, this one was extra special. After winning a state merit award two years ago in the Photography category, she now has furthered her accomplishments by winning  in the Dance category at the local, county and state level, as well as going on to win national honors as a merit winner of the National PTA Reflections Program.

July 5, 2011: Fourth of July Canoe Races

Cranford holds one of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in the area, hosting festivities all over town. The Cranford Canoe Club kicked off the day with the Annual Canoe Races for the residents. Patch caught up with the 1st and 2nd place winners of the 10 to 13 year old bracket following the exciting showdown.

July 6, 2011: Fireracker 4-miler, Fun Run and Festival

The Cranford Jaycees and Investors Savings Bank held their 32nd Annual Firecracker Four Mile Run at Nomahegan Park on a beautiful July Fourth morning. Prior to the Firecracker Four Miler, runners participated in the one mile Fun Run. Check out Patch's videos to see race footage and festival activities.

Aug. 2, 2011: Young Rockers Are On A Roll

Instructors from RMC Studios in Garwood teach young rockers how to play the drums, guitar, bass and keyboard during the Cranford Recreation Department's Rock 'N' Roll Summer Camp at the Community Center. During the week-long program, kids alternate between learning about instruments and playing games. At the end of the program, the budding musicians put on a concert for their instructors and parents.

Aug. 15, 2011: You've Never Seen Frisbee Played Quite Like This

There's frisbee, and then there's ultimate frisbee. And the latter is not for the faint of heart. While most people think of frisbee as a leisurely game to be played at a family barbecue or a relaxing day at the beach, the two co-ed groups of athletes that gathered in the field outside Orange Avenue School on a humid August day to prove that ultimate frisbee takes speed, agility, teamwork and quite a bit of coordination to master. That's what the Cranford Ultimate Frisbee League is all about.

Aug. 26, 2011: Boy Scouts Help Cranford Prepare for Hurricane Irene

Members of Boy Scout Troop 80 spent an afternoon filling sandbags to help residents in the flood-prone township in the days before Hurricane Irene devastated the township. Following the hurricane, the troop again came to the town's aid, distributing information packets to flood victims.

Sept. 11, 2011: Remembering 9/11 Through Ink and Images

Michael J. Rachel, a trucker and amateur photographer, describes what the Twin Towers mean to him and why he photographs the Freedom Tower as it rises.

Sept. 12, 2011: Ten Years Later, Cranford Remembers 9/11 With memorial Service.

Residents and families of Cranford's 9/11 victims gathered at the Sept. 11 memorial on Springfield Avenue on the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center to remember those who lost their lives. The children of the victims took part in the emotional ceremony, the end of which was marked withthe release of white balloons.

Dec. 3, 2011: Cranford Makes History With First Sectional Title

The Cranford Cougars dominated both sides of the ball in a 27-0 victory over Parsippany Hills, to win their first sectional title in early December.


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