The Most-Read August Caldwells Patch Stories

Exxon Strong-Arm Robbery Victim Hospitalized

A gas station attendant is in the hospital after he was apparently struck in the head during a robbery at the Exxon gas station Aug. 13 in Caldwell.

The  at 226 Bloomfield Ave. was robbed of almost $1,200 at approximately 4 p.m., according to police. 

Thisof the assailant.

Car Crash Sends Teens to Hospital

Caldwell Police are investigating an early morning car crash that sent two teenagers to the hospital.

A teenager driving a dark sedan crashed into a tree at 61 Mountain Ave. in Caldwell, near the intersection of Orient Way. 

The driver and a passenger, both teenage boys, were transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center...

Purses Nabbed from Cars in Pool Lot

Several women had their purses stolen while they were parked at a West Caldwell town pool on a Friday afternoon. 

The burglar or burglars smashed the windows of four cars parked at the between 1:45 and 3:15 p.m., according to the West Caldwell Police.

A pocketbook was nabbed from each of the cars. The purses contained cash, credit cards, driver’s licenses and other personal items...

High-End Cars Stolen From Driveways

Police are reminding residents to lock their cars after three unlocked high-end vehicles were reported stolen from North Caldwell in a week. 

All three cars were taken from driveways during early morning hours, according to Det. Sgt. Bill Texas.

A Mercedes SUV, which was left unlocked with the keys inside, was reported missing on Thursday, Aug. 23. Another Mercedes SUV, also left unlocked, was reported stolen on Wednesday, Aug. 22. The third car, an Infiniti sedan, was reportedly taken from a driveway on Saturday, Aug. 18.

In all cases owners woke up in the morning to find their cars gone...

West Essex Rises in Magazine's Rankings

West Essex Regional High School in North Caldwell moved ahead 20 places and James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell dropped one slot in the just-released biennial ranking of 328 public high schools in the state by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

West Essex is ranked 16th on the list—up from the 36th spot in 2010. The magazine notes that the average class size is 18.5 and the combined average SAT score is 1590...

Caldwell Mourns Loss of JCHS Graduate

Four days after he died, 19-year-old Jerry Napoleon of Caldwell was remembered as a musician, an athlete and an all-around good guy.

“When I think of Jerry, I think of a happy kid who loved music and played sports,” said  Head Football Coach Ken Trimmer. “He played for us on the defensive side of the ball. He was very successful in his senior year.”

Napoleon, a 2011 graduate of JCHS, died at his home on Aug. 20.

West Caldwell Figure Skater Wins National Gold

A 9-year-old from West Caldwell brought home a gold medal from the USA Roller Sports Figure Skating National Championships held in Lincoln, Nebraska last month.

Gillian Muldoon won first place in the Elementary C Combined Figures & Loops event. Gillian has been skating competitively for two years with the Florham Park Figure Skating Club in Florham Park. This was her first trip to nationals.

Caldwell Seeks Funds for a Facelift

Mayor Ann Dassing submitted a $2.3 million grant application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) last month for a Caldwell facelift.

The grant, Dassing said, would be used to implement a streetscape initiative in the borough’s business district, from the  to Lane Avenue.

Renovations Close Caldwell Community Center

The  will be closed for renovations for approximately two weeks starting Friday, Aug. 31. 

Plans include refinishing and restriping the gymnasium floor, pool maintenance and improvements and painting and upgrading locker rooms. The cycle room will also be expanded and new equipment will be introduced. 

Exterior improvements include replacing the stairs on the parking deck.