Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Here's What A Knee Injury Taught This Inspiring Bloomfield HS Football Player

Be sure to catch UNCF New Jersey Walk for Education on the Bloomfield Patch calendar

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Saturday October 10th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Bloomfield? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Bloomfield football captain turns knee surgery setback into major honor
  • Bloomfield funeral home earns statewide honor for compassionate community service
  • How Bloomfield factors into the high-stakes race for NJ-11.

Also on today's calendar: UNCF New Jersey Walk for Education and 12 more events.

Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: High clouds and nice, with a high of 70 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Sunday: Rain, temps: high: 64, low: 58.
  • Monday: A shower in the morning, with a high of 73 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Here's What A Knee Injury Taught This Inspiring Bloomfield HS Football Player (patch.com) — Bloomfield residents can cheer on Bloomfield High School football player Makai Douglas, who has been nominated for the 2026 Heart of a Giant Award after battling back from a serious knee injury. His coach-backed nomination highlights his leadership as a team captain, academic success in AP and honors classes, and commitment to community service, with fan voting open through Oct. 25.
   

2. Bloomfield Funeral Home Wins First NJSFDA Connected in Care Award (TAPinto.net) — A longtime Bloomfield funeral home, Halpin-Bitecola Brookdale Funeral & Cremation Service, has been honored with the inaugural Connected in Care Award from the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association. Owner Dan Bitecola says the recognition reflects their commitment to serving Bloomfield families with compassion, going beyond expectations during some of the most difficult moments in residents' lives.
   

3. Mejia, Hathaway Visit Essex County As They Battle For NJ-11 Congress Seat (patch.com) — Bloomfield voters are squarely in the spotlight as Rep. Analilia Mejia and challenger Joe Hathaway campaign across Essex County, including a recent town hall in Bloomfield focused on voting rights and artificial intelligence. The article explains how Bloomfield fits into New Jersey's 11th Congressional District and outlines each candidate's recent local appearances and core campaign messages ahead of November's election.
   

4. 19th Cheer for the Cure a Huge Success at Bloomfield High, with Tremendous Enthusiasm and Accolades Honoring the Late Karen Centinaro (TAPinto.net) — Bloomfield High School recently hosted the 19th Cheer for the Cure, drawing enthusiastic cheer squads from across Essex County to raise money in the fight against cancer. The event honored the late Karen Centinaro, whose longtime work helped shape the competition, and organizers are already eyeing a 20-team turnout for next year's 20th anniversary celebration.
   

📸 Around Bloomfield

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • There is an emergency vehicle on Mayor Kenneth A...
    There is an emergency vehicle on Mayor Kenneth A Gibson Blvd reported at 8:18 AM. "Tow Truck on Roadside" (Nextdoor )
  • YMCA of Montclair posted a job opening for Early Learning Center-Lead Teacher in Montclair. Apply here.
  • White Castle posted a job opening for Crew Manager in East Orange. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bloomfield here.

Ok Bloomfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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