Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How strong is Middletown North heading into kickoff this season?

Make time for Nancy Scharff & The King of Kings Band on the Middletown Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday September 4th Patch AM
Friday September 4th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Middletown! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How strong is Middletown North heading into kickoff this season?
  • How your Middletown costume shopping can brighten a child's hospital stay.
  • Meet the Middletown resident now helping steer key homeless services.

Also on today's calendar: Nancy Scharff & The King of Kings Band and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 85 and low of 68 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 83, low: 65.
  • Sunday: Pleasant with periods of sun, with a high of 74 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Middletown North 2026 Football Preview (tapinto.net) — Middletown North kicks off its 2026 football season Thursday night at Lacey, returning 13 starters and aiming to build on last year's run to the Central Jersey Group 4 finals. With standout senior running back Matt Belenko and a veteran defense, local fans can circle key home dates, including the Thanksgiving matchup at Middletown South.
   

2. Spirit Halloween Makes Spooky Season Less Scary for Young Patients at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital (newswise.com) — Middletown shoppers can support young patients at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital just by buying costumes at the Spirit Halloween on Route 35, where donations and coupons trigger matching gifts. The fundraiser runs statewide, but purchases at the Middletown store directly help fund Child Life programs that bring comfort, activities, and support to hospitalized kids in Neptune.
   

3. HABcore Names Two New Members to Board of Trustees (tworivertimes.com) — A Middletown resident, Michael Parent, has joined the HABcore board of trustees, helping guide a key nonprofit that runs the Monmouth County Adult Homeless Shelter and other housing programs. Alongside Red Bank's Magda Muka, he'll support efforts to expand supportive housing and services for people experiencing homelessness across Monmouth and Ocean counties.
   

4. O'Scanlon asks Sherrill to block $4.25 million for Newark peace group (newjerseyglobe.com) — Middletown's state senator, Declan O'Scanlon, is pressing Gov. Mikie Sherrill to halt $4.25 million in remaining state funds for Newark's Brick City Peace Collective, arguing the office has backed antisemitic speakers and inappropriate public events. He's urging that the money instead support broader New Jersey taxpayer priorities, tying the issue to affordability and responsible spending.
   

5. Jackson Mayor Demands Sanctuary-State Repeal After 6-Month-Old Killed - (savejersey.com) — Middletown is among several New Jersey communities that have passed resolutions condemning the state's sanctuary policies, a movement now amplified by Jackson's mayor after a fatal crash. While the tragedy occurred in Jackson, Middletown residents are part of a broader local push urging state leaders to reconsider how immigration enforcement and information-sharing are handled.
   

📸 Around Middletown

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Middletown

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Middletown Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Middletown PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Join in a Celebration of Unity and Community —YMCA of the Jersey Shore Read on Patch
  • Hi Neighbors.
    Any recommendations for gutter cleaning? I have a limited budget. Thanks (Nextdoor Maplewood Estates)
  • Kohl's posted a job opening for Part Time Store Cleaning & Operations Associate in Middletown. Apply here.
  • Yonkers Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation posted a job opening for Unit Clerk (CNA) in Red Bank. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Middletown here.

Ok Middletown! 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: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Middletown