county brief

Sussex County, NJ Change NJ Today

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Community · Donations through Dec. 11

Help bring joy to local kids this holiday season

Caring Partners of Morris & Sussex is collecting new toys, new clothes and gift cards, and looking for sponsors for local youth.

How to helpSee the flyer

Old Sussex County Folklore · Legend #2

The Mysteries of Jenny Jump Mountain

A girl's desperate leap gave Jenny Jump Mountain its name, or so the story goes. The legend, the misty Ghost Lake and the ancient rock shelter called Fairy Hole.

By Rachel Mongiovi · October 25, 2026

Read the legend All 2 legends

Six things to know · Week of October 26

The Sussex Six

Halloween rules, a light meeting calendar and a Jersey Devil talk lead the week.

  1. Walpack: The Township Committee meets Tuesday, Oct. 27; no agenda is posted yet.
  2. Byram: The council's Oct. 20 agenda put two ordinances to a public hearing: construction permit fees and a reassessment appropriation.
  3. Sparta: A Halloween curfew for anyone under 18 runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, per the council's Oct. 13 recap.
  4. Green: Parking would be prohibited on parts of Shore Road and Lakeview Drive for Halloween, per the committee's Oct. 19 agenda.
  5. Newton: Historian Mickey DiCamillo traces the Jersey Devil legend Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library; registration is required.
  6. Vernon: Mountain Creek's Fall Fest adds Halloween-weekend days: Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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News

This Week at Town Hall: Walpack and Vernon's Land Use Board Meet, Byram Hears Two Ordinances, Green Takes Up Excavation RulesCounty Brief - 2d agoThe Weekend Ahead: Fall Fest's Last Regular Weekend, a Halloween Night Market at the Fairgrounds, and AC/DC in NewtonCounty Brief - 5d agoRe-Elect Helen Le Frois for Newton Town CouncilTAPinto - 4h agoRunning for Fun - Sparta's Mohawk Avenue School Hold Mini-MarathonTAPinto - 17h agoWhat can $350,000 buy you in Sussex County, Oct. 12 to 18?NJ.com - 23h ago

Public Safety

Man charged with credit card theft, fraud following stolen wallet investigation in Sussex CountyWRNJ Radio - 10h agoSussex County commissioners recognize DASI’s Empty Chair CampaignThe Advertiser News North - 5d agoDASI held annual candlelight vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness MonthThe Advertiser News North - 6d agoDefense seeks change of venue in McCaffrey murder case, claims jury pool is taintedWCIV - Oct 15, 2026What the Flock? A look at local automated license plate readersThe Advertiser News North - Oct 8, 2026

Sports

Newton Halloween 5K Monster Dash draws more than 130 participantsThe Township Journal - 2d agoAndover Troop 85 scouts plan Eagle projects, winter adventuresThe Township Journal - 2d agoSpartans Let’s Eat marks first year of helping Sparta families facing food insecurityThe Sparta Independent - 2d agoLake Mohawk women’s golf association honors 2026 championsThe Sparta Independent - 2d agoHabitat for Humanity eyes Sussex County ReStore location in 2027The Advertiser News North - 6d ago

Government

Hardyston Township Council - Hardyston Township Council — Oct 28, 2026Hardyston Township - Oct 28, 2026 - Agenda PostedSparta Planning Board - Sparta Planning Board — Oct 28, 2026Sparta Township - Oct 28, 2026 - Agenda PostedSparta Zoning Board - Sparta Zoning Board — Oct 28, 2026Sparta Township - Oct 28, 2026 - Agenda PostedVernon Land Use Board (Agendas) - Vernon Land Use Board (Agendas) — Oct 28, 2026Vernon Township - Oct 28, 2026 - Agenda PostedHardyston Joint Land Use Board - Hardyston Joint Land Use Board — Nov 9, 2026Hardyston Township - Nov 9, 2026 - Agenda Posted
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Education - Academic

School board · Hopatcong Board of Education - Hopatcong Board of Education — Oct 26, 2026Oct 26, 2026 · Recap AvailableSchool board · Sparta Board of Education - Sparta Board of Education — Oct 15, 2026 (Regular Board Meeting Agenda)Oct 15, 2026 · Minutes Pending · AI-generated summary: The Sparta Board of Education met on October 15, 2026, to discuss various agenda items including personnel matters and presentations. Key topics included t...School board · Kittatinny Regional Board of Education - Kittatinny Regional Board of Education — Oct 15, 2026 (Regular Session Board of Education Meeting)Oct 15, 2026 · Minutes Pending · AI-generated summary: The Kittatinny Regional Board of Education met on October 15, 2026, to discuss various topics including student safety data and commendations for students....Byram PTA hosts annual Byram A Blaze fall festivalThe Township Journal - 2d agoOgdensburg PTO hosts annual Halloween parade, Trunk or TreatThe Advertiser News South - 2d ago