Newark, NJ|News|
Prosecutor: Newark Man Wanted for Torching Mayoral Candidate's Campaign Bus
An arrest warrant has been issued for Michael Benkowski, who allegedly set fire and put sugar in the engine of Ras Baraka's bus.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
- Caldwells, NJ
Mike launched The Caldwells Patch in 2009 and is now the senior regional editor for North Jersey.
Mike grew up in Essex County before attending Fairfield University in Connecticut where he was an English-Journalism major and four-year member and captain of the men's tennis team.
Mike worked for several of Hearst Corporation's Connecticut Media Group newspapers, including the Connecticut Post, Greenwich Citizen, Norwalk Citizen and as the managing editor of the New Canaan News and Darien News.
Mike's journalism career began in sports, covering high schools, colleges and the Pilot Pen and U.S. Open tennis tournaments.
Posting Activity
Chatham, NJ|News|
4 Republicans Challenge for 2 Township Committee Seats
GOP incumbents to run unopposed in the borough council race.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Madison, NJ|News|
Asbestos Cleanup Continues at Madison Library
Library expected to be closed for 'much of this week.'
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Madison, NJ|News|
Incumbents, Sheriff's Officer Seek Borough Council Seats
Carmela Vitale and Robert Landrigan will run on the Democratic ticket against GOP challenger Mark Chiarolanza for two seats.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
South Orange, NJ|News|
East Orange Man Convicted of Fatal Shooting at Seton Hall Off-Campus Party
Nicholas Welch, 28, faces 30 years to life for the killing of a 19-year-old honors student and wounding four others in 2010.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Hopatcong-Sparta, NJ|News|
Sussex Sheriff's Office Promotes 5 Officers
Ed Nemeth, John Bannon, Jill Phillips, Thomas Mulroony and Edward Kayal move up the ranks.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Workplace Bullying Prevention Seminar Features State Senator
Convention set for Friday afternoon at Rutgers School of Law-Newark.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Hackettstown, NJ|News|
Teens Accused of Using Stolen Credit Card at Restaurant, Convenience Stores
Wallet was reported stolen while the victim was playing basketball at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Parsippany, NJ|News|
Historic Greystone Buildings to be Demolished Soon
$50 million project expected to level the buildings in a 'matter of months.'
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Hoboken, NJ|News|
Police Search for Missing 27-Year-Old Man
Andrew Jarzyk was last seen at about 2 a.m. Sunday in the area of 5th and Monroe streets.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Livingston, NJ|News|
Drunken Man Crashes After Hour-Long Pursuit on GSP, State Police Say
Morristown resident led authorities on chase through Essex County early Monday morning, report said.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Morristown, NJ|News|
Drunken Morristown Man Crashes After Hour-Long Pursuit, State Police Say
Eiber Betancur, 26, led authorities on pursuit from Union Township to Clifton early Monday morning on the Garden State Parkway, report said.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Teaneck, NJ|News|
Driver Killed After Striking Utility Pole
Single-vehicle crash occurred on New Bridge Road near River Road early Sunday morning.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Fort Lee, NJ|News|
'Sexist Remarks' Inappropriate in 'Bridgegate' Report, Lawyer Says
Bridget Anne Kelly's attorney said report was a 'preemptive strike' against his client and an attempt to damage her credibility.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Runaway Horse Found, Hacker Earns Reward, Snooki Plans Wedding Top State News
Singer Lauryn Hill's massive tax debt and man faces a year in jail for phony Superstorm Sandy insurance claim also make headlines.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Morristown, NJ|News|
Runaway Horse Found, Hacker Earns Reward, Snooki Plans Wedding Top State News
Singer Lauryn Hill's massive tax debt and man faces a year in jail for phony Superstorm Sandy insurance claim also make headlines.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Jefferson, NJ|News|
Fake US Treasury Agent Scams Victim for More Than $1K
Police warn of several ongoing phone scams.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Hoboken, NJ|News|
Office of Vital Statistics Returns to Multi Service Center
The office will be closed Wednesday and Thursday as it moves out of city hall.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Hopatcong-Sparta, NJ|News|
Fake US Treasury Agent Scams Hopatcong Man for More Than $1K
Police warn of several ongoing phone scams.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff
Hackettstown, NJ|News|
Hackettstown High School Trash Can Fire Under Investigation
School employees extinguished the fire, which caused no damage to the classroom and no one was injured.
Mike Pignataro, Patch Staff