https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/hewitt-nj-santacon-organizer-stefan-pildes-charged-with-wire-fraud-CB5762040 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-15T15:20:53-04:00 Hewitt SantaCon organizer charged with wire fraud https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/ap25347741638481_4-10618533_20260415144622.jpg SantaCon attendees in New York City on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/new-jersey-club-sports-provide-the-extra-mile-and-then-some-for-young-athletes-FC5703564 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T12:01:47-04:00 New Jersey club sports provide the extra mile - and then some - for young athletes https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-mila-and-allen-fenci_4-10552245_20260330102552.jpg Mila J. Valentin and Allen Trudnos participate in The National Fencing Alliance Club of Sussex County out of the Sparta PAL. Provided photo. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-emilypopekprincetonr_4-10552247_20260330102553.jpg Emily Popek plays rugby at Princeton University. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-billyruddyswimchamp2_4-10552249_20260330102554.jpg Billy Ruddy swims for Ryder College. He has qualified for the 2028 US Olympic Trials. As a college senior, he plans to complete his academics and then throw his full efforts into preparing for his future in swimming. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-brooke-ginsberg_4-10552253_20260330102556.jpg Brooke Ginsberg of Newton, N.J., rocking it out as a star goalie. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-crossroads1_4-10552257_20260330102557.jpg Cornell Thomas talking to some of his many athletes he coaches through his clinics, clubs, tournament and camp basketball programs. He is also a highly acclaimed international motivational speaker. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-cheerleadingchamps_4-10552259_20260330102559.jpg Cheer Coach Sam Lupo (far right) with her champion Kittatinny High School Cheer Team. She has built the high school program to the point of lots of competition cheer and travel and feels it would be too much on her athletes to do both her program and club while maintaining their academics. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-lolabrand2_4-10552261_20260330102600.jpg Lla Brand and her father, John Brand, traveled all over with her soccer club including Barcelona, Spain, https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/0402-club-sports-taylorhough_4-10552722_20260330103939.jpg Taylor Hough playing basketball at Kings College. https://www.spartaindependent.com/sponsored-content/water-expert-andy-ball-i-have-very-hard-water-and-high-iron-what-kind-of-softener-do-i-need-ND5764843 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T12:45:20-04:00 Water Expert Andy Ball: I have very hard water and high Iron. What kind of softener do I need? https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/andyball_4-10621035_20260416124521.jpg Andy Ball https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sparta-generations-at-play-CE5754488 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T14:16:51-04:00 Sparta. Generations at play https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-4605_4-10610396_20260413130036.jpg Joan Wills, Linda Fiedler, Gloria Diabo and Pat Kibildis, all of Sparta, play a card game. https://www.spartaindependent.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/guernica-AC5765705 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T14:24:44-04:00 Guernica https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sccc-william-paterson-university-sign-transfer-agreement-CF5766037 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T15:05:46-04:00 SCCC, William Paterson University sign transfer agreement https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/wpu-2775cx-002_4-10623607_20260416150548.jpg Standing, Dr. Wartyna Davis, WPU Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Anthony Bowrin, WPU Dean of the Cotsakos College of Business; Nancy Gallo, SCCC Associate Vice-President of Academic Affairs; Dr. Josh Powers, WPU Provost; Dr. Djanna Hill, WPU Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; and Dr. Venkat Sharma, WPU Dean of the College of Science and Health; seated: Dr. Cory Homer, SCCC President, and Dr. Richard Helldobler, WPU President. https://www.spartaindependent.com/entertainment/sccc-to-stage-interactive-clue-the-musical-CF5766150 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T15:16:36-04:00 SCCC to stage interactive ‘Clue: The Musical’ https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/clue-the-musical-cast-002_4-10623717_20260416151638.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/business/local-realtors-environmental-groups-plan-tree-planting-at-culver-brook-preserve-AF5766301 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T15:22:56-04:00 Local Realtors, environmental groups plan tree planting at Culver Brook Preserve https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/f843d86a732a42e1b42b2168128ec076-tree_4-10623886_20260416152259.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/668c1a8cf46e4d7da573a5ee28060cc4-tree_4-10623890_20260416152300.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/entertainment/banned-for-life-brings-high-energy-90s-throwback-to-skylands-stage-IF5766468 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-16T15:44:08-04:00 Banned For Life brings high-energy ’90s throwback to Skylands Stage https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/banned-for-life-002_4-10623896_20260416154411.jpg <b>Banned For Life</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/dar-chapter-honors-10-sussex-county-seniors-with-good-citizen-award-AF5766507 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T12:15:30-04:00 DAR chapter honors 10 Sussex County seniors with Good Citizen Award https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/2026goodcitizens-002_4-10624182_20260416154737.jpg <b>From left, Lillian Gallant (Kittatinny Regional High School), Keira Graham (Sussex County Technical School), Hayden Kopco (Sparta High School), Anthony Peluso (Wallkill Valley Regional High School), Zoe Mills (Newton High School), Mila Valentin (Pope John XXIII Regional High School); Halle Williamson (Veritas Christian Academy) and Sally Burns, Good Citizens Award Chapter Chair.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/new-state-e-bike-laws-to-be-enforced-starting-july-20-DH5768489 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T12:24:25-04:00 New state e-bike laws to be enforced starting July 20 https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/processed-1ea3365f-5a0c-4bac-9673-f1f_4-10628588_20260417122427.jpg <b>Miguel Ceballos of Newton poses on his e-bike.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/dar-chapter-honors-student-writers-teacher-at-education-reception-CH5768631 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T12:34:49-04:00 DAR chapter honors student writers, teacher at education reception https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/2026essaywinners-003_4-10628660_20260417123452.jpg <b>From left, Heather Sandford, NJDAR State Chair of American History; Vanessa Gordon, grade 7; Chapter Winner and 2nd place NJ State grade 7 winner; Catherine Jennings, Sparta Middle School Outstanding Teacher of American History; Shea Gallagher, Grade 6 Chapter Winner; Serena Petillo, Grade 5 Chapter Winner, 2nd place New Jersey State grade 5 Winner; Allyn Perry, Chinkchewunska Chapter Chair Essay contest and Teacher of the Year contest. Not Pictured: Seark Winter, Grade 8 Chapter winner. </b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sussex-commissioners-honor-longtime-employee-IH5768912 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T12:58:15-04:00 Sussex commissioners honor longtime employee https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/employee-recognition-002_4-10629023_20260417125817.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/sussex-county-history-today-a-family-history-BG5769146 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T13:08:50-04:00 Sussex County History Today: A Family History https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/truran-186-lorenzo14-002_4-10629513_20260417130853.jpg <b>Franklin High School Class of 1947. Stella Hall Truran is on right</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/experts/local-home-pros/local-home-pros-YG5769023 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T13:14:06-04:00 Local Home Pros https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/localhomepros-logo2_4-10629521_20260417130711.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/boat-shrink-wrap-recycling-program-returns-YG5769302 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T13:15:59-04:00 Boat shrink wrap recycling program returns https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sparta-ambulance-squad-hosts-spaghetti-dinner-GX5770091 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T14:15:36-04:00 Sparta Ambulance Squad hosts spaghetti dinner https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-4611_4-10630330_20260417141539.jpg Stan Skiba poses for a photo. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-4613_4-10630385_20260417141541.jpg The Sparta Ambulance Squad hosted a spaghetti dinner on April 13. https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/sports/sparta-senior-honored-at-morris-county-nff-awards-dinner-KX5770286 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-04-17T15:04:24-04:00 Sparta senior honored at Morris County NFF awards dinner https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/bcf83600647c47d38c44a513461f279c-img_4-10630997_20260417150427.jpg Stone Herbison is shown with his plaque.