Lifelong Dover resident following a 'call to serve' for the Ward 4 position. Austin Nieves touts his experience on the Zoning Board as a stepping stone to Town Council. (Photo/Austin Nieves) 1. What led you to run for Council? It boils down to service. In my household, I was raised to love the Lord and love my neighbor as He loves me. We were taught that serving my neighbors is the best way to honor both of those commands. So I grew up with the deep desire to be of service. T

Ward 4 candidate is a lifelong Dover resident who promises to be an advocate for 'practical solutions, transparency, and responsible decision-making.' Elizabeth Tapia is vying for the Ward 4 Democratic nomination to run for Town Council. (Photo/Elizabeth Tapia) EDITOR'S NOTE: Elizabeth Tapia, who is running for the expiring term held by Ward 4 incumbent Marcos Tapia. Marcos Tapia (D-Ward 4) did not respond to requests to answer the Dover Town Council candidate questionnaire.

Attorney Alice Plastoris is a lifelong Dover resident, former Public Defender, and Ward 3 hopeful. Alice Plastoris is a lifelong resident and a former Dover Public Defender, poised to serve all residents. (Photo/Alice Plastoris) Alice Plastoris is running for the Ward 3 Town Council seat presently held by Veronica Velez. In her bio, Plastoris says, "As a lifelong resident and daughter of a lifelong resident, I bring deep roots in the community and a strong understanding of ou

Educator and former Dover BOE President inspired to run for contested Ward 2 seat. Krista Seanor says her work as an educator and board member prepared her for being a Town Council member. (Photo/Krista Seanor) EDITOR'S NOTE: Carlos Noriega, a Democrat running against Seanor, did not respond to requests to answer the candidate questionnaire. Krista Seanor has lived in Dover for more than 20 years and has always been active in the community. Find out what motivated her to run

Ward 1 incumbent shares her thoughts on Dover's essential matters. Sandra Wittner (D-1st Ward) is a longtime member of Dover Town Council. (Photo/Sandra Wittner) Longtime Dover Town Council member, an incumbent 1st Ward Democrat, is running unopposed for her seat in the June 2 primary. Wittner answered these questions to help voters get to know her: 1. What led you to run again for Council? I was ready to pass the baton at the end of my fourth term, as I strongly believe in

Town Council approves fireworks budget, tax hike, and plan to sell lots. Dover Council approved the fireworks budget, so the only concern is whether the skies will be clear on the 4th of July. (Photo/Jobert Enanmo) There were fireworks at the May 26 Dover Town Council meeting – just not the kind that have been set off at past sessions. Council approved a contract to pay $38,084 to Schaefer’s Fireworks for the town’s annual fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July. The c

Photos show agents struggling with Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena on Saturday morning. Osmar Ruiz reaches for his father, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, who is held down by three ICE agents. (Photo/Karol Ruiz) Dover residents Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were taken into ICE custody around 10 a.m Saturday near the intersection of Park Avenue and Hillcrest Avenue. Margarita Cielo Balbuena, right, records her husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, being restra

The tax increase is linked to the skyrocketing costs of employee insurance. Next meeting to be held June 9. Mayor James P. Dodd introduced Dover’s 2026 budget Tuesday evening, which would raise taxes by $17.74 per month or $213 per year, based on an average home assessed at $240,000. He said that cuts had to be made in some departments to offset a 41 percent increase in health benefits, which rose from $3.3 million last year to $4.7 million. Dodd said town residents would ha

Township, state, and federal officials demand environmental review for former warehouse. Protestors voiced their opposition to the proposed conversion of a Roxbury warehouse into an ICE detention center. (DOVERNOW.com photo/Karen Fucito) The proposed use of a 470,000-square-foot Roxbury Township warehouse by the Department of Homeland Security for an ICE facility has been put on hold pending a review of the environmental impact of housing up to 1,500 detainees in the region.

Superintendent Jaime, board members lament a nearly $2 million cut in state aid. Dover Public Schools revealed its $93 million budget for the 2026-27 school year. It includes an 11 percent tax increase to help bridge a budget gap, caused in part by the loss of nearly $2 million in state aid. At Tuesday night’s board meeting, Superintendent Luis Jaime and Atilla Sabahoglu, the business administrator and board secretary, said the financial challenges forced them to implement c

Planners' questions extend presentation of 640-apartment project to April 16 meeting. The proposed development would include retail shops on the street level and studios, as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments. (Photo/Courtesy of Dover) The Dover Planning Board, and town residents, had plenty of questions for the team of experts representing the redevelopment of the proposed 640-unit project along Bassett Highway. There were so many questions – and a few reminders about

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'Team Dover' becomes first to announce run for June Democratic primary. A historic, all-female slate of candidates announced their candidacies for Dover Town Council in the 2026 Democratic primary, to be held on Tuesday, June 2. It's the first time in Dover’s more than 300-year history that a Town Council slate is composed entirely of women. If elected, the slate also would create the Council's first female majority. The candidates, running together under the "Team Dover" mot

Be aware of guideline updates and other food-assistance resources. Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is an essential ingredient for healthy living. (Photo/ Timur Saglambilek) The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is undergoing changes that could reshape eligibility for thousands of New Jerseyans in 2026. The overhaul not only introduces stricter work and age requirements primarily targeted towards adults without dependents, but it also sets a new s

May 9 Open House activities include a hands-on community mural, art gallery displays, music, food, and more. Looking for a fun way to enjoy a spring Saturday afternoon? Join the creative crowd from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at The Amp, the Richards Building’s thriving arts and entertainment space. Amp Executive Director Walter F. Rodriguez says event-goers can expect to take part in creating a mural, enjoy some music, see a gallery of work by students from the MCO

The board also approves two new full-time and one new part-time hires at the Dover Police Department. The Town Council unanimously approved the addition of three new Dover Police Department officers at the April 28 meeting. (PHOTO/DOVERNOW.com) The tragic death of Christofer Huamani on the NJTransit tracks near Water Works Park in Dover two weeks ago has prompted town officials into action. During the town council’s second meeting in April, council member Sandra Wittner requ

Judge, social worker, lawyer, police officer, entrepreneur, teacher, engineer. These are just some of the professions members of the MADE in Dover program went on to pursue. MADE, which stood for Make a Difference Educationally, was based out of the Baker Opera House about 30 years ago and was simply referred to as MID.

The board also approved a local land sale and granted new food truck licenses. Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney praised the department's three newest sergeants. (Photo/DOVERNOW) The Dover Town Council approved the promotions of Dover Police Department detectives Samuel Berthoud, Joseph Dodd, and Joel Gotera to the rank of sergeant. The decision was made following a 15-minute executive session at the end of the meeting, after which the legislation was read into the record.

The federal government quietly purchased a massive Route 46 warehouse in Roxbury to serve as a third ICE immigrant detention center in New Jersey. The near-unanimous opposition is loud.

Erika Huamani thanks the Dover community for helping her cope with her son’s tragic death. Erika Huamani checks her phone for messages from well-wishers as she deals with the loss of her son, Christofer. (DOVERNOW Photo/David Chmiel) Blackwell Street was quiet on Sunday morning. Temperatures had fallen into the 40s, bringing gray skies, gusty winds, and cold rain. At Water Works Park, a man walked his small dog quickly to avoid the chill. The nearby tracks were quiet. No tra