Good morning, Morristown.

Nearly 300 items from Peter Benchley’s collection will be auctioned at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct.

29 at Willow Auction House in Lincoln Park — the memorabilia spans his work as a writer, speechwriter and conservationist, with proceeds benefiting WildAid and Beneath the Sea.

Food lovers can celebrate National Pierogi Day by visiting three popular spots across North Jersey — Tatra Haus in Wallington, Rosa-Ly Pierogi in Fairfield, and Pierogies House near Morristown’s Green, where tasty, classic and creative dumplings are on offer.

A WalletHub report from Wednesday, Oct.

7 shows New Jersey ranked 17th for the highest auto loan interest rate increase in Q2 2026 as rates rose to 10.17% and climbed +0.82 points from Q1. The study compared changes across states amid rising borrowing costs.

Hannah Olmo, a Dover High School dance teacher who built a four-year dance program for over 180 students, has been named New Jersey’s 2026-27 State Teacher of the Year and will partner with the NJ Department of Education to share her expertise & attend conferences statewide.

At a meeting held Monday, Oct.

5 at the Casino at Silas Condict Park in Morris County, the New Jersey Highlands Coalition honored local environmental advocates and announced 2026 Small Grants Program recipients to fund projects for water protection, open space preservation, and responsible development.

Mark Cuban has joined Governor Sherrill's task force to address rising health insurance premiums for state, local and school workers.

The group, which includes 17 labor unions, will meet Oct. 16 to discuss reforms including more transparent pricing for prescription drugs.

NJ Transit and Amtrak will reduce train service starting Oct.

11 — affecting riders on the Morristown, Gladstone, and Montclair-Boonton lines with diverted trips to Hoboken via PATH, bus, and ferry transfers — with regular schedules resuming Nov. 15.

North Jersey saw its priciest home sales in September, with a Colonial in Short Hills selling for $3.32 million (sold Sept.

8) and a lakefront estate in Ringwood for $2.15 million (sold Sept. 21), as transactions followed typical real estate processes.

At the Oct. 8 meeting, Chatham field hockey earned the No. 1 seed in the Morris County Tournament — teams like Madison, West Morris and Morristown received first-round byes.

The tournament starts by Oct. 14 and moves to semifinals on Oct. 24 before the final on Oct. 27 in Boonton.