Legal weed in NJ takes big step: This week in Central Jersey history, Nov. 20-26

A rare joint panel of lawmakers from the New Jersey Senate and Assembly approved a bill to regulate, tax and legalize marijuana in the state, on Nov. 26, 2018.

While this initial effort ultimately stalled, the Legislature eventually placed the issue before the voters as a referendum on the 2020 ballot, passing with 67% approval.

Here's a look at events that happened in Central Jersey from five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 years ago this week.

Five years ago

Nov. 20, 2018: The Gov. Phil Murphy administration announced the administration and leaders of PBA Local 105, New Jersey's largest law enforcement union, had agreed to a new contract worth an estimated $84 million.

Nov. 22: The Middlesex High School football team rebounded to win seven of its last eight games including a 35-6 victory over Dunellen. It was Middlesex's fifth win in a row against Dunellen.

Nov. 23: It was reported Jason Mraz, whose latest album was "Know," would perform Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, and Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

Nov. 24: Gov. Chris Christie's official portrait, the most expensive in state history, was unveiled Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, during a ceremony in Princeton, it was reported.

Nov. 24: It was reported Emmanuel John, 33, of Elizabeth, was found guilty of killing Imran Masood, 45, of the Avenel section of Woodbridge. The killing occurred following an argument over a dinged car in a strip mall parking lot in 2017.

10 years ago

Nov. 21, 2013: Invitation-only online gambling hosted by many of Atlantic City's 12 casinos began launching, with a full rollout expected Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013.

Nov. 22: Blueswoman Bonnie Raitt took the stage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

Nov. 23: It was reported Union County College had acquired the landmark Thul property at 225 Roosevelt Ave. in Plainfield for $1 million to expand its offerings in the city.

Nov. 23: The Bridgewater-Raritan High School girls soccer team posted its 16th shutout and fifth in its past six state-tournament games to capture its first state championship, 1-0, over Montgomery, at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.

Nov. 24: Brush fires swept through several areas in Central Jersey, with the largest blaze affecting more than 200 acres near Washington Avenue and Joseph Court in Old Bridge.

1998

Nov. 20: The Bridgewater-Raritan boys soccer team concluded its season with a 0-0 tie against Columbia to gain a share of the state Group IV championship at the College of New Jersey in Ewing.

Nov. 21: John Slaktowicz, a Somerville mailman, was being credited with saving the life of Walter Perun of Hillsborough, who lay unconscious in his house for several days, it was reported.

Nov. 21: Police discovered a newborn girl less than 30 minutes old who was wrapped in a garbage bag and dumped behind Jefferson School in the 1200 block of Myrtle Avenue in Plainfield.

Nov. 24: It was reported the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease had been discovered at the Garden State Parkway's headquarters in Woodbridge for the second time in two years.

Nov. 24: The state Department of Transportation announced all high-occupancy vehicle signs on Interstates 287 and 80 would be removed over the holiday weekend, although the federal government hadn't decided whether to forgive the $240 million used to build the 30 miles of HOV lanes.

Nov. 25: Tori Amos brought her music to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

Nov. 26: Christine Tattoli, 15, of Edison, saved her grandfather, Corrado Tattoli, 90, from choking on turkey and stuffing by performing the Heimlich maneuver.

1973

Nov. 21: Police were continuing an extensive hunt for a gunman who wounded Mack Ness, a 64-year-old farmer, the night before as he sat at his kitchen table near a window in Watchung.

Nov. 22: Westfield High School's football team became the only Watchung Conference team to finish with a perfect league record when they beat Plainfield, 20-0.

Nov. 23: It was reported that state taxes had been increasing, but some of that increase had hired new staff for the state Insurance Department, with staff to work with, the department saved New Jersey businesses and private individuals more than $100 million in insurance premiums that year.

Nov. 26: A check of five heating oil companies serving the Plainfield area showed officials were scrutinizing the oil situation daily.

Nov. 26: "My Fair Lady," performed by Somerset Valley Players, would open on Friday, Nov. 30, 1973, for a four-performance run at Somerville High School, it was reported.

1923

Nov. 21, 1923: The movie, "The Green Goddess," starring Alice Joyce, was shown at Reade's Strand Theatre in Perth Amboy.

Nov. 21: The Plainfield High School soccer team played a scoreless tie game with Bound Brook High School.

Nov. 22: Following the discovery of three cases of scarlet fever among the school children in Cranbury, the public school was closed for 10 days and all Sunday school classes on Sunday, Nov. 25, 1923, would be eliminated.

Nov. 23: It was reported two banks and two private Christmas funds, conducted by the First National Bank, the South River Trust Company, Mrs. Abijah French and Mrs. Chris Boehm, would distribute among the members living in Sayreville and South River approximately $106,000.

Brad Wadlow is a staff writer for MyCentralJersey.com

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ history for Nov. 20-26