Former Newark Housing Authority IT director admits to embezzling funds

NEWARK, NJ — Newark Housing Authority’s former director of information technology has admitted to using his position to embezzle NHA funds to purchase cellular telephones and other electronic devices, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced March 31. Venancio Diaz, 56, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti in Newark federal court […]

Planting trees in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield and Montclair

Planting trees in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield and Montclair

BLOOMFIELD / MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Brookdale Park Conservancy has partnered with the NJ Tree Foundation to plant 21 oak and dogwood trees in Brookdale Park, which is located in Bloomfield and Montclair. At the planting are, from left, Essex County Environmental Center Director Tara Casella, conservancy Vice Chairperson Sarah Paulsen, conservancy Trustee Sarah Olson, […]

SOMA Board of Ed, teachers union reach contract agreement

SOMA Board of Ed, teachers union reach contract agreement

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education reached an agreement in principle with the South Orange–Maplewood Education Association, the teachers union, early Friday morning, March 25, for a contract that runs from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024. “After 14 hours of negotiations, the South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education […]

Community garden returns to Belleville for second year

Community garden returns to Belleville for second year

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville Township’s community garden — a place where residents are invited to grow their own produce — is now entering its second year at Fairway Park on Riverdale Avenue. The 12 vegetable garden planters, each measuring 4 feet by 8 feet, are available to Belleville residents on a first-come, first-served basis for […]

Irvington Education Association looks to feed students during school break

Irvington Education Association looks to feed students during school break

IRVINGTON, NJ — The Irvington Education Association is gearing up for its spring grocery giveaway, a biannual tradition in the Irvington School District. The union gives away groceries to families in the district around Thanksgiving and Easter, in advance of school breaks, so students in the district don’t have to worry about not having anything […]

Thomas P. Dugan

Thomas P. Dugan (1940-2022) passed away on March 28, 2022 at the age of 81 in Roanoke, Virginia. Tom is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Jane Dugan, son Patrick S. Dugan (Paige), and grandsons Kevin P. Dugan, Captain, United States Air Force (Becca) and Michael J. Dugan, Captain, United States Marine Corps […]

Glen Ridge HS softball team looks to build off of banner 2021 campaign

Glen Ridge HS softball team looks to build off of banner 2021 campaign

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — After the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic, the Glen Ridge High School softball team returned to enjoy a banner 2021 campaign as it captured the Super Essex Conference–Colonial Division title with an 11-1 divisional mark. GRHS finished 14-6 overall. This spring, the Ridgers are looking forward to continuing […]

Minimalism, masking and still life — oh my

Minimalism, masking and still life — oh my

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Three members of Essex Photo Club will share their skills on Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom when they present three unique mini workshops. Laura Russomano will present “Still Life: More than a Bowl of Fruit and Glass of Wine”; Drew Sawyer will talk about the new masking features […]