Former Bloomfield resident remembered

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Monday, Dec. 7, for former Bloomfield resident Marion Crecco, a New Jersey assemblywoman from 1986 to 2001, and the wife of former Bloomfield Mayor John Crecco, who survives her. About 150 people were in attendance for the Mass, the procession to the church […]

Foodtown opens in Bloomfield

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Although not everything is in place yet, a new Foodtown opened this week on Glenwood Avenue in the downtown redevelopment project. Its manager, Richard Saus, 53, has been in the food market business for 35 years, 30 of those years with Foodtown. The store is 26,000 square feet, Saus said, with two entrances, one […]

Yogi Berra’s Presidential Medal of Freedom

Perseverance from local family and friends leads to deserved recognition

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It was a closer call for Yogi Berra than people might think. But as to whether the Hall of Fame baseball player, humanitarian and phraseologist was to be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, time nearly ran out. According to his granddaughter, Lindsay Berra, 100,000 signatures had to be collected on […]

BDH becomes first NJ accredited health department

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Department of Health was notified Friday, Nov. 13, that it had been accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, a nonprofit, national health organization attempting to standardize public-health services. According to the PHAB, 45 percent of the United States population is currently provided health service by a PHAB-accredited health department. According […]

Bloomfield seniors enjoy Key Club Thanksgiving lunch

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield High School Key Club held its traditional Thanksgiving luncheon for local seniors on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The event appeared to be a popular success with the noisy crowd. Music was provided by the singing Madrigals and a small ensemble of musicians, and the meals were provided by a local eatery. But […]

Activity around Chalet allegations continue

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Police Director Sam DeMaio confirmed to the Independent Press last week that Bloomfield police responded to a terroristic threat at Sanj’s Smoke Shop on Sunday evening, Nov. 22. The shop is on Broad Street. The police response had been heard on a police scanner by a resident who informed this newspaper. DeMaio […]

Thanksgiving Day races feature multiple records

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — On Thanksgiving Day, the Ashenfelter 8-K race and the Tom Fleming Mile run in Glen Ridge enjoyed a record number of finishers, according to race director Dan Murphy. “This year, there were 3,101 finishers in the Ashenfelter Classic,” Murphy said earlier this week. “For the Tom Fleming Mile, there were 461 finishers. […]

Bloomfield High School play review of ‘Almost, Maine’

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — “Almost, Maine,” a play of nine vignettes about falling in and out of love, on the same night as an aurora borealis, was performed last week by the Bloomfield High School Thespian Society under the direction of BHS drama teacher Brandon Doemling. Written by John Cariani, the school’s fall production was seen last […]

Reactions begin for councilman’s bribery charge

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia has indicated that he is prepared to move forward following the arrest of Councilman Elias Chalet on bribery charges last week. “Obviously, within this situation, we’re going to act swiftly,” Venezia said in a Monday telephone interview. “At the next conference session, I want an ethics board in the township […]

The spirit of giving is found throughout Glen Ridge

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — With the final weeks of yet another year upon us, charity is again a key ingredient in holiday cheer for many borough workers and residents. For some of those workers, November is the time to put away razors and soap, and with the money saved by not shaving, make a donation to […]