Altercation in parking lot after reorganization

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — An alleged altercation between Councilman Joseph Lopez and Daniel Chalet, a nephew of Councilman Elias Chalet, occurred in the Municipal Building parking lot Monday night, Jan. 4, according to a Bloomfield Police Department report. It followed the Bloomfield Council Reorganizational meeting during which Lopez asked for Chalet’s resignation from the council. Lopez had […]

GR library BCCLS gives residents variety

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Seventy-seven public libraries throughout Essex, Hudson, Bergen and Passaic counties comprise the Bergen County Cooperative Library System. What this permits is the opportunity for a library cardholder from any one of these libraries, usually the person’s hometown library, to select from a collection of more than 5.8 million books, DVDs, CDs — […]

Bloomfield gets environmental award for contested land

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield has been named the recipient of the 2015 Governor’s Environmental Award for its land conservation effort of the Third River wetland tract on Lion Gate Drive. The township was cited for its “Third River Urban Park and Floodplain Wetlands Creation Project” which proposes to combine a public park and flood water controls, […]

Bloomfield man charged with murder

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A Bloomfield man has been charged with the strangulation death of a Rahway woman, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday, Dec. 16. According to authorities, Roberto Grillo, 36, is alleged to have murdered Yolanda Vega, 35, in her Beacon Street home. Rahway police responded to the scene Monday, Dec. 7 and […]

Bloomfield PD gives gifts to local childrenc

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Police Department held its annual holiday gift-giving event for local children and their families on Monday evening, Dec. 21. But before the sacks of present were distributed — and there were literally sacks — Lt. George Ricci, Youth Aid Division commander, had some advice for his corp of volunteers. These helpers […]

Charges filed in fatal car crash

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Charges have been filed against a Belleville girl, 17, who was the driver in a single-car crash on Aug. 2, which killed Natasha Bellott, a Bloomfield resident returning from an “American Idol” audition at Temple University. The charges were filed in Bucks County Juvenile Court, by the Office of the Bucks County District […]

Planned striping on Essex Avenue causes concern

BLOOMFIELD/GLEN RIDGE, NJ — A number of Bloomfield and Glen Ridge residents living along Essex Avenue have voiced opposition to striping the roadway because they are concerned that two continuous, yellow traffic lines down its center will alter the residential character of the neighborhood. Although it has recently been resurfaced, scheduled striping of Essex Avenue has […]

GRMAC sponsors underage drinking awareness program

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — The Glen Ridge Municipal Alliance Committee made the following announcement: The Glen Ridge Municipal Alliance Committee is sponsoring an initiative to address underage drinking in Glen Ridge. A public awareness program, “Parents Who Host, Lose The Most,” is meant to educate communities and parents about the health, safety and liability risks […]

Judge sets date for Comasco trial to begin

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The trial of Nicholas Comasco, a Bloomfield man charged with vehicular homicide and assault by auto, has been scheduled to begin March 14. The date was announced in Newark Superior Court on Wednesday, Dec. 9, by Judge Verna Leath. Comasco, wearing a gray suit and tie, was present in the courtroom. It was […]

Bloomfield schools are focused on attendance

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Student absenteeism is an ongoing concern for the Bloomfield school district, according to Margaret Contaldi, the director of professional development and interim director of curriculum for the school district. The district was cited in September by Advocates for Children in New Jersey as being one of 10 Essex County school districts with 10 […]