Two towns launch Operation Blue Angel for senior citizens

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Maplewood and South Orange Police departments, Senior Citizens Advisory committees, and SOMA Two Towns for All Ages recently announced the launch of Operation Blue Angel. This safety program aims to aid older adults who are either older than 55 or medically impaired and are frequently alone. Operation Blue […]

Seton Hall University to host graduate open house on Feb. 23

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University will host its annual graduate open house on Saturday, Feb. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. in Bethany Hall on the South Orange campus. Representatives from graduate degree and certificate programs in high-demand fields of business, communication, diplomacy and international relations, education, health and medical sciences, law, nursing, […]

MEND’s 2019 Green Bean Gala this March

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — MEND is hosting its annual fundraiser, the Green Bean Gala, on Saturday, March 9, from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood. The Green Bean Gala is a cocktail reception that will feature gourmet tasting stations, specialty drinks, music and dancing, and live and silent auctions. Named […]

South Orange flags fly at half-staff in honor ‘Babs’ Siperstein

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Barbra “Babs” Siperstein, an army veteran, small business person and New Jersey native, died Feb. 3 at age 76, prompting South Orange to lower its flags to half-staff to honor the longtime activist. Siperstein was known as one of New Jersey’s most prominent LGBTQ activists and was instrumental in securing protections […]

Newark teacher’s aide charged with sexual assault

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced Feb. 8 that Liz Perez, 31, of Newark, was arrested by detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering […]

Ohio man admits to armed robbery of Orange store

ORANGE, NJ — An Ohio man admitted on Feb. 7 that he robbed a mobile communications company retail store in Orange at gunpoint in June 2016, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Frederick A. White, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of […]

Man sentenced to 26 years for killing NJIT student

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced Feb. 7 that Taquan Harris, 24, of Newark, was sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison for the fatal shooting of New Jersey Institute of Technology student Joseph Micalizzi, 23, of Freehold. Presiding Criminal Division Judge Ronald D. Wigler also sentenced […]

Man found guilty of setting fire at gentlemen’s club in Irvington

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced Feb. 7 that an Essex County jury has convicted Steve Cotto, 61, of Irvington, of aggravated arson following a trial before Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare. According to Assistant Prosecutor Sean Dickson, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Brian Olsen, on July […]

NJ Transit superintendent and 5 others charged with stealing $2.1 million

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and NJ Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo announced Feb. 7 that a NJ Transit Facilities Superintendent and five others have been charged in connection with a scheme to steal $2.1 million from NJ Transit by submitting fraudulent bills for services. NJ Transit Facilities Superintendent […]

ECPO, West Essex police departments form Anti-Crime Task Force

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced Feb. 6 that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and nine police departments in the western part of the county have formed an Anti-Crime Task Force. The anti-crime partnership will allow police officers from Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, […]