Police seek to partner with community

Police seek to partner with community

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The third annual Belleville Community Bike Ride is an opportunity to get some exercise, reconnect or meet neighbors and talk with police officers in a casual, non-stressful situation. It is also part of a larger plan. “The bike ride is another opportunity in which to meet our police officers and get to […]

Parade, ceremony honor the fallen

Parade, ceremony honor the fallen

MAPLEWOOD, NJ —  Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony were held Monday. The parade route took marchers up Parker Avenue to Maplewood Avenue through the village before turning left onto Baker and then left onto Valley Street before ending at town hall for a short ceremony. Marchers included Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Columbia High School […]

South Orange has approved 6 marijuana retailers

South Orange has approved 6 marijuana retailers

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – The township has approved six potential marijuana retailers and three are close to opening up in the village. “All are still in process,” said Julie Doran, acting township administrator. “Three have come back, so far, with conditional licenses from the state. One has dropped out. So now there are five that […]

Marijuana becomes major tax source in Maplewood

Marijuana becomes major tax source in Maplewood

By Joe Ungaro and Javon Ross MAPLEWOOD, NJ — It has been one year since recreational marijuana became legally available in Maplewood and the tax revenues are much higher than expected, police report no significant problems and three more dispensaries are poised to open. “It’s been going well, even better than we thought,” Mayor Dean […]

Unified Vailsburg to hand out Prudential grants that support neighborhood growth

Unified Vailsburg to hand out Prudential grants that support neighborhood growth

NEWARK, N.J. –The Unified Vailsburg Services Organization has been selected to help administer the Prudential Community Grants Program that aims to support local, community-based projects that foster stability and growth. “We are looking for programs or projects that create vibrancy in neighborhoods, that support neighbors,” said Tiffany Jackson, Prudential’s director of inclusive community and administrator […]

ECS begins vital fundraising drive

ECS begins vital fundraising drive

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Oh the stories it could tell. The Ethical Culture Society building on Prospect Street in Maplewood has lived through 128 years of history, having been built as a hospital in 1895. It served for a time as a sanitorium for tuberculosis patients and it has served as a base for a prison […]

Restaurant week continues in West Orange

Restaurant week continues in West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Restaurant Week runs through Saturday, March 25, with participating eateries offering menus and specials dedicated to the event. “Bringing great food and great people together around the table is what West Orange Restaurant Week is all about,” said Downtown West Orange Alliance Executive Director Megan Brill. “We invite everyone […]

Django festival will return to Maplewood in May

Django festival will return to Maplewood in May

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Stephane Wrembel wants people to know the beauty of Gypsy culture. “I want people to be exposed to French gypsy culture,” Wrembel said. “To be exposed to the Gypsy life, there is something magical to it. It can’t be explained, you must witness it.” Wrembel, a jazz guitarist who is French but […]

Mardi Gras party raises money for schools

Mardi Gras party raises money for schools

MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — There were a lot of things to like at the Achieve Foundation’s Mardi Gras night but Committee Chair Barbara Cokorinos’ favorite was the wide range of ages among those in attendance. “The people attending crossed generations,” Cokorinos said. “You had to be over 21 but there were definitely people whose kids […]