Glen Ridge BOE hears presentation on budget with 2-percent tax increase

Glen Ridge BOE hears presentation on budget with 2-percent tax increase

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Glen Ridge School District business administrator Barbara Murphy presented the district’s preliminary 2021-2022 budget at the March 15 Board of Education meeting, beginning the process of putting the $35,811,254 budget in place. The tax levy will increase by 2 percent, which is lower than the 2020-2021 budget’s increase of 3.16 percent. […]

Six area fire departments train members on Officer 1 course

Six area fire departments train members on Officer 1 course

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The fire departments of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Nutley, Orange and West Orange are currently enrolled in the 40-hour Officer 1 course at Bloomfield High School; 100 firefighters are taking part in the training, which runs from Feb. 22 to March 19. The course is being taught by instructors from the […]

Some students return to school buildings, even as mediation breaks down

Some students return to school buildings, even as mediation breaks down

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Students in kindergarten through second grade in the South Orange–Maplewood School District returned to their classrooms on March 15, even as mediation between the district administration and the South Orange–Maplewood Education Association broke down the week before. On March 9, the district released a statement saying that the Board […]

Queen Latifah returns to Essex County to promote COVID-19 vaccinations

Queen Latifah returns to Essex County to promote COVID-19 vaccinations

NEWARK, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka welcomed Queen Latifah, star of the CBS drama “The Equalizer,” at the county’s COVID-19 vaccination center at Essex County College on March 9. During the visit, Queen Latifah talked about why it is important to receive the COVID vaccination. “Queen Latifah […]

Jazz musician from West Orange brought energy in virtual performance

Jazz musician from West Orange brought energy in virtual performance

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Art Museum’s fourth annual “Art Meets Jazz” performance may have had to go virtual this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop the show from going on. Isaiah J. Thompson took the online stage to perform on March 11, playing some of his own original music and standards that audience […]