Valerie Fund receives infusion of donations

Bar mitzvah boy collects toys to give to children with cancer, seeks to bring smiles to their faces

Valerie Fund receives infusion of donations

MAPLEWOOD / WEST ORANGE, NJ — A West Orange boy is collecting toys for donation to the children of The Valerie Fund, a Maplewood-based nonprofit organization that benefits youth with cancer and blood diseases. Tyler Levy has collected approximately 180 toys since launching his drive in February, nearly twice as much as his original goal […]

Easter Bunny visits West Orange celebration

Families meet the Bunny, have grand time at revamped Spring Fling with music, crafts and more

Easter Bunny visits West Orange celebration

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Though West Orange Recreation Department held its annual Spring Fling on April 13 at West Orange High School’s Tarnoff Gym, the 2017 event offered a different kind of experience for local children than in previous years. Forgoing its traditional egg hunt, the Spring Fling this year hosted a Play Zone where […]

Crecco Plaza arch in doubt

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The construction of the proposed memorial arch in Crecco Plaza appears unlikely to happen, according to the former treasurer of the foundation that would pay for the arch. Also dubious of the original plan being realized is the daughter of John Crecco, the former Bloomfield councilman and mayor for whom the the arch […]

Turtle Back Zoo opens new exhibits

Turtle Back Zoo opens new exhibits

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. announced the opening of two new natural habitat-themed animal exhibits at Turtle Back Zoo on Monday, April 17. One exhibit is for Andean condors and the other exhibit combines giant anteaters and maned wolves. The new exhibits are part of the county’s ongoing initiative to […]

WOPD Officer Brennan remembered in township ceremony

WOPD Officer Brennan remembered in township ceremony

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange continues to honor the memory of Police Officer Edward J. Brennan, who joined the department circa 1917. On Thursday, April 20, the township held a ceremony to commemorate Brennan’s dedication to the township and to remember his service. Brennan was the first West Orange police officer to die in […]

Former teacher’s aide returns to Westbridge Academy

Former teacher’s aide returns to Westbridge Academy

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — John Cerniglia, a former teacher’s aide at a Bloomfield special-needs school, returned March 1 to his old workplace on West Street as the supervisor of curriculum and instruction. Coming back to Westbridge Academy after 28 years, he is spending time getting to know the kids and staff. To everyone, he is “John.” “Building […]

SHU ‘farmers and cowmen’ to be friends on SOPAC stage

‘Cain’t say no’ to seeing ‘Oklahoma!’ this weekend

SHU ‘farmers and cowmen’ to be friends on SOPAC stage

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — “Oklahoma!” is undoubtedly one of the most significant plays in the history of American theater. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic — the duo’s debut collaboration — was among the first productions to incorporate song and dance into a coherent story when it opened on Broadway in 1943. Since then the show […]

Rutzky announces that district cuts will not be as severe due to contract agreement

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange School District released the following statement April 18 from Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Rutzky: “Based on the tentative agreement for health benefits and salary with the West Orange Education Association, the additional $1.3 million dollars in budget cuts will no longer be needed. Therefore, the library media specialist […]