Residents come together to discuss bias in the SOMSD

Town hall forum breaks into small, focused sessions

Residents come together to discuss bias in the SOMSD

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At a second town hall meeting on equity and inclusion on May 3, roughly one month after community members stressed that the South Orange-Maplewood School District’s curriculum should be changed to prevent racially insensitive incidents from occurring, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction informed parents that teachers […]

Crime in Bloomfield was down significantly in 2015

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Crime in Bloomfield decreased significantly from 2014 to 2015, according to the NJ State Police Uniform Crime Report, released April 28. The crime index, which is the total number of reported violent and nonviolent crimes, dropped from 1,229 in 2014 to 890 in 2015. Both violent and nonviolent crimes decreased, but the major […]

WOEC promotes use of online marketplace for solar panels

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Environmental Commission will soon start promoting an online marketplace in which residents can obtain free cost estimates on solar panels from approximately 450 different contractors. WOEC Chairman Mike Brick said his group will soon start working with EnergySage to create a website specifically for West Orange, which the […]

‘I Am Not Your Negro’ screening encourages dialogue

Community members highlight continuing insensitivity

‘I Am Not Your Negro’ screening encourages dialogue

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Prompted by recent controversies within the school district, a community healing event featuring the free showing of the Academy Award-nominated documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” and an open panel discussion were held Saturday, May 6, at Bow Tie Cinemas in South Orange in an effort to encourage open dialogue and […]

Administration to revisit changing Move-Up Day

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — An abrupt change of a 50-year-old Glen Ridge School District tradition drew concern from a number of parents at a hastily arranged meeting at Ridgewood Avenue School on Monday, May 8. In attendance were about 30 parents, School Superintendent Dirk Phillips, the borough’s three elementary school principals and a number of teachers. […]

Hilton and Clarke elected in close race

Election too close to call as fewer than 25 votes separate Schnall and Saeed

Hilton and Clarke elected in close race

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Following a rather quiet election season, the people have elected incumbent Walter Clarke and challenger Karen Hilton to fill two of the three open seats on the South Orange Board of Trustees in a very close race. The race was so close, in fact, that it is still unclear who will […]

Third annual Senior Prom draws a good crowd at K of C

Third annual Senior Prom draws a good crowd at K of C

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield Human Service, the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network, and the nursing students at Bloomfield College, again collaborated for its annual Senior Prom for Bloomfield and Glen Ridge seniors. Held on Friday afternoon, May 5, at the Bloomfield Knights of Columbus, it was the third annual prom and attracted, according to Paula Peikes, the supervisor […]

Judge rules BOE winner can retain her seat

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A judge in Newark has decided not to void the candidacy or force the removal of a newly elected Bloomfield Board of Education member whose proof of residency had been challenged. In court papers issued Monday, May 8, Office of Administrative Law Judge Leslie Celentano said that although a significant question remains as […]

WOHS Dodgeball Tournament ‘dodges, ducks, dips and dives’ for causes

WOHS Dodgeball Tournament ‘dodges, ducks, dips and dives’ for causes

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The annual West Orange High School Dodgeball Tournament on May 4 “dodged, ducked, dipped and dived” to raise funds for The Principal’s Scholarship and several Relay For Life teams. Team “Andrei Wasn’t Offsides” went undefeated, taking first place in the tournament. Team members were Natalie Nevins, Kiara Machuca, Dillon Reitberger, Andrei […]