Number of homicides in Orange hits 8 for 2016

ORANGE, NJ — The year may be coming to an end, but the death toll continues to increase in Orange, with the number of homicides in the city now at eight. On Friday, Dec. 2, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Orange Police Director Todd Warren announced a 16-year-old male juvenile had been […]

Spotlight on history: Students help the war effort

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Let’s look back again to the ‘40s when our country was engaged in World War II and Bloomfield students were expected to do their fair share in winning the struggle. In a very real way, Bloomfield children were an active division in a nationwide children’s crusade. In every school — and there […]

BOE seeks proof of residency for election winners

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — This past Tuesday, Dec. 13, it was expected that the Bloomfield Board of Education would discuss the residency qualifications of two newly elected board members, Gladys Rivera and Lillian Mancheno, at their regular meeting of that night. While Mancheno was interviewed during the summer by The Independent Press and said she has been […]

West Orange schools create holiday cards for troops

West Orange schools create holiday cards for troops

WEST ORANGE, NJ — All 11 schools in the West Orange School District once again answered the call to create holiday cards for the troops with a resounding “yes,” as more than 1,000 cards were recently sent out to troops around the world. “We Love Our Heroes,” a local group comprised of friends and parishioners […]

Mayor now supports freeholder president’s S.U.N. initiative

IRVINGTON, NJ — Two years ago, when Mayor Tony Vauss was running for office, some beleaguered homeowners wanted him to take the suggestion from a nonprofit group to use Irvington’s eminent domain powers to take mortgages back from the banks and lenders threatening to foreclose on them. Although this may have helped struggling homeowners keep […]

Central Ave. redevelopment moves ahead

Planning Board approves redevelopment plan, debates merit of including public self-storage area

Central Ave. redevelopment moves ahead

WEST ORANGE, NJ — At its Dec. 7 meeting, the West Orange Planning Board unanimously approved the redevelopment plan for the six Central Valley properties designated as a condemnation area in need of redevelopment. But the board did not just wholly accept the plan, which was prepared by Peter Van den Kooy and Sean Moronski […]

District gathers SOMA’s ideas, feedback

Two towns share thoughts at second education summit, discuss next steps in strategic action plan

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District held a second education summit at Columbia High School on Dec. 6 in order to garner feedback from parents, teachers and students as to how the deliverables of its proposed action plan should be prioritized if the Board of Education votes to approve the […]

H.A.N.D.S. bids a fond farewell as its director retires

H.A.N.D.S. bids a fond farewell as its director retires

ORANGE, NJ — The Housing and Neighborhood Development Services of New Jersey, based in Orange Township’s Valley section, held its 17th annual Community Leadership Awards banquet at the Appian Way restaurant on Landon Street on Wednesday, Dec. 7. But this year’s celebration of all things related to developing the Valley Arts District was bittersweet, since […]

CITIZENS OF NEW JERSEY A CALL TO ACTION BY MONDAY A.M.

 WHAT IS GOVERNOR CHRISTIE TRYING TO HIDE? For over 100 years, governments and businesses in the U.S. have been required to inform the public about vital matters like government contract bids, variance applications, sub-division variance applications, foreclosures, sales of government property, government contract bids, and municipal tax sales. But this week, Gov. Chris Christie and […]