Cop-killer’s health takes a turn for the worse; teacher’s legal battle continues

ORANGE, NJ — People’s Organization for Progress Chairman Larry Hamm and People’s Organization for Progress Minister of Information Zayid Muhammad issued an urgent press release regarding convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal’s health and former Forest Street School third-grade teacher Marilyn Zuniga’s ongoing legal battle with Orange public schools, on Monday, March 21. “On March 21, the […]

District hires baseball HIB investigator

SOMSD hires former, interim Parsippany-Troy Hills superintendent, detractors remain dissatisfied

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District has hired an independent professional to conduct the investigation into the Columbia High School baseball coaching staff that was announced at the Feb. 22 Board of Education meeting, after a former player alleged in a recent lawsuit that he was repeatedly bullied by the […]

WOSD to cut 20 employees, two classes

With budget shortfall and 2-percent tax cap, school district forced to make personnel, class cuts

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Board of Education unanimously approved the proposed 2016-2017 school year’s preliminary budget, which includes increasing taxes by 1.86 percent while also cutting 20 positions and two middle-school classes to make up for an approximately $3 million deficit, during its March 21 meeting. According to the budget presentation made […]

EO mayor promotes $15-an-hour minimum wage

EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange — which once received national acclaim for being one of the cleanest cities in America; for its innovative use of technology to combat persistent, long-running law enforcement concerns; and for the Police Department’s historic reductions in crime through the direction of former police Director Jose Cordero during former Mayor […]

Maplewood to see 1.96-percent tax increase

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood residents can expect to see a tax increase, according to the preliminary 2016 municipal budget, which was introduced at the March 15 Township Committee meeting. According to budget documents, the township’s Finance Committee is proposing a $41.5 million operating budget for 2016. The first reading of the preliminary budget was approved […]

NAACP standing behind fired third-grade teacher

IRVINGTON, NJ — Irvington NAACP Vice President Kathleen Witcher is joining Oranges-Maplewood NAACP President Tom Puryear and the People’s Organization for Progress in supporting former Forest Street School third-grade teacher Marilyn Zuniga in her ongoing legal battle with her former employers, the Orange School District and the Orange Board of Education. A first-year teacher, Zuniga […]

OPD union members update council on contract negotiations

ORANGE, NJ — Orange Police Department’s Policeman’s Benevolent Association Local 89 came out in force to the City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, March 1, to inform the city’s governing body about the state of their ongoing contract negotiations with Mayor Dwayne Warren’s administration. “I’m on the executive board and we’ve been without a contract […]

EO mayor’s annual ball is a success

EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange Mayor Lester Taylor hosted his third annual Mayor’s Ball at The Castle Sheraton Parsippany Hotel on Saturday, March 5, with 800 guests coming out to party with the man that has made turning his city into a model of urban excellence and a destination city the twin goals of […]