Law enforcement shuts down ‘major drug manufacturing facility’ in WO

Law enforcement shuts down ‘major drug manufacturing facility’ in WO

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A major drug manufacturing facility was shut down July 29 and nearly $1 million in methamphetamine was seized by a law enforcement task force comprised of Essex County sheriff’s detectives and detectives from the Newark, Bloomfield, Irvington and West Orange police departments. Sheriff Armando Fontoura said in a July 30 press […]

Bloomfield Council to dissolve rec board

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Township Council will be dissolving its board of recreation commissioners and Cultural Commission in an effort to downsize its government. The organizations will be replaced by a single advisory committee.  First readings of ordinances eliminating the board and commission were passed unanimously Monday, July 22. The second readings are expected […]

Time-traveling twins from Newark get their start in WO

Time-traveling twins from Newark get their start in WO

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Alexa and Beni Ventura are time traveling through other dimensions to save the history and culture of Puerto Rico, and they’re only 12 years old. The twins from Newark are fictional characters created by Dania Ramos, a Bloomfield resident and writer, director and producer. She, along with producer, sound designer and […]

Essex County receives many grants for the arts

Essex County receives many grants for the arts

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey State Council on the Arts recently awarded more than $15.7 million in grant funding to support 700 arts organizations, projects and artists throughout the state. “It is an honor to lead a department that invests in the people of New Jersey in such diverse and meaningful ways,” Secretary of […]

Board may move vote back to April

Board may move vote back to April

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Board of Education held a special public meeting last Thursday, July 18, to discuss a possible rescheduling of the November board elections to April. The elections can be moved with a public referendum or a board resolution. A resolution was under consideration for the next regular meeting, this past Tuesday, […]

Fontoura outlines plan to make joint K-9 task force in county

Fontoura outlines plan to make joint K-9 task force in county

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On July 17, Sheriff Armando Fontoura today outlined a new initiative in law enforcement and public safety. The initiative, which is expected to be implemented Jan. 1, will create a shared services K-9 task force between Essex County and its municipal police departments. Fontoura said the proposed K-9 task force would […]

NJ Dept. of Health encourages residents to avoid dangers of extreme heat

NJ Dept. of Health encourages residents to avoid dangers of extreme heat

TRENTON, NJ — With temperatures in New Jersey hitting triple digits, the New Jersey Department of Health is urging residents to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “There were 176 emergency department visits between May 29 and July 8 due to heat-related illness,” state epidemiologist Dr. Tina Tan said. “It is critical […]

Sheriff’s Dept. promotes and swears in new officers

Sheriff’s Dept. promotes and swears in new officers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced promotions and the hiring of several sheriff’s officers during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Leroy Smith Public Safety Building on July 8. Among those promoted were Chief James Spango, who previously served as a deputy chief; Undersheriff Fitzgerald Figliuolo, who also served as a […]