Apply for ‘18 Under 18’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life is accepting applications for “18 Under 18 Who Bring Jewish Learning to Life.” Up to 18 middle and high school students who live or attend school in the Greater MetroWest NJ will be awarded a $250 Israel Bond and honored with special recognition at […]

Mayors Council heads to D.C. to fund flood mitigation plan

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Next week, representatives from the Mayors Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control will head to Washington, D.C., to convince the U.S. Congress to fund the Rahway River flood mitigation plan. As of September 2015, the flood mitigation study was fully funded, leaving the next step to the U.S. Congress to approve […]

YMCA earns top rating from Charity Navigator for 5th year

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The nation’s largest charity evaluator has awarded the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges its top rating for the fifth year straight in recognition of the organization’s sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency, according to a press release. “Only 6 percent of the charities we rate have received at […]

Essex County unveils $762 million budget for 2016

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On Monday, Jan. 11, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. presented a 2016 budget of $762 million with the hope of stabilizing the county’s financial plan and addressing challenges likely to be presented by national economic conditions. According to a release, layoffs have been avoided since 2004 and budgets have been […]

RAKES program a success: 75 properties are cleared

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — More than 150 volunteers participated in this year’s eighth annual RAKES program — Random Acts of Kindness Extended to Seniors. The volunteers cleaned away and bagged the leaves on the properties of over 75 senior citizens. “I would like to thank the many volunteers that donated their time and efforts,” said […]

Health class gets lesson in ‘safe dating’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Does your teenager know the warning signs of an abusive relationship? One in three teens experience verbal or physical abuse from a dating partner. This statistic is the reason that “safe dating” education is now required by law in New Jersey. One such program took place November 16 and 17 at […]

JCC MetroWest hopes to take bite out of food insecurity

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — With a photo exhibit on display at the JCC MetroWest through Dec. 21, the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition, in conjunction with several other agencies working to end food insecurity, is putting a face to the state’s elderly and disabled population without the means to afford food this holiday season. “NJ Soul of […]

St. Rose welcomes new principal

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — St. Rose of Lima Academy in Short Hills got to know a new principal, Tina Underwood, in the first half of the school year. Many students from around Essex County attend St. Rose. Below is an interview conducted with Underwood by sixth-grader Mia Henrich, a member of the editorial staff for […]

Yogi Berra’s Presidential Medal of Freedom

Perseverance from local family and friends leads to deserved recognition

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It was a closer call for Yogi Berra than people might think. But as to whether the Hall of Fame baseball player, humanitarian and phraseologist was to be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, time nearly ran out. According to his granddaughter, Lindsay Berra, 100,000 signatures had to be collected on […]