DiVincenzo calls for return to 2-percent arbitration cap

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. renewed his request to Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to reenact the 2-percent cap on interest-arbitration increases for police and fire employees Tuesday, Aug. 14. The measure was first introduced in 2011 and renewed in 2014, before it was […]

WO breaks ground on Central Ave. apartment complex

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Valley Arts district of West Orange and Orange has been going through a resurgence in recent years, continuing Wednesday Aug. 8, with the groundbreaking of the Valley Residential project on Central Avenue. The empty lot will soon be turned into residential development, built by New Jersey Housing, Mortgage Finance Agency […]

Wells Fargo wagon not coming down the street in Essex

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. announced Aug. 8 that Essex County is withdrawing all its accounts from Wells Fargo because of “predatory lending schemes and aggressive foreclosure practices by the banking giant,” according to a release from the county. Under DiVincenzo’s directive, Essex County began removing its accounts from Wells Fargo […]

More than 850 children shop cost-free at Back 2 School Store

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The 10th annual NCJW/Essex Back 2 School Store brought grins all around on Sunday, July 29, as hundreds of children went shopping at a one-day pop-up store designed to help economically disadvantaged children in Essex County. “I love my new backpack and I got to pick it out myself!” exclaimed one little […]

Irvington well-represented at Orange’s annual Caribbean Festival

ORANGE, NJ — Irvington Township was represented by Lionel Leach at this year’s annual Orange Caribbean Festival, organized by Nikki Amos and Campanella Godfrey, in Monte Irving Park on Central Avenue in Orange on Saturday, Aug. 4. A former Communications Workers of America Union official, as well as part of former Mayor Wayne Smith’s unsuccessful […]

Orange’s annual Caribbean Festival gets rave reviews

ORANGE, NJ — Every year, Nikki Amos and Campanella Godfrey organize Orange’s Caribbean Festival in Monte Irvin Orange Park on Central Avenue, with the support of the local mayor, Orange City Council and a host of public and private supporters. On Saturday, Aug. 4, this year’s efforts attracted the attention of Carol Thomas and her […]

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to host opioid community meeting

NEWARK, NJ — The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, along with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and health care professionals, will host a community meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15, to discuss the effects of the opioid crisis in this area. The meeting, which will be held at the Glen Ridge Congregational Church, 195 Ridgewood Ave. […]

OPL board questions need of council to cut $500K from its budget

ORANGE, NJ — On Wednesday, July 25, Orange Public Library Board of Trustees President Esney Sharpe officially responded to Orange City Council’s cutting $500,000 from the local historic landmark institution’s funding request in Mayor Dwayne Warren’s Calendar Year 2018 proposed budget. Sharpe and the board had asked the council to approve $1.2 million to fund […]