ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped large gatherings from happening, Essex County residents spent months protesting a proposed 500-seat amphitheater to be built in the South Mountain Reservation northeast of the penguin pavilion at Turtle Back Zoo. As recently as March, residents held events at the entrance to the zoo, asking the […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange–Maplewood Board of Education passed a distance-learning plan for the rest of the school year that will also be used in the event that schools are not able to reopen in the fall at its May 18 virtual meeting, with no requirement that livestreamed instruction be provided […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — “ARTdemic: An Exhibit of Work Created During the Pandemic” opened recently at the i19 Gallery. This virtual exhibit includes work from 34 regional, national and international artists, all of whom are creating compelling art during the pandemic. The exhibit, which is on view at i19gallery.com through June 30, showcases 33 pieces of […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — In the face of a daunting pandemic, Seton Hall University has pledged an additional $200,000 in scholarships for its recent graduates and alumni who wish to pursue a graduate-level education. The scholarships are being funded through a university grant that applies to a select group of online master’s degree programs. This […]
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – Essex County will present an emergency food distribution event on Thursday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at the Charles H. Bullock School, 55 Washington St. in Montclair, to help families negatively impacted by the coronavirus. The 1,000 boxes of food that will be distributed are meant to benefit families who have […]
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Tennis courts in South Orange and Maplewood are now open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Guidelines have been established and the courts will be regularly monitored by both towns for compliance: Maintain social distancing — no closer than 6 feet to other […]
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. announced that Essex County is expanding its COVID-19 testing initiative to include satellite testing sites throughout the county in addition to continuing to operate its drive-through testing center in Weequahic Park in Newark. The satellite sites, which opened May 21, offer saliva tests; the Weequahic […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood taxpayers are looking at a 4-percent increase in property taxes this year, according to the budget introduced at the Maplewood Township Committee’s May 5 meeting. The committee unanimously approved the introduction of the budget, which comes in at $48,199,831.37. These numbers could change between now and the June 16 public hearing. […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Board of Trustees introduced the 2020 budget at its virtual May 11 meeting, passing the $36,873,694.78 budget, in which municipal taxes will be raised by 2.72 percent, on first reading with a 5–0 vote. The average increase between 2011 and 2020 has been 1.8 percent, while the average […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Old Stone House in South Orange, believed to be the oldest standing building in New Jersey, was named one of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in the state by Preservation New Jersey at a virtual press conference on May 14. Built sometime between 1666 and 1680, the Old Stone […]