Son charged in death of Maplewood Man

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino announced June 7 that authorities had made an arrest in connection with that morning’s killing of Wesley Reason, 53, inside his Maplewood home on Broadview Avenue. The victim’s son, Alexander Taylor Reason, 19, has been charged with murder and […]

SOMA Film Festival to move to The Woodland

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — After two successful seasons at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, SOMA Film Festival will move the bulk of its events to The Woodland in Maplewood for its third year. The festival will take place from March 16 to 18, 2018, and with film programs being screened in the Great Hall of […]

Meeting with NJT postponed, officials wait for answers

Officials pleased with concessions, angered by treatment

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Following Gov. Chris Christie’s May 23 announcement that the Morris & Essex Midtown Direct trains to Penn Station will be diverted to Hoboken for approximately eight weeks this summer while Penn Station is upgraded to repair tracks and switches, officials from the many towns affected called for a meeting with NJ […]

Enjoy the outdoors but beware of ticks

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — According to the New Jersey Department of Health, Lyme disease is endemic in New Jersey, with more than 4,800 cases reported in 2015, which was the second highest number of cases reported in the United States. In 2015, Essex County reported 165 Lyme disease cases. Recent scientific studies indicate that 2017 may […]

Coffee House Discussions returns to Maplewood library

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race will host Coffee House Discussions on Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at Maplewood Memorial Library, 51 Baker St. in Maplewood. CHD is a quarterly informal gathering for SOMA residents to share openly their perspectives on pressing race-related issues and then to explore local solutions […]

Police investigate homicide in Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino announced June 7 that the Maplewood Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force are investigating a homicide. At approximately 2:30 a.m. on June 7, Wesley Reason, 53, of Maplewood sustained fatal injuries when he […]

1978 to host watercolor exhibition

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Gallery 1978 at Maplewood Arts Center presents its 14th annual exhibition of watercolor students from Evelyn Graves’ popular classes, beginning Saturday June 10. There will be an opening reception Sunday, June 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. The first watercolor classes for adults began in 2002 and they have been going strong […]

Girls Night Out in Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Girls Night Out in Maplewood Village is back this Thursday night, June 8, beginning at 6 p.m. in Maplewood Village with a fun night of shopping, dining, music, promotions and more. Mona Lisa Framing will be giving away free playful goodies and raffling off a basket valued at $350 filled to the […]

Village resident explores history and smooching

Synagogue employee Jodi Rotondo has alter ego who writes best-selling historical romance novels

Village resident explores history and smooching

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — When you meet Jodi Rotondo around town, it can be quite difficult to see what lies underneath the surface. It’s easy to see that she is a devoted wife and mother, and the communications coordinator at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange. But you may not realize she is the bestselling […]