Discuss the SOMSD 2017-2018 budget

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — How will your tax dollars be used to support our local public schools as they strive to prepare each and every student for post-secondary educational success and to educate all students to be responsible and productive members of the global society at large? Whether you have children enrolled in […]

Former mayor of Rome to speak at SHU

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Seton Hall University community is excited to welcome Walter Veltroni, the former mayor of Rome, on Tuesday, March 14, in the University Library Beck Rooms at 6 p.m. He will discuss Italy’s cultural role in the international debate on migration. Professor Gabriella Romani and Dean Andrea Bartoli will host the […]

Kneading for those in need

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Members of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange rolled up their sleeves to participate in a community challah bake on Feb. 7 in the kitchen at Community FoodBank of New Jersey, located in Hillside. The event, “Kneading for Those in Need,” was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest and […]

Maplewood Health Department events in March

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Health Department will hold several events and clinics during the month of March. They are as follows: A presentation by Alzheimer’s New Jersey, “Understanding Memory Loss,” will be offered on Wednesday, March 8, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at the Maplewood Community Center, 106 Burnett Ave. Memory loss that disrupts […]

Help build better tomorrows with Arc

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The 19th annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run/Walk will be Saturday, April 29, at the Clipper Pavilion in the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange. The 5K will begin at 9 a.m., the family walk at 10:30 a.m. and the fun fest at 10:45 a.m. For entry fee information and complete […]

Debate over leaf blower bans rages at TC meeting

Residents support ban, landscapers point out problems

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — While Maplewood neighborhoods may be blissfully quiet this summer, landscapers claim the silence will cost homeowners increased lawn care fees. On Feb. 21, the Maplewood Township Committee continued the 14-year debate that has been raging around leaf blowers here, and dozens of landscapers came out to oppose further restrictions. In 2003, the […]

SOMA Board of Ed affirms commitment to educating all children

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At the Feb. 27 South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education meeting, board members voted to affirm the South Orange-Maplewood School District’s commitment to educating all children. The board passed Resolution No. 3536, which states the district’s goal to education all children, regardless of ethnicity or immigration status. “The School District […]

Deer management program culls 89 animals from reservations

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County recently announced that 89 deer and 56 unborn deer were removed from South Mountain Reservation and Hilltop Reservation during the 2017 deer management program. The program, which was held on six days between Jan. 17 and Feb. 14, is geared toward revitalizing the forest ecology by reducing the number […]

Transgender Scout finds a home in Maplewood pack

Proponents, opponents sound off on recent BSA ruling

Transgender Scout finds a home in Maplewood pack

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The 9-year-old transgender boy who was asked to leave his Secaucus Cub Scout pack last year due to his gender identity is now a member of Maplewood’s Pack 20, following the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to enact a policy allowing transgender boys to join. Joe Maldonado became the first openly transgender […]