Mayors Council reports major step forward in Rahway River Flood Mitigation Plan

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control released in a June 5 statement that the U.S. House of Representatives recently introduced HR 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which includes an amendment to authorize the construction planning and engineering of the Rahway River Flood Mitigation Plan. The priority […]

Man captured beating woman in nanny cam video is convicted

MILLBURN, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced June 1 that an Essex County jury has convicted Shawn Custis, 45, of Newark of aggravated assault, criminal restraint, burglary, robbery, theft and endangering the welfare of a child following a six-week trial before Essex County Criminal Division Judge Ronald Wigler. Custis was acquitted […]

County residents excel at music competition

EAST HANOVER, NJ — Students of the Calderone School of Music performed at the 2016 Annual Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild Festival and Competition. Students who sing or play solo piano, violin, guitar, woodwinds, brass, duets and bands with any combination of instruments, and percussion, compete with other students within their age group and according […]

Rahway River study receives $379,000 in federal funding

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker highlighted $10,954,000 in funding to protect New Jersey communities threatened by repeated floods contained within the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Act appropriations bill, which passed in the Senate on May 12. Among the projects receiving funding is the ongoing […]

18 local young men and women honored for bringing Jewish learning to life

WHIPPANY, NJ — The Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life recently announced the first cohort of “18 Under 18 Who Bring Jewish Learning to Life.” The contest was open to all middle and high school students in Greater MetroWest New Jersey and challenged them to write an essay demonstrating meaningful connections between their activities, passions […]

Menendez, Booker announce $1.6 million in federal funding to support arts education in N.J.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker recently announced the awarding of a combined $1,610,900 in federal grants from the National Endowment of the Arts to support and enhance arts education throughout New Jersey. The NEA funds state and local arts initiatives through multiple grant categories including Arts Works, Our Town, State […]

Paper Mill Playhouse announces 2016 Rising Star Award nominations

MILLBURN, NJ — As one of the nation’s leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way. The theater will be the recipient of this year’s Regional Theatre Tony Award. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill […]

TSTI members open homes to fellow congregants for Shabbat B’Bayit

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Eleven members of Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange opened their homes on a recent Friday evening for Shabbat B’Bayit, or “Shabbat in the home.” Congregants from throughout Essex and neighboring counties shared Shabbat dinner at synagogue members’ homes in South Orange, Maplewood and Short Hills. Approximately 160 people of all […]