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 […]

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 […]

Board approves NJ Transit’s FY19 local and community transportation programs

NEWARK, NJ — On Aug. 8, NJ Transit’s board of directors authorized the expenditure of approximately $45 million in federal and state funds to implement local transportation programs for fiscal year 2019, providing critical local transportation services for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the economically-disadvantaged and rural residents, according to a press release from NJ […]

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 […]

Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force announced

NEWARK, NJ — Assistant Attorney Gen. Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced on Aug. 13 the formation of the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, […]

NJ Transit adopts fiscal year 2019 operating, capital budgets

NEWARK, NJ — On Aug. 8, the NJ Transit board of directors adopted a fiscal year 2019 operating budget and capital program that supports continued investments in personnel, infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state-of-good repair, and enhance the overall customer experience, according to a press release from NJ Transit. “These budgets […]

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. […]

Irvington well-represented at Newark music festival

NEWARK, NJ — The Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, on Broad Street in downtown Newark, hosted the 13th annual Lincoln Park Music Festival, beginning with gospel and rhythm-and-blues music on Friday, July 27, followed by house music on Saturday, July 28, and ending with hip-hop music on Sunday, July 29. The Newark rap group Lords […]

NJ Transit and Nextdoor partner in community policing initiative

NEWARK, NJ — The New Jersey Transit Police Department has partnered with Nextdoor, a global, private social network for neighborhoods, to utilize the social media app to help increase active “eyes and ears” surrounding NJ Transit’s infrastructure. “Safety is the No. 1 priority for NJ Transit, Executive Director Kevin Corbett said in a press release. […]