Local NAACP branches going to bat for immigrants and Dreamers

ORANGE, NJ — The Oranges-Maplewood NAACP branch has decided to wade into the debate about the federal Department of Homeland Security’s recent decision to revoke the Temporary Protected Status of 200,000 El Salvadorans, 45,000 Haitians and 2,500 Nicaraguans that have been living and working in this country for years by organizing an Immigration Workshop at […]

County receives $14.8M grants to improve safety at intersections

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority has awarded Essex County $14.8 million in federal grants to make safety improvements at 31 intersections in Montclair, Orange, East Orange, Newark, Belleville, Irvington, Bloomfield and Maplewood. “We want everyone to feel safe on our roads whether they’re walking, driving, visiting our local businesses or […]

ValleyArts celebrates ‘Roberto’ Burns with poetry and tequila

ORANGE, NJ — Every year the poetry of Robert Burns is celebrated, bringing together lovers of the craft to commemorate the life and influential work of the poetic legend. This year, on Friday, Jan. 26, ValleyArts, in partnership with Atticus Review and Garden State Kitchen, is hosting, “‘Roberto’ Burns Night,” an evening filled with poetry, […]

Hamm, P.O.P. celebrate MLK Day with a 101st consecutive protest

NEWARK, NJ — The People’s Organization for Progress marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15, by hosting its annual March and Rally Against Inequality, Racism, Sexism, Fascism and War in his honor, which also doubled as the 101st official Justice Monday protest. P.O.P. Chairman Larry Hamm and his group have been gathering […]

PSE&G files first rate review in 8 years, requests 1-percent increase

NEWARK, NJ — On Jan. 12, PSE&G filed its first regulatory rate review in more than eight years, asking for an adjustment in electric and gas base delivery rates that would increase overall revenues by approximately 1 percent, according to a recent release from the company. According to the company, the increase is necessary to […]

DiVincenzo presents proposed 2018 county budget of $725.9M

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On Wednesday, Jan. 10, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. presented a proposed 2018 budget of $725.9 million that, according to a press release from the county, stabilizes the county’s financial plan and addresses challenges stemming from ongoing national economic conditions. According to the county, layoffs have been avoided since 2004 […]

Sister Cities cope with Winter Storm Grayson

EAST ORANGE / ORANGE, NJ — New East Orange Mayor Ted Green was sworn into office Monday, Jan. 1, just ahead of Winter Storm Grayson, the first blizzard of 2018 to hit New Jersey on Thursday, Jan. 4. During his 12 years as 3rd Ward councilman, Green was known for organizing free snow removal for […]

P.O.P. marks 100th consecutive Justice Monday protest

NEWARK, NJ — The People’s Organization for Progress marked its 100th consecutive week of Justice Monday protests outside the Paul W. Rodino Federal Building in downtown Newark on Monday, Jan. 8, despite the bitter weather. “Man, it was cold out there yesterday,” said Hamm on Tuesday, Jan. 9. “It’s been hard to continue to protest […]