MPD plans to add sgt. from within department

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On July 2, the Maplewood Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance on first reading that would add another sergeant to the Maplewood Police Department’s table of organization. The change, if approved on second reading at the committee’s July 16 meeting, would bring the number of sergeants in the department from 10 to […]

TBZ, other local projects to see state spending freeze

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On June 30, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act into law. The budget lacked the governor’s long-supported millionaire’s tax, which had been vehemently opposed by N.J. Senate President Stephen Sweeney. While Murphy seemingly lost the fight for a millionaire’s tax, he hit back with Executive Order No. […]

LGBT activist dies in S.O. fire

Housefire on Ward Place results in resident's death, ECPO investigates

LGBT activist dies in S.O. fire

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Cecilia Cranko, a well-known local LGBT activist, died in a fire at her home, 231 Ward Place in South Orange, on Friday, July 5. In the wake of this tragedy, the community has come together to remember Cranko and support her family. At approximately 2:39 a.m., units from the South Orange […]

SHU professors with Kessler consult on major motion picture

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University professor Lauren Snowdon and adjunct faculty member Maggie McNiece, both of whom also work at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, were presented with the opportunity to work on “The Upside,” a major motion picture, after giving a tour of Kessler to the movie’s producers and actor Bryan Cranston. […]

Maplewood firefighters receive awards recognizing their excellence

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Fire Department held its 2019 awards ceremony at the Feb. 19 Township Committee meeting, recognizing members of the department for their heroic and effective actions throughout 2018. The first award, the Administrative Award, was presented to several members of the department for their efforts in improving the training capabilities of […]

Maplewood Rotary to honor founding member of CCR

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Rotary Club will honor Carol Barry Austin with its 2019 Citizenship Award at its Affair of the Heart event on Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at the Maplewood Country Club. The Affair of the Heart raises funds for Maplewood Rotary’s ongoing efforts to save the lives of children around […]

Rent Party lineup brings some big voices

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Rent Party, the area nonprofit that works to combat hunger in the South Orange-Maplewood community, holds monthly concerts at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood. Admission is charged and all proceeds go to help fight hunger. On Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m., hear Shemekia Copeland, with special guests Shark Hat, […]

6th annual Luminary Project raises more than $13K

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The 6th Annual MLK Luminary Project, organized by the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, raised more than $13,000 for the organization — $2,500 more in donations than in 2018 — as a result of close to 1,400 homes, businesses and local institutions participating by lighting luminaries. This initiative […]

South Orange receives grant for floodplain reforestation project

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Sustainable Jersey announced Feb. 18 that more than $38,000 was awarded to eight New Jersey municipalities, including South Orange, for floodplain reforestation projects. The Roots for Rivers Reforestation Grant and Technical Assistance Program is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, The Watershed Institute and Sustainable Jersey. In addition to South Orange, […]