Cummis retires from police force, receives severance pay

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The members of the Maplewood Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution that settles the severance payout to former Maplewood Police Capt. Joshua Cummis, who recently retired after being placed on administrative leave. Following the release of records from the July 5, 2016, clash between Maplewood police and many teenagers, many of whom […]

12th annual Senior Wellness Day to be Sept. 26

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The 12th annual Essex County Senior Wellness Day will be Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Codey Arena, 560 Northfield Ave. in West Orange. This free event is sponsored by AAA and ShopRite. “We are planning a fun-filled day of activities and will be providing a great […]

Health programs in Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood Health Department is spreading the word about these free upcoming health-related programs. The Overlook Mobile Health Van will be at the Hilton Branch Library, 1688 Springfield Ave., on Thursday, Sept. 21, from noon to 2 p.m. Find out if you are at risk for diabetes or high blood pressure with […]

‘Black and Blue’ sheds light on stigmas for black males

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Addressing the stigmas surrounding black masculinity is a difficult task, but that is exactly what Maplewood resident and Columbia High School alumna Claudia Schafer hopes to do with her new exhibit “Black and Blue,” which examines the personal experiences with prejudice and racism of six young black men. The exhibit is on […]

Elks support OLS and St. Joseph’s food pantries

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange Elks Treasurer Ron Housley recently presented a check for $500 to Kate Cahill and Ellen Wiese, pictured, co-managers of the Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry in South Orange; proceeds came from the Beer Garden at Maplewoodstock, plus a generous donation from the Elks. In addition, the Elks also […]

‘American Movie Musical’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — With its characters bursting into song and dance at the drop of a top hat, no Hollywood genre is more blissfully escapist than the movie musical — nor more attuned to the reality its audiences need to escape. The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School will look at the evolution of this genre and […]

Newcomers Day in South Orange

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The village of South Orange and the Community Relations Committee invite everyone to Newcomers Day on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the South Orange Public Library, 65 Scotland Road in South Orange.

CHSSF works to keep sending SOMA students to college

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund hosted its fifth annual cocktail reception for 120 guests at the Maplewood Club on Sept. 9 to raise money for the scholarships that will be distributed next May. The nonprofit awards need-based scholarships to graduates of Columbia High School to help fund their post-secondary education. In […]

ECPO offers domestic violence training

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will again offer a domestic violence training program this fall. Called “Sanctuary,” the program is a 100-hour training program designed to equip community residents to provide crisis intervention and outreach services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking and family members of domestic […]

New tests show 13 school fixtures with elevated lead levels

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — In a Sept. 5 update, the South Orange-Maplewood School District reported that in the second round of lead testing, 13 fixtures showed evidence of elevated lead levels. Concerns regarding the district’s water fixtures began last school year after the SOMSD, in compliance with the Department of Education regulations and […]