WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange African Heritage Organization held its annual Kwanzaa event on Friday, Dec. 30. Filled with great music, food, vendors and a candle-lighting ceremony, the event was a welcoming introduction for residents to what Kwanzaa means and how it serves a purpose in society today for those who participate in […]
WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden signed federal legislation on Dec. 28 that includes provisions to make the Rahway River flood mitigation study a national priority. Through the efforts of Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, and U.S. Reps. Donald M. Payne Jr. and Tom Malinowski — as well as through the consistent work of […]
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund is awarding $2.2 million in grants to 96 nonprofit organizations across the state. Since its founding in 2020, the fund has awarded a total of more than $6.7 million in grants to more than 180 nonprofit arts, culture and history organizations statewide. The […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi issued the oath of office for promotions for four firefighters and five police officers at the Wilshire Grand Hotel on Dec. 28. Fire Chief Anthony Vecchio and Police Chief James Abbott introduced the promotions with high praise for the promotees’ professional experience and commitment in […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Washington Elementary School in West Orange hosted a huge toy giveaway on Dec. 17, distributing more than 2,000 toys to local families. Deputy Mayor Rodolfo Rodriguez served as master of ceremonies for the eighth annual toy giveaway, which was held in partnership with the West Orange Hispanic Foundation; Margie Heller, vice […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — At the Dec. 20 West Orange Township Council meeting, the township took time to honor longtime Mayor Robert D. Parisi, who will be leaving office at the end of the year. Parisi has served as mayor for the past 12 years — and as a township councilman for 12 years before […]
MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Beloved Bath, a business in Maplewood, is transforming how the world views people with autism and their capabilities. Business partners and longtime friends Pat Miller, of West Orange, and Pam Kattouf, of Maplewood, have created a place filled with amazing scents and a caring mindset for customers with both specialized and general […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange High School paraprofessional Ferdinand “Freddy” Christian III has been named the West Orange School District’s educational support professional for 2022-2023. Christian serves as a paraprofessional in the self-contained classrooms. He works one-on-one with students while assisting the classroom teacher in whatever capacity is needed. He has worked in the […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Photographer Mansa K. Mussa traveled to London in September 2022 to photograph the opening reception of “The Bigger Picture,” a solo exhibit featuring the art of his teacher and mentor Ben F. Jones. The six-day trip also celebrated the Newark-based photographer’s 35th year of traveling the world of photography. The West […]
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Anya Hughes, a sixth-grader, has created a stunning mural for the West Orange School District’s central office classroom to thank teachers Rebecca Giacopelli and Megan Schaller for the wonderful experiences she had during the program for gifted-and-talented students. Students are accepted into the gifted program in the West Orange School District […]