Celebrate Kwanzaa in West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange community will celebrate its 19th annual Kwanzaa festivities on Friday, Dec. 29, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Washington Elementary School, 289 Main St. This free event will include refreshments, live music, African dancing, vendors and more. This event is child-friendly. For more information, call 973-671-1158.

County crowns winners in annual gingerbread house contest

ROSELAND, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. presented awards to the children and families who participated in the Essex County Environmental Center’s 13th annual Sustainable Homes and Habitats Gingerbread Contest on Monday, Dec. 18. There were 33 entries in this year’s contest. “Our Sustainable Homes and Habitats Gingerbread Contest is a wonderful […]

Planning Board passes Essex Green proposal

WEST ORANGE, NJ — After two meetings of testimony and discussion, the West Orange Planning Board passed a proposal saying that the 70-acre Essex Green property is an area in need of redevelopment. The recommendation will now go to the West Orange Township Council, which will consider whether the area should be designated as a […]

W.O. has plethora of potential historical landmarks

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Historic Preservation Commission gave a presentation at the Dec. 5 Township Council meeting to inform council members and the public about a survey recently conducted in several sections of the town that revealed several locations meet the criteria to be named local or state landmarks. Patrick Harshbarger, the […]

Vanguard, that starts with V, and that rhymes with T, and that stands for ‘theater’

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — In unique ways, local families are coming together both onstage and off in the Vanguard Theater Company’s production of “The Music Man,” for two shows this weekend at South Orange Middle School on N. Ridgewood Road. The shows will be Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, at […]

Krakoviak passes the gavel to McCartney

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Councilwoman Susan McCartney was unanimously elected president of the West Orange Township Council for the 2018 calendar year at the Dec. 5 meeting at which current Council President Joe Krakoviak passed the gavel to her. McCartney has served on the council since 2002, and last served as president in 2013. “Though […]

WOFD honors exception firefighters

WEST ORANGE, NJ — At its annual awards dinner on Dec. 8, the West Orange Fire Department swore in five new firefighters and presented 22 awards to fire department personnel in recognition of their service and commitment to the residents of West Orange. Fire Capt. Abdur Yasin was awarded a Life Saving Commendation; Fire Capt. […]

WO athletes take gold at Elks Hoop Shoot competition

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange Elks Lodge 1590 held its annual Elks Hoop Shoot basketball free throw contest at West Orange High School on Dec. 3. In the 10 and 11 age group, Gabriel Strassman took first place, Matthew Salmeron took second and Nesim Roy took third. One week later, on Dec. 10, at […]

County police to crack down on impaired driving

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County Sheriff’s Office will join with the county’s 22 municipal police departments and participate in a statewide crackdown on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. From now through Jan. 1, law enforcement officials will […]