Belleville offers solemn tribute to township residents, others lost on 9/11

Belleville offers solemn tribute to township residents, others lost on 9/11

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville paused to remember three of its residents lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The solemn ceremony, held on the 20th anniversary of the attacks, featured remarks from Mayor Michael Melham and Superintendent of Schools Richard Tomko. Members of the police and fire departments placed a wreath to remember those […]

Belleville Police Department hires civilian dispatchers

Belleville Police Department hires civilian dispatchers

BELLEVILLE, NJ — For the first time in two decades, the Belleville Police Department has hired civilian dispatchers to assist officers at the Chief Mark Minichini Communications Center. With the emergency line previously staffed by police officers, civilian dispatchers are considered a key part of creating a smoother communication center. Hiring civilian dispatchers allows police […]

Infernos bring the heat to hot night in Belleville with sizzling music

Infernos bring the heat to hot night in Belleville with sizzling music

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville residents braved the sizzling temperatures on Aug. 12 to attend an installment of the Belleville Summer Concert Series that brought a heat of its own. The Infernos delighted the large crowd, which also had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the event, courtesy of the Essex County Mobile Health […]

Belleville man charged with being felon in possession of weapon

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County man with a previous felony conviction was arrested May 12 for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced May 13. Farrakhan Lovett, 24, Belleville, is charged by complaint with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. […]

Belleville Police Dept. promotes first Latina, two others

Belleville Police Dept. promotes first Latina, two others

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Barbara Bermudez was bursting with pride when she became the first Latina in the history of the Belleville Police Department to be promoted. “It’s just one more door that’s opening for all of us,” she said, after being promoted to sergeant during a ceremony at Town Hall on April 12. “It’s an […]

Discard unused medications safely on Drug Take Back Day

Discard unused medications safely on Drug Take Back Day

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., the Essex County Board of County Commissioners, the Essex County Division of Community Health, and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team are encouraging residents to dispose of their old or unwanted prescription medications during the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s annual Drug Take Back […]

Sun, fun and exercise: Belleville employees take part in National Walking Day

Sun, fun and exercise: Belleville employees take part in National Walking Day

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Nicole Netzke was enjoying the sun-splashed afternoon as she strolled down Washington Avenue. “It’s just great to get out and enjoy the beautiful day and get some exercise,” said Netzke, who works in the construction code department in Belleville. “The past year, with COVID-19 and all, we’ve been cooped up. It’s a […]

Belleville establishes its first internet exchange safety zone

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The township of Belleville has established a safe area for residents to complete purchases and swaps made through websites such as Craigslist and Recycler. The area in front of Town Hall, 152 Washington Ave. in Belleville, has been designated as an internet exchange safety zone intended for residents to use to safely […]

Essex County man indicted for armed robbery of three pharmacies

Essex County man indicted for armed robbery of three pharmacies

NEWARK, NJ — On Oct. 14, a federal grand jury indicted an Essex County man for his role in three armed robberies of pharmacies in West Orange, Belleville and East Orange, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Malik Conley, 27, of Newark, is charged with three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, three counts of brandishing firearms […]