HarvestFest was swinging, then the rains came

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The 26th annual Bloomfield HarvestFest was held Saturday afternoon, Oct. 6, on Broad Street from Bloomfield to Belleville avenues. The weather was not favorable, with overcast skies giving out to drizzles later in the afternoon. But Ollyn Lettman, director of the Bloomfield Center Alliance, which produced the event, said there was a good […]

WOFD connects with residents at event

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Returning its open house to headquarters for the first time in several years, the West Orange Fire Department held the annual event on Sunday, Oct. 14, allowing residents to try their hand at extinguishing flames and watch demonstrations about fire safety. At the event, the department personnel took apart a car […]

Eight BOE candidates discuss special ed, redistricting

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The League of Women Voters of Maplewood and South Orange and the Presidents’ Council hosted a debate for Board of Education candidates at the South Orange-Maplewood School District administration building on Oct. 10, in which all eight remaining candidates discussed the issues facing the district ahead of Election Day, Nov. 6. Running […]

Mayoral candidates debate budget and redevelopment

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Mayor Robert Parisi and Councilman Joe Krakoviak, the two West Orange mayoral candidates on the ballot Nov. 6, debated each other Oct. 14 at B’nai Shalom synagogue in an event hosted by the Pleasant Valley Civic Association and the synagogue. At the debate, the candidates fielded questions from the audience about […]

Grandparent’s Day at Carteret School

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Grandparents’ Day was celebrated at Carteret Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 4. About 200 grandparents came to the school for lunchtime in the cafeteria. The school provided the children with lunch — Thursday is pizza day — while some grandparents brought their own sandwiches. Cookies and a beverage were offered to everyone. Special […]

CHS community has an ‘Uncomfortable Conversation’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Video re-enactments of realistic social scenarios and a discussion panel including Columbia High School students, administrators and faculty opened a dialogue about how to navigate difficult topics like sexual assault and sexual violence during an interactive event presented by The Uncomfortable Conversation Inc. and hosted at the school on Oct. 11. The […]

Maplewood police amp up presence after home invasion, sexual assault

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — At approximately 8 p.m. on Oct. 16, Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul released a statement saying that there would be increased police presence in Maplewood as part of an “active criminal investigation,” but did not elaborate any of the details. The following morning, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement saying […]

‘Liv Bits’ star shares her story of hope and love

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Olivia VanLedtje, age 11, has visited more than 30 schools, spoken to more than 25,000 people and traveled to 19 states to share her message of hope and love under her brand “The Liv Bits,” along with her mom, Cynthia Merrill, a literacy consultant. The dynamic duo are halfway through a […]