11 to run for 3 open seats on SOMA BOE

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — This election season in the South Orange-Maplewood School District is looking to be exciting and heated, with 11 candidates — and only one incumbent — running for three open seats on the Board of Education. On Nov. 6, the two towns’ residents must select three of the following candidates […]

The mysterious case of the hidden license plates

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — A pair of identical license plates from 1922 were recently discovered in the crawl space of a Ridgewood Avenue house that is being renovated. Iwona Purwin, the homeowner, purchased the property in June. A third-floor plaster wall was cracking, so she contracted to have it replaced with Sheetrock. When the old wall […]

Reverend speaks out against gender-based harassment

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — The Rev. Diana Wilcox, of the Christ Episcopal Church of Bloomfield and Glen Ridge, has written a resolution promoting sexual equality that was approved by the Episcopal Church at its 79th annual convention in Austin, Texas, from July 5 to 13. Wilcox was an alternative deputy to the convention, but attended the […]

UTI opens vocational school teaching technicians

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Universal Technical Institute, a vocational school teaching automotive and diesel technicians, is opening a $12 million facility in Bloomfield on Monday, Aug. 13. The two buildings comprising its campus are located at 1515 Broad St. This is the 13th UTI location in the United States. According to Steve McElfresh, the Bloomfield campus president, […]

GOA graduates first STEM class, inspiring students to tackle real-world problems

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Last month, Golda Och Academy held its STEM Symposium at the Eric F. Ross Upper School campus, celebrating the achievements of high school students in the Dr. Lynne B. Harrison Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Program and the award-winning robotics team, the CodeRunners, as well as showcasing middle school projects, such […]

Jr. Police Academy camp offers cadets a busy two weeks

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Junior Police Academy, sponsored by the Bloomfield Police Department, is currently under way. This is a two-week camp where 72 boys and girls, all sixth- to eighth-graders, are given the opportunity to learn about police work and mutual-aid practices from Bloomfield, Essex County and State Police personnel. The camp, an activity of […]