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 […]

5th-grader champions chicken ordinance

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — At its Dec. 11 meeting, the South Orange Board of Health unanimously approved an ordinance that amends the village code to authorize residents to own chickens. The amended ordinance, which allows residents in single-family homes to own up to five chickens at a time, begins in March 2018 as part of […]

The Bloomfield post office: busy, busy busy

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Letter deliveries are not peaking during the holiday season anymore, according to Bloomfield post office Officer-in-Charge Jason Kagle, but package deliveries more than make up for it. “I’ll go to the dock and you look at the back of a 2-ton truck with at least 200 parcels and you cannot believe one man […]

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 […]

Coach Duke Mendez steps down after 26 seasons

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — In two stints that totaled close to three decades, Duke Mendez has roamed the sideline as the Glen Ridge High School head football coach. Under his tutelage, the Ridgers have enjoyed many memorable seasons. Indeed, the program will miss Mendez, who recently announced his resignation. In all, Mendez coached the Ridgers […]

Councilman Pomares looks back on his tenure

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A strong voice on the township council for preserving Bloomfield history will be departing next month. Carlos Pomares will be resigning as an at-large councilman to become an Essex County freeholder. Pomares won the uncontested District 5 seat in November when incumbent and Bloomfield resident Cynthia Toro chose not to run. District 5 […]

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. […]