Essex County honors Latinos for their contributions to the community

Essex County honors Latinos for their contributions to the community

NEWARK, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. hosted the county’s annual Latino Heritage Celebration on Friday, Sept. 16, in the Essex County Hall of Records in Newark. With an array of colorful flags representing 22 Latino countries as the backdrop, DiVincenzo led a spirited celebration to pay homage to the rich culture and […]

Manno to help students become ‘Renaissance men’

Manno brings his personal love of art to SOMSD students

Manno to help students become ‘Renaissance men’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood School District’s new supervisor of fine arts, James Manno, was approved for his position at the Aug. 22 Board of Education meeting, along with three other administrators. Strong community relationships and an emphasis on the importance of the arts are two tenets Manno plans to bring to the table. […]

Gregory School traffic upgrades appear to be working

Gregory accident doesn’t appear to be related to bus loop

Gregory School traffic upgrades appear to be working

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The controversial bus driveway and kiss-and-go lane that were constructed at Gregory Elementary School during the summer are operating as efficiently as hoped for, according to school officials. Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Rutzky told the West Orange Chronicle that the school’s four large buses have been able to move into and […]

Board of Ed candidates debate the issues

At SOMA Cares About Schools debate, 5 running for BOE discuss budget, communication, more

Board of Ed candidates debate the issues

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The perennial issue of creating better communication between the South Orange-Maplewood School District and the community was again a major talking point during the Board of Education candidates debate hosted by South Orange Maplewood Cares About Schools at the Baird in South Orange on Sept. 13. Though they were atypically not […]

Teachers’ union protests lack of contract

Tenured teachers boycott Back to School Nights, demand new contract with pay raises, respect

Teachers’ union protests lack of contract

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The tenured teachers of the West Orange Education Association are not attending their Back to School Nights in order to raise awareness about the negotiations dispute that has left them working without a contract for more than a year as well as what they feel has been disrespectful treatment on behalf […]

South Orange Library celebrates 150 years of service

Villagers party with the library at sesquicentennial bash

South Orange Library celebrates 150 years of service

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — While “sesquicentennial” may be difficult to say, “Happy birthday, SOPL” was something even the youngest villagers were able to say Sept. 17, at the South Orange Public Library’s 150th Birthday Bash. Villagers of all ages joined library staff, village officials and other local government members to celebrate the library’s past 150 […]

Sixth annual STOP for Nikhil 5K fundraiser raises $52,000

Community pledges to end distracted driving for Nikhil

Sixth annual STOP for Nikhil 5K fundraiser raises $52,000

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The STOP for Nikhil 5K Run/Walk raised more than $52,000 and attracted more than 800 people for its sixth year at West Orange High School on Sept. 18. That money will go toward funding the programs of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, a West Orange nonprofit organization that has promoted safe driving […]

Maplewood candidates debate the issues

Maplewood candidates debate the issues

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The two candidates running for the sole open seat on the Maplewood Township Committee participated in a candidates’ forum at DeHart Community Center last night, Sept. 22. The forum was hosted by the Hilton Neighborhood Association and moderated by Carol Buchanan. Running for the TC are Democrat Frank McGehee and Republican Michael […]