De Pena sworn in as Belleville’s first Latina deputy mayor

De Pena sworn in as Belleville’s first Latina deputy mayor

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Naomy De Pena was sworn in as the first Latina deputy mayor in Belleville’s history on July 1. De Pena, who spent her childhood in a remote area of the Dominican Republic, called it “surreal” to be standing in front of a crowd of friends, family members, township employees and North Arlington […]

Murphy signs legislation designating Juneteenth as a state and public holiday

Murphy signs legislation designating Juneteenth as a state and public holiday

TRENTON, NJ — On Sept. 10,  Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation S19, which designates the third Friday in June as a state and public holiday, known as Juneteenth Day. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and their freedom. […]

Department directors attend virtual meeting with mayor

Department directors attend virtual meeting with mayor

IRVINGTON, NJ — On Aug. 27, Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss held a Zoom meeting via Facebook Live with the town’s public directors. Attending the meeting were Director of Public Works Jamel Holley, Director of Economic Development and Grants Oversight Genia Philip, Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers, Deputy Public Safety Director John Brown, Director of Housing […]

NJ committees approve pot legalization

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On Monday, Nov. 26, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly majorities voted to move ahead with the Marijuana Legalization Act legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Scutari and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, that would make marijuana use legal for adults age 21 and older. Scutari represents the 22nd Legislative District, which […]

State Senate and Assembly committees approve Marijuana Legalization Act

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On Monday, Nov. 26, the New Jersey Senate and Assembly majorities voted to move ahead with the Marijuana Legalization Act legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Scutari and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, that would make marijuana use legal for adults age 21 and older. Scutari represents the 22nd Legislative District, which […]

Mayor says Irvington was ready for Winter Storm Stella

IRVINGTON, NJ — Mayor Tony Vauss said the township was ready to take on the nor’easter Winter Storm Stella on Monday, March 13, as it was set to hit the Tri-State area early Tuesday morning, March 14, and dump between 10 and 20 inches of snow. “We’re preparing throughout the day and evening and we’ll […]

Irvington DPW director running for re-election to Assembly

IRVINGTON, NJ — It’s that time of year again, when challengers throw their names into the mix while incumbents consider whether to run for re-election. For state Assemblyman Jamel Holley, there was never any doubt. “I can’t believe how time flies; today makes two years that I have been serving you in the state Assembly, […]

Local assemblyman praises terrorist’s capture

Local assemblyman praises terrorist’s capture

IRVINGTON, NJ — The hunt for accused terrorist Ahmad Khan Rahami, the main suspect in the bomb attacks in Seaside Park on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the Chelsea section of New York City on Sunday, Sept. 18, that culminated in Elizabeth and Linden on Sunday, Sept. 18, and Monday, Sept. 19, with his eventual capture, […]