Ronald L. Rice Sports Complex in Vailsburg Park is complete

Ronald L. Rice Sports Complex in Vailsburg Park is complete

NEWARK, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced Jan. 27 that the project to create the Ronald L. Rice Sports Complex in Vailsburg Park in Newark is complete. Named for the retired state senator from the 28th Legislative District, the modern facilities at the complex will be the home fields for the […]

Irvington’s Burgess is sworn in as state senator

Irvington’s Burgess is sworn in as state senator

IRVINGTON, NJ — Next stop, N.J. state Senate! Renee Burgess, who last month was president of the Irvington Town Council, is now New Jersey’s newest state senator. This makes her the first state senator to hail from Irvington. She was sworn into office on Sept. 29 to represent the 28th Legislative District, filling the seat […]

Rice announces retirement after more than 3 decades in office representing Essex County residents

Rice announces retirement after more than 3 decades in office representing Essex County residents

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — State Sen. Ronald L. Rice, a former Newark West Ward councilman, announced Friday, Aug. 19, that he will retire from the State Senate at the end of August. Rice, whose retirement was first reported by Insider NJ, has reportedly been dealing with health issues; he is 76 years old. Rice has […]

Most Essex towns vote blue in election, keeping Democratic incumbents

Most Essex towns vote blue in election, keeping Democratic incumbents

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Nov. 2 election in New Jersey saw some major upsets, low voter turnout and the Democrats losing ground. The biggest upset was Republican challenger Edward Durr seemingly defeating Democratic incumbent Senate President Stephen Sweeney in the 3rd Legislative District; as of press time, the results of the race had not […]

See who’s running for political office in your town

See who’s running for political office in your town

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — This election season is shaping up to be fairly quiet in Essex County, with few contested elections and foregone conclusions for some of the contested races. The biggest question on the ballot this upcoming Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, is the choice for governor. Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy, with running […]

Bloomfield honors, remembers Iacobacci at meeting

Bloomfield honors, remembers Iacobacci at meeting

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Township Council honored Gary Iacobacci at its April 26 meeting, remembering the life of the former councilman. Serving as 3rd Ward councilman from 1990 to 1996, Iacobacci had lived in Belleville before his family moved to Bloomfield and he graduated from Bloomfield High School. He died in February. “Gary was […]

Historical Society of Bloomfield and town honor Black History Month

Historical Society of Bloomfield and town honor Black History Month

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — In honor of Black History Month, at the Feb. 22 Bloomfield Council meeting, the mayor and council honored community residents who have given back to the greater Bloomfield community. These recognitions were held in conjunction with the Historical Society of Bloomfield.  Councilman Nick Joanow read a Black History Month Service Recognition proclamation […]

Irvington holds Black Lives Matter ceremony and mural unveiling

Irvington holds Black Lives Matter ceremony and mural unveiling

IRVINGTON, NJ — Upholding the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, cities across the nation have made a point of giving recognition to their black communities. Drawing out a host of dignitaries — including the Rev. Al Sharpton, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, former N.J. Gov. Jim McGreevey and state Sen. Ronald Rice — Irvington Mayor Tony […]

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. […]

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 […]