Crossing cultures with the CCR at XRootsFest

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race presented the fifth annual XRootsFest in Maplewood Memorial Park on June 2. The event featured musicians, dancers, food vendors, merchants and more. An area for children was set up with a bounce house and other activities; alongside it was an “Edu-tainment” tent, where various cultural […]

‘Can Journalism Save Democracy?’

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Thursday, April 26, SOMA Action will host a discussion led by a panel of prominent journalists on the role of the press in the age of President Trump; the panel had originally been scheduled for March 8, but was delayed due to snow. Panel participants are: John Cassidy, staff writer […]

TC appoints DeVaul as new police chief

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — As part of the promised culture change in the Maplewood Police Department, the Maplewood Township Committee appointed acting Chief Jimmy DeVaul as the new police chief at the April 3 committee meeting. DeVaul was chosen with a vote of 4-1; Committeeman Greg Lembrich supported the other police chief candidate, Lt. Kevin Kisch. […]

‘Can Journalism Save Democracy?’

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Thursday, March 8, SOMA Action will host a discussion led by a panel of prominent journalists on the role of the press in the age of President Trump. Panel participants are: John Cassidy, staff writer for The New Yorker; Mary Alice Williams, anchor of NJTV News; and Tara George, professor […]

SOMa Action holds ‘Flip The House’ mobilization

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — SOMa Action, a grassroots activist group based in South Orange and Maplewood, will hold a meeting to mobilize volunteers to help “Flip The House” at the Burgdorff Center, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood, on Sunday, March 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Representatives from grassroots resistance groups in Congressional Districts 7 and 11 […]

Coffeehouse draws support, reproach from community

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race presented its coffeehouse discussion “RACISM: It’s in Our Backyard Too” on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at The Woodland in Maplewood and tackled community issues surrounding local law enforcement, public school district inequities and the role that recent events in Charlottesville, Va., play on […]

Cummis retires from police force, receives severance pay

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The members of the Maplewood Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution that settles the severance payout to former Maplewood Police Capt. Joshua Cummis, who recently retired after being placed on administrative leave. Following the release of records from the July 5, 2016, clash between Maplewood police and many teenagers, many of whom […]

Town releases files from July 5 altercation

UPDATE: At its Aug. 1 meeting, the Maplewood Township Committee unanimously passed a vote of no confidence, requesting the resignation of Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino. Effective immediately from that meeting, Cimino was placed on administrative leave, with pay, for 60 days. During the vote, the room was packed, with many more concerned residents standing […]

SOMA mobilizes to join thousands in NYC protest

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — SOMA Action will hold a local “Rally for Trump’s Returns” at 10:15 a.m. on April 15 in Ricalton Square in Maplewood, and then ride the 10:54 a.m. train to New York, to Bryant Park, where the NYC national Tax Day March begins at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Amy Higer, SOMA Action […]