Essex County Year In Review: Top Stories Of 2019 – Montclair, NJ Patch
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It was a year filled with controversy, tragedy, comedy and inspiration. Check out some of our top stories of 2019 in Essex County below (click headlines to read).
Newark Mayor Tells Trump: We Need Safe Water, Not A Border Wall
It’s going to cost $70 million to fix Newark’s lead service lines. Should the federal government foot some of the bill?
NJ’s ‘Free Tuition’ Program Is A Big Hit At Essex County College
Essex County College students are getting a welcome financial boost from a state program for families making less than $45,000 per year.
Fight Continues Over Expansion At Turtle Back Zoo
The county-managed zoo has seen vocal pushback – and support – for a proposed $8 million amphitheater and a $16 million bear exhibit.
Controversial Essex County Pipeline Station Gets Key Permits
Activists have blasted the project, characterizing it as a ticking environmental time bomb. Williams Transco has disputed their allegations.
Essex County Homeless Population Rises For 4th Straight Year
More homeless people live in Essex County than any other part of the state, a New Jersey nonprofit says.
Verona Parents Say Livingston Clinic Got Mother Pregnant With Wrong Sperm
The parents, who are white, said they first became aware of the alleged mix-up when their daughter began to develop “Asian” features.
Church Pays All Student Lunch Debts In Nutley, 4 Other NJ Schools
A New Jersey church wiped out student lunch debts at public schools in Nutley, Parsippany, Sayreville, Somerville and Roselle.
Essex County Trash Incinerator Unfairly Burdens Poor, Critics Say
“It would be unheard of to place an incinerator in Montclair or Short Hills… it’s environmental racism,” a critic of the Newark plant said.
Cory Booker Will Start Presidential Campaign Tour In Newark
The Democratic U.S. senator and 2020 presidential candidate will host his official “Hometown Kickoff” at Military Park in downtown Newark.
Gun Debate Meets Art In Montclair: Battle Of The Murals Begins
Montclair students painted a mural decrying gun violence. Local Republicans are planning their own, pro-2nd Amendment artwork in response.
Retired Newark Officer Shoots Himself At Bloomfield Police HQ
A retired Newark police officer apparently committed suicide at Bloomfield police headquarters, authorities said.
ICE’s Newark Office Deported 500 People From Country In 3 Months
From January to March 2019, more than 500 people were “removed” from the country by ICE deportation officers in New Jersey.
Jail Served Us Meatballs That Smelled Like Feces, NJ Inmate Says
An embattled jail in Essex County is under fire again after a surprise inspection from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Montclair Mix-Up May Mean Big Profit For Developers
The site plan for the proposed MC Residences is spotlighting a “disgraceful” mix-up in Montclair, a planning board member says.
Reports Show Horrifying New Details In Maplewood Double Homicide
An au pair’s ex-boyfriend stabbed her boss to death before chasing her down the street to attack her, according to published reports.
Debate About Essex Green Shopping Center Heats Up Before Hearing
A developer wants to do a big renovation at Essex Green shopping center in West Orange. Activists are trying to put the brakes on the plans.
5 Ways CPU Virus Caused Headaches For Livingston School District
A frustrating computer virus has been causing all sorts of technological havoc in the Livingston Public School District.
Deal May Mean Cheaper Electric Bills For 5 Essex County Towns
Residents of Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Maplewood and South Orange may get a break on their electricity bills this summer. Here’s why.
Belleville Library Defends LGBT Pride Flag, ‘Drag Queen’ Event
There’s room for the U.S. AND rainbow flags at the Belleville Public Library, it turns out.
Army Base To Art Park: $1M Facelift At ‘Hidden Gem’ In Livingston
Riker Hill Art Park used to be a U.S. Army Nike Missile Base. It’s been transformed into one of the “hidden gems” of Essex County.
Bloomfield Restaurant Pays $1K Fine For ‘Males Only’ Hiring Sign
A manager at the restaurant said the sign read “Males Only” because part of the job involved lifting heavy boxes and unloading shipments.
NYC Will Stop Sending Homeless People To Newark (For Now)
New York City pays for thousands of homeless people to move to NJ with its SOTA program. Many are landing in crummy homes, officials say.
Saint Barnabas Hospital Opens Milk Bank For Nursing Moms (VIDEO)
Nursing mothers can donate their excess breast milk to other babies at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. See how it’s done.
West Orange Architect Turns 105: ‘A Helluva Way To Make A Living’
Gilbert Seltzer might be the only 105-year-old practicing architect in the world, the American Institute of Architects’ NJ chapter says.
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