uperintendent Scott Cascone discusses school security at the Dec. 6 BOE meeting.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — Superintendent of Schools Scott Cascone discussed school security at the West Orange Board of Education meeting on Dec. 6, following the Nov. 30 fatal school shooting in Oxford, Mich., in which four students were killed.
“Every time a community in our country experiences the tragedy of a school shooting, it has a way of thrusting that back into people’s consciousness,” Cascone said at the meeting. “Fortunately, it’s not something that’s in our consciousness all the time, but as school district officials, it’s never off of our mind.”
Drills happen on a regular basis once a month, as per state law. The district’s crisis management and school security manual is updated every year, according to Cascone. The district also works with a security consulting firm, StoneGate Associates.
“They partner with us not only in the ongoing update of our school security manual, but also our trainings of our administrative team and staff, which occurs annually,” Cascone said. “In addition to that, the district has continued to be really proactive in its security infrastructure.”
Through grant funding, every school has a mantrap, which is an access-control vestibule at the entrance to the school from which visitors must be buzzed into the building. Visitor management systems are also currently being installed in all of the district’s schools. Panic buttons have been installed in all of the schools as well.
“From the infrastructure side, from the training side, I can assure you that we are exemplary as far as our security infrastructure and our training and protocols,” Cascone said. “But we know that that’s only part of it. The other half of school security is creating school environments that are as welcoming and as inclusive and safe as possible.”
A new initiative in the district is the Handle With Care program, a partnership with local law enforcement agencies in which an agency will alert the school district if a student has experienced a traumatic event at home or outside the school.
“They don’t tell us what, they just let us know if the child witnessed a traumatic event at home,” Cascone said. “That could be a domestic violence situation, a drug overdose or something of that nature. What that does is that, with a student who would have been anonymously traumatized, we might want to pay extra attention to and give some extra support.”
The district also uses Gaggle, software that monitors what is searched on the school computers. If a student posts something about harming themselves or someone else, administrators are notified about it.
“With the role of the community and the role of families and parents, it’s being engaged and vigilant relative to your children’s social media usage,” Cascone said. “Understand what they’re writing and what they’re posting. The influences to which they have access is a really important piece as well.”
BOE member Cheryl Merklinger asked how staff is prepared to identify whether a student is in distress; Cascone said all employees receive annual training on how to spot mental health issues, such as suicidal ideation.
“While that’s only tangent to the profile of a perpetrator of school violence, there are within that presentation a number of informational points about warning signs of a troubled individual,” Cascone said. “What I see in all of our schools is an open-door policy, where staff members have a close relationship with administrators and guidance counselors. So I’m pretty confident that, if staff members received that information, they would feel comfortable bringing it forward, and that we would be as discreet about it as possible.”
BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A few years ago, Charles Lopez Bruns wrote a blog post about the move he and his family made from New York City to Bloomfield when he was in sixth grade. Now it’s a book.
During the pandemic, Bruns had the time to expand on the post and turn it into a memoir; “Fatherlands: Identities of a Cuban American” was released in October. The book tells his story as a son, stepson and father against the backdrop of his Cuban American family.
“It was quite a change for us, and it was especially challenging for my mother,” Bruns said in a phone interview with The Independent Press on Dec. 9. “She grew up in Cuba, and in New York there was Spanish radio and Spanish grocery stores and newspapers.”
None of that was around North 15th Street in Bloomfield, where his family moved when they came to the other side of the Hudson River. One day Bruns’ mother took his younger brother to Milbank Park and heard another woman there speaking Spanish. They struck up a friendship that lasted more than 40 years.
That story was in the blog post, which Bruns expanded into a memoir after getting positive responses. It’s his first book, but he’s not new to writing — Bruns was an intern at The Independent Press while he was a student at Bloomfield High School, he covered BHS sports for the school paper and worked at the Herald News while in college. He now works in corporate communications.
“Every writer has a book in them, but most don’t get written,” Bruns said. “This was the most challenging writing project I’ve ever undertaken.”
As a reporter, Bruns didn’t write about himself. But his book is his life story and stories about his family. It touches on the time he spent in Cuba as a child, which, according to Bruns, was unusual.
“I reached out to extended family members who had information,” he said. “I learned a lot, some of which made me happy and some of which made me cry. It might as well have been a different world back then.”
Bruns was 11 when he moved to Bloomfield with his mother, older brother and younger brother. He went to Carteret Elementary School for a year, South Junior High School for a year before it closed, and then North Junior High School, which is now Bloomfield Middle School. The neighborhood was predominantly Italian American at the time; Bruns’ family was among the first Hispanic families in the area.
“It was a challenge for us, but when you’re that young you learn to adjust,” he said. “I made friends, and I got to the point where I felt comfortable with where I was.”
Though Bruns no longer lives in Bloomfield, he did buy his first house in the town. When he’s in the area, he’ll drive by his old house and his childhood home, and he has noticed how much the neighborhood has changed.
“Part of the irony is that now there’s so much culture there,” Bruns said. “There’s a Cuban restaurant now just a couple of blocks from where we lived. I just could not believe it. My experience would have been so different if it was now.”
Even if readers can’t relate to the specifics of Bruns’ experience, they can relate to the overarching themes, he said.
“There are stories and themes that a lot of people can relate to,” Bruns said. “You might not be Cuban, but you might be an immigrant or have the same kind of family. You can still apply the journey to yourself.”
“Fatherlands: Identities of a Cuban American” can be purchased on Bruns’ website atwww.charleslopezbruns.com.
As Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote in a pivotal number from their 1949 musical “South Pacific,” “You’ve got to be carefully taught.”
In March, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a measure mandating instruction in diversity and inclusion in New Jersey schools, a requirement that was to take effect as of the current school year.
The bill did not include language specifically addressing “critical race theory,” which according to Sahar Aziz, professor and director of the Center for Security, Race and Rights at Rutgers Law School, is taught in law schools and some collegiate undergrad programs as an elective.
Still, New Jersey Republican state Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Michael Testa have introduced legislation to keep the teaching of critical race theory, or CRT, out of K-12 schools in the Garden State.
Critical race theory is the new hot topic in the nation’s culture wars, with conservative commentators and lawmakers across the country taking up the cause to counter its implementation in school curricula. But the current debate over CRT is usually not over its merits but whether it’s even being taught in schools in the first place.
Pennacchio said he does not think the bill is preemptive, but rather a “reaffirmation and a rededication” of who New Jerseyans and Americans are as a society.
He cited the New Jersey Education Association’s recent reaction to the not guilty verdict against Kyle Rittenhouse in a deadly 2020 shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as evidence that some teachers and politicians would like to “promote” CRT, and that “somehow, 4- and 5-year-old kids, starting in kindergarten, should be taught because they have an ‘unconscious bias.'”
“That’s not my words, that’s the actual language in some of the bills,” Pennacchio said, also mentioning the Randolph school district’s brief flirtation with doing away with names for all holidays on the calendar.
Pennacchio and Testa’s bill would prohibit the teaching of several main points, among others, which the senators define as comprising critical race theory:
one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
an individual, by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously;
an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of their race or sex;
an individual’s moral character is determined by their race or sex;
an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or another form of psychological distress solely because of their race or sex;
a meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist, or designed by a particular race or sex to oppress members of another race or sex;
ascribing character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs to a race or sex, or to an individual because of their race or sex.
“Having subject matter taught that one group of kids can elevate themselves by stepping on the backs of others, we think is wrong,” Pennacchio said.
But Aziz, whose academic expertise includes the teaching of CRT, feels the legislation is “a bit paradoxical.”
Specifically, she takes issue with the banning of the idea that one race can see itself as superior to another.
Critical race theory, she said, is designed to challenge “any notion of inherent superiority,” effectively meaning that the elimination of instruction about racial superiority would actually be somewhat in line with the definition of CRT.
“It really looks at how is it that the way in which rules and laws and systems are structured could inadvertently, or advertently, produce inequality?” she said.
And that’s a key distinction to make, according to Aziz.
“The problem with a colorblind approach is it’s based on the false premise that everyone is born with the same access to resources, in schools, in neighborhoods, in the economy, in employment,” the professor said.
Aziz believes CRT has become “a weapon in the culture wars,” but one which may become a moot point before long, as she said demographers have predicted that by as early as 2040, there will be no majority race in the United States.
As for the pending legislation, no matter how far it goes, Pennacchio said parents at least deserve the chance to know exactly what is being put into their children’s lesson plans.
He said educators have long pleaded for more involvement from parents, so now is not the time to disengage them by teaching concepts outside of the parameters set by the state.
Light Up New Jersey 2021: Your best holiday lights
Where NJ’s ‘red wave’ of the 2021 election was reddest
In 2017, Gov. Phil Murphy won the election by 14.1 percentage points, a margin exceeding 303,000. His re-election was much closer, an 84,000-vote, 3.2-point victory. He and others talked about a ‘red wave’ of Republican voters in the electorate, and certified results show which counties turned red most.
Inventions you probably didn’t know are New Jersey born
You’ll be hard pressed to find many if any driver in New Jersey in favor of annual toll hikes on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and AC Expressway, so it’s only natural there continues to be rising opposition to this unwanted tax.
Ocean County Commissioners joined in that fight this week by introducing a resolution urging the NJTA, SJTA and Governor Phil Murphy to jointly re-consider the increase in tolls while also asking other elected officials to join in the growing effort against the toll increase.
Prior to that, Ocean County Commissioner Joe Vicari himself sent a letter on behalf of the OC Commissioner Board to NJTA Chairwoman, Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, and that was just the latest letter urging her to reconsider the toll hikes especially since they went up 27-percent in September of 2020 alone.
Anyone driving in Ocean County on a daily basis knows how much traffic is on these roads alone, particularly the GSP, and that’s a big reason behind the push from 10th District Legislators and the OC Commissioners.
“What happens in Ocean County every single day (is) 90,000 residents are on the road with their car going to work back and forth to make a living, to put food on their table,” Vicari tells Townsquare Media News. “So they see the price of the Garden State Parkway going up, the Turnpike going up, the Atlantic City Expressway going up — and now on the other hand, they’re still paying more for gasoline because our taxes are going up automatically.”
Vicari said they are looking for a freeze on any toll hikes the NJTA and SJTA are imposing on drivers across the parkway and turnpike as well as ensuring that Ocean County has a seat at their table.
“We need representation, to represent the people of our great county on the Turnpike Authority and we have none,” Vicari said. “Even though we have 40-miles of Parkway, the longest length in the entire state of New Jersey, there is no representation.”
This isn’t just a plea by the Ocean County Commissioners to prevent toll hikes but a domino effect of consequences that would occur as a result of forcing drivers to pay more money on the parkway, turnpike and expressway.
Vicari also feels that it’s just the latest example of the state of New Jersey neglecting Ocean County’s concerns.
“We don’t have the industry over here, so if you want a good paying job, in most cases, you have to go up to north Jersey and use the parkway and traveling north and that’s what’s going to really hurt our economy in the future,” Vicari said. “Every time we try to work with the state of New Jersey — at one time we tried to have a rail line extended into Ocean County, it was no — we tried to have Route 9 expanded, the state of New Jersey said no and they used the money for something else. What’s happening is that we are the step-child of the state of New Jersey, the money is going up to north Jersey and not coming down here.”
LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in New Jersey
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Jersey using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
NEW JERSEY — Below you will find the most up-to-date information on coronavirus news impacting New Jersey. You can find additional resources and coverage on our coronavirus page.
A year after 1st COVID vaccinations in NJ, governor pushes booster shots
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 topped 800,000 on Dec. 14, a once-unimaginable figure seen as doubly tragic, given that more than 200,000 of those lives were lost after the vaccine became available last spring.
Additionally, the TSA will extend the requirement to wear a mask on planes, trains, subways and other public transportation hubs including airports and bus terminals through the winter.
Scientists call omicron variant ‘most mutated’ version of virus
There’s one thing we keep hearing from the scientists who’ve gotten a close look at the omicron version of the virus: It’s really mutated. More mutations don’t necessarily make a virus more dangerous, but viruses evolve over time to increase their chance of survival, which can be bad for humans.
First omicron variant case confirmed in NJ, Murphy says
Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said New Jersey’s first omicron case was confirmed on Friday, Dec. 3, in a fully vaccinated woman who visited New Jersey from Georgia.
Omicron COVID variant identified in California; 1st known US case
The first known case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 was identified in California, the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.
US panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck
The Food and Drug Administration panel voted 13-10 that the antiviral drug’s benefits outweigh its risks, including potential birth defects if used during pregnancy.
How to pronounce the new COVID-19 variant
Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant of concern designated by the World Health Organization, gets its name from a letter in the Greek alphabet. But unlike the alpha or delta variants before it, omicron might not roll off the tongue so naturally to English speakers.
Rising concerns over omicron variant
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said he expects COVID cases to rise until at least the new year, and he’s asking people to remain vigilant over the holiday season as both New Jersey and New York closely monitor for the first cases of the omicron variant.
Omicron variant prompts new US travel ban on South Africa, other nations
5 things to know about omicron, the new COVID ‘variant of concern’
The announcement of a COVID-19 variant called omicron by scientists in South Africa, where it was first detected, has sent governments and financial markets around the world reeling. Click here to learn more about what experts know about the new “variant of concern.”
What is this new omicron COVID variant in South Africa?
South African scientists have identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It’s unclear where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has also been seen in travelers to Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.
CDC approves expanding COVID-19 vaccine boosters to all adults
The U.S. on Friday, Nov. 19, opened COVID-19 booster shots to all adults and took the extra step of urging people 50 and older to seek one, aiming to ward off a winter surge as coronavirus cases rise even before millions of Americans travel for the holidays.
Pfizer agrees to let other companies make its COVID-19 pill
Pfizer said it would grant a license for the antiviral pill to the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool, which would let generic drug companies produce the pill for use in 95 countries, making up about 53% of the world’s population.
Getting a COVID vaccine before the holidays? Here are some key dates to know
Time is running out if you plan to be fully vaccinated against COVID by the holidays. Click here for the deadlines to be fully vaccinated before each holiday.
US lifts nearly 20-month international travel ban
More than a year and a half after COVID-19 concerns prompted the U.S. to close its borders to international travelers from countries including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and much of Europe, restrictions are shifting to focus on vaccine status.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 8, bans on travel from specific countries ended. The U.S. will allow in international travelers, but they must be vaccinated — with a few exceptions.
The U.S. also reopened the land borders with Canada and Mexico for vaccinated people. Most trips from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. are by land rather than air.
US gives final clearance to COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11
U.S. health officials on Tuesday, Nov. 2 gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size COVID-19 shot, a milestone that opens a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign to children as young as 5.
The Food and Drug Administration already authorized the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.
Vaccinated just as likely to spread delta variant within household as unvaccinated: study
People who have received COVID-19 vaccinations are able to spread the delta variant within their household just as easily as unvaccinated individuals, a new study published on Friday, Oct. 29, shows.
Child tax credit 2022: What we know so far
As inner-party conflict continues to shave off elements of President Joe Biden’s sweeping domestic policy package, there may be good news for parents. While it’s unclear what the ultimate bill will include, Democrats arrived at a framework Thursday, Oct. 28, that included a one-year extension of the expanded child tax credit.
Moderna says its low-dose COVID shot safe, effective for kids 6 to 11
FDA says Pfizer COVID vaccine looks effective for young kids
Federal health regulators said late Friday, Oct. 22, that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues, as the U.S. weighs beginning vaccinations in youngsters.
NJ among top vaccinated states in U.S.
New Jersey is among the top 10 states in the country with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates at 74%. Helping to lead the charge is Paterson, which has a 90% vaccination rate.
COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, teachers begins
Many state employees returned to in-person work on Monday, Oct. 18, the same day Gov. Phil Murphy’s requirement for them to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular virus testing went into effect. The vaccine or test mandate also applies to teachers in New Jersey.
IRS sending October installment of child tax credit after delay in September
Families across the country are starting to receive their October child tax credit. The IRS says the program’s fourth monthly payment is already hitting Americans’ bank accounts after a technical issue last month caused delays for some recipients.
New COVID safety guidance for the holidays released by the CDC
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released updated COVID-19 safety guidance for the holiday season on Friday, Oct. 15, including getting vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors if you’re not vaccinated and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces.
Rutgers team tries to understand ‘brain fog’ COVID connection
Dr. William Hu, the Chief of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is leading a team trying to figure out what brain fog is and how it’s connected to COVID-19.
FDA endorsement essentially calls for Johnson & Johnson to be 2-shot vaccine
An FDA panel unanimously recommended a Johnson and Johnson booster vaccine on Friday, Oct. 15. The terms of the endorsement essentially call for the J&J COVID-19 vaccine to be a two-dose shot, rather than the one-dose shot for which it’s been known since it first got emergency use authorization last spring.
The panel called for a second shot to be available to people 18 and older, at least two months after the first shot.
FDA panel recommends Moderna booster shot, but the process isn’t over
A panel of medical experts affiliated with the Food and Drug Administration endorsed a COVID vaccine booster from Moderna on Thursday, Oct. 14. The panel recommended a half dose as a booster.
Need to be vaccinated by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas? Here are the deadlines
People who want to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas are running out of time. Two of the three vaccines available in the U.S. require two doses spread weeks apart and a waiting period once the shots have been administered.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits NJ day care, vaccination site
Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss the state’s latest vaccination efforts. She visited a day care center to highlight child care provisions in the president’s spending proposal as well as a vaccination site at Essex Community College.
Children will feel impact of pandemic on mental health for years: UNICEF report
UNICEF released a critical report on Friday, Oct. 8, which found that children and young people could feel the impact of the pandemic on their mental health for many years to come.
COVID vaccine for kids: Doctor answers your questions
The Pfizer vaccine for kids could be on the market in about a month after the drug maker filed for FDA authorization Thursday, Oct. 7, for their shot for kids ages 5 to 11.
However, many parents still have questions about the children’s COVID vaccine. Dr. Sallie Permar, the head of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, joined the PIX11 Morning News on Friday, Oct. 8, to share more information and answer some of the biggest questions.
Pfizer’s request to OK shots for kids a relief for parents
Parents tired of worrying about classroom outbreaks and sick of telling their elementary school-age children no to sleepovers and family gatherings felt a wave of relief Thursday, Oct. 7, when Pfizer asked the U.S. government to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 to 11.
U.S. hits 700,000 COVID deaths just as cases begin to fall
The United States reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone Friday, Oct. 1, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief.
NJ leaders take on ‘Mayors Vaccine Challenge’
Two New Jersey mayors are going head-to-head in an effort to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s all part of the ongoing vaccination campaign in the Garden State that has already propelled it as one of the nation’s leaders in the fight against COVID-19. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is squaring off with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in what the state is calling the “Mayors Vaccine Challenge.”
New Jersey surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases
As of Tuesday, Sept. 28, more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Jersey since the pandemic reached the state in 2020.
Pfizer submits vaccine data on kids to FDA
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced they have submitted initial data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the Phase 2/3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11.
In the trial, which included 2,268 participants 5 to 11 years of age, the vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile and elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses using a two-dose regimen of 10 μg doses.
NJ offers $500 ‘return to work bonus’ to unemployed residents
Unemployed New Jersey residents could earn a $500 bonus to return to the workforce as part of a new program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, Sept. 27. The “Return and Earn” initiative will offer the one-time bonus to folks who secure a job through the program, including positions that require on-the-job training.
Is it safe to trick-or-treat this Halloween? CDC weighs in
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Face the Nation that kids can trick-or-treat safely this year, adding, “If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely.”
CDC director overrules panel, backs booster for all adults in high-risk jobs
The panel had voted against saying that people ages 18 to 64 can get a booster if they are health-care workers or have another job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.
FDA OKs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for 65 and older, high-risk Americans
The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger people with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high-risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
J&J booster shot 94% effective 2 months after 1st dose
Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, Sept. 21, said new data shows a second dose — or a booster shot — of their one-shot COVID vaccine was found to be 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 when given two months after the initial dose.
Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11
Pfizer said Monday, Sept. 20, its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.
Vaccine mandate for child care facilities
Gov. Phil Murphy said all child care workers and facility employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face regular weekly testing. As of Sept. 24, all employees, students and children in a facility’s care ages two and up will need to wear masks indoors, with limited exceptions.
Moderna vaccine is most effective against hospitalization from COVID-19: study
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared how effective each of the three COVID-19 vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from the virus. The CDC reported that effectiveness was higher for the Moderna vaccine (93%) than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88%) and the J&J vaccine (71%).
New Jersey surpassed as state with highest rate of COVID deaths
Mississippi has surpassed New Jersey as the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with roughly 1 of every 320 Mississippians having succumbed to the coronavirus.
COVID-19 is ‘getting better’ at becoming airborne virus
Recent COVID-19 variants are much more adept at airborne transmission than the original version of the coronavirus, according to a new study. University of Maryland researchers analyzed the Alpha variant first identified in the United Kingdom and discovered that carriers breathe out 43 to 100 times more infectious viral aerosols than those infected with the original strain.
U.S. panel backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters only for 65 and over, high-risk
An influential federal advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to most Americans, but it endorsed the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.
COVID outbreaks in NJ schools
As of Wednesday, Sept. 15, there were six outbreaks in New Jersey schools, according to Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. An outbreak is defined as at least three cases that are epidemiologically connected and not from the same household.
The cases are a mix of students and staff, Persichilli said. More information will be released on the state Health Department website in the coming days.
COVID-19 variants significantly reduce protection of vaccines, prior infection: study
A new study confirms that vaccinations and even prior COVID-19 infection provide significantly less protection against newer variants. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University say in order to protect against the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta variants, these findings stress the importance of doubling down on both vaccinations and public health measures during the pandemic.
Mask debate moves from school boards to courtrooms
The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders in the name of keeping kids safe.
Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey’s statewide rent moratorium expires at the end of the year.
These foods are extra hard to find right now because of shortages, supply chain issues
Notice your grocery store shelves looking a little bare lately? You’re definitely not the only one. Supply chain issues have created shortages of highly specific ingredients.
‘It’s up to us’: Fauci says pandemic could possibly end by spring 2022
The nation’s top infectious disease expert believes the pandemic’s end is near as long as the U.S. follows the right protocols to contain COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s only open if the country’s 80 million to 90 million unvaccinated people are convinced to get the shot.
Comirnaty: What’s the story behind the new Pfizer vaccine name?
Comirnaty, who? It’s the same exact mRNA vaccine Pfizer has been producing through the emergency use authorization, but now it’s being marketed under a new name.
Is an earache a new COVID-19 symptom?
Doctors say they’re seeing a new COVID-19 symptom in some patients. According to experts, an earache has been reported more frequently by those testing positive for COVID. Earaches can cause pain, a feeling of blockage and sometimes muffled hearing.
NJ COVID hospitalizations top 1,000 for the first time since May: Gov. Murphy
For the first time since May, more than 1,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Jersey on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Gov. Phil Murphy said. There were 1,012 people hospitalized with COVID, 92 of whom were on ventilators, according to state Health Department data. The last time the state had more than 1,000 COVID hospitalizations was over three months ago on May 11, Murphy said.
Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine booster provides ‘rapid, robust’ response
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, Aug. 25, announced new data the company said supports the use of its COVID vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with their single-shot vaccine.
J&J said the new data showed that a booster shot of their vaccine generated a “rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.”
NJ to require teachers, state workers be fully vaccinated
All school personnel and state workers in New Jersey will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, Aug. 23.
Will COVID booster shot have the same side effects as the first two shots?
The Biden administration said Wednesday, Aug. 18, that COVID booster shots will soon be available, but how will the Sept. 20 rollout work, and what side effects should Americans expect?
Lambda and B.1.621: New COVID variants could be the worst yet, doctor warns
At least two new COVID-19 variants have hit the United States and they could be worse than the delta variant in their infectiousness and ability to stand up to vaccines, according to a top medical authority.
U.S. health officials call for booster shots for all to battle COVID-19
U.S. health officials recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The announcement was made on Aug. 18.
August child tax credit payments issued: Here’s why yours might be delayed
The second installment of expanded child tax credits was issued on Aug. 13 to millions of eligible families, but some payments will likely be delayed due to a technical glitch, the U.S. Department of Treasury said.
Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards
COVID claims more young victims as deaths climb yet again
The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation’s unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.
NJ county opens COVID booster shot appointments
Health care officials in a northern New Jersey county began offering COVID-19 booster shots to qualified residents on Aug. 14. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said appointments for a third shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine were open at vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark.
Concerts, outdoor events still risky as delta variant surges, experts say
Concerts and outdoor events are returning, and many are requiring proof of vaccination as part of new safety protocols designed to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. But while experts say being outdoors is less risky in general, they continue to recommend additional precautions for those visiting crowded outdoor venues.
Biden weighs stiffer vaccine rules as delta variant spreads rapidly across U.S.
When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that’s what it took to get shots in arms. But as new COVID infections soar, he’s testing a tougher approach.
Who doesn’t need the COVID-19 vaccine?
It has been eight months since the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers nationwide. Since then, the vaccine has become available to anyone over the age of 12. Experts explain the few instances in which a person would not qualify for, or should delay getting vaccinated.
Extra COVID shot OK’d for immunocompromised individuals
With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards.
What to do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccine card
Don’t worry if you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccine card, there are several ways you can get it replaced. No matter where you got your shots, getting a replacement card is possible.
Will NJ reinstate a travel advisory?
Gov. Murphy said on Aug. 9, a new travel advisory is not off the table, but for now he encouraged mask wearing, which is mandatory in all airports and on flights, and other COVID safety protocols. “You gotta use your head,” he added.
Will NJ mandate masks indoors?
Despite CDC data showing New Jersey falls under its guidance to wear masks indoors, Gov. Murphy said he will not yet mandate face coverings but added, “we leave all options on the table.”
COVID transmission levels call for indoor masking under CDC guidelines
Indoor masking is advised in areas with COVID transmission rates considered “substantial” or “high” under recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Aug. 8, all of New Jersey falls under those categories.
How do you know if you have the delta variant of COVID-19?
So you’ve tested positive for COVID – but which COVID exactly? Is there a way to tell if you have the highly transmissible delta variant? There is a way to tell, but there’s not really a way for you to tell.
COVID breakthrough cases: Is one vaccine better than others?
Are kids more vulnerable to the delta variant of COVID-19?
Hospitals around the United States, especially in the South, are starting to fill back up again as the delta variant tears though the country. With previous waves of infection, we’ve been most worried about the elderly being vulnerable. Now, it’s younger people – even children – starting to show up in hospital beds.
U.S. averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day as delta surges
The United States is now averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day, returning to a milestone last seen during the winter surge in yet another bleak reminder of how quickly the delta variant has spread through the country. The U.S. was averaging about 11,000 cases a day in late June. Now the number is 107,143.
NJ schools mask mandate: Teachers’ union backs, Republicans slam Murphy decision
New Jersey Republicans have largely trashed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Aug 6 that masks will be required in all schools in the upcoming academic year.
NJ health care workers must be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19
Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Aug. 6 mandating that all workers in state and private health care facilities either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested for it twice a week.
50% of U.S. population is fully vaccinated, White House says
The United States reached a vaccination milestone on Aug. 6: 50% of the population, all ages, were fully vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 data director confirmed.
CDC says people who’ve had COVID should get shot or risk reinfection
Even people who have recovered from COVID-19 are urged to get vaccinated, especially as the extra-contagious delta variant surges — and a new study shows survivors who ignored that advice were more than twice as likely to get reinfected.
‘You have lost your minds’: Murphy lashes out at anti-vax protesters
Warning of more delta mutations, Fauci urges vaccinations
The White House COVID-19 response team said the delta variant continues to surge across the country. During a briefing on Aug. 5, Dr. Anthony Fauci called on Americans to take precautions to stop the virus from mutating. “The ultimate end game of all this is vaccination,” he said.
The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is fueled by the highly contagious delta variant first identified in India late last year. Now, a variation of that variant is beginning to generate headlines. Here’s what we know about the COVID sub-strain being called delta plus.
Vaccine mandate for state colleges?
Currently, some state colleges in New Jersey are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students and staff and some have made it optional. Murphy said a universal mandate “is certainly an option,” but for now individual universities can make their own call.
More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise, Fauci says
Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Aug. 1 that more “pain and suffering” is on the horizon as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.
Walmart requiring COVID vaccination, masks for many employees
In a memo, Walmart announced that associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Walmart also required associates, including those fully vaccinated, to wear masks in its stores.
Iconic NJ restaurant The Fireplace closes after 65 years
The Fireplace, like many other restaurants across the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily shuttered its doors before reopening in May, when they implemented drive-thru, takeout and curbside pickup followed by indoor dining in October.
New delta variant research makes strong case for vaccination
A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the delta variant is more dangerous and fast-spreading than first thought. The findings also made clear why efforts to get more people vaccinated are vital.
CDC data shows delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new information on July 30, saying the coronavirus delta variant can spread as easily as chickenpox.
Pfizer: COVID vaccine protective for at least 6 months
The effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but it remains strongly protective for at least six months after the second dose, according to company data released on July 28.
Disney World requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status
Beginning July 30, Disney World required all visitors ages 2 and older to wear a face covering while indoors as well as in Disney buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.
CDC mask guidance: Vaccinated people should wear face coverings in public indoor settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.
U.S. headed in ‘wrong direction’ on COVID-19, Fauci says
Doctors warn about slightly different symptoms with delta variant of COVID
As concern grows regarding the COVID-19 delta variant, health leaders are warning about somewhat different symptoms that come with it.
Most unvaccinated Americans unlikely to get COVID-19 shots, new AP poll finds
A new poll shows that most Americans who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they are unlikely to get the shots. About 16% say they probably will get the vaccine.
Is asking about someone’s COVID vaccine status a HIPAA violation?
HIPAA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 during a time when medical records were being computerized. It was created to simplify the administration of health insurance and to prevent unauthorized access to peoples’ medical histories.
In fact, HIPAA doesn’t block anyone from asking another person about their health status, according to Alan Meisel, law professor and bioethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh.
Gov. Murphy holds off on reinstating mask mandate
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s not ready to reinstitute mask requirements, now or when schools are back in session in September. Murphy says he “is comfortable where we are” on mask mandates but is also closely monitoring developments.
Child tax credit checks: Will they become permanent?
The parents of an estimated 60 million American children began receiving child tax credit payments from the IRS in a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?
Biden grapples with ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’
President Joe Biden is confronting the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his ability to combat the persistent vaccine hesitance responsible for the summer backslide.
Child tax credit: When to expect payments, how it may impact tax returns
Common cholesterol drugs may significantly reduce risk of death from COVID-19: study
Statins, a common medication for lowering cholesterol, may be saving lives among patients with COVID-19. A new study reveals hospitalized coronavirus patients who take statins are much less likely to die from the illness.
WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak
The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said he is asking China to be more transparent as scientists search for the origins of the coronavirus.
Wildfire smoke linked to increased COVID-19 risk, study says
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
What can I do if I didn’t get my child tax credit payment?
The official disbursement date for the first child tax credit payments from the Internal Revenue Service was July 15, but parents may not see the cash right away.
Delta now dominant COVID variant in New Jersey
The highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said on July 12. The governor urged New Jersey residents to get vaccinated against COVID if they haven’t already done so.
Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate
There’s more to the worker shortage than pandemic unemployment, experts say
The workforce shortage is a combination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift in the economy, and changes in the workforce demographics, experts say.
Free health insurance included in stimulus benefits for unemployment recipients
Along with $1,400 stimulus checks and monthly child tax credit payments, the American Rescue Plan has another important benefit available to people who qualified for unemployment assistance this year: free health care.
Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?
Yes, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses. Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.
Workers enjoy the upper hand as companies scramble to hire
With the economy growing rapidly as it reopens from the pandemic, many employers are increasingly desperate to hire. Yet evidence suggests that as a group, the unemployed aren’t feeling the same urgency to take jobs.
As of Wednesday, there have been 1,144,734 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 25,824 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
Are you ready for another weekend? We sure are! If you’re looking for some family-friendly fun, you’re in the right place! We’ve rounded up plenty of things to do in and around town.
Throughout the weekend, Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Holiday Storytimes. Enjoy a holiday-themed story read by one of TBZ’s resident elves and meet an animal friend. Light refreshments included with ticket. Recommended for children ages 8 and younger; children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All attendees must have a ticket; children under 2 are free. Event lasts approximately 45 minutes. Space is limited; tickets can be purchased in advance. Does not include admission into the zoo before 4pm. Admission into the zoo after 5pm is free. Tickets for Storytime are $10 per person and children under 2 are free. Select times and buy tickets online.
Bergen County Winter Wonderland 2021 continues through January 2 at Van Saun County Park (216 Forest Avenue, Paramus). Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland at Van Saun Park is northern New Jersey’s premier winter event featuring open air ice skating, a kid’s zone ice rink, hospitality tent, children’s games and activities, carousel rides, food trucks an indoor/outdoor beer garden and the Bergen County Express Train Ride! All activities (including skate rentals) are included with admission. Tickets are $15 and children 3 and under are free. Visit the website for a full schedule of activities.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum (324 Forest Drive South, Short Hills) will host Hot Chocolate Hikes on Saturday at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, and Sunday at 3:00 PM (other timeslots are already sold out). Join an educator for a guided hike through our woodlands and explore the arboretum in winter. After the hike a enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. The entire event will take place outside. Masks and pre-registration required. Cost is $8 per person for members and $10 per person for non-members.
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Twp) continues to host the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt. Held daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, bring your camera or phone for this month’s hunt. There’s a new theme every month and the current theme is “Let It Snow.” Trees are shedding their leaves, but are they shedding their secrets? Explore the arboretum to find the big, the historic, and the most remarkable trees in this fun, family, non-contact photo scavenger hunt. The cost is $10 per family or group of 6 or less. Preregistration is required.
Liberty Hall Museum (1003 Morris Avenue, Union) will host two Gingerbread House Workshops on Saturday at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Candy canes, gumdrops and peppermint sticks, oh my! Children get to decorate a unique gingerbread house, a perfect treat for the start of the holiday season. We provide all the materials including lots of candy and icing, and you go home with a great gingerbread house creation to enjoy throughout the season! Reservations are required. Tickets are $5-$25.
On Saturday at 10:15 AM, The Newark Museum of Art (49 Washington Street, Newark) will host Creative Play: Mini Zoo Edition. Join in for a fun time with friends from Turtle Back Zoo. Enjoy story time and a presentation of live animals. There are new animals every week. This program is specifically designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Register online.
On Saturday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Kip’s Castle (22 Crestmont Road, Montclair) will be open for self-guided tours. View the first floor and experience the holidays circa the 1920s. Admission is free.
Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host the final session for the month of Wonders of the Wild! On Saturday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This program offers students ages 6-12 an opportunity to participate in supplementary science and nature-themed programs and projects that facilitate scientific literacy and life-long environmental stewardship. This week’s session is Wildlife Conservation. Cost is $30 for this in-person, drop off program.
On Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Maplewood’s Dickens Village (Ricalton Square, Maplewood) will be open for viewing. Dickens Village brings to life various scenes from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol in miniature houses. Peek inside and you will see fireplaces, stockings, and antique toys. Each little house reveals something unique and different. Santa will be visiting for socially distant visits. Visitors can also enjoy a DJ, horse and wagon rides, and a petting farm.
Saturday evening, Clifton Recreation Department (900 Clifton Avenue, Clifton) will host Candyland from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Just in time for the holidays, the Clifton Recreation Department will present a wonderful family adventure at the Clifton Candyland event. Put on your hat, mittens and scarf and enjoy the continuous activities running throughout the evening. Have the time of your life as you take a ride on the Santa Express Train, fly and bounce at the Reindeer Flight School, use your night vision to find candy canes at the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt, play interactive games in the Candy Cane Play Station, DIY holiday crafts, enjoy a hot chocolate and cookies at the Santa Snack Shack (other food items will be available for purchase), write a letter to Santa, and of course enjoy a visit with Santa Claus in person (don’t forget your camera to take Santa photos). Tickets are $11 per person.
On Sunday at 10:00 AM, Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint (575 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove) will The Grinch Live! That nefarious Grinch, recently escaped from total incarceration at the Essex County Jail! Drop in, take some holiday pictures and we’ll all see if together, we can help grow his small heart 3 times that day!
On Sunday at 12:30 PM, The Clairidge will show the holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life. An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. Frank Capra’s holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life returns to the big screen in Montclair! Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host Sunday Studio on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This week’s session is entitled Octahedrons: The Magic of Spheres with Mansa Mussa. Inspired by the exhibition Transformed, this week families will learn new paper folding and collage techniques to upcycle colorful marketing materials into eight-sided soft paper sculptures. These delightful octahedrons make great gifts or decorative holiday ornaments! This program is geared toward families with children ages 5–12, but all are welcome. This event is free with MAM admission. Registration is required.
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NEWARK, N.J. —Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the Essex County Board of County Commissioners have announced they will be hosting a Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event next week in Newark.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the city’s Essex County Weequahic Park, at Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue. Organizers said 1,000 frozen turkeys and holiday dinner boxes, with non-perishable items served during a traditional holiday meal, will be distributed. Attendees can receive one turkey and one food box, organizers said.
The program, which will take place rain or shine, is meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food, especially families negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, DiVincenzo said.
“The coronavirus exacerbated an existing food insecurity problem experienced by many of our residents,” DiVincenzo said. “We are pleased to present this special Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event for those who are in dire need and to make sure all our families have something to be thankful for this year.
“The coronavirus has created uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for us all. We hope this emergency food distribution helps those families who continue to struggle.”
According to organizers, residents driving to the site should enter the park via the Meeker Avenue entrance, and cars should line up along Meeker Avenue before turning right into the park. Left turns into the park from Meeker Avenue will not be permitted.
Meanwhile, residents walking to the event should come to the Rev. Ronald Christian Sports Complex, where a station will be set up adjacent to the parking lot on the western side of the football field.
The turkeys and food boxes will be placed in the trunk of vehicles or handed to the residents who are on foot. Those walking to the event should bring a cart for the food.
Also, those on foot must wear a face mask/covering and follow social distancing guidelines, organizers said.
“Unfortunately, food insecurity remains an issue that many Essex County residents continue to face,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said. “Our weekly food distribution events were very successful in providing relief during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic through the Spring of 2021, and I applaud the county executive and our county leadership for taking the steps to coordinate a distribution event for our residents in need prior to the holidays.”
NEWARK, N.J. —Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the Essex County Board of County Commissioners have announced they will be hosting a Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event next week in Newark.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the city’s Essex County Weequahic Park, at Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue. Organizers said 1,000 frozen turkeys and holiday dinner boxes, with non-perishable items served during a traditional holiday meal, will be distributed. Attendees can receive one turkey and one food box, organizers said.
The program, which will take place rain or shine, is meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food, especially families negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, DiVincenzo said.
“The coronavirus exacerbated an existing food insecurity problem experienced by many of our residents,” DiVincenzo said. “We are pleased to present this special Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event for those who are in dire need and to make sure all our families have something to be thankful for this year.
“The coronavirus has created uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for us all. We hope this emergency food distribution helps those families who continue to struggle.”
According to organizers, residents driving to the site should enter the park via the Meeker Avenue entrance, and cars should line up along Meeker Avenue before turning right into the park. Left turns into the park from Meeker Avenue will not be permitted.
Meanwhile, residents walking to the event should come to the Rev. Ronald Christian Sports Complex, where a station will be set up adjacent to the parking lot on the western side of the football field.
The turkeys and food boxes will be placed in the trunk of vehicles or handed to the residents who are on foot. Those walking to the event should bring a cart for the food.
Also, those on foot must wear a face mask/covering and follow social distancing guidelines, organizers said.
“Unfortunately, food insecurity remains an issue that many Essex County residents continue to face,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said. “Our weekly food distribution events were very successful in providing relief during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic through the Spring of 2021, and I applaud the county executive and our county leadership for taking the steps to coordinate a distribution event for our residents in need prior to the holidays.”
NEWARK, N.J. —Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the Essex County Board of County Commissioners have announced they will be hosting a Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event next week in Newark.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the city’s Essex County Weequahic Park, at Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue. Organizers said 1,000 frozen turkeys and holiday dinner boxes, with non-perishable items served during a traditional holiday meal, will be distributed. Attendees can receive one turkey and one food box, organizers said.
The program, which will take place rain or shine, is meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food, especially families negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, DiVincenzo said.
“The coronavirus exacerbated an existing food insecurity problem experienced by many of our residents,” DiVincenzo said. “We are pleased to present this special Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event for those who are in dire need and to make sure all our families have something to be thankful for this year.
“The coronavirus has created uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for us all. We hope this emergency food distribution helps those families who continue to struggle.”
According to organizers, residents driving to the site should enter the park via the Meeker Avenue entrance, and cars should line up along Meeker Avenue before turning right into the park. Left turns into the park from Meeker Avenue will not be permitted.
Meanwhile, residents walking to the event should come to the Rev. Ronald Christian Sports Complex, where a station will be set up adjacent to the parking lot on the western side of the football field.
The turkeys and food boxes will be placed in the trunk of vehicles or handed to the residents who are on foot. Those walking to the event should bring a cart for the food.
Also, those on foot must wear a face mask/covering and follow social distancing guidelines, organizers said.
“Unfortunately, food insecurity remains an issue that many Essex County residents continue to face,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said. “Our weekly food distribution events were very successful in providing relief during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic through the Spring of 2021, and I applaud the county executive and our county leadership for taking the steps to coordinate a distribution event for our residents in need prior to the holidays.”
TRENTON – Ten years after New Jersey passed a law requiring public employees to live in the state, teachers and other school employees might get exempted.
It is already possible to be granted an exemption by a review committee on a case-by-case basis, but legislation advanced Thursday by the Senate Education Committee would eliminate the requirement for all public-school employees, at least for the next three years.
The change is being considered because of staffing shortages that are posing increasing problems for school districts amid the burnout of the COVID-19 era.
Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, said New Jersey has long had shortages of bilingual, special education, math and science teachers but that it’s now larger than that and merits a response.
“And it’s not that we want to not have New Jersey first because I think all of us here want that,” said Ruiz, who was among the co-sponsors of the 2011 law. “But the thing is in this case, it can’t be at the detriment of our students.”
The greatest challenge facing school administrators right now is staffing, said Debra Bradley, director of government relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.
She said it is “putting operations at risk,” adding that two school districts last week couldn’t open for in-person learning due to a shortage of available teachers.
“Staffing shortages are a daily occurrence, and the scope of the shortage works across the spectrum of school employees from educational positions to hallways monitors to bus drivers to lunchroom staff,” Bradley said.
Sen. Michael Doherty, R-Warren, said the proposed change will increase the applicant pool for school positions and make it easier for people to do a job that they love.
“People who represent districts that are on the state border, it’s really a problem,” said Doherty, who voted for the 2011 law. “We have the Delaware River as the western border, and so we have a lot of folks that traditionally have lived in Easton and Pennsylvania. And it’s tough to recruit.”
Ruiz said the bill will be amended before it is approved to apply only for three years as a pilot program. Any teachers who start during that time will be grandfathered in, if the exemption lapses, she said.
See How School Cafeteria Meals Have Changed Over the Past 100 Years
Using government and news reports, Stacker has traced the history of cafeteria meals from their inception to the present day, with data from news and government reports. Read on to see how various legal acts, food trends, and budget cuts have changed what kids are getting on their trays.
The top five best places for the best gnocchi in New Jersey
Bill Spadea’s callers gave Bill the top five places for the best gnocchi in New Jersey
