Clean energy advocates are urging New Jersey officials to increase funding to get rid of diesel-fueled school buses and switch to zero-emission vehicles.
One of those advocates is state Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex), who plans to introduce a bill after the November election that would provide $15 million per year to fund electric school bus purchases in six school districts per year.
The three-year pilot program would be overseen by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which would also provide the funding. Diegnan said the locations of the districts would represent all areas of the state, including North, Central and South Jersey.
“So, to put this project in place in the three areas of the state – north, central and south – would have real data that we can make decisions based on,” Diegnan said.
Diegnan said the vast majority of New Jersey’s school bus fleet run on diesel fuel, which is one of the biggest pollutants.
With kids being the ones most negatively impacted by diesel exhaust, converting to clean energy school buses should be a top priority, according to Diegnan.
“I think it’s good that the kids get to see the initiative and also that others get to see these school buses – that they’re going through their neighborhoods and see that electric actually works,” Diegnan said, adding that it might give people a sense of assurance if they see that clean energy is working with school buses.
Diegnan said it’s almost counterproductive to stay with diesel buses when electric is the wave of the future, adding that it’s important to turn directly to the electric buses once it’s proven that they work properly, rather than slowly implement them into the districts.
While the NJEDA would provide the $15 million for the pilot program, the biggest hurdle still remains cost. According to James Woods of First Student, a company that is one of the largest providers of transportation in North America, and reported by NJ Spotlight, electric school buses can cost up to $300,000. That’s triple the cost of buses that run on diesel.
And while the cost is steep, so is the cost of doing nothing.
Pointing to the recent devastation caused by Ida in the state, Diegnan said climate change is real and one way to deal with it is to have cleaner air.
“We have to deal with climate change and this is a good first step,” he said.
Early voting locations in each NJ county
Each county in the state will have between three and 10 early voting locations, open daily for the 2021 general election from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for Sundays, when they will close at 6 p.m.
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.
When can you get a COVID booster shot? These are the rules for each vaccine
Confused by all the COVID booster shot updates? Here’s the status for each vaccine approved in the United States, and the rules that determine who can get one.
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.
US 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 data 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.
Walensky disagreed and put that recommendation back in, noting that such a move aligns with an FDA booster authorization decision earlier this week.
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.
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.
COVID vaccines would be required for military under new plan
Members of the U.S. military would be required to have the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Sept. 15, under a plan announced by the Pentagon on Aug. 9 and endorsed by President Joe Biden.
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 Tuesday, there have been 1,028,622 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 24,958 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
MILLBURN, NJ — As a Short Hills resident with two children in the Millburn School District, Devang Nagrecha believes that he can be a voice for families on the Board of Education.
Nagrecha is one of eight candidates vying for three seats on Millburn’s Board of Education this election season.
Read below to learn more about Nagrecha and his platform for the upcoming election on Nov. 2.
1. What is your background?
“I grew up in Livingston NJ and graduated from Livingston High School. My wife Diana and I decided to move back to the area with our family and choose Short Hills/Millburn for the same reasons many of you did: the exceptional public education offered in our town. My son, Devin, attends first grade at Deerfield Elementary School and my daughter, Vera, will join her brother there next year. I’ll have a vested interest in the school system for the next 14 years.
“I am running for the board because I want to contribute to the excellent education and help to ensure Millburn continues to offer our children a top-notch education. It’s not just about my children, but all the families in town. I will be a voice to ensure our children continue to have what they need to be successful in an ever-changing world. I support a healthy, balanced, and collaborative environment for teaching and learning and providing comprehensive equity for all students.
“I have always wanted to give back to my local community and now more than ever with my background in business and healthcare, it is the right time. As founder, president and CEO of an Essex County-based, large specialty pharmacy and healthcare consulting company providing outpatient retail and specialty services to hospital partners, I have unique management, problem-solving, communication, organizational and budgetary skills that I am looking forward to bringing to the board.
“I also bring to the Board experience serving my community outside of my business leadership. As a committee member with the St. Barnabas Medical Center Young Leaders, I support the organization by serving as an ambassador to engage young families for financial and volunteer support. I am also on the board of directors of the Millburn Soccer Club.”
2. What goals do you want to accomplish on the BOE?
“If elected my first goal will be to familiarize myself with the current issues and decisions facing the board. My goal will be to work amicably with the other board members to set obtainable goals and support policies that help to promote and maintain excellence in the district. I also believe that social-emotional learning is very important to improve student life and educational balance. I look forward to applying my management, problem-solving, communication, organizational, budgetary skills and healthcare background to the committees, policies, and decisions to serve all children in the district.”
To learn more about Nagrecha and his platform, check out his campaign website
3. What is the number one problem you feel needs to be addressed in Millburn’s education system?
“Right now the focus is on the “Road Forward” as we work to keep children and teachers back in school safely. I support a focus on social-emotional learning to improve life and educational balance by making sure resources, support and programs are available for students. I will continue to support and promote a collaborative environment and incorporate the expansion of the Arts and STEM education in the district. I feel it is also important to continue to build upon the district’s goal to address global awareness and cultural diversity by helping to promote a sense of belonging for all students in the community.”
WASHINGTON — Children age 5 to 11 will soon be able to get a COVID-19 shot at their pediatrician’s office, local pharmacy and potentially even their school, the White House said Wednesday as it detailed plans for the expected authorization of the Pfizer shot for younger children in a matter of weeks.
Federal regulators will meet over the next two weeks to weigh the benefits of giving shots to kids, after lengthy studies meant to ensure the safety of the vaccines.
Within hours of formal approval, expected after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory meeting scheduled for Nov. 2-3, doses will begin shipping to providers across the country, along with smaller needles necessary for injecting young kids, and within days will be ready to go into the arms of kids on a wide scale.
The Biden administration notes the nationwide campaign to extend the protection of vaccination to the school-going cohort will not look like the start of the country’s vaccine rollout 10 months ago, when scarcity of doses and capacity issues meant a painstaking wait for many Americans. The country now has ample supplies of the Pfizer shot to vaccinate the roughly 28 million kids who will soon be eligible, White House officials said, and have been working for months to ensure widespread availability of shots once approved.
More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers have already signed on to administer COVID-19 vaccine shots to kids, the White House said, in addition to the tens of thousands of retail pharmacies that are already administering shots to adults. Hundreds of school- and community-based clinics will also be funded and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help speed putting shots into arms.
The White House is also preparing to mobilize a stepped-up campaign to educate parents and kids about the safety of the shots and the ease of getting them. As has been the case for adult vaccinations, the administration believes trusted messengers — educators, doctors, and community leaders — will be vital to encouraging vaccinations.
While children are at lower risk than older people of having serious side effects from COVID-19, those serious consequences do occur – and officials note that vaccination both dramatically reduces those chances and will reduce the spread of the more transmissible delta variant in communities, contributing to the nation’s broader recovery from the pandemic.
“COVID has also disrupted our kids lives. It’s made school harder, it’s disrupted their ability to see friends and family, it’s made youth sports more challenging,” U.S. surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy told NBC on Wednesday. “Getting our kids vaccinated, we have the prospect of protecting them, but also getting all of those activities back that are so important to our children.”
About 219 million Americans aged 12 and up, or 66% of the total population, have received a COVID-19 shot and nearly 190 million are fully vaccinated.
Doses will be shipped to health care providers across the country within hours of authorization, the Associated Press reported, and smaller needles will be used to inject younger kids with the vaccine.
So, it’s likely kids ages 5-11 will be able to receive a COVID vaccine in early November.
Kids ages 5-11 will be able to receive the COVID vaccine from more than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers, as well as pharmacies that have already been administering the COVID vaccines to adults and older children, according to the The White House.
The White House added that there will also be hundreds of community and school-based clinics supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will be assisting in putting shots in arms.
Yes. While the dose for children will be 10 micrograms instead of 30 micrograms like it is for adults, children will still receive the vaccine in a two-shot regimen.
So far, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine only has been fully approved for people as young as 16. It is available for emergency use authorization for children as young as 12.
That could change as of Oct. 26, when FDA regulators are scheduled to meet to decide whether the Pfizer pediatric COVID vaccine is safe to administer to children ages 5-11.
The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been approved under emergency use authorization for people ages 18 and older.
After last year’s low-key pandemic Halloween, Montclair is back to celebrating with well-loved traditions.
Although Gov. Phil Murphy declared last year that Halloween could take place at the discretion of each municipality, many towns such as neighboring Glen Ridge canceled the holiday. Montclair did not, but it was a tuned-down version, with many events being canceled and trick-or-treaters staying close to home.
This year, favorite events such as pumpkins at Presby Gardens, the Montclair Police “Trunk-or-Treat” and cemetery tours are back.
Even “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is returning for the holiday. Here’s a list of local Halloween happenings.
Gardens aglow, pups on parade
Pumpkin Aglow at Presby Gardens
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Area high school students have been invited to showcase their creativity and carve pumpkins for the Presby Gardens’ “Gardens Aglow” on Friday, Oct. 29. From 6 to 9 p.m., all jack-o’-lanterns will be lit with candles and lined around the flower beds to help illuminate the gardens. Seasonal refreshments will be available.
“I invite you to visit the gardens and this unique and colorful jack-o’-lantern display. Then, enjoy a glass of cider at sunset while watching the gardens glow,” county Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. said.
The event, at 474 Upper Mountain Ave., is free.
Dog owners and their pups are invited to display their creativity and participate in “Strut Your Mutt,” Essex County’s annual canine Halloween costume parade and contest. In Montclair, the parade and contest will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at 9 a.m. at the Essex County Brookdale Dog Park on Grove Street.
Strut your Mutt will take place Oct. 23. KATE ALBRIGHT
“The Essex County dog parks have become popular places for dog owners to bring their faithful companions. In turn, the canine costume parades are growing into a favorite Halloween celebration for everyone to enjoy. Whether you own a dog or not, we invite you to come see creative costumes worn by dogs of all breeds,” DiVincenzo said.
Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in a variety of categories.
Cemetery tours, pumpkin labyrinth, scarecrows
Cemetery tours will take place in-person and online this year. COURTEST MHC
The Montclair History Center will offer two cemetery tours — virtual and in-person. On Thursday, Oct. 21,a virtual tour of the 30-acre Mt. Hebron Cemetery will be offered via Zoom at noon and 7 p.m. It is the final resting spot of notable residents of Speertown and Cranetown. The virtual tour will be led by Lisanne Renner, historian for the Friends of Anderson Park, and Helen Fallon, a trustee of the Montclair History Center. The tour is free and can be accessed by visitingmontclairhistorycenter.org.
On Sunday, Oct. 31, the History Center invites guests to take a tour of Rosedale Cemetery, founded over 175 years ago. On the tour, which takes place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., guests will venture into the old section for a guided tour with Executive Director Jane Eliasof and collections manager Erin Benz.
They will discuss gravestone imagery as well as the people who are buried there. After a brief introduction at Rosedale Chapel, guests will head in cars to the old section of the cemetery for a 2-mile walking tour. The cost is $10, and masks are required. Visit montclairhistorycenter.org for more information.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 73 South Fullerton Ave. is hosting a pumpkin labyrinth through Oct. 31. All are welcome for prayer, play and photos, Christine M. Corso, parish administrator, said. The labyrinth is free.
A labyrinth at St. Luke’s. COURTEST ST. LUKES
St. Luke’s pumpkin patch is also still open, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donations support the members of the Navajo Nation who cultivate, harvest and ship the pumpkins, as well as church youth programs.
“It’s the most sincere pumpkin patch around,” Corso said, an apparent reference to “Peanuts” character Linus, who described his pumpkin patch that way.
Visitors may pay via QR code, Zelle, Venmo, text or cash.
From now through Sunday, Oct. 24, “Scarecrows in the Gardens” will be on display at Van Vleck House & Gardens. The 30-plus handcrafted scarecrows were created by Scout troops, nonprofits, local businesses, families, classes and individuals.
In this friendly competition, visitors are asked to cast their vote for their favorite scarecrow in each category atvanvleck.org. The winners will receive $500 to donate to the nonprofit of their choice.
‘Rocky Horror,’ scary movie marathon
The 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” returns to Montclair on Mischief Night after a four-year hiatus. “Rocky Horror” fans will once again be able to don their fishnet stockings and high heels to do the “Time Warp.” The show will also welcome the cast of The Ordinary Kids, a live performing troupe made up of diehard fans.
“Rocky Horror” returns to Montclair on Oct. 31. COURTESY THE ORDINARY KIDS
The “strange journey” will happen at the Clairidge Cinemas as part of the Montclair Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m.
For those who want to hunker down on Halloween, Montclair channel 34 will be airing some of the most popular — and scariest — horror classic movies. Check montclairnjusa.org for the schedule.
‘Silent Disco to Save Montclair Local’
Montclair Local Nonprofit News and the Weirdo Party are presenting “The Halloween Silent Disco to Save Montclair Local.” The event will be at Glenfield Park (enter on Maple Avenue) on Halloween night, Oct. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s $25 for an individual or $50 for a family of up to four, for headphones you’ll use to listen to music all night long. Costumes aren’t required, but are welcome.
Payments can be sent via Cash App $jsharif2329, via Venmo to PopupNDance or by using the form at MontclairLocal.news, under “Montclair Local Events.”
Montclair Local is seeking vendors for the event. Email toler@montclairlocal.news if you’re interested in taking part. All proceeds go to Montclair Local Nonprofit News. For more information, see MontclairLocal.news or the expanded article on Page 2 of this week’s paper.
Halloween skateboarding
The third annual “Halloween Skate Session” at the Rand Courts Skate Park will take place on Sunday, Oct. 31, through the combined efforts of Skate Essex and the Montclair High School Skate Club, as well as Shred.Co, Unofficial and Boardroom Skate. Free skate lessons and mini contests for new and younger skaters will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, with a skate jam and contests for more experienced skaters starting at 1. All skaters are encouraged to come in costume to compete for best costume of the day.
Trick-or-treat, scary houses
The Montclair Police Department’s fourth annual “Trunk-or-Treat” Halloween celebration will take place Friday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the MPD rear parking lot, 647 Bloomfield Ave.
Montclair PD’s Trunk or Treat will take place on Oct. 29. COURTESY MPD
The Montclair Center BID will also be welcoming trick-or-treaters on Sunday, Oct. 31. Dozens of businesses will participate, and will have a “Halloween Stop” poster in their store windows.
After trick-or-treating, parents can capture the moment with photographer Michael Stahl, who in conjunction with The Commonwealth Club of Montclair will be creating Halloween portraits of costumed kids on Oct. 31.
Kids can get Halloween portraits on Oct. 31. COURTESY MICHAEL STAHL
Parents will be able to pay for the session by bringing a full bag of non-perishable groceries that will be donated to Toni’s Kitchen and the Human Needs Food Pantry.
“We are hoping that people are particularly generous this year,” Stahl, who donates his time annually, said.
The sessions will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on a first-come basis at The Commonwealth Club, 26 Northview Ave.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. The images will be distributed on Facebook after the event. A model release, signed by an adult, is required.
Montclair resident Ajelica Tanti will once again run a Halloween House Decorating Contest. Residents with spooky houses are encouraged to enter by following @angelicatantimtg on Instagram and post photos with #NIGHTMAREINMONTCLAIR2021 and tag @angelicatantimtg. Photos can also be texted to 201-452-4825. The deadline to enter is Friday, Oct. 29, with winners announced Oct. 30. Winners will receive gift cards to Faubourg, Halcyon or Samba.
A Hispanic Heritage Celebration will also include COVID vaccines. A brunch will honor breast cancer/domestic violence survivors.
West Side Park will be busy over the next week as United Community Corporation hosts a Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 21 and a Survivor’s Brunch for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence survivors on Sunday, Oct. 24. (Shutterstock)
NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of United Community Corporation. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.West Side Park will be busy over the next week as United Community Corporation hosts a Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 21 and a Survivor’s Brunch for Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence survivors on Sunday, Oct. 24.The Hispanic Heritage Celebration runs from… Read more
While NJ has been named the top K-12 education system in the U.S., both gubernatorial candidates have different plans to move forward.
NEW JERSEY – Taxes and school funding are some of the first things that New Jersey voters keep in mind when they hit the ballot boxes, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has built his campaign on lowering property taxes and revamping the state’s school funding formula…. Read more
Smaller doses, smaller needles and larger initial availability will characterize the rollout of the COVID vaccine for young children in NJ.
NEW JERSEY – On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced its vaccine rollout plan for children in the 5-to-11 year old age group, noting that vaccine availability and distribution will look decidedly different than the initial rollout of the adult Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine earlier this year…. Read more
The FEMA funding will help the county pay for previous pandemic-related expenses, including vaccine and testing sites.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — More than $2.3 million is coming Essex County’s way to help it pay for a year-and-a-half of pandemic-related expenses, officials announced Monday…. Read more
About 94 percent of West Orange residents over 12 have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, according to recent statistics.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange’s health department canceled a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic last week due to a “lack of registration,” officials said…. Read more
Hackensack Meridian gave its employees a deadline of Nov. 15 to be fully vaccinated. Atlantic Health System has no vaccine mandate.
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — RWJ Barnabas, the second largest hospital system in New Jersey, has confirmed it fired 118 employees who refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, in addition to the six supervisors it already fired for refusing the vaccine earlier this summer…. Read more
Funny. Supportive. Sincere. Buoyant. Generous. Selfless. Witty. Compassionate. Fighter for Others. Calm. Dedicated. Faithful. Spiritual. Beautiful. Tough. Encouraging. Kind. At a 70th Birthday Party for Kathleen Anne Baas on Feb. 27, 2021, about 100 ZOOM-gathered friends, family, and colleagues made a “Word Cloud” for her, including those glowing adjectives. Kathleen, who died too soon on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, was certainly all that, and more. How does that happen? Kathy would offer her wryest smile and say it was circumstance, but anyone around her would cite clear intention, an uncommon inner strength, and an indomitable spirit.
She was born Kathleen Anne Horkay in Orange NJ in 1951, daughter of Rosemary (Sulpy) Horkay and Stephen W. Horkay, now both deceased.
Kathy was a Registered Nurse for just shy of 50 years, having graduated from Mountainside School of Nursing, Bloomfield NJ, in 1972. In 1975, she earned her BS in Nursing, Magna Cum Laude at Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA.
Kathleen Baas was a mother, twice. Diane Kathleen Baas is now an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of New Orleans. William Gerard Stropnicky earned his BS in Biology at Lycoming College, his MS in Biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and is now employed at CVS/Caremark.
Kathleen Baas was a wife, twice, with two gloriously happy marriages. When her first husband, Warren G. Baas was killed in an industrial accident in 1978, she was widowed at age 27 while seven months pregnant. How does anyone survive that? When asked, she simply stated she had no choice. “Stand firm, be smart, face things head on, enjoy the beauty of nature and the company of family and friends, and get up when you get knocked down”.
She had her faith, which in the challenge of that moment certainly became more complex. Could she still love a God that would do that? Yes, she could, but perhaps in a different way than any who might confuse personal prosperity with divine blessing. She knew from her love for Warren that loving never stops, and that unending love was the center of her understanding of the Divine.
About two months after Warren’s death, she had her daughter, Diane — the loving bond between those two is a force beyond nature that endures even now, even beyond death.
As a single mother, Kathy experienced first-hand the judgmental “side-eye” society throws at those outside artificial expected norms. “You have the start that you anticipate,” said Kathy as we started writing this obituary a few days ago, “but that anticipation gets broken in an instant. You make plans, but you can’t allow your plans to stop you from doing what you see needs to be done.” Before long, she was counseling other widows, other single mothers. She became a social activist, working to change the systems that keep women marginalized. Over time, her empathetic energy defined her consistent mission: her kind eyes noticed anyone cast aside, and she found ways to serve them.
For 16 years she worked with the Keystone Rural Farmworker Health program, bringing health services to migrant workers in Pennsylvania fields. She served elder residents of long-term care facilities and those at the end of their lives in Hospice. Seeing a clear need for more, and more caring nursing assistants, she spent decades teaching in Nurse Aide Programs, preparing candidates for clinical certification. In the course of her final illness, she regularly found herself cared for by her former students: the last Certified Nurse Assistant who tended to Kathy as her own Hospice Aid had been her student in 2015.
We’re getting ahead of the story. With Diane now a toddler, Kath re-entered the working world, teaching LPNs at the Danville Area School District Practical Nursing Program. Her co-workers nudged her to try “going out” again. On one of the blind dates these friends arranged, she met Gerard Stropnicky; to their unending surprise they fell in enduring love. Jerry became her second husband on Aug. 16, 1987, and third member of this family already in progress. This past August, Jerry and Kathy celebrated 34 years of marriage.
In 1988, Kathy gave birth to son William G. Stropnicky, the fourth of this blended “Baasnicky” quartet, adding more wonder and new challenge to the mix. When William was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), plans adjusted again. Seeking understanding and strategies so Will might thrive consumed the family. While William made enormous progress and largely left behind his need for supports, Kathleen experienced first-hand the frustrations and isolation a family with an autistic child endures. She knew that many ASD children don’t respond to therapies as William had, and that’s no-one’s fault. She and Jerry became facilitators of the local Autism Support Group, then sought to build stronger bonds between its participants. They developed the idea of holding a weekend camping experience so families touched by autism might experience “regular” activities free of fear of judgment.
It is something of a miracle that CampEmerge works at all. Social activities are not the strong point of autistic children, and do not seem to be their desire. Yet, there they are in their unique ways, having a blast together: swimming, boating, fishing, making crafts and toasting marshmallows. CampEmerge creates a relaxed and accepting atmosphere of warmth, learning and new experience. Hundreds of families have benefitted over 22 years; the effort is ongoing.
In addition to her founding leadership of CampEmerge, she has served as a member of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble Board of Trustees including one term as President, on the board of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters (she would moderate candidate debates!) and as a Board Member of the Nicholas Wolff Foundation’s Board of Trustees. That Foundation is the parent organization of Camp Victory, a Special Camp for Special Kids in Millville, PA. A faithful member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Riverside, PA, she worked with the United Methodist Women, and served as Chair of Pastor/Parish Relations.
Kathy’s writing has been published in The American Nurse, and The Pennsylvania Nurse. She has presented on panels at Penn State’s National Autism Conference, the Columbia-Montour Women’s Conference, and others. She received the Susan K. Nenstiel Humanitarian Award from the American Association of University Women/Pennsylvania, the Outstanding Alumnae Award from Cedar Crest College, and was named Outstanding Woman in 2000 by the Columbia-Montour Women’s Conference. In November 2004, Woman’s Day Magazine named her a recipient of the “Shining Star National Award.”
“We don’t make ourselves,” she said as we were pulling this together. “We are shaped by others. My parents. Grandparents, uncles, aunts. My wonderful sisters, Mary, Joan and Carol. Then their husbands, then their kids. And now their kids’ kids. Cousins! So many cousins! In-laws, Warren’s Family, your family. Everyone I’m related to. Everyone! School friends! Since Kindergarten. Fellow West Essex High School band members. The women I went through Nursing School with — we were pretty much all women then. Colleagues, neighbors, friends. Our enormous CampEmerge family. And our cats, our dog, who all taught us more about love. They are all a part of me, and I guess I am part of them. I want to thank them all, by name if I could. The world makes something out of you, and then, if you have the chance, you make something back.”
She adds, “I simply did what my faith asks me to do. When I see the face of someone in need, I see the face of Jesus. How could I turn away?” [Matthew 25: 31-46.]
On Thursday Oct. 14, 2021, her body could no longer contain her spirit.
Kath had been under siege from Pancreatic Cancer for 17 months; she knew the end of her life was approaching, but with her own perseverance and the help of her gentle and skilled oncology teams, she achieved her goals for this past year, including Christmas, getting to a glorious June beach wedding in Florida, and to her beloved week with family on Long Beach Island, NJ. She planned her last days. She knew to embrace life in the midst of death, and her transition was peaceful, in her own room in her own home, surrounded by close family and a global circle of love of her own creation.
Because of the continuing pandemic, and her never-ending concern for the health of others, Kathleen A. Baas will be interred in her family plot in Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ, in a graveside service at the convenience of the immediate family. Once COVID passes, stay tuned for two joyous Celebrations of her life, one in New Jersey, the other in Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial gifts in the name of Kathleen A. Baas to the Warren Baas Scholarship at Bucknell University (Bucknell.edu), Lycoming College (Lycoming.edu), CampEmerge at Camp Victory (Campvictory.org), Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (bte.org), or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brady Funeral Home, Inc. Please share memories and messages of support at www.BradyFuneralHome.com
NUTLEY, NJ — You know that you’re creating some seriously tasty – and authentic – Hungarian food when you’re invited to the embassy in Washington D.C. But that’s just a small taste of the international flavor that Nicole Shaw-Provillon has brought to Nutley with her boutique bakery, Kurly Kürtősh.
A lot of the bakery’s success has been with one of its signature desserts, the chimney cake (also known as kürtőskalács). A “truly authentic Hungarian experience,” Shaw-Provillon and Kurly Kürtősh have baked more than 15,000 of the doughy, sugary treats since 2018, when the business operated mainly via pop-up shops, private catering and corporate functions.
But now the idiosyncratic desserts have a new home in Essex County. After previously operating in Essex, Bergen and Union counties, Shaw-Provillon eventually settled on Nutley after driving around the area and coming across the shop’s current location.
Kurly Kürtősh celebrated a soft opening at its new, dedicated storefront at 74 East Passaic Avenue in September.
Shaw-Provillon told Patch that she sources her ingredients from a prominent local spice purveyor, as well as international gourmet wholesalers in her quest to “curate the best flavors from around the world.”
So far, the recipe has hit the spot – and then some. Kurly Kürtősh has worked with brands such as Bloomingdale’s, Williams-Sonoma, The Nutella Cafe-NYC, Lord & Taylor, J. Crew, Citigroup and Unilever. The combination of this unique dessert and creative concept even caught the attention of Bank of America, which used their Women Business Owner feature to spotlight Shaw-Provillon in 2019.
The new shop in Nutley gives Shaw-Provillon a chance to spread her wings in other ways; the menu includes locally roasted coffee, locally grown herbal tea and the popular Kurly Kones (cone-shaped chimney cakes served with ice cream).
The business will continue its soft opening phase through the winter with retail service Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.
“It all began in 2013, when my husband accepted an international assignment in Budapest, Hungary. With little knowledge of Central Europe but a love for travel and adventure, we packed up our two young children and jumped at the opportunity. Budapest seamlessly became our new home with countless produce markets (food first!), a host of close Hungarian and International friends and a city with lots to discover. But it wasn’t until I tried my first chimney cake did I truly fall in love with Budapest. I could not understand why this secret treasure was not all over America. In the midst of a corporate job search, I decided to embark on an adventure that would change my life forever.”
Shaw-Provillon continues:
“It all started outside a local market in Bosnyák tér with my non-English speaking chimney cake teachers. With little communication, I quickly got the hang of making chimney cakes. But it wasn’t until I was introduced to an authentic chimney cake baker, with an award-winning recipe, did I experience the passion and care that goes into the art of chimney cake baking. (This time with a Hungarian translator by my side.) I spent countless hours baking chimney cakes only to further fall in love with this secret treasure that instantly made everyone happy. I catered parties for friends and spent countless hours baking chimney cakes with my mentor and at home. I also participated in an effort to set a chimney cake record for the Book of Guinness World Records in Hungary. I traveled with Hungarian-Romanian friends to Transylvania, one of many theories of its origin, to experience numerous extra long chimney cakes with fluffy dough baked over charcoal. Best experience ever!”
When it came time to return to the United States four years later, Shaw-Provillon adapted the recipe and refined her baking skills at the Culinary Institute of America. Now, with the help of an extensive support system coined the “Dream Team,” Kurly Kürtősh has made the journey into brick-and-mortar sales.
And local foodies with a desire to learn more about the cuisine of Hungary – or who simply want to indulge their sweet tooth – are glad she did.
Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com
A Clifton man faces numerous charges after an 18-year-old came forward and notified authorities of multiple allegations of sexual assault dating back to when the victim was 12.
The subsequent investigation led to Monday’s arrest of Corey Ervin, 44, who is charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to a release from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday.
In notifying the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the 18-year-old said that the assaults had taken place at a Paterson residence, and in a motor vehicle. Multiple other witnesses were interviewed prior to Ervin’s arrest.
If convicted of the most serious charges, Ervin could face decades in prison. Passaic County prosecutors are asking that he be detained at the county jail pending trial.
Anyone with further information is asked to call the prosecutor’s office tip line, 1-877-370-PCPO.
Each county in the state will have between three and 10 early voting locations, open daily for the 2021 general election from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. The sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. except for Sundays, when they will close at 6 p.m.
9 Dumb Things About New Jersey
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