We know this is a busy time of year with Thanksgiving on the horizon + lots of holiday preparation — so we’ve saved you the work of tracking down the latest news in the Montclair and greater Essex County + North Jersey area, so you don’t have to. Among the headlines: redevelopment plans delayed for Lackawanna Plaza; The Mercy House donated 300 coats; Jesse Allen Park reopens in Newark; and so much more. Keep reading for all the North Jersey news you missed this week in Essex County and beyond.
FBI Identifies Suspect in Broad Threats to NJ Synagogues
Earlier this week, the FBI alerted New Jersey residents of a broad threat against synagogues across the state. As of Friday, November 4th, a suspect was identified and no longer poses a threat, according to New York Post. However, authorities are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
East Orange Woman Turns 106
On Thursday, November 3rd, East Orange resident Vashti White celebrated her 106th birthday, per Patch. Local officials participated in a drive-by celebration and presented White with a portrait by artist Kojo Aidoo and a bouquet of flowers. White’s two tips for a long life are a good diet and helping others.
2 Men Assault Maplewood Woman + Steal Bulldog
On Wednesday, November 2nd, two men assaulted a woman and stole her English micro bulldog while she was out walking around 8:40PM. According to Patch, the two men drove a black four-door sedan in the area of Jacoby Street, punched the woman repeatedly, and took the dog. Anyone with any information is encouraged to report it.
Meet Me at Madison’s to Open this Winter
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A new eatery is slated to open this December in Montclair. Information on the website says Meet Me at Madison’s, located at 121 Watchung Avenue, will be a market, cafe, and eatery serving up speciality foods. The restaurant will be open Monday to Friday from 8AM to 8PM and Saturday + Sunday from 9AM to 6PM.
Village Hall in South Orange Announces Opening Date
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Long-awaited South Orange restaurant Village Hall has finally announced it plans to open during the third week of November. According to Patch, the restaurant houses a 40-seat bar, outdoor beer garden, and fire pits. The site plan was approved by the South Orange Planning Board in 2017, which means this opening has been years in the making.
Emma Roberts Visits The George in Montclair
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Emma Roberts was spotted at The George this week, a Montclair hotel she claims as her “home away from home” in a guest book review. The George shared via Instagram, “You can tell a person’s character by how much the staff loved @emmaroberts. Can’t wait to see you whenever you come back!”
FlixBus Launches at Newark Penn Station
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On Thursday, November 3rd, FlixBus announced a new stop at 1 Raymond Plaza W in Newark. According to Patch, this new stop provides connections throughout New Jersey and New York, including a route that runs between New York City and Richmond, Virginia with connections in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. The buses run 7 days a week.
Venture Capitalist Donates $3M to NJIT in Newark
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Venture capitalist John Martinson has pledged $3M to New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, which makes it the largest single donation in the 27-year history of the Albert Dorman Honors College. According to Patch, this funding will enable the school to broaden and deepen the curriculum currently available to students and expand options for real-world experiences.
Lacordaire Academy in Montclair Unveils 3 New Science Labs
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Lacordaire Academy, located at 155 Lorraine Avenue in Montclair, recently unveiled three new science labs, per Patch. The labs were made possible by funding from the school’s Board Chair, Christine James, the E.J. Grassmann Trust, Hyde & Watson, the Investors Foundation, the McMullen Family Foundation, and the Nicholas Martini Foundation.
Montclair Swap Returns After 2 Years
The Montclair Swap returned this week on Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th after two years of not being held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Montclair Local, the Swap was held at the Montclair Women’s Club on Union Street in Montclair.
Cornerstone Cafe Officially Opens Inside the Montclair Art Museum
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On Friday, November 4th, a brand new cafe, called the Cornerstone Cafe, officially opened inside the Montclair Art Museum. The cafe is being run by members of both the Montclair High School Transition program along with Jewish Vocational Service of Metrowest, and the initiative aims to have a positive impact on everyone visiting the museum. Open only on Fridays, the cafe serves coffee from Java Love Roasting Co along with other drinks + snacks. Plus, the new Friday programs also include remote workspaces, art workshops, and more. Click here for all the details.
Humane Montclair is Hosting a Fur Coat Drive
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Throughout the month of November, Human Montclair is hosting a fur coat drive. The donated coats will be used as blankets and bedding for injured and orphaned animals at local wildlife centers, per Baristanet. Minimizing contact with humans in this way increases the chances the animals will survive when released back into the wild. Furs will be collected at L&B Health Pet Market, located at 15 South Fullerton in Montclair, but you can also call to schedule a pickup.
Maplewood Native + Washington Post Editor Passes Away, Age 35
Washington Post Editor and Maplewood native Neema Roshania Patel passed away this week from gastric cancer. According to Patch, she was born in Maplewood in 1987 to parents who immigrated from India. She graduated from Rutgers and helped found The Lily, an off-shoot of the Washington Post dedicated to news for millennial women.
2 Cops Shot in Newark, Suspect Arrested
After two police offers were shot on Tuesday, a Newark neighborhood went into lockdown as officials attempted to track down the suspect. As of Wednesday, November 2nd, Governor Phil Murphy Tweeted at around 12:45PM that the suspect who allegedly shot these two cops has been arrested. “The alleged gunman suspected of shooting two police officers in Newark yesterday has been captured and is in police custody,” the Tweet reads. “I commend our local law enforcement on their swift action to control the situation & protect their community during another horrific act of gun violence.” According to CBS, officials located Kendall Howard, the suspect, late Wednesday morning and quickly surrounded and arrested him, ending the almost 24-hour manhunt. Click here for all the details.
YMCA Montclair to Host Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
The YMCA of Montclair is hosting a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, November 10th from 9:30AM to 11AM. According to Baristanet, the breakfast is the community’s way of expressing gratitude for the dedicated service of each veteran. The event is free and open to the public.
Livingston Mom Aims to Donate 26,000+ Diapers to Local Non-Profit
Essex County mom Sara Franks collected 26,000 diapers to donate to The Apostle’s House in Newark last year. This year, she already has 400 pounds of diapers, thanks to Hello Bello — the diaper company founded by Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. According to Patch, she plans to accept donations through Thanksgiving. You can donate via an Amazon Wish List or reach out to sara334@gmail.com.
Hope for the Flowers, Written by Montclair Author, Celebrates 50th Anniversary
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Hope for the Flowers was written by Montclair native Trina Paulus in 1972, and it just celebrated its 50th Anniversary. According to Baristanet, the book has sold over four million copies. Trina is a community activist and a butterfly hobbyist.
Newark Hosts ALL Schools Fair at Local High School
On Saturday, November 5th, Newark’s ALL Schools Fair returned to in-person operations, per Patch. The event was held at Newark Vocational High School at 10AM and gave families the chance to learn about the school programs and Pre-K providers.
‘Get Out the Vote’ Concert is Happening Today, 11/6
On Sunday, November 6th, Gabi the Artist and Rock the Vote Montclair are teaming up for a voting-centered performance, reported Montclair Local. The goal of the event is to encourage everyone to vote, regardless of party affiliation, on Tuesday, November 8th. The performances will be held at Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair.
The Mercy House Donated 300 Coats to Community in Need
An annual coat drive in Newark recently gave away 300 coats to those in need. The Mercy House organized the event which took place on Tuesday, October 25th. According to Patch, a large group lined up before the 11AM starting time to receive coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and sweaters. Coats were donated through multiple coat drives in Kearny, Newark, and Bayonne.
Montclair Town Council Votes to Delay Redevelopment Plans for Lackawanna Plaza
The Montclair Town Council voted to delay the process for approval on redevelopment plans for Lackawanna Plaza at the 25th council meeting, per Baristanet. The meeting, which lasted past midnight, was heavily focused instead on placing Township Manager Timothy Stafford on temporary paid administrative leave. Lackawanna Plaza has stood empty for 15 years and the community is anxious for its redevelopment. Public comment shared both anticipation for the project and also concern over taking the time to do it right.
National Investment Company Announces $10M Funding for Montclair Apartments
Montclair will soon be the home of a new apartment building at 65 Church Street, funded by $10M from a national real estate investment company. According to Patch, the project will include 74 apartments and over 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Big Bill’s Corner Cafe in Bloomfield Closes for Good
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After announcing that the team would be closing temporarily for a vacation, popular Bloomfield restaurant Big Bill’s Corner Cafe shared last week it would actually be closing for good “effective immediately” over staffing issues. The owner, Ricky Davis, shared via social media that while he and the cafe manager took a vacation, there was not enough staff to support operations without them. Ricky then made the decision to close permanently, since the team had been experiencing staffing issues the past few months, making it too difficult to keep their ideal quality of service and food.
Newark’s Jesse Allen Park Reopens Following Renovations
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On Tuesday, November 1st, local officials and community members gathered to celebrate the reopening of Jesse Allen Park following extensive renovations. According to Patch, it is the second-largest city-owned park in Newark and plans to renovate it have been in the works for years. The park is located between Muhamman Ali Avenue and Avon Avenue.
