Another summer week is in the books and there’s never a dull moment in Essex County, which is why we cover the news in the Montclair and greater Essex County area so you don’t miss a beat. Among the headlines: Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q + Pizza temporarily closes following an oven fire; SOPAC announces new leadership; Montclair’s historic Stagecoach House is for sale; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Essex County and beyond.
The VMAs are Back at the Prudential Center in Newark
The VMAs are coming back to the Prudential Center in Newark, per Patch. The event will be on Sunday, August 28th at 8PM and will be led by Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow, and Kendrick Lamar.
Montclair’s Own Buzz Aldrin Sells Flight Jacket + More for Over $8 Million
Buzz Aldrin has sold 69 personal items, including the jacket he wore on the moon, per Baristanet. By itself, the jacket sold for almost $3 million. In a statement, Aldrin explained that he felt the time was right to share these items.
Contract Authorized to Make Updates to Canterbury Park
Per an email update from Councilor-at-large Peter Yacobellis, updates are coming to Canterbury Park. These updates will include improvements to the pathways, resurfacing the playground, and the installation of four benches. Multiple parks and pools are currently under construction in Montclair, causing frustration and pushback from the local community and those hoping to make use of the recreational spaces during the summer.
Maplewood’s Green Point Juicery to Host Pizza Pop-Up
Green Point Juicery, located at 97 Baker Street in Maplewood, is hosting its 16th pizza pop-up event on Sunday, July 31st. This event will run from 12PM to 7PM, and there will be gluten-free and vegan options available. Click here to learn more.
Montclair Receives $2M to Repair Water Infrastructure
According to local officials, Montclair is slated to receive over $2 million in funding which will go toward updating the water and sewer system, according to Patch. The water system in Montclair has unacceptably high levels of PFOs and Perchlorates, according to local officials, which will be resolved in the upgrades.
West Orange + Nutley to Host Free Concerts in August
The Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series continues with three concerts coming up in August, per Patch. On Tuesday, August 9th at 7PM, Jukebox Legends will perform at the Essex County Yanticaw Park. Chris Barry will perform at the Essex County Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange on Tuesday, August 9th at 7PM. The Cast of Beatlemania will perform on Friday, August 12th at 7:30PM at the Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange.
Montclair School District Suddenly Hires New Administrator
The Montclair School District has hired a new administrator to fill a position previously held by Nicholas Cipriano, who has not participated in district affairs since March. According to Montclair Local, the district has not addressed Cipriano’s absence. The new administrator, Christina Hunt, began the position on Thursday, July 14th.
Tickets Purchased in Fairfield Split NJ Lottery Jackpot
On Sunday, July 24th, two tickets sold at the same gas station in Essex County won the NJ Lottery Jackpot, according to Patch. The ticket holders split the prize, each receiving $233k. Both tickets were purchased at Jacks Friendly Service on Passaic Avenue in Fairfield.
PrimoHoagies Opens in Essex Green Town Center
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West Orange and the recently redeveloped, redesigned, and renamed “Essex Green Town Center” are welcoming PrimoHoagies, known for its gourmet Italian specialty sandwiches. On Thursday, July 28th, Primo Hoagies held a ribbon cutting event at its new location at 495 Prospect Avenue in West Orange.
The Mercy House in Newark Celebrates ‘Christmas in July’
The Mercy House, a resource and referral center of the Archdiocese of Newark, celebrated its first “Christmas in July” on Friday, July 22nd. Located at 620 Clinton Avenue in Newark, families in need received hundreds of free toys and ice cream.
New Jersey’s Biggest Hot Air Balloon Festival is Back this Weekend
This weekend, the New Jersey Lottery’s Festival of Ballooning returned to Solberg Airport, located at 39 Thor Solberg Road in Readington, New Jersey. This is not only the largest summertime New Jersey hot air balloon festival, but according to the website, it’s also the largest hot air balloon festival in North America. 100 balloons will take flight for both morning (6:30AM) and evening (6:30PM) mass ascensions. The festival, which is separate from the balloon rides and requires independent admission, will also include music, amusement rides, family-friendly entertainment, food, and more. Click here to about New Jersey’s Festival of Ballooning, happening in Readington, New Jersey this weekend.
Montclair Family Saves 2-year-old Girl From Drowning
On Monday, July 25th, family members were able to save a 2-year-old girl from nearly drowning in a Montclair pool, per NJ.com. The girl wandered away from a trampoline located in the family’s backyard and tumbled into the pool around 10AM. The family was able to start CPR while driving her to the local hospital. She regained consciousness and was treated by medical professionals at the hospital.
Organizations Band Together to Host Free Summer Enrichment Program
Several local organizations are banding together to host a free Back Together Again Summer Enrichment Twilight Program, per NJ.com. This program will be for Newark youth ages 7 to 14 and held at five local elementary schools. This free program starts on Monday, August 1st.
First Black Gameshow Host, Adam Wade, Passes at Age 87
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The first Black gameshow host and Montclair resident, Adam Wade, has passed away at age 87, per Tap Into. He died of complications of Parkinson’s disease and is survived by his wife, Jeree Wade, their four children, and great-grandchildren. Before a successful career in music and acting, Wade was a lab assistant at the University of Pittsburgh for famed Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first successful vaccine against polio.
SOPAC Announces New Board Leadership
The South Orange Performing Arts Center’s Board of Governors has announced new board leadership and governors, per Baristanet. Douglas Newman has been installed as the new Board Chair of SOPAC. In order to learn about all of the new faces brought into SOPAC, you can click the link provided.
Montclair Residents Call Out Montclair Township for Insufficient Time at Council Meetings
Montclair residents have called out the Montclair Township for how they were running the town council meetings, per Baristanet. The residents spoke about how the town council did not allow them enough time to issue their complaints to the council.
Historic Stagecoach House is For Sale in Montclair
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The Stagecoach House, located at 764 Bloomfield Avenue, is for sale in Montclair, per Baristanet. The Stagecoach House has been a part of the Walk A Revolutionary Mile route because it was originally a stagecoach stop and tavern for drivers along the Turnpike in the 1800s. The house was also a part of a network of tunnels used in the Underground Railroad.
Rand Park Skate Park Expansion Faces Delays
The expansion of the Rand Park skate park is facing delays, per Montclair Local. All construction projects are approved by the Township Council and the council has yet to approve the required permits. Skate Essex is anticipating the approval soon in hopes of beginning the expansion project.
Ascend Is Threatening Legal Action Against Montclair Township
On Tuesday, July 26th, local cannabis dispensary Ascend wrote to Montclair Township to threaten legal action, per Montclair Local. The potential lawsuit would be the result of Ascend waiting for two months to get approval to conduct recreational sales at the otherwise medical dispensary.
Blues Traveler to Play at Wellmont Theater in Montclair
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Blues Traveler will play a show in Montclair as part of their 35th Anniversary tour, per Patch. The show will be at the Wellmont Theater, located at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair, on Tuesday, October 4th. Tickets range from $29 to $69.
2 Verona Students Make the Dean’s List at Lehigh University
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Two students from Verona have been put on the Dean’s List at Lehigh University, per Tap Into. Both Evan Huaman and Nicolas Kozachuk each received academic distinction. This is an honor that is granted to students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or above.
Verona Will Potentially Raise Cost of Pool Membership
Verona will potentially be raising the costs of pool memberships, per Tap Into. This increase would be used to cover necessary updates and renovations at the pool which are expected to be by finished in 2023.
Verona Has Banned Smoking on Township Properties
The Verona Township Council has banned smoking on township properties, per Tap Into. This ordinance passed 3-1. This ban will encompass all township buildings, fields, open spaces, parking lots, and parks. This ban includes both tobacco and cannabis products.
18 Graduating Seniors at West Orange High School Receive Scholarships
Eighteen graduating seniors at West Orange High School received the Shaugers’ Timothy Groves Memorial Scholarship, per Tap Into. This is the record-high number of recipients for this scholarship at one time. A total of 79 students have been awarded this scholarship to date.
‘Step Up’ Program Concludes at West Orange High School
The annual ‘Step Up’ program at West Orange High School concluded on July 15th, per Tap Into. This program helped provide academic enrichment to over 30 incoming freshmen. This year’s program offered courses to any students who felt like they needed additional support in their academic endeavors.
Oven Fire Temporarily Closes Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q and Pizza
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A fire has temporarily closed Ruthie’s Bar-B-Q and Pizza, per Montclair Local. The fire department received a call about the fire at around 9AM on Wednesday, July 27th. It appears to have been caused by a grease fire and the damage is considerably minimal.
48th Annual NJ Young Filmmakers Festival Held in West Orange
The Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium held its 48th annual NJ Young Filmmakers Festival, per NJ.com. This free program, held on Tuesday, July 26th, spotlighted winning films submitted by high school and college students throughout the state. The film screening was followed by an award ceremony.
Newark Firefighters Recover Body From Passaic River
Emergency crews recovered a body from the Passaic River, per NJ.com. The body, which was found between Newark and Kearny, has not been identified. The investigation is currently ongoing.
