It’s been another busy week in Essex County with plenty of news to catch up on. Among the highlights: an Essex County Sherrif’s deputy is a lifesaver; Newark debuts a pilot program for rodent-proof trash cans; and a retiring Montclair teacher is given a hero’s sendoff. Read on for more news from Montclair, Bloomfield and beyond for the week ending June 25th, 2023.
The Pulaski Skyway is Closed in Both Directions This Weekend (June 23-June 25)
It feels like deja vu from 2014-2018, but we’re here to tell you that the Pulaski Skyway near Jersey City is closed this weekend in both directions — so make alternate transport plans. It will be closed Friday evening, June 23rd, through Sunday morning, June 25th. Read on for what we know about the upcoming Pulaski Skyway closure.
North Jersey Ties to the US Women’s National Soccer Team
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Three Jersey City residents have been named to the US National Women’s Soccer Team, per NJ.com. Defender Kelley O’Hara, midfielder Kristie Mewis and forward Lynn Williams will a part of the team that will take on the World Cup tournament this summer representing the US. All three women play on the NJ/NY Gotham in the National Women Soccer League (NWSL). Two other players with Jersey roots are also on the team, goalkeeper Casey Murphy, from Bridgewater, and defender Alana Cook, from Far Hills.
The Local Girl Course Registration Opens – Now Thru 6/30
The Local Girl Media Group (The Hoboken Girl + The Montclair Girl) founder, Jennifer Tripucka, launched a course program earlier this year for media entrepreneurs called Becoming The Local Girl: How to Create Your Own Online Media Business. Its summer 2023 cohort is open for registration starting Friday, 6/23 through 6/30.
Whether you’re looking to build your social media platform, brand, or are already in the media/marketing world, the program teaches you how to build a hyperlocal media community around your social media account or business that is engaged, sustainable, organized, and monetized.
The course is six pre-recorded modules filled with lessons and can be done completely at your own pace. Throughout the program, you’ll learn all about content creation, SEO strategy, brand building, organizational management, monetizing, and more. Here’s the link to the course site, where you can find more info + learn how to register.
Two New Jersey Natives to Receive Kennedy Center Honors
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Two New Jersey natives will be among the five honorees at the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors Celebration, according to a press release. Dionne Warwick, from East Orange, will be honored for her incredible singing career and social activism. Newark native Queen Latifah will be honored for her contributions to rap, as well as her acting, singing, and social activism. The ceremony will take place in December.
Australian Cafe Bluestone Lane to Open Another North Jersey Location
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Popular Australian coffee shop and cafe Bluestone Lane will open another New Jersey location later this year. Per Jersey Digs, another cafe will open in Bergen Town Center located in Paramus. This location will have full table service.
North Jersey Magician Wows on America’s Got Talent
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Anna DeGuzman, from Bergen County, wowed the judges on America’s Got Talent with her magic tricks. Per the Daily Voice, Anna is a self-taught performer. Anna’s audition was successful, and she made it to the next round of the reality-tv talent show.
Former Montclair Resident Dies in Jail Weeks After Guilty Verdict
A man who was recently found guilty of the 2018 death of his girlfriend was found dead in his jail cell. According to NJ.com, James Ray III was a lawyer who lived in Montclair and was convicted on May 12th in the shooting death of his girlfriend, which took place at their Montclair home. He died of a medical emergency in his cell, according to officials.
Essex County Sheriff’s Officer Saves Little Girl Using CPR
An Essex County Sheriff’s officer helped a mother rescue the woman’s daughter who had fallen into the lake at Branch Brook Park in Newark, according to NJ.com. The family was at the park when the mother noticed the daughter missing. She notified the officer and then found her daughter in the lake. The officer performed CPR on the child until first responders arrived.
Columbia High School Students Chosen for Statewide Art Program
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Five students from Columbia High School in Maplewood were selected to participate in the 2023 New Jersey Teen Arts Festival, according to Village Green. The festival was held at Middlesex County College from May 30th-June 5th, 2023. Teen Arts NJ is a 501c(3 )non-profit organization with a mission to inspire artistic innovation and creativity by providing high-quality education in the literary, performing, and visual arts.
The Juice House is Coming to Montclair
A local brand is making its way to MTC with its fifth New Jersey location. The Juice House — a juice, smoothie, and bowl eatery — will be opening up a storefront in Montclair at 10 North Willow Street. Read on for what we know about The Juice House coming to Essex County.
Montclair Teacher Honored
Montclair Teacher Dan Gill was honored for his decades of instruction and leadership at a celebration of his retirement last week. Per Montclair Local, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller participated in the celebration, as well as students from Mr. Gill’s over 50-year teaching career. Mr. Gill is working on his memoirs.
Columbia High School Women’s Varsity Ultimate Frisbee Team Wins State Championship
INTRODUCING YOUR 2023 NEW JERSEY STATE CHAMPS ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/wXpkCpuUk6
— CHSGVFT (@chsparklemotion) May 28, 2023
The Columbia High School Girl’s Ultimate Frisbee team won the state championship, per Village Green. This is the second consecutive championship for the team, called Sparkle Motion. Captain Irene Chen was also selected as the NJ Player of the Year.
Downtown Newark Gets Rodent-Proof Trash Cans
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According to a press release, the City of Newark has launched a new “Love Newark Keep it Clean” campaign. At the center of the effort are rodent-proof trash cans, which were deployed successfully in Manhattan last year.
Student Changemakers Honored at Newark Ceremony
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Per Patch, five students were grand prize winners during Prudential’s Spirit of Community awards. The five were among a group of thirty high school students from around the world who were part of the company’s Emerging Visionaries program, which honors youth leading initiatives that produce innovative solutions to current financial and societal challenges. The event took place over several days at the company’s Newark offices.
Movies Under the Stars Announced in Montclair
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Montclair Film is back with its annual “Movie Night Under The Stars” summer series, according to a social media post. This series will kick off on Sunday, July 16th with the showing of Top Gun: Maverick at Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair. There will also be a screening of The Goonies on Sunday, August 6th at Essex County Anderson Park in Montclair. To end the series, Encanto will be shown at Brookdale Park Archery Field in Bloomfield. Films are free and open to the public. Showings will begin at sunset. Guests are welcome to bring chairs, blankets, and picnics. Registration is encouraged for guests to be aware of any weather delays + rain dates of these films. Learn more here.
Rutherford Native Opens Indoor Golf Simulator
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Corey Wootton, a former NFL defensive end and Rutherford native, has opened the West End Golf Club. The facility is a golf simulator facility that has membership options, space for private events and has plans for an adult league in Fall 2023. Guests can reserve a bay in advance, which is great for the inevitable rainy summer day.
$25 Million Federal Grant Will Kickstart Gateway Tunnel Project
Per NJ.com, a federal grant will finish work that began in 2010 on a bridge that is part of the Gateway Tunnel project. The grant is $25 million and will build a new roadway bridge for Routes 1 & 9/ Tonnelle Avenue and relocate utilities in North Bergen. Work on this area of the river crossing was canceled by then-Governor Chris Christie in 2010.
Announcement Expected Next Month for
Tap-and-Go PATH Payments
PATH officials hinted at an update on moving to the tap-and-go system currently used in NYC transit systems, according to NJ.com. After a PATH board meeting this week, leaders deferred answering specific questions about the project, which has been in the works since November 2021, when commissioners approved a $99.4 million contract with Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc. to complete the design and installation of the new contactless PATH fare payment system. That is the same contractor that designed and installed OMNY, the tap-and-go payment system in place in NYC.
Caribbean Station Opens Newark Location
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Caribbean Station, located at 879 Franklin Avenue in Newark, hosted its grand opening this weekend, according to a social media post from the restaurant. The restaurant specializes in homestyle Dominican food. The restaurant has two other locations in Paterson.
Essex County Board of Commissioners Hosts LGBTQ Pride Month Celebration
Several Essex County community members were honored for their leadership as part of a Pride Month celebration at the Hall of Records, per Patch. The Essex County Board of Commissioners hosted the inaugural LGBTQ Pride Month Celebration. The honorees were: Richard Rockwell of Bloomfield; Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien of Montclair; Reginald Bledsoe of Newark; and Ruebena Spence and Madeline Gale of Montclair.
Bloomfield to Receive State Funds for Stormwater Mitigation
Per TapInto, Bloomfield will receive $77,535 as part of a state-wide effort to modernize stormwater management practices. The announcement was made earlier this week by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette as part of a press release about infrastructure improvements. Many other New Jersey communities will get funds for similar projects.
