The Montclair Girl Team 
We’ve had all four seasons this week, it feels like, and we’ve got all the Montclair + Essex County news headlines for you. Lots of things are happening this week, including a new gelato shop opening in Montclair, a local bookstore being honored, and there’s a bear in Mills Reservation.
Every week, we round up the top news stories of the week from both our site, The Montclair Girl, and aggregate across the web from various sources. You can read more at the links below, and always feel free to submit any news tips to [email protected]. Our twice-weekly newsletter shares more as well, which you can sign up for here.
– AAPI New Jersey is hosting its 6th annual Lantern Festival on May 30th to honor AAPI heritage and remember those harmed by injustice (The Montclair Girl).
– Nutley native Martha Stewart is getting the biopic treatment, with Cate Blanchett portraying the media mogul (The Local Girl)
– Watchung Booksellers in Montclair has been named the 2026 Bookstore of the Year, earning recognition for its community impact (The Montclair Girl).
– Two new food spots are coming to Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair: an ice cream parlor and a Japanese restaurant (The Montclair Girl).
– The Montclair Literary Festival returns in 2026 with a variety of literary events, workshops, and author discussions (The Montclair Girl).
– Oggi Gelato, an Italian gelateria, is opening its first New Jersey location in Montclair at the former Oasis (The Montclair Girl).
– Bruce Springsteen and Dr. Dre are among the honorees at the American Music Honors, celebrating their contributions to music (North Jersey).
– The Montclair YWCA has been added to New Jersey’s Black Heritage Trail (Montclair Local).
– A fire in Newark has destroyed five buildings, leaving many residents homeless (NJ.com).
– South Orange-Maplewood schools are introducing new start times for the 2026-2027 school year (Village Green NJ).
– Senator Cory Booker has announced a major disaster declaration for New Jersey to support recovery efforts (Cory Booker Senate Website).
– Inaccurate scale readings at Newark Airport may be costing travelers more money than they owe (NJ Spotlight News).
– Montclair schools will borrow from their capital fund after a state loan denial to cover necessary expenses (North Jersey).
– E-ZPass tags are being phased out, with a new replacement technology being tested in New Jersey (NJ.com).
– New Jersey faces a significant electricity rate increase, impacting residents across the state (Jersey Digs).
– Work has stalled on a 74-unit building in Montclair after it was sold for $24.6 million, leaving many questions about its future ( Montclair Local).
– Four New Jersey Transit stations have welcomed new restaurants, improving convenience and dining options for commuters (NJ.com).
– A Lamborghini-led police chase in New Jersey ended in a spike strip trap (NBC New York).
– Montclair’s Trust Act has been passed as a response to federal immigration policies, aiming to protect local residents from ICE (Montclair Local).
– The Red Bulls’ new training center in New Jersey will play a significant role in preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (North Jersey).
– Montclair’s fire department promoted four officers, including naming its first female supervising inspector (Montclair Local).
– Police are actively monitoring a bear sighting around Essex County’s Mills Reservation and advising residents on safety as wildlife activity continues in the area (Montclair Local).
– At a Montclair special education town hall, parents raised questions about how budget decisions could affect services and how IEP progress and reporting are being handled (Montclair Local).
– New Jersey’s oldest general store in Long Valley is reopening this summer under new owners who plan to honor its historic place in the community (The Local Girl)
Have a tip? Please email us at [email protected] to share
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