August is finally here and another hot week is in the books for Northern New Jersey. It’s been another busy week in Essex County and we’ve got all the news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: Montclair ranks for best beer nationally; a plan for the future of The Manor in West Orange; and tuition to increase at Montclair State University. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending August 4th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines:
- A Plan for the Future of West Orange’s The Manor
- About the Listeria Outbreak + its Impact
- Art on Display at Glen Ridge Train Station
- Efforts to Update Irvington’s Drinking Water is Underway
- Longest Serving Director of the Essex County Park System is Honored
- Montclair Bar Ranks in List of 27 Best Bars Nationally
- Newark Non-Profit Opens 7th Refrigerator to Public
- Newark’s Old “Colored School” May Become a Museum
- Rumor or Reality: Was Beyoncé in Nutley?
- State Considers Two Essex County Sites for “Black Heritage Trail”
- Tuition to Increase at Montclair State University
About the Listeria Outbreak + Its Impacts
Two listeria outbreaks across the United States have impacted brands like Boar’s Head, Weirs Farm, and Freshire Farms and products like deli meat, peppers, green beans, squash, parsley, and more. Those older than 65, pregnant women, and newborns are most at risk of infection or in some cases death from this foodborne illness. The first reported sick individual was as early as May 29th. At least two of the 34 people who became sick resided in New Jersey. Check out the CDC’s map to track the outbreak by state. Click here for more.
Art on Display at Glen Ridge Train Station
The work of Glen Ridge resident, Tom Wallace, will be on display at the Glen Ridge Train Station until the end of August. This short-term exhibit includes 15 pieces of art from paintings to textiles and event collages, according to the Essex News Daily. A majority of Tom’s art was done while he was a student at Montclair State Teachers College (now Montclair State University). Opening night will be Saturday, August 3rd from 5PM to 7PM.
“Code Red” Activated in Newark
Newark declared a “Code Red” this past Thursday and Friday for residents, per Patch Newark. This is a weather health warning issued in anticipation for extreme heat and humidity. The city’s Code Red advisory was in place from 11AM on August 1st to 8PM on August 2nd, and cooling centers were open for individuals. Temperatures reached the 90s with the heat index reaching as high as 99 degrees. Click here to learn about cooling centers in Essex County.
Belleville Receives Funding to Make Traveling to School Safer
Belleville will receive nearly $1 million from the state’s Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS), per Patch Belleville. Since 2022, Belleville has received three grants to implement and support the program which will go toward ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks, curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, and enhanced school zone signage around every public school.
Coup!, A Movie Filmed in New Jersey, Is Now in Theaters
Coup!, starring Peter Sarsgaard and Billy Magnussen opened in theaters on August 2nd. According to NJ.com, the film is set in 1918 New Jersey and filmed at various locations in Somerset, Essex, Passaic, and Ocean counties including Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange.
Livingston Town Center Welcomes Two New Businesses
Livingston Town Center is home to Hot Worx, LA Bikini, Omaha Steaks, Mixology, Wells Fargo, and 16 Handles, and will soon welcome two new businesses: Jacqueline Special Occasions and Ship Logistics, according to Patch Livingston. Jacqueline Special Occasions specializes in a variety of dresses from cocktail and prom dresses to evening gowns. Ship Logistics provides a multitude of services including passport photography, stamps, gift wrapping, stationary, office supplies, and notary services.
Efforts to Update Irvington’s Drinking Water is Underway
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia, Shawn LaTourette, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and other dignitaries have broken ground for a major upgrade to the drinking water system serving the Township of Irvington. Per Patch Newark, this is a $48 million project funded by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and it will replace about 5,400 lead service lines over the next three to five years. Irvington is the 3rd largest municipality in the county, just behind Newark and East Orange, with roughly 54,000 residents.
Montclair Bar Ranks in List of 27 Best Bars Nationally
USA Today has come out with its inaugural list of “Beers of the Year” and a Montclair favorite has nabbed a spot. This Irish venue hosts a variety of musical events and is the only place in town selling beer or wine till 10PM on a Sunday. Tierney’s Tavern, located at 136-138 Valley Road, has seen many faces like that of Emma Roberts and William H. Macy. At one point, The Sopranos‘ was even filmed here. This wasn’t the only bar in the Garden State to make the list, Wonder Park in Asbury Park did too. Check out USA Today’s list here.
Montclair’s Jazz House Kids Featured on CBS
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On Tuesday, Montclair’s JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, a non-profit community arts organization, was featured on CBS Sunday Morning. On September 14th, they will be performing at the Montclair Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area. You can watch Tuesday’s segment here.
Newark’s Old “Colored School” May Become a Museum
Newark’s State Street Public School is the oldest building in New Jersey’s largest school district, per NJ.com’s Mosaic. The building formerly housed the Colored School of Newark and was led by Principal James Miller Baxter, the first Black principal in the city’s school system. In 1990, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The idea to turn the space into a museum first came from Marion Bolden, a former Newark Public Schools superintendent. When she retired, she then went on to serve on the Newark Public Schools Historic Preservation Committee and push for the creation of a museum here. The building would be redeveloped under an agreement between the district and the developers, the Hanini Group. The agreement calls for the district to pay developers $4.5 million in three increments to turn the space from a deteriorating old school house to a museum-quality space. Additionally, officials have applied for a state matching grant of up to $750,000 to help with the cost.
New Jersey Experiences 200th Aftershock Since April’s 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake
According to News 12 New Jersey, the United States Geological Survey recorded a 2.2-magnitude aftershock that hit Hunterdon County on the morning of Wednesday, July 31st. The aftershock was recorded around 1:44AM in the community of Califon. There have been no reports of injury or damage from the aftershock.
Newark Non-Profit Opens 7th Refrigerator to Public
The United Community Corporation (UCC) is continuing its efforts to mitigate food insecurity across Newark. Recently, the agency opened its seventh community refrigerator at the John W. Hyatt Court complex in the city’s Ironbound neighborhood. Per Patch Newark, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on July 17th where various city officials like Mayor Ras Baraka were in attendance. These refrigerators help to fill in the gaps that food desserts make and provide residents with access to milk, juice, fresh fruits, and vegetables at no cost.
North Jersey Olympian Fencer Wins Gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics
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Jacqueline Dubrovich joined fellow teammates on the podium Thursday at Grand Palais to receive her gold medal in foil fencing, per Patch Wayne. Jacqueline grew up in Riverdale and later settled in Maplewood and then Cedar Grove. This is her second Olympic appearance.
Longest Serving Director of the Essex County Park System is Honored
Daniel Salvante, longest serving parks director of the Essex County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs was recently honored with a bronze bust of himself at Branch Brook Park’s new visitor center. Daniel grew up in Verona and currently resides in South Orange. According to Patch Newark, Daniel has held the position for 28 years, assuming the role in 1996. The Essex County park system is the oldest county park system in the nation. It consists of 24 parks, five reservations, and a multitude of recreational facilities like Cedar Grove Park, Eagle Rock Reservation, and Watsessing Park.
Rumor or Reality: Was Beyoncé in Nutley?
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Was Beyoncé filing a commercial in Nutley? On the evening of Wednesday, July 31st at 7:17PM, Pop Crave took to X (formerly Twitter) to share: “Beyoncé is reportedly filming something in Nutley, New Jersey.” Click here to learn if this is a rumor or reality.
A Plan for the Future of West Orange’s The Manor
Per NorthJersey.com, West Orange Township Council recently unanimously voted to transfer The Manor’s plenary retail consumption license from the Knowles family, who owned the venue for over 60 years, to the new operator’s parent company, The Legacy Manor. The new owners plan to keep the site operating as a catering hall and wedding venue and rename it The Grand Chateau. The Manor which opened on New Year’s Eve in 1956, has been closed since July 5th, 2023.
Tuition to Increase at Montclair State University
The board of trustees at Montclair State University has set new tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year. In-state students will pay $15,912 per year for just tuition and out-of-state students will pay $24,900. Tuesday, September 4th, will be the first day of the 2024-2025 academic year. See more about Montclair State University’s tuition here.
Upgrades in the Works for Newark Golf Course
Roughly $9.3 million of upgrades are in the works for Newark’s Weequahic Golf Course, per Patch Newark. Improvements will be made to the drainage and irrigation systems and realign the course layout to enhance safety. All of this will be done while preserving the course’s historic elements which were designed by Seth Lowe. Construction will begin after Labor Day and will be completed in summer 2025.
