Our team is back from summer break and the temperatures have been heating up. 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: Out Montclair issues a statement in response to the bomb threat targeted at Montclair Public Library Drag Story Hour; Rutgers University is undergoing a tuition hike; and Michelin-Star Chef Missy Robbins hosted a pasta pop-up in Montclair. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending July 14th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines:
- Student Phones to be Locked Up in Montclair School District Test Pilot Program
- Out Montclair Issues Statement in Response to Montclair Public Library Drag Story Hour Bomb Threat
- Montclair State University Unveils Next-Gen ‘Rocky and Roxy’ Mascots
- Montclair Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds Has Passed Away
- Amtrak Adds 33 Stops at Newark Airport
- Verona to Use ‘Smoke Tests’ to Cut Sewer + Wastewater Costs
- Rutgers University Undergoing Tuition Hike
- Newark Mayor Rejects Planned Newark Bay Hudson County Extension
- Photos Released by Police of Suspect in Connection with Theft of Montclair Pride Flag
- Housing Project Proposed Near Forest in West Orange, Verona + Essex Fells
- Michelin-Star Chef Missy Robbins Hosted Pasta Pop-Up in Montclair
Montclair Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds Has Passed Away
Montclair Public Schools Secretary Damen Cooper has announced the death of Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds. Dr. Ponds joined the Montclair School District in 2020. He was previously the superintendent in Moonachie for five years, as well as principal at Parsons Elementary School in North Brunswick. Click here for more.
Rutgers University Undergoing Tuition Hike
On Monday, July 8th, Rutgers University announced that its tuition and fees will increase by 4% for the 2024-25 school year under a $5.6 billion budget approved by the school’s governing board. The tuition hike at the state’s largest public university is lower than last year’s 6% increase but carries a $41.3 million deficit that’s just over half of last year’s $77.3 million deficit, per NJ.com. The tuition and fee increase is higher than the rate of inflation, which is currently about 3.3%. David Moore, the university’s chief budget officer, said that Rutgers officials attribute the higher bills to inflation, salary increases, and rising healthcare premiums and pension contributions.
Student Phones to be Locked Up in Montclair School District Test Pilot Program
Montclair Public Schools recently announced that the district is partnering with Yondr on a pilot initiative to address student cell phone use starting next year. According to Montclair Local, the district said it will pilot the program at Buzz Aldrin Middle School, Glenfield Middle School, Renaissance at Rand Middle School, and Montclair High School. Yondr created the “Yondr Pouch,” a magnetic pouch that keeps phones locked; for students to unlock the phone, they will have to go to the “unlocking base.” Yondr will also be working alongside teachers and administrators to provide training and support to best integrate the program into schools. In addition, the Montclair Board of Education’s policy committee will be evaluating cell phone policies districtwide for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Photos Released by Police of Suspect in Connection with Theft of Montclair Pride Flag
The Montclair Police Department (MPD) has released security camera photos of a suspect in connection with the theft of a Pride flag last month. The community raised the Pride flag on the corner of Church Street and Bloomfield Avenue on Friday, June 7th. On the following Friday, June 14th, a member of Out Montclair — a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group — reported it missing. Lieutenant Terence Turner noted that the images depict an individual placing the flag into their bag before fleeing west on Church Street on a bicycle. MPD obtained the photos from a nearby business’s security camera and is currently working on enhancing them for further investigation, per Montclair Local. This is the first of two attacks on the LGBTQ+ community during the month of June — Montclair Public Library received a bomb threat ahead of their “Drag Story Hour” event. Residents are encouraged to contact Detective Jamar Jones at 973-509-4705 with any tips or leads for either incident.
Out Montclair Issues Statement in Response to Montclair Public Library Drag Story Hour Bomb Threat
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Out Montclair, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and celebrating LGBTQIA+ people across Northern New Jersey, released a statement about a bomb threat against the Montclair Public Library which hosted a Drag Story Hour on Sunday, June 30th. The statement posted on the organization’s Instagram page said, “This latest heinous threat again endangers public safety, most appallingly putting children, their parents, and all library patrons at risk. Out Montclair remains steadfast in our support for our beloved town library, Drag Story Hour, drag artists, and all who create events to elevate and celebrate LGBTQIA+ people, youth, and families. Our community and our allies are united against the fringe few who are increasingly desperate against the values of diversity and acceptance that keeps all of us safe and contributes to Montclair’s overwhelming success. Drag, and LGBTQIA+ people and our allies, are here to stay.” Out Montclair and the township of Montclair re-raised a Progress Pride flag donated by Essex County community leaders on Monday, June 24th (above).
Montclair Residents Divided Over Mosquito Control Spraying
Montclair residents have started a debate on lawn treatments aimed at mosquito control. As more Montclair homeowners turn to pesticide companies to control mosquitos, environmentally conscious residents are fighting back by posting lawn signs stating, “Mosquito Spraying Kills Bees”. The advertising of relieving mosquito bites and the ability to control large mosquito populations from pesticide companies have made mosquito lawn repellent treatments extremely popular. On the other hand, environmental advocacy groups like the Northeast Earth Coalition (NEEC) have pushed back against these treatments and say they can harm important pollinators such as butterflies. According to Montclair Local, NEEC is responsible for the lawn signs against these treatments.
Montclair State University Unveils Next-Gen ‘Rocky + Roxy’ Mascots
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Montclair State University’s beloved mascot Rocky the Red Hawk and his little sister, Roxy, have undergone an upgrade for the next generation. The duo underwent major makeovers provided by Montclair’s Student Government Association, which approved $30,000 to buy three new costumes and accessories, per the University. The fresh new looks officially debuted at Montclair Township’s 4th of July Parade. Readers are encouraged to follow Rocky and Roxy on Instagram.
Housing Project Proposed Near Forest in West Orange, Verona, + Essex Fells
The West Orange Planning Board has scheduled two special meetings on July 30th and July 31st — both at 6:30PM at the council chambers of Town Hall at 66 Main Street — to discuss the latest version of a proposal highlighting a 120-acre tract of lands on the western ridgeline of the Watchung Mountains. This comes as some residents have been raising concerns about the potential development, which also borders Essex Fells, Verona, and Roseland. The idea, known as the West Essex Highlands project, was shot down by the West Orange Planning Board in 2006 but has recently resurfaced with changes. Short Hills-based firm West Essex Highlands Inc. wants to build a 496-unit residential development on the property, which is “heavily vegetated with mature trees,” per planning documents. According to Patch West Orange, the plan is to make 100 of those units “affordable,” which is a major selling point for the developer; West Orange has a deficit of hundreds of affordable housing units that reportedly need to be fulfilled by 2025.
Amtrak to Add 33 Stops at Newark Airport
It was recently announced that Amtrak is adding dozens of extra stops at Newark Liberty International Airport to help meet more demand. According to Patch Newark, Amtrak will be increasing Northeast Regional service at Newark Airport in order to, “better align with customer demand across the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and airline travel schedules.” The additions will include a 26 percent increase in weekly stops at the station throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening. Charles Everett, aviation director with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said that the service increases are timely as it will help accommodate the demand and increase transit access to the airport during the summer.
Verona to Use ‘Smoke Tests’ to Cut Sewer + Wastewater Costs
Verona will use a “smoke testing program” later this month to cut down on sewer and wastewater maintenance costs. “The objective of this program is to pinpoint infiltration sources in the wastewater and sewer system,” a notice from the township explains, per Patch Verona-Cedar Grove. “Unnecessary inflow can put a strain on the sewer system, leading to increased maintenance expenses and sewer backups,” officials explained.
Guerriero Gelato to Close Montclair Location
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Guerriero Gelato has announced that it will close its Montclair location in October 2024, per an Instagram post. The store is located at 571 Bloomfield Avenue, and is the gelato shop’s flagship location. Click here for more.
Rutgers School of Nursing Celebrates 50 Years of Growing Midwifery
The Rutgers School of Nursing’s midwifery program recently hosted a celebratory reception to kick off the commemoration of its 50th anniversary. The reception recognized founder Teresa Marsico’s leadership, highlighted outstanding alumni, and launched a fundraising campaign for new scholarships for Rutgers student midwives. Eight Rutgers midwifery graduates were also honored with Distinguished Alumni awards. As health care providers, these Rutgers alumni work with women and birthing people, families, and communities to provide care throughout the lifespan of their patients — from annual preventative visits to reproductive health care needs. New Jersey has close to 400 midwives currently practicing while also attending 10 percent of all births in the state, per Rutgers University. Growing these numbers is a crucial part of the state government’s strategy for improving pregnancy and birth outcomes as well as reducing racial disparities.
Newark Mayor Rejects Planned Newark Bay Hudson County Extension
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka wrote an open letter to the USCG (United States Coast Guard) responding to the planned Newark Bay Hudson County Extension with a resounding, “No.” The letter reads, “The New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s plan to expand the Newark Bay Hudson County Extension will have a substantial negative environmental impact on residents of Newark and the Hudson County cities the roadwork will traverse. This massive $10.7 billion project is exactly the type of environmental injustice we have tried to correct, especially in the transportation corridors leading in and out of Newark and Ports Newark and Elizabeth.” Mayor Baraka also remarked that his office, the public, nor any elected officials were consulted during the development of this 8.1-mile project, per NJ.com.
Michelin-Star Chef Missy Robbins Hosted Pasta Pop-Up in Montclair
Photo Credit: MISIPASTA
MISIPASTA, the Brooklyn-based Italian specialty boutique from Michelin-star-rated Chef Missy Robbins, arrived in Montclair for a one-day-only specialty pop-up yesterday, July 13th, at 18 Label Studios. The event included Italian specialties, pantry items, fresh pasta, gelato, and more. Click here to learn more about the Montclair pop-up that happened this weekend.
Motion Filed to Stop Investigations of Montclair CFO + Firefighters
Attorney Roosevelt Nesmith recently filed a motion for a protective order demanding that Montclair terminate investigations of two Montclair firefighters — Battalion Chief and Captain Steven Marshalleck and Captain Makkari Sampson. The filing also demanded that the township terminate its investigations on Chief Financial Officer Padmaja Rao. According to Montclair Local, the nature of the complaints and the identities of those who filed them remain unclear.
