The Montclair Girl Team 
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. Headlines get you up to speed this week include the details of a tax credit proposal for pet parents; a new Toastique coming to Montclair; and the total bill for snow removal in Montclair. And, we’re sending special Mother’s Day wishes to the moms, grandmothers, aunts, step-moms, and special women in our lives. Thank you for everything you do!
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 (it’s so great, promise)!
– A New Jersey lawmaker introduced a bill that would give residents a tax credit for certain household pet expenses amid rising pet care costs statewide (The Local Girl).
– The New Jersey Department of Health announced that two New Jersey residents were potentially exposed to hantavirus, and while they are being monitored, the threat to the public remains low (The Local Girl).
– A court hearing is underway over a legal challenge filed by Montclair residents opposing the township’s affordable housing plan and questioning how obligations were calculated (Montclair Local).
– A historic 100-year-old building in a New Jersey park is undergoing a $12 million restoration project aimed at preserving the structure while modernizing it for public use (NJ.com).
– A proposed Penn Station redevelopment backed by the Trump administration could help unify New York’s fragmented rail systems, though transit advocates say significant challenges remain (Gothamist).
– A lawsuit challenging Montclair’s school referendum will move forward after a judge denied efforts to dismiss the case during a recent hearing (Montclair Local).
– A massive warehouse fire in Essex County continued burning for a third day, forcing evacuations and school closures as emergency crews worked to contain the blaze (NJ.com).
– The Montclair Art Museum announced the retirement of its longtime chief curator (Montclair Art Museum Press Release).
– A developer revised plans for a proposed Montclair swim school project in response to community concerns, though some residents remain skeptical about the development (Montclair Local).
– A Newark hospital has opened a healthy food center designed to improve access to nutritious groceries and support community wellness initiatives (NJ.com).
– Montclair Public Schools are facing accusations in a whistleblower lawsuit alleging the district withheld public records connected to the case (Montclair Local).
– Several World Cup teams, including Brazil, Morocco, Senegal, and Haiti, are expected to use New Jersey as a training base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup (The Athletic).
– Legacy Boxing Club in Belleville has been damaged in the industrial fire, prompting the community to launch a GoFundMe campaign to help rebuild the facility and support those affected (NJ.com).
– Belleville schools shifted to virtual learning after a massive 12-alarm fire tore through a city block and disrupted local infrastructure (NJ.com).
– Governor Mikie Sherrill announced state grant funding initiatives tied to preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, aimed at supporting host communities and tourism efforts across New Jersey (New Jersey Monitor).
– Montclair spent more than $1.3 million on snow removal this winter following several severe weather events that strained the township’s public works budget (Montclair Local).
Have a tip? Please email us at [email protected] to share
Follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Montclair updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
