After hints of spring here and there, the warmer weather and seasonal blooms have officially arrived in 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: a new eco-friendly program in Newark will bring 5,000 trees to the city streets; East Orange teachers picket for higher pay outside a scheduled Board of Education meeting; and a new Netflix crime thriller featuring Robert De Niro has plans to film in Montclair. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending May 4th, 2025.

Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].

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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):

• Community Biking Event in Montclair Will Raise Awareness for Traffic Safety
• Montclair Nonprofit Honored at YWCA Northern New Jersey 2025 Racial Justice Awards
• Eco-Friendly Initiative, “Rooted in Newark,” Will Bring 5,000 Trees to City Streets
• Montclair Stationery + Vintage Store, Parcel, Moving to Park Street With New Concept
• Teachers in East Orange Picket for Higher Pay Outside BOE Meeting
• Montclair Planning Board to Host Public Hearing Surrounding Affordable Housing Plan on 5/5
• Montclair’s Annual Walnut Street Fair Happening on 5/4
• Netflix Thriller Featuring Robert De Niro to Film in Montclair
• Montclair Baseball Field Dedicated to Late Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds
• Community Health Fair to Take Place in Maplewood on 5/3

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Community Biking Event in Montclair Will Raise Awareness for Traffic Safety

Montclair Bike Bus, whose goal is to make biking to school safe for all Montclair children, will host a town-wide bike ride called “Kidical Mass” on May 4th from 10AM to 1PM. The six-mile bike ride will raise awareness about traffic violence in the community. This will begin in Upper Montclair, continue through the South End neighborhood, and finish at Essex Park, located at 41 Chestnut Street. Participants looking for shorter rides can join at different checkpoints, including Watchung Plaza for a 4.5-mile or 45-minute ride, Church Street Circle for a three-mile or 30-minute ride, and the northeast corner of Nishuane Park for a two-mile or 20-minute ride. Finishing at Essex Park, riders can look forward to music, games, doughnuts, snacks, merch, and bike repair services. Click here for more.

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Montclair Nonprofit Honored at YWCA Northern New Jersey 2025 Racial Justice Awards

On April 30th at Montclair Art Museum, five honorees received recognition for the YWCA Northern New Jersey 2025 Racial Justice Awards, which annually praises community trailblazers “working to eliminate racism and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people,” as per the organization’s website. Among this year’s recipients was Latinos of Montclair, a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying American Latino voices in Montclair and the surrounding areas. Additional honorees included Kiran Handa Gaudioso, the CEO of United Way of Northern New Jersey + president of United for ALICE, Bergen County Assemblywoman Ellen Park, representing the 37th District, Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, the president and CEO of the Partnership for Maternal + Child Health of Northern New Jersey, and Brielle Winslow-Majette, the deputy director of Garden State Equality and LGBTQIA+ Policy professor at Rutgers University.

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Montclair Stationery + Vintage Store, Parcel, Moving to Park Street With New Concept

Photo Credit: Nancy Laboz

After 22 years at its Bloomfield Avenue locale, the stationary and vintage shop, Parcel, will move its business to the second floor of 11 Park Street, Montclair. Rather than a traditional storefront, Parcel will operate as a showroom and atelier, open once a week each month to the public. During this week, the showroom will highlight a new theme, with new products and displays for the guests to enjoy. Although it will be open less frequently, the showroom will serve a greater purpose, full of magic, inspiration, and a more intimate and meaningful shopping experience. Parcel’s ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 3rd, at 12PM. Click here for more.

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Teachers in East Orange Picket for Higher Pay Outside BOE Meeting

Following a declined proposal for the 2022-2027 school contracts in November 2024 and mass layoffs in December 2024, East Orange teachers associated with the East Orange Education Association picketed for higher pay outside a scheduled Board of Education meeting on the night of April 28th. During the meeting, contracts were discussed and a new proposal was drafted, providing almost $1 million more than previously offered by the BOE, according to News 12 New Jersey. A meeting between the EOEA and BOE to discuss contract negotiations took place on Friday, May 1st.

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Montclair Planning Board to Host Public Hearing Surrounding Affordable Housing Plan on 5/5

In October 2024, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs issued a mandate requiring municipalities across the state to meet affordable housing obligations, which involved the construction or restoration of various housing units. As per a DCA report, Montclair is one of the many municipalities listed, with 132 housing units in need of repair. A few weeks back, Montclair Township launched a survey where residents were asked for their feedback on the town’s affordable housing policy. Now, the township will hold a public hearing on the issue during a scheduled board meeting on May 5th at 7PM. This will take place in the Montclair Municipal Building, located at 205 Claremont Avenue. It will also be streamed online via YouTube.

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Montclair’s Annual Walnut Street Fair Happening on 5/4

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The JLMN’s Walnut Street Fair (@walnutstreetfair)

 

The ninth annual Walnut Street Fair, a free community event featuring over 200 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment,  opportunities to shop from local businesses, and a Family Fun Zone boasting face painting, a bounce house obstacle course, a live magician, and more, returns to Montclair on May 4th from 11AM to 4PM. This will take place on Walnut Street from Grove Street to Forest Street. While indulging in family-friendly fun, attendees can also donate diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials to Junior League of Montclair-Newark’s diaper drive to benefit local foster families in need. Click here for more.

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Netflix Thriller Featuring Robert De Niro to Film in Montclair

The Whisper Man, a Netflix crime thriller featuring Robert De Niro, will film at a historic building located at 60 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair from May 19th to May 27th. A notice was sent to residents last week about the filming, as per Montclair Local. A prep crew will be on-site from April 28th-May 16th, as well as a wrap crew after filming is done from May 28th-June 6th. Click here for a list of films shooting in Montclair.

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Montclair Baseball Field Dedicated to Late Superintendent
Dr. Jonathan Ponds

In September 2024, the Montclair Board of Education voted unanimously to rename the renovated Woodman Field in honor of late Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds, who sadly passed in the summer of 2024. On Saturday, April 26th, Montclair staff, students, and residents gathered for the unveiling of the new space, which is now called Dr. Jonathan C. Ponds Memorial Field. “This field [stands] as a living tribute to a beloved leader who left an indelible mark on our schools, our town, and our hearts,” Montclair Public Schools shared in a statement.

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Community Health Fair to Take Place in Maplewood on 5/3

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Maplewood Public Health (@maplewoodpublichealth)

 

The Maplewood Health Department will host a Health Fair on May 3rd from 10AM to 1PM at DeHart Park, located at 120 Burnet Avenue. This event will feature free screenings, vaccine administration, preventative services, including blood pressure and hepatitis B tests, and over 40 vendors providing medical information and resources.

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Protesters Held Car Caravan Picket at Port Newark on 5/1

Protesters associated with the organizations International Luxemburgist Network + Save Gaza, Save Us All, arranged a car caravan picket at Port Newark on May 1st, in recognition of International Workers’ Day, also known as “May Day.” According to event organizers, this port is where U.S. military shipments, connected to the Israel-Hamas War, have allegedly passed through. International Luxemburgist Network member Eric Lerner and Save Gaza, Save Us All member Jay Arena, called this protest a “working class uprising,” as it was “big first step in unifying immigrants, all who oppose the genocidal war on Gaza, federal workers, teachers, students, professors, all who are defending Social Security, all who are defending the basic freedoms to speak and protest into a single powerful movement of all who are under attack—which is all workers.”

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Philadelphia Man Armed with Loaded Gun Arrested at EWR

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Bloomfield’s Lead Replacement Project Wins National Environmental Award

The Township of Bloomfield’s Lead Service Line Replacement Phases Project, aiming to replace and upgrade thousands of old, potentially lead-contaminated water pipes, has won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Excellence in Community Engagement Award. 16 projects were nominated nationwide, but only five were given the title “Exceptional Projects,” including Bloomfield’s multi-year initiative. Being first launched in 2020, the project has allowed the township to inspect over 3,400 service lines and fully replace 1,300 lead or galvanized lines. “Replacing lead service lines isn’t just about meeting mandates—it’s about protecting the health of our residents and building trust through transparency and outreach,” Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell said in a news release. “This award underscores the diligence and dedication of our team and our commitment to doing what’s right for Bloomfield.” 

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Montclair State University Employee Will Graduate With Bachelor’s Degree This Spring

Local resident, Jodi Cotugno, always desired to become a teacher, but life circumstances kept that goal out of reach – until recently. Working as a Montclair State University employee, Jodi enrolled in Montclair’s Degree Completion Program in 2022, and now, in 2025, Jodi is set to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Education Studies. “Her family will be right there, cheering her on as she becomes the third Cotugno woman to graduate from Montclair after her daughters Emily (Class of 2022) and Molly (Class of 2024),” MSU shared in a statement.

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Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative Recipient Opens
Its Doors in Newark

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sweet Jeans Kitchen + Espresso Bar (@sweetjeanskitchen)

 

Last week, the breakfast and brunch cafe Sweet Jeans Kitchen + Espresso Bar opened in Newark at 494 Broad Street. Brick City locals can find a menu of morning classics like cinnamon rolls and avocado toast, as well as fresh pastries, brews, and lunch options. As per Sweet Jean’s Instagram bio, the restaurant will soon host latte 101 classes and community events. As part of the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative, which aims to revamp the city’s downtown area via economic support, Sweet Jeans was granted $38,500 to begin operations. The cafe was the first recipient of this program.

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Multilingual West Orange Students Honored at BOE Meeting

During a West Orange Board of Education meeting on April 28th, multilingual students at West Orange High School were honored for their accomplishments this school year. This included the student leaders Alexandra Morales, Joshua Montague, Justin Weinshank, Rohaan Mehta, and Aishwarya Jacob of the WOHS Latin Club, in partnership with The Empathy Equality Entrepreneurship Mission Organization, as they “[developed] crucial entrepreneurial skills, [planned] fundraising events, and [raised] awareness of global issues right here in West Orange while developing a second language,” as per a West Orange BOE statement. Graduating seniors Cathlens Antoine, Aaliyah Correa, Rosa-Jane Desormeaux, Laeticia Fayette, Willcielys Gonzalez, Ericka Jacques, Katrina Jean-Baptiste, Marsha Marseille, Kimberly Mira Barrientos, Nelly Pierre, Kamille Ramalho Chavez, Trigal Rosario-Taveras, Camilla Saltos, Nathania Zemedagegnehu, and Neissa Zetrenne were also recognized for earning the New Jersey Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy in three languages.

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Montclair Italian Restaurant da Pepo Closing on 5/10

Da Pepo, located at 54 Fairfield Street in Montclair, announced that its last day of business will be Saturday, May 10th, 2025, via Instagram on May 1st. “To our amazing customers — thank you for your loyalty, support, and love over the years. It means the world to us. Sadly, we’ll be closing our doors on Saturday, May 10th. We hope to see you before then so we can serve you one last time and say goodbye in person,” the caption read. The Italian restaurant is located inside Watchung Booksellers, which will remain open. Click here for more.

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New Networking Space Coming to Montclair This Fall

A new networking space has announced its plans to open inside the newly reopened Lackawanna Plaza in Montclair come October 2025. Soon to be located at 294 Bloomfield Avenue, RecRoom will be “a welcoming ‘third space’ where we can get out of our homes to work, study, meet, and hang out,” as per its website. Come fall, the business will host all kinds of community gatherings, including meetings, workshops, parties, craft nights, happy hours, truck shows, markets, game nights, and more.

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United Airlines to Cancel Flights at EWR Due to
Ongoing Flight Delays

This past week, Newark International Airport has delayed over 400 flights and canceled over 200 flights, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware. This is due to the closure of one of its biggest departing runways, which will remain closed for renovations until mid-June, as well as technology malfunctions and staffing issues surrounding air traffic controllers. As a response, United Airlines will cancel 35 round-trip flights arriving and departing from EWR a day. “It’s disappointing to make further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers,” CEO Scott Kirby said in a note to customers on May 2nd.

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Little Words Project Opens at The Mall at Short Hills

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Little Words Project® (@littlewordsproject)

 

Little Words Project, a jewelry company known for its bead bars where customers can build and personalize their bracelets, has opened another location at The Mall at Short Hills, located at 1200 Morris Turnpike. The franchise, founded by New Jersey native Adriana Carrig, has locales all across the country. The new Short Hills location marks its second New Jersey site and opened on May 3rd.

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School Dedicated to Students with Autism Opens in Newark

Branch Brook School, Newark’s first elementary school dedicated solely to students with Autism, has officially opened its doors at 228 Ridge Street. With the goal of “[helping] families obtain the services they need for their children without enrolling in a program outside the city,” as per a statement released by the district, the school will provide on-site speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to all its students. “Our goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, have access to a high-quality education right here in Newark,” Newark Superintendent Roger León said in the statement. “The opening of Branch Brook School is a powerful step forward in our mission to serve every child with excellence.”

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Retired Belleville Firefighter Graduates from Montclair
State University

Ralph Castellano, a retired Belleville firefighter, small business owner, husband, and father, is now also a graduate of Montclair State University. In 1975, Ralph began his college career, taking part-time classes while also working a full-time job in construction. “I was accepted [to the school] part-time and went at night for about six years,” Ralph told MSU. “Then I got on the fire department and said, ‘I’ll finish this some other time.’ And I did – 50 years later.” Now, after five decades, Ralph will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and walk in the spring commencement this coming week.

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