The Montclair Girl Team 
The pumpkins are fading, the scarves are coming out, and somehow November is already here. It’s been another busy week in Essex County, and we’ve got all the Montclair news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: a potential measles outbreak at the Newark Airport; Seton Hall University adds new majors; and Montclair Film Festival announces its 2025 winners. Read on for all the news in Montclair and the surrounding Essex County towns for the week ending November 2nd, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected] and we’ll consider it for coverage.
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- 2025 Montclair Film Festival Winners Announced
- BermudAir Launches Direct Flights from Newark Airport
- Carnegie Libraries Throughout New Jersey Receive $10k Grant
- Essex County Woman Turns 101
- Montclair School District Cuts Almost 30 Clubs Amidst Budget Issue
- New Cafe Opens in Verona on Bloomfield Avenue
- New Community Center Opens at Park in Orange
- Newark Resident Takes Up Beekeeping to Build Sustainable Community
- Nonprofit Looking Decrease Outdoor Cat Population In Irvington
- Summit To Break Ground on Inclusive Playground
2025 Montclair Film Festival Winners Announced
Photo Credit: Montclair Film
The 14th annual Montclair Film Festival ended on October 26th and the winners have been declared. The Fiction Short Film Competition award went to The Sentry directed by Jake Wachtel. Other awards were determined by audiences, a jury, and a short jury made up of local high school students, per Montclair Local.
A Look at AI Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey has two laws regulating the use of artificial intelligence. One prohibits the dissemination of AI-generated, deceptive images using a person’s likeness, also known as deepfakes, while the other encourages AI-industry-related development in the state. Nationally, 47 states have passed laws since 2019 addressing deepfakes. Click here for more.
BermudAir Launches Direct Flights from Newark Airport
In a statement from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, BermudAir has launched direct flights from Newark Liberty Airport beginning on October 26th. Twice a week on Sundays and Thursdays a flight will leave Newark Liberty for L.F. Wade International Airport.
Carnegie Libraries Throughout New Jersey
Receive $10k Grant
In a statement by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, every Carnegie library in the United States will receive a $10,000 gift to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Amongst the almost 1,300 libraries are the Bellevue Branch Library in Upper Montclair, the Verona Public Library, the Little Falls Public Library, and the Kearny Public Library.
Día de los Muertos Community Festival Kicks Off in Montclair on Halloween
Local nonprofit organization The Latinos of Montclair opened its Día de los Muertos Community Festival + Celebration on October 31st. It will end on November 2nd at 294 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair’s Lackawanna Plaza. The celebration features a community altar, concert, and night market. Click here for more.
Essex County Resources for Families Affected
by SNAP Changes
Thousands of Essex County families will not receive federal food benefits for November 2025 if the federal government is still shut down. According to a study by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Family Development, as of August 2025, in Essex County, 64,661 households, 67,956 adults, and 48,755 children participated in SNAP. Alternatives to SNAP include The Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside; Church of the Holy Spirit’s food pantry in Verona; and The Salvation Army, Toni’s Kitchen, and the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair. Click here for more.
Essex County Woman Turns 101
Per Patch West Orange, Rita Altman celebrated her 101st birthday on October 23rd. The celebration occurred at Brandywine, where she currently resides in Livingston. In attendance was West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney. Rita was born in Newark and lived in West Orange for 67 years.
Inaugural Montclair Comedy Festival Happening
From 11/13-11/15
View this post on Instagram
The Montclair Comedy Festival, produced by Sweet + Sour Comedy, is hosting its first festival this year in Montclair. The inaugural festival will take place from November 13th to November 15th. It will include stand-up, improv, workshops, and more. Click here for more.
La Casa de Don Pedro Launches New Mental
Health Space in Newark
On November 13th, La Casa de Don Pedro, a community development nonprofit, will celebrate the grand opening of its El Barrio Wellness Center at 76 Clinton Avenue in Newark. The facility offers bilingual trauma-informed counseling for children, adults, and families. It will grow to host 15-20 clinicians and expand into early-childhood and school-based services.
Montclair State Men’s + Women’s Soccer Teams Win NJAC
View this post on Instagram
Both the men’s and the women’s soccer teams at Montclair State University have won the NJAC Regular Season Champions. The women’s team was also undefeated in the regular season, according to the University’s Facebook and Instagram.
Montclair School District Cuts Almost 30 Clubs Amidst Budget Issues
As the Montclair Public Schools attempt to handle the $19.6M deficit, 28 clubs have been cut at Montclair High School, Glenfield Middle School, and Buzz Aldrin Middle School. The Diversity Club, Friends of Rand Park, and Literary Magazine are among the cuts at Montclair High School. Click here for more.
New Community Center Opens at Park in Orange
In a statement from Essex County, on October 27th, a community center opened at the Monte Irvin Orange Park in Orange. The 8,580-square-foot building will also be named in honor of baseball player and Orange native Monte Irvin.
New Cafe Opens in Verona on Bloomfield Avenue
On October 7th, Jessica Paddock opened Threefold Cafe at 662 Bloomfield Avenue in Verona. The cafe features crepes, coffees, waffles, among other treats. The space also has indoor and outdoor seating. Click here for more.
Newark Resident Takes Up Beekeeping to Build Sustainable Community
Marcellis Counts maintains honeybee hives on a lot he leases for $1 each year from Newark. He does this to create a sustainable space in his community. Marcellis is looking to expand his project and has submitted a letter to the city to purchase the lot. He wants to create more infrastructure, including bathrooms, kitchens, and a testing laboratory, per NorthJersey.com.
Nonprofit Looking to Decrease the Outdoor
Cat Population In Irvington
Communities Promoting Animal Welfare NJ (CPAW) is launching a trap-neuter-return program in Irvington. Per Patch Newark, Irvington may have “hundreds” of community cats living within its borders. The nonprofit has already caught 194 cats, aiding in the adoption of 43 of them. CPAW is also running a free spay-neuter program for local pet owners.
Potential Measles Exposures at Newark Airport
In a statement, the New Jersey Department of Health announced that anyone in Terminal B of Newark Liberty International Airport between 215PM and 530PM on October 19th was potentially exposed to the measles virus. Anyone who suspects they were exposed should reach out to their local health department or doctor. The virus could exhibit symptoms as late as November 9th.
Seton Hall Adds New Majors for Business Students
In a statement from Seton Hall University, its Stillman School of Business is adding new undergraduate offerings. This includes two new majors: Forensic Accounting and Wealth Management. The additions come as a response to industry demands for graduates to be trained in specialized roles in the finance world.
Summit To Break Ground on Inclusive Playground
Construction will begin on November 3rd on a $1.59M Mabie Playground at the Village Green in Summit. The project received funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Jake’s Law Program in addition to local, county, and state support. The project should be completed in Spring 2026, according to the City of Summit.
West Orange Students Star in Reading Rainbow
Per Patch West Orange, five students from Hazel Elementary School in West Orange appeared in some episodes of Reading Rainbow. The group was selected for four episodes of the show, filmed at West Orange Public Library. Reading Rainbow is an educational show that encourages children to love books and reading.
