30 Montclair Area News Stories This Week | April 20, 2025
With Spring Break and Easter festivities in the rear view mirror, it's time to start thinking about summer. 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: artists were chosen for Maplewood's Springfield Avenue Mural; the Bierman Autism Centers open its doors in West Orange and will host a sensory-friendly celebration in honor of it; and the Montclair Police Department deploys its ARRIVE Together Program. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending April 20th, 2025.
Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].
Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- New Technology Lab Unveiled at Northeast Elementary School in Montclair
- Artists Chosen for Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue Mural (SAM)
- Montclair Police Department Deploys ARRIVE Together Program
- Maplewood Residents to Expect Important Flier Regarding Lead Contamination
- New Jersey Man Arrested After Being Found with a Gun at Newark Airport
- Bierman Autism Centers Opens in West Orange + to Host Sensory-Friendly Celebration
- Montclair Kimberley Academy Will Celebrate 50th Anniversary With a Two-Day Conference
- Students of Essex County College Win Rutgers Business School Competition
- Spring Break + Memorial Day Weekend Extended for Livingston Students
- United Airlines to Launch First Direct Flights from Newark + NY to Greenland
New Technology Lab Unveiled at Northeast Elementary
School in Montclair
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Following a successful fundraiser at the 2024 GloBall Gala, Northeast Elementary School in Montclair unveiled its new technology lab this past March. This space, which has undergone renovation since last school year, was designed with the feedback received from teachers, parents, and students, as per a statement released by Montclair Public Schools. The new lab will be used to enhance a “21st century learning experience.”
Artists Chosen for Maplewood’s Springfield Avenue Mural (SAM)
Emalohi Iruobe, Emily Konopinski, Magie and Brian McGowan, Mary Arevalo, Natalie Crandall, and Sumana Ghosh-Witherspoon were selected from a pool of over a dozen New Jersey-based artists to paint murals on utility boxes along Springfield Avenue, as per an Instagram post. The Springfield Avenue Mural project (SAM) is part of a greater initiative to “bring art and visual interest to Springfield Avenue,” according to the organization’s website. The installation is slated for April + May, in preparation for Springfield Avenue’s MayFest Celebration on May 18th.
Montclair Police Department Deploys ARRIVE Together Program
On April 8th, the Montclair Police Department deployed the Alternative Response to Reduce Instances of Violence + Escalation (ARRIVE) Together Program, an initiative first launched by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Office of the Attorney General, and the State Police in 2021, as per Montclair Local. This program pairs trained mental health professionals with officers to respond to calls involving those in mental health crises. According to the New Jersey Department of Law + Safety, the program is now active in every county, making New Jersey the first to implement a statewide alternative response to emergencies involving law enforcement and mental health professionals.
Maplewood Residents to Expect Important Flier Regarding
Lead Contamination
Due to a 2021 New Jersey mandate requiring utility companies to replace all of their lead + galvanized service lines by 2031, Maplewood residents may find a flier from New Jersey American Water (NJAW) in their mailboxes within the next week. As per a Maplewood Township Facebook post, “this is NOT junk mail.” The company is distributing these fliers, which detail critical next steps, if it is unsure of whether residents’ pipes are contaminated with lead. While the deadline to replace the lines is still a decade from now, NJAW is aiming to complete all necessary work within the next year, as per the township’s website.
New Jersey Man Arrested After Being Found with a Gun at
Newark Airport
A man from Morristown, New Jersey, was arrested on Thursday, April 10th, after Newark International Airport TSA detected a loaded 9mm handgun at a checkpoint, marking this the ninth firearm detected at the airport this year. According to a statement released by the Transportation Security Administration, the gun was loaded with eight bullets.
Bierman Autism Centers Opens in West Orange + to Host Sensory-Friendly Celebration
Bierman Autism Centers, which provides therapy services to neurodivergent children, has opened its first Essex County locale at 300 Executive Drive, Suite 070, West Orange. To mark its arrival in the area, the center will host a sensory-friendly petting zoo event that doubles as a grand opening celebration on April 26th, from 10AM to 12PM. While this event is tailored to children ages two to nine with autism, all are welcome.
Montclair Kimberley Academy Will Celebrate 50th Anniversary With a Two-Day Conference
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In honor of the school’s 50th anniversary, the Montclair Kimberley Academy will host its inaugural Alumni Innovation Summit on April 24th and April 25th at 201 Valley Road. This event will feature panel discussions and presentations from various alumni in media, finance, medicine, and technology. Attendees can expect to hear from established professionals like the former chief executive officer + chairman of Pfizer, Jeffrey Kindler, Karestan Koenen, a psychiatric epidemiologist at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and President of Epic Games, Adam Sussman.
Students of Essex County College Win Rutgers Business
School Competition
In Rutgers’ 2025 New Jersey County College Case Competition between multiple local schools, Essex County College students Khadijah Jalloh, Bryan Martinez, Sarah Newen, David Ortega, and Adrian Ramirez Riveria took home the win on April 4th. This competition challenged participants to formulate solutions for IKEA’s sustainability strategy. Along with the first-place title, each student received a $1000 scholarship toward future studies at Rutgers Business School, as per a statement released by ECC.
Spring Break + Memorial Day Weekend Extended for
Livingston Students
Livingston students will get to enjoy additional days off this school year due to unused snow days this past winter. The Livingston district will now be closed on Monday, April 21st, and Tuesday, May 27th, reflecting a longer spring break and four-day Memorial Day Weekend.
United Airlines to Launch First Direct Flights from Newark +
NY to Greenland
Starting June 14th, United Airlines passengers will be able to fly nonstop from Newark and New York City to Nuuk, Greenland, twice a week. According to an announcement shared by the airline, United will be the only carrier to directly connect the U.S. to Greenland. Nuuk’s new international airport launched in November 2024, and, come summer, the four-hour flight will “make Greenland more accessible than ever for American travelers.”
Northern NJ Residents Deliver Passover Packages to the Elderly + Holocaust Survivors
Volunteers from the Northern New Jersey area, including Verona, Short Hills, and Dover, delivered 105 Passover packages to elderly residents and Holocaust survivors on Friday, April 11th. These packages, assembled by the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ, included cleaning supplies, macarons, potato starch, a matzo ball soup kit, tuna fish, grape juice, and matzo squares, as per Patch.
These Montclair Roads Will Be Closed Within the Next Two Weeks
From April 17th to April 25th, multiple roads in Montclair will be closed due to PSE&G gas line service and repairs. Between Grove Street and Park Street, this includes Bellevue Avenue from April 14th to April 17th, Buckingham Road from April 16th to April 25th, Overlook Road from April 23rd to April 25th, Lorraine Avenue from April 14th to April 17th, Haddon Place from April 16th to April 25th, and Alexander Avenue from April 23rd to April 25th. Between Park Street and Norwood Avenue, Bellevue Avenue will be closed on April 16th and April 17th. Check this link for updates.
Newark Students Vote in School Board Election for the First
Time in State History
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In 2024, Newark became the first city in the Garden State to lower the voting age to 16 for school board elections. On Tuesday, April 15th, students cast their ballots for the first time in state history. 11 candidates ran for three seats on the Newark Board of Education, and, according to Patch, Kanileah Anderson, Louis Maisonave Jr., and David Daughety are in the lead.
West Orange Resident Runs for New Jersey Assembly
West Orange resident, middle and high school teacher, and special education attorney, Blake Michael, is running for a democratic seat in the New Jersey Assembly, representing the 27th district. As per his campaign website, Blake’s platform surrounds the message “Teacher Fighting for School Funding.” The primary election is set for June 10th, with the general election happening on November 4th.
Suspended Montclair Teacher Indicted by Grand Jury
Suspended Northeast Elementary School teacher Amir Doctry was indicted by an Essex County grand jury on two charges of issuing a third-degree terroristic threat, according to Montclair Local. These charges are in connection with security threats made via social media earlier this year that caused schools to be canceled on January 13th. Amir Doctry is set to be arraigned on May 2nd in Superior Court in Newark. Click here for MG’s initial coverage.
Newark Welcomes Its First City-Based Girl Scout Leadership Center
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On Friday, April 11th, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey debuted its first city-based Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark at 375 McCarter Highway. Designed to “inspire and empower Girl Scouts of all ages,” as per its website, the space will provide various opportunities like STEM programs + workshops, community service projects, and leadership seminars for all its local Girl Scout members.
Causes of the 2023 Newark Cargo Ship Fire Revealed Two Years Later
After an investigation surrounding the 2023 Newark cargo ship fire that killed firefighters Wayne Brooks and Augie Acabou, the National Transportation Safety Board shared its findings on April 15th, revealing three causes. According to a news release, the fire initially ignited when a Jeep Wrangler, used to push other vehicles into place beyond its towing capacity, caught flame. The ship’s fire suppression system later failed because the crew wasn’t able to seal a deck door, as the controls were on the inside of the vessel. Additionally, local firefighters were sent in without proper hazard warnings or the maritime training needed to fight ship fires.
Essex County Man Arrested by Montclair Police for
Smash-and-Grab Burglaries
Newark resident Jalen Dorch was arrested by Montclair police last week for a burglary and attempted burglary that took place earlier this year. After breaking the front door of Chicken + Shawarma on Bloomfield Avenue, the individual stole a cash register with $210, according to NJ.com. Although he did not enter the establishment, Jalen Dorch has also been accused of breaking the front door of Sofia’s Pizzeria on Orange Road. As of this writing, he is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility.
Walnut Street Fair in Montclair Returns on 5/4
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The yearly Walnut Street Fair, a community event featuring family-friendly activities, food vendors, live entertainment, and opportunities to shop from local businesses, returns to Montclair on May 4th from 11AM to 4PM The fair is hosted by the Junior League of Montclair-Newark and will serve as a fundraiser for the organization.
New Chief of Police Appointed to Cedar Grove Police Department
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After 30 years on the force, Chief John Kennedy has retired from the Cedar Grove Police Department, leaving room for Captain Francis Pumphrey to take his place. Current Chief Pumphrey, who has been with the department since 1999, as per an Instagram post, was promoted on Monday, April 7th, at the Cedar Grove council meeting.
Newark Man Sent to Prison for Stealing Federal Benefits Intended for Missing Girlfriend’s Disabled Child
Newark resident Asmar Earp was sentenced to 38 months in prison after stealing federal aid that was intended for the disabled son of his former girlfriend. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the federal benefits were stolen soon after the mother went missing. He was charged with two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft and pleaded guilty in federal court.
Special Needs Registration Program Launches at Cedar Grove
Police Department
With a commitment to “helping residents with disabilities and or those that require special needs,” as per the Cedar Grove Police Department, town residents can now notify the police of any special needs that will need responding to in the event of an emergency. Cedar Grove residents are asked to complete a form and return it in person to the Cedar Grove Police Department Record Bureau.
Pool Registration Opens in Montclair
With the summer season quickly approaching, pool registration for the 2025 season opened for Essex, Mountainside, and Nishuane pools on April 1st. Membership fees range from $85 to $250 per family, and daily passes are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Essex Pool opens for weekends only from May 24th to June 15th. On Friday, June 27th, all three pools will stay open daily until Labor Day on September 1st, with the exception of Essex Pool, which closes on August 17th. See more information here and register using this link.
NJ Transit Launches Program for Homeless Residents at Newark Penn Station
Following the success of Newark’s “PATH HOME” program, NJ Transit and other partners have announced “Gateway to Hope,” a multi-step initiative to stabilize and provide housing for unhoused residents near Newark Penn Station. “We all have a shared responsibility in New Jersey to ensure our residents have access to the resources and help they need to thrive and live healthy, productive lives,” NJDOT Commissioner + NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor said in a news release.
Vitamin String Quartet to Perform at NJPAC on 5/17
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On May 17th at 8PM, the Billboard-charting classical musical group, Vitamin String Quartet, will perform in the Victoria Theater at NJPAC, located at 1 Center Street, Newark. Vitamin String Quartet, known for its classical renditions of contemporary hit songs, boasts over 2 billion streams online, almost 4 million downloads, and over 1 million physical albums sold. Their music has also been featured in shows like the Netflix + Shondaland original hit series Bridgerton. Purchase tickets at this link.
Holocaust Survivor Speaks at Millburn Elementary School
91-year-old Mark Schonwetter makes it a tradition to visit a school in Millburn each year to share his story as a Holocaust survivor. On April 8th, Mark spoke at Washington Elementary School at 70 Spring Street, Millburn. His dedication to educating people, especially students, about the Holocaust and anti-hate initiatives led his daughters, Ann Arnold and Isabella Fiske, to co-found the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation in 2019. "Students are very responsive, and many even send thank-you notes,” Mark told Tapinto. “They tell me they learned a great deal and that hearing about my experience was life-changing for them.” Learn about Mark’s story here.
Montclair BOE Appoints New Superintendent to Its District
The Montclair Board of Education unanimously appointed a new superintendent to its district earlier this month during a Board of Education meeting. Ruth B. Turner, who previously served as the Deputy Superintendent for Administration + Supports for the Rochester City School District in New York and is praised for her anti-racism practices, will start her new role on July 1st. In a BOE presentation, President Monk Inyang shared how the board sought out a courageous, collaborative, accountable, and proactive leader with experience in a similar kind of district.
Updated Australian Outback Adventure Debuts at Turtle Back Zoo
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Just after opening the new Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center on April 8th, Turtle Back Zoo debuted its newly updated Australian Outback Adventure exhibit on April 10th. Located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange, this “world down under,” as per the zoo's website, boasts a walk-through budgerigar Aviary, featuring wallabies and native Australian birds like Tawny frogmouths and Kookaburras. The boardwalk of this new space also connects to the zoo's Prehistoric Playground, Essex Farm, and Amazing Asia habitats, making for a smooth transition throughout each exhibit.
Mesob in Montclair to Serve Complimentary Coffee Easter Weekend
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The Ethiopian restaurant Mesob, located at 515 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, will serve free cups of coffee to its diners from April 18th to April 20th. This year, the Ethiopian Easter (Fasika) aligns with the Western + Eastern Orthodox Easter. In honor of this, Mesob will "[offer] guests a chance to experience the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of Fasika," as per an Instagram post. On Easter, Mesob will be open and serving its a la carte menu from 12PM to 9PM.
Montclair Art Museum to Host First-Ever Festival Celebrating Arab Culture
Montclair Art Museum, located at 3 South Mountain Avenue, will host the township's first annual Arab festival on April 26th from 1PM to 5PM. FARAH, "a joyous celebration of Arab American culture," as per the museum's website, will feature dance and musical performances, traditional Arab cuisine, Levantine wines, coffee and mocktails, souk of artisans, family crafts, and stories for kids. For MAM members, individual tickets are $8, and family tickets (for up to four people) are $28. For non-members, individual tickets are $5, and family tickets are $16. Purchase tickets here.
