24 News Stories You Missed This Week in Montclair + Beyond
Freezing temperatures have taken over the Garden State this week as winter is in full swing. 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: Montclair's Anderson Park Short Story Contest is now accepting entries; a new sub shop, Staci's Sandwich Joint, opens in Verona; and Sugar Tree Cafe opens its second location in Livingston. Read on for all the news in Essex County for the week ending January 19th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Montclair's Anderson Park Short Story Contest Now Accepting Entries
- FEMA Funds Flood Mitigation Project in Nutley's Memorial Park
- Just Salad Opens First Drive-Thru Location in Livingston
- Montclair Public Library Now Accepting Passport Applications + Photos
- Sugar Tree Cafe Opens 2nd Location in Livingston
- Ballantine’s Newark Brewery Building Becomes Reborn as Apartments
- First New Municipal Parking Lot on Washington Avenue in Decades Opens in Belleville
- Focus Group Sessions are Planned as Montclair Senior Center Progresses
- First-Ever Montclair Porchfest Happening in May 2025
- Staci’s Sandwich Joint, a Gourmet Sub Spot, Opens in Verona
Montclair Public Schools Closed on 1/13 Due to Security Concern
Montclair Public Schools canceled school on Monday, January 13th, due to a security concern that arose late the previous night on, Sunday, January 12th, 2025. According to a press release from the Montclair Police Department, local police received information regarding a potential threat to the safety of staff members and students in the Montclair School District, specifically targeting one teacher at the Northeast Elementary School. Click here for more.
Montclair's Anderson Park Short Story Contest Now Accepting Entries
Friends of Anderson Park is excited to announce its seventh annual short-story contest. Students enrolled in Montclair schools — public, private, and home-schooled — and who are in grades sixth through eighth are eligible to enter. The contest is judged by a panel of professional authors. Winners will each receive $100 and their stories will be shared during a public reading at the Bellevue Avenue Branch of the Montclair Public Library and televised on Channel 34. Interested applicants can apply online before Sunday, March 23rd.
Newark Opens Housing for 200 ‘Chronically Homeless’ Residents
On Tuesday, January 7th, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) announced that 200 public housing units in the City have been earmarked for transitional housing, which will be exclusively open to people experiencing chronic homelessness. Individuals with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, or physical disabilities will be able to get support services through a partnership with Bridges Outreach Inc. and other community groups. Newark — the state’s largest city — has consistently led the region in the number of homeless residents.
Montclair Raises Black Liberation Flag Amidst Debate
After a "heated" town meeting on Tuesday, January 7th, the Pan-African flag will fly on Montclair Township property four times this year. According to Montclair Local, the decision came after council members debated policies over raising flags and concerns with "clashing over issues of identity and politics." The flag was raised on Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth date on Wednesday, January 15th. The flag will also debut during the first day of Black History Month on Saturday, February 1st; the last day of Black History Month on Friday, February 28th; and on Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19th.
Filipino Chain, Jollibee, to Open Newark Location
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Jollibee, a fast-food chain from the Philippines that has expanded its U.S. footprint in recent years will be launching a Newark outpost in the University Heights neighborhood. The company is putting the finishing touches on a revamp at 129 Bergen Street, which includes a drive-thru, per Jersey Digs. The restaurant will be Jollibee’s first location in Essex County, with the company operating over 1,600 restaurants worldwide.
Instructor + Student Pilot Survive Plane Crash at Essex County Airport
On Sunday, January 12th, a plane crash occurred on the runway of Essex Country Airport in Fairfield. According to NJ.com, a 31-year-old Paterson instructor and a 32-year-old student pilot from Elizabeth were aboard a Piper Seminole P-44 when it landed without its landing gear deploying. There were no reported injuries, but the airport closed after the crash for the FAA to investigate further.
Newark Student Chefs Compete in Webseries
Newark Public Schools premiered its three-episode competitive web series, Newark Chops, this week. The show focuses on three teams of student chefs at Newark Vocational High School (NVHS)’s Culinary Arts Academy facing competitive challenges to create dishes using specific ingredients in a limited time. The winning team will be awarded a prize worth more than $10,000, per Patch Newark. The three episodes will be made available online on Monday, January 27th, and Monday, February 10th.
FEMA Funds Flood Mitigation Project in Nutley's Memorial Park
Nutley's Memorial Park received a flood mitigation grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for $500,080 to deal with the recent flooding issues at and around the park. According to TAPinto Nutley, the township will be able to eliminate some of the flooding as well as dig out garbage and debris from the river. Superintendent of Recreation, Frank DeMaio, commented that the pond will have a valve at one end to not allow water in so the township can lower the water level and a flood gate at the other. The pond will approximately be six to eight feet deep by the end of the project.
Jersey Cares + AmeriCorps Announce MLK Day Community Service Projects
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Today, January 19th, and tomorrow, January 20th, the 2025 Jersey Cares Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, in collaboration with AmeriCorps, will involve 1,800 volunteers in various activities to give back to local communities. Volunteers and attendees will distribute winter coat donations, promote social justice awareness, assemble care packages for those grieving loss, support service animals, and promote adult literacy. More information can be found online.
Montclair Residents Request Councilor’s Resignation Amid Misbehavior
A group of residents are calling for Montclair First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato to resign after learning Mayor Renee Baskerville filed a police report claiming Councilor D’Amato "hurled expletives at her" and singled her out in a threatening way during a closed session town council meeting in December 2024. An overflow crowd filled the council meeting on Tuesday, January 7th, where residents dedicated nearly 90 minutes of public comment to criticizing the councilor's misbehavior. Councilor D’Amato publicly apologized at the end of the meeting. New Jersey state law requires that an elected official be in office for over a year before initiating the recall process, per Montclair Local.
Livingston Town Center Welcomes Monmouth Trading Cards
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Members of the Livingston Township Council and Livingston Business Improvement District recently commemorated the grand opening of Monmouth Trading Cards last weekend. Monmouth Trading Cards is a growing retail trading card destination as this is its sixth location at 1170 Town Center Way in Livingston over the weekend. The storefront gives access to a diverse selection of sports and specialty trading cards, memorabilia, and other collectibles along with free appraisals.
Focus Group Sessions are Planned as Montclair Senior Center Progresses
Representatives from Montclair Township, Aging in Montclair, Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place, and MNDC/Do Drop will host focus group sessions about the Lifelong Montclair Center for Modern Aging later this month. According to Patch Montclair, the initial focus groups are scheduled for Thursday, January 23rd at 11AM and Thursday, January 30th at 6:30PM. Both sessions will take place at the Montclair Women’s Club located at 82 Union Street. Interested participants can register online.
Montclair Firefighters Battle House Fire at Buckingham Road
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On Friday, January 10th, Montclair firefighters battled a blaze at a home on Buckingham Road. Firefighters were dispatched to the residence after getting a report about smoke inside the home. Fire damage was limited to some of the first floor and there were no reported injuries. An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Just Salad Opens First Drive-Thru Location in Livingston
Just Salad, the fast-casual salad restaurant chain, announced on Monday, January 13th, the grand opening of its first drive-thru location at 277 Eisenhower Parkway, Unit #150 in The Shoppes at the Livingston Circle. According to a press release from the company, this store is the first of multiple Just Salad drive-thru locations expected to open throughout this year. Grand opening events + discounts for the new locations can be found here.
Montclair Public Library Now Accepting Passport Applications + Photos
The Montclair Public Library has now become a passport application acceptance facility. These services will begin at the Bellevue Avenue Branch on Monday, January 27th. Eligible individuals, including those who live outside Montclair, can apply for a passport and get their passport photo taken. Eligibility requirements and more information are available online.
Bloomfield Appoints 3 New Important Positions
On Tuesday, January 6th, the Township of Bloomfield announced three important leadership appointments. Anthony DeZenzo has been appointed as the Township Administrator, after serving as the Acting Township Administrator since 2021; Thomas Icolari has been named Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Coordinator for a three-year term; and Michael Parlavecchio has been appointed Township Attorney for a one-year term. The township believes these new appointments will further strengthen the township’s governance, public safety, and legal services.
First New Municipal Parking Lot on Washington Avenue in Decades Opens in Belleville
Belleville Township officials are marking the opening of the first new municipal parking lot along Washington Avenue in decades. The space, located at 211 Washington Avenue, includes 28 spots, comes with two accessible spaces and will also eventually feature two charging stations for electric vehicles, per a statement from the township. The parking lot is metered and managed through the ParkMobile app.
Sugar Tree Cafe Opens 2nd Location in Livingston
Nutley-based Sugar Tree Cafe hosted a grand opening for its second Essex County location in Livingston at 107 East Mount Pleasant Avenue on Saturday, January 18th, 2025. The team shared exclusively with The Montclair Girl that the Livingston location will mirror the same menu as the Nutley store, with the addition of a few more recipes that are yet to be announced. The inside will have the same style as its sister spot, with the same designer who brought the Nutley store to life creating the Livingston location. Click here for more.
Ballantine’s Newark Brewery Building Reborn as Apartments
A new apartment complex named The Ballantine, a 280-unit complex on the site of the brewery of the same name at Freeman and Ferry streets in Newark, is nearing completion and expected to begin leasing this spring. According to NJ.com, the $88 million project’s Manhattan-based developer, the Shorewood Real Estate Group, bought the rights from parent company Pabst after the building was demolished a few years ago. Rents for the market-rate units will start at $2,000 for a studio apartment, while 34 units will be set aside for individuals with low and moderate incomes.
Governor Murphy Stockpiles Contraceptive Pills Ahead of Inauguration Day
Given the assault on reproductive freedoms we have seen across the country — we must further secure our reputation as a safe haven for reproductive freedom.
I am proud to announce today that we will begin stockpiling a supply of Mifepristone so every person can access crucial… pic.twitter.com/vKHEtPK1se
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 14, 2025
On Tuesday, January 14th, Governor Phil Murphy announced plans to stockpile abortion medication as a safeguard against potential federal restrictions, steadfasting New Jersey’s commitment to reproductive rights. Governor Murphy’s announcement follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that preserved access to mifepristone nationwide in June 2024.
'I Support the Girls' Hosts 9th Bra + Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive in Verona
The organization I Support the Girls is hosting its ninth annual Bra + Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive in Verona. Interested participants can donate items to collector locations including Larry's Carpets and Custom Flooring in Cedar Grove, Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Upper Montclair, and two other private homes in the area. The drive is seeking new or gently used bras, new or individually wrapped menstrual hygiene products, new socks + underwear, new travel-sized toiletries, and new or gently used cosmetics bags. More information can be found on the organization's website.
First-Ever Montclair Porchfest Happening in May 2025
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Porchfest — a celebration known across the United States, Canada, and beyond as a way for the community to celebrate local talent — will officially debut in Montclair this year. The Montclair Porchfest organizers shared with The Montclair Girl back in October that the team was aiming for the event to take place in spring 2025 — and now, we know that Porchfest will make its debut in Montclair on Saturday, May 17th. Click here for more.
Everything You Need to Know About NJ REAL ID
Starting Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, you’ll need a new form of ID for domestic travel: a REAL ID. This new federal requirement for state-issued driver licenses and non-driver IDs primarily serves to prevent fraudulent identification. Unfortunately, you can’t simply order it online or by phone — you must go in person to request a REAL ID. Passengers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/ID for domestic flights starting on that date, unless using a U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. Until that date, a standard NJ driver’s license is still valid. Click here for more.
Staci’s Sandwich Joint, a Gourmet Sub Spot, Opens in Verona
Verona recently welcomed a new deli to its growing food scene, Staci’s Sandwich Joint, located at 308 Bloomfield Avenue. This new spot, owned by wife and husband duo Staci and Rob Puleo, serves up sandwiches served on homemade bread, cozy soups, signature salads, and more. Click here for more.
