By Elana Knopp on CRANFORD
CRANFORD, NJ — Linda Rosen’s passion for art hearkens back to her childhood. “I used to draw on the walls when I was 4 years old,” laughs Rosen, the winner of the Union County Arts Outside the Box contest, which attracts talent from throughout Union County. The year-old county-wide initiative was created to support local artists […]
By Elana Knopp on HILLSIDE
HILLSIDE, NJ — Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson’s abrupt demotion two weeks ago of former Chief of Police Louis Panarese has unleashed a firestorm of criticism. The notification of the demotion of Panarese from chief of police to captain — just one of many controversial moves by Garretson — came three hours before that decision went into […]
By Elana Knopp on MOUNTAINSIDE
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — The vast parcel of land at 1490 and 1496 Route 22 in Mountainside has quite the storied past. On the property sits the former residence of Genovese crime family member Angelo “Gyp” DeCarlo, who ran the family’s loansharking operations during the ’60s. The huge house sits, crumbling and deteriorating, on land that has […]
By Elana Knopp on UNION
UNION, NJ — Seven girls, poised and graceful, stand at attention, batons at their sides. They are focused, serious, and ready to churn out another impressive series of synchronized moves. This is the Union High School Baton Twirling Competition Team, and they are an exclusive group. According to Nicole Marie Placca, who has been coaching this […]
By Elana Knopp on CRANFORD
CRANFORD, NJ — There are paper mache sculptures, African tribal masks, watercolors, ink and pencil sketches, jewelry and pottery in the bustling Student Commons at Union County College. Down the hall in a vast gymnasium, a group of dancers dressed in gray and white and wearing dramatic face paint perform a modern dance before a pumped […]
By Elana Knopp on UNION
UNION, NJ — It was a picture-perfect day for an Easter egg hunt. Liberty Hall Museum’s annual Easter egg hunt was held on its 23-acre campus, located on the grounds of Kean University, on Saturday, March 26. Bill Schroh. Jr., director of museum operations, said the popular event is sold out every year. “We’ve been doing […]
By Elana Knopp on HILLSIDE
Demotion deepens ongoing friction between town officials, departments
HILLSIDE, NJ — Mayor Angela Garretson has struck again. The sudden demotion last week of Hillside Chief of Police Louis Panarese has left the already beleaguered township in the throes of yet another scandal. According to Officer Mark Casterline, who has been with the Hillside Police Department for nine years, the demotion of Panarese from chief […]