LINDEN, NJ — The Rev. Peter De Franco looked slightly out of place in his robes as people rushed passed him to buy train tickets during the morning rush hour on Feb. 14. “Good morning! Would you like ashes?” De Franco asked commuters as they walked toward the train platform around 8:30 a.m. on Ash […]
UNION, NJ — A Franklin Elementary School teacher said she had many of the same experiences growing up in town as the character in her self-published children’s book. “You kind of grow up thinking you’re not good not enough,” said Nikki Gangemi, who now coaches others to combat those feelings with yoga and meditation. “That’s […]
LINDEN, NJ — Current and former city officials are questioning Mayor Derek Armstead’s use of a police escort for social events even though he has a city-issued vehicle, a practice that the city attorney said is permissible. Council members Gretchen Hickey and Jorge Alvarez, along with former mayor Richard Gerbounka, said a police escort was […]
UNION, NJ — Schools around the county are carrying doses of a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose since teen deaths from drugs like heroin and prescription painkillers have seen a spike in recent years. Nurses at the middle and high schools in Westfield have been carrying Narcan, a brand name version […]
ELIZABETH, NJ — A Nicholas LaCorte-Peterstown School No. 3 student diagnosed with influenza has died, the Elizabeth superintendent said in district-wide letters sent on Feb. 18 and 19. “It is with great sadness that I must report to you that the Elizabeth School District has lost one of its own,” Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer said in […]
UNION, NJ — Three of the nine people arrested for the theft of about $26,000 in cash from a Union High School secretary’s desk in June have received pretrial intervention and agreed to pay restitution, a court official said. Kevin Rea, Marlon Roberts and Joshua Cipriano will each pay $2,250 in restitution, an official said. […]
ELIZABETH, NJ — Angel Villafane was just 16 years old when he was first incarcerated for four years on weapons charges. When he left prison, he didn’t have a high school diploma. He landed in a Hudson County prison again at 25, this time on drug charges. He started using, too. His drug of choice: […]
ROSELLE, NJ — The Bayonne firm of Donohue, Gironda, Doria & Tomkins will conduct an audit of the local school district after the business administrator and his secretary were relieved of their duties, the school board attorney said. Jason Jones and his secretary, Jade Wilson, were “relieved of their responsibilities” effective Jan. 30, Roselle Superintendent […]
ROSELLE, NJ — A lawsuit intended to halt a proposed $59 million school, library and recreation project in the borough will proceed despite the county freeholders cancelling its bond guarantees for the project. Anthony Esposito, a former school board member, said he will continue to pursue action against multiple agencies, including the county, Roselle Borough […]
ROSELLE, NJ — Not enough school board members were present to hold a scheduled meeting on Jan. 29, creating uncertainty about the board’s next meeting and prompting shouts among residents in attendance. Only four school board members were present, one short needed for a quorum. The agenda called for the appointment of a new school […]