Vertreese claims narrow victory in runoff for Hillside mayor

By Frank Capece,  Political Correspondent HILLSIDE, NJ — Dahlia Vertreese won a narrow victory over Jorge Batista for Hillside mayor on Dec. 5, prevailing by 28 votes in unofficial results of more than 3,400 cast in a two-person runoff. Vertreese, who has an extensive background in labor organizing and was a former teacher in Newark, received […]

Summit home damaged by fire

Summit home damaged by fire

SUMMIT, NJ — A Warwick Road residence in Summit suffered significant fire and smoke damage from a Nov. 30 blaze that was extinguished in less than an hour, city officials said in a release. An elderly occupant of the home was not present at the time of the blaze, officials said. Summit firefighters responded to […]

Superior Court clears Hillside mayor of traffic violations

HILLSIDE, NJ — A Superior Court judge cleared Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson of three traffic summonses issued to her by the former president of the township’s police union. The ruling overturned the decision of a Union Municipal Court judge, who originally found Garretson guilty of three violations. Garretson was elected Nov. 7 to the Union County […]

Union school board asks prosecutor for burglary restitution

Union school board asks prosecutor for burglary restitution

UNION, NJ — The Union school board asked the Union County Prosecutor’s Office to seek restitution for the $26,222 stolen from a high school secretary’s desk in June, Superintendent Gregory Tatum said at a Nov. 21 meeting. Nine suspects were arrested in connection with the early morning burglary at Union High School during the summer. The […]

No timetable set for Linden train station repairs

No timetable set for Linden train station repairs

LINDEN, NJ — NJ Transit has met with Linden officials to discuss fixes to the city’s train station after a councilman last month raised concerns about who should pay for the restorations. Councilman Peter Brown showed LocalSource a number of issues at the station in October, including a stairway to the platform that was barricaded due […]

Springfield bullying claims go before mediator

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — Springfield school officials and a mother who claims her 9-year-old daughter has been bullied will go before a mediator to settle a widely publicized dispute over the girl’s fourth-grade class assignment. The two sides were ordered into mediation by U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi after Irina Spektor sued the district in federal […]

Roselle officials amend lease for school and recreation complex amid lawsuit

ROSELLE, NJ — The Roselle school board and council held simultaneous yet separate meetings to resolve a sublease issue involving a proposed $59 million school and recreation project in the borough. The council held a special emergency meeting on Nov. 20, while the school board held its own regularly scheduled meeting at Abraham Clark High School. […]

Summit police, fire set for another Toys for Tots drive

Summit police, fire set for another Toys for Tots drive

SUMMIT, NJ — For 15 years, the Summit police and fire departments have been collecting trucks, dolls and various other toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. And each year, the number of items donated increases. “The first time we did it, we only collected a couple of toys during the span of […]

Clark family persistent in pancreatic cancer cause

CLARK, NJ — Every November, members of one Clark family dress in purple and make their annual pilgrimage to the Township Council meeting to spread the word about World Pancreatic Cancer Day. For nine years, the Cohen family, clad in purple, which represents pancreatic cancer awareness, have attended the council meeting to witness the renewal of […]