HILLSIDE, NJ — They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. And when it comes to conditions at the Hillside Fire Department, the adage may be true. According to Jeff Albrecht, Hillside fire captain and president of the FMBA Local #35, the conditions at the department are dangerous and downright appalling. Diminished manpower, working […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — They wore dresses of ruby red, seafoam green, and muted silver. Almost a dozen senior girls from Hillside High School strutted their stuff on the runway in search of the perfect dress for their upcoming prom — and there were plenty to choose from. The Prom Gown Giveaway, spearheaded by longtime Hillside resident […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — Allegations of misconduct have surfaced at the Hillside Board of Education. Michael Schwarz, technology manager for the school district, has allegedly violated the School Ethics Act. An anonymous source in the department, hereafter referred to as Alpha and given male pronouns, told LocalSource in an exclusive interview that Schwarz, who has been […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — Hillside’s superintendent of the Departments of Public Works has resigned after only three months on the job. Sandra Caceres cites a demotion to general supervisor, a 30 percent cut in pay, and difficulty working under Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson as the deciding factors in leaving her post. According to Caceres, she sent a […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — The Garretson administration, it seems, is struggling to pay the bills. According to Officer Matt Casterline, Union President of the Patrolmen’s Association, the matter of unpaid bills and accumulating debt has been an ongoing issue for quite some time under the Garretson administration. Casterline cites an incident two years ago that he refers […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — Police department decor has changed these days, at least in Hillside. More than 20 buckets and garbage cans dot headquarters, collecting water from gaping holes in the warped and stained ceiling. Blue tarps cover computers and printers to shield from leaking water coming from a severely damaged roof. Garbage bags cover the leaking, […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — Former Chief of Police Louis Panarese has been dealt another blow at the hands of Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson. The April 5 workshop meeting of the Hillside council was standing room only, as members of the police department, police chiefs from surrounding municipalities, residents and friends came out to support Panarese, who was […]
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 […]
ELIZABETH — A Union County jury has returned guilty verdicts against a Hillside man for shooting two people, one fatally, four years ago, Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced. Jonathan James, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes […]
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 […]