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 […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — An educational movement to deliver free, private tutoring to children from low-income families is brewing in Union County. Nuno Pereira, a 20-year-old studying at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, in New York City, can remember growing up in Hillside without access to the resources that help students succeed — books, classroom supplies, […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Jayda, star of the 2016 television mini documentary series ‘Brick City’ spoke to a predominantly female student audience at Hillside High School. Jayda discussed mistakes she made in her life and urged the audience to prioritize their education, resisting negative peer pressure and making better choices. The event was […]
HILLSIDE, NJ — Hundreds of Hillside residents cleaned out the inventory at a local floral shop, presented some of the bouquets they bought to store owners up and down Maple Avenue, and bolstered local businesses using their hearts — along with their credit cards — on Valentine’s Day. It was the second monthly “love mob,” put […]