Hillside’s first black female police captain steps up

Hillside’s first black female police captain steps up

HILLSIDE, NJ — Hillside now has its first female black police captain. Hillside acting Chief of Police Louis Panarese appointed Lashonda Burgess, the first black female in the department, to the position of captain on April 3, securing her place as both the first female and first black police captain in Hillside’s history. Burgess grew up […]

Hillside’s business administrator leaves position

HILLSIDE, NJ — Hillside Business Administrator Stephanie Bush-Baskette heads off to Bridgeton, where she will serve as that town’s new business administrator. An administrator with an illustrious career and top-notch credentials, including a Ph.D. in criminal justice, Bush-Baskette served in the New Jersey state Legislature, as well as serving in the gubernatorial cabinet and as […]

Council reinstates Panarese just days after suspension

HILLSIDE, NJ — In an ironic twist of events, former Hillside Chief of Police Louis Panarese has been reinstated by the town council at their June 14 meeting — just days after Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson handed down a 10-day, unpaid suspension to Panarese for alleged insubordination. Panarese — whom Garretson demoted several months ago […]

Allegations of misconduct at Hillside BOE

Allegations of misconduct at Hillside BOE

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 […]