Essex County Daily Buzz: Dec. 21, 2023

Local news

Newark city council voted 8-0 to lower voting age for school board election to 16 in advance of April 2024 election. A final vote on the ordinance is planned for Jan. 10. If passed, it will partially enfranchise 7,200 Newark residents age 16-17. The 2023 school board election turned out just 3 percent of registered voters.
TAPinto Newark

Newark marks 100 years of reporting weather data to National Weather Service. The city’s reservoir watershed in West Milford recently received awards from the World Meteorological Organization and the National Weather Service celebrating its centennial. The facility measures precipitation and temperatures to manage the dam and reporting findings to state and federal weather offices.
TAPinto Newark

Essex County declares a “Code Blue Activation” from Dec. 21 through the morning of Dec. 22 due to forecasted temperatures below 32 degrees. People seeking shelter can visit participating facilities at St. Mark’s Church at 51 Elm St. and Office Restaurant at 619 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, and Irvington Neighborhood Improvement Corp. located at 346 16th Ave. in Irvington. All locations accept single men and women.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Glen Ridge library to host “Snowflake Day” craft on Dec. 27. Patrons are invited to stop by the library from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to create paper snowflakes for display in the children’s room. Add to 📅.
Glen Ridge Public Library

Nutley’s three liquor stores will be allowed to open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31. A resolution permitting the extended hours was approved by the board of commissioners unanimously on Dec. 19.
TAPinto Nutley

New Jersey Citizen Action to host “Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period Assistance” from Dec. 21 to Jan. 31 at their 165 Halsey St. in Newark location. Free virtual and in-person appointments are available. Walk-ins welcome. Assistance is available in English and Spanish. Preregistration can be completed by phone, email, or through an online form. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Citizen Action

Brookdale ShopRite receives $250K grant from state economic development authority to open grocery pick up location at Shani Baraka Women’s Resource Center in South Ward. The location is intended to expand grocery access in the food desert with the installation of refrigerated lockers that could more safely store deliveries for local pickup. Residents will be able to place online orders with ShopRite for free delivery to the location.
NJ BIZ

Edna Hill, a resident at New Community Extended Care Facility in Newark, recently celebrated her 100th birthday with her family, nursing home staff, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and city council members. Hill was celebrated for her public service as clerk and to her church community.
Patch Newark

Rutgers-Newark creates new Chair in LGBTQ+ Public Health at its School of Public Health with gift from alumnus James F. Dougherty. The endowed chair help establish the Rutgers Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health.
Patch Newark

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office charged Bloomfield firefighter Walter Coffey with “harassment with a purpose to intimidate” after giving a Black co-worker a rope noose, according to a filed complaint. Patrick Thomas has hired attorneys and obtained a temporary restraining order against Coffey, who has been suspended without pay. Attorneys are investigating the fire department to determine if they had prior knowledge of Coffey’s actions, and a permanent restraining order is pending.
NBC News

First Congregational Church of Montclair seeks donations for its 2023 “Winter Clothing Drive” starting Dec. 24. Donations of coats, jackets, mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and new thermal underwear and socks can be dropped off in the FCC Narthex through Jan. 31. Items should be for adults and teenagers. Some child-size clothing is welcome. Donations will go to refugees in Irvington bussed to the area without their consent from some Southern states. Add to 📅.
First Congregational Church of Montclair

Montclair Historic Preservation Committee unanimously voted to designate properties along Label Street a historic district. The properties were previously considered for real estate development. The resolution will be forwarded to the municipal council for approval.
Montclair Local

West Orange-based band Rainbow Vision released its newest EP, “Dire Hydration.” Band members Adrian Crane, Max Sanders, Dylan Schatell, Peter Tunnicliffe, and Emily Lossman are seniors at WOHS. Dire Hydration is available for streaming and purchase on Bandcamp.
West Orange Public Schools

Isaiah House, an East Orange non-profit that supports unhoused and at-risk families, seeks holiday lunch and dinner catering sponsors for its residents. Contact Isaiah House by phone or email.
Isaiah House

Newark council members expressed concerns about the micro-transit rental program NewarkGo during a discussion with bike and scooter vendors, citing safety risks and crashes. Community members can call the city’s 4311 number to request a bike or scooter be picked up by Newark’s engineering department if it’s in an inappropriate location. Vendors Bird and Veo said they issue warnings, fines, and suspensions for riders who park improperly.
TAPinto Newark

Friends of the Bellevue Avenue Library plans 2023 “Holiday Book Sale” through Dec. 30 in Montclair. Books, DVDs, CDs, and other media are available for $0.50 to $1. Add to 📅.
Friends of Bellevue Avenue Library

East Orange library’s Knit and Crochet Club plans meeting for adults Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. in the main branch. Participants must bring their own supplies. Add to 📅.
East Orange Public Library

East Orange library to host “Tech Q&A” session Dec. 27. The event is from 4-4:30 p.m. to teach adults more about their technology, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Face masks and preregistration are required. Add to 📅.
East Orange Public Library

Newark’s affordable housing units can be found and listed on www.newarkhousingsearch.com. Property owners and developers are required to post all available listings online, giving residents priority access under the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance.
Newark City

East Orange Parking Authority to extend office hours starting Dec. 23. Residents can purchase 2024 parking permits Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 27-29 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or during regular weekday hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permits and visitor’s parking passes can be purchased online.
East Orange City

East Orange plans 2023 Kwanza celebration Dec. 27. The event begins at 4 p.m. at the Bowser Family Senior Center with special guests Dr. Weldon McWilliams, IV and Queen AaMinah Hassell. Add to 📅.
East Orange City

Regional news

New Jersey’s minimum wage will increase to $15.13 per hour for most employees Jan. 1, 2024. The minimum wage for seasonal and small employers will rise to $13.73. Long-term care facilities minimum wages will rise to $18.13. Tipped worker cash wages will remain at $5.26.
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development