Follow local news and events in Maplewood with The Jersey Bee. Here is the The Daily Buzz for Dec. 21, 2023 from The Jersey Bee.
Local news
SOMA Justice to host 2023 “Kwanzaa Celebration” on Dec. 30 in Maplewood. The event is from 6-8 p.m. and includes a dinner at The Woodland Parlor, 60 Woodland Rd. Pre-register online. Add to 📅.
SOMA Justice
Seton Hall University to host the 2023 “New Jersey Higher Ed Mental Health Summit” on Jan. 10 in South Orange. The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature a keynote address by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and various breakout sessions led by experts. Attendees will develop strategies together to support students’ well-being. Preregistration is required. Add to 📅.
ROI NJ
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.
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 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
NJPAC to host a holiday circus from Cirque Dreams Holidaze Dec. 26 in Newark. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at 1 Center St. It features aerial acts, jugglers, dancers, and other performers in a Broadway-style production. Tickets are available online for purchase. Add to 📅.
NJPAC
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
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
