Essex County Daily Buzz: Dec. 17, 2024

LOCAL NEWS

Montclair State University’s Native American and Indigenous Studies program received a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to create the N.J. Center for Indigenous Justice and to expand its programming. The center will be a hub for events and gatherings that raise questions from Montclair’s Indigenous students and Native people in the state, according to the university.
Montclair Patch

Spirit Airlines is laying off 68 employees in Newark after the company declared bankruptcy and a failed merger with JetBlue, public filings show. Spirit is laying off 34 pilots, 12 supply chain workers, and 22 technical operations workers, effective between Jan. 21 and Mar. 3.
NorthJersey.com

Essex County residents can rent rooms and facilities at Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland for events and parties. Rentals are made by phone or email. Pricing, liability guidelines, and rental information are available online.
Essex County Environmental Center

Bloomfield library will close at 1 p.m. on Dec. 24. It will open again on Dec. 26 at 10 a.m.
Bloomfield Public Library

Former East Orange City Councilwoman Yvonne C. Blake, 76, died on Dec. 7. Blake served on East Orange council from 1990-1994 and recently was the acting director of East Orange health and manager of the Division of Substance Abuse. She taught at East Orange High School and held leadership roles at Newark public schools in 1987. She retired in 2009.
East Orange City

Oak Street Health will visit East Orange library on Dec. 24 to discuss information about Medicare. The event is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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East Orange Public Library

Free, gently used clothing giveaway for men planned on Dec. 19 in Irvington. The giveaway is from 3-7 p.m. at 50 Union Ave. Bus tickets available for local transportation. Light food and refreshments will be served.
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Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ

Free drop-in play group session for children up to age 4 planned by Glen Ridge library on Dec. 24. The event is from 9-11 a.m. and books and toys are provided. Caregivers must accompany children. The event is open to non-Glen Ridge residents.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Glen Ridge library will close at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. It will open again on Dec. 26 at 9 a.m.
Glen Ridge Public Library

Holiday party planned by Hilton Neighborhood Association on Dec. 19 in Maplewood. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at DeHart Community Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring a food donation for St. Joe’s Food Pantry. There will be games, pizza, and a visit from Santa.
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Hilton Neighborhood Association

South Orange and Maplewood residents must apply by Dec. 20 to join the school district’s Budget Advisory Committee. The committee is responsible for working with the district to review, analyze, and make recommendations about the budget to Superintendent Jason Bing. Applications available online.
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The Village Green

South Orange town council reappointed Township Clerk Ojetti Davis and gave her tenure at a Dec. 9 council meeting. Prior to serving as South Orange clerk, Davis was secretary for the township’s building department and zoning office
TAPinto SOMA

South Orange library will use funding from the Public Library Association to purchase new equipment, rent programming space at Baird Community Center, and resume computer classes. Grants were awarded to more than 100 libraries nationally at $5,000 or $10,000.
South Orange Public Library

South Orange increased income limits for the South Orange Village Home Improvement Program, which provides up to $10,000 in home repairs. Eligible residents can apply to repair roofs, home foundations, heating, electrical, insulation, and plumbing. Pre-applications available by phone. Income limits available to view online.
South Orange Village

Montclair residents, workers, and students can take an online survey about natural hazards, including important infrastructure and how a community should prepare. Feedback will inform the township’s climate resilience plans.
Montclair Township

Montclair library is displaying photography by Laszlo Kiss through Dec. 28 at its Main Branch. Kiss is an architect and educator. His artwork is exhibited in collections at the German Architectural Museum and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
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Montclair Local

Montclair Township Manager Michael Lapolla corrected an online post that made false claims about the Montclair Township Animal Shelter. A Facebook post not affiliated with Montclair government incorrectly suggested that the shelter will be closed and the building will be sold to a developer. Lapolla said that the there is no plan or conversation about closing the shelter or selling the building to a developer.
TAPinto Montclair

Science Park High School seniors Iyiola Ajanaku and Ashley Lourenco were awarded full scholarships through the QuestBridge Scholarship Program. Ajanaku will attend Brown University and Lourenco will attend Amherst College.
Patch Newark

Children ages 3-6 can attend Nutley recreation’s “KinderDance” pre-K program starting Jan. 8. The movement and music program runs through Feb. 12 at the Recreation Annex Building. Classes are from 4-4:45 p.m. and enrollment is $75. Registration is available online.
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Nutley Township

Nutley residents in grades K-4 can register for Nutley recreation’s winter tumbling program. It runs from Jan. 3 to Feb. 7 at the Recreation Annex Building. Attendees will practice tumbling, coordination and acrobatics skills, and exercise. Enrollment is $60. Registration is available online.
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Nutley Township

Nutley library is hiring a part-time reference librarian. Resume, references, and cover letter accepted by email until Dec. 23.
Nutley Public Library

West Orange library will close at 1 p.m. on Dec. 24. It will open again on Dec. 26 at 10 a.m.
West Orange Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey residents can use the state’s online career assistance navigator for information on occupational, post-secondary school, and financial aid. Resources are curated for students in grades 6-12, college students, and adults.
New Jersey Department of Education

Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), a hunger relief network in Essex County, opened an expanded its Fresh Food Hub in Orange last month. The expanded space includes an office, three walk-in refrigerators, and room for volunteers to support the organization. MEND currently serves more than 47,000 people per month through its food pantries and mobile food programs.
The Village Green