Follow local news and events in Irvington with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Sep. 23, 2025 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Silent reading club for adults planned at East Orange library on Sep. 30. Participants will meet and read quietly without distractions from 6-8:30 p.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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East Orange Public Library
“Road to Wellness Mobile Health Fair” planned with Essex County health on Sep. 28 in Newark. It is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Branch Brook Park. There will be free health screenings, health insurance and SNAP enrollment, mental health and substance use resources, and more. Free admission.
Essex County
Free eviction defense workshop planned by Newark library on Sep. 30 in the Main Branch. Lawyers from Essex Newark Legal Services will lead the workshop from 6-8 p.m. It will discuss tenants’ constitutional rights and tenant court proceedings. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Newark Public Library
Newark’s University Hospital completed its emergency department expansion. It includes 20 private treatment rooms, nine treatment cubicles, a waiting area, radiology registration area, renovated entrance and lobby, and two nurses’ stations and support areas.
Patch Newark
Newark-Pequannock Water Treatment Plant received upgrades to improve its water quality for the 400,000 residents in North Jersey it supplies water to. Upgrades include filter replacements, a system to control and monitor water quality, and a new air-scouring system. The upgrades were made to protect local water lines from PFAS contamination, also known as “forever chemicals,” accoridng to Newark Water and Sewer Utility director Kareem Adeem.
NJ Advance Media
South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race is hiring a consultant to guide its board and staff through planning processes. Applicants must submit a proposal by Oct. 5. Guidelines are available online.
South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race
Wellness event for seniors planned with Essex County senior services on Sep. 30 in West Orange. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Richard J. Codey Arena. There will be health screenings, education resources, and free entry to Turtle Back Zoo.
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Essex County Division of Senior Services
“Community Safety and Prevention of Elopement for Children and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” webinar planned with Arc of Essex County on Sep. 30. It will discuss pedestrian and passenger safety, water safety, and internet safety among other topics. Registration is required. Free admission.
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The Arc of Essex County
Turtle Back Zoo is transforming the former Sea Lion Sound exhibit into a habitat for lemurs, according to Essex County officials. The zoo’s existing pool will be converted to resemble a beach for the lemurs. There will be a mesh enclosure to cover the exhibit. An opening date has not been announced.
TAPinto West Orange
REGIONAL NEWS
New Jersey joined six states in forming a regional public health coalition, the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. It was formed in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to limit COVID vaccine access and eligibility, according to state health officials. The coalition includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York state, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Public health agencies from each state met in August and established working groups for emergency preparedness, vaccine recommendations, data collection, infectious disease management, and laboratory services. It will provide guidance and recommendations for vaccines, medications, and health services, state officials said.
NJ Advance Media
New Jersey candidates for lieutenant governor will participate in a state-sponsored debate on Sep. 30 in Union. It is from 7-8 p.m. at Kean University. Lieutenant governor acts as vice governor. Jim Gannon is running alongside governor candidate Jack Ciattarelli, and Dale Caldwell is running alongside governor candidate Mikie Sherrill. The debate can be viewed on WPIX and WPHL. The general election is Nov. 4. Add to 📅.
NJ Spotlight News
New Jersey will spend $130.7 million in opioid settlement funds to expand harm reduction services and support community-based programs addressing substance use. More than $118 million will go towards harm reduction infrastructure, including brick-and-mortar sites, mobile outreach, and integration of harm reduction services into existing health care settings. The remaining funds will support services for families affected by substance use, including bereavement groups, prevention programs, and harm reduction support services.
Governor Phil Murphy
