West Orange Daily Buzz: Sep. 23, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Children can take home a paper cup owl craft at West Orange library on Sep. 29. Crafts are available all day at the youth services department. Supplies are available on a first come first served basis.
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West Orange Public Library

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

Milo’s Exotic Snacks recently opened in West Orange. It is located at 298 Main St. It is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays until 6 p.m.
Milo’s Exotic Snacks

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

Book discussion group for adults planned with South Orange library on Sep. 30. It is from 7-8 p.m. at 110 Vose Ave. Attendees will discuss “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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South Orange Public Library

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

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

Youth can attend acting classes planned at NJSDA starting Oct. 4 in Montclair. Classes include acting 101, musical theater, and acting for television and film, and improv. All classes are held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Registration is available online.
New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts

“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

Residents can view the West Orange African Heritage Organization’s forum for town council candidates online. The form was held Sep. 14. Candidates running to fill an open council seat are Gerard Companion, Kenneth Gibbons, Justin Goldsman, Jennifer Iorio, David Allen-Matheson, Bill Rutherford, and Tammy Williams. The election is Nov. 4.
The West Orange African Heritage Organization

Paper Plane Coffee Co. reopened at 194 Claremont Ave., its original location, after two years of renovations. Its second location is at 61 N. Fullerton Ave.
Montclair Girl

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

“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

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