Follow local news and events in East Orange with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Dec. 16, 2025 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
East Orange’s citywide “holiday caravan” is planned for Dec. 19. The parade begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Add to 📅
TAPinto East Orange/Orange
Parade celebrating East Orange Junior Jaguars 11U national championship win is scheduled for Dec. 20. It begins at 11 a.m. at 44 City Hall Plaza. A celebration rally will follow at 12 p.m. at Campus High School.
Add to 📅
East Orange City
Parking is free along Orange’s metered streets through Jan. 2 for the holiday season.
City of Orange Township
Applications are open to enroll in the STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges for the 2026-27 school year. They are available online until Jan. 16.
Add to 📅
Orange Public Schools
Assemblyman Michael Venezia seeks donations of non-perishable food items and new or lightly used winter coats by Dec. 19. Items accepted at locations in Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, and Nutley. Locations available online.
Add to 📅
District 34 Assemblyman Michael Venezia
Financial workshop planned with Ironbound Community Corporation on Dec. 19 in Newark and online. It begins at 10 a.m. at 432 Lafayette St. Zoom link is available online. Free admission.
Add to 📅
Ironbound Community Corporation
Intergenerational game night planned with Newark LGBTQ Community Center on Dec. 20. It is from 6-9 p.m. at 89 Market St. RSVP by phone.
Add to 📅
Newark LGBTQ Community Center
Newark-area residents can schedule a free mental health consultation with La Casa de Don Pedro. The free consultation is part of La Casa’s new mental health care program at El Barrio Wellness, 76 Clinton Ave. in Newark. Registration is required for the free consultation.
La Casa De Don Pedro
Families can attend story time sessions at the Turtle Back Zoo on Dec. 19-21 in West Orange. The 45-minute sessions are held at the Berson Education Center. It is $10 per person. Children younger than 2 can enter for free. Tickets are available online.
Add to 📅
Turtle Back Zoo
Essex County parks moved its administration building to Newark on Dec. 15. It is open at 115 Clifton Ave.
Essex County Parks
Essex County residents can share feedback on ways to improve the Turtle Back Zoo’s Hoof Stock Barn. Feedback is accepted in an online survey.
Essex County Parks
REGIONAL NEWS
Fourteen people have filed to run in a special election to fill N.J.’s 11th congressional district, which is left vacant by governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. The list of candidates is available online and includes 13 Democrats and one Republican. New Jersey will hold a special primary election on Feb. 5, according to a writ of election. The district includes parts of Morris, Essex, and Passaic counties. The special general election is Apr. 16.
New Jersey Globe
New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill chose Jennifer Davenport as the state’s next attorney general. The attorney general is the state’s top lawyer that oversees legal and law enforcement matters. Davenport is a prosecutor who worked as N.J.’s First Assistant Attorney General under then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. Davenport also worked as an assistant U.S. Attorney and as an attorney for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The state Senate must approve Davenport’s nomination, but she can serve in an acting capacity when Attorney General Matt Platkin’s term ends in January.
CBS News
