Follow local news and events in Newark with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Dec. 17, 2025 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Holiday caroling event planned with Newark Tours on Dec. 21. It is from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 510 Highland Ave. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Explore Newark Tours
Newark’s Anheuser-Busch brewery will be sold and permanently closed in the beginning of 2026, according to an announcement from the company. The brewery has been operating in Newark since 1951 and is located at 200 U.S. Route 1 near Newark Liberty Airport. It was sold to the Goodman Group, which plans to transform the plant into a manufacturing site.
TAPinto Newark
Eligible Newark residents can submit a preliminary application for affordable housing at 74-78 Webster St. by Jan. 29. Available affordable housing units include two one-bedrooms, two two-bedrooms, and one three-bedroom. Preliminary applications available online.
Newark City
Eligible entrepreneurs can apply to Seton Hall University’s 11-month entrepreneurship program, ImpactNJ Urban Ventures Collaborative. It provides mentorship and training for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Trainings are from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 89 Market St. in Newark. Scholarships are available. Applications are accepted online until Jan. 17.
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TAPinto East Orange/Orange
Community holiday celebration planned at The HUUB on Dec. 22 in Orange. It is from 5-8 p.m. at 35 Cleveland St. There will be food, free toys, and music. Registration is not required. Free admission.
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The HUUB
Children ages 2-5 can attend Essex County Environmental Center’s “Little Explorers” program, scheduled to start Jan. 9. It is from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Roseland. The program introduces children to plants, animals, and natural colors, shapes, and textures. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Essex County Environmental Center
Turtle Back Zoo’s African Lioness, Makena, gave birth to two lion cubs on Nov. 24, making them the first to be born at the zoo. Its animal care and veterinary teams have been providing support to the animals based on recommendations from the African Lion Species Survival Plan, the zoo said.
TAPinto West Orange
REGIONAL NEWS
New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway tolls will increase by 3% stating Jan. 1. The increase will pay for costs of operation, maintenance, and improvement, according to the N.J. Turnpike Authority’s 2026 budget. The percentage increase is equal to the federal rate of inflation, meaning that spending increases are adjusted to keep up with rising costs. The NJTA said it calculates percentage increases using inflation and revenue needed for capital improvements.
Cherry Hill Courier-Post
