Essex County Daily Buzz: Jan. 14, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

Maplewood residents can meet Mayor Vic De Luca on Jan. 15 at the Maplewood Community Center. De Luca was selected to serve as mayor on Jan. 1 during the town committee’s reorganization meeting. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.
Maplewood Township

A two-alarm fire at a multi-unit house on Jacoby Street in Maplewood displaced nine adults and two children. Monetary donations to support affected families are accepted online.
TAPinto SOMA

Maplewood residents can participate in the library’s winter reading challenge, which ends Jan. 31. Participants must log at least 10 hours of reading by Jan. 31 to be eligible to win a [words] Bookstore gift card. Register online.
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Maplewood Public Library

South Orange and Maplewood seek nominations for its 2026 “Unsung Sheroes” awards. It recognizes local women in advocacy, arts and culture, education, leadership, and youth leadership. Nomination submissions are accepted online by Jan. 31.
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South Orange Village

Belleville’s municipal parking lots require payment during all hours. People can pay for parking using the ParkMobile phone application.
Belleville Township

Belleville dog and cat owners must purchase or renew pet licenses by Mar. 31. Applications are available online. A $5 late fee is charged for renewal licenses purchased after the deadline.
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Belleville Township

Nutley Chamber of Commerce seeks sponsors to support its 5K Run/Walk, scheduled for May 3. Payments must be received by Apr. 15.
Nutley Chamber of Commerce

West Orange Arts Council seeks monetary donations to support its programs after the township halted its financial contribution in September. Donations are accepted online.
West Orange Arts Council

Parents can attend a webinar discussing PerformCare NJ, the state’s Children’s System of Care, planned on Jan. 20 with West Orange Special Education Parents Advisory Council and Orange SEPAC. It is from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Registration is required.
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West Orange Special Education Parents Advisory Council

West Orange residents in grades 3-8 can register for West Orange Police Athletic League’s 2026 programs. Offerings include football, cheer, and flag football. Registration available online.
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West Orange Police Athletic League

Digital literacy drop-in sessions for adults planned with Newark library available through May 13 in the Main Branch. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Topics include computer basics, social media use, texting and emailing, and more. Free admission. Registration is not required.
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Newark Public Library

People can share feedback on ways to improve Branch Brook Park in an online survey. Responses will inform improvement plans.
Branch Brook Park Alliance

Montclair Area Solidarity Network seeks donations for its community distribution, scheduled for Jan. 18. Accepted items include shelf-stable food, warm clothing, toiletries, and pens, notebooks, and water. A list of items is available online. Message the organization online for drop-off.
Montclair Area Solidarity Network

People can learn about ranked-choice voting with League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area on Jan. 20 at Montclair library in the Main Branch. It begins at 6 p.m. and will discuss how ranked-choice voting works, case studies, and ways it can be implemented in N.J. Registration is recommended.
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League of Women Voters of the Montclair Area

Montclair public schools hired Sodexo as its food service provider for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Students can load money in an account online to purchase breakfast and lunch. Updated menus will be released at a later date, according to district administrators.
Montclair Township

Montclair-area youth can subscribe to Montclair library’s monthly teen newsletter. Sign up online.
Montclair Public Library

Record club meeting planned with Glen Ridge recreation on Jan. 21. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Glen Ridge Train Station. Participants will discuss “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles. Free admission.
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Glen Ridge Borough

Glen Ridge’s jitney service will discontinue after Mar. 31 because ridership declined, according to the borough. Riders can continue to purchase 10-ride ticket packs or monthly passes for January, February, and March. Annual passes will not be offered. Alternative transit plans for residents are not yet clear.
Glen Ridge Borough

Glen Ridge residents can access building permit information, request inspections, explore permit history, and search for property information through a new online portal. The portal is officially online, available 24/7, and is managed by the building department.
Glen Ridge Borough

East Orange’s mayor and council were sworn in at its reorganization meeting earlier this month. Re-elected city officials entered their new terms and First Ward Councilwoman Amy Lewis was elected City Council Chairperson.
TAPinto East Orange/Orange

East Orange YMCA’s early bird summer camp registration is open. Children age 3-15 are eligible to attend camp. Financial assistance available.
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East Orange YMCA

Martin Luther King Jr. Day program planned on Jan. 19 in Bloomfield. It begins at 10 a.m. at New Light Baptist Church.
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Bloomfield Township

Free glucose screenings planned with Hackensack Meridian Health on Jan. 21 in Bloomfield. It is from 12-2 p.m. at Bloomfield library. No fasting necessary. Registration not required.
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Hackensack Meridian Health

Bloomfield’s town mayor and four council members were sworn into office earlier this month. Rosalee Gonzalez, Monica Charris Tabares, Jill Fischman, and Tracy Toler-Phillips joined the Bloomfield Town Council, and Jenny Mundell initiated her first full four-year term.
Bloomfield Township

REGIONAL NEWS

Parents can attend Mental Health Association’s webinar on Jan. 21 discussing digital risk factors. It will discuss health risks associated with social media, AI, and online spaces. It is from 6:30-8 p.m. Free enrollment. Registration is required.Add to 📅.
Mental Health Association

People can learn about the U.S. labor movement with North NJ Democratic Socialists of America on Jan. 18 in Jersey City and online. It begins at 1 p.m. at 257 Central Ave. It will discuss unions and ways the working class can organize for labor rights. Registration is required.Add to 📅.
North NJ Democratic Socialists of America