Essex County Daily Buzz: Feb. 17, 2026

LOCAL NEWS

People can attend a history presentation discussing George Washington, N.J., and the American Revolution on Feb. 23 at Belleville library. It is from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Add to 📅
Belleville Public Library

Bingo night for families planned at Belleville library on Feb. 24. It is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. There will be prizes. Registration is not required.
Add to 📅
Belleville Public Library

Networking event planned with Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 24 in Bloomfield. It begins at 5:30 p.m. at Town Pub, 378 Broad St. RSVP by emailing admin@suburbanessexchamber.com or calling 973-748-2000.
Add to 📅
Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce

Orange residents can bring their cats and dogs to a free rabies clinic on Feb. 22. The clinic is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Orange City Hall. Pet licenses will not be issued.
Add to 📅
City of Orange Township

Mobile office hours with Rep. LaMonica McIver planned on Feb. 24 in Hillside. McIver and her team will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hillside Senior Center to provide casework and passport assistance, share resources, and answer questions.
Add to 📅
Rep. LaMonica McIver

Nutley library is closed until further notice because of extensive water damage from a water break. Patrons can pick up library media at other libraries within the BCCLS system. Nutley library’s outdoor drop box is open for returns.
Nutley Public Library

Women’s meeting planned with Newark on Feb. 24. It is from 5-7 p.m. at 695 Bergen St. There will be headshot photoshoots, resume workshops, and more. Free admission.
Add to 📅
Newark City

Black History Month reading with author Alliah Agostini planned on Feb. 21 at Montclair library’s Main Branch. It is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Add to 📅
Montclair Township

“Collage Extravaganza” planned at Lackawanna Station on Feb. 22 in Montclair. It is from 12-4 p.m. Admission is $40. Supplies provided. Registration is required.
Add to 📅
Lackawanna Station

Families can attend a performance and reading with author and violinist J Read on Feb. 22 at Montclair library’s Main Branch. It is from 3-4 p.m. and will include a reading of “Chickadee.” Registration is required. Library card not required. Free admission.
Add to 📅
Montclair Public Library

Montclair residents can share feedback on ways to improve Canterbury Park during a public hearing, scheduled for Feb. 24. It begins at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Building. A community input survey is also available online.
Add to 📅
Montclair Township

Montclair residents can visit the Landlord-Tenant Advisory Committee during office hours. It is open the first Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the third Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. at 205 Claremont Ave. The committee can answer rent-related questions, provide information about rights and obligations, and direct landlords and tenants to additional assistance.
Montclair Township

Families can attend SOMA summer camp fair on Feb. 22 in Maplewood. It is from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Registration is required online.
Add to 📅
South Mountain YMCA

Reception of “Kids Speak Out: Art and Poetry on Equality, Individuality and Social Justice” planned at Maplewood library on Feb. 24 in the Main Branch. It is from 4-5:30 p.m. Registration is not required. Student artwork and poetry will be on display at the library throughout February.
Add to 📅
Maplewood Public Library

People can attend Maplewood library’s financial Q&A drop-in session at the Hilton Branch on Feb. 24. It is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It is free and led by financial advisor Gary Jones.
Add to 📅
Maplewood Public Library

Lunar New Year story time and craft for children ages 5+ planned at South Orange library’s Baird Branch on Feb. 24. It is from 4-5 p.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
Add to 📅
South Orange Public Library

Youth in grades 6-12 can attend South Mountain YMCA’s Future Makers Entrepreneurial Program, scheduled to start Feb. 24. It meets Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. through May 5. Attendees learn about financial literacy, leadership, and problem solving. Registration is required. Free enrollment.
Add to 📅
South Mountain YMCA

South Orange’s jitney bus schedule is adjusted to align with NJ Transit’s new train schedule. NJ Transit will temporarily operate on a modified train schedule until Mar. 14 as Amtrak works on the Portal North Bridge. South Orange’s jitney bus schedule is available online.
South Orange Village

Book club for adults planned with South Orange library on Feb. 24. Attendees will discuss “James” by Percival Everett at 7 p.m. at 110 Vose Ave. Registration is required. Library card not required.
Add to 📅.
South Orange Public Library

Black History Month celebration planned at Irvington library on Feb. 21. It is from 2-4 p.m. Free admission.
Add to 📅
Irvington Public Library

Family Support Organization of Essex County’s open house is scheduled for Feb. 21 in East Orange. Attendees will meet its youth partnership team, which is responsible for youth programs. It is from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at 60 Evergreen Pl.
Add to 📅
Family Support Organization of Essex County

Book club meeting for youth in grades 8-12 planned at East Orange library on Feb. 23. Attendees will discuss “The Port Chicago 50” by Steve Sheinkin at 4 p.m. Registration is not required. Free admission.
Add to 📅
East Orange Public Library

East Orange school district is hosting a Q&A webinar on Feb. 25. It begins at 7 p.m. People can submit questions online to the school district’s leadership team by Feb. 18.
Add to 📅
East Orange Public Schools

Bloomfield’s shuttle bus schedule is adjusted to align with NJ Transit’s new train schedule. NJ Transit will temporarily operate on a modified train schedule until Mar. 14 as Amtrak works on the Portal North Bridge. Bloomfield’s shuttle bus schedule is available online.
Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell

Free concert with saxophonist Bradford Hayes planned with Bloomfield recreation on Feb. 23. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center. Tickets required and available online.
Add to 📅
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

Take-home handprint groundhog craft for children available at West Orange library on Feb. 23. Craft materials available all day at the youth services desk.
Add to 📅
West Orange Public Library

Children and youth can attend a financial literacy course at West Orange library on Feb. 25. It will discuss budgeting, saving, investing, loans, and more from 6-7 p.m. Registration is not required. Free admission.
Add to 📅
West Orange Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

New Jersey utility customers will see little change in their electricity costs when new rates take effect in June, the N.J. Board of Public Utilities said. Electric bills will decrease by a monthly average of $3.23 for PSE&G customers and $1.17 for Rockland Electric customers. It will increase by a monthly average of $0.22 for Atlantic City Electric customers and by $2.23 for JCP&L customers. The new rates come after electric bills increased by an average of 20% in 2025. Market rates are determined at an annual auction based on overall energy costs.
NJ Spotlight News