Follow local news and events in West Orange with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Feb. 17, 2026 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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
